US4707990A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar powered Stirling engine
Assignee: SRIRLING THERMAL MOTORS Inc 2841 BOARDWALK ANN ARBOR MI 48104 A CORP OF DE
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Filing: 1987-02-27
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Granted: 1987-11-24
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Expires: 2007-02-27
Abstract
Abstract The effectiveness of the lubrication system of a Stirling engine is maintained in a solar dish module for all directions of aiming of the dish by the journal mounting of the engine on the dish module with the center of gravity of the journaled mass eccentric to the journal axis along a particular radial. The engine has a sump which is disposed at a low point of the engine. The center of gravity of the journaled mass lies along a radial from the journal axis which intersects the sump. An additional counterweight is added to achieve the desired eccentricity.
Inventors
- 👤 Roelf J. Meijer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:51
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04; F02G1/043; F02G1/053; F02G1/055; F03; F03G; F03G6/00; F03G6/06; F03G6/068; F24; F24S; F24S20/00; F24S20/20; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/71; F24S30/00; F24S30/40; F24S30/45; F24S30/458; F02G2254/00; F02G2254/30; F02G2255/00; F24S2030/10; F24S2030/18; F24S25/00; F24S25/10; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/46; Y02E10/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
In a solar dish module which comprises a dish which receives incident solar rays and reflects them to a focus at which is located the combination of a receiver and a heat engine organized and arranged so that the heat energy of the reflected solar rays collected at the receiver powers the engine, and wherein the receiver and heat engine are supported from the dish by a framework, the improvement which comprises journal means for journaling at least the engine on the framework to maintain certain predetermined spatial orientation for the engine in relation to the direction of gravity irrespective of spatial orientation of the dish.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a solar dish module which comprises a dish which receives incident solar rays and reflects them to a focus at which is located the combination of a receiver and a heat engine organized and arranged so that the heat energy of the reflected solar rays collected at the receiver powers the engine, and wherein the receiver and heat engine are supported from the dish by a framework, the improvement which comprises journal means for journaling at least the engine on the framework to maintain certain predetermined spatial orientation for the engine in relation to the direction of gravity irrespective of spatial orientation of the dish.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement set forth in claim 1 in which the certain predetermined spatial orientation for the engine is maintained by having the journal axis in the same direction as the dish axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement set forth in claim 2 in which the journal means comprises a pair of main bearings axially spaced apart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement set forth in claim 3 in which the collector is attached to the engine so as to be journaled via the engine on the framework.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement set forth in claim 4 wherein said collector has a longitudinal axis located below said journal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improvement set forth in claim 1 in which the engine has a lubrication system including a sump and the center of gravity of the total mass journaled by the journal means is effective to maintain the sump intersected by a vertical plane which passes through the journal axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement set forth in claim 6 including a counterweight supported from the engine to cause the center of gravity of the total journaled mass to be so effective.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The improvement set forth in claim 1 wherein the engine has a journal axis and a lubrication system including a sump and wherein said predetermined spatial orientation is one in which said sump is below said engine and said receiver is also positioned so that its center of gravity is below the journal axis of said engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement set forth in claim 8 further including a counterweight secured to said engine and positioned below the center of gravity of the total mass journaled on said axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US4586334A
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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) | 1990-11-23 | 1991-05-25 | 1991-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-23 | 1995-05-25 | 1995-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-23 | 1999-05-25 | 1999-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |