Introduction to Acoustic Compressors

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart Lipkens ◽  
Fred Lalande ◽  
David Perkins

Abstract The emergence of acoustic compressors has been made possible by the development of a new technology called Resonant MacroSonic Synthesis (RMS). RMS allows the creation of macrosonic standing waves in acoustic resonators. The shape of the resonator controls the nonlinear fluid dynamic processes by which energy is transferred to higher harmonics. Through this process resonators have been designed that allow high-amplitude shock-free waveforms. A variable reluctance driver is used to transfer energy into the resonator. The entire resonator is oscillated along its axis at the fundamental acoustic resonance frequency. This process is called entire resonator drive. The valve technology used in these compressors is similar to that of conventional reciprocating compressors. Acoustic compressors are inherently variable capacity and oil-free. Other unique characteristics are flexible orientation and low profile packaging option. Development focuses on vapor-compression applications. The application discussed here is spot-cooling.

Author(s):  
Dion Savio Antao ◽  
Bakhtier Farouk

A numerical study of non-linear, high amplitude standing waves in non-cylindrical circular resonators is reported here. These waves are shock-less and can generate peak acoustic overpressures that can exceed the ambient pressure by three/four times its nominal value. A high fidelity compressible computational fluid dynamic model is used to simulate the phenomena in cylindrical and arbitrarily shaped axisymmetric resonators. A right circular cylinder and frustum of cone are the two geometries studied. The model is validated using past numerical and experimental results of standing waves in cylindrical resonators. The non-linear nature of the harmonic response of the frustum of cone resonator system is investigated for two different working fluids (carbon dioxide and argon) operating at various values of piston amplitude. The high amplitude non-linear oscillations demonstrated can be used as a prime mover in a variety of applications including thermoacoustic cryocooling.


Author(s):  
N. Fdida ◽  
J. Hardi ◽  
H. Kawashima ◽  
B. Knapp ◽  
M. Oschwald ◽  
...  

Experiments presented in this paper were conducted with the BKH rocket combustor at the European Research and Technology Test Facility P8, located at DLR Lampoldshausen. This combustor is dedicated to study the effects of high magnitude instabilities on oxygen/hydrogen flames, created by forcing high-frequency (HF) acoustic resonance of the combustion chamber. This work addresses the need for highly temporally and spatially resolved visualization data, in operating conditions representative of real rocket engines, to better understand the flame response to high amplitude acoustic oscillations. By combining ONERA and DLR materials and techniques, the optical setup of this experiment has been improved to enhance the existing database with more highly resolved OH* imaging to allow detailed response analysis of the flame. OH* imaging is complemented with simultaneous visible imaging and compared to each other here for their ability to capture flame dynamics.


Author(s):  
R Hernandez ◽  
S Jung ◽  
K I Matveev

Energy of high-amplitude sound that often appears in acoustic resonators with mean flow can be harnessed and converted into electricity for powering sensors and other devices. In this study, tests were conducted in a simple setup consisting of a pipe with a pair of baffles and a piezoelement. Tonal sound, corresponding to the second acoustic mode of the resonator, was excited due to vortex shedding/impinging on baffles in the presence of mean flow. Generated sound energy was partially converted into electrical energy by a piezoelement. About 0.55 mW of electric power was produced on a resistive electric load at acoustic pressure amplitudes in the pipe about 170 Pa and mean flow velocity 2.6 m/s.


Author(s):  
Kazuaki Yazawa ◽  
Tatsuro Yoshida ◽  
Shinji Nakagawa ◽  
Masaru Ishizuka

Since the VLSI processors are increasing power in accordance with exponential law, cooling solutions for such as personal computers have been evolving for over a decade. Recent heat sinks are designed with high dense fins and low profile to adapt to a high heat flux source within a slim enclosure. To achieve such compact cooling solution, thin fin and small gap is desirable. In addition, the pumping power is also limited by the allowable narrow space for fans. Thus it is important to minimize the thermal resistance for given pumping power that we define the optimum. Due to the lack of literatures on topic of low profile and high dense fins experiments, an apparatus was specially built to measure the thermal and fluid dynamic performance at the same time. Since such a high dense fin arrangement requires extra space on the sides by manufacturing reasons, the impact of bypass flow needs to be considered. The experiments are carefully carried out and the results are precisely compared with numerical analysis. The numerical model aiming to find the optimum for given pumping power is discussed with extrapolating the data points. This report is concluded with the best configuration of plate fins of low profile heat sinks for a given fan performance.


Author(s):  
B. E. L. Deckker ◽  
D. H. Male

Unsteady flow through three-branched pipe configurations has been investigated with the object of finding boundary conditions suitable for use in the analysis of high-amplitude waves using the method of characteristics. The schlieren method and the hydraulic analogy were used to obtain qualitative information about the quasi-steady flow patterns. Quantitative information concerning these patterns was obtained by the measurement of stagnation pressure losses and of the static pressure distribution. Several methods of deriving boundary conditions have been reviewed, and it is considered that those obtained directly by experiment are the most convenient to use.


Author(s):  
Saied Taheri ◽  
Behzad Moslehi ◽  
Vahid Sotoudeh ◽  
Brad M. Hopkins

Early detection of rail defects can avoid derailments and costly damage to the train and railway infrastructure. Small breaks, cracks or corrugations on the rail can quickly propagate after only a few train cars have passed over it, creating a potential derailment. The current technology makes use of a dedicated instrumented car or a separate railway monitoring vehicle to detect large breaks. These cars are usually equipped with accelerometers mounted on the axle or side frame. The simple detection algorithms use acceleration thresholds which are set at high values to eliminate false positives. As a result, rail surface defects that produce low amplitude acceleration signatures may not be detected, and special track components that produce high amplitude acceleration signatures may be flagged as defects. This paper presents the results of a feasibility study conducted to develop new and more advanced sensory systems as well as signal processing algorithms capable of detecting various rail surface irregularities. A dynamic wheel-rail interaction model was used to simulate train dynamics as a result of rail defects and to assess the potential of this new technology on rail defect detection. In a future paper, we will present experimental data in support of the proposed model and simulations.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler N. Wise ◽  
Margot A. B. Schwalbe ◽  
Eric D. Tytell

SUMMARY STATEMENTBluegill sunfish accelerate primarily by increasing the total amount of force produced in each tail beat but not by substantially redirecting forces.ABSTRACTIn their natural habitat, fish rarely swim steadily. Instead they frequently accelerate and decelerate. Relatively little is known about how fish produce extra force for acceleration in routine swimming behavior. In this study, we examined the flow around bluegill sunfish Lepomis macrochirus during steady swimming and during forward acceleration, starting at a range of initial swimming speeds. We found that bluegill produce vortices with higher circulation during acceleration, indicating a higher force per tail beat, but do not substantially redirect the force. We quantified the flow patterns using high speed video and particle image velocimetry and measured acceleration with small inertial measurement units attached to each fish. Even in steady tail beats, the fish accelerates slightly during each tail beat, and the magnitude of the acceleration varies. In steady tail beats, however, a high acceleration is followed by a lower acceleration or a deceleration, so that the swimming speed is maintained; in unsteady tail beats, the fish maintains the acceleration over several tailbeats, so that the swimming speed increases. We can thus compare the wake and kinematics during single steady and unsteady tailbeats that have the same peak acceleration. During unsteady tailbeats when the fish accelerates forward for several tailbeats, the wake vortex forces are much higher than those at the same acceleration during single tailbeats in steady swimming. The fish also undulates its body at higher amplitude and frequency during unsteady tailbeats. These kinematic changes likely increase the fluid dynamic added mass of the body, increasing the forces required to sustain acceleration over several tailbeats. The high amplitude and high frequency movements are also likely required to generate the higher forces needed for acceleration. Thus, it appears that bluegill sunfish face a tradeoff during acceleration: the body movements required for acceleration also make it harder to accelerate.


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