Thermal energy scavenger
US4922718A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 1989 |
| Grant date | May 8, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03G7/0646
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thermal energy scavenger assembly (10) includes a plurality of integral elements (12) made of temperature sensitive material having first and second ends (14, 16). The integral elements (12) comprise a first portion (18) which is subjected to predetermined cyclic temperature changes to cause the first portion (18) to undergo thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformations in response to heat to pass from a martensitic phase when at a temperature below a phase transformation temperature range and capable of a first high level of recoverable strain to an austenitic parent phase and a memory shape when at a temperature above the phase transformation temperature range and capable of a second lower level of recoverable strain. The integral elements (12) further include a second portion (20) which is integral with the first portion (18) but which is also incapable of the shape memory responses. The second (20) portion is not subjected to the predetermined cyclic temperature changes. Thus, the second portion (20) acts to limit the stress to which the first portion (18) is subjected as the first portion (18) of the temperature sensitive elements (12) is subjected to temperatures above t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.