PISTON RING IMPROVEMENTS FOR A STIRLING ENGINE

摘要

A method for sealing a working zone (98) in a cylinder of a thermal cycle engine (10). The method includes providing a seal ring (14) within a ring groove of the piston (121), and, additionally, applying a backing force on the seal ring (14) by means of a backing ring (28) having a width that varies with circumferential displacement from a fiducial circumferential position on the backing ring (28). The backing force is provided by means of a backing ring (28) that has a non-circular shape in an uncompressed condition.