Western Kentucky University
Developing a Visual Interface for DeltaE, the Numeric Simulator for Thermoacoustic Devices
Institution
Western Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Gordon Smith
Abstract
Thermoacoustic devices are robust heat engines, using heat to create sound, or using sound to transport heat. They are attractive to industry for their low-maintenance costs and environmental considerations. However, device efficiencies are problematic, prompting searches for new and better designs. Thermoacoustic devices typically begin their development utilizing DeltaE, a numerical simulator developed by researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratories. The program is highly popular among the thermoacoustics community for its ability to successfully describe the physical parameters and geometries that a thermoacoustic device requires to operate. However, the program is text-based, and is somewhat counterintuitive to the novice user. Many attempts have been made to develop a visual version of DeltaE that is more user-friendly, but none have the computing abilities of DeltaE (and so have not been widely accepted in the thermoacoustic community). This approach differs from earlier efforts in that no attempt is made to replace DeltaE itself. A frontend interface possessing the intuitive benefits of graphical programs has been created, which itself runs DeltaE. Details of the beta version of the program will be presented.
Developing a Visual Interface for DeltaE, the Numeric Simulator for Thermoacoustic Devices
Thermoacoustic devices are robust heat engines, using heat to create sound, or using sound to transport heat. They are attractive to industry for their low-maintenance costs and environmental considerations. However, device efficiencies are problematic, prompting searches for new and better designs. Thermoacoustic devices typically begin their development utilizing DeltaE, a numerical simulator developed by researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratories. The program is highly popular among the thermoacoustics community for its ability to successfully describe the physical parameters and geometries that a thermoacoustic device requires to operate. However, the program is text-based, and is somewhat counterintuitive to the novice user. Many attempts have been made to develop a visual version of DeltaE that is more user-friendly, but none have the computing abilities of DeltaE (and so have not been widely accepted in the thermoacoustic community). This approach differs from earlier efforts in that no attempt is made to replace DeltaE itself. A frontend interface possessing the intuitive benefits of graphical programs has been created, which itself runs DeltaE. Details of the beta version of the program will be presented.