Multi-Stage Stirling Cycle Machine with Annular Energy Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Stirling engines with double-acting free pistons face challenges such as increased complexity, dead volume, manufacturing difficulties, poor control and anti-interference abilities, and limited scalability due to the need for connecting parts and springs to manage piston weight and balance.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage Stirling cycle machine with a simplified structure, featuring mechanical energy input and output pistons connected through coolers, regenerators, and heaters, allowing for dynamic interaction and steady-state control via parameter calculation and adjustment, eliminating the need for springs and reducing dead volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple identical pistons are connected through coolers, regenerators and heaters to form multiple Stirling working units, then the mechanical energy and reciprocating motion between pistons form an annular circulation transmission, but the complexity of the equipment increases due to the need for connecting parts such as elbows and gas collectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the Stirling engine into multiple independent working units, each with its own piston, cylinder, cooler, regenerator and heater. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently while maintaining the overall annular circulation transmission, reducing the complexity of connecting parts needed between units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement of connected pistons to a three-dimensional annular circulation configuration. This dimensional change enables the mechanical energy and reciprocating motion to flow in a closed loop around the periphery of the working units, eliminating the need for complex elbow connections and gas collectors while maintaining transmission efficiency.
2Area of stationary object
If the diameter of the piston is increased to achieve large-scale, then the stroke of the piston needs to be increased, but this causes increased gas flow resistance and other adverse effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic regulation of the piston stroke through controlled expansion and compression ratios in each working unit. By dynamically adjusting the stroke length based on operating conditions rather than using a fixed large stroke, the system achieves large-scale capacity while minimizing gas flow resistance and other adverse effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of each working unit, including the stroke length, expansion ratio and compression ratio, to optimize performance. This allows the system to achieve large-scale capability through multiple units with optimized parameters rather than requiring a single large piston with increased stroke, thereby reducing gas flow resistance.
3Force
If springs are added to bear the weight of the piston and control the balance position, then the piston weight can be supported, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the piston and cylinder system to be self-balancing through the annular circulation transmission mechanism. The pressure differential and mechanical coupling between adjacent pistons automatically compensate for piston weight and maintain balance positions without requiring external spring mechanisms, achieving weight support while reducing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables strong anti-interference ability, convenient control, and scalability, achieving mechanical energy output power up to 10 times the input power while simplifying the structure and reducing manufacturing costs, making it suitable for large-scale applications.
Implementation Method 1
The first cylinder (101) is connected to the second cylinder (102) in the axial direction through a first cooler (3), a first regenerator (4) and a first heater (5)
Implementation Method 2
The first cylinder (101) is connected to the second cylinder (102) in the axial direction through a first cooler (3), a first regenerator (4) and a first heater (5)
Implementation Method 3
The first cylinder (101) is connected to the second cylinder (102) in the axial direction through a first cooler (3), a first regenerator (4) and a first heater (5)
Implementation Method 4
a first cylinder (101), and one mechanical energy input piston (2) that is axially movable in the first cylinder (101)
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-stage Stirling cycle machine and a steady-state operating parameter control method therefor are disclosed. In the Stirling cycle machine, a mechanical energy input piston, a mechanical energy transfer double-acting free piston, and a mechanical energy output piston constitute a plurality of Stirling working units which are arranged in stages. The mechanical energy input piston is connected to a mechanical energy input apparatus. The mechanical energy output piston is connected to a mechanical energy output apparatus. When the Stirling cycle machine is used as an engine, a relatively small amount of mechanical energy is input into a mechanical energy input piston in a set of pistons, the mechanical energy is amplified by a multi-stage Stirling unit, and a relatively large amount of mechanical energy is then output by a mechanical energy output piston.