Effect of Inner Diameter Change of Phase Adjuster on Heat-to-Sound Energy Conversion Efficiency in Loop-Tube-Type Thermoacoustic Prime Mover

Abstract

The use of a phase adjuster (PA) has been proposed to improve the cooling effect of a loop-tube-type thermoacoustic cooling system. A PA is a device for increasing the particle velocity of sound by narrowing a part of the loop tube. In this experiment, we present a discussion of the efficiency of heat-to-sound energy conversion in a loop-tube-type thermoacoustic prime mover, particularly emphasizing on the inner diameter change of PA. It is found that the sound pressure is higher for larger inner diameter; the particle velocity is higher for larger inner diameter and the phase difference between the sound pressure and the particle velocity is bigger for larger inner diameter. It is also found that sound intensity is different according to the inner diameter, and that it is higher for larger inner diameter. Results obtained confirm that PA improves the efficiency of heat-to-sound energy conversion in the loop-tube-type thermoacoustic prime mover, and that the efficiency depends on the inner diameter of PA.