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:
Jul. 06, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 29, 1996
Laurence B Penswick, Richland, WA (US);
Donald C Lewis, Kennewick, WA (US);
Ronald W Olan, Kennewick, WA (US);
Brad Ross, West Richland, WA (US);
Leon Montgomery, Richland, WA (US);
Stirling Technology Company, Kennewick, WA (US);
Abstract
Improved flexures and flexure assemblies are taught for use in thermal regenerative machines. In one aspect, the flexure is a flat spring formed from a flat metal sheet having kerfs forming axially movable arms across them, and at least one aperture communicating with and extending from an end portion of the kerf. One variation includes a flexure bearing assembly having such a flexure. In accordance with another aspect, a thermodynamic machine has a housing carried stator and a piston and linear moving element carried by a flexure bearing assembly. In accordance with yet another aspect, a piston and displacer assembly are configured to be movably supported together within a chamber in a housing of a thermal regenerative machine via a flexure assembly. In accordance with yet another aspect, an internally mounted flexure bearing assembly includes a body configured to carry a tubular member, with the tubular member further carrying a central moving axial member within the tubular member via a flexure assembly in the form of at least one flat spring. One variation includes a retaining member for retaining the flat springs in assembly.