Magnetically Actuated Piston Heat Engine to Eliminate Joule Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat engines, such as Stirling engines, face inefficiencies due to sinusoidal driving forces from electromagnets, uneven rotor cooling, and energy losses from electrical power transmission, including Joule heating and maintenance issues from brushes.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetic elements, such as permanent magnets, to actuate pistons within a rotor's passageway, eliminating the need for direct electrical contact and reducing energy losses by leveraging magnetic forces to power the pistons through magnet arrays on the stator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electromagnets are used to actuate pistons, then driving motion is achieved, but sinusoidal driving force reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnet-based mechanical actuation with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Magnets mounted on the rotor create magnetic forces that directly actuate the pistons without requiring electromagnets, eliminating the sinusoidal driving force issue while maintaining efficient piston motion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the actuation mechanism from electromagnetic to magnetic field-based, fundamentally altering the physical parameter of the driving force. This substitution allows for more efficient energy conversion and eliminates the inefficiencies associated with electromagnet inductance and sinusoidal force generation.
2Power
If brushes are used for electrical power transmission to the rotor, then power is delivered, but Joule heating losses and wear occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the brush-based electrical contact system by using a magnetic field-based actuation system. The magnets on the rotor are passively actuated by the stator's magnetic field, requiring no electrical power transmission to the rotor, thus completely eliminating Joule heating losses and brush wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the brush and electrical contact components from the system. By using permanent magnets on the rotor that are actuated by an external magnetic field, the system eliminates the need for electrical power transmission to the rotating part, removing the source of Joule heating and mechanical wear.
3Temperature
If cooled gas is introduced between rotor and stator, then rotor cooling is achieved, but uneven cooling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system by introducing cooling channels and coolant flow paths that distribute cooled gas to multiple locations on the rotor surface. This segmentation of the cooling delivery system ensures more uniform heat dissipation across the rotor, preventing the concentration of cooling effect only at the outermost surface.
4Loss of energy
If magnets are used to actuate pistons, then Joule heating losses are eliminated, but magnetic force control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field generated by the stator serves multiple functions: it actuates the pistons through magnetic attraction/repulsion and simultaneously provides the rotating magnetic field necessary for rotor rotation. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall control system while eliminating Joule heating losses, as the same magnetic field performs both actuation and rotation functions.
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
This solution enhances efficiency by eliminating Joule heating losses, reducing wear and maintenance, and allowing precise control of the magnetic force to optimize piston motion, thereby improving the operational efficiency of heat engines.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnetic force is created as the rotor rotates about an axis of rotation, the first magnetic force representing a first amount of force required to actuate the first piston within the first passageway of the rotor
Implementation Method 2
Heat engines use energy provided in the form of heat to do work
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotating machine is disclosed and includes a stator defining a circumference, a plurality of first magnet arrays, a rotor, and a first piston. The first magnet arrays are comprised of a plurality of discrete magnets arranged around the circumference of the stator in a first magnetic pattern. The rotor is rotatable about an axis of rotation and defines a main body. The main body defines a first passageway. The first piston includes a plurality of first magnetic elements and is actuated within the first passageway of the rotor. The plurality of discrete magnets are arranged in the first magnetic pattern and are positioned to interact with the magnetic elements of the first piston to create a first magnetic force as the rotor rotates about the axis of rotation. The first magnetic force represents a first amount of force required to actuate the first piston.