yrdbrd@bmcg.UUCP (Larry J. Huntley) (07/10/85)
[Reproduced without permission from DESIGNFAX, July 1985, Pg.12]
NEWS
SHAPE MEMORY ENGINE RUNS ON ICE
This simple, solid-state engine converts low-grade thermal energy into
mechanical force by means of a Nitinol "shape-memory" wire looped around
two wheels.
Nitinol is a nickel-titanium alloy that reacts forcefully to a small
change in temperature because of its shape memory. This memory causes
the wire to always return to its origianl shape. In doing so, it pro-
duces mechanical force.
The "Icemobile" engine illustrates this principle as an ice-cutting
machine. When the Nitinol wire loop is bent around a metal wheel and
cooled by ice, it forcefully straightens out. This motion spins the
wire which cuts the ice. Cutting action continues as long as the wire
and the ice remain in contact.
The motor was designed to demonstrate the shape memory phenomenon, as
well as illustrate that the engine can operate as long as a temperature
differential exists.
The temperature differential for the motor is between 0 and 40 C.
Potentially, a multiwire or a full-size unit could generate power for
industrial applications, using thermal sources such as frozen lakes,
sun-warmed water basins, discarded industrial fluids, and released heat
from engines and other equipment.
More information is available from INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY, 10747-3 Tucker
St. Beltsville, MD 20705.
[End Purloined Article]
Well, net.physics; what say you? Any comment?
--
Larry J. Huntley Burroughs Corporation
Advanced Systems Group MS-703
10850 Via Frontera San Diego, CA 92128
(619) 485-4544
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