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A Microfabricated Segmented-Involute-Foil Regenerator for Enhancing Reliability and Performance of Stirling EnginesAn actual-size microfabricated regenerator comprised of a stack of 42 disks, 19 mm diameter and 0.25 mm thick, with layers of microscopic, segmented, involute-shaped flow channels was fabricated and tested. The geometry resembles layers of uniformly-spaced segmented-parallel-plates, except the plates are curved. Each disk was made from electro-plated nickel using the LiGA process. This regenerator had feature sizes close to those required for an actual Stirling engine but the overall regenerator dimensions were sized for the NASA/Sunpower oscillating-flow regenerator test rig. Testing in the oscillating-flow test rig showed the regenerator performed extremely well, significantly better than currently used random-fiber material, producing the highest figures of merit ever recorded for any regenerator tested in that rig over its approximately 20 years of use.
Document ID
20080006651
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Ibrahim, Mounir (Cleveland State Univ. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Danila, Daniel (Cleveland State Univ. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Simon, Terrence (Minnesota Univ. Minneapolis, MN, United States)
Mantell, Susan (Minnesota Univ. Minneapolis, MN, United States)
Sun, Liyong (Minnesota Univ. Minneapolis, MN, United States)
Gadeon, David (Gedeon Associates Athens, OH, United States)
Qiu, Songgang (Infinia Corp. Kennewick, WA, United States)
Wood, Gary (SunPower, Inc. Athens, OH, United States)
Kelly, Kevin (International Mezzo Technologies Baton Rouge, LA, United States)
McLean, Jeffrey (International Mezzo Technologies Baton Rouge, LA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 2007
Subject Category
Fluid Mechanics And Thermodynamics
Report/Patent Number
E-16191
NASA/CR-2007-215006
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS3-03124
WBS: WBS 138494.04.01.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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