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.
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ASME 2002 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
November 17–22, 2002
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Microelectromechanical Systems
ISBN:
0-7918-3642-8
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Low Frequency Operation of the P3 Micro Heat Engine
Scott A. Whalen,
Scott A. Whalen
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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Michael R. Thompson,
Michael R. Thompson
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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Cecilia D. Richards,
Cecilia D. Richards
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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David F. Bahr,
David F. Bahr
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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Robert F. Richards
Robert F. Richards
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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Scott A. Whalen
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Michael R. Thompson
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Cecilia D. Richards
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
David F. Bahr
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Robert F. Richards
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Paper No:
IMECE2002-39307, pp. 469-476; 8 pages
Published Online:
June 3, 2008
Citation
Whalen, SA, Thompson, MR, Richards, CD, Bahr, DF, & Richards, RF. "Low Frequency Operation of the P3 Micro Heat Engine." Proceedings of the ASME 2002 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Microelectromechanical Systems. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. November 17–22, 2002. pp. 469-476. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2002-39307
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