The Boeing Company

Infinia Corporation

Qnergy Inc.

Terry L Smith

Marc Rollo Matsen

James H Lee

Gary W Coleman

John Edward Augenblick

Allen Peterson

Ian Williford

Paul Fraser

Tina Dale

Rocco Luongo

Kevin L Nash

Justin Thurgood

Warner B Vanaken

Joseph Peter Reilley

Scott W Franz

Scott McCallum

Julius J Schaan

Ray Erbeznik

Trent Wetherbee

Ben Gyori

Patrick Fox

Raphael Milleret

Harry McVicker

Lee Charles Firth

David S Nansen

Ronald W Brown

William R Herb

Systems, methods, and apparatus relating to the use of Stirling engine technology to convert heat, such as from solar radiation, to mechanical work or electricity. Apparatus, systems, components, and methods relating to energy converting apparatus are described herein. In one aspect, the invention relates to the field alignment of panels and the assembly of a concentrator. In another aspect, a passive balancer is used in combination with a ring frame and other moving masses to reduce engine forces and vibration on the structure of the energy converting apparatus while maintaining properly constrained alignment of various suspended masses. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to various over-insolation control and management strategy to prevent overheating of the energy converting apparatus or components and subsystems thereof.

Stirling engine systems, apparatus and methods

A structural assembly and an associated system and method for manufacture are provided. The structural assembly includes an elongate member and a first connector member that is connected to an end of the elongate member by a braze joint. A second connector member can be connected to an end of the elongate member opposite the first connector by another braze joint. The elongate member is formed of a metal matrix composite material that includes a plurality of fibers of a reinforcement material disposed in a metal matrix. Each connector member is formed of a material that is dissimilar to the material of the elongate member. The braze joints can be formed by selectively heating the braze material, e.g., with an inductive coil that extends circumferentially around only a portion of the structural assembly.

Brazed structural assembly and associated system and method for manufacture

An apparatus and a method for forming a localized joint in at least one structural member are provided. The apparatus includes a tool that corresponds to a joint portion of the structural member. An induction coil is disposed in the tool, and a power source is configured to energize the induction coil. A susceptor disposed between the tool and the structural member has a Curie temperature at which the susceptor becomes paramagnetic such that an electromagnetic field induced in the susceptor by the induction coil heats the susceptor to the Curie temperature for forming the joint.

Induction heating for localized joining of structural members

A system and method inductively heats and stress relieves a weld joint area having a stress induced zone. A susceptor assembly is positioned over the stress induced zone. The susceptor assembly includes susceptor sheets manufactured to operate at different, preselected Curie temperatures. A housing is mounted over the susceptor assembly including an induction coil positioned adjacent to the susceptor assembly. An alternating electric current is applied to the induction coil. The alternating electric current causes the induction coil to generate a plurality of magnetic flux lines. The invention provides the advantage that the magnetic flux lines passing through the susceptor assembly heat the susceptor assembly providing localized and controlled temperature heat to the weld joint area to stress relieve the stress induced zone.

Localized stress relief by induction heating

A method of manufacturing a structural assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing first and second structural members having preselected shapes and dimensions. The first structural member defines a first raised portion and the second structural member defines a second raised portion. According to one embodiment, the providing step includes forming the first and second structural members into preselected shapes and dimensions. The first and second structural members can comprise plates, T-stiffeners or tubular members. The first raised portion of the first structural member is positioned adjacent to the second raised portion of the second structural member following the providing step to thereby define an interface therebetween and wherein the first and second raised portions define a substantially consumable weld land. Thereafter, the first and second structural members are irradiated with a high-energy source along the interface to thereby substantially consume the weld land and join the first and second structural members to form a structural assembly. The first high-energy source preferably comprises an electron beam or a laser.

Joining of structural members by welding

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Renton, WA, United States of America

Terry L Smith