公开(公告)号：US08656714B2

公开(公告)日：2014-02-25

申请号：US13371441

申请日：2012-02-12

申请人： Nicholas W Pinto, IV ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Andrew M. Mance ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Marten Wittorf

发明人： Nicholas W Pinto, IV ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Andrew M. Mance ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Marten Wittorf

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： Actuation assemblies for and methods of activating a thermally actuated active material actuator utilizing wireless transmissions of energy.

摘要翻译： 使用无线能量传输激活热致动的活性材料致动器的致动组件和激活方法。

公开(公告)号：US20120137672A1

公开(公告)日：2012-06-07

申请号：US13371441

申请日：2012-02-12

申请人： Nicholas W. Pinto, IV ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Andrew M. Mance ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Marten Wittorf

发明人： Nicholas W. Pinto, IV ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Andrew M. Mance ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Marten Wittorf

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： Actuation assemblies for and methods of activating a thermally actuated active material actuator utilizing wireless transmissions of energy.

摘要翻译： 使用无线能量传输激活热致动的活性材料致动器的致动组件和激活方法。

公开(公告)号：US20110120118A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-26

申请号：US12947927

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Marten Wittorf ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Marten Wittorf ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/06

摘要： An exhaust system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between an exhaust gas having a first temperature and a heat sink having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The exhaust system also includes a conduit configured for conveying the exhaust gas, a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy, and a member disposed in contact with the conduit and configured for conducting thermal energy from the conduit to the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite at a first transformation temperature in response to the temperature difference between the exhaust gas and the heat sink.

摘要翻译： 构造成用于将热能转换为机械能的排气系统包括由具有第一温度的排气和具有低于第一温度的第二温度的散热器之间的温度差提供的热能源。 排气系统还包括被配置为输送废气的导管，与导管热关系地设置的热引擎并且被配置为将热能转换成机械能的热引擎，以及与导管接触设置的构件， 热引擎的导管。 热引擎包括由第一形状记忆合金形成的第一元件，该第一形状记忆合金具有响应于废气和散热器之间的温差而在第一相变温度下具有在奥氏体和马氏体之间可变化的结晶相。

公开(公告)号：US08769947B2

公开(公告)日：2014-07-08

申请号：US12947927

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Marten Wittorf ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Marten Wittorf ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/06

摘要： An exhaust system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between an exhaust gas having a first temperature and a heat sink having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The exhaust system also includes a conduit configured for conveying the exhaust gas, a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy, and a member disposed in contact with the conduit and configured for conducting thermal energy from the conduit to the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite at a first transformation temperature in response to the temperature difference between the exhaust gas and the heat sink.

摘要翻译： 构造成用于将热能转换为机械能的排气系统包括由具有第一温度的排气和具有低于第一温度的第二温度的散热器之间的温度差提供的热能源。 排气系统还包括被配置为输送废气的导管，与导管热关系地设置的热引擎并且被配置为将热能转换成机械能的热引擎，以及与导管接触设置的构件， 热引擎的导管。 热引擎包括由第一形状记忆合金形成的第一元件，该第一形状记忆合金具有响应于废气和散热器之间的温差而在第一相变温度下具有在奥氏体和马氏体之间可变化的结晶相。

公开(公告)号：US08800282B2

公开(公告)日：2014-08-12

申请号：US12947932

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Marten Wittorf

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Marten Wittorf

IPC分类号： F02G1/04 ,  F01B29/10

CPC分类号： F02G5/04 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system comprises a first region and a second region having a temperature difference therebetween. A heat engine is configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a first discrete element of a shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite in response to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. The first discrete element of the shape memory alloy expands and contracts in response to the phase change to exert a linear force. A motion conversion mechanism is operatively connected to the first discrete element to be driven by the linear force and a component is driven by the motion conversion mechanism.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括第一区域和第二区域之间的温差。 热机被配置为将热能转换成机械能。 热机包括响应于第一区域和第二区域之间的温差而具有在奥氏体和马氏体之间可变的结晶相的形状记忆合金的第一离散元件。 形状记忆合金的第一分立元件响应于相变而膨胀和收缩以施加线性力。 运动转换机构可操作地连接到要由线性力驱动的第一分立元件，并且部件由运动转换机构驱动。

公开(公告)号：US20110120119A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-26

申请号：US12947932

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Marten Wittorf

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Marten Wittorf

IPC分类号： F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F02G5/04 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system comprises a first region and a second region having a temperature difference therebetween. A heat engine is configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a first discrete element of a shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite in response to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. The first discrete element of the shape memory alloy expands and contracts in response to the phase change to exert a linear force. A motion conversion mechanism is operatively connected to the first discrete element to be driven by the linear force and a component is driven by the motion conversion mechanism.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括第一区域和第二区域之间的温差。 热机被配置为将热能转换成机械能。 热机包括响应于第一区域和第二区域之间的温差而具有在奥氏体和马氏体之间可变的结晶相的形状记忆合金的第一离散元件。 形状记忆合金的第一分立元件响应于相变而膨胀和收缩以施加线性力。 运动转换机构可操作地连接到要由线性力驱动的第一分立元件，并且部件由运动转换机构驱动。

公开(公告)号：US20110139395A1

公开(公告)日：2011-06-16

申请号：US12639527

申请日：2009-12-16

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Marten Wittorf ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  James Holbrook Brown ,  Xiujie Gao

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Marten Wittorf ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  James Holbrook Brown ,  Xiujie Gao

IPC分类号： B60H1/00 ,  F28D21/00 ,  B60H1/22

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  B60K1/00 ,  B60K2001/005

摘要： A heat transport system includes a fluid, a heat engine, and a component. The fluid has a first fluid region at a first temperature and a second fluid region at a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The heat engine includes a shape-memory alloy disposed in contact with each of the first fluid region and the second fluid region. The heat engine is operable to transfer heat from one of the first fluid region and the second fluid region to the other of the first fluid region and the second fluid region in response to the crystallographic phase of the shape-memory alloy.

摘要翻译： 热输送系统包括流体，热引擎和部件。 流体具有在第一温度下的第一流体区域和与第一温度不同的第二温度的第二流体区域。 热引擎包括与第一流体区域和第二流体区域中的每一个接触的形状记忆合金。 热引擎可操作以响应于形状记忆合金的结晶相，将热量从第一流体区域和第二流体区域中的一个传递到第一流体区域和第二流体区域中的另一个。

公开(公告)号：US08511082B2

公开(公告)日：2013-08-20

申请号：US12639527

申请日：2009-12-16

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Marten Wittorf ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  James Holbrook Brown ,  Xiujie Gao

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Marten Wittorf ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  James Holbrook Brown ,  Xiujie Gao

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  B60K1/00 ,  B60K2001/005

摘要： A heat transport system includes a fluid, a heat engine, and a component. The fluid has a first fluid region at a first temperature and a second fluid region at a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The heat engine includes a shape-memory alloy disposed in contact with each of the first fluid region and the second fluid region. The heat engine is operable to transfer heat from one of the first fluid region and the second fluid region to the other of the first fluid region and the second fluid region in response to the crystallographic phase of the shape-memory alloy.

摘要翻译： 热输送系统包括流体，热引擎和部件。 流体具有在第一温度下的第一流体区域和与第一温度不同的第二温度的第二流体区域。 热引擎包括与第一流体区域和第二流体区域中的每一个接触的形状记忆合金。 热引擎可操作以响应于形状记忆合金的结晶相，将热量从第一流体区域和第二流体区域中的一个传递到第一流体区域和第二流体区域中的另一个。

公开(公告)号：US08104278B2

公开(公告)日：2012-01-31

申请号：US12245677

申请日：2008-10-03

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Marten Wittorf

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Marten Wittorf

IPC分类号： F01B29/10

CPC分类号： A45B25/143 ,  A45B2200/1009 ,  B60J1/2011 ,  B60J3/002 ,  B60J3/0204 ,  B60J11/025 ,  B60J11/08

摘要： A system for and method of harvesting, storing and converting naturally occurring energy, includes exposing an active material, and more preferably a shape memory element to an ambient activation signal or condition, harvesting a portion of the energy by pseudoplastically straining or superelastically deforming the element, storing the energy by causing a change in the element and/or engaging a locking mechanism, and converting the energy by exposing the mechanism to an activation signal and/or otherwise releasing the mechanism.

摘要翻译： 收集，储存和转化天然发生的能量的系统和方法包括将活性材料，更优选地将形状记忆元件暴露于环境激活信号或状态，通过使元件假塑性应变或超塑性变形来收获能量的一部分 通过使元件发生变化和/或接合锁定机构来存储能量，以及通过将机构暴露于激活信号和/或以其它方式释放机构来转换能量。

公开(公告)号：US08878047B2

公开(公告)日：2014-11-04

申请号：US13427107

申请日：2012-03-22

申请人： Marten Wittorf ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  James Holbrook Brown

发明人： Marten Wittorf ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  James Holbrook Brown

IPC分类号： H01L35/30 ,  B60K16/00 ,  F03G7/06

CPC分类号： B60K16/00 ,  B60L3/0015 ,  B60L8/00 ,  B60L11/18 ,  B60L2240/64 ,  B60L2240/662 ,  F03G7/04 ,  F03G7/06 ,  F03G7/065 ,  Y02T10/7005 ,  Y02T10/7083 ,  Y02T10/7291 ,  Y02T90/16

摘要： A heat engine system for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is operable on a road surface, includes a collector configured for collecting an air layer disposed adjacent the road surface. The heat engine system also includes a heat engine configured for converting thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between the air layer and an ambient air surrounding the vehicle to another form of energy. The air layer has a first temperature, and the ambient air has a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. In addition, the heat engine system includes a guide configured for transferring the air layer from the collector to the heat engine. A vehicle includes a body defining an interior compartment and having an underside surface spaced opposite the road surface, and the heat engine system.

摘要翻译： 一种用于车辆的热发动机系统，其中所述车辆在路面上可操作，包括收集器，其被配置为收集邻近所述路面设置的空气层。 热机系统还包括热引擎，其被配置为将由空气层和围绕车辆的环境空气之间的温差提供的热能转换成另一形式的能量。 空气层具有第一温度，并且环境空气具有低于第一温度的第二温度。 此外，热机系统包括引导件，其构造成将空气层从收集器传送到热机。 车辆包括限定内部隔间并具有与路面相对隔开的下侧表面的主体和热引擎系统。