Stirling engine or heat pump having an improved seal
- 2802 S. Everett Pl., Kennewick, WA 99337
- 616 Fuller, Richland, WA 99352
- 67 Park St., Richland, WA 99352
A Stirling Engine or Heat Pump having two relatively movable machine elements for power transmission purposes includes a hermetic seal bellows interposed between the elements for separating a working gas from a pressure compensating liquid that balances pressure across the bellows to reduce bellows stress and to assure long bellows life. The volume of pressure compensating liquid displaced due to relative movement between the machine elements is minimized by enclosing the compensating liquid within a region exposed to portions of both machine elements at one axial end of a slidable interface presented between them by a clearance seal having an effective diameter of the seal bellows. Pressure equalization across the bellows is achieved by a separate hermetically sealed compensator including a movable enclosed bellows. The interior of the compensator bellows is in communication with one side of the seal bellows, and its exterior is in communication with the remaining side of the seal bellows. A buffer gas or additional liquid region can be provided at the remaining axial end of the clearnace seal, along with valved arrangements for makeup of liquid leakage through the clearance seal.
- Assignee:
- White; Maurice A. (2802 S. Everett Pl., Kennewick, WA 99337); Riggle; Peter (616 Fuller, Richland, WA 99352); Emigh; Stuart G. (67 Park St., Richland, WA 99352)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4532766
- OSTI ID:
- 865541
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
engine
heat
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improved
seal
relatively
movable
machine
elements
power
transmission
purposes
hermetic
bellows
interposed
separating
gas
pressure
compensating
liquid
balances
reduce
stress
assure
life
volume
displaced
due
relative
movement
minimized
enclosing
region
exposed
portions
axial
slidable
interface
clearance
effective
diameter
equalization
achieved
separate
hermetically
sealed
compensator
including
enclosed
interior
communication
exterior
remaining
buffer
additional
provided
clearnace
valved
arrangements
makeup
leakage
buffer gas
power transmission
hermetically sealed
heat pump
stirling engine
relative movement
hermetic seal
relatively movable
improved seal
hermetically seal
pressure equalization
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