Externally excited resonant free piston stirling engine thermal amplifier system and method of operation and control therefor
This patent describes an externally excited resonant free piston stirling engine thermal amplifier and load system driven thereby which is over damped at all operating load levels and does not freely oscillate. This system and its method of operation consists of: 1.) A variably controlled drive motor coupled with the displacer/piston of the engine; 2.) A controllable power supply coupled to the drive motor to provide variably controlled energizing electric signals to the drive motor; 3.) A device for sensing at least one selected operating parameter of the stirling engine thermal amplifier and load system during operation to drive a load; and 4.) A feedback system which includes a response to the sensed stirling engine thermal amplifier system operating parameter signal for deriving at least one feedback control signal operative to control the energizing electric signals supplied to the drive motor for controlling its operation. These signals then precisely, variably and stably controll the operation of the stirling engine thermal amplifier and load system.
- Assignee:
- Mechanical Technology Inc., Latham, NY
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4567726
- OSTI ID:
- 6044292
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 2 Sep 1983
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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