Dynamic characteristics concerned in the design of a free-piston Stirling engine/magnetic coupling/compressor system

A free-piston Stirling engine-driven heat pump is discussed, in which the engine power is controlled to follow the compressor load. Axial magnetic coupling connecting the engine power piston and the compressor piston acts like a nonlinear spring. The dynamic characteristics associated with the system for this type of heat pump are considered. System concepts are described, focusing on engine power-load matching, system tuning, and identifying the load on the magnetic coupling.<>