Alpha-stream convertor
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsRodger W. Dyson, Geoffrey A. Bruder
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Abstract
A thermo-acoustic engine and/or cooler is provided and includes an elongated tubular body, multiple regenerators disposed within the body, multiple heat exchangers disposed within the body, where at least one heat exchanger is disposed adjacent to each of the multiple regenerators, multiple transducers axially disposed at each end of the body, and an acoustic wave source generating acoustic waves. At least one of the acoustic waves is amplified by one of the regenerators and at least another acoustic wave is amplified by a second one of regenerators.
Claims14
A thermo-acoustic engine comprising:
- an elongated body having a linear axis;
- a first regenerator disposed within the body on the linear axis, the first regenerator generating a first acoustic wave;
- a second regenerator disposed within the body on the linear axis, the second regenerator generating a second acoustic wave, wherein the linear axis does not curve between the first and second regenerators;
- a first transducer axially disposed at one end of the body;
- and
- a second transducer axially disposed at an opposite end of the body,
- wherein the first acoustic wave and the second acoustic wave are superimposed to form a higher amplitude acoustic wave.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.