The Stirling Cycle as a Linear Wave Phenomenon

Abstract
The exchanger system of the Stirling cycle machine is modelled as some hundreds of wave-reflection sites representing the flow area discontinuities of individual tube transitions and regenerator gauzes. The methods of linear, inviscid, one-dimensional wave theory permit pressure and velocity to be predicted over a complete cycle in function of time and location in a single computational sweep of the flow passage system. Results computed for a specific Stirling machine are compared with the experimental counterpart. The comparison provides a tentative explanation for the frequently reported discrepancy between pressure characteristics measured experimentally and those derived from computer simulations based on steady-flow correlations between Cf and NRe.

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