RTFA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling_engine
In the family of heat engines, ‘Stirling engine’ defines a closed-cycle regenerative hot air engine, though the term is often used incorrectly to refer generically to a much wider range of hot air engine types. In this context, “closed-cycle” means that the working fluid is permanently contained within the system, whereas “open-cycle” engines such as internal combustion engine and some steam engines, exchange working fluid with their suroundings as part of the cycle; “regenerative” refers to the use of an internal heat exchanger - the regenerator - which greatly improves the engine’s potential efficiency. There are many possible implementations of the Stirling engine, the majority of which fall into the category of a reciprocating piston engine. The Stirling engine is traditionally classified as an external combustion engine, though heat can equally well be supplied by non-combusting sources such as solar or nuclear energy. A Stirling engine operates through the use of an external heat source and an external heat sink, each maintained within a limited temperature range, and having a sufficiently large temperature difference between them.
This engine is very versatile because it only requires a heat difference to work. It is a closed system, unlike internal combustion engines, which is just another reason this engine is really cool.
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