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:
Feb. 23, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 04, 1996
William T Beale, Athens, OH (US);
Sunpower, Inc., Athens, OH (US);
Abstract
A centering apparatus for a free piston Stirling engine including a pressure regulator valve which connects a passageway between the work space and the back space when both (a) the average pressure in the back space exceeds the average pressure in the work space as a result of the piston deflecting a spring, and simultaneously (b) the instantaneous pressure in the back space exceeds the instantaneous pressure in the work space. A diaphragm spans across an actuator housing cavity, dividing the cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A connector valve is linked to the diaphragm for opening and closing the valve upon displacement of the diaphragm. When the average back space pressure exceeds the average work space pressure, the diaphragm is displaced to open the valve, connecting the work space and the back space in fluid communication. A check valve permits the flow of gas in only one direction: from the back space to the work space. A similar arrangement can be included to also cause flow from the work space to the back space when the average work space pressure exceeds the average back space pressure, so as to center the piston against leaks in either direction.