A thermal energy harvesting device includes a rotatable shaft and a shape memory alloy element secured to rotatable shaft. The shape memory alloy element is adapted to undergo a shape memory effect upon reaching a transition temperature, which causes rotation of the rotatable shaft. The rotatable sh
A thermal energy harvesting device includes a rotatable shaft and a shape memory alloy element secured to rotatable shaft. The shape memory alloy element is adapted to undergo a shape memory effect upon reaching a transition temperature, which causes rotation of the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft may be operatively connected to a generator or tachometer to convert the rotation of the shaft into electrical energy, which may then be stored in a rechargeable battery. In certain embodiments a gear box may be provided to increase the speed of rotation, and thereby increase the amount of electrical energy created.
대표청구항▼
1. A thermal energy harvesting device comprising: a rotatable, unitary shaft, a housing, and a shape memory alloy element secured to said shaft and generally helically wrapped around, and in substantial contact with, a portion of said shaft, the shape memory alloy element adapted to cause rotation o
1. A thermal energy harvesting device comprising: a rotatable, unitary shaft, a housing, and a shape memory alloy element secured to said shaft and generally helically wrapped around, and in substantial contact with, a portion of said shaft, the shape memory alloy element adapted to cause rotation of said shaft upon transition from a martensite phase to an austenite phase to thereby create electrical energy, said shape memory alloy element having a first end secured directly to said shaft and an opposing end secured to a stationary structure to thereby prevent said opposing end from movement, said housing surrounding only said shape memory alloy element and a portion of said rotatable shaft, said housing adapted for exposure to a single cooling or heating medium, said single cooling or heating medium alternating between a cooling medium and a heating medium. 2. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 1, where said shaft is operatively coupled to a generator for creating electric energy. 3. The thermal energy harvesting device of any one of claim 1 or 2, where said shaft is operatively coupled to a gear box having an output shaft, the gear box adapted to increase the speed of rotation so that the speed of rotation of said output shaft is greater than the speed of rotation of said rotatable shaft. 4. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 2, where the shape memory alloy element has a longitudinal length, and where the shape memory alloy element is adapted to contract along the longitudinal length when transitioning from the martensite phase to the austenite phase. 5. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 4, further comprising a biasing member connected to said shaft for returning said shaft to its original position following cooling of the shape memory alloy element. 6. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 2, where the shape memory alloy element has a longitudinal length, and where the shape memory alloy element is adapted to elongate along the longitudinal length when transitioning from the martensite phase to the austenite phase. 7. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 2, where said generator is connected to a rechargeable battery for storing electric energy produced by the generator. 8. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 7, further comprising a transformer positioned between the generator and rechargeable battery for increasing the current supplied to the rechargeable battery. 9. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 7, further comprising a diode positioned between said generator and said rechargeable battery to allow current to flow only from the generator to the rechargeable battery and to prevent an electric charge from being drawn from the rechargeable battery. 10. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 1, where said shaft is operatively connected to a device for generating mechanical motion, wherein rotation of the shaft is converted into either rotational or linear mechanical motion. 11. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 10, further comprising one solenoid valve for controlling the temperatures that the shape memory alloy element is subjected to and increasing the rate of temperature change. 12. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 11, where the solenoid valve is movable between an open position to allow flow of the cooling medium and a closed position that prevents flow of the cooling medium. 13. A thermal energy harvesting device comprising: a generator; a rotatable, unitary shaft operatively coupled to said generator; one generally helically shaped memory alloy element positioned around said rotatable, unitary shaft and secured at a first longitudinal end directly to said rotatable, unitary shaft and at a second longitudinal end to a stationary structure to thereby prevent said second longitudinal end from movement, said shape memory alloy element adapted to elongate between said first and second longitudinal ends when subjected to heat and upon transitioning from a martensite phase to an austenite phase to thereby create electrical energy; a housing surrounding only said shape memory alloy element and a portion of said rotatable shaft, said housing adapted for exposure to a single cooling or heating medium, said single cooling or heating medium alternating between a cooling medium and a heating medium; and a rechargeable battery connected to said generator for storing electrical energy produced by said generator. 14. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 13, further comprising a gear box having an output shaft, said gear box positioned between said rotatable, unitary shaft and said generator and adapted to increase or decrease the speed of rotation so that said output shaft has a greater or lower speed of rotation than said rotatable, unitary shaft. 15. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 13, further comprising a transformer positioned between said generator and said rechargeable battery for increasing the current supplied to said rechargeable battery. 16. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 13, further comprising a diode or a switch positioned between said generator and said rechargeable battery for preventing an electric charge from being withdrawn from said rechargeable battery. 17. A thermal energy harvesting device comprising: a gear box; a rotatable shaft operatively connected to said gear box; a shape memory alloy element generally helically wrapped around a portion of said rotatable shaft and secured at a first longitudinal end to said rotatable shaft and at a second longitudinal end to a stationary structure to thereby prevent said second longitudinal end from movement, said shape memory alloy element adapted to contract between said first and second longitudinal ends when subjected to heat and upon transitioning from a martensite phase to a austenite phase; a housing surrounding only said shape memory alloy element and a portion of said rotatable shaft, said housing adapted for exposure to a single cooling or heating medium, said single cooling or heating medium alternating between a cooling medium and a heating medium; an electrical energy generating device operatively connected to said gear box and adapted to convert rotation of said rotatable shaft into electrical energy; and a rechargeable battery connected to said electrical energy generating device to store the electrical energy produced. 18. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 17, where said electrical energy generating device is selected from a generator and a tachometer. 19. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 17, further comprising one solenoid valve in communication with said housing, said solenoid valve being movable between an open position and a closed position for controlling the temperature within the housing. 20. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 19, further comprising a feedback control system for opening and closing said solenoid valve to create a thermally oscillating environment. 21. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 19, where said solenoid valve permits the cooling medium to flow through said housing when in the open position and prevents flow of the cooling medium when in the closed position. 22. The thermal energy harvesting device of claim 1, where the thermal energy harvesting device is devoid of a spring for returning said shaft and said shape memory alloy to their original martensite phase positions.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (6)
Wechsler Monroe S. (Ames IA) Van Gerpen John H. (Cedar Falls IA), Apparatus for recovery and use of waste thermal energy.
Zwick Eugene B. (16841 Edgewater La. Huntington Beach CA 92649) Brigham William D. (14361 Suffolk St. Westminster CA 92683), Fluid pumping and heating system.
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