Generator

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of heat exchange, and provides a generator which comprises a loop heat pipe, an engine and a linear motor, the loop heat pipe comprises an evaporation section, a steam pipeline, a condensation section and a liquid pipeline which are sequentially communicated to form a circulation loop, the circulation loop is used for heat exchange fluid to flow circularly, and a liquid absorption core is arranged in the evaporation section; an axial temperature gradient can be formed in the engine, the engine exchanges heat with the condensation section, and the linear motor is located on one side of the engine. According to the generator, the loop heat pipe is used for releasing heat for the engine, the condensation section of the loop heat pipe can be flexibly matched with the engine, and the heat exchange coupling effect is good.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of thermoelectric conversion, in particular to a generator. Background Art

[0002] Generators are devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Generators come in a variety of types. Taking the Stirling generator as an example, the free piston Stirling generator is an externally heated regenerative heat engine with the advantages of high efficiency, reliability, and environmental protection. The free piston Stirling generator includes a water cooler, a regenerator, a high-temperature heat exchanger, a phase modulator piston, a linear motor, etc. Figure 1 The diagram is a schematic diagram of the structure of a Stirling generator, in which the high-temperature heat exchanger 01, the regenerator 02 and the water cooler 03 are all annular structures and are connected in sequence, and are coaxially arranged with the phase modulator 04. The linear motor includes a piston 05, a cylinder 06, a permanent magnet 07 and an external stator 08. As a key component of a free piston Stirling generator, the high-temperature heat exchanger has the main function of exchanging high-temperature heat with the outside world, which has an important impact on the performance of the generator. When the high-temperature heat exchanger is heated and the water cooler is kept at a lower temperature, an axial temperature gradient will be formed inside the regenerator. When the temperature gradient reaches a certain value, after excitation, the generator can maintain spontaneous acoustic oscillations inside and convert thermal energy into electrical energy output.

[0003] In practical applications, in many cases, the heat source cannot directly exchange heat with the high-temperature heat exchanger, and heat exchange between the two needs to be achieved through heat pipes and other methods. The common form of heat pipes is a circular straight tube structure. There are two main forms of heat exchange between high-temperature heat exchangers and heat pipes. One form is to insert the condensation section of the heat pipe into the copper block, and the copper is welded to the outer surface of the high-temperature heat exchanger, that is, the heat conduction of the copper is used to achieve heat exchange with the heat pipe. This method can only be applied to Stirling engines with lower power. When the power increases, the thermal conductivity temperature difference on the copper will rise sharply, and the mass is large, which will become very bulky; the other form is to bend the condensation section of the heat pipe and wrap it around the outer surface of the high-temperature heat exchanger for heat exchange. However, because there is a sintered liquid wick inside the heat pipe, the heat transfer performance of the heat pipe will be greatly affected after bending. Therefore, the current heat exchange coupling structure of the heat pipe and the high-temperature heat exchanger of the Stirling engine is not ideal. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the related art. To this end, the present invention proposes a generator that uses a loop heat pipe to release heat to the engine, and the condensing section of the loop heat pipe can be flexibly matched with the engine, and the heat exchange coupling effect is good.

[0005] A generator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises:

[0006] The loop heat pipe comprises an evaporation section, a steam pipeline, a condensation section and a liquid pipeline which are sequentially connected to form a circulation loop, wherein the circulation loop is used for circulating a heat exchange fluid, and a liquid wick is arranged in the evaporation section;

[0007] An engine and a linear motor, wherein an axial temperature gradient can be formed inside the engine, the engine exchanges heat with the condensation section, and the linear motor is located on one side of the engine.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid wick includes a first liquid wick, a first fuel rod and the first liquid wick are disposed in the evaporation section, and the first liquid wick is coated on the outer side of the first fuel rod.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid absorbent core includes a second liquid absorbent core arranged in the evaporation section, a flow channel is arranged between the second liquid absorbent core and the first liquid absorbent core, and the second liquid absorbent core is attached to the inner wall surface of the shell of the evaporation section.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first absorbent core is connected to the second absorbent core via a absorbent core bridge.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the evaporation section is connected to a liquid collecting tank for containing the heat exchange fluid.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid wick is separated between the space in the evaporation section and the liquid collecting tank.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid collecting tank is in fluid communication with the liquid wick, and the liquid wick is further provided with an inserting portion, which is inserted into the liquid collecting tank, wherein the inserting portion is separated between the evaporation section and the liquid collecting tank.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a second fuel rod is disposed outside the evaporator section, and the second fuel rod exchanges heat with the evaporator section via a heat-conducting structure.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid outlet end of the liquid pipeline is inserted into the evaporation section;

[0016] The liquid outlet is inserted into the liquid absorbent core and a gap is provided between the liquid outlet and the liquid absorbent core, and / or the liquid outlet is provided with an air collecting groove to connect the liquid outlet with the evaporation section through the air collecting groove.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the loop heat pipes are provided, at least one of the condensing sections exchanges heat with one of the engines, at least one of the condensing sections exchanges heat with another of the engines, and a plurality of the evaporating sections conduct heat through a heat conducting structure.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the condensing section is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the evaporating section, and the condensing section is wound around the engine.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the engine includes a high-temperature heat exchanger, a regenerator and a cooler distributed along the axial direction, the temperature of the high-temperature heat exchanger is higher than the temperature of the cooler, an axial temperature gradient can be formed inside the regenerator, and the linear motor includes a phase modulator, a piston and an electromagnetic induction component, the piston can reciprocate relative to the electromagnetic induction component, and the phase modulator can reciprocate relative to the piston.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cavity is formed in the axial direction of the high-temperature heat exchanger, the regenerator and the cooler, and the phase modulator is located in the cavity.

[0021] The above one or more technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention have at least one of the following technical effects:

[0022] The generator of the embodiment of the present invention includes a loop heat pipe, an engine and a linear motor. The loop heat pipe is connected to form an evaporation section, a steam pipeline, a condensation section and a liquid pipeline of a circulation loop. The condensation section and the engine exchange heat with each other, and the linear motor converts mechanical energy into electrical energy to achieve power generation. Among them, the condensation section of the loop heat pipe has a small diameter, which is convenient for bending and processing, solves the problem that the heat pipe is difficult to bend, and realizes compact and efficient coupling in structure.

[0023] Furthermore, when a first fuel rod is arranged in the evaporation section of the loop heat pipe, the heat of the first fuel rod can be directly absorbed by the heat exchange fluid in the liquid absorption core outside the first fuel rod. The first fuel rod is built into the evaporation section of the loop heat pipe, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency between the first fuel rod and the heat exchange fluid, and solving the problems of large heat transfer temperature difference and high operating temperature of the fuel rod in the heat pipe reactor.

[0024] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and in part will be obvious from the following description, or will be learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or related technologies, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or related technical descriptions are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0026] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a Stirling generator in the prior art;

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a generator provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the generator conducts heat through a loop heat pipe;

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a generator provided by an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 The difference is that Figure 3 A gas collecting tank is provided in the evaporation section;

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a generator provided by an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 The difference is that Figure 4 The absorbent core and Figure 2 The structure of the medium wick is different;

[0030] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the CC;

[0031] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a loop heat pipe provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of AA;

[0033] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the middle BB;

[0034] Fig. 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the evaporation section and the heat conduction structure of the loop heat pipe provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a generator provided by an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 The difference is that Fig.10 A first fuel rod is arranged in the evaporation section;

[0036] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a generator provided by an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig.10 The difference is that Fig.11 A gas collecting tank is provided in the evaporation section;

[0037] Reference numerals:

[0038] 01. High-temperature heat exchanger; 02. Regenerator; 03. Water cooler; 04. Phase modulator; 05. Piston; 06. Cylinder; 07. Permanent magnet; 08. External stator;

[0039] 1. Evaporation section; 2. Steam pipeline; 3. Condensation section; 4. Liquid pipeline; 5. First fuel rod; 6. Liquid wick; 61. First liquid wick; 62. Second liquid wick; 63. Liquid wick bridge; 64. Connecting part; 7. Liquid collecting tank; 8. Gas collecting tank; 9. Heat conducting structure; 10. Generator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The following embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0041] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. In addition, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "multiple", "multiple roots", and "multiple groups" mean two or more.

[0042] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0043] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "above" and "above" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "below" and "below" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0044] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiment of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0045] Combination Figures 2 to 11 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a generator, including: a loop heat pipe, an engine and a linear motor, the loop heat pipe includes an evaporation section 1, a steam pipeline 2, a condensation section 3 and a liquid pipeline 4 which are connected in sequence to form a circulation loop, the circulation loop is for circulating heat exchange fluid, and a liquid absorption core 6 is arranged in the evaporation section 1; an axial temperature gradient can be formed inside the engine, the engine exchanges heat with the condensation section 3, and the linear motor is located on one side of the engine.

[0046] The loop heat pipe mainly includes an evaporation section 1, a steam pipeline 2, a condensation section 3 and a liquid pipeline 4. The heat exchange fluid in the evaporation section 1 absorbs heat and evaporates into a gaseous heat exchange fluid. The gaseous heat exchange fluid enters the condensation section 3 through the steam pipeline 2. The gaseous heat exchange fluid condenses in the condensation section 3 and releases heat to become liquid. The liquid heat exchange fluid enters the evaporation section 1 through the liquid pipeline 4, and then absorbs heat through the liquid absorption core 6 in the evaporation section 1 to start another cycle. Among them, the heat exchange fluid can use metals with low melting points such as sodium, potassium, lithium, and cesium as working fluids to increase its working temperature.

[0047] In some cases, such as Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the evaporation section 1 can exchange heat from an external heat source of the evaporation section 1. The inner surface of the evaporation section has a liquid wick, which distributes the liquid evenly on the inner surface of the evaporator through capillary force and absorbs heat to evaporate. The steam enters the condensation section through the steam pipeline to condense. The condensed liquid heat exchange fluid returns to the evaporation section through the liquid pipeline under the action of the steam pressure for the next cycle. The pressure difference required for the steam to flow through the steam pipeline, the condensation section, and the liquid pipeline is the pressure difference generated by the capillary force of the liquid wick. Among them, Figures 2 to 4 The arrows on the outside of the evaporation section 1 are used to indicate that the external heat source releases heat into the evaporation section 1.

[0048] In other cases, reference Figures 6 to 11 As shown, a heat source can be arranged in the evaporation section, and the heat source can be a fuel rod. The heat exchange fluid in the evaporation section can directly absorb heat from the heat source, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0049] As a heat transfer element, the loop heat pipe makes full use of the heat conduction principle and the rapid heat transfer properties of phase change media. It quickly transfers the heat of an object to the outside of the heat source through the loop heat pipe. Its thermal conductivity exceeds that of any known metal. The inside of the loop heat pipe is sintered with a liquid wick and filled with a certain amount of heat exchange fluid. The heat exchange fluid can be liquid metal, such as sodium, potassium, lithium, etc. as a working fluid.

[0050] The generator of the embodiment of the present invention can solve the heat transfer problem between the heat pipe and the reactor, and between the heat pipe and the engine. The loop heat pipe is used as a heat transfer component between the reactor and the thermoelectric conversion system. The loop heat pipe with alkali metal as the heat exchange fluid can realize passive and efficient heat exchange, and can realize the potential ideal heat exchange between the reactor heat source and the thermoelectric conversion system, and realize the compact and efficient structural coupling of the loop heat pipe and the engine.

[0051] Since there is two-phase flow in the loop heat pipe, in order to ensure the controllability of the flow, the circulation loop of the loop heat pipe generally cannot be bifurcated, and a loop heat pipe has only one circulation loop.

[0052] refer to Figure 6 As shown, the loop heat pipe has a built-in first fuel rod 5, the heat exchange fluid is mainly in liquid state in the evaporation section 1, and the heat generated by the first fuel rod 5 is absorbed by the liquid heat exchange fluid in the liquid wick 6. The liquid wick 6 includes a first liquid wick 61, and the first fuel rod 5 and the first liquid wick 61 are arranged in the evaporation section.

[0053] The loop heat pipe is used to exchange heat with the engine to solve the problem that the thermal expansion and contraction coefficients of the linear heat pipe, the fuel rod and the heat-conducting structure are difficult to keep consistent. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve good thermal contact between the fuel and the heat-conducting structure, and between the heat pipe and the heat-conducting structure. Under the same condensation section temperature conditions, the working temperature of the fuel is higher. The ideal heat transfer temperature of the heat pipe is usually above 750°C. The loop heat pipe is built with the first fuel rod 5 to solve the problem of a large temperature difference between the heat pipe and the fuel and the high temperature of the fuel rod, and reduce the requirements for the fuel rod.

[0054] In some cases, reference Figure 6 , Fig.10 and Fig.11As shown, the first liquid wick 61 is coated on the outside of the first fuel rod 5. The surface of the first fuel rod 5 is coated with the liquid wick 6, which has a simple structure, and the heat exchange fluid is evenly exchanged in the evaporation section 1. Among them, the first fuel rod 5 is located in the evaporation section 1, such as the first fuel rod 5 is located at the center of the evaporation section 1, and the specific position of the first fuel rod 5 may not be limited. The first liquid wick 61 can be coated on the outside of the first fuel rod 5, which helps the heat exchange fluid in the first liquid wick 61 to absorb heat from the first fuel rod 5. The surface of the first fuel rod 5 is coated with the first liquid wick 61 as an evaporation surface. It can be considered that the steam temperature in the loop heat pipe is basically equal to the surface temperature of the first fuel rod 5, which reduces the heat exchange temperature difference between the first fuel rod 5 and the loop heat pipe.

[0055] In order to ensure that the condensed liquid can flow back to the evaporation section 1 smoothly, the diameter of the condensation section 3 and the liquid pipeline 4 is usually small, generally several millimeters. It can also be understood that the cross-sectional area of ​​the condensation section 3 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the evaporation section 1, which is convenient for the condensation section 3 to bend, which is helpful for the condensation section 3 to contact and exchange heat with the engine. The engine can absorb heat from the condensation section 3, and the matching of the condensation section 3 and the engine is more flexible. The smaller pipe diameter is easy to bend, so it is easy to adapt to different spatial layouts. The condensation section 3 can be attached to heat exchange surfaces of different shapes to achieve good thermal contact. Since the diameter of the condensation section 3 and the liquid pipeline 4 is small, the corresponding pipe wall is also thin, and the wall thermal resistance is also small, which is conducive to reducing the heat transfer temperature difference. Based on the fact that steam is condensed and heat exchanged in the condensation section 3, the heat exchange fluid transfers heat through phase change, and the temperature of the heat exchange fluid in the condensation section 3 is basically equal to the temperature of the evaporation section 1, so there will be no obvious temperature distribution on the engine that needs to absorb heat. The condensation section is used for heat exchange with the high-temperature heat exchanger of the engine, which is conducive to the generator to obtain better working performance. The loop heat pipe is suitable for small-power generators ranging from hundreds of watts to several kilowatts.

[0056] Among them, the condensing section 3 can be understood as a section of the loop heat pipe, the inlet end of the condensing section 3 is the steam pipeline 2, and the outlet end of the condensing section 3 is the liquid pipeline 4. The steam pipeline 2, the condensing section 3 and the liquid pipeline 4 can be connected as a reducer or an equal diameter pipe, and the specific structure can be selected according to needs. Among them, the cross-sectional areas of the steam pipeline 2, the condensing section 3 and the liquid pipeline 4 are all smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the evaporation section 1, and the steam pipeline 2, the condensing section 3 and the liquid pipeline 4 are convenient for bending. The cross-sectional shape of each section of the loop heat pipe is not limited.

[0057] The condensing section 3 can be located in the high-temperature heat exchanger of the generator to transfer heat to the high-temperature heat exchanger. The condensing section 3 can be wrapped around the surface of the high-temperature heat exchanger so that the condensing section 3 and the high-temperature heat exchanger are in contact for heat exchange, and the contact thermal resistance between the two can be reduced by welding or other methods; the condensing section 3 can also be a flow channel embedded in the high-temperature heat exchanger to achieve better heat exchange.

[0058] In some other embodiments, reference Figure 6 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the liquid wick 6 includes a first liquid wick 61 and a second liquid wick 62, a flow channel is provided between the first liquid wick 61 and the second liquid wick 62, the first liquid wick 61 is coated on the outside of the first fuel rod 5, and the second liquid wick 62 is attached to the inner wall of the shell of the evaporation section 1. The double structure of the first liquid wick 61 and the second liquid wick 62 helps to evenly distribute the liquid heat exchange fluid in the evaporation section 1 to improve the evaporation capacity of the evaporation section 1. In addition, when the high-temperature heat exchanger corresponding to the loop heat pipe fails, at this time, the high-temperature heat exchanger cannot absorb heat from the condensation section 3, the first fuel rod 5 still provides heat, and the heat in the evaporation section 1 needs to be dissipated outward through the evaporation section 1. At this time, the heat exchange fluid in the evaporation section 1 can absorb heat from the first fuel rod 5 through the first liquid absorption core 61, and the heat exchange fluid in the evaporation section 1 can release heat to the shell of the evaporation section 1 through the second liquid absorption core 62. The first liquid absorption core 61 can be understood as an evaporation liquid absorption core, and the second liquid absorption core 62 can be understood as a condensation liquid absorption core, thereby ensuring that the heat of the first fuel rod 5 is fully utilized.

[0059] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the wick 6 includes a wick bridge 63, which connects the first wick 61 and the second wick 62, so that the heat exchange fluid can flow between the first wick 61 and the second wick 62, which helps the liquid heat exchange fluid to absorb heat and evaporate.

[0060] In order to allow the liquid in the first liquid absorbent core 61 to be more smoothly transported to the surface of the annular second liquid absorbent core 62 for evaporation, a connecting liquid absorbent core bridge 63 is provided between the two to achieve liquid transport over a shorter distance between the two.

[0061] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, in combination with the above, the liquid absorbent core 6 mainly includes two parts. The first liquid absorbent core 61 is located at the center of the evaporation section 1, and a capillary pressure difference is generated between the evaporation section 1 and the liquid collecting tank 7, driving the steam and liquid to flow in the loop; the second liquid absorbent core 62 is an annular thin layer, which is closely attached to the inner wall of the evaporation section 1.

[0062] In some embodiments, reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 6 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the evaporation section 1 is connected to a liquid collecting tank 7 for containing heat exchange fluid, and the liquid collecting tank 7 is in fluid communication with the liquid wick 6 .

[0063] The liquid collecting tank 7 may be located inside the evaporation section 1 , or outside the evaporation section 1 . The location of the liquid collecting tank 7 is flexible and may be selected according to needs.

[0064] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the liquid collecting tank 7 is located below the evaporation section 1 , and the liquid outlet end of the liquid pipeline 4 passes through the liquid collecting tank 7 and is inserted into the liquid wick 6 , so that part of the heat exchange fluid is supplied to the liquid wick 6 and part is collected in the liquid collecting tank 7 .

[0065] The wick 6 is separated between the internal space of the evaporation section 1 and the space of the liquid collecting tank 7. The wick 6 separates the two areas to ensure that the steam can only flow into the steam pipeline 2 toward the evaporation section 1, but cannot directly enter the liquid collecting tank 7. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Fig.10 As shown, the absorbent core 6 is provided with an inserting portion 64 , which is inserted into the liquid collecting tank 7 , so that the absorbent core 6 is in full contact with the heat exchange fluid in the liquid collecting tank 7 , which helps the heat exchange fluid in the liquid collecting tank 7 to be distributed in the absorbent core 6 .

[0066] The plug-in portion 64 of the liquid wick 6 may be blocked between the evaporation section 1 and the liquid collecting tank 7 .

[0067] A communicating gap is provided between the evaporation section 1 and the liquid collecting tank 7 , and an inserting portion 64 of the liquid wick 6 is provided adjacent to the gap. The inserting portion 64 passes through the gap between the evaporation section 1 and the liquid collecting tank 7 and enters the liquid collecting tank 7 .

[0068] refer to Figure 6 and Fig.10 As shown, when the first fuel rod 5 is arranged in the evaporation section, the heat exchange fluid from the liquid pipeline 4 to the evaporation section 1 can first enter the liquid collecting tank 7, and then the heat exchange fluid is guided to the outside of the first fuel rod 5 through the liquid wick 6, so that the heat exchange fluid in the liquid wick 6 can fully exchange heat with the first fuel rod 5. When the liquid wick 6 is provided with a plug-in portion 64, the plug-in portion 64 can absorb the liquid in the liquid collecting tank 7 and transfer it to the liquid wick 6 on the surface of the first fuel rod 5. The capillary force of the plug-in portion 64 is the source of the pressure difference between the evaporation section 1 and the liquid collecting tank 7, and the pressure difference can drive the steam and the condensed liquid to flow along the capillary tube. The capillary tube can be understood as the liquid wick 6 is a dense porous structure, and a capillary tube is formed inside the liquid wick 6. The pressure difference required for the steam to flow through the steam pipeline 2, the condensation section 3, and the liquid pipeline 4 is the pressure difference generated by the capillary force of the liquid wick 6.

[0069] In some embodiments, reference Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the liquid outlet end of the liquid pipeline 4 is inserted into the evaporation section 1, and the liquid outlet end is inserted into the liquid absorbent core 6 and a gap is set between the liquid outlet end and the liquid absorbent core 6, so that the gas refluxed from the liquid outlet end can flow through the gap, preventing the non-condensable gas mixed in the refluxed heat exchange fluid from accumulating in the liquid absorbent core 6.

[0070] For example, the liquid outlet is inserted into the plug-in portion 64, and a gap is provided between the liquid outlet and the plug-in portion 64, so that the gaseous heat exchange fluid discharged from the liquid outlet flows through the gap.

[0071] The liquid pipeline passes through the liquid collecting tank 7 and is inserted into the liquid absorbent core 6 to ensure that the refluxed heat exchange fluid contacts the central part of the liquid absorbent core 6 at the first time; a certain gap is maintained between the liquid pipeline and the liquid absorbent core 6, and the liquid is gathered in the liquid collecting tank 7 under the driving force of the refluxed heat exchange fluid.

[0072] In some other embodiments, reference Figure 6 As shown, the liquid outlet is provided with a gas collecting groove 8, so as to connect the liquid outlet with the evaporation section 1 through the gas collecting groove 8, and the gaseous fluid discharged from the liquid outlet is collected through the gas collecting groove 8. The gaseous fluid includes non-condensable gas, which is collected in the gas collecting groove 8 to prevent the non-condensable gas from affecting the flow of the heat exchange fluid.

[0073] In some cases, reference Figure 3 and Fig.11 As shown, the liquid outlet end of the liquid pipeline 4 passes through the liquid collecting tank 7 and is inserted into the first liquid absorbent core 61 to ensure that the refluxed heat exchange fluid contacts the first liquid absorbent core 61 at the first time; a certain gap is maintained between the liquid outlet end and the first liquid absorbent core 61, mainly to prevent the non-condensable gas mixed in the refluxed heat exchange fluid from accumulating in the first liquid absorbent core 61, so that it gathers in the liquid collecting tank 7 under the driving force of the heat exchange fluid.

[0074] In some cases, reference Figure 2 As shown, the plug-in portion 64 at the end of the liquid absorbent core 6 is used to extend into the liquid collecting tank 7, absorb liquid from the liquid collecting tank 7, and send it to the first liquid absorbent core 61 for evaporation through capillary force. The liquid pipeline 4 is inserted into the plug-in portion 64 to ensure that the refluxed heat exchange fluid contacts the liquid absorbent core 6 at the first time. A certain gap is maintained between the liquid outlet and the liquid absorbent core 6, mainly to prevent the non-condensable gas mixed in the refluxed liquid from accumulating in the liquid absorbent core 6, so that it is gathered in the liquid collecting tank 7 under the driving force of the refluxed liquid. It can also be used Figure 6 The structure is such that a gas collecting groove 8 is arranged at the end of the liquid pipeline 4 and above the liquid absorption core 6. The gas collecting groove 8 has an opening connected to the liquid outlet end of the liquid pipeline 4. The gas collecting groove 8 serves as a special collection space for non-condensable gases.

[0075] The first fuel rod 5 is built into the evaporator section 1 of the loop heat pipe, and a plurality of loop heat pipes are combined to form a reactor system, so as to reduce the heat exchange temperature difference between the first fuel rod 5 and the heat pipe. At the same time, the loop heat pipe has a small diameter and is easy to deform flexibly. The loop heat pipe reactor is applied to the thermoelectric conversion system, so as to realize compact and efficient heat exchange coupling between the loop heat pipe and the thermoelectric conversion system.

[0076] refer to Fig. 9 As shown, the evaporation sections 1 of the above multiple loop heat pipes can be combined together through the heat conducting structure 9, and the outer surface is coated with a reflective material, and a control rod or a control drum is inserted (the reflective material, control rod or control drum and other devices are not shown in the figure) to form a reactor system. Among them, the control rod or the control drum can be used to control the fuel rods in the multiple loop heat pipes.

[0077] The above content describes that the first fuel rod is arranged inside the evaporator to provide heat to the heat exchange fluid, but the heat source of the heat exchange fluid is not limited to the first fuel rod in the evaporator. In some cases, a second fuel rod is arranged outside the evaporator, and the second fuel rod exchanges heat with the evaporator through a heat conduction structure. The heat of the second fuel rod is transferred from the outside to the inside of the evaporator, so that the heat exchange fluid absorbs heat. In this case, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the liquid absorbent core in the evaporation section can be the second liquid absorbent core, and there is no need to set the first liquid absorbent core.

[0078] The above content explains the evaporation section and related structures, and the condensation section will be explained below.

[0079] Multiple loop heat pipes are provided, at least one condensing section exchanges heat with one engine, at least one condensing section exchanges heat with another engine, and multiple evaporating sections conduct heat through the heat conducting structure 9. Multiple condensing sections 3 release heat to at least two generators, but it is not limited to one-to-one corresponding heat release, and can be one-to-one, many-to-one, many-to-many, etc.

[0080] In the case where the first fuel rod 5 is arranged in the evaporation section, if one of the generators fails, the heat of the first fuel rod 5 in the loop heat pipe corresponding to the generator can be dissipated to the heat conduction structure 9 through the evaporation section, and the heat of the first fuel rod 5 is conducted to the evaporation section of other loop heat pipes through the heat conduction structure 9, so that the heat of the first fuel rod 5 can be utilized. At this time, the liquid absorbent core 6 in the evaporation section includes a first liquid absorbent core 61 and a second liquid absorbent core 62. The first liquid absorbent core 61 and the second liquid absorbent core 62 can refer to the above content.

[0081] Of course, multiple condensing sections 3 can release heat to one generator at the same time, and the specific selection can be made according to needs.

[0082] refer to Fig. 9 As shown, a heat-conducting structure 9 can be filled between the evaporation sections 1, so that heat exchange can be carried out between adjacent evaporation sections 1, making the temperature distribution of the entire reactor more uniform. A liquid wick 6 is provided on the inner wall surface of the evaporation section 1 of each loop heat pipe, and a liquid wick bridge 63 is provided between the second liquid wick 62 on the inner wall surface of the evaporation section 1 and the first liquid wick 61 on the surface of the first fuel rod 5, so as to facilitate better flow of liquid between the two.

[0083] It should be noted that when a second fuel rod is disposed outside the evaporator section 1 , the second fuel rod and the evaporator section can conduct heat through the heat conduction structure.

[0084] Next, the engine and linear motor of the generator are described.

[0085] refer to Figures 2 to 11 As shown, there are various types of generators, such as Stirling generators, standing wave generators and other thermoacoustic generators. The condensation section 3 can be wrapped around the surface of the hot head of the Stirling generator. The condensation section 3 and the hot head surface are connected by thermal conductive interface materials or welding to reduce the contact thermal resistance between the two. Of course, the condensation section 3 can also be a flow channel embedded in the high-temperature heat exchanger of the Stirling generator to achieve better heat exchange and achieve compact and efficient coupling in structure, solving the problem of unsatisfactory heat exchange coupling structure between the straight cylindrical heat pipe and the high-temperature heat exchanger in the Stirling generator.

[0086] The generator includes an engine and a linear motor, and the engine includes a high-temperature heat exchanger, a heat regenerator and a cooler (such as a water cooler, which can be combined with a heat exchanger) distributed in sequence along the axial direction. Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the temperature of the high-temperature heat exchanger is higher than that of the cooler, and an axial temperature gradient can be formed inside the regenerator. When the temperature gradient reaches a certain value, after excitation, the generator can maintain spontaneous acoustic oscillations and convert thermal energy into electrical energy output.

[0087] In some embodiments, the linear motor includes a phase modulator, a piston, and an electromagnetic induction component. Based on the temperature gradient in the axial direction of the engine, the linear motor can be used to drive the piston to move. The piston can reciprocate relative to the electromagnetic induction component, and the phase modulator can reciprocate relative to the piston. The piston reciprocates relative to the electromagnetic induction component to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. During this process, the phase modulator reciprocates relative to the piston to ensure the phase difference between the piston and the phase modulator.

[0088] A cavity is formed in the axial direction of the high-temperature heat exchanger, the regenerator and the cooler, and the phase modulator is located in the cavity. The position of the phase modulator is flexible.

[0089] In some cases, the cooler, the regenerator and the high-temperature heat exchanger are all annular structures and are connected in sequence and arranged coaxially with the phase modulator. The high-temperature heat exchanger is heated by the condensing section, and the cooler is kept at a lower temperature. An axial temperature gradient will be formed inside the regenerator. The high-temperature heat exchanger, as a key component of the generator, absorbs heat from the condensing section 3. The loop heat pipe is used to supply heat to the Stirling generator. Combined with the characteristics of the loop heat pipe having a small diameter and easy to realize flexible deformation, a compact and efficient structural coupling between the heat pipe and the high-temperature heat exchanger of the Stirling generator is realized.

[0090] In some cases, the engine is provided with a buffer tube (not shown in the figure), the buffer tube extends away from the linear motor along the axial direction of the engine, the piston is slidably connected in the cylinder, one axial end of the piston slides and seals to the other end of the buffer tube, and the other axial end of the piston slides and seals to the phase modulator, so that a cavity is formed between the other end of the buffer tank, the piston and the phase modulator. The phase modulator is moved out of the engine and into the linear motor to reduce the influence of the temperature in the engine on the phase modulator. It can be combined with Figure 1 As shown, the axial cavities of the high-temperature heat exchanger, the regenerator and the cooler are connected to the piston through the buffer tube, the phase modulator is connected to the piston, and the phase modulator and the buffer tube are arranged opposite to each other at both ends of the piston.

[0091] The generator includes two sets of engines and two sets of linear motors that are symmetrically arranged. The entire generator is arranged symmetrically to offset the vibration generated by the moving parts.

[0092] In the above embodiments, the Stirling generator may adopt a symmetrically arranged structure, and the standing wave generator may also adopt a symmetrically arranged structure.

[0093] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, but not to limit the present invention. Although the present invention is described in detail with reference to the embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various combinations, modifications or equivalent substitutions of the technical solutions of the present invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and should be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A generator, characterized in that: include: The loop heat pipe comprises an evaporation section, a steam pipeline, a condensation section and a liquid pipeline which are sequentially connected to form a circulation loop, wherein the circulation loop is used for circulating a heat exchange fluid, and a liquid wick is arranged in the evaporation section; An engine and a linear motor, wherein an axial temperature gradient can be formed inside the engine, the engine exchanges heat with the condensation section, and the linear motor is located on one side of the engine.

2. The generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid wick comprises a first liquid wick, a first fuel rod and the first liquid wick are arranged in the evaporation section, and the first liquid wick is coated on the outer side of the first fuel rod.

3. The generator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The liquid absorbent core comprises a second liquid absorbent core arranged in the evaporation section, a flow channel is arranged between the second liquid absorbent core and the first liquid absorbent core, and the second liquid absorbent core is attached to the inner wall surface of the shell of the evaporation section.

4. The generator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first absorbent core is connected to the second absorbent core via an absorbent core bridge.

5. The generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second fuel rod is arranged outside the evaporator section, and the second fuel rod exchanges heat with the evaporator section through a heat-conducting structure.

6. The generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid outlet end of the liquid pipeline is inserted into the evaporation section; the liquid outlet end is inserted into the liquid wick and a gap is provided between the liquid outlet end and the liquid wick, and / or the liquid outlet end is provided with an air collecting groove to connect the liquid outlet end with the evaporation section through the air collecting groove; And / or, the evaporation section is connected to a liquid collecting tank for accommodating the heat exchange fluid, the liquid collecting tank is in fluid communication with the liquid wick, and the liquid wick blocks the space in the evaporation section and the liquid collecting tank.

7. The generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The loop heat pipe is provided in plurality, at least one of the condensing sections exchanges heat with one of the engines, at least one of the condensing sections exchanges heat with another of the engines, and the plurality of evaporating sections conduct heat through a heat-conducting structure.

8. The generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of ​​the condensing section is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the evaporating section, and the condensing section is wound around the engine.

9. The generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The engine includes a high-temperature heat exchanger, a regenerator and a cooler distributed along the axial direction. The temperature of the high-temperature heat exchanger is higher than the temperature of the cooler. An axial temperature gradient can be formed inside the regenerator. The linear motor includes a phase modulator, a piston and an electromagnetic induction component. The piston can reciprocate relative to the electromagnetic induction component, and the phase modulator can reciprocate relative to the piston.

10. The generator according to claim 9, characterized in that: The high-temperature heat exchanger, the regenerator and the cooler form a cavity in the axial direction, and the phase modulator is located in the cavity.

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