US 2003/0163990 A1 · Stirling engine having platelet heat exchanging elements

Abstract

The present invention provides heat exchanging elements for use in Stirling engines. According to the present invention, the heat exchanging elements are made from muliple platelets that are stacked and joined together. The use of platelets to make heat exchanging elements permits Stirling engines to run more effiecient because the heat transfer and combustion processes are improved. In one embodiment, multi-stage combustion can be introduced with platlets, along with the flexibility to use different types of fuels. In another embodiment, a single component constructed from platelets can provide the heat transfer rquirements betweeen the combustion gas/working gas, working gas in the regenerator and the working gas/coolant fluid of a Stirling engine. In another embodiment, the platelet heat exchanging element can recieve solar energy to heat the Stirling engine's working gas. Also, this invention provides a heat exchanging method that allows for multiple fluids to flow in opposing or same direction.

Claims1

Dependent claims

A heat exchange platelet manifold for use in a Stirling engine, the manifold comprising:

a plurality of platelets that are joined together, the platelets being arranged so as to define a plurality of combustion chambers formed in the platelets, the platelets further having formed therein a fuel inlet for delivering fuel to the combustion chamber, and air inlet for delivering air to the combustion chamber, and an exhaust outlet communicating with the combustion chamber, and wherein one or more working gas conduits are formed in the platelets for carrying working gas proximate to the combustion chamber, the working gas conduits having open ends for permitting the working gas to flow from the manifold into a piston assembly, the heart exchange manifold including an ignition device for igniting a fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/339,066Filed 8 Jan 2003

Priority

4 Mar 2002

Published

4 Sep 2003

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

F28F 3/048
The means being integral with the element: in the form of ribs integral with the element or local variations in thickness of the element, e.g.…
F02G 1/043
Of closed-cycle type: the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a…
F02G 1/055
Component parts or details: heaters or coolers
F24S 20/20
Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments: solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g.…

Stirling engine having platelet heat exchanging elements

Life of this patent

Stirling engine having platelet heat exchanging elements

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims1