US3665705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal engines
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-11-10
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1989-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A thermal engine capable of converting heat directly into rotary motion and having only one prime moving part. A cylindrical rotor member is rotatably supported between trunnioned bearings so that longitudinal deformation of the rotor is limited to a predetermined direction. Heat is applied to the rotor offset from such direction and in attempting to deform in response to the applied heat, the rotor rotates about its longitudinal axis toward the such direction where the trunnioned bearings permit such deformation. Once in this position, the heated portion cools and returns to a non-deformed state while a new portion of the rotor is deformed by the applied heat to thereby obtain continuous rotation.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin S Christensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:54
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/06; F03G7/061; F03G7/06114; F03G7/064; F03G7/0641
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A thermal engine comprising: an elongate hollow rotor means of heat deformable material, defining elongate sides parallel to a longitudinal axis; heat transfer means for accomplishing a temperature differential between different of said elongate sides of said rotor means; means for supporting said rotor means for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof; and means for limiting the deformation of said rotor to bow outwardly normal to said longitudinal axis, whereby to rotate said rotor so as to accommodate the deformation thereof resulting from said temperature differential.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A thermal engine comprising: an elongate hollow rotor means of heat deformable material, defining elongate sides parallel to a longitudinal axis; heat transfer means for accomplishing a temperature differential between different of said elongate sides of said rotor means; means for supporting said rotor means for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof; and means for limiting the deformation of said rotor to bow outwardly normal to said longitudinal axis, whereby to rotate said rotor so as to accommodate the deformation thereof resulting from said temperature differential.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A thermal engine according to claim 1, wherein said elongate hollow rotor comprises an elongate metallic cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A thermal engine according to claim 1, wherein said heat transfer means comprises a heat source means affixed to extend substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis for supplying heat to an elongate section of said rotor parallel to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A thermal engine according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting said rotor comprises bearing means affixed at the ends of said rotor and shaft means extending from said rotor to be received in said bearing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A thermal engine according to claim 4, wherein said means for limiting the deformation of said rotor to bow, comprises trunnion means normal to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A thermal engine according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting said rotor includes a base frame including bearing means and shaft means extending from said elongate hollow rotor received in said bearing means; and wherein said means for limiting the deformation of said rotor includes trunnion means extending normal to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A thermal engine according to claim 1, wherein said heat transfer means includes variable positioning means whereby said heat transfer means may be displaced to various positions about said hollow rotor means parallel to said longitudinal axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US984579A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |