Patent ID: 8769946

Claim:
A cooling system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy, the cooling system comprising: a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a heat source having a first temperature and a coolant having a second temperature that is lower than said first temperature; a cooling circuit configured for conveying said coolant to and from said heat source and including; a conduit; and a pump in fluid communication with said conduit and configured for delivering said coolant to said heat source; a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with said conduit and configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy, wherein said heat engine includes a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite at a first transformation temperature in response to said temperature difference between said heat source and said coolant; and a member formed from a conductive material and disposed in contact with said conduit so that said member abuts said conduit and transfers thermal energy from said conduit to said first element via conduction; wherein said member includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending away from said conduit and disposed in contact with said first element.