Patent ID: 8087242
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: F01B,F02G

Abstract:
1. A Stirling-type engine comprising: a hot end and a cool end, each comprising an epitrochoidal piston housing having a plurality of lobes; a lobed rotary piston in each housing; a crankshaft extending through the engine from the hot end to the cool end, and through each lobed rotary piston position, such that each lobed piston rotates as the crankshaft rotates moving a portion of the lobed rotary piston into and out of the lobes of its respective piston housing; and connections for gas flow between at least two lobes of each piston housing for transfer of gas, such that as each lobed rotor is rotated the gas flow produces a hydrodynamic fluid film of gas between each rotor and the respective housing which keeps the rotor from contacting the housing at an operational speed.