公开(公告)号：US20110121582A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-26

申请号：US12947857

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F03G7/06 ,  F28D15/00 ,  H02K7/18

CPC分类号： F03G7/06

摘要： A cooling system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a heat source having a first temperature and a coolant having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The cooling system includes a cooling circuit configured for conveying the coolant to and from the heat source. The cooling circuit includes a conduit and a pump in fluid communication with the conduit and configured for delivering the coolant to the heat source. The cooling system also includes a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal to mechanical energy. 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 heat source and coolant.

摘要翻译： 构造成将热能转换为机械能的冷却系统包括由具有第一温度的热源和具有低于第一温度的第二温度的冷却剂之间的温度差提供的热能源。 冷却系统包括冷却回路，该冷却回路构造成将冷却剂输送到热源。 冷却回路包括导管和与导管流体连通的构造成将冷却剂输送到热源的泵。 冷却系统还包括与导管热关系设置的热引擎，并被配置为将热转换成机械能。 热机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在第一相变温度下响应于热源和冷却剂之间的温度差，具有在奥氏体和马氏体之间可变化的结晶相。

公开(公告)号：US08769946B2

公开(公告)日：2014-07-08

申请号：US12947857

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/06

摘要： A cooling system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a heat source having a first temperature and a coolant having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The cooling system includes a cooling circuit configured for conveying the coolant to and from the heat source. The cooling circuit includes a conduit and a pump in fluid communication with the conduit and configured for delivering the coolant to the heat source. The cooling system also includes a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal to mechanical energy. 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 heat source and coolant.

摘要翻译： 构造成将热能转换为机械能的冷却系统包括由具有第一温度的热源和具有低于第一温度的第二温度的冷却剂之间的温度差提供的热能源。 冷却系统包括冷却回路，该冷却回路构造成将冷却剂输送到热源。 冷却回路包括导管和与导管流体连通的构造成将冷却剂输送到热源的泵。 冷却系统还包括与导管热关系设置的热引擎，并被配置为将热转换成机械能。 热机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在第一相变温度下响应于热源和冷却剂之间的温度差，具有在奥氏体和马氏体之间可变化的结晶相。

公开(公告)号：US20110165981A1

公开(公告)日：2011-07-07

申请号：US12947860

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Patrick B. Usoro

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Patrick B. Usoro

IPC分类号： F16G1/22

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  F02G5/04 ,  F16G1/26 ,  F16H7/02 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component. The heat engine includes a belt, a first member, and a second member. The belt includes a strip of material and at least one wire at least partially embedded longitudinally in the strip of material. The wire includes a shape memory alloy material. A localized region of the at least one wire is configured to change crystallographic phase between martensite and austenite and either contract or expand longitudinally in response to exposure to a first temperature or a second temperature such that the strip of material corresponding to the localized region also contracts or expands. The first member is operatively connected to the belt and moves with the belt in response to the expansion or contraction of the belt. The component is operatively connected to the first member such that movement of the first member drives the component.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括热机和部件。 热机包括皮带，第一部件和第二部件。 带包括一条材料条和至少部分地沿纵向地嵌入材料条中的线。 导线包括形状记忆合金材料。 所述至少一根导线的局部区域被配置为改变马氏体和奥氏体之间的结晶相，并且响应于暴露于第一温度或第二温度而纵向收缩或膨胀，使得对应于局部区域的材料条也收缩 或扩展。 第一构件可操作地连接到带并响应于带的膨胀或收缩而与带一起移动。 组件可操作地连接到第一构件，使得第一构件的移动驱动构件。

公开(公告)号：US09038379B2

公开(公告)日：2015-05-26

申请号：US12908191

申请日：2010-10-20

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F03G7/06

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。

公开(公告)号：US08769947B2

公开(公告)日：2014-07-08

申请号：US12947927

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Marten Wittorf ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Marten Wittorf ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

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。

公开(公告)号：US20110120118A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-26

申请号：US12947927

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Marten Wittorf ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Marten Wittorf ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

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。

公开(公告)号：US20090277170A1

公开(公告)日：2009-11-12

申请号：US12437768

申请日：2009-05-08

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： An actuator includes a thermally activated active material member, and an external element configured to selectively engage the member and presenting a predetermined rate of thermal conductivity configured to transfer heat energy to and/or from the member, so as to reduce the actuation period or rate of cooling after actuation, when engaged.

摘要翻译： 致动器包括热活化的活性材料构件和外部元件，所述外部元件被配置为选择性地接合所述构件并且呈现被配置为将热能传递到构件和/或从构件传递热能的预定热导率，以便减少致动周期或速率 致动后冷却，当接合时。

公开(公告)号：US08281585B2

公开(公告)日：2012-10-09

申请号：US12437768

申请日：2009-05-08

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： An actuator includes a thermally activated active material member, and an external element configured to selectively engage the member and presenting a predetermined rate of thermal conductivity configured to transfer heat energy to and/or from the member, so as to reduce the actuation period or rate of cooling after actuation, when engaged.

摘要翻译： 致动器包括热活化的活性材料构件和外部元件，所述外部元件构造成选择性地接合所述构件并且呈现被配置为将热能传递到构件和/或从构件传递热能的预定热导率，以便减少致动周期或速率 致动后冷却，当接合时。

公开(公告)号：US09003788B2

公开(公告)日：2015-04-14

申请号：US12947866

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04 ,  F02G5/04

CPC分类号： F02G5/04 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system comprises a first region having a first temperature and a second region. A conduit is located at least partially within the first region. A heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy is disposed in heat exchange contact with the first region and the second region. The shape memory alloy is driven to rotate around at least a portion of the conduit by the response of the shape memory alloy to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. At least one pulley is driven by the rotation of the shape memory alloy, and the at least one pulley is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括具有第一温度和第二区域的第一区域。 管道至少部分地位于第一区域内。 构造成将热能转换为机械能的热引擎包括形成至少一个大体上连续的环的形状记忆合金。 形状记忆合金配置成与第一区域和第二区域热交换接触。 通过形状记忆合金对第一区域和第二区域之间的温度差的响应，形状记忆合金被驱动以围绕导管的至少一部分旋转。 至少一个滑轮由形状记忆合金的旋转驱动，并且至少一个皮带轮可操作地连接到部件，从而驱动部件。

公开(公告)号：US20110120111A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-26

申请号：US12908191

申请日：2010-10-20

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Christopher P. Henry

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。