Modular power generator
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a control unit;
a first module comprising;
a shape memory alloy member, with an elongated cylindrical rod-shape, having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the shape memory alloy member configured to transition to a tensile state at a defined transition temperature,a mechanism comprising a piston configured to move in response to the shape memory alloy member transitioning to the tensile state, resulting in a first amount of pressurized fluid within the mechanism and a reduction of volume in the mechanism,a movable enclosure coated in part with an absorptive material, wherein when the movable enclosure is in a closed position, the movable enclosure encloses the shape memory alloy member and gas is heated adjacent to the shape memory alloy member, and wherein when the movable enclosure is in an open position, the heated gas is released and the shape memory alloy member cools, anda laser welded ring terminal mechanically coupling the proximal end of the shape memory alloy member to the mechanism;
a valve coupled to a hydraulic cylinder containing the mechanism, the valve configured to release a portion of the first amount of pressurized fluid in response to a signal or instruction from the control unit;
a second module that contains a second amount of pressurized fluid, the second module configured to receive the portion of the first amount of pressurized fluid;
a second valve coupled to the second module, the second valve configured to release a second portion of the second amount of pressurized fluid in response to a signal or instruction from the control unit; and
a power generator configured to receive the second portion of the second amount of pressurized fluid, resulting in an amount of power being produced at the power generator.
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Abstract
A modular power generator is provided. In some embodiments, the modular power generator can utilize or otherwise leverage one or more harvesting modules, each consisting of one or more nitinol elements, to harvest low grade thermal energy, converting it into high grade mechanical energy. The mechanical energy can be decoupled from the power generator by a mechanical energy storage mechanism, an energy transfer mechanism, and a control mechanism. Stored mechanical energy can be utilized on demand or asynchronously with respect to the generation of the mechanical energy.
6 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a control unit; a first module comprising; a shape memory alloy member, with an elongated cylindrical rod-shape, having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the shape memory alloy member configured to transition to a tensile state at a defined transition temperature, a mechanism comprising a piston configured to move in response to the shape memory alloy member transitioning to the tensile state, resulting in a first amount of pressurized fluid within the mechanism and a reduction of volume in the mechanism, a movable enclosure coated in part with an absorptive material, wherein when the movable enclosure is in a closed position, the movable enclosure encloses the shape memory alloy member and gas is heated adjacent to the shape memory alloy member, and wherein when the movable enclosure is in an open position, the heated gas is released and the shape memory alloy member cools, and a laser welded ring terminal mechanically coupling the proximal end of the shape memory alloy member to the mechanism; a valve coupled to a hydraulic cylinder containing the mechanism, the valve configured to release a portion of the first amount of pressurized fluid in response to a signal or instruction from the control unit; a second module that contains a second amount of pressurized fluid, the second module configured to receive the portion of the first amount of pressurized fluid; a second valve coupled to the second module, the second valve configured to release a second portion of the second amount of pressurized fluid in response to a signal or instruction from the control unit; and a power generator configured to receive the second portion of the second amount of pressurized fluid, resulting in an amount of power being produced at the power generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method, comprising:
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causing shape memory alloy members to transition to respective tensile states, resulting in respective contractions of the shape memory alloy members; causing, for each shape memory alloy member in the shape memory alloy members, a respective linear displacement of a respective piston in a respective hydraulic cylinder, the respective linear displacement caused by the contraction of the each shape memory alloy member, wherein the respective linear displacement of the respective piston decreases volume in the respective hydraulic cylinder, wherein a respective movable enclosure coated in part with an absorptive material encloses each shape memory alloy member and gas is heated adjacent to each shape memory alloy member, and wherein when the respective movable enclosures are in an open position, the heated gas is released and each shape memory alloy member cools; pressurizing, for the each shape memory alloy member, a respective amount of fluid in the respective hydraulic cylinder in response to the respective linear displacement; supplying the respective amount of pressurized fluid to a pressure storage vessel; releasing, in response to a signal or instruction from a control unit, at least a portion of the respective amount of pressurized fluid from the pressure storage vessel to a power generator; and causing the power generator to receive the portion of the respective amount of pressurized fluid, resulting in an amount of power being produced at the power generator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An apparatus, comprising:
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a control unit; a first module comprising; respective thermoelastic rods, with an elongated cylindrical shape, each of the respective thermoelastic rods having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, and each of the respective thermoelastic rods configured to transition from a first tensile state to a second tensile state at respective defined transition temperatures; respective rigid support members associated with the respective thermoelastic rods; laser welded ring terminals, each of the laser welded ring terminals mechanically coupling each of the rigid support members to a respective opposing distal end of a thermoelastic rod; respective movable enclosures coated in part with an absorptive material, wherein when each movable enclosure is in a closed position, each movable enclosure encloses a respective thermoelastic rod and gas is heated adjacent to the respective thermoelastic rod, and wherein when the movable enclosure is in an open position, the heated gas is released and the respective thermoelastic rod cools, and respective mechanisms associated with the respective thermoelastic rods, each of the respective mechanisms mechanically coupled to a respective proximal end of a respective thermoelastic rod, wherein the respective proximal end is rigidly affixed to a respective mechanism, wherein each of the respective mechanisms comprises a piston configured to move in response to the respective thermoelastic rod transitioning to the tensile state, resulting in respective first amounts of pressurized fluid within the respective mechanisms; a valve coupled to hydraulic cylinders containing the respective mechanisms, the valve configured to release a portion of the first amount of pressurized fluid; a second module that contains a second amount of pressurized fluid, the second module configured to receive the portion of the first amount of pressurized fluid; a second valve coupled to the second module, the second valve configured to release the portion of the first amount of pressurized fluid in response to a signal or instruction from the control unit; and a power generator configured to receive the second portion of the second amount of pressurized fluid, resulting in an amount of power being produced at the power generator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification