Abstract: A multi degree-of-freedom electromagnetic machine includes an outer case, an inner case, a stator, stator windings, a voice coil winding, a tilt magnet, a rotor, and rotor magnets. The inner case is disposed within an inner cavity of the outer case and is mounted to rotate relative to the outer case about one or more rotational axes. The stator is fixedly mounted within the inner case, and the stator windings are wound thereon. The voice coil winding is fixedly coupled to either the inner surface of the outer case or the outer surface of the inner case. The tilt magnet is fixedly coupled to either the outer surface of the inner case or the inner surface of the outer case. The rotor is rotationally mounted within the inner case and is operable to rotate, relative to the stator, about a rotational axis.

Abstract: A closed cycle regenerative heat engine has a housing (12) defining a chamber (14). A displacer (18) is housed in the chamber. A shaft (24) is connected with the displacer and extends from the chamber. A power piston (30) is housed in the chamber. The displacer (18) is secured to the housing (12) and is resiliently deformable from a rest condition in response to movement of the shaft (24) to displace the working fluid in the chamber.

Abstract: A compression and expansion machine is disclosed that includes a body with at least one chamber about an axis of symmetry, and pistons rotating about the axis of symmetry and dividing the chamber into cells rotating with the pistons. The invention also includes a device for coordinating the movement of the pistons and configured so that, during one rotation cycle, each of the cells performs at least one first expansion/contraction cycle corresponding to a stage of compressing a first stream of gas passing through this cell and at least one second expansion/contraction cycle corresponding to a stage of expanding a second stream of gas passing through this cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat engine having shafts with gears, position gears and a plurality of actuators. Energy is harnessed from the first shaft as it rotates. The second shaft can be coupled to the first shaft to transfer energy from the second shaft to the first shaft. One coupler is a chain. Position gears orient the chain wherein the rotation of the second shaft is inverted upon the first shaft so that the first shaft has a constant rotational orientation. Each actuator is preferably a double acting actuator that can supply force to both push and pull upon a belt connected to the actuator rod. A 1-way clutch and gear connects the belt to each shaft wherein the belt (driven by actuator) imparts a positive force upon the first shaft on the out stroke and a positive force upon the second shaft on the return stroke.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage apparatus, including: a block of a heat-absorbing material, and a plurality of heat storage elements, the heat storage elements including a phase change material stored in a containment vessel; wherein each heat storage element is in thermal contact with the block of heat-absorbing material.

Abstract: A system for recycling heat or energy of a working medium of a heat engine for producing mechanical work is described. The system may comprise a first heat exchanger (204) for transferring heat from a working medium output from an energy extraction device (202) to a heating agent to vaporize the heating agent; a second heat exchanger (240) for transferring further heat to the vaporized heating agent; a compressor (231) coupled to the second heat exchanger (240) arranged to compress the further-heated heating agent; and a third heat exchanger (211) for transferring heat from the compressed heating agent to the working medium. A heat pump is also described.

Abstract: Provided is a heat-collecting-type power generation system capable of maintaining a stable power generation efficiency even if supplied heat varies. The system includes an evaporator that heats and vaporizes a working medium; a displacement-type expander driven by the vaporized working medium; a power generator driven together with the expander; a condenser that cools and condenses the gas-phase working medium sent from the expander; and a circulation pump that draws the condensed liquid-phase working medium, raises pressure and transports the same to the evaporator, wherein the expander includes a plurality of expansion parts that expand the working medium stepwise, and internal volume ratios of the expansion parts are adjusted in a design phase, so that if at least one of a suction pressure and a discharge pressure of the expander varies, an overall thermal insulation efficiency is 70 percent or more, in a range of the variation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may selectively or contemporaneously supply energy from engine exhaust gas to generate electricity or warm the engine. In one example, exhaust gas energy raises a temperature of a heat transfer medium and the heat transfer medium is routed to an engine coolant heat exchanger or an expander via a bypass valve.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) has a compressor (22), heat rejection heat exchanger (30), heat absorption heat exchanger (60), and expansion-compression device (40; 200). The expansion-compression device couples the heat absorption heat exchanger to the heat rejection heat exchanger and to the compressor. The expansion-compression device comprises first (80A), second (80B), third (80C), and fourth (80D) variable volume chambers and a pivoting member. The pivoting member (98) is mounted for reciprocal rotation in opposite first and second directions about an initial orientation and is coupled to the chambers so that: rotation from the initial orientation in the first direction expands the first and third chambers and compresses the second and fourth chambers; and rotation from the initial orientation in the first second direction compresses the second and third chambers and expands the second and fourth chambers.

Abstract: The “Energy Converter using Stirling Cycle” refers to the present invention patent request for constructive systems in general, more specifically for an “Energy Converter using Stirling Cycle”, which provides mechanical energy by means of conversion carried out by means of the heat flow passage from a thermal energy source to a gas that circulates between sealed units. The system is composed of one or more pairs of chambers, called sealed units, which transfer heat to the gas in alternate way between themselves, by means of the controlled movement of a rotor in the shape of an escutcheon, which exposed the gas between the hot and cold plates alternately so that the gas between the chambers expands and contracts cyclically generating the driving force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat engine having a housing. A generally triangular shaped rotor can drive an offset crank as it eccentrically rotates within the housing. Two inlets with valves and two exhausts are provided. The volume between each face of the rotor and the housing defines three expansion chambers. Six power cycles are provided (one by each expansion chamber times two inlets) per revolution of the rotor. Each valve controls the length of time that high pressure gas is allowed to enter each expansion chamber. The valves are controlled by a processor and close when enough pressure is supplied so that the pressures inside and outside the expansion chamber are equal when the chamber is fully expanded just prior to exhaust. Gates can provide a mechanical advantage to the rotor by reducing the amount of pressure applied to the back side of the fulcrum.

Abstract: In a case of performing a static pressure gas lubrication by a stirling engine provided with a pair of cylinders of a high-temperature-side cylinder 20 and a low-temperature-side cylinder 30, a stirling engine gas lubrication structure is provided with an introduction pipe 70A for introducing a working fluid existing within a low-temperature working space into at least an inside of an expansion piston 21 of the expansion piston 21 and a compression piston 31, the low-temperature working space being included in a working space where the working fluid circulates between the cylinders 20 and 30, a temperature of the working fluid in the low-temperature working space lower than that of the working fluid in a working space of a high-temperature side cylinder 22 in a driving state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Stirling engine capable of effectively recovering heat from exhaust gas flowing through a flue, and connecting a heating portion 10 and a regeneration portion 5 with each other through an operation gas tube without providing a flow passage separating portion 110, and the heating portion 10 includes a heating portion head 10a and a heat-transfer tube group, the heating portion head 10a includes first through holes 30R and second through holes 30S, the first through holes 30R are formed closer to a center region of the heating portion head 10a as compared with the second through holes 30S, one ends of U-shaped tubes are mounted in the first through holes 30R and the other ends of them are mounted in the second through holes 30S, and parallel exhaust gas flow passages is formed between the U-shaped tubes.

Abstract: The invention is a rotary engine comprised of at least one and usually a plurality of independent partial engines. Two different processes can be carried out in each independent partial engine both of which are used to operate the engines. The processes of the invention are basically two different and separate closed cycle processes that can both operate within the same geometric confinement, i.e. the same expansion chamber or expansion chambers, at the same time. The primary process performs the main function of converting heat to kinetic energy and is necessary in all engines of the invention. It is a unique process that uses the expansion of gases and also the contraction of the condensing gases after their expansion. The secondary process is needed for start-up and to provide additional power in case the engine might go into a stall. In most engines of the invention both processes are needed to operate the engine.

Abstract: An opposed piston gamma type Stirling machine has its displacer driven by a linear electromagnetic transducer that is drivingly linked to the displacer and is located on the opposite side of the power piston's axis of reciprocation from the displacer preferably in the bounce space. The linear transducer is controlled by an electronic control as a function of sensed inputs of Stirling machine operating parameters. In addition to allowing improvements in stability and efficiency, such a Stirling machine operated as a cooler/heat pump can also be controlled so that its displacer can be driven at (1) a phase angle that pumps heat in one direction through the machine or (2) at another phase angle that pumps heat in the opposite direction through the machine and allows selectively switching between the heat pumping directions.

Abstract: The current invention is a closed cycle heat engine that includes a plurality of variable volume movable working chambers, each chamber having a first volume of working fluid when disposed at an isentropic expansion zone leading edge, a second volume when disposed at an isentropic expansion zone trailing edge, a third volume when disposed at an isentropic compression zone leading edge and a fourth volume of working fluid when disposed at an isentropic compression zone trailing edge. The second volume of working fluid divided by the first volume of working fluid provides a first volume ratio. The third volume of working fluid divided by the fourth volume of working fluid provides a second volume ratio. The first volume ratio equals the second volume ratio. The working fluid efficiently performs work by traversing a cycle consisting of an isothermal expansion, an isentropic expansion, an isothermal compression, and an isentropic compression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Stirling engine employing a segmented, rotary displacer for producing mechanical energy from a heat source. The engine includes a rotor shaft rotatably positioned in the interior toroidal cavity with a segmented displacer mounted to the rotor shaft within the interior toroidal cavity.

Abstract: The engine consists of two sealed containers joined by a near horizontally orientated pipe mounted at a point along its length upon a shaft assembly within which is housed an axle about which the device is free to oscillate, and so constructed as to interact with an attuned complementary pendulum. When a temperature differential exists between the two containers, either by means of heating one container (hot leg) and/or cooling the other (cold leg), the consequent increase in pressure in the hot leg forces a quantity of the encased working fluid along the pipe to the cold leg, thereby creating a weight imbalance and changing the device's planar orientation. This change in orientation allows gas to escape from the hot leg, and a cycle is subsequently developed in which liquid is alternately expelled from the hot leg and then readmitted as the device oscillates.

Abstract: A rotary heat engine has a cylindrical engine block containing a rotor with four equally spaced pistons and corresponding cylinders extending radially in the rotor. The pistons are pivotally connected to connecting rods that are in turn connected to a shaft at an inner end of each connecting rod. The engine block has a cover thereon and the block can have heating and cooling locations that create heating and cooling chambers within the rotor, thereby causing the pistons to reciprocate and causing the rotor to rotate within the engine block. The pistons reciprocate within the rotor while the rotor rotates within the engine block.

Abstract: A closed cycle Stirling cryogenic cooler, typically utilizing a noble gas (He or like) as a working fluid and containing a pneumatically driven expander interconnected with a low frequency pressure wave generator using a flexible transfer line or conduit, wherein the pressure wave generator includes a sealed gas discharge cavity containing the pressurized working fluid and a plurality of discharge electrodes which are electrically isolated, protrude through the walls of the cavity and are electrically connected to the high frequency pulse voltage supply, thus producing the glow discharge resulting in a cloud of cold plasma, making a so-called “plasmanized gas piston”.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for generating power. The system includes a sealed chamber, a displacer located inside the chamber, a magnetic mechanism to actuate the displacer, and a linear alternator. The chamber includes a first side, a first top surface, and a first bottom surface, the first side located adjacent to a heat source and the second side adjacent to a heat sink. The displacer includes a pivot surface, a rocker, or a slide, and may include a regenerator.

Abstract: An epitrochoidal Stirling type engine operating on a Carnot cycle. The engine has a hot end and a cool end. Each end has a three-lobed rotary piston or rotor eccentrically mounted. Each rotor is in a four-lobed housing. There are connections for fluid flow between pairs of lobes with regenerators in the connections. The thermodynamic cycle corresponds to that of the Stirling engine. Heat is applied to one end of the engine and heat is discharged at the other end. As each rotor moves in and out of the housing lobes, a hydrodynamic fluid film of gas is produced between the rotor and the housing which keeps the rotor from contacting the housing.

Abstract: A compact cryocooler includes a gas compression piston (304) supported for reciprocal linear translation along a first longitudinal axis (308) and a gas displacing piston (362) supported for reciprocal linear translation along a second longitudinal axis (366). The first longitudinal axis (308) and second longitudinal axis (366) are substantially orthogonal. A rotary motor (302) rotates a rotor (324) and associated motor shaft (320) about a motor rotation axis (328) disposed substantially parallel with the second longitudinal axis (366). Motor shaft (320) first and second mounting features (336, 340) traverse first and second eccentric paths around the motor rotation axis. A first drive coupling couples the first mounting feature (336) with the gas compression piston (304) and delivers a reciprocal linear translation along the first longitudinal axis (308) thereto.

Abstract: An epitrochoidal Stirling type engine operating on a Carnot cycle. The engine has a hot end and a cool end. Each end has a three-lobed rotary piston or rotor eccentrically mounted. Each rotor is in a four-lobed housing. There are connections for fluid flow between pairs of lobes with regenerators in the connections. The thermodynamic cycle corresponds to that of the Stirling engine. Heat is applied to one end of the engine and heat is discharged at the other end. As each rotor moves in and out of the housing lobes, a hydrodynamic fluid film of gas is produced between the rotor and the housing which keeps the rotor from contacting the housing.

Abstract: A solar energy-based water heating and power generating module includes a factory-fabricated compound module panel usable as a cover panel for building, car or ship and capable of absorbing solar energy for heating water flowing in a water chamber and a circulation pipe, and a power generator formed of a field magnet set, an oscillator and a coil and actuated by a temperature difference energy to generate heat.

Abstract: This invention provides heat engines based on the structure of internal combustion engines and employs a gaseous working fluid without combustion. The heat engine comprises at least a piston and cylinder assembly and each cylinder has at least an associated heating chamber with a heat exchanger unit being disposed therewithin. The chamber may have at least a chamber valve to establish or block the flow of the gaseous working fluid between the heating chamber and cylinder space. The engine is adapted to operate on cycles that enable heat transfer from a heat source to the working fluid while being enclosed within the heating chamber and provides substantially increased heat transfer duration before the power stroke. Therefore the engine may produce sufficiently high power output with reasonably high thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A thermodynamic cycle heat engine including a regenerator; a chamber in fluid communication with the regenerator; first and second rotors within the chamber, forming at least a pair of spaces within the chamber; and at least one actuator. The regenerator and the chamber form a portion of a closed space for a working fluid, the actuator is arranged to displace the rotors about an axis of rotation for the rotors, and at least a portion of the actuator is fixedly secured to the rotors. In some aspects, the actuator is arranged to receive energy from the rotors and operate as a generator, or a sensor is arranged to detect a condition associated with operation of the chamber and a controller is arranged to control the actuator responsive to the detected condition. In some aspects, the engine includes a heat exchanger in fluid communication between the regenerator and the chamber.

Abstract: Methods for harnessing a heat source to produce energy are provided. One method comprises transferring heat from the heat source to a working fluid using at least one heat pipe; and performing work via the heated working fluid. Another method comprises operating a thermodynamic cycle to convert heat into work, comprising displacing a working fluid within a closed loop, said closed loop being defined by a first pathway within a working chamber, and a return pathway external to the return chamber; wherein displacement of the working fluid along the first pathway causes sympathetic displaced of a movable member held captive in the working chamber, and displacement of the working fluid along the external pathway is under influence of capillary forces; and transferring heat to the working fluid using at least one first heat pipe. Components and systems for implementing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A stirling engine is disclosed. The engine includes at least two fluid chambers; a displacer, which may be rotary; and a movable seal. At least one displacer may be included in each of the at least two fluid chambers. The movable seal separates the at least two fluid chambers. In a further aspect, a stirling engine may include any one of at least one heat source, at least one heat sink, at least one converter, or any combination of any two or more of the preceding.

Abstract: A stirling engine is disclosed. The engine includes at least two fluid chambers; a displacer, which may be rotary; and a movable seal. At least one displacer may be included in each of the at least two fluid chambers. The movable seal separates the at least two fluid chambers. In a further aspect, a stirling engine may include any one of at least one heat source, at least one heat sink, at least one converter, or any combination of any two or more of the preceding.

Abstract: Ambient temperature thermal energy cryogenic engine with constant pressure with continuous “cold” combustion at constant pressure and with an active chamber operating with a cryogenic fluid stored in its liquid phase, and used as a work gas in its gaseous phase and operating in a closed cycle with return to its liquid phase. The initially liquid cryogenic fluid is vaporized in the gaseous phase at very low temperatures and supplies the inlet of a gas compression device, which then discharges this compressed work gas, still at low temperature, and through a heat exchanger with the ambient temperature, into a work tank or external expansion chamber fitted or not fitted with a heating device, where its temperature and its volume will considerably increase in order to then be preferably let into a relief device providing work and for example comprising an active chamber according to international patent application WO 2005/049968.

Abstract: A rotary Stirling cycle engine including motor and pump rotors located eccentrically in motor and pump chambers arranged endwise adjacent each other, with both rotors on a single drive shaft. The pump and motor chambers may be shaped as circular cylinders. Working fluid inlet and outlet ports are located in motor and pump chamber ends. A bypass conduit may include a valve allowing working fluid to bypass the motor chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. Operating on a thermodynamic cycle of isentropic compression, isothermal expansion, isentropic expansion and finally constant pressure cooling and contraction, an external heat engine utilizes a heat exchanger carrying heat from an external energy source to the working parts of the engine. Apparatus and methods are disclosed for engine piston timing, such that during isothermal expansion, each unit angular rotation of a drive shaft results in the capture of a constant, unit amount of working fluid expansion energy. Thus, the amount of energy captured during each unit angular rotation of apparatus drive shaft is a constant. Timing the working fluid expansion and fluid flow assures that the working fluid undergoes isothermal expansion, regardless of the quantum of heat energy applied. The modulation of heat input to the heat exchanger results in an automatic modulation of engine speed.

Abstract: Methods for assembling a reciprocating body, such as a piston, within a bore using a design are described. The piston is substantially centered within the bore and then connected at one end through a rotational coupling to a substantially laterally fixed structure connected to the bore such that during normal operation the piston can rotate within the bore along the bore axis of symmetry but can no longer move laterally. Before fixing the rotational coupling, the piston is connected to an external gas source and substantially aligned along the bore axis of symmetry by a gas bearing having one or more gas bearing ports disposed toward the bore. During normal operation, the gas bearing provides a rotational force sufficient to realize a non-frictional bearing between the piston and the bore.

Abstract: A rotary Wankel-Stirling machine operating upon a compressible working fluid, having a rotary expander having a hot side housing with a heat input interface, a hot side rotor having rotor passages adapted to allow passage of the working fluid between the rotor hub and rotor face, heated chambers formed between the rotor face and the hot side housing, a rotary compressor having a cold side housing with a heat rejection interface, a cold side rotor having rotor passages adapted to allow passage of the working fluid between the rotor hub and rotor face, cooled chambers formed between the rotor face and the cold side housing, a shaft, adapted to rotatably couple the rotor hub of the hot side rotor and the rotor hub of the cold side rotor, the shaft having shaft passages adapted to allow passage of the working fluid between the heated chambers and the cooled chambers, and the working fluid sealed in the machine, wherein the machine operates under the Carnot cycle.

Abstract: A Stirling engine includes a piston seat, a displacer arranged in the piston seat, a piston seat, and a push rod. Meanwhile, a piston tube is arranged on the piston seat and an airtight piston is arranged in the piston tube. Moreover, one end of the push rod is connected to the displacer, while another end passes through the airtight piston and extends out of the piston seat. Additionally, a power mechanism includes the aforementioned Stirling engine, a crankshaft, an axle seat pivoted with the crankshaft, and two pairs of first and second swing arms that are respectively connected from the crankshaft to the top ends of the push rod and the airtight piston and are arranged symmetrically to each other.

Abstract: A power piston (2) connected to a power crosshead (3) in conjunction with a Stirling engine is disclosed. The power piston may be mounted by means of threads (T,t) directly to the power crosshead in a Stirling engine. The assembly comprises a power piston assembly connected to a power crosshead (3) which in turn is connected to the Stirling engine crank mechanism (5).

Abstract: There is disclosed a stirling system in which a rotary-type high-temperature expansion mechanical section, a rotary-type low-temperature compression mechanical section and a driving shaft common to both the mechanical sections are stored in a sealed container to achieve remarkable simplification and improvement of durability. In the stirling system, the rotary-type high-temperature expansion mechanical section and the rotary-type low-temperature compression mechanical section for constituting a stirling cycle, and the driving shaft common to both the mechanical sections are stored in the sealed container. The sealed container is divided into a rotary-type high-temperature expansion mechanical section side and a rotary-type low-temperature compression mechanical section side by a partition wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy which can use a wide range of fuels and perform with a high efficiency. Operating on a little utilized thermodynamic cycle of isentropic compression, isothermal expansion, isentropic expansion and finally constant pressure cooling and contraction. The external heat engine utilizes a heat exchanger carrying heat from the external energy source to the working parts of the engine. Pistons and cylinders are activated by appropriate means to adiabatically compress the working fluid, for example ambient air, to transfer the entire mass of the air through the heat exchanger to accomplish isothermal expansion followed by adiabatic expansion and, finally, exhaust the air to ambient to allow for constant pressure cooling and contraction. Valve pistons in conjunction with the cylinders form valves that allow for the exchange of working fluid with ambient.

Abstract: The present invention is a rotary engine having a rotor and a slidable piston that are contained within a stator.

Abstract: The intended purpose of my invention is to create a point of origin in system from which driving thrusts could evolve. In this system, vacuum can be developed with less force than it naturally is required to create said vacuum. By posting a cylinder, containing two pistons in each cylinder, on each side of the axis of rotation and having gas flow in an out the cylinders under controlled pressures, the system could create such vacuum. As a result, said vacuum can lift more mass than the mass creating said vacuum and, thus, imbalance could be achieved that rolls the system in one direction.

Abstract: A coaxial Beta type Stirling cycle device, having a power piston and a displacer coaxially positioned in series within an enclosing cylinder. The power piston and power piston shaft have an opening wherein the displacer shaft passes through. A compression chamber is formed between the pistons. An expansion chamber is formed between the displacement piston and one end of the cylinder. There is a gas path provided, so that a working gas within the cylinder can pass back and forth between the expansion chamber and the compression chamber as the pistons reciprocate. The power piston and the displacer each has its own linkage to a common cam body, which has a cam groove for the power piston and a cam groove for the displacer. The cam body is a face cam having multiple cam grooves, or a barrel cam having multiple cam grooves. The cam grooves may be shaped to provide infinitely settable stroke, dwell, and phase angle.

Abstract: A displacer spring and displacer/spring assembly for use in an FPSE and with improved wear characteristics. One embodiment calls for the use of a single machined spring operating alternately in a tension mode and a compression mode and wherein the operating frequency of displacer movement can be controlled therewith to a desired resonant frequency. The machined spring of the present invention provides enhanced structural accuracy which, in turn, leads to the elimination of lateral and side loads as compared to prior art wire-wound helical springs.

Abstract: The present invention includes a rotary engine, comprising a stator that includes a bladed heat transfer stator segment comprising an outer surface comprising a plurality of blades creating a flowpath on the outer surface. Rotary engines include Stirling engines and Wankel engines and compound rotary engines.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle engine comprises a substantially sealed engine block that defines a working fluid space, a hot path and a cold path. A heat source and a heat sink are configured to keep the hot path and the cold path at different temperatures. The engine includes a valve chamber that is communication with the working fluid space, the hot path and the cold path. A valve is moveably positioned within the valve chamber between at least a first position and a second position. The valve defines a passage that, in the first position, places the working fluid space in communication with the hot path and, in the second position, places the working fluid space in communication with the cold path. A regenerator positioned within the passage.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for use in the transmission of power from a plurality of linear reciprocating power generating elements to a rotating output element. The drive mechanism includes a drive cam member having a cam follower guiding contour extending along the cam member; a drive cam follower operatively connected to each power generating element. Each follower is adapted to engage the cam follower guiding contour throughout each reciprocation cycle of the power generating elements, the drive cam follower guiding contour following a generally sinusoidal profile on the surface of the drive cam member, the profile including a series of lobes forming peaks and troughs with intermediate regions therebetween, the peak to peak amplitude of the substantially sinusoidal profile of the cam follower guiding contour on the surface of the drive cam substantially corresponding to the stroke amplitude of the stroke of the reciprocating power generating elements.

Abstract: A driving system (13) comprises a housing (10) having spherical hollow space (11), a rotatable main shaft (14), a driving means (16) and a piston construction (15). The piston construction (15) is rockable about a first rocking axis (15a) in a rectilinear motion backwards and forwards relative to a stationary wall portion (12). The driving means (16) is pivotally mounted in the main shaft (14) about a pivotable axis (16b) which forms an acute angle with the rotatable axis (14a) of the main shaft (14) and is rockably mounted in the piston construction (15) about a second rocking axis (16a), which extends at right angles to the first rocking axis (15a). The first and second rocking axis (15a, 16a) cross the rotational axis (14a) of the main shaft (14) at a common crossing point (11c) centrally in the spherical hollow space (11).

Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine has a piston (11) which reciprocates in a cylinder (12) and defines a hot chamber (23) between the piston (11) and end of cylinder (12). Heat exchange for the working fluid in the hot chamber (23) is effected while the working fluid is outside the hot chamber (23) in a flow path (24) communicating with that chamber (23). The piston (11) has a concave crown forming a surface (31) of the hot chamber (23). A seal is provided by a land (33) of larger diameter than the general diameter of the piston (11) formed around the upper periphery of the piston (11) and at least one annular groove (36) formed in the land (33) to disrupt free flow of working fluid along the gap between the land (33) and the cylinder wall.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle engine having two chambers (formed by 12-14, or 12, 15 and 16) containing a working fluid and rotatable rotor disks (10, 11) coupled to a common output power shaft (3). Each chamber has a hot zone and a cold zone, and a passage (23) leads from the hot zone in one chamber to the cold zone in the other chamber and a passage (24) leads from the hot zone in the other chamber to the cold zone in the one chamber. Each rotor disk (10, 11) has a displacer section (5) for displacing the working fluid and a turbine section (6) having turbine blades (7) arranged along its periphery. The disks (10, 11) rotate out of phase with each other and working fluid from the respective passages (23, 24) is directed to the blades (7) to rotate the disks (10, 11) when engine is in operation.

Abstract: The publication relates to a power converter according to the principle of the hot-air engine (Stirling engine), comprising a cylinder containing a main piston (4) and a displacement piston (3), each of which can be moved forward and backward on the axis of the cylinder and each of which possesses a piston rod assembly (20, 25) which is connected via connecting rods (17, 21) with a link system (21-24 or 17-19 resp.) to two parallel cranks (9) which rotate synchronously in opposite directions so that the displacement piston is moved phase-shifted to the main piston. The link system (21-24) of the main piston (4) comprises a frame element (24) which is rigidly connected to the latter's piston rod assembly (25) and has at least four journals (22,23) which are arranged symmetrically to the cylinder axis in a common plane perpendicular to the cylinder axis and which are oriented parallel to the crank shafts (9) and to each of which is linked a connecting rod (21).