Electronic Feedback Controller for Stirling Engine Piston Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional residential and commercial power systems, such as internal combustion and free-piston Stirling engines, are unreliable, require maintenance, and produce noise and pollution, while centralized power plants face challenges due to outdated infrastructure, emissions restrictions, and limited coal supplies, leading to issues with energy availability and cost during peak loads.
Innovation Solution
A novel electronic control system for Stirling engines that uses a feedback controller with a power sensor, computer, and electronic feedback loop to center or offset the piston position, optimizing the Stirling engine's operation by adjusting the position of the piston through a tuning capacitor, load resistor, and DC Bus, allowing for efficient and reliable multistage thermo-acoustic power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional power systems (internal combustion, free-piston Stirling) are used, then power generation is achieved, but reliability deteriorates and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical feedback control system with an electronic control system using a power sensor, computer, and electronic feedback loop. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical components in the control mechanism, thereby improving reliability while maintaining power generation capability. The electronic system can precisely control piston positioning without mechanical wear or failure points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional power systems are used, then power generation is achieved, but device size and weight increase making relocation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical control components with lightweight electronic control components. The power sensor, computer, and electronic feedback loop occupy minimal space and have negligible weight compared to traditional mechanical control systems, enabling the power generation device to be easily relocated and adapted to different locations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional power systems are used, then power generation is achieved, but noise and pollution are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical feedback control with an electronic control system that can precisely regulate engine operation. This electronic control enables optimized combustion processes that reduce noise and emissions while maintaining power generation output. The ability to precisely control piston positioning and timing through electronic means allows for cleaner, quieter operation compared to mechanical control systems.
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 solution enables efficient, reliable, and maintenance-free operation of Stirling engines, capable of varying power levels and heat production, integrating renewable energy sources, and reducing energy costs by enabling local electricity generation and waste heat utilization, while being compact and lightweight for easy installation in residential and commercial settings.
Implementation Method 1
a power sensor configured to sense the power of the Stirling engine then output a power signal
Implementation Method 2
A feedback controller for a Stirling engine is provided that includes a Stirling engine having at least one piston, where the Stirling engine includes an Alpha-Stirling engine, and a Gamma-Stirling engine. The feedback controller includes a power sensor, a computer, and an electronic feedback loop.
Implementation Method 3
Stirling cycle heat engines have been built and tested since the 1800s
Implementation Method 4
Within the past several decades, the work of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Nirvana Energy Systems (NES) have advanced this technology through an offshoot called Thermoacoustics
Data Source
AI summary
A Stirling engine feedback controller is provided that includes a Stirling engine having at least one piston, where the Stirling engine includes an Alpha-Stirling engine, and a Gamma-Stirling engine. The feedback controller includes a power sensor, a computer, and an electronic feedback loop. Here, the power sensor is configured to sense the power of the Stirling engine then output a power signal. In one aspect, the computer can be a central processing unit (CPU), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), where the computer operates a control algorithm. Further, the electronic feedback loop receives the output power signal and an output signal from the computer, where an output signal from the electronic feedback loop is configured to a control a position of the piston(s).