The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 07, 1995
Filed:
Oct. 12, 1993
Ronald J Steele, Boise, ID (US);
Other;
Abstract
A Stirling cycle engine having its cylinders ganged together by connecting through a cross connect passage and valve the cold variable volume chamber of one cylinder with the compression chamber of a cylinder in which the displacer piston and the power piston are ninety degrees (90.degree.) out-of-phase with the pistons in the first cylinder. The displacer piston and power piston in each cylinder are connected by a sealed piston rod so that the two pistons move in unison. Each cylinder's power piston is connected by means of a connecting rod to a means for converting the reciprocating motion of the power piston into rotational motion. Each cross connect passage is provided with a valve which allows a working fluid to pass from the cold variable volume chamber of one cylinder to the compression chamber of any cylinder which is ninety degrees (90.degree.) out-of-phase with the displacer piston of the first cylinder. This valving feature allows the engine to be reversed and throttled. Each displacer cylinder is provided with an annular groove regenerator which is adapted to accept a thermally conductive material for conducting heat to and from the working fluid thereby operating in the capacity of a regenerator. Finally, in one embodiment, the bulkhead which separates the displacer cylinder from the power cylinder is removable. When the bulkhead is removed, reoriented and reinstalled, the engine operates in an opposite direction of rotation.