Stirling cycle machine

An external combustion engine comprising:

• at least two rocking drive mechanisms comprising:
• a rocking beam having a rocker pivot;
• at least two cylinders;
• at least two pistons, the pistons each housed within a respective cylinder whereby the pistons are capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder;
• and
• two coupling assemblies having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connected to the piston and the distal end being connected to the rocking beam by an end pivot, whereby linear motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the rocking beam;
• a crankcase housing the rocking beam and housing a first portion of the coupling assemblies;
• a crankshaft coupled to the rocking beam by way of a connecting rod, whereby the rotary motion of the rocking beam is transferred to the crankshaft;
• a lubricating fluid pump in the crankcase for pumping lubricating fluid to lubricate the crankshaft and the rocking beam and the first portion of the coupling assemblies;
• a working space housing the cylinders, the pistons and the second portion of the coupling assemblies;
• an airlock space separating the crankcase and the working space for maintaining a pressure differential between the crankcase housing and the working space housing;
• and
• a heating element comprising a burner having at least one burner head for igniting and maintaining a heating flame in a combustion chamber adjacent the at least one heater head;
• and
• an electronic control unit managing the heating element according to operational data of the engine obtained from at least one of the rocking drive mechanisms, lubricating fluid pump, the crankcase, the working space, crankshaft, heating element and the airlock.