Stirling Engine Assembly and Methods of Assembly Such an Assembly
AssigneeMicrogen Energy Limited
InventorsChristopher John Spenceley, David Anthony Clark
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A Stirling engine (1) to which an annular burner (2) is attached and is sealed to the engine by a flexible annular sealing member (5). An annular coolant channel (4) in the form of an annular coolant channel member (24) with a U-shaped cross-section attached to a mounting bracket (3) cools the seal (5). The channel member (24) has an upwardly extending annular flange (29) to shield the interface between the burner (2) and mounting bracket (3). An annular lip (33) extends from a lower region of the coolant channel (24) and the top of the sealing member (5) is fitted around this lip. The sealing member (5) is fitted in place after the coolant channel member (24) has been mounted to the bracket (3).
Claims17
A Stirling engine assembly comprising a mounting bracket, a burner attached to the mounting bracket, a Stirling engine attached to the mounting bracket, the engine having a head which is positioned, in use, within the burner, an annular sealing member to seal an annular gap between the burner and the Stirling engine, and a coolant channel surrounding the Stirling engine positioned to cool the sealing member;
- characterised in that the coolant channel comprises an annular channel member open at its upper face and being fixed to the mounting bracket so that the mounting bracket seals the channel member and, with the channel member, forms the coolant channel.
A Stirling engine assembly comprising a mounting bracket, a burner attached to the mounting bracket, a Stirling engine attached to the mounting bracket, the engine having a head which is positioned, in use, within the burner, an annular sealing member to seal an annular gap between the burner and the Stirling engine, and a coolant channel surrounding the Stirling engine positioned to cool the sealing member;
- characterised in that the coolant channel has an upwardly extending annular flange at its radially innermost edge, the flange extending upwardly in a central opening in the mounting bracket to shield the interface between the burner and mounting bracket.
A Stirling engine assembly comprising a mounting bracket, a burner attached to the mounting bracket, a Stirling engine attached to the mounting bracket, the engine having a head which is positioned, in use, within the burner, an annular sealing member to seal an annular gap between the burner and the Stirling engine, and a coolant channel surrounding the Stirling engine positioned to cool the sealing member;
- characterised in that an annular lip extends from a lower region of the coolant channel, wherein a lower portion of the sealing member seals with respect to the engine and an upper portion of the sealing member is fitted around the annular lip and seals with respect to the burner.
A method of assembling a Stirling engine assembly comprising a mounting bracket, a burner attached to the mounting bracket and a Stirling engine having a head which is positioned, in use, within the burner, the method comprising the steps of fixing a coolant channel to the bracket beneath the burner, and subsequently fixing a flexible seal between the channel and the engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.