Patent ID: 9003788
Filing Date: 2015-04-14
Classification: F02G,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An energy harvesting system comprising: a first region having a first temperature; a second region having a second temperature that is different from the first temperature; a conduit located at least partially within the first region; a heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy including a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop, wherein the shape memory alloy is disposed in heat exchange contact with each of the first region and the second region; and wherein the shape memory alloy is driven to rotate at least partially around the conduit in response to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region; and at least one pulley driven by the rotation of the shape memory alloy, wherein the at least one pulley is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component, wherein the at least one pulley is one of a plurality of pulleys, and wherein a support is secured to the conduit to rotatably support the plurality of pulleys for the heat engine, wherein the at least one support further comprises a plurality lobes, wherein each of the plurality of lobes partially surrounds the conduit, such that the plurality of lobes together surrounds the conduit and each rotatably support the plurality of pulleys.