A method of characterising performance of audio loudspeakers for linear alternator applications in low-cost thermoacoustic electricity generators

Yu, Zhibin; Saechan, Patcharin; Jaworski, Artur J.

doi:10.1016/j.apacoust.2010.11.011

Cited by 34 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The influence of load resistance on the acoustic-to-electrical efficiency was also studied with the displacement amplitude kept constant. 54 It is confirmed that an optimal load resistance exists, which leads to a high transduction efficiency. For the loudspeaker B&C 6PS38, an acoustic-to-electrical transduction efficiency of around 60% can be achieved.…”

Section: Characterization Of Audio Loudspeakers As Alternatorssupporting

confidence: 49%

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Development of thermoacoustic devices for power generation and refrigeration

Jaworski

Mao

2013

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A:

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This paper is intended as a technical overview of the research and development work initially undertaken at the University of Manchester and subsequently transferred to the University of Leicester as part of the EPSRC-funded SCORE project (Stove for Cooking, Refrigeration and Electricity supply). The objectives of the work were twofold: Firstly, to develop an early demonstrator of a low-power electricity generator (to deliver approximately 10-20 W of electricity). This was to be based on the concept of using low-cost materials, working fluids and linear alternators suitable for deployment in rural areas of developing countries. The issues of concern here were the development of a suitable thermoacoustic engine topology and control measures; design of suitable heat exchanger configurations from initial use of electrical heaters to heat input through propane combustion; and characterisation of commercial loudspeakers to work as linear alternators and subsequent incorporation of selected models for engine prototyping purposes. These matters will be illustrated by a number of demonstrators and their testing in the laboratory environment. Secondly, to develop a demonstrator of a combustion driven thermoacoustic cooler for storage of vital medical supplies in remote and rural areas where there is no access to electricity grid. To this end, the paper will describe the design, construction and test results of an electrically driven demonstrator of a standing wave thermoacoustic engine coupled to a travelling wave thermoacoustic cooler. The final part of the paper will summarise the achievements to date and outline future work that has spun out from the original SCORE project. This will in particular include the current work on a scaled up version of electricity generator designed to deliver 100 W of electricity by using a two-stage engine configuration and the issues of integration of the thermoacoustic electricity generator and thermoacoustic cooler into one system.

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Section: Characterization Of Audio Loudspeakers As Alternatorssupporting

confidence: 49%

“…A simple linear model 54 of the loudspeaker that is used as a transduction device is developed and schematically shown in Figure 12. A pressure difference, Áp is applied on the loudspeaker diaphragm that has an effective area S, caused by the acoustic wave.…”

Section: Characterization Of Audio Loudspeakers As Alternatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of thermoacoustic devices for power generation and refrigeration

Jaworski

Mao

2013

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A:

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“…The modelling and analysis for using loudspeakers as linear alternators have been described and presented in detail in the reference [19]. The loudspeaker can be simplified and schematically represented by the elements as shown in Fig.…”

Section: Selecting a Loudspeaker As Alternatormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The loudspeaker can be simplified and schematically represented by the elements as shown in Fig. 1 of reference [19]. The diaphragm has an area of S. The total moving mass is M m .…”

Section: Selecting a Loudspeaker As Alternatormentioning

confidence: 99%

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A two-stage traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator with loudspeakers as alternators

Kang

Cheng

et al. 2015

Applied Energy

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This paper presents the design, construction and tests of a traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator. A two-stage travelling-wave thermoacoustic engine converts thermal energy to acoustic power. Two low-impedance linear alternators (i.e., audio loudspeakers) were installed to extract and convert the engine's acoustic power to electricity. The coupling mechanism between the thermoacoustic engine and alternators has been systematically studied numerically and experimentally, hence the optimal locations for installing the linear alternators were identified to maximize the electric power output and/or the thermal-to-electric conversion efficiency. A ball valve was used in the loop to partly correct the acoustic field that was altered by manufacturing errors. A prototype was built based on this new concept, which used pressurized helium at 1.8 MPa as the working gas and operated at a frequency of about 171 Hz. In the experiment, a maximum electric power of 204 W when the hot end temperature of the two regenerators reaches 512℃ and 452℃, respectively. A maximum thermal-to-electric efficiency of 3.43% was achieved when the hot end temperature of the two regenerators reaches 597℃ and 511℃, respectively. The research results presented in this paper demonstrate that multi-stage travelling-wave thermoacoustic electricity generator has a great potential for developing inexpensive electric generators.

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