Exhaust system

US8769947B2 · 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. Mc Knight · Los Angeles, US
• Marten Wittorf · Ingelheim am Rhein, DE
• 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: Nov 12, 2032

Classification

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

Abstract

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.