Abstract: A vibration motor comprises a first member for receiving an external vibration, a second member set to be brought into collision with the first member as a result of the receipt of the external vibration, and a converting mechanism provided at the first member and/or the second member and having an asymmetric configuration for establishing a relative movement of the second member upon collision of the first member thereto.

Abstract: A fluid-flow regulating device is comprised of (a) a plurality of driving mechanisms each of which has a chamber, a diaphragm disposed at an opening of the chamber, a light-heat conversion substance accommodated in the chamber, and an operating fluid stored in the chamber, (b) a fluid-flow passage along which the plurality of driving mechanisms are arranged in such a manner that each of the diaphragm is opposed to the fluid-flow passage, (c) a plurality of optical fibers corresponding to the plurality of the chambers, and (d) a controller having a plurality of optical sources corresponding to the plurality of optical fibers which are set to be turned on and turned off in order to move an amount of fluid through the fluid-flow passage in any one of the normal and the reverse directions.

Abstract: An actuator is comprised of a main body, an inner space filled with an amount of thermally expansive gas and having a first portion in the form of a shallow configuration with an opening oriented toward one side of the main body, a second portion and a bottleneck passage located therebetween, a membrane in the form of a thin film connected to the side of the main body for closing the opening of the first portion of the inner space, a substance for converting the light into heat, and a guide device for guiding light into the second portion of the inner space. Upon an unexpected application of an external force on the thin film, the deformation of the thin film is limited at minimum by being supported by the bottom surface of the first portion. This ensures the prevention of the breakage of the thin film.

Abstract: An actuator includes a closed space defined by a deformable member in which an amount of thermally expansible gas is filled. In the closed space, there is also a substance which changes the light into the heat. A control device is set to establish the supply of the light into the closed space. Upon turning-on of the control device, the substance changes the supplied light into the heat, resulting in that the resultant heat brings the expansion of the gas. Thus, the member is brought into deformed condition. The deformation can be used as a force for operating a specific element.

Abstract: An actuator is comprised of a main body having an opening at its one side, an inner space defined within the main body and filled with an amount of thermally expansive gas, a substance for converting the light into the heat which is accommodated in the inner space, a guide device for guiding light into the second portion of the inner space, and a membrane connected to the side of the main body for closing the opening and deflected previously toward the inner space so as to establish a snap action toward outward of the main body when the inner pressure exceed a set value.

Abstract: A sealing mechanism in a Stirling engine comprising, an output deriving device, a rod for connecting an operating piston defining an operating space and the output deriving device, an intermediate member for supporting the rod in fluid-tight manner via a bush, a sealing member secured to the intermediate member and including a lip in elastic engagement with the rod for assuring a fluid-tight fit, an intermediate chamber defined between the sealing member and the operating piston, a pressure chamber defined between the sealing member and the intermediate member, a first check-valve allowing fluid-flow from the intermediate chamber to the pressure chamber and a relief valve to be opened for releasing the pressure in the pressure chamber into a space for accommodating the output deriving device when the differential pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing device provided between a piston rod of a Stirling cycle engine and a variable volume chamber. The sealing device is provided with an arrangement so as to equalize pressures between a seal chamber and the variable volume chamber of the Stirling cycle engine. By equalizing pressures between the respective spaces, an overpressure is prevented which would otherwise distort the seal and permit oil to be carried into the working volume of the Stirling cycle engine.

Abstract: An oil seal assembly includes an oil seal having a lip contacting the outer peripheral surface of a reciprocating shaft, a holder for holding the oil seal about the shaft, and an annular spring for urging the lip against the outer peripheral surface of the shaft. The lip has a flat surface which is inclined with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft. When the oil seal is mounted on the shaft, the flat surface is brought into surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft by an urging force applied by the spring.

Abstract: A stirling engine is provided in which the heater comprises an extended part of the expansion chamber as defined by an expansion cylinder. The expansion cylinder extends from the expansion chamber toward an upper side of the engine. A hollow cylindrical member receives the extended part of the expansion cylinder. The arrangement permits a stirling engine to be provided which decreases the number of parts utilized in the heater section while at the same time increasing the heat transfer area of the heater.

Abstract: A heater for use with a Stirling engine and a method for heating a working fluid for a Stirling engine is disclosed. The heater has a burner, heater tubes disposed in the burner, a space formed around the heater tubes which is filled with heat-storing material, and a high-temperature heat source. The heat-storing material is sealed by a seal member. Heat produced by the high-temperature heat source is supplied to the heater tubes via the heat-storing material; hence the heat-storing material acts as a secondary heat source. Heat is stored in the heat-storing material in the form of sensible heat or latent heat, or a chemical reaction is employed.

Abstract: A sealing ring assembly comprises a synthetic resin sealing ring body having two opposing stepped cut surface portions including respective planer portions in sliding contact with each other, a synthetic resin gas sealing ring in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the sealing ring body, and a metal ring in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the gas sealing ring. To prevent the stepped cut surface portions from sticking to each other at the planar portions thereof, a metal film layer is provided on a planar portion of one of the stepped cut surface portions.

Abstract: A regenerator includes a cylindrical body and a plurality of first and second wire mesh screens stacked inside the cylindrical body. Each first wire mesh screen includes a number of interwoven wires that overlap one another at the cross points of the wire mesh screen, with the overlapping wires being compressed at the cross points in the direction in which the wire mesh screens are stacked. Each second wire mesh screen includes a number of interwoven wires that overlap one another at the cross points of the wire mesh screen, the overlapping wires not being compressed at these cross points. The first and second wire mesh screens are stacked in the cylindrical body in such a manner that one or two of the first wire mesh screens is interposed between mutually adjacent ones of the second wire mesh screens.

Abstract: A regenerator includes a cylindrical body and a plurality of improved wire mesh screens stacked inside the cylindrical body. Each wire mesh screen includes a number of interwoven wires that overlap one another at the cross points of the wire mesh screen, with the overlapping wires being compressed at the cross points in the direction in which the wire mesh screens are stacked. This shortens the distance between the central axes of the overlapping wires at the cross points in the stacking direction so that a greater number of the wire mesh screens may be stacked in the cylinder.