Patent GB-655087-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for producing electrical and mechanical energy from thermal energy
IPC: H01L37/04
Filed: 1948-02-29
Abstract: 655,087. Dynamo-electric machines. CHILOWSKY, C. Feb. 29, 1948, No. 6350. Convention date, Nov. 10, 1945. [Class 35] Generators and motors operating by thermallyproduced charges of permeability of magnetic circuit.-In a motor or generator operating by thermally-produced charges of permeability of magnetic circuit, the part of the circuit concerned is composed of thin plates or tubes alternately heated and cooled above and below the Curie point by means of liquid. The generator shown in Figs. 1 and 2 has a pair of U-shaped yoke members 1, 2 connected to a strong permanent or electromagnet 33 and arranged to pass flux through magnetic sections 3, 4 composed of magnetic laminµ, which may be covered with insulation, are mounted on supports 5, and are subject to heat reversals. The fluid is heated in a heater 7 by means of burners 10 and cooled in a cooler 21 under the influence of air passing up the central passage 20 of a heat insulating casing 19. The fluids of high and low temperature are circulated alternately to the sections 3, 4 by means of impellers 14, 28 and valves 13, 16, 27 and 30. The magnetic variations induce currents in windings 34. An alternative system of fluid circulation is described and it is stated that a three-branched armature will produce a three-phase supply. Instead of using simple laminµ in the sections, mixing of the heating and cooling fluids may be prevented by the use of iron tubes through which one of the fluids is circulated whilst the other passes between the tubes. Alternatively, double laminse reinforced by spacers may be used. In a modified form, Fig. 5, the heating and cooling are effected by the oscillation of a single column of metallic liquid having heated and cooled parts. The operating sections 49, 50, heaters 51, 53 and coolers 52, 54, are connected into a closed circuit in which the liquid column is oscillated by an electromagnetic device 57 in which a magnetic piston is reciprocated between springs by the action of coils energized alternately. If desired, the frequency of the device may be altered by adjustment of the tensions in the springs. Alternatively, the piston may be driven by an eccentric. In other forms, Fig. 11, the liquid oscillation may be automatically produced by the formation and condensation of metallic vapour in thin tubular extensions 71, 72 of the liquid channels 69, 70 in the heaters. Alternatively the fine tubes may be heated electrically by resistance or discharge. Embodiments are shown having a single interrupter section in which the fluids may be moved by thermal or electromagnetic means. A modification is described in which the heat is transferred to and from the interrupter sections by the agency of a second fluid which is circulated continuously and is alternately heated and cooled as described. This arrangement enables the heaters to be at a distance from the magnet. Fig. 21 shows a thermal motor having (say three) equally spaced yoke arms 110 with poles 107 surrounding a central pole 108 energized by an axial permanent magnet 109, 111 being the thermal sections. A rotor (not shown), is arranged in the gap between poles 107, 108 or alternatively the member 108 may rotate. Suitable liquid metals, e.g. mercury, sodium and lead are mentioned as suitable for conveying heat to and from the thermal sections. It is stated that to effect an economy the fluid may be used to heat sections of descending Curie points in succession. Specification 655,088 is referred to.