Robert said:
It may depend upon a heatsink temperature unrealistically low for an Earth
environment.
In the shadow of a spacecraft, a lightly loaded heatsink can be extremely
cold.
This device is a replacement for the thermocouple, which is notoriously
inefficient.
So are PV's...
According what written about the device:
<snip>
The traveling-wave engine is a modern-day
adaptation of the 19th century thermodynamic
invention of Robert Stirling -- the Stirling engine --
which is similar to a steam engine, but uses heated
air instead of steam to drive a piston. The
traveling-wave engine works by sending helium gas
through a stack of 322 stainless-steel wire-mesh
discs called a regenerator. The regenerator is connected to a heat
source and a heat sink that causes the helium to expand and
contract. This expansion and contraction creates powerful sound
waves -- in much the same way that lightning in the atmosphere
causes the thermal expansion that produces thunder. These
oscillating sound waves in the traveling-wave engine drive the
piston of a linear alternator that generates electricity.
<snip>
It's about the temperature differential of "Helium" gas...and it
must run here on earth?
I'm sure its thoroughly tested on earth...but probably in space
conditions?
What's wrong with a Solar Parabolic mirror/array for a heat source?
The cold side of course would be ambient?
Means the device would run much hotter...maybe a different gas?
Mixture?
What gas doesn't expand and contract?
We just need to cheaply make those powerful sound waves.....for a
solar powered linear generator...
A magnet moving within a copper coil...or visa/versa..?
And here I thought thunder was caused by the inrush/collapse of air
after the electric
arc burnt it out.......hmmmm its really the thermal expansion? Or
both?
Wonder how noisy it is? Neighbors may not like it?
I just think this is an interesting new concept,
to generate Thermal-Solar electricity.....
