Patent ID: 8555633
Filing Date: 2013-10-15
Classification: F02G,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A heat engine configured to be operatively connected to a component, the heat engine comprising: a first region at one of a first temperature and a second temperature; a second region at the other of the first temperature and a second temperature; a conduit disposed in the first region and extending along a central axis; at least one piece of shape memory alloy material forming a continuous loop and circumferentially surrounding the conduit about the central axis and configured to be at least partially disposed in one of the first region and the second region; wherein the at least one piece of shape memory alloy material is radially spaced from a secondary axis that circumferentially surrounds the central axis; wherein at least one localized region of the at least one piece of shape memory alloy material is configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from martensite to austenite and thereby circumferentially contract in response to exposure to the first temperature; wherein the at least one localized region of the at least one piece of shape memory alloy material is also configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from austenite to martensite and thereby circumferentially expand in response to exposure to the second temperature; wherein the at least one piece of shape memory alloy material is configured to rotate about the secondary axis in response to the contraction and expansion of the at least one localized region of the at least one piece of shape memory alloy material such that the at least one localized region of the at least one piece of shape memory alloy material moves into and out of the first and second regions.