Single channel double-duct liquid metal electrical generator using a magnetohydrodynamic device

• US 5,923,104 A
• Filed: 06/13/1997
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Haaland, Carsten M., Deeds, W. Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Nestor
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULLINS, BURTON S
• Application Number:
  US08/874,517
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 310/11, 310/307, 417/50, 123/46 E, 324/93, 376/139, 60/595
• US Class Current: 310/11
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 2243/54 thermo-acoustic
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 44/24 by reversing the direction of fluid

Abstract

A single channel double-duct liquid metal electrical generator using a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) device. The single channel device provides useful output AC electric energy. The generator includes a two-cylinder linear-piston engine which drives liquid metal in a single channel looped around one side of the MHD device to form a double-duct contra-flowing liquid metal MHD generator. A flow conduit network and drive mechanism are provided for moving liquid metal with an oscillating flow through a static magnetic field to produce useful AC electric energy at practical voltages and currents. Variable stroke is obtained by controlling the quantity of liquid metal in the channel. High efficiency is obtained over a wide range of frequency and power output.

Claims

1. A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator comprising:

means for applying a magnetic field;

a channel having an electrically conductive fluid flowing therein, said channel including;

a first portion disposed in said magnetic field containing electrically conductive fluid flowing in a first direction;

a second portion disposed in said magnetic field containing electrically conductive fluid flowing in a second direction;

a connecting portion connecting said first portion and said second portion of said channel;

means for imparting reciprocating motion in said electrically conductive fluid contained in said channel; and

means for outputting an electric current generated by the interaction between said magnetic field and said electrically conductive fluid flowing through said first and second portions of said channel.

2. The magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 1, wherein said means for applying a magnetic field comprises a magnetohydrodynamic device in which said first and second portions of said channel are passed therethrough forming a double-duct configuration.

3. A magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 2, wherein said magnetohydrodynamic device comprises:

a rectangular conduit having insulating plates on two sides thereof perpendicular to a direction of an applied magnetic field;

electrodes located on two other sides of said rectangular conduit that are parallel to the applied magnetic field;

a magnet surrounding said rectangular conduit;

a transformer coupled to a first side of said magnet parallel to said electrodes; and

a bus bar coupled to a second side of said magnet parallel to said electrodes and opposite said first side.

4. A magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 3, wherein said means for imparting reciprocating motion in the liquid metal comprises combustion cylinders connected to said channel.

5. A magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 4, wherein said combustion cylinders comprise first and second oscillating free pistons, said first and second oscillating free pistons respectively driving said electrically conductive fluid in an end of said first portion of said channel and an end of said second portion of said channel.

6. A magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 5, further comprising adjusting means for adjusting the quantity of the liquid metal in said channel.

7. A magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 6, wherein said adjusting means comprises:

a bellows; and

a selsyn motor coupled to said bellows for driving said bellows.

8. A magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 7, further comprising power means for supplying AC power to said MHD device during engine misfires.

9. A magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 8, wherein said power means comprises:

an electronic control circuit coupled to said magnet; and

an ultra-capacitor circuit coupled to said electronic control circuit.

10. The magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 2, wherein said electrically conductive fluid is a liquid metal.

11. The magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 10, wherein said first direction is opposite to said second direction.

12. The magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 11, wherein said connecting portion of said channel is U-shaped.

13. A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator comprising:

a channel having a first portion disposed in a magnetic field and a second portion disposed in said magnetic field, said first and second portions connected by a connecting portion of said channel external to said magnetic field, said channel having an electrically conductive fluid flowing therein;

a magnetohydrodynamic device generating an electric potential from the interaction of said electrically conductive fluid and said magnetic field, both said first and second portions of said channel passing through said magnetohydrodynamic device forming a double-duct configuration;

combustion cylinders connected to said channel for imparting reciprocating motion in said electrically conductive fluid contained in said channel;

a magnet surrounding said magnetohydrodynamic device for applying said magnetic field; and

adjusting means for adjusting the quantity of liquid metal in said channel.

14. A magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 13, wherein said magnetohydrodynamic device comprises:

a rectangular conduit having insulating plates on two sides thereof perpendicular to a direction of an applied magnetic field, said permanent magnetic surrounding said rectangular conduit;

electrodes located on two other sides of said rectangular conduit, parallel to the applied magnetic field;

a transformer coupled to a first side of said magnet parallel to said electrodes; and

a bus bar coupled to a second side of said magnet parallel to said electrodes and opposite said first side.

15. A magnetohydrodynamic generator according to claim 14, wherein said adjusting means comprises:

a bellows; and

a selsyn motor coupled to said bellows for driving said bellows.

16. A magnetohydrodynamic generator comprising:

a magnet generating a magnetic field;

a channel having an electrically conductive fluid flowing therein, said channel including a first portion disposed in said magnetic field having said electrically conductive fluid flowing in a first direction therein, said channel including a second portion disposed in said magnetic field having said electrically conductive fluid flowing in a second direction therein;

an engine imparting reciprocating motion in said electrically conductive fluid contained in said channel; and

a transformer outputting an electric current generated by the interaction of said magnetic field and said electrically conductive fluid flowing through said magnetic field in said first and second portions of said channel.

17. The magnetohydrodynamic generator of claim 16, wherein said first direction is opposite to said second direction.

18. A method for generating an electric current, comprising:

applying a magnetic field;

driving electrically conductive fluid through a first portion of a channel in a first direction, said first portion disposed in said magnetic field;

driving electrically conductive fluid through a second portion of said channel in an opposite direction to said first direction, said second portion disposed in said magnetic field;

receiving an electric current from said first and second portions of said channel, said current generated by the interaction of said magnetic field with said electrically conductive fluid flowing through said first and second portions of said channel.