公开(公告)号：US09038379B2

公开(公告)日：2015-05-26

申请号：US12908191

申请日：2010-10-20

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  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. McKnight ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： A method of controlling an energy harvesting system that converts excess thermal energy into mechanical energy and includes a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) member, includes obtaining current operational parameters of the energy harvesting system, such as a maximum temperature, a minimum temperature and a cycle frequency of the SMA member. The current operational parameters are compared to a target operating condition of the energy harvesting system to determine if the current operational parameters are within a pre-defined range of the target operating condition. If the current operational parameters are not within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition, then a heat transfer rate to, a heat transfer rate from or a cycle frequency of the SMA member is adjusted to maintain operation of the energy harvesting system within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition to maximize efficiency of the energy harvesting system.

摘要翻译： 一种控制能量收集系统的方法，其将过剩的热能转换成机械能并且包括形状记忆合金（SMA）构件，包括获得能量收集系统的当前操作参数，例如最高温度，最低温度和循环 SMA部件的频率。 将当前操作参数与能量收集系统的目标操作条件进行比较，以确定当前操作参数是否在目标操作条件的预定义范围内。 如果当前的操作参数不在目标操作条件的预定范围内，则调整传热速率，从SMA构件的传热速率或循环频率，以维持能量收集系统的运行 目标操作条件的预定义范围，以最大限度地提高能量收集系统的效率。

公开(公告)号：US20110120115A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-26

申请号：US12947914

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F02G1/04 ,  F16H7/08 ,  F16H7/12

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  F02G5/04 ,  F16G1/26 ,  F16H7/02 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component configured to be driven by operation of the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first member, a second member, a shape memory alloy material, and a tensioner. The second member is spaced from the first member. The shape memory alloy material operatively interconnects the first member and the second member. The shape memory alloy material is configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from martensite to austenite and thereby contract in response to exposure to a first temperature. The shape memory alloy material is also configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from austenite to martensite and thereby expand in response to exposure to a second temperature. The tensioner is configured to apply tension to the shape memory alloy material as the shape memory alloy material selectively expands and contracts such that the shape memory alloy material is taut.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括热引擎和构造成由热机的操作驱动的部件。 热机包括第一构件，第二构件，形状记忆合金材料和张紧器。 第二构件与第一构件间隔开。 形状记忆合金材料可操作地将第一构件和第二构件相互连接。 形状记忆合金材料构造成选择性地将结晶相从马氏体转变为奥氏体，从而响应于暴露于第一温度而收缩。 形状记忆合金材料还被配置为选择性地将结晶相从奥氏体转变为马氏体，从而响应于暴露于第二温度而膨胀。 张紧器构造成当形状记忆合金材料选择性地膨胀和收缩使得形状记忆合金材料拉紧时，向形状记忆合金材料施加张力。

公开(公告)号：US20110165981A1

公开(公告)日：2011-07-07

申请号：US12947860

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Patrick B. Usoro

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Patrick B. Usoro

IPC分类号： F16G1/22

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  F02G5/04 ,  F16G1/26 ,  F16H7/02 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component. The heat engine includes a belt, a first member, and a second member. The belt includes a strip of material and at least one wire at least partially embedded longitudinally in the strip of material. The wire includes a shape memory alloy material. A localized region of the at least one wire is configured to change crystallographic phase between martensite and austenite and either contract or expand longitudinally in response to exposure to a first temperature or a second temperature such that the strip of material corresponding to the localized region also contracts or expands. The first member is operatively connected to the belt and moves with the belt in response to the expansion or contraction of the belt. The component is operatively connected to the first member such that movement of the first member drives the component.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括热机和部件。 热机包括皮带，第一部件和第二部件。 带包括一条材料条和至少部分地沿纵向地嵌入材料条中的线。 导线包括形状记忆合金材料。 所述至少一根导线的局部区域被配置为改变马氏体和奥氏体之间的结晶相，并且响应于暴露于第一温度或第二温度而纵向收缩或膨胀，使得对应于局部区域的材料条也收缩 或扩展。 第一构件可操作地连接到带并响应于带的膨胀或收缩而与带一起移动。 组件可操作地连接到第一构件，使得第一构件的移动驱动构件。

公开(公告)号：US20110121582A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-26

申请号：US12947857

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. McKnight ,  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. McKnight ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F03G7/06 ,  F28D15/00 ,  H02K7/18

CPC分类号： F03G7/06

摘要： A cooling system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a heat source having a first temperature and a coolant having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The cooling system includes a cooling circuit configured for conveying the coolant to and from the heat source. The cooling circuit includes a conduit and a pump in fluid communication with the conduit and configured for delivering the coolant to the heat source. The cooling system also includes a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal to mechanical energy. 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 heat source and coolant.

摘要翻译： 构造成将热能转换为机械能的冷却系统包括由具有第一温度的热源和具有低于第一温度的第二温度的冷却剂之间的温度差提供的热能源。 冷却系统包括冷却回路，该冷却回路构造成将冷却剂输送到热源。 冷却回路包括导管和与导管流体连通的构造成将冷却剂输送到热源的泵。 冷却系统还包括与导管热关系设置的热引擎，并被配置为将热转换成机械能。 热机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在第一相变温度下响应于热源和冷却剂之间的温度差，具有在奥氏体和马氏体之间可变化的结晶相。

公开(公告)号：US08793993B2

公开(公告)日：2014-08-05

申请号：US12947914

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  F02G5/04 ,  F16G1/26 ,  F16H7/02 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component configured to be driven by operation of the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first member, a second member, a shape memory alloy material, and a tensioner. The second member is spaced from the first member. The shape memory alloy material operatively interconnects the first member and the second member. The shape memory alloy material is configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from martensite to austenite and thereby contract in response to exposure to a first temperature. The shape memory alloy material is also configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from austenite to martensite and thereby expand in response to exposure to a second temperature. The tensioner is configured to apply tension to the shape memory alloy material as the shape memory alloy material selectively expands and contracts such that the shape memory alloy material is taut.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括热引擎和构造成由热机的操作驱动的部件。 热机包括第一构件，第二构件，形状记忆合金材料和张紧器。 第二构件与第一构件间隔开。 形状记忆合金材料可操作地将第一构件和第二构件相互连接。 形状记忆合金材料构造成选择性地将结晶相从马氏体转变为奥氏体，从而响应于暴露于第一温度而收缩。 形状记忆合金材料还被配置为选择性地将结晶相从奥氏体转变为马氏体，从而响应于暴露于第二温度而膨胀。 张紧器构造成当形状记忆合金材料选择性地膨胀和收缩使得形状记忆合金材料拉紧时，向形状记忆合金材料施加张力。

公开(公告)号：US08769946B2

公开(公告)日：2014-07-08

申请号：US12947857

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. McKnight ,  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. McKnight ,  John A. Cafeo ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/06

摘要： A cooling system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a heat source having a first temperature and a coolant having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The cooling system includes a cooling circuit configured for conveying the coolant to and from the heat source. The cooling circuit includes a conduit and a pump in fluid communication with the conduit and configured for delivering the coolant to the heat source. The cooling system also includes a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal to mechanical energy. 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 heat source and coolant.

摘要翻译： 构造成将热能转换为机械能的冷却系统包括由具有第一温度的热源和具有低于第一温度的第二温度的冷却剂之间的温度差提供的热能源。 冷却系统包括冷却回路，该冷却回路构造成将冷却剂输送到热源。 冷却回路包括导管和与导管流体连通的构造成将冷却剂输送到热源的泵。 冷却系统还包括与导管热关系设置的热引擎，并被配置为将热转换成机械能。 热机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在第一相变温度下响应于热源和冷却剂之间的温度差，具有在奥氏体和马氏体之间可变化的结晶相。

公开(公告)号：US06991280B2

公开(公告)日：2006-01-31

申请号：US10983330

申请日：2004-11-05

申请人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron Massey ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

发明人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron Massey ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

IPC分类号： B60J1/00

CPC分类号： B60K11/085 ,  B60H2001/00092 ,  B62D35/00 ,  B64C23/00 ,  B64C2027/7288 ,  F15D1/10 ,  Y02T10/88 ,  Y02T50/34

摘要： An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

公开(公告)号：US20130081389A1

公开(公告)日：2013-04-04

申请号：US13250248

申请日：2011-09-30

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera

IPC分类号： F01B29/10

CPC分类号： H01H37/323 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： A deformable bi-stable device includes an elastically deformable member having at least two stable configurations and capable of being deformed from a first stable configuration to a second stable configuration, the element passing through an unstable configuration as it is deformed from the first stable configuration to the second stable configuration, and a shape memory polymer layer on or in the elastically deformable member. A method of using this device includes heating the shape memory polymer to a temperature sufficient to reduce the modulus of the shape memory polymer, deforming the deformable member to move from one of the first and second stable configurations to another of the first and second stable configurations, and cooling the device to a temperature sufficient to increase the modulus of the shape memory polymer.

摘要翻译： 一种可变形的双稳态装置包括具有至少两个稳定构造并且能够从第一稳定构型变形到第二稳定构型的可弹性变形构件，该元件在从第一稳定构型变形时穿过不稳定构型， 第二稳定构型和可弹性变形构件上或其中的形状记忆聚合物层。 使用该装置的方法包括将形状记忆聚合物加热到足以降低形状记忆聚合物的模量的温度，使可变形构件变形从第一和第二稳定构型中的一个移动到第一和第二稳定构型中的另一个 ，并将该装置冷却到足以增加形状记忆聚合物的模量的温度。

公开(公告)号：US07703839B2

公开(公告)日：2010-04-27

申请号：US11086470

申请日：2004-11-05

申请人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron Massey ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

发明人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron Massey ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

IPC分类号： B62D35/00

CPC分类号： B60K11/085 ,  B60H2001/00092 ,  B62D35/00 ,  B64C23/00 ,  B64C2027/7288 ,  F15D1/10 ,  Y02T10/88 ,  Y02T50/34

摘要： An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

摘要翻译： 气流控制装置包括与主体可操作地连通的主体和活动材料。 诸如形状记忆材料的活性材料可操作以响应于激活信号改变至少一个属性。 活性材料可以改变其形状，尺寸和/或刚度，从而产生气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度，以控制车辆气流，以更好地适应驾驶中的变化 条件如天气，离地间隙和速度，同时减少维护和故障模式的水平。 因此，该装置由于不足的离地间隙而减少车辆损坏，同时提高车辆稳定性和燃料经济性。 可以使用激活装置，控制器和传感器来进一步控制气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如装置的形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度。 用于控制车辆气流的方法选择性地引入激活信号以启动在停止激活信号时可以反转的装置的至少一个特征的改变。

公开(公告)号：US20080272615A1

公开(公告)日：2008-11-06

申请号：US12174035

申请日：2008-07-16

申请人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron Massey ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

发明人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron Massey ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

IPC分类号： B62D37/02

CPC分类号： B64C23/00 ,  B64C2027/7288 ,  F15D1/10 ,  Y02T50/34

摘要： An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

摘要翻译： 气流控制装置包括与主体可操作地连通的主体和活动材料。 诸如形状记忆材料的活性材料可操作以响应于激活信号改变至少一个属性。 活性材料可以改变其形状，尺寸和/或刚度，从而产生气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度，以控制车辆气流，以更好地适应驾驶中的变化 条件如天气，离地间隙和速度，同时减少维护和故障模式的水平。 因此，该装置由于不足的离地间隙而减少车辆损坏，同时提高车辆稳定性和燃料经济性。 可以使用激活装置，控制器和传感器来进一步控制气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如装置的形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度。 用于控制车辆气流的方法选择性地引入激活信号以启动在停止激活信号时可以反转的装置的至少一个特征的改变。