An asymmetrical constriction in a pipe functions as an imperfect gas diode for acoustic oscillations in the pipe. One or more gas diodes in a loop of pipe create substantial mean flow, approximately proportional to the amplitude of the oscillations. Measurements of wave shape, time-averaged pressure distribution, mass flow, and acoustic power dissipation are presented for a two-diode loop. Analysis of the phenomena is complicated because both the mean flow and the acoustic flow are turbulent and each affects the other significantly. The quasi-steady approximation yields results in rough agreement with the measurements. Acoustically driven heat-transfer loops based on these phenomena may provide useful heat transfer external to thermoacoustic and Stirling engines and refrigerators.
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Indeed, we did originally expect this, until experimental results induced us to consider the question more carefully.
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The thermoacoustic-Stirling engine described in Ref. 10 is now operating with a half-wavelength, one-diode hot heat transfer loop in place of its original internal electric-resistance hot heat exchanger. The performance of this hardware is described in “A self-circulating heat exchanger for use in Stirling and thermoacoustic-Stirling engines,” S. Backhaus and R. S. Reid, in preparation for the Space Technology International Forum 2005.
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