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Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for adaptively controlling a closed-cycle thermal regenerative machine. The apparatus includes a housing having at least one chamber for containing a thermodynamic working gas, a linear motor associated with the housing, and a first moving member carried by the linear motor for axial reciprocation within the housing. A second moving member is carried for axial reciprocation within the housing and communicates with the first moving member via the contained thermodynamic working gas. Also included are a pair of permanent magnets, one magnet carried by each moving member; a pair of Hall-effect sensors, one sensor carried by the housing proximate each of the magnets and operative to detect axial displacement amplitude of the proximate reciprocating magnet and moving member. A power supply is coupled to the linear motor and is operative to deliver operating power to the linear motor. Control circuitry is coupled with the Hall-effect sensors and the power supply and is operative to regulate delivery of operating power from the power supply to the linear motor responsive to detected axial displacement amplitude of at least one of the moving members via at least one of the Hall-effect sensors.

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First Claim