Abstract: An improved heat exchange assembly for a thermal regenerative machine such as a Stirling cycle engine or heat pump. It includes a sandwiched structure having a center regenerator layer between first and second thermal conductor layers. The regenerator has poor longitudinal thermal conductivity. The outside thermal conductors have good longitudinal heat conduction and sufficient heat storage capacity to supply or absorb the quantity of heat which is transferred between it and the gaseous working fluid of the machine during each cycle of machine operation.

Abstract: A regenerative heat engine designed to produce power for the operation of equipment such as an artificial heart is disclosed. The heat engine includes a temperature control heat pipe located around the periphery of the engine cylinder and a temperature distribution heat pipe located around the periphery of the heat source. A flywheel and bellows seal is included as part of the displacer piston drive, and a flexure support is positioned on the hot end of the displacer piston to allow the piston to move longitudinally while restricting lateral motion.

Abstract: A regenerative heat engine designed to produce power for the operation of equipment such as an artificial heart is disclosed. The heat engine includes a temperature control heat pipe located around the periphery of the engine cylinder and a temperature distribution heat pipe located around the periphery of the heat source. A flywheel and bellows seal is included as part of the displacer piston drive, and a flexure support is positioned on the hot end of the displacer piston to allow the piston to move longitudinally while restricting lateral motion.