Modeling of integral-type Stirling refrigerator using system dynamics approach

A modeling of the integral-type Stirling refrigerator (ITSR) using a system dynamics approach is developed in the present study. The system dynamics models are derived to describe the input/output relation of each component of an ITSR. Connecting the equivalent circuits of the components together, we obtain a flow network diagram and derive a transfer function to represent system dynamics behavior of an ITSR. The performance analysis of an ITSR is then easily carried out by use of the transfer function with sinusoidal signal assumption. The performance calculation for a test refrigerator has shown that the analysis is accurate. An empirical correlation for a correction coefficient r in the expansion space was also derived for better results. The present study has demonstrated how a linear system theory or system dynamics approach can be applied to the design of an ITSR.