Thermoacoustic device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoacoustic devices face challenges in efficiently amplifying sound waves and reducing attenuation, which affects the conversion efficiency between thermal and sound energy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a vibration plate within the loop pipe between the high-temperature side heat exchanger of the second stack and the high-temperature side heat exchanger of the first stack, which vibrates in the axial direction, to amplify sound waves generated by the temperature gradient in the first stack, thereby improving the conversion efficiency between thermal and sound energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking wall or vibrator is provided in the loop pipe to control gas flow or separate working fluids, then gas circulation is prevented or working fluids are separated, but the device complexity increases and sound wave attenuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the blocking wall and vibrator components from the loop pipe system. Instead of using these complex mechanical components to control gas flow and separate working fluids, the invention allows direct communication between the first and second loop pipes, simplifying the device structure while maintaining the necessary flow control through the thermoacoustic effect itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop pipe serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the working fluid, transmits sound waves, and allows thermal energy conversion. By eliminating the need for separate blocking walls and vibrators, the loop pipe system achieves gas flow control and working fluid separation through its inherent thermoacoustic properties rather than requiring additional specialized components.
2Power
If a resonance pipe having a length equal to or longer than three times the loop lengths is provided between the first loop pipe and the second loop pipe, then sound wave amplification is achieved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first loop pipe and second loop pipe into a single integrated loop pipe system. The connection between what would have been separate pipes is achieved through direct communication within the same loop pipe, eliminating the need for a separate resonance pipe. This integration maintains sound wave amplification while significantly reducing the overall device length.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the system in one dimension by adding a long resonance pipe, the invention reorganizes the pipe arrangement within the existing loop pipe structure. The sound wave amplification is achieved through the thermoacoustic effect within the compact loop pipe configuration, effectively utilizing the three-dimensional space within the loop pipe rather than requiring linear extension.
3Productivity
If the loop pipe length is increased to improve heat exchange efficiency, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but sound wave attenuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the loop pipe length to a specific range (0.5 to 2 meters) that balances heat exchange efficiency and sound wave attenuation. By carefully selecting this parameter, the system achieves effective heat exchange while maintaining sufficient sound wave intensity. The single loop pipe configuration also improves sound wave transmission compared to multi-pipe systems with longer total path lengths.
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 introduction of the vibration plate enhances sound wave amplification, leading to improved conversion efficiency and reduced attenuation, effectively cooling a target outside the loop pipe by amplifying the sound wave generated by the temperature gradient in the first stack.
Implementation Method 1
a first stack disposed within the loop pipe, the first stack generating a sound wave in the loop pipe by a temperature gradient in the first stack
Implementation Method 2
a second stack disposed within the loop pipe, the second stack generating a temperature gradient in the second stack by the sound wave of the loop pipe
Implementation Method 3
a first vibration plate, disposed in the loop pipe between the end of the second stack where the second high-temperature side heat exchanger is disposed and the one end of the first stack, which vibrates in an axial direction of the loop pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoacoustic device includes a loop pipe, a first stack that is disposed in the loop pipe and that generates a sound wave in the loop pipe by way of a temperature gradient, a second stack that is disposed in the loop pipe and that generates a temperature gradient, a first high temperature side heat exchanger that is disposed at one end of the first stack and that makes the temperature of the one end of the first stack be higher than the other end, and a first low temperature side heat exchanger that is disposed at the other end of the first stack and that makes the temperature of the other end of the first stack be lower than the one end.