Stirling engine assembly
A Stirling engine assembly comprising a Stirling engine ( 1 ) with a hot head ( 3 ) and a cold region ( 4 ). An annular burner ( 9 ) surrounds the head and is arranged to provide heat to the head. A corrugated seal ( 2 ) between the Stirling engine and the burner prevents the flow of combustion gases from the head into the surrounding environment. The Stirling engine is supported by a mounting frame ( 23 ) at least in part via the seal.
1. A Stirling engine assembly comprising a Stirling engine with a hot head and a cold region, an annular burner surrounding the head and arranged to provide heat to the head, and a corrugated seal between the Stirling engine and the burner to prevent the flow of combustion gases from the head into the surrounding environment, wherein the Stirling engine is supported by a mounting frame at least in part via the seal.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein insulation is provided between the seal and the engine to substantially reduce the passage of hot combustion gases from the burner towards the seal.
3. A Stirling engine assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the seal is a bellows.
4. An assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the bellows extends from a location adjacent to the burner, along a substantial portion of the length of the Stirling engine.
5. An assembly according to claim 4 , wherein means are provided for passing coolant through the bellows to provide a flow of coolant to and from an engine cooler.
6. An assembly according to claim 5 , further comprising a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet pipe extending through the bellows and being sealed by a flexible seal.
7. An assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the bellows is cylindrical in the region of the engine cooler.
8. An assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the bellows terminate above the engine cooler.
9. An assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the bellows is arranged to extend vertically such that the weight of the Stirling engine is borne along the length of the bellows.
10. An assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the bellows is arranged at an angle to the vertical.
11. An assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the weight of the engine is borne entirely by the bellows.
12. An assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the weight of the Stirling engine is borne partially by the bellows and partially by one or more additional resilient members.
13. An assembly according to claim 12 , wherein the additional resilient members are springs from which the engine is suspended.