Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A cryogenic expansion engine including a cold end having a piston reciprocable within a cylinder and valves for controlling the admission and exhausting of gas, and a warm end with means for transforming reciprocatory motion into rotary motion so as to effect isentropic expansion of the gas within the cylinder, a piston rod interconnecting said piston in the cold end with the rotary means in the warm end and including a long tubular intermediate portion which is stressed in tension during the power and exhaust strokes of said piston, and valve-lifting rods extending from the warm end to the respective valves in the coldend cylinder, each lifting rod including a long tubular intermediate section which is stressed in tension during actuation of the corresponding valve, whereby the conduction of heat from the warm end to the cold end is inhibited while avoiding the imposition of compressive forces upon said piston and lifting rods.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A cryogenic expansion engine including a cold end having a piston reciprocable within a cylinder and valves for controlling the admission and exhausting of gas, and a warm end with means for transforming reciprocatory motion into rotary motion so as to effect isentropic expansion of the gas within the cylinder, a piston rod interconnecting said piston in the cold end with the rotary means in the warm end and including a long tubular intermediate portion which is stressed in tension during the power and exhaust strokes of said piston, and valve-lifting rods extending from the warm end to the respective valves in the coldend cylinder, each lifting rod including a long tubular intermediate section which is stressed in tension during actuation of the corresponding valve, whereby the conduction of heat from the warm end to the cold end is inhibited while avoiding the imposition of compressive forces upon said piston and lifting rods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The expansion engine of claim 1 wherein the intake valve opens in an outward direction from said cylinder and includes a valve head operable against an external seat on said cylinder, and means normally urging said valve head in abutting closed disposition with said seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The expansion engine of claim 2 wherein the exhaust valve opens in an inward direction within said cylinder and includes a valve head operable against an internal seat within said cylinder, and means normally drawing said exhaust valve head in abutting closed disposition with said exhaust valve seat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The expansion engine of claim 3 including a push rod upwardly extending from said exhaust valve, and means constituting a rocker converting a pulling force on the upper portion of said exhaust valve lifter into a pushing force on said push rod to actuate the opening of said exhaust valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The expansion engine of claim 4 wherein the respective means biasing said intake and exhaust valves into closed position constitute springs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The expansion engine of claim 5 wherein an exhaust manifold for delivering the cooled gas to the load includes a return conduit coupled to the opposite end of the cylinder from the expansion end whereby the exhaust pressure is equalized on both sides of the piston during discharge.