Abstract: A bearing support system for a piston and its connecting rod in which the bearing system supports the combined piston and connecting rod by only two bearings, a gas bearing at the piston and a radially acting spring bearing at its connecting rod. A non-compliant connecting rod is fixed to an end of a piston which has a clearance seal length in the range of 0.3 times the diameter of the piston and 1.5 times the diameter of the piston. The distance from the gas bearing to the effective point of connection of the radially acting spring bearing to the connecting rod is greater than the seal length of the piston. The piston and connecting rod unit is not supported by additional bearings that introduce additional alignment problems.

Abstract: A bearing support system for a piston and its connecting rod in which the bearing system supports the combined piston and connecting rod by only two bearings, a gas bearing at the power piston (or displacer) and a radially acting spring bearing at its connecting rod. The spacing between them meets prescribed relationships and preferably exceeds a calculated value based upon chosen engineering parameters. A non-compliant connecting rod is fixed to an end of a piston which has a clearance seal length in the range of 0.3 times the diameter of the piston and 1.5 times the diameter of the piston. The distance from the gas bearing to the effective point of connection of the radially acting spring bearing to the connecting rod is greater than the seal length of the piston.

Abstract: An improved, free-piston, Stirling machine having at least three pistons series connected in an alpha Stirling configuration. Each cylinder is stepped so that it has a relatively larger diameter interior wall and a coaxial, relatively smaller diameter interior wall. Each piston is also stepped so that it has a first component piston having an end face facing in one axial direction and matingly reciprocatable in the smaller diameter cylinder wall and a second component piston having an end face facing in the same axial direction and matingly reciprocatable in the larger diameter, cylinder wall. One of the piston end faces bounds the compression space and the other end face bounds the expansion space. Preferably, each stepped piston has peripheral, cylinder walls that are axially adjacent and joined at a shoulder forming the end face of the larger diameter component piston.

Abstract: A suspension mechanism capable of absorbing vibrations in all directions of a Stirling cycle engine 10.

Abstract: A suspension mechanism capable of absorbing vibrations in all directions of a Stirling cycle engine 10.

Abstract: A vibration absorbing unit comprises: a casing 1 having a piston 3 which reciprocates and vibrates, a first fixed member 5 and a second fixed member 7 provided substantially orthogonal to a vibration direction Y of the piston 3, one weight 8 provided between the fixed members 5 and 7 so as to be substantially coaxial with the center of vibration of the piston 3, and a coil spring mechanism 12 fitted substantially parallel with the direction Y for suspending the weight 8 between the members 5 and 7. These components are provided inside the casing 1. In accordance with the vibration of the reciprocating piston 3, the weight 8 suspended by the coil spring mechanism 12 resonates inside the casing 1 with the vibration of the piston 3, so that the vibration transmitted to the casing 1 can be absorbed, and also the casing 1 can be made small.

Abstract: A Vuilleumier heat pump comprises a high temperature section and a low temperature section. The high temperature section includes a high temperature chamber heated by a combustion unit, and a high temperature heat exchanger. The low temperature heat section includes a low temperature chamber and a low temperature heat exchanger. During a room-cooling mode, the high and low temperature heat exchangers are connected to outdoor and indoor heat exchangers, respectively. During a room-heating mode, the high temperature heat exchanger is connected to the indoor heat exchanger, and the low temperature heat exchanger is connected to an auxiliary heat exchanger which transmits heat from the combustion unit to the low temperature heat exchanger.