GB655088A - Method and apparatus for producing electrical and mechanical energy from thermal energy - Google Patents

Abstract

655,088. Dynamo-electric machines. CHILOWSKY, C. Feb. 29, 1948, No. 6351. Convention date, Dec. 19, 1945. [Class 35] Generators and motors operating by thermally-produced charges of permeability of magnetic circuit.-In a motor or generator operating by thermallyproduced charges of permeability of a magnetic circuit, the magnetic interrupter section, which is alternately heated and cooled above and below the Curie point by means of a fluid, consists of a series of elements having graded Curie points in succession. The difference between the Curie points of adjacent elements does not exceed the Curie interval of said elements. In its simplest form, Fig. 1, the section which is interposed between poles 1, 2 of a magnetic system comprises a series of composite laminµ 3 in planes parallel to the paper and built up of a series of strips 4<SP>1</SP>, 4<SP>2</SP>, . . . 4n of alloys having graded Curie points. These strips may be soldered together at their edges. Fluids for heating and cooling the laminµ are supplied through channels 9, 10. In a modification, Fig. 4, the groups of strips having the same Curie points are replaced by perforated plates 11<SP>1</SP>, 11<SP>1</SP>. . . 11n, composed of materials of graded Curie points which may be mutually thermally insulated. The ends of the magnetic circuit are preferably laminated and spaced by heatinsulating material 16 whilst the ends 141, 151 should be of a material of high Curie point to prevent interruption of the magnetic circuit due to heat leakage. In a modification, the stack is turned over so that the laminµ are at right-angles to the flux and the heating or cooling fluid passes in the same direction as the flux. If desired, the heating and cooling fluids may be retained in separate channels. In Fig. 8 is shown a system for controlling the temperature gradient in a section 37. The magnetic circuit is split into parts 33, 34, carrying windings 35, 36 energizing coils 38, 39 of a differential magnetic plunger 40. Displacement of the plunger actuates bellows 42, 43 to modify the fluid supply to the fluid heater 45 and cooler 47. In addition, the tapping of a resistance 48 is charged to modify the heating and cooling of the liquids. If desired, the bellows may be replaced by a motor driven pump. Gaps in the graded Curie points may be filled by thermally conducting non-magnetic members like 4<SP>1</SP>-4n of Fig. 1 or 11<SP>1</SP>-11n of Fig. 4, or alternatively by a free piston which oscillates with the fluid or a fixed conducting wall providing separate fluid circuits. The fluid may be liquid, either metallic or non-metallic, or gaseous, and it is stated that various arrangements of the laminae, e.g. radial or concentrically cylindrical may be used. Specification 655,087 is referred to.