Patent ID: 7744133
Filing Date: 2010-06-29
Classification: F02G,F16J

Abstract:
1. A clamping apparatus for allowing pre-close-out access to, and facilitating the permanent sealing of, the regenerator packing of a Stirling machine having a head axially separable into a removable portion and a fixed portion, each portion having an end that engages the other, the apparatus comprising: (a) an annular flange extending radially outwardly from substantially each engaging end, each flange having a concentric outwardly opening annular groove; (b) O-rings removably seated in the grooves of the annular flanges; (c) a removable sealing ring surrounding and sealingly engaging the O-rings; (d) two clamping rings, each ring having an annular, axially facing end surface along the circumferential edge of one of its axially opposite sides, each ring surrounding the head, with the annular end surfaces engaging the annular flanges; and (e) fasteners engaging the clamping rings for clamping the annular flanges together between the clamping rings.