Energy harvesting system for a vehicle
a technology for energy harvesting and vehicles, applied in the direction of machines/engines, mechanical equipment, gearing, etc., can solve the problems of large loss of power from vehicle power sources, large amount of engine excess heat, and excess thermal energy typically dissipated into the atmospher
Inactive Publication Date: 2011-07-07
GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC
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Benefits of technology
The patent describes a belt for a heat engine that includes a strip of material and at least one wire. The wire is made of a material called shape memory alloy, which can change its crystallographic phase to either contract or expand when exposed to different temperatures. This allows the belt to change its length and thereby move the component it is connected to. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a more efficient and flexible heat engine that can adapt to different temperatures and loads, improving its performance and reliability.
Problems solved by technology
During operation, the engine produces a large quantity of excess heat, i.e., excess thermal energy that is typically dissipated into the atmosphere and lost.
In addition, a large portion of the power from the vehicle's power sources is lost as heat.
Method used
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[0018]Referring to the Figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, a vehicle is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The vehicle 10 includes an energy harvesting system 12. The energy harvesting system 12 may include a heat engine 14 and a driven component 16.
[0019]Referring to the FIG. 2, the heat engine 14 includes a shape memory alloy material 22 and is operatively disposed in a first fluid region 18 and a second fluid region 20. The heat engine 14 is configured to convert thermal energy, e.g., heat, to mechanical energy and from mechanical energy to electrical energy. More specifically, the energy harvesting system 12 utilizes a temperature differential between the first fluid region 18 and the second fluid region 20 to generate mechanical and / or electrical energy via the shape memory alloy material 22, as explained in more detail below.
[0020]Referring again to FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 defines a compartment 24 which may house power and drive sources for the vehicl...
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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.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 263,306, filed on Nov. 20, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention generally relates to an energy harvesting system for a vehicle.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Vehicles are traditionally powered by engines, which power the vehicle and provide the power to charge a battery of the vehicle. The battery provides power for starting the engine and for operating various vehicle accessories. During operation, the engine produces a large quantity of excess heat, i.e., excess thermal energy that is typically dissipated into the atmosphere and lost. Advancements in technology and desire for driver conveniences have led to additional power loads from the accessory systems. The increased power loads have led to greater demand on the vehicle power sources. In addition, a large portion of the powe...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): F16G1/22
CPCF02G5/04F16H7/02F16G1/26F03G7/065Y02T10/166Y02T10/12
Inventor ALEXANDER, PAUL W.BROWNE, ALAN L.JOHNSON, NANCY L.MANKAME, NILESH D.GAO, XIUJIEMCKNIGHT, GEOFFREY P.KEEFE, ANDREW C.SAROSI, PETER MAXWELLHENRY, CHRISTOPHER P.USORO, PATRICK B.
Owner GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC