A control system algorithm is provided for the computer control of a solid-state switching device in a Stirling-electric hybrid vehicle. The algorithm satisfies the demands for electrical energy management, regulation, allocation and distribution to the electrical system of the vehicle during the operation thereof. The control system controls the management, regulation, allocation and distribution of electrical current throughout the vehicle's electrical system in response the commands of the vehicle operator. This includes the operation of wheel motors, electrical storage systems, the drivetrain and a plurality of other components, accessories and subsystems.

A method for increasing working gas flow rate through gas bearings of a free piston, gamma configured Stirling heat pump to avoid failure of the gas bearings while maintaining thermal cooling power. The Stirling heat pump lifts heat from a storage chamber and has pistons that are driven in reciprocation at an operating frequency by linear electric motors. A temperature control maintains a steady state storage chamber temperature by sensing storage chamber temperature and modulating piston amplitude. The invention comprises (a) driving the pistons with linear electric motors that are driven by a variable frequency, AC power source; (b) sensing the pistons' amplitude of reciprocation; and (c) if the sensed piston amplitude is less than a selected piston activation amplitude, increasing the frequency of the AC power source to increase the Stirling heat pump's operating frequency. That decreases thermal cooling power which causes the temperature control to increase piston amplitude.

A method for increasing working gas flow rate through gas bearings of a free piston, gamma configured Stirling heat pump to avoid failure of the gas bearings while maintaining thermal cooling power. The Stirling heat pump lifts heat from a storage chamber and has pistons that are driven in reciprocation at an operating frequency by linear electric motors. A temperature control maintains a steady state storage chamber temperature by sensing storage chamber temperature and modulating piston amplitude. The invention comprises (a) driving the pistons with linear electric motors that are driven by a variable frequency, AC power source; (b) sensing the pistons' amplitude of reciprocation; and (c) if the sensed piston amplitude is less than a selected piston activation amplitude, increasing the frequency of the AC power source to increase the Stirling heat pump's operating frequency. That decreases thermal cooling power which causes the temperature control to increase piston amplitude.

A method of controlling facility power requirements using a thermoacoustic power device is provided that includes determining energy assets in a facility, controlling the energy assets using an appropriately programmed controller across a network having a security system protocol, monitoring outside temperatures and weather, measuring usage of the energy assets using a temperature sensor or an electrical usage sensor to a load-response signal of an on/off operation and usage of the energy assets to identify a specific energy asset by the controller to determine aggregate energy needs of the energy assets, and using a thermoacoustic power device controlled by the controller to generate electricity and heat according to the monitored temperature, weather and energy assets.

A method of controlling facility power requirements using a thermoacoustic power device is provided that includes determining energy assets in a facility, controlling the energy assets using an appropriately programmed controller across a network having a security system protocol, monitoring outside temperatures and weather, measuring usage of the energy assets using a temperature sensor or an electrical usage sensor to a load-response signal of an on/off operation and usage of the energy assets to identify a specific energy asset by the controller to determine aggregate energy needs of the energy assets, and using a thermoacoustic power device controlled by the controller to generate electricity and heat according to the monitored temperature, weather and energy assets.

A system for controlling the power output of a Stirling is provided that includes a hot heat source and a cold heat sink. A control unit receives a first temperature signal representative of a measured temperature of the hot heat source and a second temperature signal representative of a measured temperature of the cold heat sink. A look-up table provides a representation of the power output as a function of the mean engine pressure, pie, and the operating frequency, , of the Stirling engine. The values of the power output in the look-up table have been determined for predefined temperatures of the hot heat source and the cold heat sink. The control unit is configured to, based on the received temperature signals, recalculate the values of the power output and update the look-up table accordingly, and to control the power output by controlling the mean engine pressure, pie, and the operating frequency, , based on the updated look-up table. A method of controlling the power output of a Stirling engine is also provided.

A system for distributed utilities including electrical power and water. A generation device is provided for converting an available resource to a desired utility; the resource may be water, in which case the generator is a purifier for purifying untreated water, or, alternatively, the generator may convert a fuel to electrical power. In either case, an input sensor is provided for measuring input to the generation device, while an output sensor is provided for measuring consumption of output from the generation device. The monitoring system has a controller for concatenating measured input and consumption of output on the basis of the input and output sensors. Measured parameters are telemetered to a remote site where utility generation and use are monitored and may also be controlled. At least a portion of the electrical power capacity of the electric generation unit may power a water purification unit such as a vapor compression distillation unit, and heat output of the electric generation unit may supply heat to the water purification unit.

A Stirling engine includes: the thermosiphon that accommodates the heating medium receiving heat from a heat source; and an engine unit that has a body accommodating working gas. A heater that gives heat to the working gas by the heating medium is arranged in the body. The Stirling engine includes an engine controller that executes control for increasing an absorbed amount of thermal energy from the heating medium when at least one of the pressure and the temperature of the heating medium exceeds a predetermined value.

A system for distributed utilities including electrical power and water. A generation device is provided for converting an available resource to a desired utility; the resource may be water, in which case the generator is a purifier for purifying untreated water, or, alternatively, the generator may convert a fuel to electrical power. In either case, an input sensor is provided for measuring input to the generation device, while an output sensor is provided for measuring consumption of output from the generation device. The monitoring system has a controller for concatenating measured input and consumption of output on the basis of the input and output sensors. Measured parameters are telemetered to a remote site where utility generation and use are monitored and may also be controlled. At least a portion of the electrical power capacity of the electric generation unit may power a water purification unit such as a vapor compression distillation unit, and heat output of the electric generation unit may supply heat to the water purification unit.

A system for distributed utilities including electrical power and water. A generation device is provided for converting an available resource to a desired utility; the resource may be water, in which case the generator is a purifier for purifying untreated water, or, alternatively, the generator may convert a fuel to electrical power. In either case, an input sensor is provided for measuring input to the generation device, while an output sensor is provided for measuring consumption of output from the generation device. The monitoring system has a controller for concatenating measured input and consumption of output on the basis of the input and output sensors. Measured parameters are telemetered to a remote site where utility generation and use are monitored and may also be controlled. At least a portion of the electrical power capacity of the electric generation unit may power a water purification unit such as a vapor compression distillation unit, and heat output of the electric generation unit may supply heat to the water purification unit.