The P3 Micro Power Generation System

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Richards ◽  
D. Bahr ◽  
C.-G. Xu ◽  
R. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Mechanical Power ◽  
Carnot Cycle ◽  
Generation System ◽  
Power Generation System ◽  
Micro Heat Engine

Abstract Work toward the development of a new MEMS power generation system, the P3 micro heat engine, is presented. The P3 micro heat engine is an external combustion engine, in which thermal power is converted to mechanical power through the use of a novel thermodynamic cycle that approaches the ideal vapor Carnot cycle. Mechanical power is converted into electrical power through the use of a thin-film piezoelectric membrane generator. A numerical model of the engine, SIMP3, is introduced. The model is used, first to illustrate the micro heat engine’s operation, and then to explore the optimization of the engine. The major parameters controlling the performance of the P3 micro engine are discussed.

Design of a Micro Heat Engine

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Xu ◽  
J. Hall ◽  
C. Richards ◽  
D. Bahr ◽  
R. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Thermodynamic Cycle ◽  
Mechanical Power ◽  
Carnot Cycle ◽  
Mems Fabrication ◽  
Micro Heat Engine ◽  
External Combustion

Abstract The design for a totally new class of heat engine, a micro heat engine, which takes advantage of thermophysical phenomena unique to small scales, is introduced. The proposed engine is an external combustion engine, in which thermal power is converted to mechanical power through the use of a novel thermodynamic cycle which approaches the ideal vapor Carnot cycle. Mechanical power is converted into electrical power through the use of a piezoelectric generator. The generator, which takes the form of a flexible membrane, can be readily manufactured using MEMS fabrication techniques but still delivers high conversion efficiency. This approach eliminates the requirement to manufacture complex micromachines such as rotary compressors and turbines, resulting in a very simple but highly efficient device.

Low Frequency Operation of the P3 Micro Heat Engine

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Whalen ◽  
Michael R. Thompson ◽  
Cecilia D. Richards ◽  
David F. Bahr ◽  
Robert F. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Thermodynamic Cycle ◽  
Mechanical Power ◽  
Peak Voltage ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Micro Heat Engine

The development and low frequency testing of a micro heat engine is presented. Production of electrical power by a dynamic micro heat engine is demonstrated. The prototype micro heat engine is an external combustion engine in which thermal power is converted to mechanical power through a novel thermodynamic cycle. Mechanical power is converted into electrical power through the use of a thin-film piezoelectric membrane generator. This design is well suited to photolithography-based batch fabrication methods and is unlike any conventionally manufactured macro-scale engine. A peak-to-peak voltage of .84 volts, and power output of 1.5 microwatts have been realized at operating speeds of 10 Hz. Measurements are also presented for the engine operating at resonant conditions. Cycle speeds up to 240 Hz have been obtained, with peak-to-peak voltages of 70 millivolts.

A Micro Heat Engine for MEMS Power (Keynote Paper)

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Richards ◽  
D. F. Bahr ◽  
R. F. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Thermodynamic Cycle ◽  
Mechanical Power ◽  
Batch Fabrication ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Micro Heat Engine ◽  
External Combustion

Progress in the development of a micro heat engine is presented. The prototype micro heat engine is an external combustion engine, in which thermal power is converted to mechanical power through the use of a novel thermodynamic cycle. Mechanical power is converted into electrical power through the use of a thin-film piezoelectric membrane generator. The design, well suited to photolithography-based batch fabrication methods, is unlike any conventionally manufactured macro-scale engine. In this paper, the design, fabrication and preliminary testing of a working prototype are discussed. The operation of the engine and its key component, the piezoelectric membrane generator is presented. For the first time, the production of electrical power by a dynamic micro heat engine is demonstrated.

Characterization of a Piezoelectric Membrane for MEMS Power

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Bruce ◽  
R. Richards ◽  
D. Bahr ◽  
C. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Power System ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Mechanical Power ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Carnot Cycle ◽  
Modular Architecture ◽  
Micro Power

Abstract Work toward the development of a thin-film piezoelectric membrane generator is presented. The membrane generator is the central component of a new MEMS power generation system, the P3 micro power system. The P3 micro power system is based on a two-dimensional, modular architecture, in which the individual generic modules or unit cells each have all the functions of an engine integrated. Each unit cell is an external combustion engine, in which thermal power is converted to mechanical power through the use of a novel thermodynamic cycle that approaches the ideal vapor Carnot cycle. Mechanical power is converted into electrical power through the use of a thin-film piezoelectric membrane generator. This paper introduces the concept of the thin-film piezoelectric membrane generator, and describes its design and fabrication. Results of a study to characterize the performance of the piezoelectric membrane generator under expected operating conditions are presented. Current prototypes of the membrane generator are shown to be capable of producing a peak power of 0.1 milliWatts at a voltage of 0.5 Volts.

scholarly journals Modelling and simulation of solar thermal power generation network

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4 Part B) ◽  
pp. 2905-2912
Author(s):  
Bowen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Total Energy ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Generation System ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Power Generation System ◽  
Thermal Power Generation ◽  
Solar Thermal Power Generation

In the smart grid context, the article combines SEGS-VI solar thermal power station parameters to establish a solar thermal power generation system model. The thesis is based on the First and Second laws of thermodynamics. It uses the white box model analysis method of the energy system to calculate the solar thermal power generation system-concentrating and collecting subsystem, heat exchange subsystem, and power subsystem to obtain the subsystems dissipation of each process. Finally, the article uses the white box model analysis of the total energy system to treat the subsystems as white boxes, and connects them to form a white box network, makes a reasonable evaluation of the energy consumption status of the total energy system, and finds the weak links in the energy use process of the system. Provide a basis for system energy saving.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document