FREE-PISTON STIRLING ENGINES.

Abstract

This chapter discusses in part I the elementary aspects of free-piston Stirling engines describing their types and classifications, including single-acting as well as double-acting, hybrid, pendulum, diaphragm, and duplex free-piston Stirling engines. Part II discusses their dynamics, in particular as vibrating systems, including vector representation of vibrating systems and of free-piston Stirling engines. Part III discusses some practical considerations, in particular: piston centering, seals, bearings (hydrodynamics and hydrostatic), materials, springs, and spring stiffness.