Int.J.

Applied Thermodynamics, ISSN 1301-9724

Vol.2, (No.2), pp. 81-88, June-1999

Simplified Theory of Ringbom Stirling Machines

Pierre ROCHELLE
Laboratoire de Mécanique Physique, Université de Paris VI
2 Place de la Gare de Ceinture, F - 78210 Saint-Cyr l'Ecole - France
Phone: + 33 130854878, E-mail: rochelle@ccr.jussieu.fr
Pascal STOUFFS
Laboratoire de Thermique-Energétique, ISITEM,
La Chantrerie, B.P. 90604, F - 44306 Nantes Cedex 3 - France
Phone: + 33 240683150, E-mail: Pascal.Stouffs@isitem.univ-nantes.fr

Abstract
This paper presents a first order analysis of four types of overdriven free-displacer Stir-
ling machines. All the presented types of machines can work as refrigerating machines,
prime movers or heat exchange accelerators depending on parameters such as the hot to
cold source temperatures ratio, the nondimensional mass of working gas in the ma-
chine, the displacer rod to displacer cross sectional area ratio, the corrected dead space
to piston cylinder volume ratio and the displacer to piston cylinder volume ratio.
In its analytical form this theory holds for machines at low speed as it is assumed that
the piston displacement can be neglected during the displacer movement duration. This
analysis may be used to find the conditions and values giving either the best theoretical
refrigerating cycle or the best theoretical prime mover cycle, the associated reference
work, reference time, efficiency and heat quantities involved. A table gives the analyti-
cal expressions and the limiting values of the main parameters for the four different
types of Ringbom machines considered.
The preliminary design of a Ringbom prime mover is then presented. The main pa-
rameters influences are predicted and the magnitude of work, rotational speed limit and
efficiency are obtained.
Keywords: Stirling machine, Ringbom machine, free-displacer, first order analysis,
ideal analysis, Schmidt analysis.

1. Introduction free displacer engine (type I-Figure 1), and the

The Stirling cycle is one of the most inter-
esting practical thermodynamic cycles and up to
now, numerous works have been devoted to its
development, especially with the kinematic Stir-
ling engines and the refrigerating machines (Or-
gan 1992, Reader and Hooper 1983, Urieli and
Berchowitz 1984, Walker 1980, Walker 1983,
West 1986). But the low-cost simple free-
displacer machines, also called Ringbom ma-
chines (Walker and Senft 1985, Senft 1993, Senft
1996), have been less studied though the Schmidt
analysis could be easily applied to that kind of
system in which the displacer movement is
merely caused by the difference between work-
ing-gas and bounce-space pressures.
The presented model is extensively devel-
oped for a separate lower-volume guiding-rod
Int.J. Applied Thermodynamics, Vol.2 (No.2)
results are extended to the three other main types
of machines (Figure 2). They give pre-dictions
of the main parameters influences.
2. Principle of Operation
In order to minimize the difficulties of
treatment and, also, not to be unrealistic, the
following assumptions have been used:
- constant mass of a perfect gas
- isothermal heat exchanges during compres-
sion and expansion
- perfect regeneration
- inelastic shocks of the displacer
- clearance volume (dead space) Vd at an over-
all temperature Td
- uniform instantaneous gas pressure
- sinusoidal motion of the heavy working piston
81
 - constant bounce space pressure. - mass: p B VW r TC working fluid mass con-
tained in the working cylinder when at maxi-
mum volume and at mean pressure.

Figure 1. Type I of free-displacer Stirling machines.

The operation of the free-displacer Stirling

engine is described with reference to Figure 1.
The annular gap between displacer and cylinder
wall is used as hot and cold heat exchanger and
regenerator. Let us assume that the displacer is
near the top of the displacer cylinder and that the
piston is moving upward. The piston motion
causes an increase of the working gas pressure
which becomes greater than the bounce space
pressure. Then the increasing gas pressure dif-
ference acting on the displacer rod area pushes
the displacer down. The displacer moves the
working gas from the cold to the hot volume,
thus further increasing its pressure and accelerat-
ing the displacer downward until it reaches the
bottom of the displacer cylinder. The piston
moves downward (working stroke) increasing the
cold volume and reducing the working gas pres- Figure 2. Other types of free-displacer Stirling
sure which becomes lower than the bounce space machines.
pressure. Then, the pressure difference induces The total mass of working gas enclosed in
an upward motion of the displacer which moves the cylinders is:
the hot gas to the cold space, reducing the work-
ing gas pressure and accelerating the displacer p  (x 0 − x )S 0 (S 2 − S)y
motion. The piston is then moving upward due m =  +
r TC TC
S 2 (y 0 − y ) Vd 
to its sinusoidal motion (flywheel energy or elas-
tic spring energy) and increases the working gas + + 
pressure once again. Then the cycle repeats. TE Td 

= p
x 0S0 (
 1− x
* ) ( )
+ Σ 1 − s* y*
3. Basic Equations rTC 
Σ(1 − y ) + σΣ 
In order to generalize the results of the cal- *1 
+
culations we use dimensionless parameters and τ 
variables with the following reference parame- where:
ters: y y S
x * = xx ; y * = y ; Σ = x 0S2 ; Vw = x 0 S 0 ;
0 0 0 0
- temperature: TC working cylinder temperature TE p T V
* *
τ= ; s = S ; p = p ; σ = TC y Sd .
s
- volume: Vw = x0 S0 working cylinder volume TC 2 B d 0 2

- pressure: pB bounce space mean pressure The dimensionless total mass of working gas is
thus:

82 Int.J. Applied Thermodynamics, Vol.2 (No.2)

 m* =
m
p B VW

(  1
= p *  1 − x * + Σ σ + 
τ
)  1
x *0 = 1 − m * + Σ σ + 
 τ
(7)
rTC
 
(1)
 1  with the necessary condition:
+ Σ1 − s * −  y * 
 τ 
 1  1
Σ σ +  < m * < 1 + Σ σ +  (8)
and the dimensionless pressure is:  τ  τ

m* and when the displacer is in the upper position:

p* = (2)
 1  1
1 − x * + Σ σ +  + Σ1 − s * −  y *
τ  τ
(
x 1* = 1 − m * + Σ 1 + σ − s * ) (9)

with the necessary condition:
The dynamic equation of the displacer is
given by: ( )
Σ 1 + σ − s* < m* < 1+ Σ 1 + σ − s* ( ) (10)
d2y
M D 2 = (p B − p )s Two cases should be distinguished, according to
dt the relative values of s* and τ.
Defining the reference time:
1 4.1 First case (Figure 3)
 M y 2
t 0 =  D 0  The dimensionless guiding-rod area and the
 p Bs  temperature ratio are related by:
the dimensionless expression of the displacer 1
1− s* < (11)
dynamic equation is: τ
d 2 y* d 2 y* It yields:
= (2πνt 0 )2 = 1− p* (3)
dt *2 dα 2
( )
p *0 x * < p 1* x * ( ) (12)
*
where t = t
t0
, α = 2πνt is the rotation angle (in Relations (8), (10) and (11) give:
radian), and ν is the frequency of the piston
motion. Let the working piston have a sinusoidal
 1
Σ σ +  < m * < 1 + Σ 1 + σ − s *
τ
( ) (13)
motion: 
1
x * = (1 + cos α ) (4) which yields:
2
1 1
< + 1 − s*
τ Σ
( ) (14)
4. Description of the Cycles
We consider a separate lower-volume guid- From relation (11) we have:
ing-rod free displacer machine (Type I). 1
τ max =
From Eq. (2), we obtain the limiting pres- (1 − s )*

sure curves. When the displacer is down, that is

for y* = 0 , we have: and from relation (14) we get:
1
τ min =
p *0 (x )*
=
m*
 1
(5) 1
(
+ 1 − s* )
1 − x * + Σ σ +  Σ
 τ
Hence the possible temperature ratio range is:
and when the displacer is up, that is for y * = 1, 1 1
<τ<
we have: 1
(
+ 1 − s* )
1 − s* ( ) (15)

( )
*
m Σ
p 1* x * =
(
1− x + Σ 1+ σ − s*
*
) (6)
We have a refrigerating machine or a heat pump
*
Moreover a value of x (with 0 < x < 1) must * (counterclockwise cycle); when pressure p*0
exist which makes p* equal to 1 to permit the passes under 1 (x* decreasing) the displacer takes
displacer take-off. When the displacer is down, off and y* increases from 0; when pressure p*1
this leads:

Int.J. Applied Thermodynamics, Vol.2 (No.2) 83

passes over 1 (x* increasing) the displacer takes if
off from the upper position y*=1. 1
Σ> = τ min
− For τ < 1, heat is taken from the cold volume 1− s*
and is rejected through the hot volume walls. and
τ max → ∞
− For τ > 1, we have a heat exchange accelera-
tor. Though the work is positive, heat is taken if
1
from the hot volume and rejected through the Σ< = τ min
cold volumes walls. 1 − s*

Figure 3. Refrigerating cycle. Figure 4. Prime mover cycle.

It is possible to deduce some particular Hence the possible temperature ratio range is:
additional parameters such as:
1 1
m* m* <τ< or + ∞ (20)
p *max = ;p *min =
( ) ( )
*
1+ Σ σ + 1− s 1 − s * − Σ1
Σ 1 + σ − s* 1
τ

and the maximum pressure to minimum pressure We have a prime mover (clockwise cycle):
ratio: when pressure p1* passes over 1 (x* increasing)
p *max (
1 + Σ σ + 1τ ) the displacer takes off from the upper position
Π= =
p *min (
Σ 1+ σ − s *
) (16) y* = 1 ; when pressure p*0 passes under 1 (x*
decreasing) the displacer takes off from the lower
4.2 Second case (Figure 4) position y* = 0 . Heat is given to the 'expansion'
The dimensionless guiding-rod area and the space and rejected from the 'compression' space.
temperature ratio are related by: The particular parameters are:
1 m* m*
1− s* > (17) p *max = ;p *min =
τ (
Σσ+ 1
τ
) (
1 + Σ 1 + σ − s* )
It yields:
( )
p 1* x * < p *0 x * ( ) (18)
and the maximum pressure to minimum pressure
ratio:
Relations (8), (10) and (17) give:
Π=
p *max
=
(
1 + Σ 1 + σ − s* )
( *
)  1
*
Σ 1 + σ − s < m < 1 + Σ σ +  (19) p *min (
Σ σ + 1τ ) (21)

 τ
From relation (17) the minimum temperature 5. Analysis of the Prime Mover Cycle
ratio is:
1 5.1 Thermodynamic analysis
τ min =
(1 − s ) *
From the first law of thermodynamics and
Relation (19) gives a maximum temperature ratio from the assumption of isothermal process in the
depending on Σ value: 'expansion' volume the cycle averaged heat
supplied to the engine is given by:
1 1
τmax = =
1 − s* − Σ1 1
τ min
− Σ1 Q E = pdVE ∫
84 Int.J. Applied Thermodynamics, Vol.2 (No.2)
The dimensionless heat supplied is written as: Σ * Σ  1
A0 = ηth ,ls = * 1 − s* −  (27)
m* τ
QE = ∫
p dVE
p B VW
S y
= p* 2 0 d 1 − y*
VW ∫ ( ) m 
(22) we obtain the following expressions:
∫
* *
= − Σp dy
− m*
Q*ls, E = ln 1 − A 02 (28)
ηth ,ls
At very low speed of rotation, let us assume that
the piston displacement can be neglected Wls* , E = m* ln 1 − A 02 (29)

with m* in the range given by expression (19).

Maximum absolute value of Wls* and ηth ,ls occur
with a displacer taking-off at x *0 = 0 and x1* = 1
corresponding to:
τopt = τmax (30)
and

Figure 5. Pressure evolution of a prime mover

m *opt

= 1 + Σ σ +
1
τ max

(
 = Σ 1+ σ − s*
 )
 
(low r.p.m.). 1
+ σ (31)
τ
during the displacer motion duration (Figure 5). = 1 min 1
τ
−τ
From Eqs. (2), (7), (9), Eq. (22) can be rewritten min max

as: It implies
 1 1
dy * A 0,opt = (32)
Q *ls,E = −  ∑∫
 0 1 + Σ* 1 − s * − 1τ ( )
m*opt
 m (23) 1
 Σ opt = (33)
1 dy * ηth ,ls, max
− ∫ (
0 1− Σ 1− s* − 1 1− y* 

)( )
m* τ  where ηth,ls,max is the maximum thermodynamic
which gives, after integration: efficiency:
1 1 1
− m* ηth ,ls, max = 1 − s* − = − (34)
Q *ls,E = τmax τmin τ max
(1 − s * − 1τ ) (24)
2 This leads to the following expressions for the
 Σ
ln 1 −  * (1 − s * − 1τ )
 maximum work:
m 
1
Wls* , max = m*opt ln 1 − (35)
The dimensionless low speed cycle averaged m*opt
2

work is given by:

and for the optimum heat supplied:
∫ ( )
Wls x 1*
Wls* = = * p1* − p*0 dx *
p B VW x0 − m*opt 1
Q *ls,E ,opt = ln 1 − (36)
which becomes after integration taking account η th ,ls,max m*2
opt

of Eq. (5), (6), (7), (9):

Note that, in the case of a prime-mover, having
2
 Σ 
Wls* = m * ln 1 −  * 1 − s * − 1τ ( ) (25)
Wls* = Wls*,max implies that τ reaches a maximum
while s*, σ, m* and Σ reach a minimum.
m 
Minimum values of s* and Σ are contradictory to
Hence the thermodynamic efficiency is expressed a minimum value of reference time t0. It seems
as: that, as usual in technology, an equilibrium has to
Wls* be found between opposite trends.
1
η*th ,ls = = 1 − s* − (26)
Q*ls, E τ 5.2 Displacer dynamics
Defining: As before we assume that the piston
displacement is negligible during the displacer
movement duration. For a displacer take-off from

Int.J. Applied Thermodynamics, Vol.2 (No.2) 85

y * = 0 (displacer moving up) we obtain from 1
1
dy *
∫ [y A
 A 2
Eq. (2), (3), (5) and (27): t *T =  0  (46)
 2  ( )]
1
−1 *
0 − ln 1 + y * A 0 2

d 2 y*
2
= 1− p y *
( *
, x *0 ) = 1− 1
(37) The dimensionless time t *T gives the order of
dt * 1 + y*A 0
magnitude of the dimensionless revolution time
and for a take-off from y * = 1 (displacer moving lower limit. Figure 6 gives values of that time
down) and of the dimensionless work Wls* m* versus
d 2 y* A0. We should remember that according to
(
= 1 − p * y * , x 1* = 1 −
1
(38) )
dt *2 1− 1− y* A 0 ( ) relations (19) and (27) A0 is in the range:
η th ,ls η th ,ls
(
Let us define z * = − 1 − y * and Y = 1 + y*A 0 or ) 0≤ 1 1
+ τ +σ
< A0 <
1− s* + σ
<1
Y =1+z*A0 , then Eq. (37) and Eq. (38) have Σ
6. Preliminary Design of a Prime Mover
the same expression:
We shall use the lower part (crankcase and
d2Y
 1 crankshaft) of an existing single cylinder S.I.
= A 0 1 −  (39)
*2  Y 
dt
which gives after integration:
dY
= ±[2A 0 (Y − ln Y ) + C] 2
1

*
(40)
dt

At any take-off initial time the displacer speed is

zero, so that C = −2A 0 . Hence with a take-off
from y * = 0 the displacer velocity is:
1
dy *  2 2 *
[ ( )]
1
=   y A 0 − ln 1 + y * A 0

2
(41)
dt *  A0 
At the end of the displacer stroke ( y * = 1 ) the Figure 6. Dimensionless total displacer motion
dimensionless ultimate speed is: duration and work versus A0.
1
vt  2 2 engine as the working equipment of the Stirling
 [A 0 − ln(1 + A 0 )] 2 (42)
1
v *r = 0 =   engine. The working volume is Vw = 50 cm3 and
y0  A0 
the stroke is x0 = 42mm. The other fixed parame-
The dimensionless displacer rising time is: ters (some of them being imposed by thermal or
mechanical stresses limits) are:
1
dy *
∫ [y A
 A 2 - cold source temperature: TC = 300K
t *r =  0  (43)
 2  ( )]
1
*
− ln 1 + y A 0 * 2 - displacer mass: MD= 0.4kg
0
- bounce space pressure: pB= 3.2 105 Pa
With a take-off from the upper position ( y * = 1 ) - nominal temperature ratio: τ=3
the dimensionless ultimate speed at the end of the - minimum temperature ratio: τ min = 43
falling stroke is: - maximum temperature ratio: τ max = 4
1 - negligible clearance volume: σ=0
 2 2
 [− A 0 − ln (1 − A 0 )] 2
1
v *f = −  (44) We assume a sealed engine with a constant
 A0  mass of gas m. From the previous data and from
The dimensionless displacer falling time is: Eq. (20), (31) and (33) we find, for the optimal
1
case where x *0 = 0 and x *0 = 1 :
0
dz *
∫ [z A
A 2
t *f = 0  (45) s* = 0.25;m*opt = 1.5;Σ opt = 2.
 2  ( )]
1
−1 * *
0 − ln 1 + z A 0 2

Nevertheless, as the displacer must be allowed to

So the total dimensionless displacer motion surely take-off, we need:
duration is:
0 < x *0 < x 1* < 1

86 Int.J. Applied Thermodynamics, Vol.2 (No.2)

So it is more realistic to choose lower values of Σ Furthermore if we assume y0 = 4cm we obtain:
and m*, for instance:
S 2 = 20cm 2 ; s = 5cm 2 ; t 0 = 10 −2 s
*
m = 1.3;Σ = 1.6
From these results we deduce the lower revolu-
Then Eq. (7), (9), (26), (27), (29) and (46) yield: tion time limit: trev > 22.1 10-2s.

x *0 = 0.233; x 1* = 0.900; η th , ls = 0.42;

A 0 = 0.513; Wls* = 0.397; t *T = 22.1
TABLE I. Some Characteristics Relations for Ringbom Machines.

Int.J. Applied Thermodynamics, Vol.2 (No.2) 87

 TypeI TypeII TypeIII TypeIV
(Σ > 1) (Σ > 1)
m* /[1 − x * + Σ m* /[1 − x* + Σ[(1 m* /[Σ(1 / τ + σ) m* /[Σ[(1 − s* ) / τ
p* = (1 / τ + σ ) + Σ − s* ) / τ + σ − Σ − (1 − s* ) x* + Σ + σ] − x * − Σ
(1 − s *
−1 / τ y ] ) *
((1 − s* ) / τ − 1) y* ] (1 − s* − 1 / τ) y* ] ((1 − s* ) / τ − 1) y* ]
m* /[1 − x * + Σ m* /[1 − x* + Σ[(1 m* /[Σ(1 / τ + σ) m* /[Σ[(1 − s* ) / τ
p*0 = (1 / τ + σ )] − s* ) / τ + σ]] − x * / τ] + σ] − x * (1 − s* ) / τ]
( y* = 0) ( y* = 0) ( y* = x * / Σ) ( y* = x * / Σ)
p1* = m* /[1 − x * + Σ m* /[1 − x * + Σ m* /[Σ(1 − s* + σ) m* /[Σ(1 + σ)
( y* = 1) (1 − s* + σ)] (1 + σ)] − x * (1 − s* )] − x* ]
x *0 = 1 − m* + Σ 1 − m* + Σ Σ + τ(Σσ − m* )
(
Σ + τ Σσ − m * )
(p*0 = 1) (1 / τ + σ ) [(1 − s* ) / τ + σ] /(1 − s* )
x1* = 1− m + Σ *
1 − m* + Σ Σ + (Σσ − m ) *
(
Σ + Σσ − m* )
(p1* = 1) (1 − s* + σ) (1 + σ) /(1 − s* )
ref .&heat p1 ( x ) > p*0 ( x * )
* *
p1* ( x* ) < p*0 ( x* ) p1 ( x ) > p*0 ( x * )
* *
p1* ( x * ) < p*0 ( x * )
exch.acc. x1* < x *0 x1*> x*0 x1* < x *0 x1* > x *0
prime p1* ( x
*
)< p*0 ( x * ) p1* ( x
*
)> p*0 ( x * ) p1* ( x
*
)< p*0 ( x * ) * *
p1 ( x ) > p*0 ( x* )
mover x1* > x *0 x1* < x *0 x1* > x *0 x1* < x*0
*
1 < τ < Σ(1 − s )
< τref < 1 /(1 − s* + 1 / Σ) (Σ − 1) /[Σ(1 − s* )] 1< τ <
/(Σ − 1)
(
if Σ < 1 / s* ) < τ <1
or + ∞if Σ < 1
< τ <1 Σ(1 − s* ) /(Σ − 1)

< τhea < 1 < τ < 1 /(1 − s* ) 1 − s* < τ < 1 1 < τ < 1 /(1 − s* ) 1 − s* < τ < 1
1 /(1 − s* ) < τ <
1 /(1 − s* + 1 / Σ) Σ(1 − s* ) /(Σ + 1) 1 /(1 − s* ) < τ < Σ / (1 − s* )(Σ − 1) / Σ
< τprim <
or + ∞if (
< τ < 1 − s* ) [(1 − s* )(Σ − 1)] < τ < (1 − s* )
Σ < 1 /(1 − s* )
< m*ref Σ(1 / τ + σ) Σ(1 + σ) < m* Σ(1 / τ + σ) − 1 / τ Σ(1 + σ) − 1
& < m* < 1 + < 1+ Σ < m* < < m* < Σ
*
m hea < Σ(1 − s* + σ) [(1 − s* ) / τ + σ] Σ(1 − s* + σ) [(1 − s* ) / τ + σ]
Σ(1 − s* + σ) [(1 − s* ) / τ + σ] Σ(1 − s* + σ) [(1 − s* ) / τ + σ]
< m prim < < m* < 1 + Σ < m* < 1 + − (1 − s* ) < m* Σ − (1 − s* ) / τ
Σ(1 / τ + σ) Σ(1 + σ ) < Σ(1 / τ + σ) < m* < Σ(1 + σ )
(1 − s* − τ) (1 − s* − 1 / τ) (1 − s* − τ)
ηth ,ls = 1 − s* − 1 / τ
/(1 − s* ) /(1 − s* ) /(1 − s* )
*
*
m τ[ln[(1 − ηth ,ls ) m [ln[(1 − ηth ,ls )
+ ηth ,lsΣσ / m* ] + ηth ,lsΣσ / m* ]
m* ln[1 − m* ln[1 −
Wls* , prim = − (1 − ηth ,ls ) + (1 − ηth ,ls )
(Σηth ,ls / m* ) 2 ] (Σηth ,ls / m* ) 2 ]
ln[(1 − ηth ,ls ) ln[(1 − ηth ,lsΣσ / m* )
*
(1 − ηth ,lsΣσ / m )]] (1 − ηth ,ls )]]
1 + (1 / τmax + σ) (1 + σ) (1 / τmax + σ) (1 + σ)
m*opt =
/ ηth ,ls, max / ηth ,ls,max − σ / ηth ,ls,max / ηth ,ls,max
y0 [ M D / y 0 [M D / y 0 [M D / y 0[ M D /
t0 =
( p BVw Σs* )]1 / 2 (p BVw Σs* )]1 / 2 (p BVw Σs* )]1 / 2 (p BVw Σs* )]1 / 2

7. Other Main Types of Free-Displacer a Ringbom machine performance as a function of

Stirling Machines the main parameters s*, Σ, σ, τ, y0, m*, MD, pB, Vw.
The preceeding analysis could be easily re- For instance power is an increasing function
peated with the three remaining Ringbom con- of absolute work and efficiency and a decreasing
figurations (Figure 2). The main results are gath- function of reference time. Maximum prime-
ered in TABLE I. They permit the evaluation of mover absolute work imposes minimum m*, Σ, σ

82 Int.J. Applied Thermodynamics, Vol.2 (No.2)

and s* and maximum pB, Vw and τ. Maximum
prime-mover efficiency imposes minimum s* and
maximum temperature ratio τ. Minimum refer-
ence time impose minimum y0, MD and maximum
pB, Vw, Σ and s*. Some of those parameters such
as Σ and s* have to match contradictory theoreti-
cal conditions. Finally technological conditions
and practical considerations impose realistic
values.
8. Conclusion
The Schmidt analysis is known for its
simplicity. Obviously the associated assumptions
depart from real phenomena but they are useful
to get a simple model of different types of free-
displacer machines.
All the presented types of free-displacer
machines can work as refrigerating machines,
prime movers or heat exchange accelerators,
depending on parameters τ, m*, s*, Σ and σ. We
are able to predict the main parameters influences
and to get the magnitude of work, rotational
speed limit and efficiency of a theoretical free-
displacer machine provided that the main
parameters are chosen. The values of those
parameters are determined by the above study
and by thermal stress, thermal exchange,
mechanical stress or space considerations.
A more accurate design procedure should
require a more refined and complicated model
taking into account frictional works, temperature
gradients, actual heat exchanges and imperfect
regeneration.
Nomenclature
A0 ( )
a parameter = Σ m * η th ,ls 0
m mass of gas
mD mass of the displacer
p pressure
Q cycle averaged heat exchanged
r specific gas constant
s guiding rod area
S cylinder area
T temperature
t time
v displacer velocity
V volume
W cycle averaged work
x piston position
y displacer position
α angle of 'rotation'
ηth thermodynamic efficiency
ν frequency
Int.J. Applied Thermodynamics, Vol.2 (No.2)
π 3.14...
Π maximum to minimum pressure ratio
Σ displacer volume to piston volume ratio
σ reduced dead volume
τ temperature ratio
Subscripts:
0 with displacer down ( p *0 , x *0 )
or reference value (S0, x0, y0, t0, W0, ...)
1 with displacer up ( p1* , x 1* )
2 in the displacer cylinder (S2)
B in the bounce space
C in the 'compression' (heat rejected) space
d in the 'dead' space (clearance volume)
E in the 'expansion' (heat added) space
f with displacer falling
hea heat exchange accelerator
ls with low rotational speed assumption
m mean value
max maximum value
min minimum value
opt optimum value
prim prime mover
r with displacer rising
ref refrigerator
T total value (tT)
w in the working volume (Vw)
*
dimensionless value (superscript)
References
Organ, A.J., 1992, Thermodynamics and gas
dynamics of the Stirling cycle machine,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Reader, G.T., and Hooper, C., 1983, Stirling
engines, E & F Spon, London.
Senft, J.R., 1993, Ringbom Stirling engines,
Oxford University Press, New York.
Senft, J.R., 1996, An introduction to low
temperature differential Stirling engines, Moriya
Press, River Falls.
Urieli, I., and Berchowitz, D.M., 1984, Stirling
cycle engine analysis, Adam Hilger Ltd, Bristol.
Walker, G., 1980, Stirling engines, Oxford
University Press, New-York.
Walker, G., 1983, Cryocoolers, Intl. Mono-
graphs on Cryogenics, Plenum Press, New-York.
Walker, G., and Senft, J.R., 1985, Free piston
Stirling engines, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
West, C.D., 1986, Principles and applications of
Stirling engines, Van Nostrand Reinhold, N.Y.
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