Thermoacoustic systems, thermoacoustic power generation systems, and thermoacoustic heat pump systems

Abstract

To realize a thermoacoustic system that is compact and has reduced sliding resistance. [Solution] The device comprises a conduit (20) having an annular shape, a vibrator (30) provided in a part of the conduit which divides the conduit space in the part into a first space (SP1) and a second space (SP2), a motor (40) which is arranged in the first space and has a movable element (41) connected to the vibrator and converts kinetic energy and electrical energy, and a thermoacoustic device (50) which is arranged in the second space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermoacoustic system, a thermoacoustic power generation system, and a thermoacoustic heat pump system.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a thermoacoustic system that attempts to convert between acoustic energy of a sound wave, which is a pressure oscillation of a gas, and electrical energy (see Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technique of a thermoacoustic system in which a linear motor is connected to a loop-shaped flow path. In Cited Document 1, the loop-shaped flow path is branched and a linear motor is connected. In Cited Document 2, a linear motor is disposed within the loop-shaped flow path. The linear motor of Cited Document 2 has a pair of pistons and generates electricity by the difference in acoustic power between these pistons.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1 involves branching a loop-shaped flow path to connect a linear motor, which tends to lead to a larger system. Furthermore, the technology described in Non-Patent Document 2 involves a linear motor with two pistons, which increases sliding resistance and thus tends to increase energy loss.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a thermoacoustic system, a thermoacoustic power generation system, and a thermoacoustic heat pump system that are compact and have reduced sliding resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, a thermoacoustic system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a conduit having a ring shape, a vibrator provided in a part of the conduit which divides the conduit space in the part into a first space and a second space, a motor having a movable element arranged in the first space and connected to the vibrator, which converts kinetic energy and electrical energy, and a thermoacoustic device arranged in the second space.

[0007] To solve the above problems, a thermoacoustic power generation system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a conduit having an annular shape, a vibrator provided in a part of the conduit which divides the conduit space in the part into a first space and a second space, a motor having a movable element arranged in the first space and connected to the vibrator, which converts kinetic energy and electrical energy, and a thermoacoustic device arranged in the second space, wherein the thermoacoustic device has a thermoacoustic core which converts thermal energy into acoustic energy, the vibrator which converts the acoustic energy into kinetic energy, and the motor which converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy and outputs it.

[0008] To solve the above problems, a thermoacoustic heat pump system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a conduit having an annular shape, a vibrator provided in a portion of the conduit which divides the conduit space in the portion into a first space and a second space, a motor having a movable element arranged in the first space and connected to the vibrator, which converts kinetic energy and electrical energy, and a thermoacoustic device arranged in the second space, wherein the thermoacoustic device has a thermoacoustic core, the motor converts electrical energy into kinetic energy, the vibrator converts the kinetic energy into acoustic energy, and the thermoacoustic core generates a heat pump effect associated with the input acoustic energy. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a thermoacoustic system can be made more compact and have reduced sliding resistance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a thermoacoustic system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the oscillator in the thermoacoustic system. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows schematic plan views of a first and second modified example of the oscillator in the thermoacoustic system. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the motor in the thermoacoustic system. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first modified example of the motor shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second modified example of the motor shown in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a plan view of the heat exchanger in the thermoacoustic system. [Figure 8] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first modified example of the thermoacoustic system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second modified example of the thermoacoustic system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 10] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a thermoacoustic system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a schematic plan view of a thermoacoustic system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a schematic plan view of a thermoacoustic system according to Modification 1 of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a schematic plan view of a thermoacoustic system according to Modification 2 of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is a schematic plan view of a thermoacoustic system according to Modification 3 of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] 〔First Embodiment〕 The thermoacoustic system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the thermoacoustic system 10. Note that FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view in a cross-section passing through the central axis (not shown in FIG. 1) of the pipe 21 described later. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vibrator 30 included in the thermoacoustic system 10. Note that FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in a cross-section (A-A' cross-section) along the line A-A' shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] <Thermoacoustic System> As shown in FIG. 1, the thermoacoustic system 10 includes a pipeline 20, a pipe 21, a vibrator 30, a motor 40, and a thermoacoustic core 50.

[0013] (Pipeline) The pipeline 20 has an annular (ring) shape and is formed by connecting tubular members (for example, tube 21) with cavities formed inside, for example, in an annular shape. By making the pipeline 20 annular, a traveling acoustic wave field can be formed inside the pipeline 20. The overall shape of the actually annular pipeline is illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 14 as a modification of the thermoacoustic system. In FIG. 1, the pipeline 20 is abstracted and represented as a line. The pipeline 20 is filled with a working fluid. In this embodiment, a gas, for example, helium, is used as the working fluid. In addition to helium, argon, nitrogen, and a mixed gas thereof are suitable as the working fluid. The working fluid may contain water vapor. The working fluid may have a liquid component.

[0014] (pipe) The tube 21 constitutes a partial section of the pipeline 20. That is, both ends of the tube 21 are open and communicate with other sections of the pipeline 20. The tube 21 is a tubular member with a cavity formed inside. Hereinafter, this cavity is referred to as the internal space Si of the tube. In this embodiment, a circular tube (round pipe) with a circular cross-sectional shape (a cross-section perpendicular to the axis along which the tube 21 extends) is adopted as the tube 21. However, the cross-sectional shape of the cross-section of the tube 21 is not limited to a circle and can be appropriately selected. The cross-sectional shape of the cross-section of the tube 21 may be a polygon such as a quadrilateral or a hexagon.

[0015] Note that a cross-section perpendicular to the central axis of the tube 21 is referred to as a cross-section, and a cross-section passing through the central axis is referred to as a longitudinal section. Therefore, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoacoustic system 10 in the longitudinal section. The definitions of the above-mentioned cross-section and longitudinal section are commonly used for any of the thermoacoustic system 10, the vibrator 30, and the motor 40.

[0016] The tube 21 includes a first port P1 and a second port P2. Each of the first port P1 and the second port P2 functions as either an input port or an output port. That is, (1) when the first port P1 functions as an input port, the second port P2 functions as an output port, and (2) when the second port P2 functions as an input port, the first port P1 functions as an output port. The first port P1 is the port connected to the motor 40. The second port P2 is the port connected to the thermoacoustic core 50.

[0017] (Oscillator) The transducer 30 is installed at a predetermined position in a section (pipe 21) of the conduit 20, and the space Si inside the pipe of the transducer 30 is divided into a first space S1 and a second space S2. The first space S1 is located on the side of the first port P1, and the motor 40 is arranged there. The second space S2 is located on the side of the second port P2, and the thermoacoustic device (thermoacoustic core 50) is arranged there. In this embodiment, the space on the right side in the state shown in Figure 1 is referred to as the first space S1, and the space on the left side in the state shown in Figure 1 is referred to as the second space S2.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the vibrator 30 is a plate-shaped member with a circular outer edge contour. In other words, the vibrator 30 is a disc-shaped member. The vibrator 30 includes a seal 31 and a piston 32.

[0019] The seal 31 is an annular member provided on the outer edge of the vibrator 30 and is made of an elastic material. In this embodiment, natural rubber is used as the elastic material constituting the seal 31. However, the elastic material constituting the seal 31 is not limited to natural rubber, and may be other rubbers such as styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, acrylonitrile rubber, urethane rubber, and silicone rubber. Furthermore, the elastic material is not limited to rubber, and may be a resin with a low modulus of elasticity.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the seal 31 surrounds the outer edge of the piston 32 and is in close contact with the outer edge of the piston 32. The outer edge of the seal 31 is in close contact with the inner wall of the pipe 21 without any gaps around its entire circumference. At least a portion of the outer edge of the seal 31 is fixed to the inner wall of a portion of the conduit 20 (pipe 21). In this embodiment, the outer edge of the seal 31 is bonded to the inner wall without any gaps around its entire circumference. That is, in this embodiment, the entire outer edge of the seal 31 is bonded to the inner wall without any gaps around its entire circumference.

[0021] The piston 32 is a component of the vibrator 30 surrounded by the seal 31. In this embodiment, a plate-shaped member (i.e., a disc-shaped member) having a circular shape in plan view is used as the piston 32. However, the shape of the piston 32 in plan view is not limited to a circular shape and can be appropriately determined according to the shape of the cross-section of the pipe 21, etc. Also, the piston 32 is not limited to a plate-shaped member and may be a block-shaped member. That is, the thickness of the piston 32 (length in the left-right direction in the state shown in Figure 1) is not limited and can be appropriately determined. If the shape of the piston 32 in plan view is kept constant, the mass of the piston 32 can be changed according to the thickness of the piston 32. The outer edge of the piston 32 and the inner edge of the seal 31 are fixed in close contact with each other around their entire circumference. In this embodiment, the outer edge of the piston 32 is bonded to the inner edge of the seal 31 without any gaps around its entire circumference.

[0022] The piston 32 is made of a material with a higher modulus of elasticity than the elastic body (natural rubber in this embodiment) that constitutes the seal 31. In this embodiment, an aluminum alloy is used as the material for the piston 32. However, the material for the piston 32 is not limited to an aluminum alloy, and may be a metal other than an aluminum alloy, such as stainless steel, copper, or iron. Furthermore, the material is not limited to a metal, and may be a resin or a fiber-reinforced resin (for example, carbon fiber reinforced resin).

[0023] When using acoustic energy to vibrate the transducer 30, it is preferable that the piston 32 be lightweight. That is, it is preferable that the material constituting the piston 32 has low density, and that the volume of the piston 32 be small (or thin). On the other hand, if it is desired to set the vibration frequency of the transducer 30 low due to the frequency of the sound waves or the like, it is preferable to set the weight of the piston 32 to an appropriate weight (i.e., somewhat heavy). In such cases, this can be addressed by using a material with relatively high density as the material constituting the piston 32, or by making the volume of the piston 32 relatively large (relatively thicker).

[0024] Furthermore, the method of fixing the outer edge of the seal 31 to the inner wall of the pipe 21, and the method of fixing the outer edge of the piston 32 to the inner edge of the seal 31, are not limited to adhesive bonding.

[0025] For example, another method for fixing the outer edge of the seal 31 to the inner wall of the pipe 21 is to form a groove in the inner wall and fit the outer edge of the seal 31 into the groove in the inner wall. In this case, a groove is formed along the circumferential direction of the inner wall at the position where the seal 31 of the pipe 21 is fixed, and the outer edge of the seal 31 is fitted into the groove, thereby fixing the inner wall and the outer edge of the seal in close contact around the entire circumference.

[0026] Since the seal 31 is made of an elastic material, the seal 31 can be easily fixed to the inner wall of the pipe 21 by utilizing the elasticity of the seal 31.

[0027] Another method for fixing the outer edge of the piston 32 to the inner edge of the seal 31 is to form a groove in the inner edge of the seal 31 along the circumferential direction of the inner edge, and then fit the outer edge of the piston 32 into the groove in the inner edge of the seal 31, thereby fixing the inner edge of the seal 31 and the outer edge of the piston 32 in close contact around their entire circumference.

[0028] In this embodiment, since the piston 32 is constructed using a plate-shaped member, the vibrator 30 can be made lighter. Furthermore, with the above configuration, since the seal 31 is made of an elastic material, the piston 32 can be easily fixed to the seal 31 by utilizing the elasticity of the seal 31. Therefore, a lightweight vibrator 30 with low sliding resistance (preferably no sliding resistance) can be manufactured inexpensively and easily. However, the vibrator 30 is not limited to the structure shown in this embodiment and can be used as long as it can convert acoustic energy to kinetic energy; for example, it may be a piston with a normal axial length.

[0029] The vibrator 30 is connected to the movable element 41 of the motor 40. More specifically, the end of the movable element 41 on the vibrator 30 side is connected to the piston 32 of the vibrator 30 (see Figure 1). In this embodiment, the end of the movable element 41 on the vibrator 30 side is made of a metal rod-shaped member. Therefore, a through hole corresponding to (or matching) the shape of the cross-section of the rod-shaped member is formed in the center of the piston 32, and the end of the rod-shaped member is inserted into the through hole to fix them together. The shape of the piston 32 when separated from the end of the movable element 41 can be described as annular.

[0030] The method of fixing the vibrator 30 to the end of the movable element 41 is not limited. Examples of fixing methods include screw fastening using screws and nuts, and bonding with a resin adhesive. Furthermore, if both the piston 32 and the end of the movable element 41 are made of resin, the fixing method may be fusion bonding, or if both are made of metal, it may be welding. In this embodiment, the piston 32 and the end of the movable element 41 are fixed to each other using screw fastening. However, the nuts used for screw fastening and the screw threads provided at the end of the end of the movable element 41 are not shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0031] In the vibrator 30 of this embodiment, the outer edge of the seal 31, the inner edge of the seal 31, the outer edge of the piston 32, and the inner edge of the piston 32 (through hole formed in the center) are all circular, and each is designed to be concentric (see Figure 2). However, in one embodiment of the present invention, the shape and arrangement of the outer and inner edges of the seal 31 and the outer and inner edges of the piston 32 are not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 2, and may be configured as, for example, the first and second modified examples shown in Figure 3.

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a first and second modified example of the transducer 30. The left side of Figure 3 is a plan view of the transducer 30A, which is the first modified example of the transducer 30, and the right side of Figure 3 is a plan view of the transducer 30B, which is the second modified example of the transducer 30. The seal 31A and piston 32A of the transducer 30A correspond to the seal 31 and piston 32 of the transducer 30, respectively. The through hole formed in the center of the piston 32A is denoted by reference numeral 223A. These correspondences are the same for the transducer 30B.

[0033] As shown in the left diagram of Figure 3, the outer edge of seal 31A is square, and the inner edge of seal 31A and the outer edge of piston 32A are circular. Also, as shown in the right diagram of Figure 3, the outer edge of seal 31B is circular, and the inner edge of seal 31B and the outer edge of piston 32B are regular octagons.

[0034] Furthermore, it is preferable that the shape of the seal 31 and piston 32 in the vibrator 30, when viewed from above, has multiple rotational symmetries with respect to the center (or center of gravity) of the seal 31 and piston 32 as the center of rotation. For example, the vibrator 30 shown in Figure 2 is n-fold symmetric (where n is any integer greater than or equal to 2), the vibrator 30A shown in the left diagram of Figure 3 is 4-fold symmetric, and the vibrator 30B shown in the right diagram of Figure 3 is 8-fold symmetric.

[0035] (motor) The motor 40 is located in the first space S1 and has a movable element 41 connected to the oscillator 30, and converts kinetic energy into electrical energy. In one embodiment of the present invention, the motor 40 may be a linear motor in which the movable element 41 reciprocates linearly, or it may be a rotary motor in which a rotating shaft constituting a part of the movable element rotates around its central axis. Thus, in the thermoacoustic system 10, the type of motor and movable element is not limited, so in Figure 1, the motor 40 is shown as a simple block, and the structure of the motor 40 and movable element 41 is not specified.

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the motor 40 provided in the thermoacoustic system 10. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of motor 40A, which is a first modification of motor 40. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of motor 40B, which is a second modification of motor 40.

[0037] The motor 40 will be described primarily with reference to Figure 4. The motor 40 is a so-called moving magnet type linear motor in which a permanent magnet 413, which constitutes part of the movable element 41 described later, periodically reciprocates (i.e., behaves as a harmonic oscillator). Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the motor 40.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the motor 40 is connected to the first port P1 of the pipe 21. In this embodiment, the motor 40 is housed inside the first space S1 of the pipe 21.

[0039] Motor 40 is an example of a motor that converts kinetic energy and electrical energy, and is an example of a motor (i.e., a linear motor) that converts kinetic energy associated with the reciprocating motion of the movable element 41, which will be described later, into electrical energy.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the motor 40 comprises a movable element 41, a first yoke 42, and a coil 43. Also as shown in Figure 4, the movable element 41 comprises a shaft 411, a second yoke 412, and a permanent magnet 413.

[0041] The shaft 411 is a rod-shaped member that constitutes the end of the movable element 41 on the vibrator 30 side. In this embodiment, metal is used as the material for the shaft 411, similar to the piston 32 of the vibrator 30. However, the material is not limited to metal and may be resin or fiber-reinforced resin (for example, carbon fiber reinforced resin). In this respect as well, the shaft 411 is the same as the piston 32. One end of the shaft 411 is connected to the piston 32 of the vibrator 30 (see Figure 1), and the other end is connected to the second yoke 412 of the motor 40 (see Figure 4). In this embodiment, the piston 32 and the shaft 411 are molded as separate members, but the piston 32 and the shaft 411 can also be molded as an integrated member.

[0042] The second yoke 412 and the permanent magnet 413 each reciprocate together with the piston 32 and the shaft 411 in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the piston 32 and the shaft 411. In this embodiment, the side of the permanent magnet 413 closer to the second yoke 412 is designated as the south pole 4131, and the side of the permanent magnet 413 further from the second yoke 412 is designated as the north pole 4132.

[0043] Each of the first yoke 42 and coil 43 is fixed to the tube 21, independent of the reciprocating motion of the piston 32 and the movable element 41. Therefore, the relative relationship between the permanent magnet 413, which moves together with the piston 32, shaft 411, and second yoke 412, and the first yoke 42 and coil 43, which are fixed independently of the piston 32, shaft 411, and second yoke 412, changes over time. As a result, a current flows through the coil 43 due to the time change in the magnetic flux density circulating around the coil 43.

[0044] Therefore, when a sound wave is input to the second port P2 of the thermoacoustic system 10, the vibrator 30 converts the acoustic energy of the sound wave into the kinetic energy of the piston 32 of the vibrator 30, and the motor 40 converts this kinetic energy into electrical energy. Thus, the thermoacoustic system 10 can generate electricity using the acoustic energy of the sound wave.

[0045] Furthermore, when power is input to the first port P1, the thermoacoustic system 10 converts electrical energy into kinetic energy from the motor 40 as the piston 32 reciprocates, and the oscillator 30 generates sound waves from the reciprocating motion of the piston 32, thereby converting the kinetic energy into acoustic energy. In other words, the thermoacoustic system 10 can output sound waves from the second port P2.

[0046] Next, a first modified example of motor 40, motor 40A, will be described with reference to Figure 5, and a second modified example of motor 40, motor 40B, will be described with reference to Figure 6.

[0047] Unlike motor 40, which is a moving magnet type linear motor, motor 40A shown in Figure 5 is a moving coil type linear motor. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of motor 40A. Here, we will briefly explain the differences between motor 40A and motor 40. Motor 40A comprises a movable element 41A, a yoke 42A, and a permanent magnet 43A.

[0048] The movable element 41A corresponds to the movable element 41 of the motor 40. However, in the motor 40, the second yoke 412 and the permanent magnet 413 are fixed to the shaft 411, and the permanent magnet 413 is configured to perform translational motion. In contrast, in the motor 40A, the coil 412A is fixed to the shaft 411A, and the coil 412A is configured to perform translational motion.

[0049] Yoke 42A corresponds to the first yoke 42 and second yoke 412 of motor 40. However, in motor 40, the first yoke 42 is fixed to pipe 21, and the second yoke 412 moves in translation relative to pipe 21 and the first yoke 42. In contrast, in motor 40A, the first yoke 421A, the second yoke 422A, and the permanent magnet 43A constituting yoke 42A are fixed to pipe 21, and the coil 412A moves in translation relative to the first yoke 421A, the second yoke 422A, and the permanent magnet 43A.

[0050] The motor 40B shown in Figure 6 employs a rotary motor 42B instead of the linear motor used in motors 40 and 40A. The rotary motor 42B is a motor that converts electrical energy into kinetic energy by the rotation of a rotor (not shown in Figure 6) equipped with multiple coils and an output shaft 421B connected to the rotor.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6, the motor 40B comprises a movable element 41B and a rotary motor 42B. In the motor 40B, the movable element 41B comprises a rotor 411B, a connecting rod 412B, and a translation element 413B.

[0052] The movable element 41B has a configuration very similar to that of a reciprocating engine in that it converts reciprocating motion into rotational motion. Therefore, the movable element 41B will be briefly explained below in comparison to a reciprocating engine.

[0053] The rotor 411B is a component that corresponds to the crankshaft of a reciprocating engine. The rotor 411B is a disc-shaped component. The output shaft 421B of the rotary motor 42B is connected to the center of the rotor 411B. Therefore, as the output shaft 421B rotates, the rotor 411B also rotates. Arrow A in Figure 6 represents the rotational motion of the rotor 411B.

[0054] The connecting rod 412B is a component that corresponds to the connecting rod (sometimes called a connecting rod) of a reciprocating engine. One end of the connecting rod 412B is rotatably connected to the rotor 411B at a predetermined radius, and the other end is connected to one end of the translator 413B, which will be described later. The connecting rod 412B is a rod-shaped member that extends along one axis.

[0055] The translator 413B, along with the piston 32 of the vibrator 30 to which its tip is connected, is a component corresponding to the piston of a reciprocating engine. One end of the translator 413B (the right end in Figure 6) is connected to the other end of the connecting rod 412B described above. The other end of the translator 413B (not shown in Figure 6) is connected to the piston 32 of the vibrator 30, similar to the movable element 41 shown in Figure 1.

[0056] The translator 413B's trajectory is restricted so that it translates in a direction parallel to the central axis of the tube 21. The rotor 411B and the translator 413B are connected by a connecting rod 412B, and as the rotor 411B rotates, the translator 413B reciprocates in sync with the rotation of the rotor 411B. The arrow B shown in Figure 6 represents the reciprocating motion of the translator 413B.

[0057] Motor 40B, configured in this way, converts the kinetic energy of the piston 32 into electrical energy, similar to motors 40 and 40A.

[0058] Furthermore, each of the motors 40, 40A, and 40B can either take kinetic energy as input and output electrical energy, or take electrical energy as input and output kinetic energy. Therefore, these motors 40, 40A, and 40B can function as either generators or power sources.

[0059] Furthermore, the motor used in the thermoacoustic system 10 is not limited to the motors 40, 40A, and 40B described above, but may be any existing linear motor or rotary motor. In other words, the motor used in the thermoacoustic system 10 can be appropriately selected from linear motors and rotary motors available on the market, as well as linear motors and rotary motors that have been made public at the time of filing this application.

[0060] (Thermoacoustic core) The thermoacoustic core 50 converts input thermal energy into acoustic energy. The thermoacoustic core 50 comprises a heat accumulator 51, a heat exchanger 52, and a heat exchanger 53. Heat exchangers 52 and 53 are an example of a pair of heat exchangers. The heat accumulator 51 is positioned between the heat exchangers 52 and 53. In other words, when viewed from the side closer to the second port P2, the heat accumulator 51, heat exchanger 52, and heat exchanger 53 are arranged in the order of heat exchanger 52, heat accumulator 51, and heat exchanger 53, and adjacent heat exchangers 52 and heat accumulator 51, as well as heat accumulator 51 and heat exchanger 53, are in contact with each other.

[0061] The thermoacoustic core 50 converts thermal energy into acoustic energy. The thermoacoustic core 50 also acts as a prime mover that amplifies the acoustic power of the working fluid. In the thermoacoustic core 50, heat exchangers 52 and 53 are positioned on either end of the heat accumulator 51, sandwiching the accumulator 51. As shown in Figure 1, heat exchanger 52 is positioned on the side closer to the oscillator 30 (right side in Figure 1), and heat exchanger 53 is positioned on the side further from the thermoacoustic system 10 (left side in Figure 1).

[0062] In this embodiment, a ceramic honeycomb structure having numerous parallel passages penetrating from one end to the other is used as the heat storage device 51. However, the configuration of the heat storage device 51 is not limited to this, and for example, it may be a structure made by stacking many thin stainless steel mesh plates at a minute pitch, or it may be a nonwoven fabric made of metal fibers (e.g., steel wool).

[0063] Figure 7 is a plan view of the heat exchanger 52. The heat exchanger 52, which is the heat exchanger closer to the second port P2, functions as an input port for supplying thermal energy to the thermoacoustic system 10. The heat exchanger 52 is a high-temperature heat exchanger that heats one end of the heat accumulator 51. As shown in Figure 7, the heat exchanger 52 comprises a frame 521, tubes 522, and fins 523.

[0064] The frame 521 is an annular metal member, configured so that its outer surface is fixed to the inner wall of the pipe 21. The tube 522 is configured to carry a working fluid (such as a heat transfer medium or refrigerant, exemplified by exhaust gas or cooling water) that has relatively high thermal energy. In this embodiment, two tubes 522 are used, but the number is not limited.

[0065] The tube 522 is fixed to the annular frame 521, passing through it, and is used for heat input, cooling, and heat extraction. In other words, the tube 522 transfers thermal energy between the working fluid filled inside the tube 21 and the outside of the thermoacoustic core 50 via the fins 523, which will be described later.

[0066] The fins 523 are multiple thin metal plates provided in the internal space of the annular frame 521. The multiple fins 523 assist in the heat exchange that occurs between the working fluid and the tube 522, thereby increasing the efficiency of the heat exchange.

[0067] The heat exchanger 53 is configured to release heat from the other end of the heat accumulator 51 to the outside. Specifically, the heat exchanger 53 is a room-temperature heat exchanger that cools or releases heat from the other end of the heat accumulator 51 using cooling water or cooled air. The heat exchanger 53 is configured in the same way as the heat exchanger 52 described above.

[0068] In this embodiment, a detailed explanation of these components is omitted.

[0069] Although Figure 1 shows the motor 40 positioned on the side of the heat exchanger 52 (high-temperature heat exchanger), the motor 40 may also be positioned on the side of the heat exchanger 53 (room-temperature heat exchanger).

[0070] In this respect, the same applies to the modified examples described later (Figure 8) and the second modified example (Figure 9). That is, in Figure 8, the motor 40 may be placed on the side of heat exchanger 53 instead of the side of heat exchanger 52A (heat exchanger for low temperature). Also, in Figure 9, the motor 40 may be placed on the side of heat exchanger 53B (heat exchanger for high temperature, which is heated by the heat pump effect) instead of the side of heat exchanger 52B (heat exchanger for room temperature).

[0071] The thermoacoustic core 50, which receives thermal energy from the heat exchanger 52 configured in this way, converts the thermal energy into acoustic energy and outputs sound waves having that acoustic energy.

[0072] The oscillator 30 converts the acoustic energy output from the thermoacoustic core 50 into kinetic energy for the piston 32.

[0073] The motor 40 converts the kinetic energy converted by the oscillator 30 into electrical energy.

[0074] Therefore, the thermoacoustic system 10 can utilize thermal energy such as waste heat from factories or clean, renewable energy like solar power for power generation without wasting it. In other words, the thermoacoustic system 10 functions as a prime mover loop that utilizes thermal energy. That is, the thermoacoustic system 10 functions as a thermoacoustic power generation system. Such effects contribute, for example, to achieving Goal 7 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Affordable and Clean Energy."

[0075] (A variation of a thermoacoustic system) Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first modified example of the thermoacoustic system (thermoacoustic system 10A). Thermoacoustic system 10A has a configuration very similar to thermoacoustic system 10, but instead of the thermoacoustic core 50 that thermoacoustic system 10 has, it is equipped with a thermoacoustic core 50A. In this modified example, the thermoacoustic system equipped with a thermoacoustic core 50A is referred to as thermoacoustic system 10A. Thermoacoustic system 10A is an example of a thermoacoustic heat pump system, which is one aspect of the present invention, and can also be called a thermoacoustic cooling system.

[0076] The thermoacoustic core 50A comprises a heat accumulator 51, a heat exchanger 52A, and a heat exchanger 53. That is, the thermoacoustic system 10A is obtained by replacing the heat exchanger 52 in the thermoacoustic system 10 with a heat exchanger 52A. The heat exchanger 52 used in the thermoacoustic system 10 is a heat exchanger for high temperatures. On the other hand, the heat exchanger 52A used in the thermoacoustic system 10A is a heat exchanger for low temperatures that is cooled by the heat pump effect that occurs when acoustic energy is input to the heat accumulator 51.

[0077] In the thermoacoustic system 10A configured in this way, electrical energy is input to the motor 40 of the thermoacoustic system 10. The motor 40 converts the input electrical energy into kinetic energy. The oscillator 30 converts the input kinetic energy into acoustic energy. This acoustic energy is input to the thermoacoustic core 50A. The thermoacoustic core 50A receives the acoustic energy of sound waves, and a heat pump effect occurs in the heat accumulator 51, transporting heat from a low temperature to a high temperature, thereby lowering the temperature of one of the heat exchangers, the heat exchanger 52A. Therefore, the heat exchanger 52A, which is closer to the second port P2, functions as a cooling port that removes thermal energy from the target object.

[0078] Thus, the thermoacoustic system 10A functions as a thermoacoustic cooling system.

[0079] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second modified example of the thermoacoustic system (thermoacoustic system 10B). Thermoacoustic system 10B is an example of a thermoacoustic heat pump system, similar to thermoacoustic system 10A. However, while thermoacoustic system 10A was a thermoacoustic cooling system, thermoacoustic system 10B is a thermoacoustic heating system. Thermoacoustic system 10B has a configuration very similar to thermoacoustic system 10, but instead of the thermoacoustic core 50 that thermoacoustic system 10 has, it has a thermoacoustic core 50B.

[0080] The thermoacoustic core 50B comprises a heat accumulator 51, a heat exchanger 52B, and a heat exchanger 53B. That is, the thermoacoustic system 10B is obtained by replacing the heat exchangers 52 and 443 in the thermoacoustic system 10 with heat exchangers 52B and 443B. In the thermoacoustic system 10, heat exchanger 52 is a heat exchanger for high temperatures, and heat exchanger 53 is a heat exchanger for room temperature. On the other hand, the heat exchanger 52B used in the thermoacoustic system 10A is a heat exchanger for room temperature, and heat exchanger 53B is a heat exchanger for high temperatures that is heated by the heat pump effect that occurs when acoustic energy is input to the heat accumulator 51.

[0081] In the thermoacoustic system 10B configured in this way, sound waves with acoustic energy converted by the oscillator 30 are input to the thermoacoustic core 50B. The thermoacoustic core 50B receives the acoustic energy of the sound waves, and a heat pump effect occurs in the heat accumulator 51, which transports heat from a low temperature to a high temperature, thereby raising the temperature of one of the heat exchangers, the heat exchanger 53B. Therefore, the heat exchanger 53B, which is the heat exchanger furthest from the second port P2, functions as a heating port that provides thermal energy to the target object.

[0082] Thus, the thermoacoustic system 10B functions as a thermoacoustic heating system.

[0083] Furthermore, the motors used in each of the thermoacoustic systems 10 and 10A to 10B may be of any type as long as they have a movable element and are capable of converting the kinetic energy associated with the reciprocating motion of the movable element into electrical energy. The motor is not limited to the motor 40 shown in Figure 4, but may also be the motor 40A shown in Figure 5, the motor 40B shown in Figure 6, or any existing linear motor or rotary motor. In other words, the motors used in each of the thermoacoustic systems 10 and 10A can be appropriately selected from motors that are currently available on the market or publicly available, regardless of whether they are from the past, present, or future.

[0084] In the thermoacoustic system 10, etc. (including the previously described thermoacoustic systems 10, 10A, and 10B, as well as the thermoacoustic systems 10C to 10G described later), the thermoacoustic device (thermoacoustic core 50 to 50B) and the motor (motor 40 to 40D) are arranged in close proximity within the pipe 21, with the vibrator 30 in between. As a result, the thermoacoustic system can be made more compact, and the conversion between thermal energy and electrical energy can be made more efficient.

[0085] Furthermore, the thermoacoustic system 10 does not require branch pipes in its operation, thereby reducing energy loss caused by branch pipes.

[0086] The thermoacoustic system 10, etc., can be operated with one piston 32 (vibrator 30) for one motor. Therefore, compared to a thermoacoustic system with multiple pistons for one motor, the sliding resistance caused by the pistons can be reduced, and the operational efficiency can be improved. However, this does not negate the possibility of arranging multiple pistons 32 (vibrators 30) for one motor in the thermoacoustic system 10, etc.

[0087] In addition, in the thermoacoustic system 10, multiple thermoacoustic devices may be arranged inside the pipe 21. Furthermore, the multiple thermoacoustic devices may be different thermoacoustic devices, for example, a combination of thermoacoustic cores 50 and 50A.

[0088] [Second Embodiment] Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a thermoacoustic system 10C according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The thermoacoustic system 10C includes a motor 40C instead of the motor 40 in Figure 4. The motor 40C includes a movable element 41C, a yoke 42, and a coil 43. The movable element 41C also includes a shaft 411, a second yoke 412, a permanent magnet 413, and a shaft 414. The motor 40C is enclosed in a container 44. The container 44 is fixed to the inner wall of the pipe 21 by a fixing member 45.

[0089] Motor 40C differs from motor 40 in Figure 4 in the following respects. (1) The motor 40C has a movable element 41 which has a shaft 411, a second yoke 412, a permanent magnet 413, and a shaft 414. (2) The motor 40C is sealed inside the container 44.

[0090] The shaft 414 is a rod-shaped member that constitutes the end of the movable element 41 opposite to the vibrator 30. In this embodiment, the shaft 414 is made of metal, similar to the shaft 411. However, the material is not limited to metal and may be resin or fiber-reinforced resin (for example, carbon fiber reinforced resin). In this respect as well, the shaft 414 is the same as the shaft 411. One end of the shaft 414 is connected to the second yoke 412 of the motor 40, and the other end protrudes from the container 44. In this embodiment, the piston 32 and the shaft 411 are molded as separate components, but the piston 32 and the shaft 411 can also be molded as an integrated component.

[0091] The motor 40C is enclosed within the container 44. Here, there is a gap P between the container 44 (ultimately the motor 40C) and the inner wall of a section of the conduit 20 (pipe 21) through which the working fluid can pass. As a result, the loss of kinetic energy of the working fluid near the motor 40C can be reduced. This gap P is formed between the inner wall of pipe 21 and the container 44 and functions as a passage for the working fluid to pass through. Note that as long as there is a gap P between the motor 40C and the inner wall of pipe 21 through which the working fluid can pass, the motor 40C does not necessarily have to be enclosed within the container 44.

[0092] The container 44 preferably has a rounded outer shape, such as a streamlined shape or a shape of a body of revolution around the axis of the pipe 21 (for example, a sphere or a spheroid). In this case, the container 44 is placed in the first space S1, encloses the motor 40C, and has a rounded outer shape. The rounded outer shape of the container 44 guides the flow of the working fluid in the pipe 21, thereby reducing resistance when the working fluid passes through the gap P. Note that "rounded outer shape" means that the outer shape of the container 44 does not substantially have any irregularities that obstruct the flow of the working fluid along the axial direction of the pipe 21.

[0093] The container 44 is fixed to the inner wall of the pipe 21 by fixing members 45. These fixing members 45 function as support structures for the motor 40C. These fixing members 45 connect a portion of the container 44 to a portion of the inner wall of the pipe 21. For example, multiple fixing members 45 are arranged in multiple directions around the axis of the pipe 21, connecting multiple points on the container 44 to multiple points on the inner wall of the pipe 21. The fixing members 45 have, for example, a slender rod shape so as not to obstruct the passage of the working fluid through the gap P.

[0094] The shafts 411 and 414 protrude from the container 44. The shafts 411 and 414 have a certain range of motion relative to the container 44. This makes it easy for the movable element 41, including the shafts 411 and 414, to move relative to the coil 43 by the vibrator 30, thereby improving the efficiency of the conversion between the kinetic energy and electrical energy of the movable element 41. This range of motion does not need to be very wide. For this reason, a limiting member (for example, a screw) may be attached to the end of the shaft 414 to limit the range of motion.

[0095] [Third Embodiment] Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of a thermoacoustic system 10D according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The thermoacoustic system 10D has a substantially triangular conduit 20D, and a thermoacoustic unit 100 having a portion of the conduit 20 (pipe 21), a vibrator 30, a motor 40C, and a thermoacoustic device (thermoacoustic core 50) is arranged on each side of this triangle.

[0096] Here, the thermoacoustic system 10D (and also the thermoacoustic systems 10D-10G described later) uses motor 40C as an example. Motors 40, 40A, and 40B may be used instead of motor 40C.

[0097] In this configuration, the motor 40C is located on the side of the heat exchanger 52 (high-temperature heat exchanger). Alternatively, the motor 40C may be located on the side of the heat exchanger 53 (room-temperature heat exchanger). The same applies to the modified example 1 shown in Figure 12.

[0098] The thermoacoustic units 100 are connected by waveguide sections 22. The waveguide sections 22 have a curve, which changes the orientation of the thermoacoustic units 100, arranging the three thermoacoustic units 100 in a triangular shape. The internal cross-sectional area of ​​the tube 21 of the thermoacoustic unit 100 and the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the waveguide section 22 are approximately equal.

[0099] The thermoacoustic system 10D has a thermoacoustic core 50 and functions as a thermoelectric power generation system that converts thermal energy into electrical energy.

[0100] Here, the three thermoacoustic units 100 are arranged almost equally. As a result, acoustic connection is easily established at any frequency, even with a short conduit 20D. Therefore, the thermoacoustic system 10D can operate without using the resonance of the entire system, making the thermoacoustic system 10D compact and highly efficient.

[0101] Figure 12 is a schematic plan view of a thermoacoustic system 10E according to a modified example 1 of the third embodiment of the present invention. The thermoacoustic system 10E has a substantially triangular conduit 20E, and a thermoacoustic unit 100 having a section of the conduit 20 (tube 21), an oscillator 30, a motor 40C, and a thermoacoustic device (thermoacoustic core 50) is arranged on each side of this triangle. The waveguide section 22E has a connecting pipe 221 and two transition pipes 222.

[0102] The connecting pipe 221 has a bend, which changes the orientation of the thermoacoustic unit 100, causing the three thermoacoustic units 100 to be arranged in a triangular shape. The internal cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting pipe 221 is smaller than the internal cross-sectional area of ​​a portion of the conduit 20 (pipe 21) that constitutes the thermoacoustic unit 100.

[0103] The transition pipe 222 is placed between pipe 21 and connecting pipe 221, which have different internal cross-sectional areas, and the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the transition pipe 222 changes between pipe 21 and connecting pipe 221. That is, the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the transition pipe 222 increases as it approaches pipe 21, approaching the internal cross-sectional area of ​​pipe 21, and then decreases as it approaches pipe 21, approaching the internal cross-sectional area of ​​pipe 21. The reason for providing a gradient in the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the transition pipe 222 is to reduce energy loss when pipe 21 and connecting pipe 221, which have different internal cross-sectional areas, are directly connected.

[0104] Figure 13 is a schematic plan view of a thermoacoustic system 10F according to a modified example 2 of the third embodiment of the present invention. The thermoacoustic system 10F has a substantially triangular conduit 20F, and each side of this triangle has a thermoacoustic core 50A instead of a thermoacoustic core 50. As a result, the thermoacoustic system 10F functions as a thermoacoustic cooling system.

[0105] Figure 14 is a schematic plan view of a thermoacoustic system 10G according to a modified example 3 of the third embodiment of the present invention. The thermoacoustic system 10G has a substantially triangular conduit 20G, and each side of this triangle has a thermoacoustic core 50B instead of a thermoacoustic core 50. As a result, the thermoacoustic system 10G functions as a thermoacoustic heating system.

[0106] In the modified example 2 of Figure 13, the motor 40C may be positioned on either the 52A side or the 53 side of the thermoacoustic core 50A. Similarly, in the modified example 3 of Figure 14, the motor 40C may be positioned on either the 52B side or the 53B side of the thermoacoustic core 50B.

[0107] Thermoacoustic systems 10D to 10G are included in thermoacoustic system 10, etc., and produce the same effects as thermoacoustic system 10, etc.

[0108] In the thermoacoustic systems 10D to 10G, the conduit 20 has a triangular shape, and thermoacoustic units 100 are placed on each side of the triangle. In the thermoacoustic system 10, etc., the number of thermoacoustic units 100 is not limited to 3, but can be any number of 1 or more. For example, the number of thermoacoustic units 100 in the thermoacoustic system 10, etc. may be 2, 4 or more. For example, the conduit 20 may be rectangular, and thermoacoustic units 100 may be placed on each of the four sides. Alternatively, thermoacoustic units 100 may be placed on only sides 1 to 3 of the four sides. Even when the conduit 20 is triangular, thermoacoustic units 100 may be placed on only one or two of the three sides.

[0109] In thermoacoustic systems 10D to 10H, the thermoacoustic units 100 within the system are of the same type. However, multiple thermoacoustic units 100 of different types may be arranged within the system. For example, thermoacoustic units 100 having thermoacoustic cores 50, 50A, and 50B, respectively, may be combined as appropriate.

[0110] 〔summary〕 A thermoacoustic system according to embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a conduit having an annular shape, a vibrator provided in a portion of the conduit which divides the conduit space in the portion into a first space and a second space, a motor having a movable element arranged in the first space and connected to the vibrator, which converts kinetic energy and electrical energy, and a thermoacoustic device arranged in the second space.

[0111] The thermoacoustic system according to Embodiment 1 has a configuration in which a thermoacoustic device and a motor are arranged with a vibrator in between, which allows for a compact system. Furthermore, this configuration does not require branch pipes for operation, thereby reducing energy loss caused by branch pipes. Moreover, the thermoacoustic system according to Embodiment 1 can be constructed with one vibrator (i.e., one piston), and compared to a thermoacoustic system with multiple pistons, it can reduce the sliding resistance caused by the pistons and improve operational efficiency.

[0112] In the thermoacoustic system according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, the motor and the thermoacoustic device may be arranged in close proximity and in series in the above embodiment 1.

[0113] As a result, in the thermoacoustic system according to embodiment 2, it becomes easier to make the thermoacoustic system more compact and to improve the efficiency of the conversion between thermal energy and electrical energy.

[0114] In the thermoacoustic system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, in embodiment 1 or 2 described above, there may be a gap between the motor and the inner wall of the partial section through which a working fluid can pass.

[0115] As a result, the thermoacoustic system according to embodiment 3 has a gap through which the working fluid can pass, thereby reducing the loss of kinetic energy of the working fluid near the motor.

[0116] A thermoacoustic system according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in aspect 3 described above, comprises a container arranged in the first space, enclosing the motor, and having a rounded outer shape, wherein the gap may be formed between the inner wall of the partial section and the container.

[0117] As a result, the rounded shape of the container guides the working fluid, facilitating its flow near the motor and reducing the loss of kinetic energy in the working fluid.

[0118] A thermoacoustic system according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in any one of aspects 1 to 4 above, comprises a piston and a seal made of an elastic material that surrounds the outer edge of the piston and is in close contact with the outer edge of the piston, wherein the outer edge of the seal is in close contact with the inner wall over the entire circumference of the inner wall of the part, and at least a part of the outer edge of the seal may be fixed to the inner wall.

[0119] As a result, the seal undergoes elastic deformation, and the piston performs a periodic reciprocating motion in the space inside the tube (i.e., behaves as a harmonic oscillator) in accordance with this elastic deformation. In the thermoacoustic system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, sliding resistance can be reduced because no sliding part can be generated at the boundary between the inner wall and the seal.

[0120] The thermoacoustic system according to embodiment 6 of the present invention may include a plurality of units comprising the partial section, the vibrator, the motor, and the thermoacoustic device in any one of embodiments 1 to 5 described above.

[0121] By using multiple units, each consisting of a section, a vibrator, a motor, and a thermoacoustic device, to form a ring-shaped conduit, efficient conversion between thermal energy and electrical energy becomes easier.

[0122] In the thermoacoustic system according to embodiment 7 of the present invention, in embodiment 6 described above, the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting pipes that connect the plurality of units in the conduit may be smaller than the internal cross-sectional area of ​​a portion of the unit.

[0123] As a result, the flow velocity of the working fluid flowing from the connecting pipes between units into the thermoacoustic devices of the units is reduced due to the difference in the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the pipelines and connecting pipes, thereby reducing energy loss in the thermoacoustic devices.

[0124] A thermoacoustic system according to aspect 8 of the present invention comprises a conduit having an annular shape, a vibrator provided in a portion of the conduit which divides the conduit space in the portion into a first space and a second space, a motor having a movable element arranged in the first space and connected to the vibrator, which converts kinetic energy and electrical energy, and a thermoacoustic device arranged in the second space, wherein the thermoacoustic device has a thermoacoustic core which converts thermal energy into acoustic energy, the vibrator which converts the acoustic energy into kinetic energy, and the motor which converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy and outputs it.

[0125] The thermoacoustic power generation system according to Embodiment 8 has a configuration in which a thermoacoustic device and a motor are arranged with a vibrator in between, which allows for a more compact system. Furthermore, this configuration does not require branch pipes for operation, thereby reducing energy loss caused by branch pipes. Moreover, the thermoacoustic system according to Embodiment 1 can be constructed with one vibrator (i.e., one piston), and compared to a thermoacoustic system having multiple pistons, it can reduce the sliding resistance caused by the pistons and improve operational efficiency.

[0126] A thermoacoustic heat pump system according to aspect 9 of the present invention comprises a conduit having an annular shape, a vibrator provided in a portion of the conduit which divides the conduit space in the portion into a first space and a second space, a motor having a movable element arranged in the first space and connected to the vibrator, which converts kinetic energy and electrical energy, and a thermoacoustic device arranged in the second space, wherein the thermoacoustic device has a thermoacoustic core, the motor converts electrical energy into kinetic energy, the vibrator converts the kinetic energy into acoustic energy, and the thermoacoustic core may produce a heat pump effect associated with the input acoustic energy.

[0127] The thermoacoustic heat pump system according to Embodiment 9 has a configuration in which a thermoacoustic device and a motor are arranged with a vibrator in between, which allows for a more compact system. Furthermore, this configuration does not require branch pipes for operation, thereby reducing energy loss caused by branch pipes. Moreover, the thermoacoustic system according to Embodiment 9 can be constructed with one vibrator (i.e., one piston), which reduces the sliding resistance caused by the pistons compared to a thermoacoustic system with multiple pistons, thereby improving operational efficiency.

[0128] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0129] 10, 10A~10G Thermoacoustic System 20, 20D conduit 21 tube P1 Port 1 P2 2nd Port Si pipe space S1 1st space S2 2nd space 22, 22E Waveguide section 221 Connecting pipe 222 Transition tube 223A Through hole 30, 30A, 30B resonator 31, 31A, 31B seals 32, 32A, 32B pistons 40, 40A~40C motor 41, 41A~41C mover 411B Rotor 412 Second York 412B Connecting Rod 413 Permanent Magnet 4131 S pole 4132 N pole 413B Parallel 42 First York 42A York 421A First York 42B Rotary Motor 421B Output shaft 422A Second York 43, 412A coil 43A Permanent Magnet 44 Container 45 Fixing member 50, 50A, 50B Thermoacoustic Cores 51 Heat storage 52, 52A, 52B, 53, 53B heat exchanger 521 frames 522 Tube 523 Finn 100 Thermoacoustic Units

Claims

1. A conduit having a ring shape, A vibrator installed in a portion of the aforementioned pipeline, the vibrator divides the internal space of the pipeline in that portion into a first space and a second space, A motor is arranged in the first space and has a movable element connected to the oscillator, which converts kinetic energy and electrical energy. A thermoacoustic device arranged in the second space, A thermoacoustic system equipped with this feature.

2. The thermoacoustic system according to claim 1, wherein the motor and the thermoacoustic device are arranged in close proximity and in series.

3. The thermoacoustic system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there is a gap between the motor and the inner wall of the portion of the section through which a working fluid can pass.

4. It is provided with a container that is arranged in the first space, encloses the motor, and has a rounded outer shape, The thermoacoustic system according to claim 3, wherein the gap is formed between the inner wall of the portion and the container.

5. The vibrator comprises a piston and a seal made of an elastic material that surrounds the outer edge of the piston and is in close contact with the outer edge of the piston. The seal is such that its outer edge is in close contact with the inner wall over the entire circumference of the inner wall of the aforementioned section. The thermoacoustic system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the outer edge of the seal is fixed to the inner wall.

6. The thermoacoustic system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of units comprising the aforementioned partial section, the vibrator, the motor, and the thermoacoustic device.

7. The thermoacoustic system according to claim 6, wherein the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting pipes that connect the plurality of units in the pipeline is smaller than the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the portion of the unit that constitutes the unit.

8. A conduit having a ring shape, A vibrator installed in a portion of the aforementioned pipeline, the vibrator divides the internal space of the pipeline in that portion into a first space and a second space, A motor is arranged in the first space and has a movable element connected to the oscillator, which converts kinetic energy and electrical energy. The system comprises a thermoacoustic device arranged in the second space, The thermoacoustic device has a thermoacoustic core, The aforementioned thermoacoustic core converts thermal energy into acoustic energy, The vibrator converts the acoustic energy into kinetic energy, The motor is a thermoacoustic power generation system that converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy and outputs it.

9. A conduit having a ring shape, A vibrator installed in a portion of the aforementioned pipeline, the vibrator divides the internal space of the pipeline in that portion into a first space and a second space, A motor is arranged in the first space and has a movable element connected to the oscillator, which converts kinetic energy and electrical energy. The system comprises a thermoacoustic device arranged in the second space, The thermoacoustic device has a thermoacoustic core, The motor converts electrical energy into kinetic energy, The oscillator converts the kinetic energy into acoustic energy, The thermoacoustic core generates a heat pump effect associated with the input acoustic energy, forming a thermoacoustic heat pump system.

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