Electrical generator or motor structure – Dynamoelectric – Conducting fluid
Patent
1999-06-28
2000-02-22
Dougherty, Thomas M.
Electrical generator or motor structure
Dynamoelectric
Conducting fluid
310308, G21D 702
Patent
active
060283750
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an MHD generator for converting heat energy into electric power.
BACKGROUND ART
As a device for converting heat energy from a heat source of several hundred degrees centigrade into electric power, the thermoelectric generator is conventionally known which utilizes the Seebeck effect. However, its output voltage is extremely low. With a differential temperature of 100.degree. C., the output voltage is about 10 mV at the highest and has little practical meaning.
On the other hand, a proposal of MHD generation has been made in which a liquid metal having electric conductivity such as mercury is used as a working fluid. However, there has been no appropriate means for efficiently moving the electricity conducting liquid or liquid metal using the heat source.
The object of this invention is to provide an MHD generator capable of efficiently converting heat energy into kinetic energy of an electricity conducting liquid or liquid metal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject of this invention is an MHD generator comprising; for a specified period of time by transmitting heat from a high temperature heat source through a heat pipe having a thermal switch function, and discharging heat for a specified period of time to a low temperature heat source through a heat pipe also having a thermal switch function, and thermal switches, causing an electricity conducting liquid or liquid metal sealed in the same chamber to move and generate electricity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view in cross section of the device of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An embodiment of the invention will be hereinafter described in steps in reference to the appended drawings.
Step (a): Thermal switches 42 and 51 are turned off. At the same time, thermal switches 41 and 52 are turned on for a specified period of time.
Step (b): As a result, heat flows from a high temperature medium 1 through a heat pipe 21 to a fluid 71 in a tightly closed chamber 61, and the pressure of the fluid 71 increases. At the same time, heat flows from a fluid 72 in a tightly closed chamber 62 through a heat pipe 32 to a low temperature heat medium 2, and the pressure of the fluid 72 in the tightly closed chamber 62 decreases.
Step (c): Automatic valves 81 and 82 are opened.
Step (d): As a result, the expansion and contraction of the fluid occur so as to reduce difference in pressures, and an electricity conducting liquid 4 moves from left to right.
Step (e): As the electricity conducting liquid flows across a magnetic field produced with a magnet 5, a voltage is produced between terminals 7 through electrodes 6.
Step (f): The automatic valves 81 and 82 are closed with appropriate timing.
Step (g): In this step, opposite the step (a), the thermal switches 41 and 52 are turned off. At the same time, the thermal switches 42 and 51 are turned on.
Step (h): As a result, phenomena similar to those in the steps (b) through (e) occur in the reverse direction.
Step (i): Electricity is continuously produced by repeating the steps (a) through (g).
Incidentally, in the case sufficient expansion-contraction speeds of the fluid are obtained, the automatic valves 81 and 82 may be omitted. Alternatively, it is also possible to operate without providing the heat pipes 22 and 32 but providing a heat pipe having the functions of a high temperature switch and a low temperature switch.
With this invention, heat energy even from a heat source that is not at so high temperature may be converted to electric power of a relatively high voltage. Therefore, effective use of relatively low temperature heat energy such as the heat collected from cooling waste heat and solar heat energy becomes possible.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spi
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Dougherty Thomas M.
Mattison Brian M.
Waks Joseph
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