Abstract: A sealing device for being mounted on a piston which is movably fitted within a cylinder, includes a sealing ring member having opposite end portions which are interlocked with each other along the circumferential direction of the sealing ring member, and an expanding device for expanding the radius of sealing ring member in the radial direction thereof.

Abstract: A Stirling engine includes an expansion cylinder, a compression cylinder, and a plurality of conduits which each extend between and connect the expansion cylinder and the compression cylinder. A plurality of heating portions are provided, each of which is disposed in one of the conduits in order to be connected with the expansion cylinder. A plurality of cooling portions are also provided, each of which is disposed in one of the conduits in order to be connected with the compression cylinder. A plurality of regenerative portions are also included, each of which is disposed in one of the conduits in order to connect one of the heating portions and one of the cooling portions. Each of the regenerative portions possesses a length according to the temperature of the working fluid in the corresponding heating portion.

Abstract: A compressor integral with a Stirling engine having a pressure space comprises a housing, a partition wall provided in the housing, a first pressure chamber defined in the housing at one side of the partition wall and connected with the pressure space of the Stirling engine, and a second pressure chamber defined in the housing at the other side of the partition wall and connected with the first pressure chamber via an orifice. A rod passes through the partition wall and has a first end and a second end located in the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, respectively. A third pressure chamber is defined by a first plate which is connected to the first end of the rod and a first bellows located between the first plate and the partition wall. A fourth pressure chamber is defined by a first plate which is connected to the second end of the rod and a second bellows located between the second plate and the partition wall.

Abstract: A Stirling engine seal assembly includes a seal ring body and an expander. The seal ring body consists of a matrix made of polytetrafluoroethylene compounded and filled with carbon fibers and at least one powder selected from the group consisting of carbon powder, boron nitride powder and molybdenum disulfide powder. The plate expander is in abutting contact with the inner peripheral surface of the seal ring body for urging the seal ring body in the direction of its outer circumference.

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: A Stirling engine is provided in which the burner has an annular shape and is disposed in an outside lower portion of the heater. The burner has a plurality of fuel delivery holes and a plurality of air supplying holes which open through an inner circumferential surface of the burner. The arrangement permits the Stirling engine to use a fuel line under a low pressure and to be easily used as a power source of a compressor for an air-conditioning and heating device for domestic use. Also, the arrangement permits the Stirling engine to be constructed without a fuel/air mixing device and to be used with a smaller blower. Furthermore, the arrangement permits the burner to be made from a variety of material, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

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 burner for a stirling cycle engine which includes an air inlet port, an exhaust port and a combustion chamber between the inlet port and the exhaust port, the combustion chamber having an inlet provided with a swirl producing device including a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel plates respectively formed with central apertures respectively having centers which are substantially aligned with each other, a plurality of spiral guide vanes disposed between the parallel plates. Each of the guide vanes has a curvature in which a tangent line at a point on the guide vane makes with a straight line passing through the point and the center of the central aperture an angle which is substantially constant and between 30.degree. and 80.degree. so that each two adjacent guide vanes define an inlet passage which is gradually decreased in area toward the central aperture.

Abstract: A burner for a Stirling engine includes a baffle for partitioning the interior of a housing into an air chamber and a combustion chamber, the baffle having a centrally located cylindrical portion of tapered configuration, and a generally cylindrical ceramic burner cone for primary combustion of an air-fuel mixture, the burner cone being inserted into and retained by the cylindrical portion of the baffle and having a tapered outer circumferential surface and an annular end face on an upstream side thereof. The baffle is equipped with an engagement portion having an annular outer circumferential surface for engaging the annular end face of the burner cone. The burner cone is retained by the tapered cylindrical portion of the baffle and the engagement portion.

Abstract: An engine-compressor comprising a stirling engine which includes a plurality of working cylinders, a plurality of working pistons respectively disposed in the working cylinders for axial reciprocating movements to thereby divide each of the cylinders into an expansion space and a compression space, the expansion space in one of the cylinders being connected through a heating device and a heat accumulating device with the compression space in another cylinder, a plurality of guide cylinders, a plurality of guide pistons disposed respectively in the guide cylinders for axial reciprocating movements, the guide piston being connected through piston rods with respective ones of the working pistons, and a swash plate or a crank device for converting the axial reciprocating movement of the guide piston into a rotating movement; a compressor including compression chambers defined in respective ones of the guide cylinders by the guide piston, intake valves provided in the compression chambers for admitting air thereto