Abstract
The thermal efficiency of a Stirling cycle with incomplete heat regeneration and the indicated work of a real Stirling cycle as presented by the Schmidt cycle were analyzed theoretically. Such thermal efficiency and indicated work were compared with those of an ideal Stirling cycle. Both the compression ratio and the efficiency of the heat regenerator were shown to have essential importance to the thermal efficiency of the real Stirling cycle, especially when the compression ratio is low. Furthermore, the ratio of the stroke volume of the compression space to that of the expansion space was clarified to have important effect on the indicated work of the real Stirling engine.
