Abstract: Provided is a heat transfer device comprising: a housing; a regenerator; a first heat exchanger; and a second heat exchanger.

Abstract: Stirling cycle machines, including engines and coolers or heat pumps are described.

Abstract: An improved free piston Stirling machine having a gamma configuration. The displacer and each piston is reciprocatable within a cylinder having an unobstructed opening at its inner end into a common volume of the workspace. The common volume is defined by the intersection of inward projections of the displacer cylinder and the piston cylinders. The displacer and the pistons each have a range of reciprocation that extends into the common volume. A displacer drive rod is reciprocatable in a drive rod cylinder and both are positioned outside the common volume and on the opposite side of the common volume from the displacer. The displacer is connected to the displacer drive rod by a displacer connecting rod. Importantly, the displacer and pistons have complementary interfacing surface contours formed on their inner ends which substantially reduces the dead volume of this gamma configured machine.

Abstract: A thermo-acoustic engine and/or cooler is provided and includes an elongated tubular body, multiple regenerators disposed within the body, multiple heat exchangers disposed within the body, where at least one heat exchanger is disposed adjacent to each of the multiple regenerators, multiple transducers axially disposed at each end of the body, and an acoustic wave source generating acoustic waves. At least one of the acoustic waves is amplified by one of the regenerators and at least another acoustic wave is amplified by a second one of regenerators.

Abstract: A thermal engine with a heated external chamber capable of generating highly compressed fluid, releasing work energy when injected into a cylinder of an engine equipped with a one cycle cam shaft, thus producing power on every one half revolution of the crank shaft. The exhaust stroke is utilized to pressurize the fluid in the system by forcing the spent fluid into a manifold, pressurized fluid is prevented from returning to the engine by a one way gate valve. The fluid is then forced into a pre-cooler tank through an adjustable one way valve then into a cooling tank through a one way valve where it cooled and pressurized and returned to the expansion chamber through a one way valve and the process is repeated. The engine speed is controlled by a bypass system connecting the expansion chamber and the manifold.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluidic oscillators including compressed gas driven pumps and liquid piston and thermoacoustic heat engines and heat pumps in which the intention is to generate large amplitude oscillations by eliminating the dependence of the oscillations on inertia. According to the principle embodiment represented by circuit 200 pressure or temperature variations 27? drive pressure variations in vessel 11? causing a flow of further working fluid between vessel 11? and load 12? wherein useful work is consumed. Said flow varies out of phase with said pressure variations in vessel 11? by a first phase angle determined by inter alia the dissipative load 12? and the capacity of vessel 11?.

Abstract: An installation for storing and returning electrical energy having first and second enclosures containing a gas and porous refractory materials suitable for transferring heat by contact between said porous refractory materials and a gas flowing through said enclosures, and a compressor and an expander for the gas flowing in pipes between each of the ends of an enclosure connected to an end of the other enclosure. Methods are also disclosed for storing electrical energy in the form of heat energy in which an installation of the invention is used, and for a method of returning electrical energy from heat energy stored by a method according to the invention. The electrical energy is stored in the form of heat within masses of refractory material, and the stored thermal potential energy is returned in the form of electrical energy.

Abstract: A Stirling engine assembly comprising a Stirling engine having a generally cylindrical head. An annular burner surrounds the head and defines a combustion chamber between the burner and head. An annular seal between the burner and head provides a seal for combustion gases. A thermocouple housing is in thermal contact with the head and sealed from the combustion chamber. The thermocouple housing extends out of the combustion chamber, with the interface between the thermocouple housing and combustion chamber being sealed. The thermocouple housing has an opening outside the combustion chamber. A thermocouple in the thermocouple housing extends from a location adjacent to the head out of the opening in the thermocouple housing.

Abstract: A high efficient stirling engine with excellent thermal efficiency, which can increase the heating temperature of a high temperature section, is obtained by preventing the heat from being lost in a member connecting the high temperature section and a low temperature section. The high temperature section 5 and the member (a regenerator housing 16) connecting the high temperature section and the low temperature section are formed to have a split configuration by using different materials for the each, in which the high temperature section 5 is formed of a heat resistant/high heat conductive material having high heat resistance property and high heat conductivity, the regenerator housing 16 connecting the high temperature section 5 and the low temperature section 7 is formed of a heat resistant/low heat conductive material having low heat conductivity, and the both are bonded integrally to each other to obtain an integral sealed structure.

Abstract: A thermo-magnetic actuator includes a housing; a chamber within the housing; a working fluid changing phase upon heating and located in the chamber; an electrical heater disposed within the chamber for heating the working fluid; a piston rod slidably disposed in the housing and movable between retracted and extended positions; a spring biasing the piston rod toward the retracted position; an electromagnet disposed at an end of the housing and generating a magnetic field; and a ferromagnetic target assembly attached to the piston rod, sliding within the housing, and attracted toward the electromagnet to maintain the piston rod in the extended position even if electrical power is no longer applied to the heater. Preferably, the position of the piston rod is detected by the actuator and electrical current flow to the electrical heater is terminated when the piston rod is detected at the extended position.

Abstract: The present invention aims to utilise the properties of expansion and contraction of a fluid and in particular accelerated condensation of a vapour and provides useable energy based on these properties in the form of mechanical motion which can then be used to create an electrical output. There is provided a system for driving a turbine, the system comprising a conduit (5) and a chamber (2, 4), the conduit (6) defining a fluid flow path within which said turbine is located. The conduit (6) is in communication with an inlet to said chamber (2, 4). The system further comprises a piston (10) mounted in said chamber (2, 4) so as to define an enclosure (18) within said chamber and a heater for heating fluid within the enclosure. There is also provided means to move said piston (10) in a first direction (16) within said chamber (2, 4) causing expansion of said enclosure (18), and heating means (8) for heating fluid within said enclosure (18) so as to cause expansion of said fluid into said enclosure (18).

Abstract: An external combustion engine having an exhaust flow diverter for directing the flow of an exhaust gas. The external combustion engine has a heater head having a plurality of heater tubes through which a working fluid is heated by conduction. The exhaust flow diverter is a cylinder disposed around the outside of the plurality of heater tubes and includes a plurality of openings through which the flow of exhaust gas may pas. The exhaust flow diverter directs the exhaust gas past the plurality of heater tubes. The external combustion engine may also include a plurality of flow diverter fins coupled to the plurality of heater tubes to direct the flow of the exhaust gas. The heater tubes may be U-shaped or helical coiled shaped.

Abstract: Through stroke control whereby the stroke of a piston is detected and controlled to be equal to a target stroke, the piston is prevented from colliding with a displacer, and the refrigerating performance of a Stirling refrigerator is enhanced. Different target strokes corresponding to different operation conditions of the Stirling refrigerator are stored in a storage portion in a control box, so that a linear motor can be driven with a target stroke that suits the current operation condition. Thus, the piston is prevented from colliding with a displacer, and the refrigerating performance of a Stirling refrigerator is further enhanced.

Abstract: A device is described for latching an actuator to a substrate where the substrate includes a thermally activated material located on the substrate and a heater capable of heating the thermally activated material until it softens. The actuator includes a contact area that is spaced above the thermally activated material in a non-contact position. The actuator is movable from the non-contact position to a contact position where the contact area contacts the thermally activated material of the substrate. A method of latching actuator is also provided including heating the thermally activated material until it softens and moving an actuator into the contact position.

Abstract: To generate electric power efficiently with a thermoelectromagnetic generator using the heat regenerator of a Stirling engine. When a high-temperature operating gas and a low-temperature operating gas alternately pass through a heat regenerator of a Stirling engine, the temperature of the heat regenerator increases and decreases periodically. A thermoelectromagnetic generator G integrally associated with the heat regenerator has a yoke making up a closed magnetic circuit passing through the heat regenerator, a permanent magnet for supplying magnetic fluxes to the magnetic circuit, and an induction coil responsive to changes in the magnetic fluxes of the magnetic circuit. The heat regenerator which is made of a ferromagnetic material has a Curie temperature which is present in a range of varying temperatures of the heat regenerator.

Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder, or, alternatively, a set of fins substantially aligned with the axis of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. A ring burner supplements the main combustor for supplying additional fuel to cause additional combustion of the exhaust gas. A regenerator for the thermal cycle engine has a random network of fibers formed to fill a specified volume and a material for cross-linking the fibers at points of close contact between fibers of the network.

Abstract: An actuation device is described, having: an actuator with a movable actuation element; at least a transmission element being capable of moving from a respective first operating condition to a respective second operating condition under the action of the actuation element. According to the invention, a hooking-release arrangement is provided, which is made operative by the actuation element during a displacement of the latter, for inducing in the transmission element a movement which occurs at least in part with a speed being higher than the speed of the displacement of the actuation element. The device has an advantageous use in the realization of systems for blocking, in a predetermined position, the drum of a machine for washing and/or drying laundry.

Abstract: A heat engine uses magnetic fields to hold at least one of the displacer and the piston in position and to move the at least one of the displacer and the piston.

Abstract: An apparatus has a heat engine and a power output member drivenly connected to the piston of the heat engine and having an output for supplying work. The displacer is driven by an adjustable drive member. An adjustable signal generator is provided for modulating a signal which is sent to the adjustable drive to adjust the frequency of the displacer.

Abstract: An apparatus has a heat engine and a power output member drivenly connected to the piston of the heat engine and having an output for supplying work. The displacer is driven by an adjustable drive member. An adjustable signal generator is provided for modulating a signal which is sent to the adjustable drive to adjust the cycle profile of the displacer. The phase angle, the dwell time of the displacer at one or both ends of its cycle and/or the velocity of the displacer is thus adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus has a heat engine and a power output member drivenly connected to the piston of the heat engine and having an output for supplying work. A feedback member responsive to power demand from the apparatus by a load is provided to modulate the amount of heat provided by the heat source to the working fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing cooling has a heat engine in which the cycle profile of at least one of the displacer and the piston is variable for to provide efficient cooling at various temperature differences.

Abstract: In a Stirling engine with a cylinder head which can be heated, with a plurality of heating pipes bent in approximately U shape and with a cooler the the heat transfer to the heating pipes and the efficiency of the cooler are improved. This For this purpose the outwardly directed pipe sections (4c) of the heating pipes (4) through which the working medium flows are provided at least locally with a ceramic backing (11) for optimization of the flow (10) of the heating gas and the cooler is in the form of a light metal body (20) with radial ribs (23) within a pot-like housing (21), through which cooling water flows. The spacing of the radial ribs (23) from one another is greater than the gap (25) between the pot inner wall and the outer radial ribs bounding wall.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine control system includes an energy converter having a moving member. A detector is operatively associated with the moving member. The detector is configured to detect stroke of the moving member. A converter circuit is coupled with an output of the energy converter and is operative to convert output from AC to DC. A regulator is coupled with the converter circuit and a useful load, and is operative to regulate DC voltage. A controllably variable load member is coupled to the converter circuit and is operative to adjust load to the energy converter. Adjustment of the load to the energy converter regulates power output of the energy converter which in turn controls movement of the moving member. Control circuitry is signal coupled with the detector and the load member. The control circuitry is configured to receive a feedback signal correlated with the detected stroke of the moving member.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle engine includes: a housing having at least one cylinder; a motor element disposed in the housing; and a Stirling refrigerator portion driven by the motor element. The cylinder is made to be a cross guide for a piston or a displacer of the Stirling refrigerator portion. Thus, it is possible to provide a desired Stirling cycle engine, for example, a Stirling refrigerator, a Stirling engine generator, etc. with a single configuration.

Abstract: The gas compression/expansion apparatus comprises: a working section for compressing/expanding therein a working gas by pistons each connected with a rod; a drive section including sliders each connected at one end thereof with the rod and connected at one end thereof with a guide for guiding the slider, and a drive mechanism for reciprocating the sliders; and a separator for fluid dynamically separating the working section from the drive section, the separator permitting said rod to pass through said separator. The separator further includes an oil seal arrangement. Formed inside the separator is an intermediate chamber which allows the rod to pass there through. The inner radius of the intermediate chamber is greater than the radius of the rod plus the oil deposited on the rod. The guide includes a guide space formed such that the distance between the slider at its upper dead point and the wall of the separator facing the slider is larger than the thickness of the oil on the slider.

Abstract: A hot-gas engine electric heater that is partially disposable in a heat exchange tube of a hot-gas engine and supplies heat to a working fluid in the hot-gas engine wherein the heat exchange tube has a contour. The heater includes a thin and circular-shaped base, at least one conically-shaped and outwardly tapering heating element, and a voltage regulator. The thin and circular-shaped base conforms to the contour of the heat exchange tube and has an outer surface and an inner surface that is conformingly and sealingly abuttable against the heat exchange tube and is disposable externally thereto. The at least one conically-shaped and outwardly tapering heating element is horizontally oriented and extends perpendicularly outwardly from the inner surface of the thin and circular-shaped base and receives a voltage for heating the working fluid and is enterable into the heat exchange tube so as to be non-protruding from the heat exchange tube and eliminate wasted heat.

Abstract: A microdevice in the form of an electrical switch. A microdevice for providing switching at a high repetition rate, including a cell divided into two chambers by a bistable movable membrane. A charge of gas in the cell and a source for directly heating the gas to increase the gas pressure and move the membrane, the source for heating including a pulsed source for generating transient gas pressure increases, with the cell including an arrangement for cooling the gas for reducing the gas pressure after an increase.

Abstract: A thermostat member (10) disposed within a coolant flow passage (12) of an engine comprises a valve (32,34,36,40,42) movable between first and second positions for opening and closing the flow passage (12) and when in the first condition prohibiting coolant to flow from the engine and when in the second condition permitting the coolant to flow to a heat exchanger. A thermally responsive element (22) contained within a housing portion (16), and coupled to the valve. The element expandable in volume, when exposed to a predetermined temperature so as to urge the valve into the first position to terminate flow therethrough and a heater (50) for increasing the temperature of the element above the temperature of the coolant, to cause the element to urge the valve into the second cindition.

Abstract: Heat energy is supplied to the hot volume of a Vuilleumier cycle cryogenic refrigerator, or to a Stirling cycle heat engine, with and by the inventive heater module which is disposed within the hot working volume of the machine. The heater module is in contact with the working fluid within the hot volume, thereby more efficiently supplying heat energy to the machine. This invention accomplishes heat input to the most optimum place, namely: inside the hot volume. A preferred embodiment and a variation are taught.

Abstract: The invention relates to a servo motor assembly in which the linkage is provided between a linearly movable motor part and a rotatable member being controlled. The linkage includes two separate links and the arrangement prevents or minimizes lateral reaction forces from being applied to the linearly movable motor part which would cause undue wear on the bearings thereof.

Abstract: A heating system for supplying thermal energy to a heater of a machine such as a hot gas engine, this system using a heat-transporting medium which flows within a closed space between a heat-receiving portion to a heat-discharging portion. Thermal energy is supplied from a heat source through a wall in the heat-receiving portion with the transporting medium changing from the liquid phase to the-vapor phase, and the absorbed thermal energy is transferred to the heater in the heat-discharging portion by changing from the vapor phase into the liquid phase. The wall parts of the heat-receiving portion, through which thermal energy can be supplied from the heat source to the transporting medium, comprise on their surface contacting this medium of a layer of a porous material having a capillary structure whereby liquid-phase medium is distributed on said walls.

Abstract: The closed fluid working system of a Stirling cycle engine is disclosed having incorporated therein an improved regenerator assembly which modifies the thermodynamic responsiveness of the working system particularly during cold-start conditions. A foraminous regenerator matrix is constructed with a predetermined matrix heat capacity to void volume ratio, and has invested therein an electrical heating element arranged in thermally conductive relationship with a desired zone of the matrix. The heating element is controlled to be energized for attaining precise heat exchange conditions within the matrix.

Abstract: A heating system including a heat pipe containing evaporable heat transporting material, a closed reservoir containing heat-accumulating material within said heat pipe, and a quantity of said evaporable material in said reservoir for maintaining the same pressure in said reservoir and in said heat pipe.