Pressure equalization system for a stirling engine
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F01B-029/10
F02G-001/04
출원번호
US-0703416
(2010-02-10)
등록번호
US-8601809
(2013-12-10)
발명자
/ 주소
Johansson, Stefan
Domanski, Christopher
출원인 / 주소
Stirling Biopower, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Brinks Gilson & Lione
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
20
초록▼
A working gas control system for a double acting type Stirling engine having two or more piston assemblies reciprocating within bores. Each of the piston assemblies separate isolated cycle volumes of a working gas which undergoes cyclical pressure variations. The pressure equalization system include
A working gas control system for a double acting type Stirling engine having two or more piston assemblies reciprocating within bores. Each of the piston assemblies separate isolated cycle volumes of a working gas which undergoes cyclical pressure variations. The pressure equalization system includes forming isolated first and second volumes with the first volume maintained at a low pressure through the use of a check valve. The second volume is maintained at a pressure intermediate of the minimum and maximum pressures of the cycle volumes. By providing controlled leakage paths between the volumes, the mass or volume of working gas in each of the cycle volumes can be maintained in a balanced condition despite minor leakages outside the engine of the working gas and leakage past the piston assemblies separating the cycle volumes. Additional features further include the provision of a control valve which acts to unload the engine for starting or shut down, and further can provide the functions of a check valve and a control leakage path within the engine.
대표청구항▼
1. A working gas control system for a double acting type Stirling cycle engine having two or more piston assemblies reciprocating within cylinder bores, each of the piston assemblies separating isolated cycle volumes of a working gas contained within the engine, the cycle volumes undergoing cyclical
1. A working gas control system for a double acting type Stirling cycle engine having two or more piston assemblies reciprocating within cylinder bores, each of the piston assemblies separating isolated cycle volumes of a working gas contained within the engine, the cycle volumes undergoing cyclical pressure variations from a minimum cycle pressure to a maximum cycle pressure during operation of the engine, each of the piston assemblies connected with a connecting rod, and having a rod seal assembly for sealing with the connecting rod, the control system comprising: a first volume defined by hollow interiors of the pistons communicating together through a first passageway in the connecting rods to a second passageway, the first volume configured to be near the minimum cycle pressure during operation of the engine, anda respective check valve connecting each of the cycle volumes with the first volume, whereby, during operation of the engine, the working gas flows from the first volume to the cycle volumes to maintain the pressure in the first volume near the minimum cycle pressure,a second volume configured to remain near a mean cycle pressure between the minimum and the maximum cycle pressures of all cycle volumes separated by the two or more piston assemblies during operation of the engine by communicating with each of the the cycle volumes via a respective third passageway having a permanent first restrictor, the second volume having a constant volume. 2. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the engine having a cylinder block assembly, wherein the second and third passageways are formed by the cylinder block assembly. 3. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the check valve inhibits flow of the working gas from the cycle volume to the first volume. 4. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 3, wherein each check valve is a controllable check valve which can be actuated to permit flow of the working gas in both direction between the cycle volume and the first volume. 5. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the check valve is a valve assembly with an electrically actuated solenoid for actuating the check valve. 6. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein each cycle volume comprises a second restrictor connecting the first volume with the cycle volume. 7. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the check valve is in the form of a valve assembly having an orifice forming the second restrictor. 8. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the check valve permits flow from the first volume to the cycle volume when the gas pressure in the cycle volume is less than the gas pressure of the first volume minus a lift-off pressure of the check valve, the check valve inhibiting gas flow from the first volume to the cycle volume. 9. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the check valve is configured to be deactivated to permit flow of the working gas in both directions between the first volume and the cycle volume. 10. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first passageway of each connecting rod communicates with an internal cavity of the rod seal assembly, the internal cavity of the rod seal assembly being connected with the second passageway, wherein the internal cavity forms part of the first volume. 11. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first restrictor is positioned in the third passageway. 12. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a respective third restrictor for each piston assembly representing working gas leakage across piston rings of the piston assembly. 13. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the working gas is hydrogen or helium. 14. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a check valve, and a first restrictor are provided associated with each of the piston assemblies of the engine. 15. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a respective port for each cycle volume in a block assembly of the engine, each port communicating with a cycle volume and the first volume anda valve installed in the port forming the second restrictor and the check valve. 16. A working gas control system for a double acting type Stirling cycle engine having two or more piston assemblies reciprocating within cylinder bores, each of the piston assemblies separating isolated cycle volumes of a working gas contained within the engine, the cycle volumes undergoing cyclical pressure variations from a minimum cycle pressure to a maximum cycle pressure during operation of the engine, each of the piston assemblies connected with a connecting rod, and each having a rod seal assembly for sealing the connecting rod, the control system comprising: the rod seal assemblies having an internal cavity,a first volume defined by hollow interiors of the pistons communicating through a first passageway in the connecting rods to the rod seal assembly internal cavities and with a second passageway,a check valve connected with each of the cycle volumes and the first volume, the check valves permitting flow from the first volume to the cycle volumes when the gas pressure of the cycle volume is less than the gas pressure of the first volume minus a lift-off pressure of the check valve, the check valves inhibiting working gas flow from the first volume to the cycle volumes, the check valves causing the gas pressure in the first volume to be maintained near the minimum cycle pressure during operation of the engine,a second volume configured to remain near a mean cycle pressure between the minimum and the maximum cycle pressures of all cycle volumes separated by the two or more piston assemblies during operation of the engine, the second volume having a constant volume, a respective permanent first restrictor connecting each of the cycle volumes with the second volume, anda respective second restrictor connecting the first volume with each of the cycle volumes, whereby, during operation of the engine, working gas flows between the cycle volumes by flowing through the first and second restrictors. 17. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the engine has a cylinder block assembly and the second and third passageways are formed by the cylinder block assembly. 18. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 16, wherein each of the check valves is a controllable check valve configured to be actuated to permit the flow of working gas in both directions between an associated cycle volume and the first volume. 19. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 16 wherein each of the check valves is a valve assembly with an electrically actuated solenoid for actuating the check valve. 20. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the check valves are in the form of valve assemblies each having an orifice comprising one of the second restrictors. 21. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the check valves are configured to be deactivated to permit flow of gas in both directions between the first volume and the cycle volumes. 22. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the first restrictor is positioned in a third passageway. 23. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 16 further comprising a third restrictor for each piston assembly representing working gas leakage across piston rings of the piston assembly. 24. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the working gas is hydrogen or helium. 25. A working gas control system in accordance with claim 16 further comprising a respective port for each cycle volume in a block assembly of the engine, each port communicating with a cycle volume and the first volume anda valve installed in the port forming the second restrictor and the check valve. 26. A method of controlling a working gas for a double acting type Stirling cycle engine having two or more piston assemblies reciprocating within cylinder bores, each of the piston assemblies separating isolated cycle volumes of a working gas contained within the engine, the cycle volumes undergoing cyclical pressure changes from a minimum cycle pressure to a maximum cycle pressure during operation of the engine, each of the piston assemblies connected with a connecting rod, and having a rod seal assembly for sealing the connecting rod, the control system comprising: forming a first volume defined by hollow interiors of the pistons communicating together through a first passageway in the connecting rods to a second passageway, the first volume configured to be near the minimum cycle pressure during operation of the engine, andproviding a check valve connecting the cycle volumes with the first volume, whereby, during operation of the engine, the working gas flows from the first volume to the cycle volumes to maintain the pressure in the first volume near the minimum level,forming a second volume configured to remain near a mean cycle pressure between the minimum and the maximum cycle pressures of all cycle volumes separated by the two or more piston assemblies during operation of the engine by communicating with each of the cycle volumes via a respective third passageway having a permanent first restrictor, the second volume having a constant volume, wherein, during operation of the engine, the working gas of the cycle volumes is exchanged between the cycle volumes to provide control of the volume of working gas in the cycle volumes. 27. A method in accordance with claim 26 providing a respective second restrictor between the first volume and each of the cycle volumes for allowing a flow of the working gas between the cycle volumes and the first volume to further enabling control of the volume of the working gas in each cycle volume. 28. A method in accordance with claim 26 further comprising a respective controllable valve for opening gas flow between the first volume and each of the cycle volumes for unloading the engine by reducing pressure variations in the cycle volumes.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (20)
Meijer Roelf J. (Ann Arbor MI) Meijer Ernst J. (Saline MI) Godett Ted M. (Ann Arbor MI), Congeneration system with a Stirling engine.
Kashiwamura Kazuo (Amagasaki JPX) Yoshida Tadahiro (Sakai JPX) Koda Toshihide (Osaka JPX) Fujiwara Michio (Akashi JPX), Seal means for a stirling engine or the like.
Meijer Roelf J. (Ann Arbor MI) Ziph Benjamin (Ann Arbor MI) Godett Ted M. (Ann Arbor MI), Yieldably mounted lubricant control assemblies for piston rods.
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