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Energy: mini generator

 ultrasonic internal combustion engine power generator
  (+3, -1)
(+3, -1) 		  [vote for,
against]

This idea is to generate power in a small package. Its operation depends on a combination of fluid dynamics and wave propagation. One important question is whether the energy required for ignition is greater than that returned by the combustion. The size and intensity of the process would need to be just right. Also, it would need to be configured so that the wave propagation and gas expansion from combustion function together. A computer program to simulate it would help a lot.

It needs electronic circuitry for its operation. The frequency of the resonating tweeter, fuel and air flow, as well as spark timing are essential considerations. The special tweeter would have to be predriven during startup.

Thanks to ImageShack for image linked below.

—Aris, Jun 18 2005

ICE electricity generator http://img152.echo....ltrasonicice9rn.jpg
Special tweeter produces electricity when fuel burned in a 2-stroke cycle. [Aris, Jun 18 2005]

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       I can't tell what your actual invention is. What physical phenomenon do you convert into energy, and where does it originate?
—jutta, Jun 18 2005
   

       So this is a small internal combustion engine?
—Basepair, Jun 18 2005
   

       Yes, it must be small enough so that the frequency of operation is high enough since the expanding gases of combustion will only go so fast. However, since the frequency would be much higher than conventional engines, the stroke, and therefore, the volume, can be much less and still produce usable power output.
—Aris, Jun 18 2005
   

       You're proposing a sort of... Vibration based pizzo-electric generator? It'd have to have a -much- higher frequency to produce any noticable power output at all, considering the sort of power a tweeter uses, and therefore, if driven, would generate... Interesting take on miniture internal combustion engines, though
—{WhiteFang}, Jun 19 2005
   

       I have thought that piezo tweeters are not strong enough for much output power. I have been thinking more along the lines of a low DC resistance voice coil type of tweeter. The internal sound pressure levels involved may be around 200dB.
—Aris, Jun 19 2005
   

       some advantages: 1 No rubbing parts and so no oil needed. 2 up to a few hp output from a few pound device. 3 with enough starting sound dB input, diesel operation may occur--no spark needed.   

       disadvantages: 1 no mechanical intake valve--backfire prevention may be tricky. Air inflow speed must exceed flame propagation speed. Intake baffles resist backflow. 2 Acoustical muffling needed even for ultrasonic operation to protect hearing--maybe fiberglass good enough.
—Aris, Jun 19 2005
   

       A recent news article about a mini turbine engine made of silicon reminded me of this mini ICE idea. The article mentioned that the small turbine would replace batteries in small devices like cell phones.
—Aris, Sep 23 2006
   

       Ah. Meet the new Vernon, folks.   

       This is over my head. Kudos for that.
—DesertFox, Sep 24 2006
   

       Pulse-jet scaled down to whine-jet... and used to power a hearing aid. I'm sure I've heard 'em.
—lurch, Sep 24 2006
   

       So basically using a speaker in reverse, powered by explosions, as a piston engine, to create current?   

       Interesting. Takes a few layers of mechanical complexity out of the traditional piston- crankshaft- driveshaft- generator coil arrangement. Dunno about efficiency comparisons, but [+] for original thinking.
—BunsenHoneydew, Dec 06 2006
   

       Also, there's no reason to stick to a piezo tweeter scale device. It should scale up nicely, to say a good 18" titanium cone subwoofer with beefy magnets behind it.   

       Think of a traditional automotive cylinder and piston, with valves etc, where the piston rod is straight, has magnets mounted directly on it, and passes through a coil. This is different from your device admittedly; I'm just using it to illustrate scaling (and what I understand of the basic operation)   

       Either way, you get AC power out. Time and size it right, and you get 50/60Hz.
—BunsenHoneydew, Dec 06 2006
   

       Bunsen, thanks. I think the device needs to be small so that the diaphragm vibrates at a frequency above the range of human hearing. But even more important is that, at high frequencies, it is easier to absorb escaping sonic energy.   

       Also, the pressures involved must be much higher than a normal loudspeaker can handle since the efficiency of internal combustion depends on the compression ratio of the fuel/air mixture.
—Aris, Feb 15 2007
   


 

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