Fluid actuated electric generator

Claim 2

A fluid actuated electric generator comprising: a fluid coupling means for conveying a flow of fluid; an acoustic oscillator means including a nozzle communicating with said coupling means, a cooperating element disposed in spaced relation thereto for producing acoustic oscillations, and an acoustic oscillation stabilizer for stabilizing said oscillations; acoustic coupling means including a first resonant cavity resonantly responsive to certain frequencies of said acoustic oscillations; and transducer means coacting with said resonant cavity and responsive to acoustic oscillations for producing electrical energy.

Claim 3

The fluid actuated electric generator of claim 1 which further includes: a substantially acoustically opaque exhaust means for said first cavity.

Claim 4

The fluid actuated electric generator of claim 1 wherein: said acoustic oscillation stabilizer comprises a second resonant cavity.

Claim 5

The fluid actuated electric generator of claim 3 wherein: said cooperating element of said acoustic oscillator means comprises a knife-edge.

Claim 6

The fluid actuated electric generator of claim 4 wherein: said nozzle and said knife-edge are annular in shape and are coaxially disposed in confronted relationship aloNg a central axis of said electric generator.

Claim 7

The fluid actuated electric generator of claim 5 wherein: said second resonant cavity for stabilizing said acoustic oscillations is coaxially disposed on said central axis; and said annular knife-edge is contiguous with said second resonant cavity.

Claim 8

The fluid actuated electric generator of claim 6 wherein: said fluid coupling means and said acoustic coupling means are coaxially disposed on said central axis.

Claim 9

The fluid actuated electric generator of claim 7 wherein: said transducer means comprises a piezoelectric element; and a substantially acoustically opaque exhaust means for said first cavity.

Claim 10

The fluid actuated electric generator of claim 8 wherein: said transducer means comprises a piezoelectric disc cooperating with said first resonant cavity of said acoustic coupling means to close one end thereof.

Claim 11

The fluid actuated electric generator of claim 9 wherein: said acoustic coupling means is coaxially disposed along said central axis in spaced relation from said acoustic oscillator means.

Claim 12

A source of electrical power comprising: an acoustic oscillator including an annular nozzle having a central axis and a first resonant cavity positioned coaxially with said central axis having an annular knife-edge spaced a predetermined distance from said nozzle; a fluid coupling chamber comprising means for regulating to reduce turbulence and cooling fluid within said chamber for conveying a flow of fluid to said nozzle for producing a jet of fluid from said nozzle directed to impinge upon said knife-edge to generate said acoustic oscillations; said first resonant cavity having a resonant range to resonate at certain frequencies of said acoustic oscillations to stabilize said certain frequencies; a second resonator coaxial of said central axis having a resonant range to resonate at substantially said certain frequencies; a piezoelectric element in said second resonant cavity and responsive to said certain frequencies for generating an alternating electrical output signal.

Claim 13

A source of electrical power comprising: an acoustic oscillator including an annular nozzle having a central axis and a first resonant cavity positioned coaxially with said central axis having an annular knife-edge spaced a predetermined distance from said nozzle; a fluid coupling chamber comprising means for regulating to reduce turbulence and cooling fluid within said chamber for conveying a flow of fluid to said nozzle for producing a jet of fluid from said nozzle directed to impinge upon said knife-edge to generate said acoustic oscillations; said first resonant cavity having a resonant range to resonate at certain frequencies of said acoustic oscillations to stabilize said certain frequencies; a second resonator coaxial of said central axis having a resonant range to resonate at substantially said certain frequencies; a piezoelectric element in said second resonant cavity and responsive to said certain frequencies for generating an alternating electrical output signal.

Claim 14

The source of electrical power of claim 11 wherein: said second resonator is provided with an exhaust means comprising a plurality of exhaust openings sized to freely pass spent acoustic fluid from said second resonator and to be substantially opaque to the passage of acoustic energy of said certain frequencies.