SLOTTED DISPLACER SYSTEM FOR STIRLING ENGINES

Abstract

The disclosed slotted displacer system for Stirling engines provides a large surface area and working volume for an engine that operates at a lower temperature differential to compensate for the lower temperature differential available in some applications.

Claims

1. A high surface area displacer assembly comprising: (A) An external enclosure defining an interior cavity; (B) High surface area finned heat exchangers; (C) High; surface area displacer fins that mesh with high surface area heat exchangers fins.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the parts of the invention involved in the transfer of heat to and from the working gas of the engine.

[0011] FIG. 2 shows the displacer in the position that exposes the working gas to the surface areas of the cold side heat exchanger fins and of the cold side displacer fins.

[0012] FIG. 3 shows the displacer in the position that exposes the working gas to the surface areas of the hot side heat exchanger fins and of the hot side displacer fins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the parts of the invention involved in the transfer of heat to and from the working gas of the engine. Heat exchanger 100 is thermally connected to the heat source of the engine. Hot side displacer fins 101 displace the operating gas from the spaces between the hot side fins when it is positioned against the hot side heat exchanger and heat is conducted from the hot side heat exchanger fins to the hot side displacer fins.

[0014] Heat exchanger 103 is thermally connected to the cold source of the engine. Cold side displacer fins 102 displace the operating gas from the spaces between the cold side fins when it is positioned against the cold side heat exchanger and heat is conducted from the cold side displacer fins to the cold side heat exchanger fins.

[0015] Regenerator material 104 absorbs heat from the operating gas as it passes from the hot side to the cold side and it conducts heat to the operating gas as it passes from the cold side to the hot side of the engine.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows the displacer engaged with the hot side heat exchanger 200. With the displacer in this position, the operating gas is forced out of the space between the fins of the hot side heat exchanger 200 and between the fins of the hot side displacer 201 causing it to move through the regenerator material 204 to the space between the cold side heat exchanger fins 203 and the cold side displacer fins 202. Heat is then conducted away from the operating gas to the cold side heat exchanger fins 203 and the cold side displacer fins 202. Heat is also conducted from the hot side heat exchanger fins 200 to the hot side displacer fins 201.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows the displacer engaged with the cold side heat exchanger 303. With the displacer in this position, the operating gas is forced out of the space between the fins of the cold side heat exchanger 303 and between the fins of the cold side displacer 302 causing it to move through the regenerator material 304 to the space between the hot side heat exchanger fins 300 and the hot side displacer fins 301. Heat is then conducted into the operating gas from the hot side heat exchanger fins 300 and the hot side displacer fins 301. Heat is also conducted from the cold side heat displacer fins 302 to the cold side heat exchanger fins 303.

[0018] Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted in an illustrative and not a limiting sense.