US3788772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy converter to power circulatory support systems
Assignee: United States Department of Health and Human Services
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Filing: 1971-03-04
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1991-03-04
Abstract
Abstract An energy converter of the Stirling cycle engine type to function as a power source for an artificial heart. The engine is designed to produce 1 to 10W to a blood pump operating at 60 to 150 pulses per minute. The simplified Stirling type engine includes a moving regenerator which is operated by pneumatic power produced within the engine itself made possible by the drive chamber, drive piston, and novel arrangement of springs and valves which maintain the engine chamber at a constant volume during compression and decompression, thereby, increasing engine output.
Inventors
- 👤 J Noble
- 👤 R Johnston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:06
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04; F02G1/043; F02G1/0435; A; A61; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/10; A61M60/104; A61M60/117; A61M60/122; A61M60/196; A61M60/40; A61M60/424; A61M60/427; A61M60/438; A61M60/441; A61M60/80; A61M60/845; A61M60/851; A61M60/855; A61M60/871; A61M60/89; A61M60/894; F04; F04B; F04B17/00; A61M60/20; A61M60/247; A61M60/253; A61M60/268; A61M60/892
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A source of pulsatile fluid pressure, comprising: an engine chamber filled with working fluid; a movable porous regenerator mounted within said engine chamber; means acting upon said regenerator for oscillating said regenerator in said engine chamber; a drive chamber filled with said working fluid; piston means connected to said drive chamber and said engine chamber for increasing and decreasing the fluid pressure within said drive chamber in response to the motion of said regenerator, wherein said piston means comprises a piston connected to said regenerator and extending from said engine chamber into said drive chamber; and means for transmitting pressure pulses of said working fluid from said engine chamber and said drive chamber to a load and back to said engine chamber and said drive chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A source of pulsatile fluid pressure, comprising: an engine chamber filled with working fluid; a movable porous regenerator mounted within said engine chamber; means acting upon said regenerator for oscillating said regenerator in said engine chamber; a drive chamber filled with said working fluid; piston means connected to said drive chamber and said engine chamber for increasing and decreasing the fluid pressure within said drive chamber in response to the motion of said regenerator, wherein said piston means comprises a piston connected to said regenerator and extending from said engine chamber into said drive chamber; and means for transmitting pressure pulses of said working fluid from said engine chamber and said drive chamber to a load and back to said engine chamber and said drive chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the drive chamber further includes adjustable means for regulating the power output of the source of pulsatile fluid pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said adjustable means comprises means for altering said drive chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A source of pulsatile fluid pressure in accordance with claim 1 further including: means connected to said drive chamber and said engine chamber for equalizing the fluid pressure within said chambers at the end of each regenerator oscillation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
156 words
In an energy conversion system for supplying pulsatile fluid pressure to drive a motor and pump in an artificial heart, the improvement wherein the source of the pulsatile fluid pressure is a simplified Stirling type engine comprising: an engine chamber filled with working fluid; a movable porous regenerAtor mounted within said engine chamber; means acting upon said regenerator for oscillating said regenerator in said engine chamber; a drive chamber filled with said working fluid; piston means connected to said drive chamber and said engine chamber for increasing and decreasing the fluid pressure within said drive chamber in response to the motion of said regenerator, wherein said piston means comprises a piston connected to said regenerator and extending from said engine chamber into said drive chamber; and means for transmitting pressure pulses of said working fluid from said engine chamber and said drive chamber to a load and back to said engine chambe and said drive chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
156 words
In an energy conversion system for supplying pulsatile fluid pressure to drive a motor and pump in an artificial heart, the improvement wherein the source of the pulsatile fluid pressure is a simplified Stirling type engine comprising: an engine chamber filled with working fluid; a movable porous regenerAtor mounted within said engine chamber; means acting upon said regenerator for oscillating said regenerator in said engine chamber; a drive chamber filled with said working fluid; piston means connected to said drive chamber and said engine chamber for increasing and decreasing the fluid pressure within said drive chamber in response to the motion of said regenerator, wherein said piston means comprises a piston connected to said regenerator and extending from said engine chamber into said drive chamber; and means for transmitting pressure pulses of said working fluid from said engine chamber and said drive chamber to a load and back to said engine chambe and said drive chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
An energy conversion system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said source of pulsatile fluid pressure further includes: means connected to said drive chamber and said engine chamber for equalizing the fluid pressure wherein said chambers at the end of each regenerator oscillation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
230 words
In an energy conversion system for supplying pulsatile fluid pressure to drive a motor and pump in an artificial heart, the improvement wherein the source of the pulsatile fluid pressure is a simplified Stirling type engine comprising: an engine chamber including a relatively hot surface at one end and a relatively cold surface at the other end, a side wall connecting the two ends and filled with a working fluid, and further including main intake and exhaust valves; a movable, porous regenerator means mounted within said engine chamber and adapted to be reciprocated towards and from said hot and cold surfaces in said chamber; a movable drive piston attached at one end to said regenerator means and extending through the cold wall of said engine chamber means; means for defining a drive chamber, said drive chamber means housing the other end of said drive piston and being filled with said working fluid, said drive chamber means further including auxiliary intake and exhaust valves, primary springs which resiliently attach said drive piston thereto, and rebound springs; a first passageway leading toward both said main and auxiliary intake valves and filled with said working fluid; and a second passageway leading away from both said main and auxiliary exhaust valves and filled with said working fluid; whereby the motion of said regenerator and said drive piston produces pulsatile fluid pressure within said passages.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
230 words
In an energy conversion system for supplying pulsatile fluid pressure to drive a motor and pump in an artificial heart, the improvement wherein the source of the pulsatile fluid pressure is a simplified Stirling type engine comprising: an engine chamber including a relatively hot surface at one end and a relatively cold surface at the other end, a side wall connecting the two ends and filled with a working fluid, and further including main intake and exhaust valves; a movable, porous regenerator means mounted within said engine chamber and adapted to be reciprocated towards and from said hot and cold surfaces in said chamber; a movable drive piston attached at one end to said regenerator means and extending through the cold wall of said engine chamber means; means for defining a drive chamber, said drive chamber means housing the other end of said drive piston and being filled with said working fluid, said drive chamber means further including auxiliary intake and exhaust valves, primary springs which resiliently attach said drive piston thereto, and rebound springs; a first passageway leading toward both said main and auxiliary intake valves and filled with said working fluid; and a second passageway leading away from both said main and auxiliary exhaust valves and filled with said working fluid; whereby the motion of said regenerator and said drive piston produces pulsatile fluid pressure within said passages.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the drive chamber further includes adjustable means for regulating the power output of the source of pulsatile fluid pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said adjustable means comprises means for altering said drive chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |