skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Safety improvements in high pressure thermal machines

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5401337

In a thermal machine of the type including a machine body having a main axis extending between a thermal end and a work end, a working fluid at relatively high pressure in a working fluid chamber defined in the body and a displacer element reciprocable within the chamber for subjecting the fluid to a thermodynamic cycle in cooperation with a reciprocable work piston, the improvement is described comprising outer shell means enclosing the machine body for maintaining a substantially sealed atmosphere about the machine body, and diffuser means arranged between the machine body and the outer shell means for diffusing a shock wave traveling towards the outer shell means resulting from explosive failure of the machine body and for shielding the outer shell means against fragments projected upon such failure.

Assignee:
NOV; NOV-88-004110; EDB-88-078397
Patent Number(s):
US 4723410
OSTI ID:
5401337
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 10 Oct 1986
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English