Cool noise

kucharek · #1 (**permalink**) 23-April-2005, 07:31 PM

http://abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1349511.htm

Quote:

Sound waves produced from car exhaust gases could be used instead of petrol to run greener car airconditioners, says an acoustics engineer.

Australian PhD student Luke Zoontjens of the University of Adelaide is developing a replacement for the standard car airconditioning unit that doesn't rely on petrol or refrigerants.

The new system relies on 'thermoacoustic' devices that turn heat into sound, and sound into cold air.

Candy · #2 (**permalink**) 23-April-2005, 08:02 PM

Quote:

The sound waves bounce off the end of the tube and are amplified to around 180 decibels.

"That is louder probably anything that a typical person would hear. It'd be around the level of a space shuttle launch."

Luckily, he says, the sound is trapped inside the tube so people won't hear any more noise than they would from existing airconditioning units.

Also in the tube is a thermoacoustic heat pump that uses the energy in the soundwaves to cool air inside the car.

Dumb question: What happens if someone tampers with the tube's "acoustic's"?

[edited - added a word]

The Supreme Canuck · #3 (**permalink**) 23-April-2005, 08:31 PM

It may get noisy, and it may not work. Or both. Or neither. That about covers it.

Well, that was useful. #-o

zebo-the-fat · #4 (**permalink**) 24-April-2005, 12:18 PM

What is a "thermoacoustic heat engine"?

<Edit to add> OK I googled for it!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode