An electric propulsion system of an aircraft includes an electrical generator and a cooling device of the electrical generator. It further includes at least one thermoacoustic engine and a heat transfer circuit configured to transport heat dissipated by the electrical generator to the thermoacoustic engine. The cooling device of the electrical generator is at least partially powered by energy from the thermoacoustic engine.

A device and method for treating a wound of a patient with negative pressure is provided. The device comprises a heat-assisted pump system. The pump system can be powered in part by heat derived from the patient. The pump system may be configured to be highly planar, light weight, and portable. The pump system may comprise a Stirling engine or a thermal acoustic engine.

An apparatus includes an exhaust system, a cooling system, and two or more thermoacoustic devices. A first thermoacoustic device is configured to convert heat energy from the exhaust system to amplify an acoustic wave. A second thermoacoustic device configured to convert energy in the amplified acoustic wave to an input for the cooling system. The apparatus may be incorporated or in communication with an engine or a generator.

A device and method for treating a wound of a patient with negative pressure is provided. The device comprises a heat-assisted pump system. The pump system can be powered in part by heat derived from the patient. The pump system may be configured to be highly planar, light weight, and portable. The pump system may comprise a Stirling engine or a thermal acoustic engine.

Heat from a safe high energy density fuel, such as aluminum, is used to generate electrical power. In some applications, the fuel may use seawater as an oxidizer. Additionally, the hybrid power system uses a highly efficient and silent thermoacoustic power converter (TAPC) to convert the thermal energy from the oxidation of aluminum to AC electrical energy. The AC electrical energy is converted to DC energy and stored in a battery. In situations demanding low power, the battery can provide power while the fuel combustion process is suspended.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method for converting energy. The method comprises receiving energy from an external source, using the received energy for inducing a mass exchange process to release thermodynamic energy, and converting the thermodynamic energy directly into electrical energy at sufficient amount for performing work therewith. In some embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the released energy is converted to a pressure wave, and the mechanical energy constituted by the pressure wave is converted to non-mechanical energy.

A thermoacoustic machine including a device for measuring at least one parameter representative of a temperature of a first external source and/or of a second external source, and a control device configured to modulate the acoustic power generated by one or more acoustic sources such that the temperature of one said external source connected to one or more thermoacoustic cells of the machine reaches or remains substantially identical to a setpoint temperature is disclosed.

System and method for converting energy; the system comprising: an acoustic resonator; a phase-exchange device configured for forming across a section of said resonator a concentration gradient of a first substance in a gaseous medium contained by said resonator, to thereby generate a pressure wave within said resonator; and a conversion device for converting mechanical energy constituted by said pressure wave to non-mechanical energy.

Heat from a safe high energy density fuel, such as aluminum, is used to generate electrical power. In some applications, the fuel may use seawater as an oxidizer. Additionally, the hybrid power system uses a highly efficient and silent thermoacoustic power converter (TAPC) to convert the thermal energy from the oxidation of aluminum to AC electrical energy. The AC electrical energy is converted to DC energy and stored in a battery. In situations demanding low power, the battery can provide power while the fuel combustion process is suspended.