System and method for energy conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy conversion technologies, such as traditional Stirling engines, face limitations in efficiently converting heat into acoustic power and subsequently into electrical energy, particularly in the context of renewable energy sources and ozone-friendly refrigeration systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize phase-exchange processes to convert energy by forming concentration and temperature gradients within an acoustic resonator, generating pressure waves which are then converted into electrical energy through mechanical or thermal means, using a sorbent medium to enhance energy transfer and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional Stirling engines are used to convert heat into acoustic power and then into electrical energy, then energy conversion can be achieved, but the conversion efficiency is limited and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate acoustic power conversion stage from the traditional Stirling engine system. By directly converting thermal energy to electrical energy through thermoelectric generators or similar direct conversion devices, the system removes the complex acoustic-to-mechanical-to-electrical conversion chain, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving energy conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical acoustic power conversion mechanism with a direct thermal-to-electrical conversion system. This substitution eliminates the need for moving parts, acoustic resonance chambers, and mechanical transducers, significantly simplifying the system architecture while enhancing energy conversion efficiency and reliability.
2Loss of energy
If phase-exchange processes are used to convert thermodynamic energy directly into electrical energy, then energy conversion efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases due to concentration and temperature gradient requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the concentration gradient generation and temperature gradient maintenance functions into a single integrated phase-exchange system. The phase-change material simultaneously performs mass transfer (creating concentration gradients) and heat transfer (maintaining temperature gradients), eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high energy conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase-exchange medium serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a heat transfer medium, a mass transfer medium, and an energy conversion medium. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the device structure while enabling efficient direct conversion of thermodynamic energy to electrical energy through the combined effects of concentration and temperature gradients.
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 approach enables efficient conversion of thermodynamic energy into electrical energy, facilitating the generation of electricity and refrigeration while avoiding ozone-depleting substances, with potential applications in renewable energy systems and material separation.
Implementation Method 1
a phase-exchange device configured for forming across a section of the resonator a concentration gradient in a gaseous medium contained by the resonator, to thereby generate a pressure wave within the resonator
Implementation Method 2
converting the thermodynamic energy directly into electrical energy at sufficient amount for performing work therewith
Implementation Method 3
contacting a gaseous medium with a non-gaseous medium to increase concentration of a first substance in the gaseous medium
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method for converting energy. The method comprises receiving energy from an external source, using the received energy for inducing a mass exchange process to release thermodynamic energy, and converting the thermodynamic energy directly into electrical energy at sufficient amount for performing work therewith. In some embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the released energy is converted to a pressure wave, and the mechanical energy constituted by the pressure wave is converted to non-mechanical energy.