Electric generator using MHD effect in IC engine cylinders - uses aluminium alloy coils set in iron cylinder liners of engine as stator for MHD induced electric generation

摘要

The generator uses the magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) effect arising from motion of partially ionised gases in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine as the flame front and shock waves traverse the cylinder. The generator stator is formed from aluminium alloys 'hairpin' coils (2) mounted in slots in the outer wall of the engine cylinder liner (1), which is mfd. from a ferromagnetic material. The coils are electrically connected one to the other in order to collect the electric energy at the required potential and current capacity. The coil conductors may be water cooled. Hollows and ridges on the piston crown are used to give local hot spots on the crown so as to increase ionisation in the combustion gasses. Pref. the ferromagnetic liners are of an alloy containing approx. 34% nickel, such that the curie temp. is of the order of 190 degrees C.