Claims
- 1. A method for sealing a working zone in a cylinder of a thermal cycle engine, the method comprising:
a. providing a seal ring within a ring groove of a piston capable of driven motion within the cylinder; and b. applying a backing force on the seal ring by means of a backing ring having a width that varies with circumferential displacement from a fiducial circumferential position on the backing ring.
- 2. A method for sealing a working zone in a cylinder of a thermal cycle engine, the method comprising:
a. providing a seal ring within a ring groove of a piston capable of driven motion within the cylinder; and b. applying a backing force on the seal ring by means of a backing ring having a non-circular shape in an uncompressed condition.
- 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the seal ring is closed at a single lap-joint for providing a pressure seal.
- 4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the seal ring is closed at a single lap-joint for providing a pressure seal.
- 5. A method for guiding the motion of a piston within the cylinder of a thermal cycle engine, the method comprising:
a. providing a guide ring surrounding the piston at a position displaced from a plane in which sealing against the wall of the cylinder is achieved.
- 6. A method according to claim 1, further including providing a guide ring surrounding the piston at a position displaced from a plane in which sealing against the wall of the cylinder is achieved.
- 7. A method according to claim 2, further including providing a guide ring surrounding the piston at a position displaced from a plane in which sealing against the wall of the cylinder is achieved.
- 8. A piston seal for sealing a working zone in a cylinder of the thermal cycle engine, the piston seal comprising:
a. a seal ring disposed within a ring groove of a piston capable of driven motion within the cylinder; and b. a backing ring in contact with an inner surface of the seal ring, the backing ring for applying a backing force on the seal ring and having a width that varies with circumferential displacement from a fiducial circumferential position on the backing ring.
- 9. A piston seal for sealing a working zone in a cylinder of a thermal cycle engine, the piston seal comprising:
a. a seal ring disposed within a ring groove of a piston capable of driven motion within the cylinder; and b. a backing ring in contact with an inner surface of the seal ring, the backing ring for applying a backing force on the seal ring and having a non-circular shape in an uncompressed condition.
- 10. A piston seal according to claim 8, wherein the seal ring is closed at a single lap-joint for providing a pressure seal.
- 11. A piston seal according to claim 9, wherein the seal ring is closed at a single lap-joint for providing a pressure seal.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/299,696, filed Jun. 20, 2001, entitled “Piston Ring Improvements for a Stirling Engine” and bearing attorney docket number 2229/108, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60299696 |
Jun 2001 |
US |