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Heat engine

  • US 6,269,639 B1
  • Filed: 05/16/2000
  • Issued: 08/07/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:

  • (a) a heat engine comprising;

    (i) a container defining a sealed region within which a working fluid is circulated when the heat engine is in use, the sealed region having a heating chamber and a cooling chamber, the heating and cooling chambers being in fluid flow communication via a working fluid passageway;

    (ii) a variable heat source thermally connected to the heating chamber whereby the variable heat source provides variable heat levels to the working fluid;

    (iii) a displacer movably mounted in the sealed region between a first position and a second position to define a displacer cycle profile;

    (iv) a piston movably mounted in the sealed region between a first position and a second position to define a piston cycle profile, one of the displacer and the piston has an adjustable drive member associated therewith for moving the one of the displacer and the piston in response to a signal and the other of the displacer and the piston is movable in the sealed region due to forces applied thereto by the working fluid;

    (b) a power output member drivenly connected to the piston and having an output for supplying work; and

    , (c) an adjustable signal generator for modulating the signal provided to the adjustable drive to adjust the cycle profile of the one of the displacer and the piston.

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