Abstract: A permeation barrier is maintained on inner surfaces of a Stirling engine, particularly the heat tubes, by maintaining a preselected concentration of dopant gas in the working gas, e.g. hydrogen. A dopant gas (10) is adsorbed on a sorbent (1) in a dopant cartridge or enclosure (2). The amount of gas adsorbed, the quantity of sorbent, and the permeability of a permeable window (3) are selected such that a preselected partial pressure of the dopant is maintained in the hydrogen. In a diffusion cell (FIGS. 1 and 2) an equilibrium partial pressure of the dopant gas is maintained by diffusion through the porous window. In a flow-through cell (FIGS. 3-5) the hydrogen or working gas is circulated through the sorbent. A fraction of the adsorbtion sites on the sorbent may be left open to adsorb excess water vapor from the hydrogen. In a trap cell (FIGS. 9 and 10) water vapor is removed from the working gas as the working gas is pumped by a compressor into a high pressure storage reservoir (59).

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 Stirling type thermal engine is disclosed in which the engine is sealed within an outer shell enclosure which maintains the engine components in an axially compressed state to thereby simplifying construction of the engine while maintaining a sealed atmosphere of working fluid about the engine thereby minimizing leakage seal problems and also providing a containment enclosure about the engine in the event of explosive failure of the same.

Abstract: A two piston Stirling engine which includes a heat exchanger arrangement placing the cooler and regenerator directly adjacent the compression space for minimal cold duct volume; a sealing arrangement which eliminates the need for piston seals, crossheads and piston rods; and a simplified power control system.

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: A heater head assembly for a Stirling-type engine has a cylinder and a regenerator housing each of which includes a manifold as an integral part thereof, and heater tubes inserted at one end into the cylinder manifold and at the other end into the regenerator housing manifold linking the cylinder and regenerator housing. Each manifold is broadened longitudinally on the heater tube side so that a working gas flow passage defined by the inner wall thereof has a longitudinal width greater than the inner diameter of the corresponding cylinder or regenerator housing. The inner wall of each manifold makes a smooth, gradual and successive transition from the broader portion of the manifold on the heater tube side to the inner wall of the narrower corresponding cylinder or regenerator housing without forming a sudden constriction in the working gas flow passage.

Abstract: A heat engine including a closed case having a cylindrical chamber with circumferential heat transfer surfaces in the form of radially projecting ribs. A displacer having complementary ribs around the outer surface is rotatably mounted within the chamber. Some of the displacer ribs are removed leaving a working space containing working fluid. A cylinder in the displacer opens into the working space and a piston reciprocates within the cylinder as the displacer rotates so as to alter the volume of the working space. Different parts of the circumference of the case are maintained at different temperatures during operation so that the working fluid is subjected to changes of temperature and pressure during operation. Apart from the basic sinusoidal movement of the piston a superimposing lower amplitude oscillation may be applied to provide control of the thermodynamic operating cycle.

Abstract: A Stirling engine wherein a pressure variation is provided by a reciprocative movement of a displacer and is effected upon a power piston to obtain an output motive force. A first elastic film is provided at the displacer rod projecting into the crankcase so as to produce a first hermetically sealed space bounded by the expansion cylinder. A second elastic film is provided at the power piston rod so as to produce a second hermetically sealed space below the power piston. A pressure adjusting device equalizes the mean pressure of a reactive space, which includes the first and the second hermetically sealed spaces, and that of the crankcase.

Abstract: A device for combustion of a fuel with substantially pure oxygen using partial recirculation of the combustion gases which has separate ejectors suspended between discs which are in turn connected to a resiliently suspended hub.

Abstract: A power control system for a hot gas engine of the type in which the power output is controlled by varying the mean pressure of the working gas charge in the engine has according to the present invention been provided with two working gas reservoirs at substantially different pressure levels. At working gas pressures below the lower of said levels the high pressure gas reservoir is cut out from the control system, and at higher pressures the low pressure gas reservoir is cut out from the system, thereby enabling a single one-stage compressor to handle gas within a wide pressure range at a low compression ratio.

Abstract: A multiple volume compressor for use in a hot gas (Stirling) engine having a plurality of different volume chambers arranged to pump down the engine when decreased power is called for and return the working gas to a storage tank or reservoir. A valve actuated bypass loop is placed over each chamber which can be opened to return gas discharged from the chamber back to the inlet thereto. By selectively actuating the bypass valves, a number of different compressor capacities can be attained without changing compressor speed whereby the capacity of the compressor can be matched to the power available from the engine which is used to drive the compressor.

Abstract: A mean pressure power control system for a hot gas (Stirling) engine utilizing a plurality of supply tanks for storing a working gas at different pressures. During pump down operations gas is bled from the engine by a compressor having a plurality of independent pumping volumes. In one embodiment of the invention, a bypass control valve system allows one or more of the compressor volumes to be connected to the storage tanks. By selectively sequencing the bypass valves, a capacity range can be developed over the compressor that allows for lower engine idle pressures and more rapid pump down rates.

Abstract: The cooling machine or heat pump has a thermoacoustic work system having a heat source and a heat sink coupled with at least one thermoacoustic drive system of like construction. The heat source of the drive system has a higher temperature than the heat source of the work system. The machine can be used in a refrigerating system with heat energy removed from a cold chamber and used as a heat source in the thermoacoustic work system. The machine can also be used in a heat pump heating system with heat energy removed by way of a first heat exchange surface from a burner and used as a heat source in the thermoacoustic drive system. A process water circuit is used as a heat sink for the thermoacoustic drive system while a heating-water circuit is used as a heat sink for the thermoacoustic work system.

Abstract: A hot gas reciprocating apparatus is disclosed in which a displacer piston and power piston operate within a cylinder due to flow of medium gas which is heated and cooled through a heater and a cooler. The cylinder is divided into a upper chamber and lower chamber by the displacer piston, and the lower chamber is defined between displacer piston and power piston. The upper chamber and lower chamber are connected with one another through the heater, a regenerator and the cooler, whereby the medium gas flows into the lower chamber from the upper chamber or vice versa. The heater, which receives heat from heat sources, projects radially from the cylinder to extend over the heat source; and the cooler projects radially from the cylinder on an opposite side from which heater extends. The heater and cooler are axially spaced from one another along the axis of the cylinder.

Abstract: An improved mechanism having a housing defining a gas pressure sustaining chamber for an engine, compressor, or the like, including a double-acting movable partition within the chamber providing alternate expansion and compression of the chamber's sections on opposite sides thereof. The movable partition comprises two rectangular plates in end-abutting relation having their adjacent ends pivotally mounted on a rotatable crank pin on which they undergo limited pivotal motion with respect to each other. The outer ends and sides of the partition plate make a sealing, sliding engagement with adjacent walls of the chamber and the outer ends are constrained to undergo reciprocating motion along substantially parallel lines.

Abstract: A ceramic liner for use in an external heat or combustion system for use with a Stirling engine and the like having a housing containing a heater space whereby the ceramic liner is disposed in the heater space and defines a combustion chamber within the liner mounted to the housing via a biasing arrangement so as to isolate the lining from vibrations in the housing.

Abstract: In a Stirling engine and the like, a displacer piston having a plurality of internal baffles and insulation so as to prevent undesired heat transfer across the displacer piston.

Abstract: An improved crank-type Stirling engine. A spring, preferably a gas spring, is linked between the displacer and the housing or alternatively the power piston. The spring is relaxed at substantially a mean position of the displacer to apply a centering force upon the displacer. The spring reduces the loading on the displacer drive linkage by itself exerting a centering force upon the displacer. If desired, displacer linkage forces may be reduced nearly to zero by designing the spring so that the spring constant and the masses upon which it operates are in resonance. The gas spring mechanism may include pump elements so that it will operate as a pump to charge the engine to operating pressure with atmospheric air during initial start up operation.

Abstract: In an integral Stirling cryogenic refrigerator the compressor piston is several times heavier than the displacer. In order to counterbalance both the displacer and compressor piston with a rotating counterweight, the displacer connecting rod is formed of a high density material. Specifically, the connecting rod is formed of a tungsten alloy and is several times heavier than the displacer.

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

Abstract: A Stirling Engine or Heat Pump having two relatively movable machine elements for power transmission purposes includes a hermetic seal bellows interposed between the elements for separating a working gas from a pressure compensating liquid that balances pressure across the bellows to reduce bellows stress and to assure long bellows life. The volume of pressure compensating liquid displaced due to relative movement between the machine elements is minimized by enclosing the compensating liquid within a region exposed to portions of both machine elements at one axial end of a slidable interface presented between them by a clearance seal having an effective diameter of the seal bellows. Pressure equalization across the bellows is achieved by a separate hermetically sealed compensator including a movable enclosed bellows. The interior of the compensator bellows is in communication with one side of the seal bellows, and its exterior is in communication with the remaining side of the seal bellows.

Abstract: A Stirling engine capable of utilizing air as a working fluid which includes a compact heat exchange module which includes heating tube units, regenerator and cooler positioned about the combustion chamber. This arrangement has the purpose and effect of allowing the construction of an efficient, high-speed, high power-density engine without the use of difficult to seal light gases as working fluids.

Abstract: A monolithic heater head assembly which augments cast fins with ceramic inserts which narrow the flow of combustion gas and obtains high thermal effectiveness with the assembly including an improved flange design which gives greater durability and reduced conduction loss.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder hot gas engine having an equal angle, V-shaped engine block in which two banks of parallel, equal length, equally sized cylinders are formed together with annular regenerator/cooler units surrounding each cylinder, and wherein the pistons are connected to a single crankshaft. The hot gas engine further includes an annular heater head disposed around a central circular combustor volume having a new balanced-flow hot-working-fluid manifold assembly that provides optimum balanced flow of the working fluid through the heater head working fluid passageways which are connected between each of the cylinders and their respective associated annular regenerator units. This balanced flow provides even heater head temperatures and, therefore, maximum average working fluid temperature for best operating efficiency with the use of a single crankshaft V-shaped engine block.

Abstract: A constant temperature element for heating or cooling a working gas to the temperature of a control fluid is disclosed. The element includes a plurality of hollow concentric tapered rings of conductive material having a serrate configuration in section with tips projecting into the working fluid. A plate is typically attached to and generally flush with the base of the rings except for a central elongate plenum spanning the rings and having inlet and outlet ends respectively and a barrier at the center. The temperature control fluid enters at the inlet of the plenum so that it circulates through the rings and exits through the outlet of the plenum to maintain the rings, and thereby the working fluid adjacent the rings, at the temperature of the temperature control fluid.

Abstract: A heater head of a multi-cylinder hot gas engine having an annular regenerator housing surrounding each cylinder is provided with three manifolds at the top of each cylinder-regenerator housing unit.Each manifold is arcuately shaped and covers 360/2.multidot.n degrees--n being the number of engine cylinders.One manifold has an outer and inner row of arcuately disposed tube connections to the interior of the cylinder, and is disposed between the two other manifolds.One of the remaining manifolds has a single row of tube connections to the regenerator said row being a continuation of said inner row whereas the last manifold has a single row of tube connections being a continuation of the said outer row.

Abstract: In a hot gas engine of the type in which a number of working gas charges are separated from each other by an equal number of pistons each mounted slidably in a cylinder the said pistons are forming pairs each pair being connected to a common crank shaft so as be angular displaced in their movements relative pistons in adjacent cylinders. Each cylinder has a variable volume chamber connected to a variable volume chamber of an adjacent cylinder and all cylinders are interconnected.

Abstract: This device is an improvement over the conventional type of Stirling cycle engine where the expander piston is connected to a crankshaft and the displacer piston is connected to the same or another crankshaft for operation. The improvement is based on both the expansion and displacer pistons being an integral unit having regenerating means which eliminate the mechanisms that synchronize the regeneration mode.

Abstract: A thermodynamic system for interchanging thermal energy with external sources or sinks while minimizing the dead volume presented to the pressure cycle is based upon a thermodynamic machine which cycles a working fluid bidirectionally through a regenerator means and at least one external heat exchanger for interchanging thermal energy with a heat source or sink. Between the thermodynamic machine and the heat exchanger is a switchable thermal energy storage system using at least one heat load capacitor and two different circulation loops through the storage system. By switching the working fluid paths through the thermal energy storage system, thermal energy is exchanged but the thermodynamic machine is isolated from the heat exchanger at least predetermined intervals during operation, and the dead space in the external device does not affect the pressure cycle of the machine.

Abstract: A power control device for a hot gas engine comprises continuously communicating connections between each working gas charge undergoing cyclic pressure variations and a conduit network containing gas at mean pressure. The connections are provided with capillary tubes allowing passage of low-rate flows of gas but preventing transmission of rapid pressure fluctuations. The conduit network is connected through control valves to a gas reservoir and gas compressor, which enable the mean pressure to be increased or decreased.

Abstract: A stirling cycle engine, especially for refrigerating motors, comprising a housing in which are assembled a rotating shaft, at least three working cylinders arranged in parallel round the shaft, a double-acting piston in each of the cylinders, and a mechanical transmission converting the reciprocating movement of the pistons into a rotary movement of the shaft. The housing has a first chamber (1) in which the rotating shaft is assembled, and a second chamber (2) in whch the mechanical transmission is assembled. The latter consists of an orbiting oscillating plate (13, 14) immobile in rotating and having an axis which describes a conical surface about the rotating shaft, and of articulated connections linking each piston (4) to the oscillating plate.

Abstract: Positive displacement isothermal gas cycle machinery is designed with explicit control of the heat flow between the gas, the walls of the chamber and a thermal reservoir externally of the chamber. The control is achieved by providing a large chamber wall area to chamber volume ratio through the use of bellows-like walls having a configuration that ensures during each stroke numerous heat exchanges between the working gas and the bellows-like walls. The machinery includes Stirling cycle heat pumps and motors and isothermal compressors. Significant gains in thermal efficiency, up to a factor of 2, are attainable because the largest inefficiency in all isothermal machinery is imperfect control of heat flow. A regenerator for the isothermal machinery minimizes cycle losses due to gas transfer friction, gas thermal conduction, dead volume, regenerator heat mass, regenerator heat mass thermal skin depth, and regenerator mass thermal conductivity in the gas flow direction.

Abstract: An improved thermal engine of the type having a displacer body movable between the hot end and the cold end of a chamber for subjecting a fluid within that chamber to a thermodynamic cycle and having a work piston driven by the fluid for deriving a useful work output. The work piston pumps a hydraulic fluid and a hydraulic control valve is connected in line with the hydraulic output conduit such that the flow of hydraulic fluid may be restricted to any desired degree or stopped altogether. The work piston can therefore be controlled by means of a controller device independently from the movement of the displacer such that a variety of engine cycles can be obtained for optimum engine efficiency under varying load conditions. While a Stirling engine cycle is particularly contemplated, other engine cycles may be obtained by controlling the movement of the displacer and work pistons.

Abstract: An internal thermal exchanger engine which, in one embodiment, includes an enclosed cylindrical chamber having hot and cold end portions and containing an open ended heat exchanger provided with heat conductive materials such as fine copper wire strands which function in heat exchange relationship with a gas contained within the chamber. In an alternative embodiment, the enclosed chamber is in the form of a semi-cylinder, with the heat exchanger being of a wedge shape construction and being freely rotatable between a hot side of the semi-cylinder and a cold side across the arc of the semi-cylinder.

Abstract: A stirling cycle engine including a working piston defining a working chamber, a crankshaft located in a crankchamber, a connecting rod connecting the working chamber with the crankshaft, the connecting rod being passed through intermediate members. A gas seal structure is provided in the intermediate members around the connecting rod, the gas seal structure including a first oil chamber and a second oil chamber, the second oil chamber being located closer to the crankchamber than the first oil chamber, a resilient sealing ring disposed between the first and second oil chambers and having an outer surface tapered toward the crankchamber to reduce diameter thereof, a spring for biasing the sealing ring toward the crankchamber so that the outer surface of the sealing ring is urged to an opposing surface formed in one of the intermediate members.

Abstract: An output control system for a Stirling engine includes a pressure reducing valve disposed in a highest-cycle-pressure line and connected between at least one working space and a compressor and a booster valve disposed in a lowest-cycle-pressure line and connected between the working space and the compressor. The pressure reducing valve and the booster valve are selectively actuatable by an accelerator lever attached to a feedback piston cylinder connected to the lowest-cycle-pressure line. The output control system also includes a two-way unidirectional solenoid-operated valve disposed in the highest-cycle-pressure line upstream of the pressure reducing valve and a three-way bidirectional solenoid-operated valve disposed in the lowest-cycle-pressure line downstream of the booster valve.

Abstract: A heat exchanger stack apparatus for use on a remotely heated Stirling engine having a variable swashplate drive mechanism, which comprises rigidly combining a regenerator, a flexible heat exchanger, a short, rigid hot connecting duct and a cylinder. A heat exchanger stack apparatus for each cylinder of the engine is mounted on a drive mechanism housing with the regenerator adjacent to a cooler located within the drive mechanism housing. The cooler, regenerator and flexible heat exchanger are axially aligned providing a linear flowpath for the engine working fluid. Bellows and flexible tubes connected to the flexible heat exchanger provide axial and transverse flexibility to reduce thermal stresses within the heat exchanger stack apparatus.

Abstract: In a hot gas engine of the type having a regenerator surrounding each cylinder top a part of the upper cylinder wall and the regenerator have been made as a unit having low heat conductivity in axial and radial directions, the unit consisting of two interconnected wall elements leaving a gap of ring shaped cross section between them, and the regenerator being brazed to the outside of the outer wall element.

Abstract: A heat engine which has a cylinder, a piston freely reciprocally slidable within the cylinder, a casing enclosing the cylinder and having a space therewithin surrounding the outside of the cylinder, the space having axial end portions respectively communicating with the spaces in the cylinder space on opposite ends of the piston, and the casing having a bearing wall part at one axial end thereof. A mass of incompressible fluid fills the interior of the cylinder and the space and is a fluid which undergoes volumetric variation with temperature variation. A piston rod fixed to the piston extends axially of the cylinder outward through the bearing wall part, and an output displacement member in the form of a sleeve is fitted slidably around and coaxially slidable on the piston rod and extending slidably and sealingly through the bearing wall part.

Abstract: An improved closed cycle hot gas engine in which virtually the entire working gas mass performs the same Ericsson Cycle loop thereby achieving maximized thermal efficiency. The invention engine embodiments consist of paired cylinders connected together by leak sealed means for controlled working gas operation. The working gas is simultaneously heated and expanded in the heating cylinder and then simultaneously cooled and compressed in the cooling cylinder to achieve the isothermal expansion and compression steps respectively of the four step Ericsson Cycle loop. The improvements consist of means to provide both the reciprocating operation of the cylinders pistons as well as control of piston relative motion with respect to each other.

Abstract: In thermodynamic apparatus and methods utilizing constant volume cycling devices, substantial improvements in energy output can be gained by utilization of an integrated thermodynamic process placing regenerator efficiency in a higher regime. Displacer elements operating in phased relation to the thermodynamic cycle provide superheating and supercooling to extended opposite ends of the regenerator, to establish steady state conditions which increase the temperature ratio of the system. In turn, the pressure ratio of the thermodynamic cycle is increased and the specific energy output improved. This expansion of the capability of thermodynamic machines for working in moderate temperature ranges is further utilized with systems for achieving thermal gain for heating or cooling, utilizing ambient energy as a heat source as well.

Abstract: In a piston rod seal of the type comprising a gland through which the piston rod is passed the piston is provided with a sleeve surrounding the piston rod and extending axially so as to axially partly overlap the gland when the piston is in its bottom dead center position.

Abstract: A compressor, pump, or alternator apparatus is designed for use with a resonant free piston Stirling engine so as to isolate apparatus fluid from the periodically pressurized working fluid of the Stirling engine. The apparatus housing has a first side closed by a power coupling flexible diaphragm (the engine working member) and a second side closed by a flexible diaphragm gas spring. A reciprocally movable piston is disposed in a transverse cylinder in the housing and moves substantially at right angles relative to the flexible diaphragms. An incompressible fluid fills the housing which is divided into two separate chambers by suitable ports. One chamber provides fluid coupling between the power diaphragm of the RFPSE and the piston and the second chamber provides fluid coupling between the gas spring diaphragm and the opposite side of the piston. The working members of a gas compressor, pump, or alternator are driven by the piston.

Abstract: A construction of a variable volume chamber that allows cycling of a working fluid to occur substantially isothermally is disclosed. The present invention provides a fixed, rigid heat conductive element within the chamber. The heat conductive element has a surface area which is large relative to that of the chamber itself. The volume of the chamber is varied by a mechanism which meshes with the heat conductive element to minimize dead volume. As a result the heat conductive element absorbs and returns heat energy to and from the working fluid in an efficient fashion, resulting in a high degree of isothermalization of the working fluid.

Abstract: A hot gas engine has an elastic and a lost motion connection between the working piston and the displacer, resulting in a rapid shifting of the displacer between its extreme positions. The hot and cold walls between which the displacer reciprocates are substantially planar and parallel, and the displacer is in the shape of a plate. The working piston comprises a diaphragm, so that there is no loss of working gas from the motor chamber.

Abstract: A closed-cycle heat engine consists of a gas-filled heat-insulated cylinder and a reciprocating piston. The cylinder space between the cylinder head and the piston face contains a spiral in the shape of flat interconnected discs, whereof the outermost disc at each end is heat-conductively attached to the cylinder head and the piston face respectively. About 10% of the discs at both ends of the spiral are of high heat-conductive material and about 80% of the discs inbetween are of a low heat-conductive sheet material. The cylinder head is permanently heated to a high temperature, and the piston is permanently cooled to a low temperature; the gas in the cylinder is alternately cooled and heated by the shifting movement of the discs, which are alternately closely packed adjacent the piston at the end of the compression stroke, and adjacent the cylinder head at the end of the expansion stroke. This shifting between the end positions is performed by an alternately directed gas stream.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system operating from the periodic pressure wave produced by a Stirling engine along a first axis thereof and effecting transfer of power from the Stirling engine to a load apparatus therefor and wherein the movable, or working member of the load apparatus is reciprocatingly driven along an axis substantially at right angles to the first axis to achieve an arrangement of a Stirling engine and load apparatus assembly which is much shorter and the components of the load apparatus more readily accessible.

Abstract: Stirling engines (10; 150) and other Stirling devices especially of the type incorporating double-acting pistons (41; 168, 170) are simplified, more easily sealed, reduced in overall size and weight, and made easier to balance by mounting the crankshaft (45; 100; 110; 176) centrally within the gas enclosure housing (22, 23; 164, 166) such that it perpendicularly intersects the cylinders' sidewalls and skewers the pistons, thus eliminating the conventional outboard crankcase. Each crankpin or equivalent (46-49; 82; 104; 112; 178, 180) on the crankshaft is rotatably contained between the piston's endwalls and interacts essentially directly with that piston, thus eliminating the connecting rod normally located therebetween. A number of alternative lubricating arrangements are disclosed for lubricating crankshaft associated bearings including one wherein liquid lubricant is circulated through the crankshaft, and another wherein liquid lubricant is particulated and forcibly circulated around the crankshaft.

Abstract: A heater head for a multi-cylinder double acting hot gas engine in which each cylinder is surrounded by an annular regenerator unit, and in which the tops of each cylinder and its surrounding regenerator are interconnected by a multiplicity of heater tubes. A manifold for the heater tubes has a centrally disposed duct connected to the top of the cylinder and surrounded by a wider duct connecting the other ends of the heater tubes with the regenerator unit.

Abstract: A free piston Stirling engine inertial cancellation system includes a displacer reciprocating in a hermetic vessel enclosing a working space to circulate working gas through a heater, regenerator, and cooler to create a pressure wave in the working space. A power piston, mechanically unconnected to the displacer, is reciprocally driven by the pressure wave to produce a power output stroke in one direction and a working gas compression stroke in the other direction. The displacer and the power piston form substantially a first mass in the working space. A second mass, outside the working space and preferably including an alternator plunger, is mounted in the vessel and is coupled to the first mass momentum exchange relationship.