US3782859A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Free piston apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-07
•
Granted: 1974-01-01
•
Expires: 1991-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A by-pass including a heat regenerator is provided for a cylinder in which an oscillating free piston of a gas pump is driven. Shunting of gas back and forth through the by-pass between disparate hot and cold regions of the cylinder while the piston coasts in the by-pass region produces a periodic temperature and pressure variation which may be applied to a load. In one embodiment the by-pass includes in seriatim cold, regenerator, and hot chambers. In another embodiment the heating and/or cooling means are located within the cylinder. In still another embodiment preheated gas is drawn through an inlet into the hot end portion of the cylinder, and cool gas is drawn into the cool end portion of the cylinder. In one embodiment piston oscillation is sustained by means of a thermal leg chamber included in the piston. In another embodiment pressure pulses are fed back to the cylinder to sustain oscillation. In one embodiment the amplitude and frequency of pump pressure variations are controlled by varying the coasting portion of the cycle. In another embodiment the pump output is controlled by shunting a variable amount of gas around the heater and/or around the cooler, or to a second by-pass containing only a regenerator. In a further embodiment, the pressure variations are controlled by varying the feedback of pressure pulses. In still another embodiment pumping is controlled by varying the geometry of a thermal lag chamber or the portion of the cycle during which it is operative. Variations in temperature or geometry of pump components are also used as pump control means in certain embodiments. In one embodiment the pump produces electrical power by driving a free piston linear alternator wherein pumping controls such as the above can be used to maintain relatively constant voltage and frequency under conditions of variable load. In another embodiment the pump may be used to pump gases from one region to another, or from one pressure to another. In a further embodiment the pump may be used as a cooling device. In certain embodiments the pump may be used to produce pressure variations in a medium. In embodiments utilizing a thermal lag chamber for sustaining oscillation of the free piston, the relatively little coupling between the load and the free piston results in a pump which is essentially stall-free.
Inventors
- 👤 M Schuman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:58
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01B; F01B11/00; F02; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04; F02G1/043; F02G1/0435; F04; F04B; F04B31/00; F25; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B9/14; F25B2309/00; F25B2309/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 125
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An oscillating piston apparatus comprising a cylinder, a free piston in said cylinder dividing the cylinder into first and second variable volumes, means for sustaining oscillation of the piston in the cylinder, a by-pass between the first and second volumes such that the piston coasts through a region of the cylinder between ends of the cylinder, a regenerator means in the by-pass, means for restricting the by-pass during the piston oscillation while at least one volume has a value in a minimum range, means for feeding cool fluid into the second volume, and means for feeding hot fluid into the first volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An oscillating piston apparatus comprising a cylinder, a free piston in said cylinder dividing the cylinder into first and second variable volumes, means for sustaining oscillation of the piston in the cylinder, a by-pass between the first and second volumes such that the piston coasts through a region of the cylinder between ends of the cylinder, a regenerator means in the by-pass, means for restricting the by-pass during the piston oscillation while at least one volume has a value in a minimum range, means for feeding cool fluid into the second volume, and means for feeding hot fluid into the first volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the by-pass includes a port in a side wall of the cylinder, said port being blocked by the piston while one of the volumes is in the minimum range to form the restricting means and said port being unblocked while the piston is coasting through the region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for feeding fluid from one of said volumes to a load as the piston coasts through the region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for sustaining oscillation comprises thermal lag means having an inlet communicating with one of the volumes while the one volume has values in a minimum range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for sustaining oscillation includes a pressurized gas source means responsive to the piston substantially minimizing one volume for applying a pressure pulse from the source to the cylinder to drive the piston in a direction tending to increase said one volume as the piston is moving in a direction to increase said one volume.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further including means for feeding pressurizing gas from one of the volumes to the pressurized gas source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for feeding hot fluid includes a hot chamber in the by-pass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for feeding cool fluid includes a cold chamber in the by-pass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for feeding hot fluid comprises a hot chamber in the by-pass and the means for feeding cold fluid comprises a cold chamber in the by-pass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for feeding hot fluid includes means for heating one of the volumes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for feeding cold fluid includes means for cooling the other of said volumes. 12. The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for connecting a load to be responsive to fluid being decompressed as the piston coasts through the by-pass in a direction to decrease the first volume.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for connecting a load to be responsive to gas being compressed as the piston coasts through the by-pass in a direction to decrease the second volume.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for feeding gas pressure variations from one of said volumes to a load as the piston coasts through the region, and means for modulating a characteristic of the pressure variations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means for controlling the average pressure of gas in the cylinder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means responsive to a characteristic of the load for controlling the average pressure of gas in the cylinder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means for controlling the amplitude of the pressure variations.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means responsive to a characteristic of the load for controlling the amplitude of the pressure variations.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means for controlling the frequency of the pressure variations.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means responsive to a characteristic of the load for controlling the frequency of the pressure variations.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means for controlling the amplitude and frequency of the pressure variations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means responsive to a pair of characteristics of the load for controlling the amplitude and frequency of the pressure variations.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means for varying a property of the by-pass.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means for varying the length of the by-pass.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means for varying the position of the by-pass along the length of the cylinder.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means for varying the temperature of the fluid fed into one of the volumes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the by-pass includes means for changing the temperature of fluid in the by-pass, said temperature changing means being connected with said regenerator means and means for controlling the relative fluid flow between the temperature changing means and the regenerator means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the temperature changing means includes a heating chamber.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the temperature changing means includes a cooling chamber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the temperature changing means includes means for heating the fluid in the by-pass, and means for cooling the fluid in the by-pass, said regenerator means including a regenerator chamber between the heating means and the cooling means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the flow control means includes means for separately controlling the relative fluid flows through the heating means and the cooling means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the regenerator means includes a first regenerator chamber connected in seriatim with the temperature changing means to form a first fluid flow path, and a second regenerator chamber connected in shunt with at least a portion of the first fluid flow path, said means for controlling including means for controlling the relative fluid flow between the second regenerator chamber and at least a portion of the first fluid flow path.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the regenerator means includes a Regenerator chamber connected in seriatim with the temperature changing means, said means for controlling including a variable flow fluid path around the temperature changing means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for sustaining oscillation comprises thermal lag means having an inlet communicating with one of the volumes while the one volume has values in a minimum range, wherein the means for modulating includes means for controlling a property of the thermal leg device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for sustaining oscillation comprises thermal lag means having an inlet communicating with one of the volumes while the one volume has values in a minimum range, wherein the means for modulating includes means for controlling the volume of the thermal lag device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for sustaining oscillation comprises thermal lag means having an inlet communicating with one of the volumes while the one volume has values in a minimum range, wherein the means for modulating includes means for controlling the geometry of the thermal lag device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for sustaining oscillation comprises thermal lag means having an inlet communicating with one of the volumes while the one volume has values in a minimum range, wherein the means for modulating includes means for controlling the portion of the cycle that the thermal lag device is operative.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for modulating includes means for varying the stiffness of gaseous spring means included in at least one of the volumes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a port in a side wall of the cylinder for feeding gas from the cylinder to a load, said port being blocked by the piston while one of the volumes is in the minimum range and being unblocked while the piston is coasting through the region.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 39 including means for controlling the position of the port along the length of the cylinder.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 39 including means for controlling the position of the port along the length of the cylinder so that the port is blocked by the piston substantially while the by-pass is restricted.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 39 including means for controlling the position of the port along the length of the cylinder so that the port is blocked by the piston substantially while the by-pass is restricted and the port is not blocked by the piston while the piston coasts through the region.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for changing the temperature of fluid from an external source of fluid, and wherein one of said means for feeding is responsive to fluid in said means for changing and said fluid is changed in temperature by the temperature changing means prior to being fed into the cylinder.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the means for feeding includes means for feeding fluid from an external source of fluid.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 44 further including check valve means for feeding fluid from the external source into the cylinder only in response to the pressure of the fluid in the external source exceeding the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for feeding fluid from one of said volumes to a load as the piston coasts through the region, and wherein said means for feeding fluid into at least one of said volumes includes means for feeding fluid from the load.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 46 further including check valve means for feeding fluid from the load into the cylinder only in response to the pressure of the fluid returning from the load exceeding the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the means for feeding includes means for varying the temperature of fluid flowing into the volume.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 48 further including check valve means for feeding gas from the Temperature changing means into the cylinder only in response to the pressure of the fluid in the temperature changing means exceeding the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including check valve means for feeding fluid only in one direction between one of said volumes and a load as the piston coasts through the region.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a check valve means wherein fluid is pumped substantially in only one direction in a flow path through a load.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for sustaining comprises a thermal lag heater including passageways open at one end to be responsive to fluid in one of said volumes and for supplying heated fluid to said one volume as the piston is moving in a direction to increase said one volume.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the passageways are located in the piston.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the passageways are located in the piston and are heated in response to the hot fluid fed to the cylinder.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for controlling the portion of the piston oscillation cycle during which the piston coasts in the by-pass region.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for feeding fluid from one of said volumes to a load as the piston coasts through the region, a second cylinder, a second free piston in the second cylinder, said second cylinder and second piston being responsive to pressure variations derived from said means for feeding fluid, said second piston dividing the second cylinder into third and fourth variable volumes, and means tending to center oscillation of the second piston.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the means tending to center oscillation includes a by-pass between the third and fourth volumes.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 56 further including a magnetic circuit comprising: a magnetic component included in the second free piston, whereby magnetic flux variations are induced in the magnetic circuit in response to oscillation of the second free piston.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 58 further including coil means responsive to the magnetic flux variations for driving an electric load in response to the magnetic flux variations.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 58 further including means for controlling the average pressure in both said cylinders.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein both of said volumes are substantially enclosed chambers.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for sustaining oscillation comprises thermal lag means having an inlet communicating with one of the volumes while the one volume has values in a minimum range, and means for varying the time during each oscillation cycle while the thermal lag means is operative.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
156 words
An oscillating piston apparatus comprising a pair of cylinders, a different free piston in each of said cylinders dividing each of the cylinders into first and second variable volume chambers, means for providing a fluid flow path between the second chambers of each cylinder while volumes of both of the second chambers have values in a minimum range, means for sustaining synchronized oscillation of the pistons in the cylinders, by-pass means between the first and second chambers of each cylinder while the piston of the cylinder is moving through a predetermined region of the cylinder between the ends of the cylinder, a regenerator means in the by-pass means, means for each cylinder for restricting the by-pass while the volumes of the first and second chambers have values in a minimum range, means for each cylinder for feeding hot fluid into the first chamber, and means for each cylinder for feeding cold fluid into the second chamber.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
156 words
An oscillating piston apparatus comprising a pair of cylinders, a different free piston in each of said cylinders dividing each of the cylinders into first and second variable volume chambers, means for providing a fluid flow path between the second chambers of each cylinder while volumes of both of the second chambers have values in a minimum range, means for sustaining synchronized oscillation of the pistons in the cylinders, by-pass means between the first and second chambers of each cylinder while the piston of the cylinder is moving through a predetermined region of the cylinder between the ends of the cylinder, a regenerator means in the by-pass means, means for each cylinder for restricting the by-pass while the volumes of the first and second chambers have values in a minimum range, means for each cylinder for feeding hot fluid into the first chamber, and means for each cylinder for feeding cold fluid into the second chamber.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
21 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 63 further including means for controlling like properties of the by-pass in a like manner.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
29 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 63 wherein the means for controlling includes means for adjusting the leNgths of the two by-passes so that they are substantially the same.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
29 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 63 wherein the means for controlling includes means for adjusting the positions of the two by-passes so that they are substantially the same.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
30 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 66 wherein the means for controlling further includes means for adjusting the lengths of the two by-passes so that they are substantially the same.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
21 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 63 further including means for coupling pressure variations from both cylinders to a single load.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
62 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 63 wherein each of said cylinders includes a port in its side wall, each of said ports being responsive to pressure variations in the respective cylinders while the pistons coast through the regions, and means for combining pressure variations at said ports in a conduit and for driving a load in response to the combined variations.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
23 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 69 wherein the means for sustaining includes a common thermal lag heater connected to said second chambers.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
29 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 69 further including means for together and in the same manner controlling the positions of said ports along the lengths of the cylinders.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
25 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 71 further including means for controlling the lengths of the by-passes in synchronism with the positions of the ports.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
25 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 71 further including means for controlling the positions of the by-passes in synchronism with the positions of the ports.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
81 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 69 wherein the load comprises a second cylinder, a second free piston in the second cylinder responsive to pressure variations derived from the combining means, means for centering the second free piston, a magnetic circuit including: magnetic poles displaced along the walls of the second cylinder, and a magnetic component included in the second free piston whereby magnetic flux variations are induced in the magnetic circuit in response to oscillation of the second free piston.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
163 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 69 wherein the load comprises an alternator, said alternator including a pair of second cylinders having ends connected together and to the combining means so as to be responsive to pressure variations in the combining means, each of said second cylinders including a second free piston responsive to pressure variations in the combining means so that the second free pistons of the pair of cylinders are synchronously driven in response to the pressure variations, means for centering each of the second free pistons, each of said second cylinders being in a magnetic circuit including: magnetic poles on the second cylinders, and a magnetic component included in the second free pistons whereby magnetic flux variations are induced in the magnetic circuit in response to oscillation of the second free pistons, and coil means responsive to the magnetic flux variations, whereby an a.c. voltage is induced in each coil means in response to oscillation of the second free pistons.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
39 words
The oscillating piston apparatus of claim 75 wherein the means for centering includes a by-pass in each second cylinder, said by-pass providing for each second free piston, a coasting region near the center of oscillation of the second pistsons.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the means for sustaining includes a thermal lag heater communicating with said second chambers.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 75 including means responsive to voltage supplied to a load to automatically vary a property of the apparatus so as to maintain a more constant voltage.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 75 including means responsive to the frequency of electrical power supplied to a load to vary a property of the apparatus so as to maintain a substantially constant frequency of piston oscillation.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
30 words
The appaRatus of claim 75 including means responsive to load voltage and frequency to vary at least one property of the apparatus to maintain a more constant voltage and frequency
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
127 words
An oscillating piston device comprising a cylinder, a free piston in said cylinder dividing the cylinder into first and second variable volume chambers, means for sustaining oscillation of the piston in the cylinder, said means for sustaining including a pressurized gas source, means responsive to the piston substantially minimizing the volume of the first chamber for applying a pressure pulse from the source to the cylinder to drive the piston in a direction tending to increase the volume of said first chamber as the piston is moving in a direction to increase the volume of said first chamber, and means for establishing a by-pass between the first and second chambers while the piston is moving through a predetermined region of the cylinder between ends of the cylinder.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
127 words
An oscillating piston device comprising a cylinder, a free piston in said cylinder dividing the cylinder into first and second variable volume chambers, means for sustaining oscillation of the piston in the cylinder, said means for sustaining including a pressurized gas source, means responsive to the piston substantially minimizing the volume of the first chamber for applying a pressure pulse from the source to the cylinder to drive the piston in a direction tending to increase the volume of said first chamber as the piston is moving in a direction to increase the volume of said first chamber, and means for establishing a by-pass between the first and second chambers while the piston is moving through a predetermined region of the cylinder between ends of the cylinder.
Claim 84
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for supplying energy to a load comprising a source for deriving oscillatory gas pressure, said source including: a regenerative gas cycle piston device comprising a cylinder, a free piston in the cylinder dividing the cylinder into first and second variable volumes, a by-pass including regenerator means, said by-pass connecting disparate parts of the cylinder together, the length of the by-passed portion of the cylinder being at least equal to the piston length, means for sustaining oscillation of the piston in the cylinder, means for restricting the by-pass while at least one of the volumes has values in a minimum range, wherein the piston functions as a displacer piston while completely within the length and the same piston functions as a reversing piston while any portion of the piston is outside of said length.
Claim 85
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for supplying energy to a load comprising a source for deriving oscillatory gas pressure, said source including: a regenerative gas cycle piston device comprising a cylinder, a free piston in the cylinder dividing the cylinder into first and second variable volumes, a by-pass including regenerator means, said by-pass connecting disparate parts of the cylinder together, the length of the by-passed portion of the cylinder being at least equal to the piston length, means for sustaining oscillation of the piston in the cylinder, means for restricting the by-pass while at least one of the volumes has values in a minimum range, wherein the piston functions as a displacer piston while completely within the length and the same piston functions as a reversing piston while any portion of the piston is outside of said length.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 82 further including means for feeding hot fluid into the first volume, and means for feeding cold fluid into the second volume.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 83 wherein the means for sustaining includes a thermal lag heater connected to one of the volumes.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 82 wherein ports to the by-pass are provided in the cylinder side wall at both ends of said length, said ports being blocked and unblocked by said piston to form said restricting means.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 85 wherein the means for feeding cold fluid is connected to one of the ports and the means for feeding hot fluid is connected to the other of the ports.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 86 including an outlet port for driving a load, said outlet port being positioned on the cylinder side wall at substantially the same axial location as one of the by-pass ports and being blocked and unblocked by the piston.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 82 including an outlet port for driving a load, said outlet port being positioned on the cylinder side wall so that it is responsive to fluid in the cylinder while the piston is in said length and is blocked by the piston while one of the volumes is in the minimum range.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
40 words
In combination, a cylinder, a free piston in the cylinder, an independent source of oscillatory pressure variations, and means for feeding pressure variations of the source into the cylinder to drive the piston in the cylinder in an oscillatory manner.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
40 words
In combination, a cylinder, a free piston in the cylinder, an independent source of oscillatory pressure variations, and means for feeding pressure variations of the source into the cylinder to drive the piston in the cylinder in an oscillatory manner.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination of claim 89 wherein the cylinder is divided into a pair of variable volumes by the piston, and the means for feeding includes a port in a side wall of the piston, said port being positioned so that the pressure variations of the source as coupled to one of said volumes are increased in amplitude.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 90 further including means for controlling the center of oscillation of the piston.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 89 further including means for controlling the center of oscillation of the piston.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 92 wherein the means for controlling includes a by-pass around a portion of the cylinder side wall.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
97 words
An oscillating piston apparatus comprising a closed cylinder, a free Piston in said cylinder dividing the cylinder into first and second variable volumes, means for sustaining oscillation of the piston in the cylinder, a by-pass between the first and second volumes such that the piston coasts through a region of the cylinder between ends of the cylinder, means for restricting the by-pass during the piston oscillation while at least one volume has a value in a minimum range, means for feeding cool fluid into the second volume, and means for feeding hot fluid into the first volume.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
97 words
An oscillating piston apparatus comprising a closed cylinder, a free Piston in said cylinder dividing the cylinder into first and second variable volumes, means for sustaining oscillation of the piston in the cylinder, a by-pass between the first and second volumes such that the piston coasts through a region of the cylinder between ends of the cylinder, means for restricting the by-pass during the piston oscillation while at least one volume has a value in a minimum range, means for feeding cool fluid into the second volume, and means for feeding hot fluid into the first volume.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 94 wherein the means for feeding hot fluid is in the by-pass.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 94 further including a regenerator in the by-pass.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 96 wherein the means for feeding hot fluid includes a hot body in heat exchange relationship with gas in the by-pass, whereby the hot body is cooled.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 97 further including check valve means for feeding cold fluid from the second volume to the first volume via a path in heat exchange relationship with the hot body.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 98 wherein the means for feeding cold fluid includes a cold body in heat exchange relationship with gas flowing in a circuit beginning and ending at the second volume, whereby the cold body is heated, and check valve means for controlling the flow of the fluid that is in heat exchange relationship with the cold body.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
173 words
An oscillating piston apparatus comprising a closed cylinder, a free piston in the cylinder dividing the cylinder into first and second variable volumes, a by-pass between the first and second volumes such that the piston coasts through a region of the cylinder between ends of the cylinder, a regenerator in the by-pass, a hot chamber located in the by-pass between the regenerator and the first volume, a cold chamber located in the by-pass between the regenerator and the second chamber, means for restricting the by-pass during the piston oscillation while at least one volume has values in a minimum range, an external source of oscillatory pressure variations connected to the cylinder such that oscillation of the piston is sustained and fluid flows in the by-pass in a direction from the hot chamber to the cold chamber at a higher average pressure than the average pressure of fluid flowing in the by-pass in the opposite direction, whereby the hot chamber is heated and the cold chamber is cooled by fluid flowing in the by-pass.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
173 words
An oscillating piston apparatus comprising a closed cylinder, a free piston in the cylinder dividing the cylinder into first and second variable volumes, a by-pass between the first and second volumes such that the piston coasts through a region of the cylinder between ends of the cylinder, a regenerator in the by-pass, a hot chamber located in the by-pass between the regenerator and the first volume, a cold chamber located in the by-pass between the regenerator and the second chamber, means for restricting the by-pass during the piston oscillation while at least one volume has values in a minimum range, an external source of oscillatory pressure variations connected to the cylinder such that oscillation of the piston is sustained and fluid flows in the by-pass in a direction from the hot chamber to the cold chamber at a higher average pressure than the average pressure of fluid flowing in the by-pass in the opposite direction, whereby the hot chamber is heated and the cold chamber is cooled by fluid flowing in the by-pass.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 100 wherein the external source is connected to a port in an end wall of the cylinder.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 100 wherein the external source is connected to a port in the side wall of the cylinder.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 96 wherein the by-pass includes two parallel paths, one of said paths including said regenerator, the other of said paths including said means for feeding hot fluid.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 96 wherein the means for feeding cold fluid includes a cold body in heat exchange relationship with gas flowing in a flow path beginning and ending at the second volume, whereby the cold body is heated, and check valve means for controlling the flow of the fluid that is in heat exchange relationship with the cold body.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 96 wherein the means for feeding cold fluid includes a cold body in heat exchange relationship with gas flowing in a flow path beginning in one of said volumes and ending at the second volume, whereby the cold body is heated, and check valve means for controlling the flow of the fluid that is in heat exchange relationship with the cold body.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 96 wherein the means for feeding hot fluid includes a hot body in heat exchange relationship with gas flowing in a flow path beginning in one of said volumes and ending at the first volume, whereby the hot body is cooled, and check valve means for controlling the flow of the fluid that is in heat exchange relationship with the hot body.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 94 including regeneratoR means in the by-pass, wherein at least one of the means for feeding includes a gas flow path beginning at one of said volumes and ending at one of said volumes, check valve means for attaining a net flow in said path in one direction, and heat exchange means between an external body and gas flowing in the path.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the piston is of integral construction.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the piston has a substantially uniform cross section throughout substantially all of its length.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the piston is of substantially integral construction and has a substantially uniform cross section throughout substantially all of its length.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said volumes is a substantially closed chamber during a portion of the piston oscillation cycle while said one volume is in a minimum range to form a gaseous spring for reversing the direction of motion of the piston.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the by-pass includes ports in the side wall of the cylinder for establishing fluid flow paths from the cylinder to the regenerator, and a further port in the side wall for establishing a fluid flow path from the cylinder to a device external to the cylinder.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 112 wherein the further port is subsatntially aligned with one of the by-pass ports.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 63 wherein each of the pistons is of substantially integral construction.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 63 wherein each of the pistons has a substantially uniform cross section throughout substantially all of its length.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 63 wherein the means for feeding fluid includes by-pass ports in the side wall of each cylinder for connecting the cylinder by-pass in fluid flow relation with the cylinder.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 116 including at least one additional port in the wall of each cylinder for coupling pressure variations within the cylinder to a load.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 117 further including means for connecting at least one of said additional ports of each cylinder together to couple pressure variations within each cylinder to a common load.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 63 wherein the by-pass means includes a separate by-pass for each of the cylinders.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |