Thermoacoustic magnetohydrodynamic electrical generator
A thermoacoustic magnetohydrodynamic electrical generator includes an intrinsically irreversible thermoacoustic heat engine coupled to a magnetohydrodynamic electrical generator. The heat engine includes an electrically conductive liquid metal as the working fluid and includes two heat exchange and thermoacoustic structure assemblies which drive the liquid in a push-pull arrangement to cause the liquid metal to oscillate at a resonant acoustic frequency on the order of 1000 Hz. The engine is positioned in the field of a magnet and is oriented such that the liquid metal oscillates in a direction orthogonal to the field of the magnet, whereby an alternating electrical potential is generated in the liquid metal. Low-loss, low-inductance electrical conductors electrically connected to opposite sides of the liquid metal conduct an output signal to a transformer adapted to convert the low-voltage, high-current output signal to a more usable higher voltage, lower current signal.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- None
- Application Number:
- ON: DE85017768
- OSTI ID:
- 5277298
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
300101* -- MHD Generators-- Design & Development
ACOUSTICS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICS
MHD GENERATORS
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
TESTING
THERMAL TESTING
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS