Cooling system

US8769946B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Paul W. Alexander · Ypsilanti, US
• Alan L. Browne · Grosse Pointe, US
• Nancy L. Johnson · Northville, US
• Patrick B. Usoro · Troy, US
• Nilesh D. Mankame · Ann Arbor, US
• Xiujie Gao · Troy, US
• Geoffrey P. McKnight · Los Angeles, US
• John A. Cafeo · Farmington, US
• Christopher P. Henry · Thousand Oaks, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 17, 2010
• Grant date: Jul 8, 2014
• Expiry date: Oct 14, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F03G7/066
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

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.