Solid state engine using nitinol memory alloy

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:864058

Golestaneh, Ahmad A ^[1]

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1. Bolingbrook, IL

A device for converting heat energy to mechanical energy includes a reservoir of a hot fluid and a rotor assembly mounted thereabove so a portion of it dips into the hot fluid. The rotor assembly may include a shaft having four spokes extending radially outwardly therefrom at right angles to each other, a floating ring and four flexible elements composed of a thermal memory material having a critical temperature between the temperature of the hot fluid and that of the ambient atmosphere extending between the ends of the spokes and the floating ring. Preferably, the flexible elements are attached to the floating ring through curved leaf springs. Energetic shape recovery of the flexible elements in the hot fluid causes the rotor assembly to rotate.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4302939
• OSTI ID: 864058
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

solid
engine
nitinol
memory
alloy
device
converting
heat
energy
mechanical
reservoir
hot
fluid
rotor
assembly
mounted
thereabove
portion
dips
shaft
spokes
extending
radially
outwardly
therefrom
angles
floating
flexible
elements
composed
thermal
material
critical
temperature
ambient
atmosphere
preferably
attached
curved
leaf
springs
energetic
shape
recovery
causes
rotate
leaf spring
outwardly therefrom
memory alloy
extending radially
ambient atmosphere
rotor assembly
heat energy
critical temperature
radially outwardly
radially outward
hot fluid
mechanical energy
assembly mounted
converting heat
memory material
extending radial
fluid causes
/60/