Patent ID: 9534561
Date: 2017-01-03
CPC Classifications: F01K,F02C,F02G,F16J,F28D,F28F

Claim:
1. An external combustion engine containing a working fluid, the external combustion engine comprising: a burner element for heating the working fluid of the engine; at least one heater head defining a working space containing the working fluid; at least one piston cylinder containing a piston for compressing the working fluid; a cooler for cooling the working fluid; a crankcase comprising: an airlock space separating the crankcase and the working space for maintaining a pressure differential between the crankcase and the working space; and an airlock pressure regulator connected between the crankcase and one of the airlock space and the working space, wherein the airlock pressure regulator is a bidirectional pressure regulator for maintaining a predetermined pressure differential between the crankcase and said one of the airlock space and the working space, and wherein the airlock pressure regulator is configured to vent the working fluid between the crankcase and said one of the airlock space and the working space.