Stirling cycle machine

摘要

A Stirling cycle machine. The machine includes at least one rocking drive mechanism which includes: a rocking beam having a rocker pivot, at least one cylinder and at least one piston. The piston is housed within a respective cylinder and is capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder. Also, the drive mechanism includes at least one coupling assembly having a proximal end and a distal end. The linear motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the rocking beam. Also, a crankcase housing the rocking beam and housing a first portion of the coupling assembly is included. The machine also includes a working space housing the at least one cylinder, the at least one piston and a second portion of the coupling assembly. An airlock is included between the workspace and the crankcase and a seal is included for sealing the workspace from the airlock and crankcase. A burner and burner control system is also included for heating the machine and controlling ignition and combustion in the burner.

主权项

1. A Stirling cycle machine comprising:
at least one rocking drive mechanism comprising:
a rocking beam having a rocker pivot;at least one cylinder;at least one piston, the piston housed within a respective cylinder whereby the piston is capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder; andat least one coupling assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connected to the piston and the distal end being connected to the rocking beam by an end pivot, whereby linear motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the rocking beam; a crankcase housing the rocking beam and housing a first portion of the coupling assembly; a crankshaft coupled to the rocking beam by way of a connecting rod, whereby the rotary motion of the rocking beam is transferred to the crankshaft; a working space housing the at least one cylinder, the at least one piston and a second portion of the coupling assembly; and an airlock space separating the crankcase and the working space for maintaining a pressure differential between the crankcase housing and the working space housing.