Abstract: A spring for radially biasing a slidable vane in an air motor vane slot includes two torsion coils, an offset base member connecting the coils and curved arm members extending from the coils. The offset base member reduces stress and allows a higher profile vane to be used. The arc shaped arm members redistribute wear or contact points and also allow a higher profile vane.

Abstract: A compact earthdrilling module for vehicle mounting includes a derrick having a conventional tophead-drive drill assembly slidably mounted thereon. The derrick includes an extendable top portion mounting a hoist. A single telescoping piston-cylinder assembly on the derrick moves the drillhead assembly along the derrick and extends the top portion of the derrick. The piston-cylinder assembly is hydraulically actuated.

Abstract: An ultra fast-acting shut-off valve utilizing a slotted spool in registry with a slotted sleeve which provides full opening with an extremely short valve throw. The valve may be operated by any suitable actuator. An electric solenoid is provided in the preferred embodiment described, making it compatible with electronic micro-processor control systems.

Abstract: A magnetic/centrifugal-fluid seal is characterized by a common region serving as both the magnetic gap for the magnetic seal and a fluid-receiving pool for the centrifugal seal. A magnetically permeable annular rotating member extends radially into an annular space defined by a magnetically permeable stationary member to form an annular space of U-shaped cross-section between the members. A closed magnetic circuit is established through the members and the space, which space thereby acts as a magnetic gap to retain the fluid therein when the rotating member is at rest or rotated at low speeds. The common region also retains the fluid when it is centrifugally pressurized during high speed rotation of the rotating member. The fluid remains substantially in the same location during speed-up and slow-down, thereby avoiding compromise of the seal during speed transitions.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder hot gas engine having an equal angle, V-shaped engine block in which two banks of parallel, equal length, equally sized cylinders are formed together with annular regenerator/cooler units surrounding each cylinder, and wherein the pistons are connected to a single crankshaft. The hot gas engine further includes an annular heater head disposed around a central circular combustor volume having a new balanced-flow hot-working-fluid manifold assembly that provides optimum balanced flow of the working fluid through the heater head working fluid passageways which are connected between each of the cylinders and their respective associated annular regenerator units. This balanced flow provides even heater head temperatures and, therefore, maximum average working fluid temperature for best operating efficiency with the use of a single crankshaft V-shaped engine block.

Abstract: This invention provides for the use of two similar fiber optic probes set at a fixed position differential relative to each other in order that a calibration correction signal can be obtained which may be used to create a common output signal having a gap calibration which is independent of surface reflectance.

Abstract: A power control arrangement for a Stirling engine includes a sleeve mounted in each cylinder for axial movement and a port in the sleeve leading to a dead space. The port is covered by the piston at a position that is determined by the piston position and the axial adjustment of the sleeve. The compression phase of the Stirling cycle for that piston begins when the port is covered, so the position of the sleeve is used to set the Stirling engine power level.

Abstract: A system for rotor diagnostic and trim balancing which includes vibration and rotational sensors coupled to a processor providing outputs thereto whereby the processor is capable of generating a diagnostic output listing the basis and origin of the vibration based upon pre-established standards and if possible effect trim balancing of the rotor.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder for a Stirling engine and the like having top and bottom meshing or nesting finned conical surfaces to provide large surface areas in close proximity to the working gas for good thermal (addition and subtraction of heat) exchange to the working gas and elimination of the usual heater and cooler dead volume. The piston fins at the hot end of the cylinder are perforated to permit the gas to pass into the piston interior and through a regenerator contained therein.

Abstract: A compression intensified thermodynamic gas process that includes a compressor rotor having a series of passage forming blades between which a process gas is conducted during compression. A coolant metering system is contained within the rotor structure which is arranged to introduce a liquid coolant directly into the gas flow as the gas is being compressed. Coolant nozzles are strategically positioned throughout the rotor so that coolant droplets that are introduced into the flow stream will pass freely out of the rotor without impacting the rotor blades.

Abstract: A four piston hydraulic pump driven by a four cylinder free-piston Stirling engine has four stepped pistons operating out of phase in pairs. The hydraulic fluid pumped between the hydraulic cylinder can be tapped for hydraulic power. The stepped pistons give the option of utilizing low flow/high pressure, or high flow/low pressure. The non-utilized flow ensures that the timing between pistons will always remain correct. Since the arrangement is symmetrical, it remains balanced.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic fluid film bearing having a series of axially aligned foil bearing modules which act in concert to extend the load carrying capability of the bearing assembly while providing whirl free operation.

Abstract: A new and improved resonant free-piston Stirling engine and method of operation employing a novel virtual rod displacer is described. A rod is secured to and reciprocally moves with the displacer within the Stirling engine and has a rod piston area formed on the end of the rod remote from the displacer with the rod piston area also being subjected to the working gas periodic pressure wave. Suitable support bearings are designed within the Stirling engine housing for reciprocatingly supporting the displacer and rod assembly within the Stirling engine with a set of opposed acting gas springs being provided to act on the displacer end and rod assembly area end of the displacer and rod assembly.

Abstract: An open Rankine cycle heat pump that utilizes a multistage compressor having interstage desuperheating wherein process fluid in the form of water drawn from a waste heat producing process is used as the working fluid in the heat pump thereby eliminating the need for heat exchangers at the conventional evaporator and condensor locations. Heated return water drawn from the process is flashed to a vapor and the vapors passed through the compressor to provide thermal energy that is used in compatible process related equipment.

Abstract: A combined magnetic/centrifugal seal for a rotating shaft rotatably journalled within a housing. The rotating shaft has a generally circular cross section and at least one radially extending generally Vee-shaped cross section circumferential portion formed about its periphery. A plurality of radially extending circumferential teeth are concentrically arrayed around the periphery of the rotating shaft in parallel relationship to the Vee-shaped circumferential portion on the rotating shaft on at least one of its sides and spaced closely adjacent thereto. The housing has a complementary generally Vee-shaped cross section within which the Vee-shaped circumferential portion of the rotating shaft rides and in conjunction with the Vee-shaped cross section portion defines a space within which the concentrically arrayed circumferential teeth extend.

Abstract: In a piston rod seal of the type comprising a gland through which the piston rod is passed the piston is provided with a sleeve surrounding the piston rod and extending axially so as to axially partly overlap the gland when the piston is in its bottom dead center position.

Abstract: A compressor, pump, or alternator apparatus is designed for use with a resonant free piston Stirling engine so as to isolate apparatus fluid from the periodically pressurized working fluid of the Stirling engine. The apparatus housing has a first side closed by a power coupling flexible diaphragm (the engine working member) and a second side closed by a flexible diaphragm gas spring. A reciprocally movable piston is disposed in a transverse cylinder in the housing and moves substantially at right angles relative to the flexible diaphragms. An incompressible fluid fills the housing which is divided into two separate chambers by suitable ports. One chamber provides fluid coupling between the power diaphragm of the RFPSE and the piston and the second chamber provides fluid coupling between the gas spring diaphragm and the opposite side of the piston. The working members of a gas compressor, pump, or alternator are driven by the piston.

Abstract: A lubricated piston rod seal which inhibits gas leaking from a high pressure chamber on one side of the seal to a low pressure chamber on the other side of the seal. A liquid is supplied to the surface of the piston rod on the low pressure side of the seal. This liquid acts as lubricant for the seal and provides cooling for the rod. The seal, which can be a plastic, elastomer or other material with low elastic modulus, is designed to positively pump lubricant through the piston rod/seal interface in both directions when the piston rod is reciprocating. The capacity of the seal to pump lubricant from the low pressure side to the high pressure side is less than its capacity to pump lubricant from the high pressure side to the low pressure side which ensures that there is zero net flow of lubricant to the high pressure side of the seal. The film of lubricant between the seal and the rod minimizes any sliding contact and prevents the leakage of gas.

Abstract: A ferrofin magnetic-fluid seal for hermetically sealing the space between a portion of a rotating member of magnetically permeable material and a portion of a close-fitting, spaced-apart stationary member also fabricated from magnetically permeable material and comprising a part of a housing for journalling the rotating member. The ferrofin magnetic-fluid seal is comprised of a plurality of concentric, fin-like projections of magnetically permeable material formed on each of the rotating member and the stationary member in spaced-apart opposing relation to define a plurality of magnetic gap regions. The magnetic ferrofluid is disposed within the magnetic gap regions. A magnetic field producing means is magnetically coupled in closed magnetic circuit relationship with at least the portions of the rotating and stationary members, the opposed fin-like projections and the magnetic ferrofluid trapped in the magnetic gaps defined between the opposing ends of the fin-like projections.

Abstract: A resonant free-piston Stirling engine having a new and improved start-up and control method and system. A displacer linear electrodynamic machine is provided having an armature secured to and movable with the displacer and having a stator supported by the Stirling engine housing in juxtaposition to the armature. A control excitation circuit is provided for electrically exciting the displacer linear electrodynamic machine with electrical excitation signals having substantially the same frequency as the desired frequency of operation of the Stirling engine.