Heat-driven acoustic cooling engine having no moving parts

Patent · Tue Aug 22 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5183214

Wheatley, J C; Swift, G W; Hofler, T J

The authors present a heat-driven acoustic cooling engine having no moving parts which receives heat from a heat source. The acoustic cooling engine comprises an elongated resonant pressure vessel having first and second ends. A compressible fluid having a substantial thermal expansion coefficient and capable of supporting an acoustic standing wave is contained in the resonant pressure vessel. The heat source supplies heat to the first end of the vessel. A first heat exchanger in the vessel is spaced-apart from the first end and receives heat from the first end. A first thermodynamic element is adjacent to the first heat exchanger and converts some of the heat transmitted by the first heat exchanger into acoustic power. A second thermodynamic element has a first end located spaced-apart from the first thermodynamic element and a second end farther away from the first thermodynamic element that is its first end.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4858441
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-147126A
• OSTI ID: 5183214
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ACOUSTIC HEATING
CONTAINERS
COOLING
DESIGN
ENGINES
HEAT ENGINES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT SINKS
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
MAGNETIC-PUMPING HEATING
PLASMA HEATING
PRESSURE VESSELS
SINKS
THERMODYNAMICS