Nitinol engine for low grade heat

Patent · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5515739

Li, Y T

A continuous band of nitinol wrapping in between a cluster of tightly engaged rollers to form a series of s-shaped bends is used as the principle working medium of a thermal engine to convert low grade heat to mechanical power output. The band, together with the rollers, divides the space into an inner and an outer zone. A stream of warmer water and a stream of cooler water are guided to flow separately through one or the other of the two zones to make uniform and intimate contact with the segments of the nitinol band alternatively at appropriate intervals. A well defined four-cycle operation of temperature and stress is thus established and can convert a portion of the energy which is available in the thermal gradient of the two water streams into a mechanical shaft power which may be tapped from one of the rollers.

• Assignee: IFI; EDB-82-076810
• Patent Number(s): US 4302938
• OSTI ID: 5515739
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140700* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems
DESIGN
ENGINES
HEAT ENGINES
NITINOL HEAT ENGINES
SHAPE MEMORY EFFECT
SOLAR HEAT ENGINES