Threaded sealing flange for use in an external combustion engine and method of sealing a pressure vessel
A pressure vessel for containing a mechanical device operable to convert heat to mechanical or electrical power, comprising: a high temperature section, the high temperature section having a first end and an open second end, a sealing flange, the sealing flange having a first end and a second threaded end, the first end bonded to the open second end of the high temperature section, and a low temperature section having an open threaded first end, the open first end in sealing engagement with the second threaded end of the sealing flange. Also provided are a Stirling engine and a method of hermetically sealing a pressure vessel of a Stirling engine.
1 . A pressure vessel for containing a mechanical device operable to convert heat to mechanical or electrical power, comprising:
a) a high temperature section said high temperature section having a first end and an open second end;
b) a sealing flange, said sealing flange having a first end and a second threaded end, said first end bonded to said open second end of said high temperature section; and
c) a low temperature section having an open threaded first end, said open first end in sealing engagement with said second threaded end of said sealing flange.
2 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein said high temperature section is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of thin wall stainless steel and high nickel alloys.
3 . The pressure vessel of claim 2 , wherein said high temperature section is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of thin wall stainless steel, Inconel 600, Inconel 625, Inconel 718, Inconel 754 and Hastelloy GMR 235.
4 . The pressure vessel of claim 2 , wherein said sealing flange is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of thin wall stainless steel and high nickel alloys.
5 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein said sealing flange is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of thin wall stainless steel, Inconel 600, Inconel 625, Inconel 718, Inconel 754 and Hastelloy GMR 235.
6 . The pressure vessel of claim 5 , wherein said low temperature section is constructed of aluminum alloy.
7 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein said low temperature section is cast aluminum alloy.
8 . The pressure vessel of claim 7 , wherein an outer surface of said open threaded first end of said low temperature section is clad with a layer of material selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel and electroless nickel.
9 . The pressure vessel of claim 8 , wherein said outer surface of said open threaded first end of said low temperature section is uniformly coated with solder.
10 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein said outer surface of said open threaded first end of said low temperature section is uniformly coated with solder.
11 . The pressure vessel of claim 9 , wherein an inner surface of said second threaded end of said sealing flange is uniformly coated with solder.
12 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of said second threaded end of said sealing flange is uniformly coating with solder.
13 . The pressure vessel of claim 11 , wherein said sealing flange is effective to create a hermetic seal between said high temperature section and said low temperature section.
14 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein said sealing flange is effective to create a hermetic seal between said high temperature section and said low temperature section.
15 . A Stirling engine, comprising:
a) a pressure vessel having a high temperature section, said high temperature section having a first end and an open second end, a sealing flange, said sealing flange having a first end and a second threaded end, said first end bonded to said open second end of said high temperature section; and a low temperature section having an open threaded first end, said open first end in sealing engagement with said second threaded end of said sealing flange;
b) a displacer cylinder formed within said pressure vessel, said displacer cylinder having a high temperature end and a low temperature end; and
c) a displacer for traversing said displacer cylinder from said high temperature end to a low temperature end.
16 . The Stirling engine of claim 15 , further comprising a combustor recuperator assembly for heating the high temperature end of said displacer cylinder.
17 . The Stirling engine of claim 15 , wherein said high temperature section is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of thin wall stainless steel and high nickel alloys.
18 . The Stirling engine of claim 17 , wherein said high temperature section is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of thin wall stainless steel, Inconel 600, Inconel 625, Inconel 718, Inconel 754 and Hastelloy GMR 235.
19 . The Stirling engine of claim 17 , wherein said sealing flange is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of thin wall stainless steel and high nickel alloys.
20 . The Stirling engine of claim 15 , wherein said sealing flange is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of thin wall stainless steel, Inconel 600, Inconel 625, Inconel 718, Inconel 754 and Hastelloy GMR 235.
21 . The Stirling engine of claim 20 , wherein said low temperature section is constructed of aluminum alloy.
22 . The Stirling engine of claim 15 , wherein said low temperature section is cast aluminum alloy.
23 . The Stirling engine of claim 22 , wherein an outer surface of said open threaded first end of said low temperature section is clad with a layer of material selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel and electroless nickel.
24 . The Stirling engine of claim 23 , wherein said outer surface of said open threaded first end of said low temperature section is uniformly coated with solder.
25 . The Stirling engine of claim 15 , wherein said outer surface of said open threaded first end of said low temperature section is uniformly coated with solder.
26 . The Stirling engine of claim 24 , wherein an inner surface of said second threaded end of said sealing flange is uniformly coated with solder.
27 . The Stirling engine of claim 15 , wherein an inner surface of said second threaded end of said sealing flange is uniformly coated with solder.
28 . The Stirling engine of claim 26 , wherein said sealing flange is effective to create a hermetic seal between said high temperature section and said low temperature section.
29 . The Stirling engine of claim 15 , wherein said sealing flange is effective to create a hermetic seal between said high temperature section and said low temperature section.