Patent · US Expired

Heat engine

US4621497A · kind A · utility

1Cited by
4References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 15, 1985
Grant dateNov 11, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 15, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02B3/06
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A heat engine including a closed case having a cylindrical chamber with circumferential heat transfer surfaces in the form of radially projecting ribs. A displacer having complementary ribs around the outer surface is rotatably mounted within the chamber. Some of the displacer ribs are removed leaving a working space containing working fluid. A cylinder in the displacer opens into the working space and a piston reciprocates within the cylinder as the displacer rotates so as to alter the volume of the working space. Different parts of the circumference of the case are maintained at different temperatures during operation so that the working fluid is subjected to changes of temperature and pressure during operation. Apart from the basic sinusoidal movement of the piston a superimposing lower amplitude oscillation may be applied to provide control of the thermodynamic operating cycle.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.