Heat engine

US3956895A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Institute of Health · US

Inventors

• Jack E. Noble · Darrington, US
• Peter Riggle · Richland, US
• Stuart G. Emigh · Richland, US
• William R. Martini · Windermere, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 10, 1974
• Grant date: May 18, 1976
• Expiry date: Oct 10, 1994

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F02G2280/005
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A regenerative heat engine designed to produce power for the operation of equipment such as an artificial heart is disclosed. The heat engine includes a temperature control heat pipe located around the periphery of the engine cylinder and a temperature distribution heat pipe located around the periphery of the heat source. A flywheel and bellows seal is included as part of the displacer piston drive, and a flexure support is positioned on the hot end of the displacer piston to allow the piston to move longitudinally while restricting lateral motion.