Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
MODULAR POWER GENERATOR
100011
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional power generation can rely on or otherwise leverage
shape memory
alloys. While thermal and Carnot efficiencies of a heat engine that utilizes a
shape memory
alloys can be much lower than those of traditional power plants, such a heat
engine can
operate over a relatively small temperature range, thus utilizing low-grade
heat for the
generation of high-grade power. As such, effective reliance on heat that would
be
conventionally understood as heat refuse can render heat engines based on
shape memory
alloys desirable despite cost of materials and low efficiencies. More
specifically, nitinol is one
of several alloys that are known as either shape memory alloys (SMA) or
thermoelastic
materials, and has been leverage in conventional heat engines. Yet, some of
the conventional
heat engines that leverage nitinol may require that power be consumed in order
to generate
energy. Some other ones of the conventional heat engines may require that the
generated
power to be used upon generation. Still some other ones of the conventional
heat engines that
leverage SMAs can convert low grade heat into mechanical energy utilizing
multiple shape
memory springs. Further, some other conventional heat engines have leveraged
the fact that
nitinol exhibits efficient phase-transition pathways under uniaxial tension
and, thus, have
included a single nitinol element held in tension. Despite the availability of
such conventional
heat engines, much remains to be developed in the field of heat engines based
on shape
memory alloys.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The accompanying drawings are an integral part of the disclosure
and are
incorporated into the present specification. The drawings illustrate example
embodiments of
the disclosure and, in conjunction with the description and claims, serve to
explain at least in
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part various principles, features, or aspects of the disclosure. Certain
embodiments of the
disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying
drawings,
which are not drawn to scale. However, various aspects of the disclosure can
be implemented
in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the
implementations
-- set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like, but not necessarily the same
or identical,
elements throughout.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a modular
power generator
in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a module
that can be
-- utilized in a modular power generator in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another example of a
module that can be
utilized in a modular power generator in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another example module that
can be
utilized in a modular power generator in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates of an example of a multi-module assembly that
can be utilized in
a modular power generator in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a multi-module assembly that can be
utilized in a
modular power generator in accordance with at least one or more embodiments of
the
disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a multi-module assembly that
can be utilized
in a modular power generator in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
disclosure
[0011] FIGS. 8-9 illustrate perspective views other example modules that
can be utilized
in a modular power generator in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
disclosure
[0012] FIG. 10 illustrates perspective views of yet another example
module that can be
utilized in a modular power generator in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a modular power generator in
accordance with
one or more embodiments of the disclosure.
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[0014] FIG. 12 illustrates an example method for power generation in
accordance with
one or more embodiments of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The disclosure recognizes and addresses, in at least certain
aspects, the issue of
power generation based on phase transitions in memory shape alloys and other
thermoelastic
materials. As mentioned, nitinol is one of several alloys that are known as
either shape
memory alloys (SMA) or thermoelastic materials. SMAs work because of the
presence of
multiple solid state phases or crystal structures that have dramatically
different properties.
Usually, one structure will have bonds that can rotate easily without being
broken and the
other will be very rigid. The existence of these two structures allow for a
restoration of an
apparently plastic deformation just by changing the temperature of the
material. Stated in
other words, a shape memory alloy or a thermoelastic material in a heat engine
can convert
low-grade thermal energy into high-grade mechanical energy. The disclosure
provides
modular power generators that utilize shaper memory alloy members or other
thermoelastic
material members that can produce a linear output for the generation of
thermodynamic work.
The modular power generators of this disclosure permit or otherwise facilitate
the decoupling
of power generation elements from energy transfer elements and energy storage
elements. In
addition, the modular power generators can include control mechanisms that
permit or
otherwise facilitate the utilization of generated power on demand.
[0016] More specifically, yet not exclusively, the disclosure provides
apparatuses,
systems, and/or techniques for power generation based on modular power
generators that
leverage shape memory alloys and/or other thermoelastic materials. As
described in greater
detail below, in at least some embodiments, the disclosure provides a module
for the
collection (or harvesting) of elastic energy from a shape memory alloy or a
thermoelastic
material in response to a transition from a first tensile state to a second
tensile state of the
material. The elastic energy can be converted to mechanical energy at a
hydraulic cylinder or
another type of mechanism that can retain potential energy (e.g., restorative
potential energy,
gravitational potential energy, or the like). The mechanical energy retained
in a pressurized
fluid can be accumulated or otherwise retained in a storage module, such as a
pressure storage
vessel (including for example, hydraulic accumulators, bladders, and the
like). While aspects
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of modular power generators of this disclosure are illustrated with reference
to shape memory
alloys, the disclosure is not limited in this respect and a member (e.g., a
rod, a wire, or another
type of member elongated along a defined axis) formed from a thermoelastic
material can be
utilized or otherwise leveraged. More specifically, example thermoelastic
materials that can
be utilized include binary alloys that exhibit shape memory effect, such as
gold-cadmium
alloys, titanium-niobium alloys; ternary alloys that exhibit shape memory
effect, such as
aluminum-copper-zinc; polymers that exhibit shape memory effect (which are
generally
referred to as shape memory polymers (SMPs)), such as light-induced SMPs,
electro-active
SMPs (carbon nanotubes, magnetite nanoparticles, or the like), and the like.
Further, while
specific combinations of harvesting module(s) and other modules of this
disclosure are relied
on for the sake of clarity of description, the disclosure is ot limited to the
described
combination and other combinations of harvesting module(s) and storage
module(s), for
example, can be implemented in accordance with aspects described herein.
[0017] Embodiments of the disclosure can provide numerous improvements
over
conventional power generators that utilize shape memory alloys or other
thermoelastic
materials. One example improvement is that modular power generators of the
disclosure have
greater mechanical efficiency because frictional losses and other losses are
reduced by
reducing the number of parts or other components present in the generators.
Another example
improvement includes the decoupling of the energy harvesting mechanism from
the power
generation mechanism. Thus, in at least some scenarios, power can be generated
steadily, e.g.
at an even continuous rate, rather than in bursts associated with the shape
memory effect that
permits the conversion of thermal energy into elastic energy. As such, power
can be
controllably utilized. Yet another improvement includes the scalability and
straightforward
customization of a modular power generator to a defined application.
[0018] With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 presents a perspective view
of an example
of a modular power generator 100 in accordance with at least certain
embodiments of the
disclosure. The modular power generator 100 can include a harvesting module
110 that
includes a shape memory alloy member 120 having a proximal end and an opposing
distal
end. As illustrated, the shape memory alloy member 120 can be elongated along
a
longitudinal axis that can define a direction for linear displacement and
generation of power
in accordance with aspects described herein. The shape memory alloy member 120
can be
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crystalline and the longitudinal axis oriented along a (1,0,0) crystalline
direction or any other
crystallographic direction of the shape memory alloy member 120. In some
embodiments, the
shape memory alloy member 120 can have cylindrical symmetric or other types of
symmetry
about the longitudinal axis. For instance, the shape memory alloy member 120
can be
embodied in a rod having a diameter in the range from about 1.0 mm to about
8.0 mm, and
wherein the rod has a length in the range from about 100.0 mm to about 500.0
mm (e.g.,
100.0 mm, 175.0 mm, 200.0 mm, 300.0 mm, 400.0 mm, 500.0 mm). The disclosure is
not
limited to such example lengths, and the shape memory alloy member 120 can
have shorter or
longer lengths.
[0019] In some aspects, the modular power generator 100 can leverage or can
otherwise
rely on a transition to a tensile state of the shape alloy member 120 for
generation of power in
accordance with aspects of this disclosure. The shape memory alloy member 120
can have
constituents and respective concentrations that can yield at least one
transition to a respective
tensile state of the shape memory alloy member 120. A transition of the at
least one transition
(or, in some embodiments, each of the at least one transition) can correspond
to a
thermodynamic phase transition between a first specific atomic structure to a
second defined
atomic structure, each of such atomic structures having a tensile state (which
can include, in
some instances, an essentially relaxed state, e.g., a zero-strain state). As
such, in some
instances, the transition can cause the shape memory alloy member to
transition from a first
tensile state to a second tensile state, resulting in a contraction of the
shape memory alloy
member 120. In some aspects, the contraction can correspond to a defined
percentage of the
length of the shape memory alloy member 120 along the longitudinal axis
thereof. In terms of
atomic displacement, in scenarios in which the shape memory alloy member 120
is
crystalline, such a contraction corresponds to a reduction, by the defined
percentage, of a
lattice parameter along the crystalline direction (e.g., (1,0,0) or, in some
other embodiments, a
general direction (k,/,m), where k, 1, in can be Miller indices) of the shape
memory alloy
member 120.
[0020] Constituents and respective concentrations of an alloy that forms
or is otherwise
included in the shape memory alloy member 120 can deteimine transition
temperatures at
which the shape memory alloy member 120 can transition between tensile states.
Thus, the
shape memory alloy member 120 can be configured to transition to a tensile
state at a defined
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transition temperature. In some embodiments, the shape memory alloy member 120
can be
formed from or can include a nickel-titanium alloy. Adjusting the
concentrations of Ni and Ti
can yield, for example, a transition temperature in a range from about -100
degrees Celsius to
about 160 degrees Celsius, with a thermal hysteresis ranging from eleven to
more than one
hundred degrees Celsius. Specifically, in some instances, such concentrations
can be adjusted
to yield transition temperatures that can range from about 5 degrees Celsius
to about 30
degrees Celsius. Thus, numerous operational conditions and environments can be
addressed
by relying on Ni-Ti alloys for generation of electricity in accordance with
aspects of this
disclosure. For instance, a first Ni-Ti alloy may be utilized in the shape
memory alloy
member 120 to permit power generation during an Antarctic winter, with
temperatures below
about -50 degrees Celsius, and a second Ni-Ti alloy may be utilized to permit
power
generation in some deserts where temperatures as elevated as 80 degrees
Celsius in direct
sunlight. Less extreme implementations can leverage concentrations of Ni and
Ti that yield a
transition temperature in a range from about 5 degrees Celsius to about 30
degrees Celsius. In
other embodiments, the shape memory alloy member 120 can be formed from or can
include
a nickel-copper-titanium alloy. For instance, copper can substitute nickel and
the
concentration of copper can be at most about 20 at%. Such ternary alloys can
provide greater
flexibility in achieving a desired transition temperature, altering thermal
properties of the
material, and/or altering the mechanical properties of the material.
[0021] In some aspects, in order to leverage a transition between tensile
states of the
shape memory alloy member 120, a first end (which may be referred to a distal
end) of the
shape memory alloy member 120 can be mechanically coupled to the harvesting
module 110.
In addition, the harvesting module 110 includes a mechanism mechanically
coupled (e.g.,
soldiered, bolted, or otherwise affixed) to a second end (which may be
referred to a proximal
end) of the shape memory alloy member 120. Such a second end can move along
the
longitudinal axis of the shape memory alloy member 120. More specifically, as
illustrated in
FIG. 1, the harvesting module 110 includes a rigid support member, where a
first ring
terminal 115a is rigidly affixed to an end of the rigid support member and a
second ring
terminal 115b is rigidly affixed to the second end of the shape memory alloy
member 120.
The rigid support member, in some instances, can be machined or otherwise
manufacture
from a plastic or metal. In one example, the first ring terminal 115a can
include a titanium
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alloy and can be laser soldered to the first end of the shape memory alloy
member 120 and to
the rigid support member. In addition or in another example, the second ring
terminal 115b
can include a titanium alloy and can be laser soldered to the second end of
the shape memory
alloy member 120. For the sake of clarity, FIG. 2 illustrates the harvesting
module 110.
Further, FIG. 3 illustrates an example harvesting module 300 that can be
assembled in the
modular power generator 100 or other type of modular power generators in
accordance with
aspects of the disclosure. As illustrated, the example harvesting module 300
includes a rigid
support member 310, which can be machined or otherwise manufactured from a
plastic or
metal. In addition, an end 315a (which may be referred to a distal end) of a
shape memory
alloy member 320 (e.g., a nitinol rod or another Ni-Ti alloy rod) can be
rigidly affixed (e.g.,
laser soldered) to the rigid support member 310. A second end 315b of the
shape memory
alloy member 320 can be rigidly affixed (e.g., laser soldered) or otherwise
mechanically
coupled to a mechanism included within a hydraulic cylinder 340. The second
end 315
opposes the first end 315a and can move along a longitudinal axis of the shape
memory alloy
member 320.
[0022] With further reference to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the
mechanism can be
included in a hydraulic cylinder 130 (which can be embodied in a single-acting
hydraulic
cylinder) and can include a piston (or, in some embodiments, a plate or a
slab; not depicted)
configured to move in response to the shape memory alloy member 120
transitioning to a
tensile state at a defined transition temperature. The movement of the piston
can reduce a
volume of an amount of fluid within the hydraulic cylinder, resulting in a
first amount of
pressurized fluid within the hydraulic cylinder 130. The modular power
generator 100 can
include a vessel 170 (or another type of enclosure or reservoir) that can
supply unpressurized
fluid to the hydraulic cylinder 130. To that end, in one aspect, the modular
power generator
100 can include a valve 140a coupled (e.g., mechanically and fluidically
coupled) to the
vessel 170. The valve 140a can be configured to release an amount (metered or
otherwise) of
unpressurized fluid to the hydraulic cylinder 130.
[0023] By pressuring an amount of fluid within the hydraulic cylinder
130, the piston of
the mechanism included in the hydraulic cylinder 130 can transfer the elastic
energy
.. associated with the deformation (e.g., contraction) of the shape memory
alloy member 120 to
the amount of pressurized fluid. As such, in one aspect, the fluid within the
hydraulic cylinder
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130 can be utilized as a medium to transfer the thermodynamic work generated
by the shape
memory alloy member 120 to energy storage. To that end, the modular power
generator 100
can include a pressure storage vessel 150 configured to receive at least a
portion of the
amount of pressurized fluid. The pressure storage vessel 150 can be embodied
in, for
example, a hydraulic accumulator and can contain pressurized fluid at a
defined operating
pressure (e.g., about 15,000 psi). In addition, the pressure storage vessel
150 can receive at
least a portion of the amount of pressurized fluid via an inlet opening (not
depicted) of such a
vessel. The inlet opening can be mechanically coupled and/or fluidically
coupled to a valve
140b via a conduit, such as a pipe, a hose, or other flexible or non-flexible
tubing. As
illustrated, the valve 140b also can be mechanically and/or fluidically
coupled to an outlet
opening (not depicted) of the hydraulic cylinder 130, the valve 140b
configured to release the
amount of pressurized fluid.
[0024] The modular power generator 100 also can include a valve 160 that
can release
pressurized fluid to an electric power generator 180 (e.g., a DC generator
coupled to a
hydraulic motor). The pressurized fluid can be released controllably in
response to, for
example, a power consumption criterion being satisfied. In some embodiments, a
control unit
(e.g., a programmable logic controller or another type of computing device;
not depicted) can
control the release of the pressurized fluid. To that end, in some
implementations, the control
unit can implement logic (e.g., execute computer-accessible instructions) to
determine that the
.. power consumption criterion is satisfied. In response, the control unit can
direct or otherwise
cause the valve 160 to open for the release of pressurized fluid. In addition
or in other
embodiments, a mechanism can passively control the opening (and shutting) of
the valve for
the release of the second amount of pressurized fluid.
[0025] The pressure storage vessel 150, the valve 140b, and/or the valve
160 can embody
or can constitute an energy storage module within the modular power generator
100. By
being configured (e.g., assembled and/or manufactured) to accumulate and
controllably
release pressurized fluid in accordance with aspects of this disclosure, the
energy storage
module can supply a steady non-pulsed stream of usable power to the electric
generator 180.
[0026] From the description herein, the separation between energy
collection, energy
transfer, and energy storage, and associated modularity of the modular power
generator 100
becomes readily apparent. In some aspects, such a separation permits
generation of power
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without consumption of the generated power upon generation thereof. As such,
the elastic
energy that can be collected from the cyclical structural transitions (e.g.,
martensitic
transformations) in the shape memory alloy member 120 can be stored for
consumption on-
demand.
[0027] While a single shape memory alloy member 120 is shown in the modular
power
generator 100, the disclosure is not limited in that respect. Modular power
generators in
accordance with aspects of this disclosure can be scalable in at least two
ways. In one
example, multiple shape memory alloy members can be assembled within a
harvesting
module. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates an example harvesting module 400
having five shape
.. memory alloy members 420 mounted to or otherwise integrated into a rigid
support member
410. Similar to other rigid support members in accordance with this
disclosure, the rigid
support member 410 can be machined or otherwise manufacture from plastic or
metal. In
another example, multiple harvesting modules can be assembled in a modular
power
generator. As illustrated in FIG. 5, three harvesting modules can be assembled
in series, the
harvesting modules having respective shape memory alloy members 520a-520c. As
shown,
similarly to other shape memory alloy members of this disclosure, each of the
shape memory
alloy members 520a-520c having a first end rigidly affixed to a rigid support
member (e.g.,
rigid support member 510a, rigid support member 510b, or rigid support member
510c), and a
second end rigidly affixed to a mechanism integrated into a hydraulic cylinder
(e.g., hydraulic
cylinder 530a, hydraulic cylinder 530b, or hydraulic cylinder 530c). As
mentioned with
reference to other harvesting module of the disclosure, such second ends can
move along the
longitudinal axis of their respective shape memory alloy members.
100281 FIGS. 6-7 illustrate two harvesting modules that can be utilized
or otherwise
leveraged in a modular power generator in accordance with embodiments of this
disclosure.
While the multi-module assemblies 600 and 700 include two harvesting modules,
the
disclosure is not so limited and, in some embodiments, multi-module assemblies
having more
than two harvesting modules also can be contemplated and included in modular
power
generators in accordance with this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the two
modules 610a and
610b can be arranged in series, which each module configured to receive
unpressurized fluid
via a conduit 640, and further configured to supply pressurized fluid to a
conduit 650. More
specifically, the harvesting module 610a can include a shape memory alloy
member 612a
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having a first end 616 (which also may be referred to as proximal end) and an
opposing end
614 (which also may be referred to as distal end), the shape memory alloy
member 612a
configured to transition to a tensile state at a defined transition
temperature in accordance
with aspects described herein. The end 614 of the shape memory alloy member
612a can be
rigidly affixed (e.g., soldered, laser soldered, bolted, punched, or the like)
to a rigid support
member 618a of the harvesting module 610a. The harvesting module 610a also
includes a
mechanism mechanically coupled to the end 616 of the shape memory alloy member
612a,
the mechanism configured to move a piston (or, in some embodiments, a plate or
slab) in a
hydraulic cylinder 620 in response to the shape memory alloy member 612a
transitioning to
the tensile state. As described herein, movement of the piston can yield an
amount of
pressurized fluid within the hydraulic cylinder 620, wherein the amount of
pressurized fluid
can be released via the conduit 650.
[0029] In addition, the example multi-module assembly 600 also includes a
harvesting
module 610b having a shape memory alloy member 612b having a first end 624
(which also
may be referred to as a proximal end) and an opposing end 622 (which also may
be referred to
as distal end), the shape memory alloy member 612b configured to transition to
a tensile state
at a defined transition temperature in accordance with aspects described
herein. The end 622
of the shape memory alloy member 612b can be rigidly affixed (e.g., soldered,
laser soldered,
bolted, punched, or the like) to a rigid support member 618b of the harvesting
module 610b.
.. The harvesting module 610b also includes a mechanism mechanically coupled
to the end 624
of the shape memory alloy member 612b, the mechanism configured to move a
piston (or, in
some embodiments, a plate or slab) in a hydraulic cylinder 630 in response to
the shape
memory alloy member 612b transitioning to the tensile state. As described
herein, movement
of the piston can yield an amount of pressurized fluid within the hydraulic
cylinder 630,
wherein the amount of pressurized fluid can be released via the conduit 650.
The transition
temperature of the shape memory alloy member 612b in the harvesting module
610b can be
different from or the same as the other transition temperature of the other
shape memory alloy
member 612a included in the harvesting module 610a.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 7, an example multi-module assembly can include
the two
harvesting modules 610a and 610b arranged in parallel. Thus, in some aspects,
the harvesting
module 610a can be configured to receive unpressurized fluid via a conduit
640. The
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harvesting module 610b can receive unpressurized fluid from a conduit that
couples
respective hydraulic cylinders of the harvesting modules 610a and 610b.
Similarly, the
harvesting module 610a can supply pressurized fluid via a hydraulic cylinder
620 of the
module 610a to a second hydraulic cylinder 630 of the harvesting module 610b.
The second
hydraulic cylinder 630 also can supply pressurized fluid to a pressure storage
vessel (e.g., a
hydraulic accumulator) via the conduit 650.
[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates an example harvesting module 800 that can store
elastic energy
without reliance on a hydraulic cylinder or a pressure storage vessel. The
example harvesting
module 800 includes a spring 850 to store at least a portion of the elastic
energy that can be
generated in response to a deformation of a shape memory alloy member 820. As
illustrated,
the example harvesting module 800 can include a ratchet mechanism 840
configured to
transfer the elastic energy from the shape memory alloy member 820 to the
spring 850. The
shape memory alloy member 820, the ratchet mechanism 840, and the spring 850
can be
assembled in a single rigid support member 810. While the spring 850 is shown
for the sake
of illustration, it is noted that the disclosure is not limited in that
respect and other elastic
members (e.g., flexible bars) can be contemplated.
[0032] In some aspects, the ratchet mechanism 840 can permit energy
transfer and/or
storage. The shape memory alloy 920 can be fixed at one end to the rigid
support member
810. The free end of the nitinol element can be attached to the ratchet
mechanism 840 so that
each time the shape memory alloy member 820 cycles, the ratchet mechanism 840
moves.
The motion of the ratchet mechanism 840 can be either linear or rotary. As
described herein,
the ratchet mechanism 840 can be attached to the spring 850 to gradually
compress the spring
responsive to successive transformation cycles. In some embodiments, the
ratchet mechanism
840 can be configured to elevate a mass in response to a transition from a
first tensile state to
a second tensile state of the shape memory alloy member 820. The potential
energy stored in
the spring 850 can be released in response to the a consumption criterion
being satisfied, as
described herein, providing work output through the use of clutches, brakes,
or the like. In
response to a transition from the second tensile state to the first tensile
state (e.g., in response
to cooling the shape memory alloy 820, a biasing mechanism (not depicted) can
stretch or
otherwise restore the shape memory alloy member 820 and can reset the ratchet
mechanism
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840 for another transition between tensile states that yield a contraction of
the shape memory
alloy member 820.
[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates an example harvesting module 900 that can that
can store elastic
energy without reliance on a hydraulic cylinder or a pressure storage vessel
and can be
utilized in a modular power generator in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the
disclosure. As illustrated, example harvesting module 900 can include a shape
memory alloy
member 920 having an end that is rigidly attached to a rack gear 930. The rack
gear 930 is
mechanically coupled to a pinion gear 940 configured to transfer at least a
portion of the
elastic energy generated in a deformation of the shape memory alloy member 920
to an
elevated mass 950. As described herein, the deformation (e.g., a contraction)
can be
responsive to a transition from a first tensile state to a second tensile
state of the shape
memory alloy member 920. The pinion gear 940 can transfer the linear movement
of the
shape memory alloy 920 to rotary movement that can change the position of the
elevated mass
950, accumulating the at least a portion of the elastic energy in
gravitational potential energy
of the elevated mass 950. In some embodiments, work transmitted by rotary
motion can be
stored via a flywheel, spring, or the like. A rigid support member 910 can
hold the shape
memory alloy 920, the rack gear 930, and the pinion gear 940. When needed,
work can be
extracted from these storage mechanisms through the use of brakes, clutches,
etc.
[0034] A modular power generator that utilizes or otherwise relies on the
example
harvesting module 800 and the example harvesting module 900, a pneumatic
bladder or
cylinder built inside of the rigid support member 910. In some
implementations, the end of
the bladder can be attached to the end of the shape memory alloy member 920
that opposes
the end mechanically coupled to the ratchet 840 or the rack gear 930, thus
providing a
extension force to reset a shape memory cycle.
[0035] Successive deformation cycles of a shape memory alloy member (e.g.,
a nitinol
rod or a nitinol wire) can be driven by implementing a heating process of the
atmosphere in a
vicinity of the shape memory alloy member. In some embodiments, a surface of a
harvesting
module can be coated at least in part with an absorptive material. In some
embodiments, the
absorptive material can absorb light in a defined portion of the
electromagnetic radiation
spectrum, and can be deposited in a number of ways having different
complexity. In some
instances, the surface can be coated via evaporation or sputtering with the
absorptive material
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or precursors thereof. The surface can oppose a second surface of the shape
memory alloy
member and, in response to illumination of the coated surface, the atmosphere
in the vicinity
of the shape memory alloy member can attain or exceed a transition temperature
for such a
member. Sunlight and/or a specific light source can illuminate of the coated
surface. The
light source can be integrated into or otherwise assembled in the harvesting
module. For
instance, the light source can be attached to the harvesting module in a
manner that
illuminates the coated surface. Accordingly, regardless of the type of
illumination, in some
aspects, the shape memory alloy member can be caused to transition from a
first tensile state
to a second tensile state, resulting in a contraction of the shape memory
alloy member in
accordance with aspects described herein.
[0036] Besides the coating of a surface of a rigid support member in a
harvesting module,
some harvesting modules can be adapted to heat the atmosphere in a vicinity of
a shape
memory alloy member. FIG. 10 illustrates views of an example harvesting module
1000 that
can be utilized in a modular power generator in accordance with one or more
embodiments of
the disclosure. As illustrated, the example harvesting module 1000 can include
a movable
enclosure 1010 having a surface 1020 coated at least in part with an
absorptive material, such
as carbon black or any other of the absorptive materials described herein. As
illustrated, the
movable enclosure 1010 defines an opening at an end of the movable enclosure
1010. In a
closed position, the movable enclosure 1010 can heat a gas surrounding a shape
memory alloy
member (not depicted) included in the example harvesting module 1000. A
temperature of
the gas can attain or exceed a transition temperature for transformation of
the shape memory
alloy member, such a member can transition to a tensile state and, thus, can
contract, moving
a piston included in a hydraulic cylinder 1030 and transferring at least a
portion of the elastic
energy associated with the contraction, in accordance with aspects described
herein. In some
aspects, the movable enclosure 1010 is configured to move along a direction in
which the
rigid support member extends from the proximal end to the opposing distal end
The
movement of the movable enclosure is responsive to the transition to the
tensile state, and
thus, the movable enclosure 1010 can open a releasing the heated gas, cooling
the
environment of the shape memory alloy member, which cooling can result in a
reset of the
deformation cycle of the shape memory alloy member. In some embodiments, the
movable
enclosure can be mechanically coupled, e.g., attached via a rigid or semi-
rigid member, to a
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movable end of the hydraulic cylinder 1030. Therefore, the movable enclosure
1010 can
move in response to movement of the shape memory alloy member (not depicted)
associated
with a deformation (e.g., a contraction) responsive to a deformation
transition associated with
a transition to the tensile state.
[0037] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of modular power generator 1100 in
accordance
with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As illustrated, the modular
power generator
1100 includes four plastic harvesting modules 1120a, 1120b, 1120c, and 1120d,
each having a
nitinol wire and a hydraulic cylinder at an end of the harvesting module. Each
of the nitinol
wires can have at least one defined transition temperature associated with a
respective
transition between tensile states of the nitinol wire. Thus, as shown, four
hydraulic cylinders
1130a, 1130b, 1130c, and 1130d are included in the modular power generator
1100. In
addition, a steel hydraulic line protrudes from each of the hydraulic
cylinders 1130a, 1130b,
1130c, and 1130d, forming tubing 1150. In one aspect, the tubing 1150 can be
mechanically
coupled and/or fluidically coupled to the conduit 1160a, which can include a
valve in
accordance with aspects described herein.
[0038] Similar to other modular power generators in accordance with
aspects of this
disclosure, the modular power generator 1100 includes a vessel 1110 configured
to supply
unpressurized fluid (e.g., oil, which can be biodegradable or otherwise) to
each of the
hydraulic cylinders 1130a, 1130b, 1130c, and 1130d. To that end, in some
aspects, the vessel
1110 can be mechanically coupled and/or fluidically to a conduit 1180 via
another conduit
1170, where the conduit 1180 is configured to release or otherwise transport
an amount of
unpressurized fluid to at least one of the hydraulic cylinders 1130a, 1130b,
1130c, and 1130d.
In addition, the modular power generator 1100 includes a hydraulic accumulator
1140
configured to receive pressurized fluid from at least one of the hydraulic
cylinders 1130a,
1130b, 1130c, and 1130d. The hydraulic accumulator 1140 also is configured to
supply an
amount of pressurized fluid via the conduit 1160b, which can include a valve,
in accordance
with aspects described herein.
[0039] The modular power generator 1100 also includes includes stability
shafts, each of
which can be bolted to a plastic stability frame coupled to a region proximate
to an end of the
hydraulic accumulator 1140.
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[0040] In view of the aspects described herein, examples of a technique
for management
of optical noise in optical spectroscopy in accordance with at least certain
aspects of the
disclosure can be better appreciated with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
12. For purposes
of simplicity of explanation, the examples of the techniques disclosed herein
are presented
.. and described as a series of blocks (with each block representing an action
or an operation in a
method, for example). However, it is to be understood and appreciated that the
disclosed
techniques (e.g., process(es), procedure(s), method(s), and the like) are not
limited by the
order of blocks and associated actions or operations, as some blocks may occur
in different
orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from that are shown and described
herein. For
.. example, the various techniques of the disclosure can be alternatively
represented as a series
of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Furthermore, not
all illustrated
blocks, and associated action(s) or operation(s), may be required to implement
a technique in
accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure. In addition, two or
more of the
disclosed techniques can be implemented in combination with each other, to
accomplish one
or more features and/or advantages described herein.
[0041] It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, at least a
portion of the
techniques of the disclosure can be retained on an article of manufacture, or
computer-
readable storage medium in order to permit or facilitate transporting and
transferring such
techniques to a computing device (such as a microcontroller, a programmable
logic controller,
a programmable logic relay, and the like) for execution, and thus
implementation, by a
processor of the computing device or for storage in a memory thereof or
functionally coupled
thereto. In one aspect, one or more processors, such as processor(s) that
implement (e.g.,
execute) one or more of the disclosed techniques, can be employed to execute
instructions
retained in a memory, or any computer-readable or machine-readable storage
medium, to
implement the techniques described herein. The instructions can embody or can
constitute at
least a portion of the techniques, and thus can provide a computer-executable
or machine-
executable framework to implement the techniques described herein.
[0042] FIG. 12 presents a flowchart of an example of a method 1200 for
power
generation according with at least some embodiments of the disclosure. In some
.. embodiments, at least a portion of the example method 1200 can be
implemented by a
modular power generator in accordance with this disclosure (e.g., modular
power generator
CA 03017145 2018-09-07
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100 and/or power modular generator 1100). At block 1210, a thermoelastic
material member
can be arranged in a configuration corresponding to a first tensile state of
the termoelastic
material. As described herein, in some examples, the thermoelastic material
member can be
embodied in or can include a rod, a wire, or any other type of member that can
be oriented in
a defined crystallographic orientation that can favor the presence of uniaxial
strain in the
member. In addition, the thermoelastic material can be embodied in or can
include a shape
memory alloy, such as a nickel-titanium alloy, a nickel-copper-titanium alloy
(where at least
an amount of nickel in a precursor nickel-titanium alloy have been replaced
with copper), and
the like. At block 1220, the thermoelastic material member is caused to
transition to a second
tensile state, resulting in a contraction of thermoelastic material member. In
some
embodiments, causing the transition to the second tensile state include
increasing the
temperature heating the thermoelastic material member to a temperature equal
to or greater
than a defined transition temperature. At block 1230, a linear displacement of
a piston in a
hydraulic cylinder (e.g., a single-acting hydraulic cylinder) can be caused,
for example, in
response to the contraction of the thermoelastic material member (e.g., a rod
formed from or
otherwise including nitinol). As described herein (see, e.g., FIG. 2), in
order to cause such a
linear displacement, an end of the thermoeleastic material member can be
mechanically
coupled to the piston. In one example, the mechanical coupling can be
accomplished via a
nearly rigid member that displaces the piston along an longitudinal axis of
the thermoelastic
material member in response to the contraction.
[0043] At block 1240, an amount of fluid in the hydraulic cylinder can be
pressurized in
response to the linear displacement. The fluid can include a gas, a liquid, or
a combination
thereof. In some aspects, the amount of fluid can be pressurized in response
to reducing a
volume occupied by the fluid within the piston. At block 1250, at least a
portion of the
amount of pressurized fluid can be supplied to a pressure storage vessel
(e.g., a hydraulic
accumulator). As described herein, in some aspects, the hydraulic cylinder can
include an
outlet opening fluidically coupled to the hydraulic accumulator, which can be
configured to
receive pressurized fluid. Rigid or flexible tubing and/or other types of
conduits can provide
such a coupling. Similarly, in some aspects, the pressure storage vessel can
receive the
amount of pressurized fluid via an inlet opening of such a vessel.
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[0044] At block 1260, a second amount of pressurized fluid can be
released from the
pressure storage vessel. In some aspects, as described herein, a valve can be
coupled (e.g.,
mechanically coupled and/or fluidically coupled) to the pressure storage
vessel and
configured to be open in response to a release criterion (e.g., a power
consumption criterion or
rule) being satisfied. The second amount of pressurized fluid can be released
via, for
example, an outlet opening of the pressure storage vessel. In some
embodiments, a control
unit (e.g., a programmable logic controller or another type of computing
device) can
implement logic to determine that the release criterion is satisfied and, in
response, can open
the valve for the release of the second amount of pressurized fluid. In
addition or in other
embodiments, a mechanism can passively control the opening (and shutting) of
the valve for
the release of the second amount of pressurized fluid.
[0045] Embodiments of the operational environments and techniques
(procedures,
methods, processes, and the like) are described herein with reference to block
diagrams and
flowchart illustrations of methods, systems, apparatuses and computer program
products. It
can be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart
illustrations, and
combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations,
respectively, can be
implemented by computer-accessible instructions. In certain implementations,
the computer-
accessible instructions may be loaded or otherwise incorporated into onto a
general purpose
computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable information
processing apparatus
to produce a particular machine, such that the operations or functions
specified in flowchart
block(s) can be implemented in response to execution at the computer or
processing
apparatus.
[0046] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that
any technique,
protocol, procedure, process, or method set forth herein be construed as
requiring that its acts,
operations, or steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a
process or method
claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its acts,
operations, or steps, or it is
not otherwise specifically recited in the claims or descriptions of the
subject disclosure that
the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that
an order be inferred,
in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for
interpretation, including
matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow;
plain meaning
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derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or type of
embodiments
described in the specification or annexed drawings, or the like.
[0047] As used in this application, the terms "component," "environment,"
"system,"
"platform," "architecture," "interface," "unit," "member," "module," and the
like are intended
to refer to an entity related to an operational apparatus with one or more
specific
functionalities. Such an entity may be either hardware, software, software in
execution, or a
combination thereof. As an example, a component can be an apparatus that
provides specific
functionality by means of mechanical parts, without reliance on electronic or
electromechanical parts As yet another example, a component may be an
apparatus with
specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric or
electronic circuitry
that is controlled by a software application or firmware application executed
by a processor,
wherein the processor can be internal or external to the apparatus and can
execute at least a
part of the software or firmware application. The terms "component,"
"environment,"
"system," "platform," "architecture," "interface," "unit," "module" can be
utilized
interchangeably and can be referred to collectively as functional elements.
[0048] Conditional language, such as, among others, "can," "could,"
"might," or "may,"
unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the
context as used, is
generally intended to convey that certain implementations could include, while
other
implementations do not include, certain features, elements, and/or operations.
Thus, such
conditional language generally is not intended to imply that features,
elements, and/or
operations are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one
or more
implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user
input or
prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or operations are included or
are to be
performed in any particular implementation.
[0049] What has been described herein in the present specification and
annexed drawings
includes examples of systems, apparatuses, devices, and techniques that can
provide power
generation based on materials that can be controllably transitioned between
thermodynamic
phases having different crystalline structures and respective tensile states.
It is, of course, not
possible to describe every conceivable combination of elements and/or methods
for purposes
of describing the various features of the disclosure, but it can be recognize
that many further
combinations and permutations of the disclosed features are possible.
Accordingly, it may be
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apparent that various modifications can be made to the disclosure without
departing from the
scope or spirit thereof. In addition or in the alternative, other embodiments
of the disclosure
may be apparent from consideration of the specification and annexed drawings,
and practice
of the disclosure as presented herein. It is intended that the examples put
forward in the
specification and annexed drawings be considered, in all respects, as
illustrative and not
restrictive. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a
generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
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