STIRLING ENGINE
Definition
An <STIRLING ENGINE> is an <EXTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE> that is a reciprocating engine consisting essentially of a cylinder with a working piston and a displacer. When the gas in the cylinder is heated it expands, driving the working piston. The displacer then transfers the gas to a cold region for cooling; it is then recompressed by the working piston and transferred by the displacer to the hot region to start the cycle again.