Modelling and Controller Design of Resonant Thermoacoustic Solar AC Power Generators

Abstract

This paper installs resonant controller on thermoacoustic engines to increase their power ratings enormously. The thermoacoustic engine under design for solar power is assembled by alternative current generator, Rijke tube, and switching radiation-to-heatflux actuator. A limit-cycle generator is programmed into a microcontroller embedded with a DSP engine, which temporally keeps the switching frequency of the photo valve on one of resonant frequencies to pump up vibration power. Furthermore, the Rijke tube is longitudinally shaped to make power transmission more efficient. Through the following developments, we arrive at a sound design: (1) Synthesis of limit-cycle generators with online adjustable frequencies for power-rating boost; (2) Analytic Rayleigh Dynamics to shape the Rijke tube for efficient power-transmission; (3) 2D transfer-function to transform the overall design into feedback systems for optimizing impedance matching of Rijke tube and AC power generator and assessing resonant frequencies; and (4) Conservation law of Rayleigh storage to Figure out engine cycles that provide fundamental principles to thermoacoustic engines design.