Patent ID: 6751955
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: F01B,F02G

Abstract:
A swashplate actuator for a Stirling engine of the type having a swashplate rotatable with a driveshaft which rotates about an axis of rotation, a plurality of reciprocating pistons which engage the swashplate though cross heads, and wherein the reciprocating stroke of the pistons is variable as a function of the angle formed by the plane of the swashplate to the axis of rotation, the actuator comprising:a driveshaft rotatable about the axis of rotation and having a cylindrical swashplate journal forming a central journal axis inclined from the axis of rotation; a swashplate ring journaled for rotation about the journal axis, the swashplate ring forming a disk which defines the swashplate plane which is inclined from normal to the journal axis and which engages the cross heads, the driveshaft and the swashplate ring cooperating to form an annular hydraulic cavity; a pair of driveshaft vanes diametrically opposed to one another and extending radially outwardly into the hydraulic cavity; a pair of swashplate ring vanes diametrically opposed and extending radially inwardly into the hydraulic cavity, the pairs of vanes dividing the hydraulic cavity into four separated chambers; and fluid supply passageway in the driveshaft including a first passageway supplying fluid to a first pair of the chambers which are diametrically opposed, and a second passageway supplying fluid to a second pair of the chambers which are diametrically opposed, wherein the fluid may be supplied though the first or second passageway to enlarge the first or second pairs of chambers respectively which causes the swashplate ring to rotate relative to the driveshaft journal causing the swashplate plane angle to change.