Seal mechanism for a Stirling engine
US4736586A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 14, 1986 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S277/902
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A seal mechanism for a Stirling engine has an upper and lower piston ring mounted on a displacer piston with a space therebetween and at least one piston ring mounted on a power piston. The seals produced by the piston rings of the displacer piston are given directionality in opposite directions so that the pressure within the space between the upper and lower piston rings is always higher or lower than the pressure within the expansion space and the compression space of the engine. In a preferred embodiment, the displacer piston rings each comprise two loosely-fitting outer rings which surround an inner ring. Air vents are formed in one surface of each of the inner rings between the center and the outer surface of the inner ring. The inner rings of the upper and lower piston rings are oriented so that the air vents face in opposite directions. Means for imparting directionality in the same direction to the seals produced by the power piston rings may also be provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.