Stirling engine control mechanism and method

Patent · 01 January 1983

OSTI ID:864484

Dineen, John J ^[1]

---

1. Durham, NH

A reciprocating-to-rotating motion conversion and power control device for a Stirling engine includes a hub mounted on an offset portion of the output shaft for rotation relative to the shaft and for sliding motion therealong which causes the hub to tilt relative to the axis of rotation of the shaft. This changes the angle of inclination of the hub relative to the shaft axis and changes the axial stroke of a set of arms connected to the hub and nutating therewith. A hydraulic actuating mechanism is connected to the hub for moving its axial position along the shaft. A balancing wheel is linked to the hub and changes its angle of inclination as the angle of inclination of the hub changes to maintain the mechanism in perfect balance throughout its range of motion.

• Assignee: Mechanical Technology Incorporated (Latham, NY)
• Patent Number(s): US 4372116
• OSTI ID: 864484
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/60/74/91/92/
actuating
actuating mechanism
angle
arms
axial
axial position
axis
balance
balancing
causes
changes
connected
control
control device
control mechanism
conversion
device
engine
hub
hydraulic
inclination
linked
maintain
mechanism
method
motion
motion conversion
mounted
moving
nutating
offset
offset portion
output
output shaft
perfect
portion
position
power
power control
range
reciprocating-to-rotating
relative
rotating motion
rotation
set
shaft
shaft axis
sliding
sliding motion
stirling
stirling engine
stroke
therealong
therewith
throughout
tilt
wheel