Abstract: A Stirling engine which utilizes an inner and outer dual shell pressure containment system surrounding the high pressure and temperature engine components. The space between the shells is filled with a pressure backup gas and an insulation material with the backup gas being in communications with the working fluid. The backup gas and insulation provide a time varying pressure field, driven by the pressure variations in the Stirling engine working fluid, which cancels the pressure differential on the heat transfer tubing and allows an averaging of pressures during each cycle of engine operation. In one embodiment the backup gas is placed inside the inner shell.

Abstract: A Stirling engine which utilizes an inner and outer dual shell pressure containment system surrounding the high pressure and temperature engine components. The space between the shells is filled with a pressure backup gas and an insulation material with the backup gas being in communications with the working fluid. The backup gas and insulation provide a time varying pressure field, driven by the pressure variations in the Stirling engine working fluid, which cancels the pressure differential on the heat transfer tubing and allows an averaging of pressures during each cycle of engine operation. In one embodiment the backup gas is placed inside the inner shell.

Abstract: A multi-channel thermal regenerator for a heat engine comprising a coiled annulus of thin high-temperature sheet material coiled so that individual coils are in spaced substantially parallel arrangement in an annular configuration. In one embodiment the sheet material is approximately 0.002 inch thick stainless steel embossed in a rectangular array with approximately 0.008 inch high protruding dimples that space the coils. In another embodiment the sheet material is carbon having a plurality of fibers oriented generally circumferentially around the coiled annulus providing a higher thermal conductivity in a direction along the fibers. A ceramic string is woven between the coils radially across the annulus at a plurality of locations around the annulus to space the coils. The coiled annulus is preferably contained in a cartridge having a substantially open cage base with a plurality of bars that space the end of the coiled annulus from adjacent engine structure.

Abstract: A wing assembly for an aircraft moveable slat system has a fixed structure and a contoured surface. The fixed structure has an exterior surface defining an external contour and an internal surface defining a cavity. The fixed structure also has one or more edges defining a cutout. The contoured surface is coupled to one or more of the edges of the cutout and extends into the cavity. The contoured surface promotes airflow from the cavity to the external contour. The result is a solution to aerodynamic losses that does not require an auxiliary track system or moving parts.

Abstract: A wing assembly for an aircraft moveable slat system has a fixed structure and a contoured surface. The fixed structure has an exterior surface defining an external contour and an internal surface defining a cavity. The fixed structure also has one or more edges defining a cutout. The contoured surface is coupled to one or more of the edges of the cutout and extends into the cavity. The contoured surface promotes airflow from the cavity to the external contour. The result is a solution to aerodynamic losses that does not require an auxiliary track system or moving parts.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for throttling a heat engine uses a plurality of cylinder ports through a side portion of the cylinder and a sleeve that selectively opens or closes them to provide fluid communication between an interior portion of the cylinder and a reservoir area when a piston in the cylinder is below the cylinder ports. The sleeve has a plurality of throttle ports through it and moves to communicate a number of the throttle ports with a number of the cylinder ports, thereby opening the cylinder ports. Cylinder ports and throttle ports may be arranged so that as the sleeve is rotated, an increasing number of cylinder ports are opened higher up the cylinder. The cylinder ports may also be arranged so that rotating the sleeve varies the amount ports are opened. The sleeve is preferably worm-gear driven for accurate position control. Upon closing the throttle, normal operating pressures are restored via use of a check valve.

Abstract: A multi-channel thermal regenerator for a heat engine comprising a coiled annulus of thin high-temperature sheet material coiled so that individual coils are in spaced substantially parallel arrangement in an annular configuration. In one embodiment the sheet material is approximately 0.002 inch thick stainless steel embossed in a rectangular array with approximately 0.008 inch high protruding dimples that space the coils. In another embodiment the sheet material is carbon having a plurality of fibers oriented generally circumferentially around the coiled annulus providing a higher thermal conductivity in a direction along the fibers. A ceramic string is woven between the coils radially across the annulus at a plurality of locations around the annulus to space the coils. The coiled annulus is preferably contained in a cartridge having a substantially open cage base with a plurality of bars that space the end of the coiled annulus from adjacent engine structure.

Abstract: A Stirling engine which uses a dual pressure shell surrounding the high pressure and temperature engine components. Space between the shells is filled with an incompressible and insulating liquid material, such as a liquid salt. The liquid may have a filler material to prevent excessive movement. The liquid provides a time varying pressure field, driven by the pressure variations in the Stirling engine working fluid, which cancels the pressure differential on heat transfer tubing. The heat transfer tubing is inside of a dome which contains an incompressible, highly thermally conductive liquid, such as Sodium. The heat transfer tubing uses smaller diameter passages contained within a larger diameter body to reduce manufacturing cost and increase reliability. An annular regenerator offers improved efficiency and power levels. A throttling system vents working fluid to a low-pressure container and maintains engine efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to selectively oxidize diesel particles in the exhaust from a diesel engine provides an elliptical shaped chamber installed in series in the exhaust line from a diesel engine. The elliptical shaped chamber has an internal reflective surface and two focal lines. A flash tube is located at one of the focal lines, and a transparent exhaust tube is located at the other. Exhaust from the diesel engine is directed through the transparent exhaust tube where it is exposed to an intense flash of approximately visible light from the flash tube. The elliptical shaped reflective chamber refocuses the majority of light emitted from the flash tube into the transparent exhaust tube. The diesel particles in the exhaust absorb most of the light energy, thereby heating sufficiently to rapidly oxidize.

Abstract: A leading edge slat wing combination where the slat is mounted to a pair of circularly curved carrier tracks positioned within the outer surface contour of the fixed wing. In moving from the cruise configuration to the take-off and climb configuration and thus to the fully deployed landing configuration, the slat has a fixed angular orientation relative to the carrier track. This eliminates the need for auxiliary track assemblies of the prior art that are used in addition to the carrier tracks to change the angular position of the slat for the high lift configuration. Also, in two embodiments, the slat, in the take-off and climb configuration, forms a gap or slot with the fixed wing, and the gap or slot is sealed in the vicinity of the carrier tracks.

Abstract: A leading edge slat wing combination where the slat is mounted to a pair of circularly curved carrier tracks positioned within the outer surface contour of the fixed wing. In moving from the cruise configuration to the take-off and climb configuration and thus to the fully deployed landing configuration, the slat has a fixed angular orientation relative to the carrier track. This eliminates the need for auxiliary track assemblies of the prior art that are used in addition to the carrier tracks to change the angular position of the slat for the high lift configuration. Also, in two embodiments, the slat, in the take-off and climb configuration, forms a gap or slot with the fixed wing, and the gap or slot is sealed in the vicinity of the carrier tracks.

Abstract: A wing flap assembly having a contoured upper forward surface portion of the flap being arranged to reduce adverse effects of a wake producing device, such as a landing gear or a flap track faring, positioned upstream of the slot, when the flap is in its highlift slotted position. The contoured area has a moderately greater slot gap width, and relatively sharper curvature at a nose end of the contoured flap surface portion to produce a desired pressure distribution where recovery begins at a further upstream location on the flap.

Abstract: An aircraft swept wing which provides pitch stability during stall conditions. In a swept wing aircraft which has leading edge flaps which in their deployed position forms a slot between the slot and the leading edge portion of a fixed main wing structure, the configuration of said leading edge portion is varied spanwise to vary the localized aerodynamic pressure spanwise along the wing. Increased bluntness of said leading edge portion, or increased slot-gap width, creates a stall condition on an inboard portion of the wing which approximates, at increasing angles of attack, the lift and pitching moment changes simultaneously experienced on outboard portions of the wing. As a result, adverse nose-up pitching moment under stall conditions is avoided, and improved pitch stability is achieved in swept wing aircraft, without compromising maximum lift capability.