Patents by Inventor Victor C. Lauhala

Victor C. Lauhala has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5522214
    Abstract: The use of flexures in the form of flat spiral springs cut from sheet metal materials provides support for coaxial nonrotating linear reciprocating members in power conversion machinery, such as Stirling cycle engines or heat pumps. They permit operation with little or no rubbing contact or other wear mechanisms. The relatively movable members include one member having a hollow interior structure within which the flexures are located. The flexures permit limited axial movement between the interconnected members, but prevent adverse rotational movement and radial displacement from their desired coaxial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Stirling Technology Company
    Inventors: Carl D. Beckett, Victor C. Lauhala, Ron Neely, Laurence B. Penswick, Darren C. Ritter, Richard L. Nelson, Burnell P. Wimer