FLUIDIC THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR

A thermoelectric generator that utilizes the high temperature generated by fluid compression waves within a resonant tube that is subject to a supersonic air stream. The resonant tube, which may take any one of a number of forms, is located in a nose cone of the projectile that has a nozzle formed at the ogive for directing the fluid flow created while the projectile is in flight onto the open end of the resonant tube. This fluid flow sets up complex cyclical compression waves within the resonant tube which subsequently causes heating of the fluid therein due primarily to the friction within the tube and to the non-isentropic compression of the fluid interacting with the shock waves therein. The heating of the fluid and the high amplitude fluctuations cause a thermoelectric crystal placed near the closed end of the resonant tube to emit an electrical output. The electrical output may be utilized as a power source for any of a number of electrical devices within the projectile.