Radiant heat engine

US4598550A · kind A · utility

Inventor

• John A. Abbott · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 10, 1984
• Grant date: Jul 8, 1986
• Expiry date: Dec 10, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/46
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An engine powered by radiant thermal energy wherein elongated thermally expandable members are tensioned radially out from a centrally located floating bearing to which the converging ends of the tension members are secured. The floating bearing encloses an eccentric section of a crankshaft with axis parallel to rays from the energy source and perpendicular to the plane of the tension members. The crankshaft has mounted thereto means for shading at any one time some but not all of said tension members from the energy source. The arrangement is such that when the engine is first exposed to the energy source with crankshaft axis pointing at the source expansion of the unshaded tension members results in an imbalance of the forces on the floating bearing and hence the crankshaft, causing the crankshaft and shade mounted thereto to begin to rotate. As the tension members are thus sequentially shaded from and exposed to the energy source by rotation of the shade means the floating bearing is subjected to a continuing imbalance of forces, causing the crankshaft and shade to rotate as long as the engine is exposed to an energy source of sufficient intensity.