Phase-angle controller for Stirling engines

An actuator includes a restraint link adapted to be connected with a pivotal carrier arm for a force transfer gear interposed between the crankshaft for an expander portion of a Stirling engine and a crankshaft for the displacer portion of the engine. The restraint link is releasably trapped hydraulic fluid for selectively establishing a phase angle relationship between the crankshaft. A second embodiment incorporates a hydraulic coupler for use in varying the phase angle of gear-coupled crank fpr a Stirling engine whereby phase angle changes are obtainable

Hot gas engine with dual crankshafts

A hot gas engine, such as a Stirling engine is described which comprises a displacer portion and an expander portion with a heat exchanger connected between them. The expander portion has a piston which is operatively connected to and rotates an expander crankshaft. In like manner, the displacer portion is provided with a piston which is also operatively connected to and rotates with a separate displacer crankshafts. The two crankshafts are synchronized with respect to each other preferably by means of an idler gear. Banks of displacer pistons can also be provided for operation on a common displacer crankshaft and banks of cooperating expander pistons also can be provided for operation on a common expander crankshaft

Solar energy modulator

A module is described with a receiver having a solar energy acceptance opening and supported by a mounting ring along the optic axis of a parabolic mirror in coaxial alignment for receiving solar energy from the mirror, and a solar flux modulator plate for varying the quantity of solar energy flux received by the acceptance opening of the module. The modulator plate is characterized by an annular, plate-like body, the internal diameter of which is equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the solar energy acceptance opening of the receiver. Slave cylinders are connected to the modulator plate for supporting the plate for axial displacement along the axis of the mirror, therby shading the opening with respect to solar energy flux reflected from the surface of the mirror to the solar energy acceptance opening

Zero torque gear head wrench

A gear head wrench particularly suited for use in applying torque to bolts without transferring torsional stress to bolt-receiving structures is introduced. The wrench is characterized by a coupling including a socket, for connecting a bolt head with a torque multiplying gear train, provided within a housing having an annulus concentrically related to the socket and adapted to be coupled with a spacer interposed between the bolt head and the juxtaposed surface of the bolt-receiving structure for applying a balancing counter-torque to the spacer as torque is applied to the bolt head whereby the bolt-receiving structure is substantially isolated from torsional stress. As a result of the foregoing, the operator of the wrench is substantially isolated from any forces which may be imposed

Bolt installation tool for tightening large nuts and bolts

Large bolts and nuts are accurately tightened to structures without damaging torque stresses. There are two models of bolt installation tool. One is rigidly mounted and one is hand held. Each model includes torque-multiplier unit

Squib-operated disconnect

Disconnect device is described, which consists of stud with enlarged end held in collet locked by pins, which are held in place by piston. When squib is fired, trapped combustion products force piston to release pins

Disconnect unit

A squib-actuated disconnect is characterized by an expandable collet axially extended from a first tension member for receiving in locking engagement a protuberance axially extended from a second tension member. A gas-driven retainer of an annular configuration is also locked in for supporting the collet in locking engagement with the protuberance. The protuberance is axially displaced in response to a firing of an associated squib for thus accommodating a disengagement of the protuberance and the collet

Liquid-fuel valve with precise throttling control

Prototype liquid-fuel valve performs on-off and throttling functions in vacuum without component cold-welding or excessive leakage. Valve design enables simple and rapid disassembly and parts replacement and operates with short working stroke, providing maximum throttling sensitivity commensurate with good control

Three-dimensional models aid visualization of engineering drawings

Inexpensive cut-and-paste method allows construction of complex three-dimensional models in less than an hour. Models are constructed from film or paper copies made on office copier

Contribution of ephemeral wetlands to annual nitrous oxide flux from an agricultural landscape

Non-Peer ReviewedMeasurement of soil nitrous oxide emissions from soil in the Canadian Prairie Region rarely includes uncultivated ephemeral wetlands (UW) within agricultural landscapes. Accurate inventories and a better understanding spatial and temporal variability for soil N2O in agricultural terrains requires flux measurements from non-agricultural areas of the field. The purpose of this study was to measure soil nitrous oxide flux from an agricultural landscape that includes UW. Measurements were taken weekly and bi-weekly from July to October of 2003 and from March to October of 2004 and 2005. Cumulative emissions were highest from concave elements (cultivated ephemeral wetlands) (CV) elements in 2003 and 2004 and highest from the basin centers (BC) of UW in 2005. High flux events were associated with rainfall in 2003, and the recession of standing water at CV and BC elements in 2004 and 2005. However, there are differences between ephemeral wetlands in their emission response to water recession. Accounting for aerial extent of landscape units reveals that CV elements make greatest contribution to total yearly flux. Beneficial management practices intended to reduce annual emissions from this site should be designed to reduce emission from CV elements and UW should not be cleared for crop production. Sampling designs for measurement of emissions from UW need not distinguish between riparian grass and riparian tree elements within the UW