Method for use in controlling free piston stirling coolers and heat pumps driven by a linear alternator
US8952635B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2012 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02P6/006
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for use in controlling a free piston Stirling machine having a cold end and a warm end and driven by a linear motor having an armature winding to which a drive voltage is applied. The method comprises (a) sensing internal mechanical collisions; (b) repeatedly sensing the temperature of the cold end, the temperature of the warm end and the drive voltage; (c) storing, as associated data, a value representing drive voltage, the temperature of the cold end and the temperature of the warm end at the time of sensed collisions; and (d) limiting the drive voltage to less than the drive voltage that was sensed at a collision and is stored in association with stored warm end and cold end temperatures that are proximate currently sensed warm end and cold end temperatures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.