초록 ▼

Improved flexures and flexure assemblies are taught for use in thermal regenerative machines. In one aspect, the flexure is a flat spring formed from a flat metal sheet having kerfs forming axially movable arms across them, and at least one aperture communicating with and extending from an end porti

Improved flexures and flexure assemblies are taught for use in thermal regenerative machines. In one aspect, the flexure is a flat spring formed from a flat metal sheet having kerfs forming axially movable arms across them, and at least one aperture communicating with and extending from an end portion of the kerf. One variation includes a flexure bearing assembly having such a flexure. In accordance with another aspect, a thermodynamic machine has a housing carried stator and a piston and linear moving element carried by a flexure bearing assembly. In accordance with yet another aspect, a piston and displacer assembly are configured to be movably supported together within a chamber in a housing of a thermal regenerative machine via a flexure assembly. In accordance with yet another aspect, an internally mounted flexure bearing assembly includes a body configured to carry a tubular member, with the tubular member further carrying a central moving axial member within the tubular member via a flexure assembly in the form of at least one flat spring. One variation includes a retaining member for retaining the flat springs in assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A thermodynamic machine, comprising:a housing having an internal chamber;a laminated stator having a central bore, the stator supported at one end by the housing;a linear moving element supported for reciprocation within the laminated stator central bore;a piston carried by the lin

[ We claim:] [1.] A thermodynamic machine, comprising:a housing having an internal chamber;a laminated stator having a central bore, the stator supported at one end by the housing;a linear moving element supported for reciprocation within the laminated stator central bore;a piston carried by the linear moving element for reciprocation within a cylinder bore of the chamber; andat least one flexure bearing assembly including radially spaced connections for connecting in assembly to the linear moving element and the laminated stator, respectively, for supporting the linear moving element for relative axial movement from the laminated stator.