Two-Dimensional CFD Simulation Coupled with 6DOF Solver for Analyzing Operating Process of Free Piston Stirling Engine

Abstract

This work focuses on developing a two-dimensional axisymmetric simulation of the entire free piston Stirling engine (FPSE) using ANSYS Fluent to evaluate its output power. The engine model used in this study is the SunpowerB-10B which is thoroughly investigated in different conditions including static and dynamic state. A six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) solver is used for the first time in this study to solve the problem of fluid-structure interactions between the working gas and the rigid-bodies (Piston and displacer) and therefore enabling to determine accurately the piston and displacer amplitudes as well as the frequency and phase difference under the engine's operating conditions.