Heat/acoustic wave conversion component and heat/acoustic wave conversion unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Honeycomb structures used in heat/acoustic wave conversion components have low startability due to insufficient critical temperature difference for generating acoustic waves, leading to inefficient heat/acoustic wave conversion.
Innovation Solution
A heat/acoustic wave conversion component with a honeycomb structure featuring cells with hydraulic diameters of 0.4 mm or less, an open frontal area of 60% to 93%, and a distribution of hydraulic diameters with a relative standard deviation of 2% to 30%, along with varying cell thickness and open frontal areas, to enhance startability and energy conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the through hole diameter is reduced to enhance thermoacoustic effect, then the heat/acoustic wave conversion function is improved, but the manufacturing durability and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform cell structures within the honeycomb body. Different cells have different hydraulic diameters, with some cells having larger diameters for enhanced thermoacoustic effect and others having smaller diameters for structural strength. This local variation allows simultaneous optimization of heat/acoustic wave conversion function in certain regions and structural integrity in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategy by combining cells with different hydraulic diameter characteristics within a single honeycomb structure. This creates a composite functional structure where cells with optimized diameters for thermoacoustic conversion coexist with cells providing structural support, achieving both high conversion efficiency and durability.
2Power
If the temperature difference is increased to generate acoustic waves, then the energy conversion is enhanced, but the startability is reduced due to insufficient critical temperature difference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the hydraulic diameter parameter across different cells in the honeycomb structure. This creates a distribution of critical temperature differences among cells, allowing the system to start acoustic wave generation at lower overall temperature differences while maintaining high energy conversion capability through cells with optimal diameter parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the honeycomb structure into cells with different hydraulic diameter characteristics. This segmentation allows different cell groups to activate at different temperature difference thresholds, improving startability by enabling gradual activation from cells with lower critical temperature differences to those with higher differences, thereby enhancing overall system responsiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform cell structure is used for simplicity, then the manufacturing is easier, but the heat/acoustic wave conversion efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by introducing controlled variations in cell hydraulic diameters within the honeycomb structure. While maintaining a generally uniform manufacturing process, specific cells are designed with different diameter parameters to optimize thermoacoustic performance, achieving high conversion efficiency without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The improved honeycomb structure increases the startability and energy conversion efficiency of heat/acoustic wave conversion, allowing for effective conversion of heat into acoustic wave energy with improved durability and thermal performance.
Implementation Method 1
an energy recycling system attracts attention because the acquisition rate (energy efficiency) of the energy acquired is high. The energy recycling system converts heat of high-temperature fluid, such as exhaust gas from automobiles, to acoustic-wave energy by a thermoacoustic effect
Data Source
AI summary
A heat/acoustic wave conversion component includes a partition wall that defines a plurality of cells, inside of the cells being filled with fluid that oscillates to transmit acoustic waves, the heat/acoustic wave conversion component mutually converting heat exchanged between the partition wall and the fluid and energy of acoustic waves resulting from oscillations of the fluid. The plurality of cells have an average of hydraulic diameters HDs that is 0.4 mm or less in a plane perpendicular to the cell extending direction, the heat/acoustic wave conversion component has an open frontal area at each end face of 60% or more and 93% or less, and distribution of hydraulic diameters HDs of the plurality of cells has relative standard deviation that is 2% or more and 30% or less.