Abstract
A thermoacoustic power converter consists of a thermoacoustic heat engine driving a linear alternator connected to a matched electric load. Accordingly, linear alternators are essential parts of thermoacoustic power converters. However, integration of a linear alternator in a thermoacoustic power converter is complicated since it requires acoustic matching with the thermoacoustic engine as well as electrical matching with the electric load connected to it and fast protection against piston over-stroking. In order to simplify the integration process, an experimental setup designed and built, in which the acoustic power generated by a thermoacoustic engine simulated by an acoustic driver. This setup provides a platform to test and evaluate the performance of a linear alternator in a controlled environment before integrated into thermoacoustic heat engines that allows identification and resolution of potential problems only related to linear alternators. A control circuit designed and built to protect the alternator’s piston against over-stroking. A non-linear electric load connected to the alternator to provide a stable operating point of the complete system. In this setup, instrumentation is used to monitor the main variables (input and output current, input and output volt, dynamic gas pressure at exit of acoustic driver and inlet of linear alternator, dynamic gas pressure in the enclosure volume of the acoustic driver and linear alternator, acoustic driver stroke, linear alternator stroke, air and coil temperatures). The setup allows use of different resonators to simulate the effects of different front volumes on the performance of linear alternators and allows alterations in the enclosure volumes housing the acoustic driver and/or alternator to control their resonance frequencies. Results show the performance of a given linear alternator under different operating frequencies, mean gas pressure, gas mixtures, input voltage, electrical resistance and zener break-down voltage.
Department
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree Name
MS in Mechanical Engineering
Graduation Date
6-1-2015
Submission Date
May 2015
First Advisor
Abdel Rahman, Ehab
Committee Member 1
Essawey, Abdelmaged
Committee Member 2
Sabry, Ashraf
Extent
109 p.
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Library of Congress Subject Heading 1
Heat-engines -- Thermodynamics.
Library of Congress Subject Heading 2
Aerothermodynamics.
Rights
The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval
Not necessary for this item
Recommended Citation
APA Citation
Abdelmwgoud, M.
(2015).Integration of linear alternators in thermoacoustic heat Engines [Master's Thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain.
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/152
MLA Citation
Abdelmwgoud, Moamen Bellah. Integration of linear alternators in thermoacoustic heat Engines. 2015. American University in Cairo, Master's Thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain.
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/152
Comments
- European Union for funding this project. - Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology for my M.Sc. fellowship.