Stirling engines
AssigneeESD Engines Limited
InventorRichard F. Kinnersly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stirling engine with mechanical output through a main shaft (71) has piston(s) (44) reciprocable in cylinder bore(s) (41). Each piston is guided on a fixed piston guide (52) which extends into but not through the piston. This guidance holds the piston clear of mechanical contact with the cylinder bore (41). A separate seal is provided between the piston and the bore. Internal guidance of the piston permits a guidance arrangement where clearances change very little or not at all with changes in temperature of the engine.
Claims15
A Stirling engine comprising a cylinder closed at one end, a piston reciprocable in the cylinder without guiding contact between the outer surface of the piston and the cylinder and a mechanical coupling for connecting reciprocatory movement of the piston to a drive member, characterised in that a fixed piston guide with external guide surfaces extends in arm axial direction within the cylinder towards its closed end and terminates in a recess in the piston and in that internal guide surfaces on the piston are in sliding engagement with the external surfaces of the piston guide whereby the piston is guided within the cylinder.
A Stirling engine comprising a cylinder closed at one end, a piston reciprocable in the cylinder without guiding contact between the outer surface of the piston and the cylinder and a mechanical coupling for connecting reciprocatory movement of the piston to a drive member, wherein a fixed piston guide with external guide surfaces extends in an axial direction within the cylinder towards its closed end and terminates in a recess in the piston and internal guide surfaces on the piston are in sliding engagement with the external surfaces of the piston guide whereby the piston is guided within the cylinder;
- the piston comprises a piston body tube which is guided for sliding movement on the piston guide;
- and
- the piston body tube is guided on the piston guide by upper and lower annular bearing pads.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.