Thermal energy harvesting optimization with bistable elements and collaborative behavior
US9966879B2 · kind B2 · utility
0Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 8, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/42
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system includes a hot source, a cold source, and a device thermally coupled between the hot source and the cold source. The device includes a thermal-mechanical transducer and a mechanical-electrical transducer. The thermal-mechanical transducer includes a band of bimetallic strips linked mechanically together by their longitudinal ends. The band partially suspended over a portion of a substrate. Each bimetallic strip has a first stable state having a first curvature and a second stable state having a second curvature opposite the first curvature, and adjacent bimetallic strips have opposite curvature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.