Thermal power machine having a moving regenerator

A thermal machine for working with an operating medium, the machine comprising:

• a housing (2, 2a 2b) which defines an operating space wherein the operating medium is contained;
• a heat source (6, 6') which is arranged about the housing (2, 2a, 2b);
• a heat sink (5, 5') which is arranged about the housing (2, 2a);
• a regenerator (7, 7') comprising an intermediate heat store;
• a regenerator mounting adapted for a traveling motion in the operating space between the heat source (6, 6') and the heat sink (5, 5');
• at least one operating piston (4, 13 14, 20, 20');
• wherein the heat source (6, 6') is arranged in a region of one end of the traveling motion of the regenerator (7, 7') and the beat sink (5, 5') is arranged in a region of another end of the traveling motion of the regenerator (7, 7');
• wherein the heat source is arranged in the housing (2b) between the operating piston (4, 20, 20') and the regenerator (7, 7');
• wherein the operating piston (4, 13, 14, 20, 20') is arranged about the housing (2, 2a, 2b) such that a compression movement thereof causes a first volume flow of the operating medium from the heat source (6, 6') to the heat sink (5, 5'), and an expansion movement thereof causes a second volume flow in a reverse direction;
• and
• wherein the first volume flow and the second volume flow move the regenerator (7, 7') as a result of flow resistance of said regenerator.