US4792346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for snubbing the movement of a free, gas-driven displacer in a cooling engine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-03-03
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Granted: 1988-12-20
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Expires: 2007-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for snubbing the movement of a free, gas-driven displacer in a cooling engine are disclosed. The reciprocal movement of the free, gas-driven displacer is snubbed in each direction of movement as the displacer approaches top dead center and bottom dead center of its cycle by means of a magnetic snubber. Magnetic repulsion forces are generated between the displacer and the displacer containing cylinder of the cooling engine as the displacer approaches both top dead center and bottom dead center of its cycle. Each magnetic repulsive force is non-linear with respect to the displacer and the corresponding end of the displacer containing cylinder.
Inventors
- 👤 Domenico S. Sarcia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:08
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04; F02G1/043; F02G1/0435; F02G1/053; F25; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B9/14; F02G2243/00; F02G2243/02; F02G2243/04; F02G2243/06; F02G2243/24; F02G2258/00; F02G2258/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for snubbing the movement of a free, gas-driven displacer in a cooling engine as the displacer approaches top dead center and bottom dead center of its cycle said method comprising the steps of: (1) generating a magnetic repulsion snubbing force between the displacer and the displacer containing cylinder of the cooling engine as the displacer moves in one direction in the cylinder; and, (2) generating another magnetic repulsion snubbing force between the displacer and the displacer containing cylinder of the cooling engine as the displacer moves in an opposite direction within the cylinder.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for snubbing the movement of a free, gas-driven displacer in a cooling engine as the displacer approaches top dead center and bottom dead center of its cycle said method comprising the steps of: (1) generating a magnetic repulsion snubbing force between the displacer and the displacer containing cylinder of the cooling engine as the displacer moves in one direction in the cylinder; and, (2) generating another magnetic repulsion snubbing force between the displacer and the displacer containing cylinder of the cooling engine as the displacer moves in an opposite direction within the cylinder.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for snubbing the movement of a free, gas-driven displacer in a cooling engine as the displacer approaches top dead center and bottom dead center of its cycle said method comprising the steps of: (1) generating a magnetic repulsion snubbing force between the displacer and one end of the displacer container cylinder of the cooling engine as the displacer approaches said one end; and, (2) generating a magnetic repulsion snubbing force between the displacer and the other end of the displacer containing cylinder of the cooling engine as the displacer approaches said other end.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for snubbing the movement of a free, gas-driven displacer in a cooling engine as the displacer approaches top dead center and bottom dead center of its cycle said method comprising the steps of: (1) generating a magnetic repulsion snubbing force between the displacer and one end of the displacer container cylinder of the cooling engine as the displacer approaches said one end; and, (2) generating a magnetic repulsion snubbing force between the displacer and the other end of the displacer containing cylinder of the cooling engine as the displacer approaches said other end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 wherein each generated magnetic repulsion snubbing force is non-linear with respect to the distance between the displacer and the corresponding end of the cooling engine displacer containing cylinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein each generated magnetic repulsion snubbing force is inversely proportional to said distance.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
21 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 further comprising the step of generating said magnetic repulsion snubbing forces with permanent magnets.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
26 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 further comprising the step of generating said magnetic repulsion snubbing forces with a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of varying the non-linearity of at least one of the generated magnetic repulsion snubbing forces as the displacer approaches the end of the displacer containing cylinder associated with said at least one generated magnetic repulsion snubbing force.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
26 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 further comprising the step of terminating the generated magnetic repulsion snubbing forces when the displacer reaches TDC and BDC.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
26 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 further comprising the step of varying the magnitude of at least one of the generated magnetic repulsion snubbing forces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a cooling engine having a free, gas-driven displacer, the improvement comprising: a first displacer magnet secured to and movable with the displacer and a first stationary magnet, said first magnets having like magnetic poles facing each other to generate a magnetic repulsion snubbing force as the displacer moves in one direction toward the first stationary magnet; and, a second displacer magnet secured to and movable with the displacer and a second stationary magnet, said second magnets having like magnetic poles facing each other to generate a magnetic repulsion snubbing force as the displacer moves in a second and opposite direction toward the second stationary magnet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a cooling engine having a free, gas-driven displacer, the improvement comprising: a first displacer magnet secured to and movable with the displacer and a first stationary magnet, said first magnets having like magnetic poles facing each other to generate a magnetic repulsion snubbing force as the displacer moves in one direction toward the first stationary magnet; and, a second displacer magnet secured to and movable with the displacer and a second stationary magnet, said second magnets having like magnetic poles facing each other to generate a magnetic repulsion snubbing force as the displacer moves in a second and opposite direction toward the second stationary magnet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cooling engine of claim 10 wherein each of said generated magnetic repulsion snubbing forces is non-linear with respect to the distance between the associated displacer magnet and its corresponding stationary magnet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cooling engine of claim 10 wherein each generated magnetic repulsion snubbing force is inversely proportional to each such distance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cooling engine of claim 10 wherein said displacer and stationary magnets are permanent magnets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cooling engine of claim 10 wherein the cooling engine is a Gifford-McMahon cycle engine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cooling engine of claim 10 wherein the cooling engine is a Solvay cycle engine.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cooling engine of claim 10 wherein the cooling engine is a split Sterling cycle engine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cooling engine of claim 10 wherein said first and second stationary magnets are electromagnets.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cooling engine of claim 10 wherein said displacer magnets are permanent magnets and said stationary magnets are electromagnets.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3991586A
Cited
US4475335A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-20 | 1992-06-20 | 1992-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-20 | 1996-06-20 | 1996-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-20 | 2000-06-20 | 2000-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |