Topic: Raven , as Promised, Sound wave Propulsion

[Sirgod]

http://www.space.com/astronotes/astronotes.html

September 28

Sound Waves Might Power Spacecraft

Future deep space probes may be energized by powerful sound waves, akin to claps of thunder we hear on Earth when lightning thermally expands the atmosphere.

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Northrop Grumman Space Technology have teamed to design the traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator. The engine has the potential to power space probes to the furthest reaches of the universe.

The traveling-wave engine works by sending helium gas through a stack of 322 stainless-steel wire-mesh discs called a regenerator. The regenerator is connected to a heat source and a heat sink that causes the helium to expand and contract.

This novel engine is a modern-day adaptation of the 19th century thermodynamic invention of Robert Stirling -- the Stirling engine -- which is similar to a steam engine. In this space-rated replay, heated air instead of steam drives a piston.

Oscillating sound waves in the traveling-wave engine drive the piston of a linear alternator that generates electricity. And since the only moving component in the device besides the helium gas itself is an ambient temperature piston, the device possesses the kind of high-reliability required of deep space probes.

NASA funded the traveling-wave thermoacoustic electric generator research.

-- Leonard David

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Stephen with a thanks to StormBringer for Letting me know about this.

[S'Raek]

Interesting stuff.  It is amazing all the different research that is going on and the possibilities for the future.

[Just plain old Punisher]

We've already had this.  Everytime someone with a 5,000,000 watt sound system in their trunk drives by my house I come to the conclusion that the system must also propell the vehicle as well, since it's vibrating the teeth out of my skull and bursting my ear drums.

I also come to the conclusion that I need more ammo.

A lot more ammo.

[GE-Raven]

hmmm... cool...

Just think if they use Celine Dion as the sound we could also start an intergalactice war while we  move.

GE-Raven

[Hale]

Not that I understand this, but I thought sound waves didn't travel in a vacuum?

[Sirgod]

Not that I understand this, but I thought sound waves didn't travel in a vacuum?

The device itself would be A Self Contained apperatus inside the Ship, akin to having Rocket ignitors inside the ship. there would be no need for Sound Waves to travell outside in Space.

Stephen

[Hale]

Wouldn't the momentum created by the sound waves be cancelled out when the hit the back of the ship?   Or do they do something cool about that?

[Sirgod]

Not Really,  I imagine there would be an Accustic Directing system, that would shoot the soundwave towards the piston, Much Like steam would turn a Turbine. Of course, It's all speculation on my part.

Stephen

[Holocat]

Forgive me if i'm dragging this topic to life again, but it appears to me from reading that article that this is a electrical generator, not a propulsion unit.  This generator might be powered FROM a propulsion unit, but is not in itself a propulsion unit.

[Sirgod]

Forgive me if i'm dragging this topic to life again, but it appears to me from reading that article that this is a electrical generator, not a propulsion unit.  This generator might be powered FROM a propulsion unit, but is not in itself a propulsion unit.

I think you might be correct after looking It over again. Then again, Maybe they have a way of turning the Energy into propulsion.  I'm not sure.

But don't worry about bringing this topic back Up, I love to discuss kind of stuff My Friend.

Stephen