Magneto hydro dynamics system

• US 4,749,890 A
• Filed: 04/16/1987
• Issued: 06/07/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reagan Houston
• Original Assignee: Reagan Houston
• Inventors: Houston, Reagan
• Primary Examiner(s): Budd, Mark O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, JUDSON
• Application Number:
  US07/038,992
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 310/11, 310/10, 417/50, 417/53, 417/54
• US Class Current: 310/11
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 44/085 with conducting liquids

Abstract

There is provided a magnetohydrodynamics system which utilizes liquid metal or alloy moving in a channel through a magnetic field to generate electricity. Energy is put into the system by pumping the liquid metal to an elevated collection zone. A portion of the liquid metal is collected in a cooling zone where a solid metal outer skin is formed in the shape of a piston. Pressure is applied to the bottom of the piston to move the piston and a portion of the remaining liquid metal to the collection zone where the metal is heated thus remelting the piston and cycle is repeated.

Claims

1. A magnetohydrodynamics system for generating electricity:

comprising a reservoir for receiving liquid metal;

a first tube connected to said reservoir;

means for generating a magnetic field adjacent a portion of said first tube;

a pair of electrodes located within the magnetic field and connected to said tube and adapted to contact the liquid metal;

a second tube connected to said reservoir;

means for connecting said first tube to said second tube;

means for solidifying at least a portion of the metal;

means for forcing at least the solidified portion of said metal through said second tube and into said reservoir.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for solidifying includes a container connected to said second tube;

cooling means surrounding a portion of said container whereby a portion of said metal is formed into a piston.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said piston has thin solid walls and a bottom.

4. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said piston contains a liquid metal.

5. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said system is arranged such that the said reservoir is elevated above said first and second tubes and said piston forming container whereby gravity forces liquid metal past said electrodes for generating electricity and gravity further forces a liquified metal into said piston forming container.

6. A system as set forth in claim 2 further including heating means located adjacent to said reservoir for re-liquifying said metal piston and maintaining the metal in a liquid condition.

7. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cooling means includes a cooling jacket surrounding at least portions of said container.

8. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for forcing said piston into said reservoir includes fluid pressure means connected to said container whereby said piston and a substantial portion of the liquid metal in said second tube are moved into said reservoir.

9. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the inner diameter of said second tube is substantially similar to the outer diameter of said piston.

10. A system as set forth in claim 2 further including an overflow tank and a one-way checkvalve connected between said electrodes and said container.

11. A system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said fluid is taken from the group consisting essentially of steam, air, water, a haloginated hydrocarbon and a combustible mixture of air and fuel.

12. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said metal is an alloy.

13. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said alloy is Roses'"'"' alloy.

14. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said ally is Wood'"'"'s alloy.

15. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein melting point of said metal is less than 212°

F.

16. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein melting point of said metal is less than 200°

F.

17. A magnetohydrodynamics system for generating electricity comprising:

a channel having an elevated portion and a lower portion;

said channel containing liquid metal having a predetermined melting point;

means for generating a magnetic field adjacent a portion of said channel;

a pair of electrodes connected to said channel and contacting said liquid metal;

said electrodes being in said magnetic field;

means for solidifying at least a portion of said metal located in said lower portion of said channel;

means for forcing at least said solidified portion of said metal to said upper portion of said channel.

18. A method for generating electricity utilizing liquid metal in a closed loop channel comprising the steps of:

passing the liquid metal past a magnetic field in a magnetohydrodynamics cell thereby generating electricity;

contacting the moving liquid metal with electrodes in the magnetohydrodynamics cell;

solidifying at least a portion of the metal;

forcing said solidified metal to a position to be re-liquified; and

re-liquifying said solidified metal.

19. A pumping system comprising:

a channel having an elevated portion and a lower portion;

said channel containing liquid metal having a predetermined melting point;

means for solidifying a portion of said liquid metal;

means for forcing at least said solidified portions of said metal to said upper portion of said channel.

20. A pump comprising:

a flow channel containing a liquid slightly above its freezing temperature;

a one-way check valve located in said flow channel;

a container connected to said check valve;

means for cooling sid container whereby said liquid is at least partly frozen forming a piston;

means for contacting said piston with fluid under pressure;

a second channel connected to said container, whereby said piston may travel in said second channel by means of said fluid pressure forcing a portion of said liquid ahead of said piston.