초록 ▼

An actuating mechanism for adjusting the swashplate angle in a Stirling cycle engine. A stationary mounted motor is used to drive one member of a planetary gear set. The motion of this member is transmitted through a second planetary gear set to a member connected to the swashplate. In one embodimen

An actuating mechanism for adjusting the swashplate angle in a Stirling cycle engine. A stationary mounted motor is used to drive one member of a planetary gear set. The motion of this member is transmitted through a second planetary gear set to a member connected to the swashplate. In one embodiment, a worm gear powered by a stationary mounted electric motor drives a moveable rear ring gear. The movement of the rear ring gear is transmitted through three rear planet gears and a common sun gear to produce relative movement in a front planet gear carrier. The relative movement of the front planet gear carrier is transmitted through a bevel gear to the swashplate. This embodiment allows the off-line production of swashplate actuator subassembly cartridges that can quickly be journalled to the drive shaft, joined to and properly phased with respect to the swashplate and meshed with a worm gear connected to the stationary electric motor during the assembly of a Stirling engine.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A swashplate actuator for a Stirling engine having a drive shaft, a drive case, and a swashplate, for adjusting the incline angle of said swashplate with respect to said drive shaft, said actuator mechanism comprising:a motor mounted to said drive case,a first planetary gear set ha

[ We claim:] [1.] A swashplate actuator for a Stirling engine having a drive shaft, a drive case, and a swashplate, for adjusting the incline angle of said swashplate with respect to said drive shaft, said actuator mechanism comprising:a motor mounted to said drive case,a first planetary gear set having: a first planetary gear set sun gear member, a first planetary gear set planet gear member, a first planetary gear set ring gear member, and a first planetary gear set planet gear carrier member, said first planetary gear set ring gear member coupled to and driven by said motor and said first planetary gear set planet gear carrier member fixed to said drive shaft, anda second planetary gear set having: a second planetary gear set sun gear member, a second planetary gear set planet gear member, a second planetary gear set ring gear member, and a second planetary gear set planet gear carrier member, said second planetary gear set sun gear member coupled to said first planetary gear set sun gear member, said second planetary gear set ring gear member coupled to said drive case, and said second planetary gear set planet gear carrier member operably coupled to said swashplate, whereby said first and second planetary gear sets are operatively interconnected and actuation of said motor adjusts the incline angle of said swashplate with respect to said drive shaft.