This paper describes a mathematical model of engines operating with an
ideal Stirling cycle and subject to limited heat transfer, internal t
hermal losses, and mechanical friction losses. The goal of the paper i
s to describe the fundamental effects of these imperfections on the pe
rformance of an otherwise ideal Stirling engine. These are defects suf
fered by all real Stirling engines, but the intent here is not to pred
ict the actual performance of specific engines. Rather, the aim is to
obtain some mathematical insight into the nature of the theoretical de
pendence of engine performance upon these imperfections. (C) 1998 John
Wiley & Sons, Ltd.