Internal energy engine (IEE)
First Claim
1. In an internal energy engine, the combination comprising cylinder means, said cylinder means comprising an upper end and a lower end, piston means fitted for reciprocating position within said cylinder means, temperature responsive means consisting essentially of SMA means fitted in said cylinder means between said upper end of said cylinder means and the upper end of said piston means, means to supply hot fluid to said cylinder means, means to supply cool fluid to said cylinder means, means to expose said SMA means to said hot and said cool fluids supplied to said cylinder means alternately, means to define a compressed working medium chamber in said cylinder means below said piston means and above said lower end of said cylinder means, means defining a working medium sump in the lower end of said cylinder means below said working medium chamber, check type admission valve means in said chamber defining means, working medium pump means arranged to pump working medium from said sump into said chamber via said admission valve means, said chamber defining means also comprising high pressure working medium outlet valve means, tank means for receiving the high pressure working medium from said outlet valve means;
- and means to flow said high pressure working medium from said tank means to a point of use of said high pressure working medium and thence back to said sump means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention internal energy engine is a power machine that makes use of the shape memory effect of shape memory alloy members. The member can be made from a Ni-Ti alloy, for example. It generates great force on a movable part when its transformation is constrained while undergoing temperature changes. The generated high pressure or high speed fluid working medium stream can be used for many practical functions, such as to drive a generator. An important advantage is using waste heat as the energy source. Thus using no fuel and creating no pollution.
24 Citations
13 Claims
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1. In an internal energy engine, the combination comprising cylinder means, said cylinder means comprising an upper end and a lower end, piston means fitted for reciprocating position within said cylinder means, temperature responsive means consisting essentially of SMA means fitted in said cylinder means between said upper end of said cylinder means and the upper end of said piston means, means to supply hot fluid to said cylinder means, means to supply cool fluid to said cylinder means, means to expose said SMA means to said hot and said cool fluids supplied to said cylinder means alternately, means to define a compressed working medium chamber in said cylinder means below said piston means and above said lower end of said cylinder means, means defining a working medium sump in the lower end of said cylinder means below said working medium chamber, check type admission valve means in said chamber defining means, working medium pump means arranged to pump working medium from said sump into said chamber via said admission valve means, said chamber defining means also comprising high pressure working medium outlet valve means, tank means for receiving the high pressure working medium from said outlet valve means;
- and means to flow said high pressure working medium from said tank means to a point of use of said high pressure working medium and thence back to said sump means.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
Specification