Mark, man nice work..... I've been interested with these designs, of this type of engine.
I remember, foxtel had a program on a few months back called "Planet mechanics" I think.
2 guys went around to peoples places, making up eco-infrastructure to assist them to live by a new means.
1 of these shows, had the greenie guy make a sterling engine. He's seen them, but never made one. He guessed on a lot of "theories" when he made this huge contraption. It did work, but it just had enough momentum to work...just, there was hardly any power to use it in a functional way. No sun = wouldn't work. Funniest thing to watch, but he atleast had a go.
Same concept as your 3rd, 4th and 6th pic.
http://www1.natgeochannel.co.uk/expl...ype=video&ep=4