Abstract: An annular burner assembly having an annular burner mesh. An annular gas/air supply duct supplies a combustible gas/air mixture to the burner mesh in a substantially axial direction. A flow modifier is provided in the vicinity of the burner and has a plurality of fins each extending in a substantially radial plane to define a plurality of passages arranged circumferentially around the supply duct to substantially laminarise the gas/air mixture. The fins provide a thermal link from the burner to a location radially away from the burner. The burner assembly is particularly suited to a Stirling engine.

Abstract: This invention relates to domestic heat and power systems that allow efficient methods of operating a domestic combined heat and power (dchp) unit and to energy-efficient methods of scheduling domestic appliance operation within a household having a dchp unit. Dchp units provide heating and hot water for the home and also generate electricity for use in the home. A domestic heat and power system is provided that comprises a dchp unit, a dchp unit controller, a programmer module and an energy scheduler linked to allow communication therebetween, wherein the programmer module receives data input and generates a heating and/or hot water schedule therefrom, the dchp unit controller determines operating times of the dchp unit in accordance with the schedule and provides the operating times to the energy scheduler that then operates the domestic appliance during operating times.

Abstract: A domestic combined heat and power generation system comprising a pair of Stirling engines mounted so that the vibrations of one substantially counteract the vibrations of the other. At least one engine burner heats the heads of the engines. An auxiliary burner provides additional heat. Gas and air are supplied to the engine burner and auxiliary burner controlled by a controller. A heat exchanger recovers heat from the exhaust gases from the engine burner and auxiliary burner and provide a heat output. An electrical output is provided from an alternator of each engine. The engines having a combined electrical power output of less than 2.5 kW.

Abstract: A domestic combined heat and power system comprising a Stirling engine and water heater in the form of a supplementary burner. The exhaust gas from the Stirling engine is used to preheat combustible gas entering the Stirling engine and subsequently used to heat the water. The water heater has a helical water duct towards the periphery of a housing. Separate parts of this duct are heated, in series, by the exhaust gas from the Stirling engine and the supplementary burner firing radially outwardly through the helical duct.

Abstract: A Stirling engine assembly comprising a Stirling engine (1) having a head (2). A burner (7) for providing heat to the engine head surrounds the head. A flexible seal (20) seals the interface between the engine and burner. A first liquid coolant circuit (25) is positioned between the burner and seal to reduce the heat transfer from the burner to the seal.

Abstract: A domestic combined heat and power (dchp) unit includes a Stirling engine 1 to provide heat for a domestic dwelling along with a source of electrical power. Under normal operation, the dchp is supplied with power from the national grid. When there is an interruption in the mains power from the grid, the dchp switches into a grid independent mode wherein power is generated by the dchp and is supplied to a controller 26 and to a water pump so as to maintain integrity of heat supply to the dwelling; the remaining power after that is supplied to selected domestic electrically powered equipment such as lights or television sets. The invention also discloses methods for black start of the dchp during a mains power loss, and also modification of the operating voltage on start up of electrical equipment during a power loss, to prevent the Stirling engine stalling.

Abstract: This invention relates to domestic heat and power systems that allow efficient methods of operating a domestic combined heat and power (dchp) unit and to energy-efficient methods of scheduling domestic appliance operation within a household having a dchp unit. Dchp units provide heating and hot water for the home and also generate electricity for use in the home. A domestic heat and power system is provided that comprises a dchp unit, a dchp unit controller, a programmer module and an energy scheduler linked to allow communication therebetween, wherein the programmer module receives data input and generates a heating and/or hot water schedule therefrom, the dchp unit controller determines operating times of the dchp unit in accordance with the schedule and provides the operating times to the energy scheduler that then operates the domestic appliance during operating times.

Abstract: A domestic combined heat and power system comprising a Stirling engine and water heater in the form of a supplementary burner. The exhaust gas from the Stirling engine is used to preheat combustible gas entering the Stirling engine and subsequently used to heat the water. The water heater has a helical water duct towards the periphery of a housing. Separate parts of this duct are heated, in series, by the exhaust gas from the Stirling engine and the supplementary burner firing radially outwardly through the helical duct.

Abstract: A combined heat and power system comprising a Stirling engine (1) the head (2) of which is heated by a burner. A heat exchanger (10) absorbs heat from exhaust gases from the burner which have heated the engine head. A supplementary burner (22, 23) generates additional heat which is directly absorbed by the heat exchanger. The supplementary burner is a multi-stage burner with separate stages (22, 23) which are independently controlled.

Abstract: A Stirling engine assembly comprising a Stirling engine (1) with a hot head (3) and a cold region (4). An annular burner (9) surrounds the head and is arranged to provide heat to the head. A corrugated seal (2) between the Stirling engine and the burner prevents the flow of combustion gases from the head into the surrounding environment. The Stirling engine is supported by a mounting frame (23) at least in part via the seal.

Abstract: A domestic combined heat and power system comprising a Stirling engine (1) and water heater in the form of a supplementary burner (17). The exhaust gas from the Stirling engine is used to preheat combustible gas entering the Stirling engine and subsequently used to heat the water. The water heater (15) has a helical water duct (41) towards the periphery of a housing (39). Separate parts of this duct are heated, in series, by the exhaust gas from the Stirling engine and the supplementary burner (17) firing radially outwardly through the helical duct.

Abstract: A DCHP unit with a Stirling engine (1), a burner (3) and a supplementary burner (11). Water is heated by exhaust gas from the Stirling engine and from the supplementary burner. If a sensor (18) detects that the water temperature has risen indicating that there is insufficient demand for the heat in the exhaust gas, a fan (15), (20) which normally provides the flow of air to the supplementary burner is operated without firing the burner to generate a flow of cool air to cool the water.

Abstract: The heating appliance, and particularly a dchp system, comprising two burners (3, 17). A splitter valve (23) splits a stream of air (24) into two streams, one for each burner. Combustible fuel is mixed with the air. A controller controls the combustible fuel, and the splitter valve position, thereby controlling the portion of air fed to each burner.

Abstract: A fan assembly comprising two fans (4, 10) for supplying combustible gases to two burners (5, 9) respectively. The flow parts from the first and second burners are combined in a common manifold. Temperature censor (6, 11) detect the temperature of the gases passing through each fan, and the speed of a particular fan is increased if the temperature sensor detects reverse flow of combustion gases.

Abstract: A Stirling engine assembly comprising a Stirling engine (1) with a hot head (3) and a cold region (4). An annular burner (9) surrounds the head and is arranged to provide heat to the head. A corrugated seal (2) between the Stirling engine and the burner prevents the flow of combustion gases from the head into the surrounding environment. The Stirling engine is supported by a mounting frame (23) at least in part via the seal.

Abstract: A power distribution/generation system is disclosed for supplying electrical power to a number of sites (32, 33, 34), one or more of which has a generator (53, 1) such as a Stirling engine (1) which is capable of generating electrical power. The generators (53, 1) are linked together on a local network that is connectable to an external power grid (31). A controller (35) can hold the distribution of power so that a site is supplied with electrical power from the local network if its power demand exceeds the power generated by the generators in that network. However, if the total power demand of all the sites in the network exceeds the total power available from the generators in that network, then the controller (35) causes power to be drawn from the grid (31) instead.

Abstract: A domestic combined heat and power system comprising a Stirling engine (1) and water heater in the form of a supplementary burner (17). The exhaust gas from the Stirling engine is used to preheat combustible gas entering the Stirling engine and subsequently used to heat the water. The water heater (15) has a helical water duct (41) towards the periphery of a housing (39). Separate parts of this duct are heated, in series, by the exhaust gas from the Stirling engine and the supplementary burner (17) firing radially outwardly through the helical duct.

Abstract: The heating appliance, and particularly a dchp system, comprising two burners (3, 17). A splitter valve (23) splits a stream of air (24) into two streams, one for each burner. Combustible fuel is mixed with the air. A controller controls the combustible fuel, and the splitter valve position, thereby controlling the portion of air fed to each burner.

Abstract: A fan assembly comprising two fans (4, 10) for supplying combustible gases to two burners (5, 9) respectively. The flow parts from the first and second burners are combined in a common manifold. Temperature censor (6, 11) detect the temperature of the gases passing through each fan, and the speed of a particular fan is increased if the temperature sensor detects reverse flow of combustion gases.