69 results about "Thermal energy harvesting" patented technology

Provided is a multiple layer composition and method for deposition of a solar energy harvesting strip onto a driving surface that will allow electric cars to charge by an inductive coupling. The multiple layer composition includes at least one magnetic material for generating a magnetic field, wherein at least one of the multiple layers comprises the magnetic material. Further, the a multiple layer composition includes at least one solar energy harvesting material for converting at least one of thermal and photonic energy into electrical energy, wherein at least one of the multiple layers comprises the at least one solar energy harvesting material and wherein the at least one solar energy harvesting material is located within a magnetic field generated by the at least one magnetic material. An alternative multiple layer composition includes a thermal energy harvesting material for converting thermal energy into electrical energy, wherein at least one layer comprises the thermal energy harvesting material, and a photonic energy harvesting material for converting photonic energy into electrical energy, wherein at least one layer comprises the thermal energy harvesting material. Additionally provided is a solar energy harvesting buckyball, inductive coupling device, vehicle chassis for storing electrical energy, atmospheric intake hydrogen motor, electrical energy generating tire and mechanical energy harvesting device.

A pyroelectric thermal energy harvesting apparatus for generating an electric current includes a cantilevered layered pyroelectric capacitor extending between a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface includes a temperature difference from the second surface. The layered pyroelectric capacitor includes a conductive, bimetal top electrode layer, an intermediate pyroelectric dielectric layer and a conductive bottom electrode layer. In addition, a pair of proof masses is affixed at a distal end of the layered pyroelectric capacitor to face the first surface and the second surface, wherein the proof masses oscillate between the first surface and the second surface such that a pyroelectric current is generated in the pyroelectric capacitor due to temperature cycling when the proof masses alternately contact the first surface and the second surface.

A pyroelectric thermal energy harvesting apparatus for generating an electric current includes a cantilevered layered pyroelectric capacitor extending between a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface includes a temperature difference from the second surface. The layered pyroelectric capacitor includes a conductive, bimetal top electrode layer, an intermediate pyroelectric dielectric layer and a conductive bottom electrode layer. In addition, a pair of proof masses is affixed at a distal end of the layered pyroelectric capacitor to face the first surface and the second surface, wherein the proof masses oscillate between the first surface and the second surface such that a pyroelectric current is generated in the pyroelectric capacitor due to temperature cycling when the proof masses alternately contact the first surface and the second surface.

Two Geothermal energy harnessing devices, steam producing System, electricity production Method and heat energy Method are invented for mining renewable geothermal heat energy within a non-polluting, re-circulating, closed cycle intended for electricity generating applications or for other direct or indirect heat uses. The devices, the “Geothermal Energy Collector” and the “Geothermal Energy Exchanger” can work with a Depressurized Mixing Container and a Pressurized Storage Container the entirety of which comprises “THE GEOTHERMAL FLUID HEATING OR STEAM PRODUCTION SYSTEM. The system serves other equipment, such as a phase separator, steam turbine, generator and condenser, which working together with the system comprises either “THE GEOTHERMAL ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION METHOD” or “THE GEOTHERMAL HEAT ENERGY METHOD”. The GEC or GEE can work alone or within a system to add heat to any fluid and to use the heated fluid to supplement any appropriate technology, to produce electricity or for other direct or indirect uses.

A system for harvesting electric energy from thermal energy includes energy conversion assemblies that can be distributed about a conduit through which a heated effluent flows. Each energy conversion assembly includes two heat sinks, a thermoelectric cell sandwiched between the two heat sinks, and a thermal insulating gasket surrounding the thermoelectric cell and separating the two heat sinks. Circuit wiring electrically connects to each thermoelectric cell where the energy conversion assemblies are electrically connected to one another in parallel. An electric power storage device is coupled to the circuit wiring.

The heat energy of internal combustion engine exhaust is collected and converted into electric energy in a heat energy / electric energy converter. The heat energy / electric energy converter comprises mainly a semiconductor device with thermoelectric effect. The heat energy / electric energy converter is connected to one cooler on its one side and heat energy exhanging and collecting unit on the other side; the cooler is connected to heat radiator via pipe; the heat energy / electric energy converter has one exhaust heat energy inlet pipe at its one end and waste gas exhausting pipe at the other end; and the thermoelectric converter is connected with an electric energy storage. The present invention can collect the exhaust heat energy and convert it into electric energy and may be used to replace available automobile or ship electric generator probably.

The invention discloses an adjustable rotary kiln heat collection system and a heat energy collection method. The adjustable rotary kiln heat collection system is composed of an upper heat collection cover, a lower heat collection cover, an adjustable lead screw, a cold air inlet, an arc-shaped sealing plate, a rotating hinged support, a hot air outlet, a diameter adjustable lead screw, a vertical support, a rotary kiln, a heat exchange channel, an annular baffle, a barrel-shaped temperature measuring and scanning device, a high-temperature fan and a pipeline. The space of the heat exchange channel and the cold air inlet volume are changed by adjusting the barrel-shaped heat collection cover, the temperature of hot air in the heat exchange channel is made to reach a set standard value, and hot air is pumped into the pipeline through the high-temperature fan from the hot air outlet. Dispersed heat can be fully recycled, the space of the heat exchange channel and the cold air inlet volume are changed by adjusting the barrel-shaped heat collection covers, and the temperature of hot air in the heat exchange channel is made to reach the set standard value, so that the requirement for drying or heating other materials is met, combustor devices for heating other materials are omitted, and investment cost is reduced.

A thermal energy harvesting system includes a pair of shape memory sections formed of shape memory alloy (SMA) material that are each disposed within a tube. The shape memory sections are fixed in position at one end and are attached at another end to a rotating shaft that is in mechanical communication with a power generator. Fluid inlet valves are provided in each housing and are each controlled to alternatingly supply hot and cold fluid to the tubes to selectively heat and cool the shape memory sections. This results in the cyclical contraction and expansion of the shape memory sections, which causes oscillating rotation of the shaft that is converted by the power generator into electrical power.

A method of controlling an energy harvesting system that converts excess thermal energy into mechanical energy and includes a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) member, includes obtaining current operational parameters of the energy harvesting system, such as a maximum temperature, a minimum temperature and a cycle frequency of the SMA member. The current operational parameters are compared to a target operating condition of the energy harvesting system to determine if the current operational parameters are within a pre-defined range of the target operating condition. If the current operational parameters are not within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition, then a heat transfer rate to, a heat transfer rate from or a cycle frequency of the SMA member is adjusted to maintain operation of the energy harvesting system within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition to maximize efficiency of the energy harvesting system.

System for converting thermal energy into electrical energy (S1) intended to be arranged between a hot source (SC) and a cold source (SF), comprising means for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy (6) and a piezoelectric material, with the means for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy (6) comprising groups (G1, G2) of at least three bimetallic strips (9, 11, 13) linked mechanically together by their longitudinal ends and suspended above a substrate (12), each bimetallic strip (9, 11, 13) comprising two stable states wherein it has in each of the states a curvature, with two directly adjacent bimetallic strips (9, 11, 13) having for a given temperature opposite curvatures, with the switching from one stable state of the bimetallic strips (9, 11, 13) to the other causing the deformation of a piezoelectric material.

The invention discloses application of a pyroelectric material. The pyroelectric material is used for collecting heat energy, the heat energy is converted into electric energy by utilizing temperaturechange, and the pyroelectric material is a porous zirconium calcium barium titanate ceramic material; the temperature change is greater than or equal to 1 DEG C; and the porosity of the porous bariumcalcium zirconate titanate ceramic material is 10-60%. The porous zirconium-calcium-barium titanate ceramic material is applied to heat energy collection for the first time, the inventor finds that the porous barium calcium zirconate titanate can be used as the pyroelectric material, and the working principle is as follows: when the environment temperature changes, the pyroelectric material has apyroelectric effect and generates voltage on the upper and lower surfaces of the material, and the heat energy is converted into the electric energy. The porous barium calcium zirconate titanate serves as the pyroelectric material to be used for heat energy collection, the condition for converting the heat energy into the electric energy is that the temperature fluctuation is larger than or equalto 1 DEG C, that is, heat energy collection can be achieved only through temperature fluctuation of 1 DEG C, and the heat energy collection efficiency is greatly improved compared with a thermoelectric material in the prior art.

The invention relates to a waste heat utilization device for solar photovoltaic power generation, comprising a conventional crystalline silicon photovoltaic component, a controller and a storage battery; the conventional controller is connected with the wiring box of the conventional crystalline silicon photovoltaic component by a lead wire, which is then connected with the storage battery; wherein the backplane of the conventional crystalline silicon photovoltaic component is connected with a comb-type heat collector; the comb-type heat collector is connected with a one-way heat conduction valve by a heat conduction tube and is then connected with a heat exchanger in a heat storing device; the heat conducting media in the comb-type heat collector is superconducting liquid. The invention adopts the comb-type heat collecting method, the manufacturing process is simple and the heat energy can be collected and conducted quickly. The one-way heat conduction technology of the invention can effectively control heat loss. The conducting media is the superconducting liquid, which can realize instant one-way heat conduction and does not freeze at 40 below zero degrees centigrade.

A thermal energy harvesting system employs a hot flow conduit and a cold flow conduit with a flow routing device interruptibly interconnecting the hot flow conduit and cold flow conduit with a flow casing. At least one shape memory actuator (SMA) tube is in fluid contact with the flow casing and fixed at a first end. The flow routing device sequentially supplies hot flow from the hot flow conduit and cold flow from the cold flow conduit inducing rotation of the at least one SMA tube at a second end. A generator or alternator is operably connected to the second end of the at least one SMA tube.

The invention discloses a novel photoelectric radiation heating device, which comprises an electric light energy generator, a heating box body and a heat energy collector, wherein the electric light energy generator comprises heating lamp tubes and a control circuit; the heating lamp tubes can generate radiant heat energy light waves; the control circuit is connected with the heating lamp tubes and is used for controlling the heating lamp tubes; the electric light energy generator is arranged in the heating box body; the heating box body comprises a heating cabin; the heating cabin is an air-tight space, and is a cavity space which has the effects of reflecting gathered light energy and insulating heat; the heating cabin is a regular geometrical body; and the heat energy collector is arranged in an inner cavity of the heating box body and is used for collecting and absorbing radiating light heat energy. According to the novel photoelectric radiation heating device, the heating lamp tubes are used for emitting electrical light waves; with each electrical light wave as a direct heat source, in radiation and heat gathering manners, adjustable and controllable heat energy temperature of light wave heat radiation is generated in the air-tight space and the heat-insulated space of the heating box body; the novel photoelectric radiation heating device is simple and compact in structure and convenient to operate and use; heating and processing are high in efficiency and low in consumption; and the heating position, the heating temperature and the heating condition can be accurately adjusted and controlled.

A method of controlling an energy harvesting system that converts excess thermal energy into mechanical energy and includes a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) member, includes obtaining current operational parameters of the energy harvesting system, such as a maximum temperature, a minimum temperature and a cycle frequency of the SMA member. The current operational parameters are compared to a target operating condition of the energy harvesting system to determine if the current operational parameters are within a pre-defined range of the target operating condition. If the current operational parameters are not within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition, then a heat transfer rate to, a heat transfer rate from or a cycle frequency of the SMA member is adjusted to maintain operation of the energy harvesting system within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition to maximize efficiency of the energy harvesting system.

The invention discloses a petrochemical engineering heating furnace, and relates to the technical field of petrochemical engineering. The petrochemical engineering heating furnace comprises a plant mechanism and a ladder stand, wherein the middle part of the upper end of the plant mechanism is fixedly connected to a heating furnace body. According to the petrochemical engineering heating furnace, heated materials flow into a second storage box through a discharging pipe to be effectively stored, when the materials pass through the discharging pipe, and a first heat energy absorption pipe arranged on the outer surface of the discharging pipe is used for effectively collecting heat energy of the heated materials for the first time; after the heat energy is collected for the first time, the materials flow into the second storage box, a heat energy collecting layer is arranged on the outer surface of the second storage box, the heat energy in the materials is further collected, and the collected heat energy is stored in a heat energy storage box; and when hot water is needed, the heat energy can be effectively used, other resources are prevented from being used again for heating water, and loss and waste caused by a large amount of heat energy generated in industrial production are avoided.

System(s) and method(s) for mounting, deploying, testing, operating, and managing a solar concentrator are provided. The innovation discloses mechanisms for evaluating the performance and quality of a solar collector via emission of modulated laser radiation upon (or near) a position of photovoltaic (PV) cells. The innovation discloses positioning two receivers at two distances from the source (e.g., solar collector or dish). These receivers are employed to collect light which can be compared to standards or other thresholds thereby diagnosing quality of the collectors. Receiver(s) includes photovoltaic (PV) module(s) for energy conversion, or module(s) for thermal energy harvesting. PV cell in PV modules can be laid out in various configurations to maximize electric current output. Moreover, a heat regulating assembly removes heat from the PV cells and other hot regions, to maintain the temperature gradient within predetermined levels.

System(s) and method(s) for mounting, deploying, testing, operating, and managing a solar concentrator are provided. The innovation discloses mechanisms for evaluating the performance and quality of a solar collector via emission of modulated laser radiation upon (or near) a position of photovoltaic (PV) cells. The innovation discloses positioning two receivers at two distances from the source (e.g., solar collector or dish). These receivers are employed to collect light which can be compared to standards or other thresholds thereby diagnosing quality of the collectors. Receiver(s) includes photovoltaic (PV) module(s) for energy conversion, or module(s) for thermal energy harvesting. PV cell in PV modules can be laid out in various configurations to maximize electric current output. Moreover, a heat regulating assembly removes heat from the PV cells and other hot regions, to maintain the temperature gradient within predetermined levels.

The invention discloses a new-energy air conditioning device. The new-energy air conditioning device comprises light tracking and collecting equipment, a heat collector, ventilation equipment and winddriven equipment; a light collecting mechanism is arranged on the light tracking and collecting equipment and comprises a illumination intensity sensor, a first controller and a light shielding plate; the illumination intensity sensor is used for detecting the illumination intensity of the sunlight; the first controller is electrically connected with the illumination intensity sensor and the light shielding plate and is used for adjusting the transparency of the light shielding plate according to the illumination intensity, detected by the illumination intensity sensor, of the sunlight, so that the temperature in the heat collector is kept constant. According to the new-energy air conditioning device, the solar heat energy and wind energy are utilized sufficiently, so that the new-energyair conditioning device is green, energy-saving and environment-friendly; and the new-energy air conditioning device has the good heat energy collecting effect and the good temperature control effect.

The invention overcomes the defects of the traditional aluminum alloy aging furnace, such as slow heating-up speed and high cost, and provides a new energy-saving heating cycling heating-up method for an aluminum alloy section aging furnace. The method is characterized in that a technical process opposite to the heating cycling heating-up way of the traditional aging furnace is used, a heat energy collector is mounted in a heating furnace hearth, coal or natural gas is burnt around the heat energy collector, after the heat energy is collected by the heat energy collector, the cycling heating-up principle based on a large blower and a ventilation pipe in the aging furnace is used to overcome the defects of the traditional aging furnace, such as heat energy waste and blockage of the inner cavity of a heat exchanger; and a chimney heat energy recovery is used to save and utilize the heat energy. The new energy-saving heating cycling heating-up method has the following beneficial effects: one aging furnace using the new energy-saving heating cycling heating-up method can replace a plurality of traditional old-type aging furnaces, and coal, gas, electricity, labor and time are all saved.

The invention discloses a heat-preserving device for machining of energy-saving type aluminum materials. The heat-preserving device comprises a heat-preserving furnace (1); a heat collecting device (2) is connected to the top of the heat-preserving furnace (1); an S-shaped air inlet pipe (3) and a plurality of heat collecting plates (4) are arranged in the heat collecting device (2); the air inlet pipe (3) and the heat collecting plates (4) are arranged in a staggered manner; one end of the air inlet pipe (3) is connected with a hot air blower (5); and the other end of the air inlet pipe (3) is connected with an air guiding plate (6). According to the heat-preserving device for machining of the energy-saving type aluminum materials, hot gas generated by molten aluminum is collected by arranging the heat collecting device, and then heat energy in the hot gas is collected through the heat collecting plates; hot air is conveyed into the heat-preserving furnace through the hot air blower and the air inlet pipe and used for heating the molten aluminum, and the air inlet pipe and the hot air are further heated through the heat collecting plates. The heat-preserving device for machining of the energy-saving type aluminum materials can increase the heat energy utilizing rate and improve the heat-preserving performance and product quality and further has the beneficial effect that energy-saving performance is good.

A thermal energy harvesting system employs a hot flow conduit and a cold flow conduit with a flow routing device interruptibly interconnecting the hot flow conduit and cold flow conduit with a flow casing. At least one shape memory actuator (SMA) tube is in fluid contact with the flow casing and fixed at a first end. The flow routing device sequentially supplies hot flow from the hot flow conduit and cold flow from the cold flow conduit inducing rotation of the at least one SMA tube at a second end. A generator or alternator is operably connected to the second end of the at least one SMA tube.

The invention provides a solar heat energy receiving device in a desert area, and relates to the technical field of utilization of renewable energy sources. The solar heat energy receiving device in the desert area comprises heat-exchanging pipes buried in the desert. Fins are spirally arranged around the outer pipe wall of each heat-exchanging pipe. A circle of heat-conducting plates are arranged every 20-30 cm on the outer pipe wall of each heat-exchanging pipe. Each circle includes at least three heat-conducting plates uniformly arranged in a surrounding mode. According to the solar heat energy receiving device in the desert area, the heat energy in the desert can be collected to be used, and the heat energy is conveyed out through heat-exchanging media. The heat energy receiving device can fix sand in the desert at the same time of conducting heat exchange, so that the situation that under the action of wind, sand moves, and the heat energy receiving device buried in the sand is directly exposed is avoided.

Systems and methods of a solar light and thermal energy collector assembly are disclosed. The system includes a central pole mounted vertically on a base, a support structure having concentric racks extending radially from the central pole, the racks positioned at different vertical distances along the central pole and having a configuration that supports the solar panels, wherein each rack does not impede the passage of air and light through the rack, at least one solar panel affixed to each rack, each solar panel including a curved reflector formed at the radial edge of the solar panel, an airflow turbine disposed at the top of the central pole, the central pole having one or more apertures and ducts to direct heated air toward the airflow turbine; and electrical conductors for supplyingelectricity derived from photovoltaic cells in each solar panel and from the electricity-generating turbine.

The invention discloses a solar vehicle-mounted air conditioning system and a control method thereof. The system comprises a solar power supply system, an air supply control system, a heat energy collection and conversion system, an adsorption refrigeration system and a semiconductor cold-hot module. The air supply control system comprises a temperature sensor and a control module; the temperaturesensor is electrically connected with the control module, the heat energy collection and conversion system is used for preparing a refrigerant, the heat energy collection and conversion system is connected with the adsorption refrigeration system, the adsorption refrigeration system is used for vaporizing the refrigerant to absorb heat in a vehicle, and the control module is electrically connected with the semiconductor cooling and heating module. The temperature in the vehicle can be adjusted, the temperature in the vehicle can be kept within a proper range all the time, then the comfort ofa driver in the vehicle driving process is improved, the solar power supply system supplies power in the whole process, fuel oil or the electric quantity of an external vehicle-mounted battery does not need to be additionally consumed, energy conservation and environmental protection are achieved, and the equipment maintenance cost of subsequent vehicles is reduced.