Shape memory alloy heat engines and energy harvesting systems

US8844281B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US
• Dynalloy, Inc. · US
• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• Alan L. Browne · Grosse Pointe, US
• Nancy L. Johnson · Northville, US
• John Andrew Shaw · Toronto, CA
• Christopher B. Churchill · Ventura, US
• Andrew C. Keefe · Calabasas, US
• Geoffrey P. McKnight · Los Angeles, US
• Paul W. Alexander · Ypsilanti, US
• Guillermo A. Herrera · Calabasas, US
• James Ryan Yates · Mission Viejo, US
• Jeffrey W. Brown · Los Gatos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 30, 2011
• Grant date: Sep 30, 2014
• Expiry date: Jun 19, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S420/902
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A heat engine includes a first rotatable pulley and a second rotatable pulley spaced from the first rotatable pulley. A shape memory alloy (SMA) element is disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at an SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element includes a first wire, a second wire, and a matrix joining the first wire and the second wire. The first wire and the second wire are in contact with the pulleys, but the matrix is not in contact with the pulleys. A timing cable is disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at a timing pulley ratio, which is different than the SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element converts a thermal energy gradient between the hot region and the cold region into mechanical energy.