Closed form analysis of a gamma, back-to-back free displacer Stirling engine

Conference · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5371251

Lewis, K L; Kilgour, D B; Lazarides, Y G; Rallis, C J

A back-to-back, free displacer, gamma type Stirling engine has been designed and is currently under manufacture and development at the University of the Witwatersrand. This paper presents a simple idealized analysis for such an engine. It involves the coupling together of the thermodynamic and mechanical equations, and by the use of classical control and vibration theory, closed form solutions are obtained. This work follows up on previous methods of analysis developed by Berchowitz, WyattMair and Goldberg for similar types of engines. A numerical application of the analysis has been carried out for the design in order to evaluate the operating frequency, phase displacements, amplitude of oscillation and basic output power. Performance characteristics are obtained and detailed in the paper. The analysis has provided analytic proof of the viability of the proposed engine configuration, highlighted weak areas and provided a background to higher order analysis. A programme of experimental validation is under way.

• Research Organization: Univ. of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
• OSTI ID: 5371251
• Report Number(s): CONF-830812-
• Journal Information: Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States), Vol. 2; Conference: 18. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference, Orlando, FL, USA, 21 Aug 1983
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
STIRLING ENGINES
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
AMPLITUDES
CONFIGURATION
DESIGN
EQUATIONS
FREQUENCY DEPENDENCE
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
OSCILLATIONS
PERFORMANCE
PHASE STUDIES
THERMODYNAMICS
VALIDATION
ENGINES
HEAT ENGINES
TESTING
330201* - External Combustion Engines- Stirling Cycle