System for anticipating load changes

A method, comprising:

• operating a closed cycle engine having a piston assembly movable within a piston chamber defined by a piston body of the closed cycle engine;
• receiving data indicative of a load state of an electrical device in communication with an electric machine operatively coupled with the piston assembly;
• determining a load change is anticipated on the electric machine based at least in part on the load state of the electrical device;
• determining a control command indicative of instructions for adjusting an output of at least one of the closed cycle engine and the electric machine prior to the anticipated load change on the electric machine;
• and
• causing a controllable device to adjust the output of at least one of the closed cycle engine and the electric machine prior to the anticipated load change on the electric machine based at least in part on the determined control command.

A computer readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors of a controller, cause the controller to:

• cause a temperature differential between a hot side and a cold side of a closed cycle engine having a piston assembly movable within a piston chamber defined by a piston body of the closed cycle engine, the piston assembly moved based at least in part on the temperature differential;
• receive data indicative of a load state of an electrical device in communication with an electric machine operatively coupled with the piston assembly, the electric machine operable to generate electrical power when the piston assembly is moved within the piston chamber;
• determine whether a load change is anticipated on the electric machine based at least in part on the load state of the electrical device;
• determine a control command indicative of instructions for adjusting an output of at least one of the closed cycle engine and the electric machine prior to or at the same time as the anticipated load change on the electric machine;
• and
• cause a controllable device to adjust the output of at least one of the closed cycle engine and the electric machine prior to or at the same time as the anticipated load change on the electric machine based at least in part on the determined control command.