Abstract: This invention is an improved solar energy cavity receiver for exposing materials and components to high temperatures. The receiver includes a housing having an internal reflective surface defining a cavity and having an inlet for admitting solar radiation thereto. A photothermal absorber is positioned in the cavity to receive radiation from the inlet. A reflective baffle is positioned between the absorber and the inlet to severely restrict the re-radiation of energy through the inlet. The front surface of the baffle defines a narrow annulus with the internal reflective surface of the housing. The front surface of the baffle is contoured to reflect incoming radiation onto the internal surface of the housing, from which it is reflected through the annulus and onto the front surface of the absorber. The back surface of the baffle intercepts infrared radiation from the front of the absorber.

Abstract: A solar energy module characterized by a receiver 14 having a solar energy acceptance opening 22 and supported by a mounting ring 18 along the optic axis A of a parabolic mirror 12 in coaxial alignment therewith for receiving solar energy from the mirror, and a solar flux modulator plate 42 for varying the quantity of solar energy flux received by the acceptance opening of the module. The modulator plate 42 is characterized by an annular, plate-like body, the internal diameter of which is equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the solar energy acceptance opening 22 of the receiver, and a plurality of slave cylinders 44 are connected to the modulator plate for supporting the plate for axial displacement along the axis A of the mirror for thereby variably shading the opening 22 with respect to solar energy flux reflected from the surface of the mirror to the solar energy acceptance opening.

Abstract: A hot gas engine, such as a Stirling engine, which comprises a displacer portion and an expander portion with a heat exchanger connected therebetween. The expander portion has an expander piston which is operatively connected to and rotates an expander crankshaft. In like manner, the displacer portion is provided with a displacer piston which is also operatively connected to and rotates with a separate displacer crankshaft. The two crankshafts are synchronized with respect to each other, preferably by means of an idler gear. Banks of displacer pistons can also be provided for operation on a common displacer crankshaft and banks of cooperating expander pistons also can be provided for operation on a common expander crankshaft.

Abstract: A first embodiment incorporating an actuator including a restraint link adapted to be connected with a pivotal carrier arm for a force transfer gear interposed between the crankshaft for an expander portion of a Stirling engine and a crankshaft for the displacer portion of the engine, said restraint link being releasably supported against axial displacement by releasably trapped hydraulic fluid for selectively establishing a phase angle relationship between the crankshaft and a second embodiment incorporating a hydraulic coupler for use in varying the phase angle of gear-coupled crankshafts for a Stirling engine whereby phase angle changes are obtainable.

Abstract: A gear head wrench particularly suited for use in applying torque to bolts without transferring torsional stresses to bolt-receiving structures. The wrench is characterized by a coupling including a socket, for connecting a bolt head with a torque multiplying gear-train, provided within a housing having an annulus concentrically related to the socket and adapted to be coupled with a spacer interposed between the bolt head and the juxtaposed surface of the bolt-receiving structure for applying a balancing counter-torque to the spacer as torque is applied to the bolt head whereby the bolt-receiving structure is substantially isolated from torsional stress. As a result of the foregoing, the operator of the wrench is substantially isolated from any forces which may be imposed.