Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE A
ISSN 1009-3095(Print), 1862-1775(Online), Monthly

2007   Vol. 8   No. 2   p. 205~209

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Experimental observation on a small-scale thermoacoustic prime mover

JIN Tao^†, ZHANG Bao-sen, TANG Ke^†‡, BAO Rui, CHEN Guo-bang

(Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)
^‡ Corresponding Author
^†E-mail: jintao@zju.edu.cn; ktang@zju.edu.cn
Received Apr. 11, 2006 revision accepted Aug. 14, 2006

Abstract: A miniature thermoacoustic prime mover, consuming heat to radiate sound, may be considered as a potential way of heat management in microcircuits because of its simplicity and stability. A prototype with variable resonant tube length of 10 to 25 cm was built, and experiments were carried out to observe its performance, such as onset temperature, oscillation amplitude and operating frequency. The results with atmospheric air showed that proper structures and operating conditions can make the system start an oscillation at a temperature lower than 100 °C, which proves the feasibility of potential usage in electronic units. The influences of stack position, heat input power or tube inclination on the oscillation amplitude, onset temperature and operating frequency are also presented.

Key words: Thermoacoustics, Miniaturization, Onset temperature
doi:10.1631/jzus.2007.A0205             CLC number: TB6; TK91

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