Patent ID: 6286310
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: F02G,F05C,F25B,F28D,F28F,H02K

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:(a) a container defining a sealed region within which a working fluid is circulated when the heat engine is in use, the sealed region having a first chamber and a second chamber, the first and second chambers being in fluid flow communication via a working fluid passageway;(b) a heat transfer member selected from the group consisting of a heat source or heat sink thermally connected to the first chamber;(c) at least one of a piston and a displacer movably mounted in the sealed region between a first position and a second position to define a cycle profile; and,(d) at least one magnetic drive member comprising at least one magnet positioned on the at least one of the piston and the displacer and at least one drive magnet positioned and arranged to interact with the at least one magnet positioned on the at least one of the piston and the displacer and position the at least one of the piston and the displacer in the sealed region whereby the at least one of the piston and the displacer is held in position by repulsive magnetic fields as it travels between its first and second positions.