those which exist for kinematic type engines with crank drive mechanisms. More detailed engine analysis is required to optimize the coupled engine operations. (3) The regenerator operated successfully from a thermodynamic point of view, but the performance of the cooler could be improved with modification of the transfer port. (4) A combined model of the Schmidt cycle and dynamical forced oscillation was used to predict the NALSEM engine performance. Present engine data may be very useful in checking the accuracy of such a model. The evolution of the NALSEM engine hardware design is being continued under NAL’s solar dynamic power technology program. In addition, a sodium heat pipe study will be initiated with an eye towards effectively transferring solar energy to the engine. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to thank Dr K. Hamaguchi, Associate Professor of Hokkadio Polytechnic College, for his valuable comments and suggestions for our experiments. The cooperation of the Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. in designing and constructing the present NALSEM-125 model is also greatly appreciated. The experimental work as described here was performed as part of a solar dynamic power technology program for future space applications under a grant from the Science and Technology Agency of the Japanese government. NOMENCLATURE
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