I've gotten a few basics started in Matlab, if anyone wants to review. The three control volumes are broken down into the compressed, expanded, and annular areas. I am sure there are faults but the results seem plausible (except for when Di is much smaller than Do and the gauge pressure in CV1...
Much appreciation for the replies guys - Some great fluids/thermo memories are coming back.
I'll play around a bit in Matlab and on paper the next few days and follow up. The piston is a slightly more dynamically complicated as there are also springs used to resit the electromagnetic force...
Thanks for the response. I haven't heard of the sterling engine much before, but a first review does not seem to quite fit my problem. It's more of an electromagnetic shaker unit, in a sealed cylindrical case. The problem given to me is more of a side task, but I don't believe it can be...
I am having trouble wrapping my head around the idea of a piston/cylinder type arrangement where the piston has a small area around the outer circumference that would allow air to travel between the front and back of the piston. To clarify, imagine a completely sealed adiabatic cylindrical box...