- This article is about the "adiabatic" Stirling cycle. For the "idealized" Stirling cycle , see the Stirling engine article.
The
Stirling cycle is a
thermodynamic cycle that describes the general class of Stirling devices. This includes the original
Stirling engine that was invented, developed and patented in 1816 by
Reverend Dr. Robert Stirling with help from his brother, an engineer.