A non-lubricated free-piston type of Stirling engine and linear type of induction generator are used for energy conversion from thermal to mechanical and from mechanical to electrical energy respectively. Two free power pistons are arranged in such a manner that they undergo reciprocal motion in opposite directions and therefore vibration is reduced to less than 20 microns net movement. The thermal storage system, employed on the hot side of the Stirling engine, stores thermal energy received from the solar collector in the course of insolation and then supplies it to the Stirling engine during eclipse. This system moderates the variation of system temperature caused by the more frequent repetition of insolation and eclipse in low earth orbit than on the ground, and it also makes possible continuous power operation. The conceptual design of a small Stirling engine operator to be used for a space experiment on the SFU is presented in this paper. Fig. 1 shows an artist's concept of an SFU flight operating with the solar thermodynamic power generator. Concept of a Solar Dynamic Power Generation System for a Space Experiment Solar Dynamic Power Generation System with Free-Piston Stirling Engine As shown in Fig. 2, Solar energy collected by the solar collector is changed to thermal energy on the inner surface of the receiving cavity and transferred to the hydrogen gas working fluid of the Stirling engine through the thermal storage system and then used for expansion work in the Stirling cycle. Two free power pistons are arranged in such a manner that they move reciprocally in opposite directions from each other. The
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