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Title: Stirling engine with improved sealing piston ring assembly

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6232789

This patent describes an engine having a reciprocating piston axially stroking within a walled cylinder by a pressure differential of a working fluid acting on opposite first and second axial sides of the piston. An annular sealing piston ring assembly is disposed in an annular piston ring groove around the piston having a cylindrical inner wall. The piston ring assembly for seals between the piston and the wall of the cylinder to resist leakage of the working fluid past the piston, wherein the sealing piston ring assembly comprises a main piston ring member formed of metal and having oppositely axially facing generally flat annular end surfaces. A radially outwardly facing generally cylindrical surface confronts the cylinder wall and a radially inwardly facing generally cylindrical surface.

Assignee:
Stirling Thermal Motors, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI
Patent Number(s):
US 4669736
OSTI ID:
6232789
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 27 Dec 1985
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English