发明名称 |
Shape-Memory Alloy-Driven Power Plant and Method |
摘要 |
A power plant configured for converting thermal energy to electricity includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a primary fluid having a first temperature and a secondary fluid having a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The plant also includes a collector configured for enhancing the temperature difference between the primary and secondary fluids, and a heat engine configured for converting at least some thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a pseudoplastically pre-strained shape-memory alloy disposed in heat exchange relationship with each of the primary and secondary fluids. Further, the plant includes a generator driven by the heat engine and configured for converting mechanical energy to electricity. A method of utilizing a naturally-occurring temperature difference between air and/or water to change a crystallographic phase of the shape-memory alloy to convert the temperature difference into mechanical energy is disclosed.
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申请公布号 |
US2011140456(A1) |
申请公布日期 |
2011.06.16 |
申请号 |
US20090639828 |
申请日期 |
2009.12.16 |
申请人 |
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.;DYNALLOY, INC. |
发明人 |
WITTORF MARTEN;BROWNE ALAN L.;JOHNSON NANCY L.;BROWN JAMES HOLBROOK |
分类号 |
F02B63/04;F03G7/06 |
主分类号 |
F02B63/04 |
代理机构 |
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代理人 |
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主权项 |
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地址 |
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