Thermoacoustic 3D printed stack and heat exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoacoustic heat pumps and refrigerators face limitations in efficiently transferring heat due to the need for high thermal conductivity and low heat capacity materials in their stacks, which restrict the formation and maintenance of a thermal gradient for effective heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
The development of thermoacoustic stacks with unique geometries designed for additive manufacturing using polymer materials with low thermal conductivity and high heat capacity, combined with heat exchangers that enhance the transfer of thermal energy through acoustic work energy, allowing for efficient heat pumping from a lower temperature region to a higher temperature region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional materials with high thermal conductivity are used in the stack, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the ability to maintain a thermal gradient deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the stack material by using polymers with low thermal conductivity and high heat capacity, fundamentally altering the thermal behavior to maintain gradients while enabling heat transfer through acoustic work rather than conventional conduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal conduction mechanism with an acoustic work mechanism, where acoustic energy drives the heat transfer process instead of relying on thermal conductivity, thus resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and thermal gradient maintenance
2Temperature
If polymer materials with low thermal conductivity are used in the stack, then thermal gradient maintenance is improved, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the thermal conduction mechanism with an acoustic work mechanism, where acoustic energy actively drives heat transfer through the low-conductivity polymer material, overcoming the natural limitation of low thermal conductivity while maintaining the thermal gradient
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing acoustic energy input, transforming the heat transfer process from passive conduction to active acoustic-driven transport, thereby achieving efficient heat transfer despite low material thermal conductivity
3Stability of the object's composition
If stacks with high heat capacity are used, then thermal gradient stability is improved, but the rate of heat pumping deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive thermal storage with active acoustic pumping, where acoustic work energy continuously drives heat transfer at high rates despite the high heat capacity of the polymer material, overcoming the inertia effect of high heat capacity
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 the effective formation and maintenance of a thermal gradient, enhancing the rate of heat transfer and achieving a refrigerative effect by using 3D printed stacks with specific geometries and heat exchangers that manage thermal energy efficiently, maintaining the desired temperature gradient and extending the operating life of the system.
Implementation Method 1
Thermoacoustic heat pumps and refrigerators use acoustic energy to force heat transfer from lower-temperature sources to higher-temperature sinks by employing a porous medium to maintain a continuous temperature gradient
Implementation Method 2
A thermoacoustic stack permits the formation and maintenance of a thermal temperature gradient in the way of a sustained acoustic disturbance, permitting the forced movement of thermal energy from a region of lower temperature to a region of higher temperature
Implementation Method 3
heat exchangers have been designed and fabricated to extract thermal energy from the warm end of the stack to be discharged to a heat sink
Implementation Method 4
to transfer thermal energy from a refrigerated space to the cooler end of the stack
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoacoustic stack includes an outer wall which is cylindrical and has a length extending between a first end and a second end. An internal wall structure is disposed inside the outer wall. The internal wall structure includes a plurality of spaced adjacent wall surfaces extending along the length of the outer wall to provide open flow passages between the spaced adjacent wall surfaces. A first cross member extends across the outer wall at the first end and is connected to the outer wall and the internal wall structure at the first end.