Development and demonstration of a Stirling/Rankine heat activated heat pump

The HAHP concept is schematically illustrated in this paper. The combustor/linear Stirling engine/linear compressor assembly replaces the conventional motor/compressor unit. Performance projections for the HAHP are considered. The penetration of the HAHP into the HVAC market is forecast. In the hardware development program an engineering prototype and a field test model prototype were built. Porous transpiration burner elements, free piston linear inertia compressor, unit free piston assembly all are illustrated. Prototypes 1 and 2 were tested, and the results correlated in graphs. As Phase II drew to a close, diagnostics resulted in these findings: several changes were required in engine components. Better engine/compressor dynamic matching is required, and improved analytic tools are necessary. The prototypes demonstrated the feasibility of the Stirling/Rankine HAHP system.