The present invention relates to a low temperature, low frequency Stirling engine. Its special geometry allows for large heat exchanger surfaces and great regenerators in order to reach good “Carnoization” efficiency factors. Displacer and power piston may be connected with circular polymer based membrane sealings to the cylinder walls. The cold space of the Stirling Engine may cylindrically Surround the outer periphery of the working cylinder, making thermal isolation obsolete. The engine is for instance suited to operate as base power prime mover using thermal solar collectors and may be coupled with hot oil or pressurized water heat storages. In the reverse mode, the Engine works as effective Heat-Pump/Cooling Engine.

A monolithic heat exchanger body for inputting heat to a closed-cycle engine includes heating walls and heat sink, such as heat transfer regions. The heating walls are configured and arranged in an array of spirals or spiral arcs relative to a longitudinal axis of an inlet plenum. Adjacent portions of the heating walls respectively define corresponding heating fluid pathways fluidly communicating with the inlet plenum. At least a portion of the heat sink is disposed about at least a portion of the monolithic heat exchanger body. The heat sink includes working-fluid bodies including working-fluid pathways that have a heat transfer relationship with the heating fluid pathways. Respective ones of the heat transfer regions have a heat transfer relationship with a corresponding semiannular portion of the heating fluid pathways. Respective ones of the heat transfer regions include working-fluid pathways fluidly communicating between a heat input region and a heat extraction region.

A monolithic heat exchanger body for inputting heat to a closed-cycle engine includes heating walls and heat sink, such as heat transfer regions. The heating walls are configured and arranged in an array of spirals or spiral arcs relative to a longitudinal axis of an inlet plenum. Adjacent portions of the heating walls respectively define corresponding heating fluid pathways fluidly communicating with the inlet plenum. At least a portion of the heat sink is disposed about at least a portion of the monolithic heat exchanger body. The heat sink includes working-fluid bodies including working-fluid pathways that have a heat transfer relationship with the heating fluid pathways. Respective ones of the heat transfer regions have a heat transfer relationship with a corresponding semiannular portion of the heating fluid pathways. Respective ones of the heat transfer regions include working-fluid pathways fluidly communicating between a heat input region and a heat extraction region.

An expander system for recovering waste heat, a waste heat recovery system including such an expander system, a vehicle including such a waste heat recovery system and a method for manufacturing such an expander system. The expander system includes a shaft and a coupling portion including a first sealing unit and a second sealing unit. The shaft is inserted through the coupling portion to an expanding unit. The first sealing unit and the second sealing unit are arranged facing one another along the shaft. The first sealing unit and the second sealing unit are configured to seal the shaft in an axial direction relative to the shaft.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to a heat engine. The heat engine includes a pipe that defines a continuous internal path. The pipe includes a first pipe section and a second pipe section. The heat engine includes a first piston disposed within the first pipe section. The heat engine includes a second piston disposed within the second pipe section. The first and second pistons are magnetically linked to travel along the continuous internal path of the pipe.

A system for energy conversion, the system including a closed cycle engine containing a volume of working fluid, the engine comprising a first chamber defining an expansion chamber and a second chamber defining a compression chamber each separated by a piston attached to a connection member of a piston assembly, and wherein the engine comprises a heater body in thermal communication with the first chamber, and further wherein the engine comprises a cold side heat exchanger in thermal communication with the second chamber, and wherein a third chamber is defined within the piston, wherein the third chamber is in selective flow communication with the first chamber, the second chamber, or both.

According to an embodiment of a hot air engine, the hot air engine includes a transmission with a connecting rod and a double-acting step piston. The double-acting step piston has a first section with a larger diameter and a second section with a smaller diameter, and is arranged in a cylinder. The double-acting step piston is at least partially hollow and the connecting rod extends through the second section and is articulatedly connected in the first section of the double-acting step piston. The double-acting step piston has sealing rings both in the first section and in the second section.

According to an embodiment of a hot air engine, the hot air engine includes a transmission with a connecting rod and a double-acting step piston. The double-acting step piston has a first section with a larger diameter and a second section with a smaller diameter, and is arranged in a cylinder. The double-acting step piston is at least partially hollow and the connecting rod extends through the second section and is articulatedly connected in the first section of the double-acting step piston. The double-acting step piston has sealing rings both in the first section and in the second section.

The disclosure provides a vibration isolation structure for linear oscillating motor and Stirling engine, wherein the said vibration isolation structure comprises a first vibration isolation device and a second vibration isolation device. The first vibration isolation device is set between the fixed hood and the housing of the linear oscillating motor to attenuate the high-frequency and small-amplitude vibrations from the linear oscillating motor. The first vibration isolation device comprises a first set of tension springs and a second set of tension springs, and a lateral gap is formed between the fixed hood and the linear oscillating motor. The second vibration isolation device is set in the said lateral gap to attenuate the low-frequency and large-amplitude vibrations from the linear oscillating motor. The second vibration isolation device comprises at least two sets of position-limiting protrusions and position-limiting blocks, and the position-limiting protrusion and position-limiting block are set in a match at the linear oscillating motor and the fixed hood respectively or reversely. Also disclosed is a Stirling engine assembled with a linear oscillating motor that comprising with an aforementioned vibration isolation structure. The vibration isolation structure improves the stability of the reciprocating linear oscillating motor and the Stirling engine, and reduces mechanical vibrations and noises.

The disclosure provides a vibration isolation structure for linear oscillating motor and Stirling engine, wherein the said vibration isolation structure comprises a first vibration isolation device and a second vibration isolation device. The first vibration isolation device is set between the fixed hood and the housing of the linear oscillating motor to attenuate the high-frequency and small-amplitude vibrations from the linear oscillating motor. The first vibration isolation device comprises a first set of tension springs and a second set of tension springs, and a lateral gap is formed between the fixed hood and the linear oscillating motor. The second vibration isolation device is set in the said lateral gap to attenuate the low-frequency and large-amplitude vibrations from the linear oscillating motor. The second vibration isolation device comprises at least two sets of position-limiting protrusions and position-limiting blocks, and the position-limiting protrusion and position-limiting block are set in a match at the linear oscillating motor and the fixed hood respectively or reversely. Also disclosed is a Stirling engine assembled with a linear oscillating motor that comprising with an aforementioned vibration isolation structure. The vibration isolation structure improves the stability of the reciprocating linear oscillating motor and the Stirling engine, and reduces mechanical vibrations and noises.