Patent ID: 8375729
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: F25B

Abstract:
1. A thermoacoustic apparatus, comprising: a sealed body having a hollow region therein containing a working gas; a regenerator disposed within said body; a first heat exchanger, configured for operating at a first temperature, disposed within said body and proximate said regenerator at a first longitudinal end of said body; a second heat exchanger, configured for operating at a second temperature that is lower than said first temperature, disposed within said body and proximate said regenerator at a second longitudinal end of said body; an electromechanical driver disposed within said body proximate said first heat exchanger such that acoustic energy from said electromechanical driver is directed into said body; a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of said thermoacoustic apparatus, outside of said thermoacoustic apparatus and in an area in which said thermoacoustic apparatus operates, and outside of a load connected to said second heat exchanger, and providing an ambient temperature data signal based on said measured temperature; a body temperature sensor for measuring temperature within said body proximate, but spaced apart from, at least one of said first or said second heat exchangers and providing a body temperature data signal; a controller, communicatively connected to said temperature sensor and said body temperature sensor for determining and providing a control signal based on said ambient temperature data signal and said body temperature data signal, said controller generating said control signal at least in part from a plurality of said ambient temperature data signals and said body temperature data signals taken at various times during operation of the thermoacoustic apparatus; and a variable frequency driver communicatively coupled to said electromechanical driver and said controller, for receiving a control signal from said controller, and at least in part as a function of said control signal providing a variable drive signal to said electromechanical driver to thereby provide a selected optimized efficiency of operation for said thermoacoustic apparatus.