Mechanical analysis and durability for a 3 kW Stirling engine

A 3 kW class Stirling engine, the NSO3T, has been developed for a gas-fired residential heat pump. The specifications and mechanical system of the engine, which is a deformed inline design with two pistons, are described. A mechanical analysis, using both experimental and computer analysis results, is presented. Also discussed are an improvement of the engine mechanical system and engine endurance test results, which clarified the relationship between an increment of a mechanical loss and endurance time