High Performance Free-Piston Stirling Engines
Unrivalled Performance | Energy Efficient | Compact | Robust | Long-Lived
Experience the Benefits of Unique Free-Piston Stirling Technology
Benefits of Patented Sunpower
Technology Over Kinematic or Other
Free-Piston Designs
Sunpower free-piston Stirling engines are based on
patented design features which have evolved into today’s
technology and an array of available prototypes.
Sunpower designs are highly differentiated from conventional
kinematic Stirling engines.Also, because Sunpower engines operate
on gas bearings, use compact linear alternators and have a
simple mechanical configuration, they offer significant
benefits over other free-piston designs.
By comparison, kinematic Stirling engines are complicated
and expensive to build, and require a lubricant, seals and
mechanical bearings which combine to restrict performance
and limit life. Also, power output is difficult to change in the
kinematic design.
Sunpower’s unique combination of gas bearings, compliance
and compact linear alternator delivers the highest efficiency,
lowest mass free-piston Stirling engines available.
Sunpower free-piston Stirling engine technology is protected
by more than 30 United States patents and 80 international
patents.
Product Development Support
Sunpower’s free-piston Stirling engine manufacturing
organization is supported by a vibrant R&D group who
work closely with customers to develop new solutions or
engineer SunpowerÕs engines into new products. Sunpower
also maintains a healthy intellectual property/licensing business
which can offer customers unique and exclusive positions
to our intellectual property.
Sunpower’s free-piston technology is being applied in areas
such as cryocoolers and linear compressors, power generation
and household refrigeration. Some applications include the
world’s most efficient refrigerator on sale internationally; natural
gas-fueled household cogeneration systems scheduled to
enter the market in 2007; and nuclear space p