Pumping by martensitic transformation utilization
US4472113A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 1982 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05C2251/08
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Pumping in oil wells and like power conversion applications is carried out in an economical manner with efficient utilization of energy and low capital cost by pushing or pulling the plunger mechanism (of conventional type) with a metal wire, rod or tube arranged as a helical coil spring and constructed of a material that exhibits shape memory effect. This is accomplished by cyclically first straining the helical coil by loading it with a mechanical load and thus causing a structural transformation or martensitic transformation in the material and then upon the application of heat thereto (by electrical self heating or an external heater in proximity thereto), reversing the transformation to contract in material length with a fractional multiplier effect on contraction in length of the helical coil to raise the plunger, the coil having an expanded to compressed length ratio of 2:1 or substantially greater.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.