Kinematic Optimization of a Five-Cylinder Stirling Engine

Stirling engines are machines based on a simple principle of functioning and are often installed in applications of combined heat and power generation in which the mechanical power output is usually converted in electrical power. The paper is aimed at investigating and optimizing the kinematics of the mechanism for a five-cylinder Stirling engine by means of numerical simulations. Both the dynamics of the mechanism and the thermal aspects of the cycle are considered in the model. Results of simulations show an increase of the total net power and a reduction of torque and rotational speed oscillation with respect to commercial four cylinder Stirling engines.