Abstract
This study deals with the thermodynamic design of Stirling engines. Design parameters considered are rotating speed, porosity, phase angle, and tube or wire diameter, the free-flow area and the volume of heat exchangers. The optimum conditions are examined based on net cycle work obtained subtracting friction power loss estimated from existing correlations from indicated work calculated through nodal analysis neglecting flow loss. The optimum conditions for the free-flow area and the volume of the heater and the cooler are to maximize the net output power. That for the phase angle is to maximize cycle work. Those for other parameters are that the changing rate of output power or cycle work respect to the parameters satisfies respective condition. It is revealed that existing engines do not meet the condition very well.
