Exhaust system
    1.
    发明授权
    Exhaust system 有权
    排气系统

    公开(公告)号:US08769947B2

    公开(公告)日:2014-07-08

    申请号:US12947927

    申请日:2010-11-17

    IPC分类号: F01B29/10 F02G1/04

    CPC分类号: F03G7/06

    摘要: An exhaust system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between an exhaust gas having a first temperature and a heat sink having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The exhaust system also includes a conduit configured for conveying the exhaust gas, a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy, and a member disposed in contact with the conduit and configured for conducting thermal energy from the conduit to the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite at a first transformation temperature in response to the temperature difference between the exhaust gas and the heat sink.

    摘要翻译: 构造成用于将热能转换为机械能的排气系统包括由具有第一温度的排气和具有低于第一温度的第二温度的散热器之间的温度差提供的热能源。 排气系统还包括被配置为输送废气的导管,与导管热关系地设置的热引擎并且被配置为将热能转换成机械能的热引擎,以及与导管接触设置的构件, 热引擎的导管。 热引擎包括由第一形状记忆合金形成的第一元件,该第一形状记忆合金具有响应于废气和散热器之间的温差而在第一相变温度下具有在奥氏体和马氏体之间可变化的结晶相。

    METHOD OF CONTROLLING A THERMAL ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM
    3.
    发明申请
    METHOD OF CONTROLLING A THERMAL ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM 有权
    控制热能收集系统的方法

    公开(公告)号:US20110120111A1

    公开(公告)日:2011-05-26

    申请号:US12908191

    申请日:2010-10-20

    IPC分类号: F01B29/10

    CPC分类号: F01B29/10 F03G7/065

    摘要: A method of controlling an energy harvesting system that converts excess thermal energy into mechanical energy and includes a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) member, includes obtaining current operational parameters of the energy harvesting system, such as a maximum temperature, a minimum temperature and a cycle frequency of the SMA member. The current operational parameters are compared to a target operating condition of the energy harvesting system to determine if the current operational parameters are within a pre-defined range of the target operating condition. If the current operational parameters are not within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition, then a heat transfer rate to, a heat transfer rate from or a cycle frequency of the SMA member is adjusted to maintain operation of the energy harvesting system within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition to maximize efficiency of the energy harvesting system.

    摘要翻译: 一种控制能量收集系统的方法,其将过剩的热能转换成机械能并且包括形状记忆合金(SMA)构件,包括获得能量收集系统的当前操作参数,例如最高温度,最低温度和循环 SMA部件的频率。 将当前操作参数与能量收集系统的目标操作条件进行比较,以确定当前操作参数是否在目标操作条件的预定义范围内。 如果当前的操作参数不在目标操作条件的预定范围内,则调整传热速率,从SMA构件的传热速率或循环频率,以维持能量收集系统的运行 目标操作条件的预定义范围,以最大限度地提高能量收集系统的效率。

    Airflow control devices based on active materials
    6.
    发明授权
    Airflow control devices based on active materials 有权
    基于活性物质的气流控制装置

    公开(公告)号:US07429074B2

    公开(公告)日:2008-09-30

    申请号:US11086469

    申请日:2004-11-05

    IPC分类号: B60J1/00

    摘要: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

    摘要翻译: 气流控制装置包括与主体可操作地连通的主体和活动材料。 诸如形状记忆材料的活性材料可操作以响应于激活信号改变至少一个属性。 活性材料可以改变其形状,尺寸和/或刚度,从而产生气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化,例如形状,尺寸,位置,取向和/或刚度,以控制车辆气流,以更好地适应驾驶中的变化 条件如天气,离地间隙和速度,同时减少维护和故障模式的水平。 因此,该装置由于不足的离地间隙而减少车辆损坏,同时提高车辆稳定性和燃料经济性。 可以使用激活装置,控制器和传感器来进一步控制气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化,例如装置的形状,尺寸,位置,取向和/或刚度。 用于控制车辆气流的方法选择性地引入激活信号以启动在停止激活信号时可以反转的装置的至少一个特征的改变。

    Reconfigurable Bi-Stable Device
    9.
    发明申请
    Reconfigurable Bi-Stable Device 有权
    可重构双稳态器件

    公开(公告)号:US20130081933A1

    公开(公告)日:2013-04-04

    申请号:US13250317

    申请日:2011-09-30

    摘要: A reconfigurable bi-stable device includes an elastically deformable panel laterally disposed between and connected to one or more mounting members directly or indirectly connected to opposing ends of the panel, with the panel maintained under compressive force along at least one vector extending between the opposing ends. The compressive force deforms the panel into a one of two stable deformed positions, with the device disposed such that the panel may be moved between each of the two stable deformed positions by application of manual force to one of two opposing faces of the panel. A first shape memory alloy (SMA) or piezo actuator member is connected to the panel, the actuator member being capable of moving the panel from a first one of the two stable deformed positions to a second one of the two stable deformed positions.

    摘要翻译: 可重构双稳态装置包括横向设置在直接或间接连接到面板的相对端的一个或多个安装构件之间并且连接到面板的相对端部之间并连接到面板的相对端部的弹性变形板,其中面板沿着在相对端之间延伸的至少一个矢量保持在压缩力 。 压缩力使面板变形为两个稳定的变形位置之一,其中该装置设置成使得面板可以通过对面板的两个相对面之一施加手动力而在两个稳定的变形位置中的每一个之间移动。 第一形状记忆合金(SMA)或压电致动器构件连接到面板,致动器构件能够将面板从两个稳定变形位置中的第一个移动到两个稳定变形位置中的第二个。