Method and apparatus for converting dissipated heat to work energy
AssigneeSony Corporation
InventorsKazuaki Yazawa, Avram Bar-Cohen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for converting low temperature dissipated heat to other useful energy and apparatus therefor. Heat energy is transferred to a shape memory alloy using natural conduction of the heat. The kinetic energy of the shape memory alloy resulting from cyclic temperature variations is transferred to another type of energy such as electrical energy.
Claims49
A shape memory alloy heat dissipating device, comprising:
- a shape memory alloy member, the shape memory alloy member having a first configuration at a first temperature and a second configuration at a second different temperature;
- a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger thermally positioned adjacent to the shape memory alloy member to dissipate the heat therefrom to phase change the shape memory alloy member to the second configuration, the first and second temperatures being less than about 200° C.;
- and
- a bias member, the bias member flexibly connected to the shape memory alloy to bias the shape memory alloy member back to the first configuration after heat dissipation.
A shape memory alloy device to dissipate heat out of a heated environment to produce electricity, comprising:
- a plurality of shape memory alloy members, each shape memory alloy member having a first configuration at a first temperature and a second configuration at a second temperature, each shape memory alloy member adapted to change phase via hysteresis from the first configuration to the second configuration when exposed to heat above a first temperature, each shape memory alloy member configured to contract to the second configuration at a second temperature to transfer the heat;
- a plate member, the plate member thermally connected to each shape memory alloy member;
- a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger thermally positioned adjacent to the plate member opposite the plurality of shape memory alloy members;
- a bias member, the bias member flexibly connected to the plate member and the heat exchanger to bias the plate member toward the heat exchanger to extend the plurality of shape memory alloy members back to the first configuration after heat dissipation;
- and
- an energy converter, the energy converter operatively fixed to the plurality of shape memory alloy members to create a current therein.
A shape memory alloy generator device to dissipate heat within a heated environment to produce electricity, comprising:
- at least one shape memory alloy member, the at least one shape memory alloy member having a first configuration, the first configuration being curvelinearly shaped having a first side and a second side, the at least one shape memory alloy member adapted to change phase when exposed to heat above a first temperature, the at least one shape memory alloy member configured to thermally deform to a second configuration at a second temperature to transfer the heat therethrough, the second configuration being linearly shaped;
- and
- at least one bias member, the at least one bias member fixed to the at least one shape memory alloy member to bias the shape memory alloy member back to the first configuration after the heat is dissipated.
A method of dissipating waste heat from a heated environment to produce electricity, comprising:
- a. disposing at least one shape memory alloy member having a first configuration within an enclosure;
- b. exposing the at least one shape memory alloy to heat above a first temperature;
- c. phase changing the at least one shape memory alloy to a second configuration at a second temperature to dissipate the heat from at least one shape memory alloy, the first and second temperature being less than about 200° C.;
- and
- d. biasing the at least one shape memory alloy back to the first configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.