Dual-crank stirling engine with quad cylinder arrangement

Abstract From the Canadian patent

An improved drive system for a Stirling type engine employing double acting pistons results in considerable compactness of the overall engine configuration and improved heat transfer within the heater head assembly of the engine. The improved drive system includes the use of dual crankshafts, the arranging of the cylinders and pistons in a very compact cluster with the spacing between the connecting rods along any one of crankshafts being equal to the spacing between the crankshafts the, longitudinal extent of all the cylinders forming negative or zero angles with respect to the central engine axis and the use of timing chains or geared synchronization between crank arms on opposite …