Stirling Cycle Machine Rocking Beam Drive to Reduce Piston Side Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines, such as internal combustion engines and Stirling cycle machines, face challenges due to friction generated by sliding pistons, which leads to increased side loads, engine noise, piston wear, reduced efficiency, and shorter engine life.
Innovation Solution
A rocking beam drive mechanism is introduced, which includes a rocking beam, a rocker pivot, cylinders, and pistons that reciprocate linearly within the cylinders. The mechanism converts the linear motion of the pistons into rotary motion of the rocking beam, reducing side loads through the use of a coupling assembly with a flexible joint or other coupling means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a sliding piston arrangement is used to convert linear motion to rotary motion, then the machine can perform work conversion, but friction is generated due to misalignment and lateral forces, increasing side loads, noise, and piston wear
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a piston that moves linearly within a cylinder, a coupling assembly with coupling means that connects the piston to the rocking beam, and a rocking beam that converts motion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with optimized geometry, reducing unwanted friction and side loads while maintaining effective work conversion.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If drive mechanisms are improved to reduce side loads on pistons, then friction and wear are reduced, but the machine becomes heavier and bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the drive mechanism, specifically the orientation and positioning of the rocking beam and coupling assembly, to minimize side loads on the piston. By optimizing these parameters, the mechanism achieves low side loads without requiring excessive material or larger dimensions, thus avoiding increased weight and bulk.
3Loss of energy
If a rocking beam drive mechanism is used to reduce side loads, then efficiency increases and noise decreases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated component or assembly: it connects the piston to the rocking beam, accommodates the coupling means, and manages the transition from linear to rotary motion. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the efficiency benefits of reduced side loads and friction.
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 rocking beam drive mechanism effectively reduces side loads on pistons, leading to decreased engine noise, increased efficiency, and extended engine life, while maintaining minimal machine bulk.
Implementation Method 1
a rocking beam having a rocker pivot, at least one cylinder and at least one piston. The piston is housed within a respective cylinder. The piston is capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder. Also, the drive mechanism includes at least one coupling assembly having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is connected to the piston and the distal end is connected to the rocking beam by an end pivot. The linear motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the rocking beam.
Data Source
AI summary
Stirling cycle machine. The machine includes at least one rocking drive mechanism which includes: a rocking beam having a rocker pivot, at least one cylinder and at least one piston. The piston is housed within a respective cylinder and is capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder. Also, the drive mechanism includes at least one coupling assembly having a proximal end and a distal end. The linear motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the rocking beam. Also, a crankcase housing the rocking beam and housing a first portion of the coupling assembly is included. The machine also includes a working space housing the at least one cylinder, the at least one piston and a second portion of the coupling assembly. An airlock is included between the workspace and the crankcase and a seal is included for sealing the workspace from the airlock and crankcase. A burner and burner control system is also included for heating the machine and controlling ignition and combustion in the burner.