US 5,319,948 A · Low temperature generation process and expansion engine

Abstract

In a low temperature generation process, compressed gas (3) at high pressure enters from an inlet nozzle (1) and alternately expands into one of two resonator tubes (A,B) of an expansion engine. The expanding gas excites standing acoustic waves (4) in the resonator tubes (A,B). The acoustic energy of the waves (4) is converted into electrical energy by acoustic/electric power converters and is led away outside the "cold area" of the tubes. The expansion engine contains one or more resonator tubes with a common inlet nozzle (1). Each resonator tube has an acoustic/electric power converter (5) and an exhaust port (6). Together with a compressor, a heat exchanger and a heat sink, the expansion engine provides a very effective cooling system which may be used for the cooling of small electronic devices like chips or modules.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of generating electrical power, the method comprising the following steps:

a. releasing compressed gas at high pressure from an inlet nozzle;
b. alternately directing said compressed gas into one of two resonator tubes that are designed to permit standing acoustic waves to be created therein;
c. expanding said compressed gas in said resonator tubes as an adiabatic-isothermic process so as to create said standing acoustic waves;
and
d. converting acoustic energy associated with said standing waves into electrical energy.

2 more elements

An expansion engine comprising:

a first resonator tube having an interior for supporting standing acoustic waves, said first resonator tube having first and second ends;
a second resonator tube having an interior for supporting standing acoustic waves, said second resonator tube having first and second ends;
a common inlet nozzle for releasing pressurized gas into said interiors of said first and second resonator tubes;
a diverter for alternately directing said pressurized gas released by said nozzle into said interior of one of said first and second resonator tubes;
first and second power converters positioned, respectively, in said interiors of said first and second resonator tubes for converting acoustic energy associated with said standing waves into electrical energy;
and
first and second exhaust ports coupled, respectively, with said first and second tubes for releasing gas from said interiors of said first and second tubes.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Low temperature generation process and expansion engine

Life of this patent

Low temperature generation process and expansion engine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18