Mass is a solid

A machine is constructed from plural elongated elements constructed as tubes or rods with double duct and which are alternatingly cooled and heated past a transition temperature, whereby restauration of the original length occurs during heating under development of force and is effective as work producing...     

A thermostatic expansible material-working element with a housing filled with the material and a pin-shaped work piston which is pointed at one end. The work piston with its pointed end extends through an opening in the housing into the internal compartment thereof and upon thermal expansion of the expansible...     

An apparatus is provided for converting thermal energy such as solar energy into mechanical motion for driving fluid pumps and the like. The thermal motor comprises an inner concentric cylinder carried by a stationary core member having a cylindrical disc plate fixed adjacent a lower portion thereof...     

A solar power plant having a means for collecting solar heat and a means for applying the heat so collected to a selected portion of a plurality of expansile-contractile members movably mounted between two wheels set at a desired angle on to the other, said wheels being rotatably mounted upon a frame....     

A thermally powered rotary actuator is disclosed which is used for positioning a shaft in first and second positions which are disposed 180.degree. apart. A pair of heat extensible springs are attached to the shaft and to the frame of the rotary actuator for selectively rotating the shaft from one of...     

This invention relates to apparatus for the conversion of thermal energy into mechanical motion. Transducers, such as nickel-titanium alloys, are employed which change their configuration and pliancy upon the application of stimulus such as heat. In the absence of a suitable stimulus, they are pliant...     

A heat engine employs an endless belt including a number of discrete elements which will interact with a force field, and are interconnected by a shape memory material, such as Nitinol. Two portions of the belt are maintained at different temperatures and the belt is constrained to move the elements...     

This invention relates to apparatus for the conversion of thermal energy into mechanical motion. Transducers, such as nickel-titanium alloys, are employed which change their configuration and pliancy upon the application of stimulus such as heat. In the absence of a suitable stimulus, they are pliant...     

A thermal engine system is characterized by a cylinder having a suitable working fluid disposed therein and having a piston reciprocally movable in first and second directions within the cylinder, the piston dividing the cylinder into first and second pressurization regions. In one embodiment, a thermally...     

A thermal energy converting assembly including a support housing rotatably supporting a central hub with a plurality of temperature sensitive metal alloy strips extending radially from the hub for coacting with a cam which sinusoidally strains the strips during one phase and allows the unstraining of...     

An electrically operated valve having a valve body in which a valve member is mounted for movement to an open or closed position, an operating assembly being removably mounted on the body and including a heat motor that is offset with respect to the axis of the valve member and that is operable to effect...     

A frame having two or more thin elongate vanes mounted thereon and a shaft for supporting the frame for rotation so that each of the two opposite surfaces of the vanes is sequentially exposed to heat energy from the sun or the like. One surface is an absorbtive surface, exposure of which effects heating...     

A method and apparatus using a FREEZE/THAW POWER CYCLE. The apparatus includes a piston driven by the expansion power of a fluid such as water in a cyclinder on freezing and the thawing thereof with alternate, rapid freezing and thawing of the fluid by low and high temperature means with heat transfer...     

A mechanism for transforming heat energy into mechanical energy capable of tilizing heat from low temperature sources such as solar heated water, geothermal hot water and rejected heat from conventional engines. The mechanism uses a series of elements manufactured from a nickel-titanium alloy. These...     

An actuator mechanism having a frame, a shaft rotatably supported in the frame, a positioning mechanism coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft in two rotary positions disposed approximately 180.degree. apart, and a pair of plungers coupled to the shaft each of which is responsive to a control signal...     

An engine for converting temperature differentials to power or for converting power to heating or cooling. In the more obvious use, heat is applied to designated segments of metal belts to cause the designated segments to expand for the conversion of heat to power. If desired, cooling fluid is also applied...     

Temperature dependent actuating mechanism comprising a temperature responsive sensor including a variable volume chamber in fluid communication with a chamber in an actuator containing a variable volume member connected with an operating member; the sensor further including temperature responsive means...     

A motor comprises a rotor supported to rotate freely about its longitudinal axis while the axis is confined to an elastically bowed configuration by internal or external means. Heat, cold or other stress inducing means applied to the side of the rotor causes local internal stresses that cause the rotor...     

An engine which can convert thermal energy into mechanical energy by making use of the expansion in the volume of a liquid, such as water, when it freezes, and a corresponding decrease in the volume when the frozen material returns to its liquid state. A cylinder containing the liquid with a piston positioned...     

A thermal energy scavenger assembly including a plurality of temperature-sensitive wires made of material which exhibits shape memory due to a thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformation. The wires are placed in tension between fixed and movable plates which are, in turn, supported by a pair of wheels...     

A thermostatic expansible work element comprising a housing within which there is enclosed an expansible body. In the expansible body there extends the one pointed end of a work member in the form of a work pin or piston, the other end of which extends through an opening out of the housing. Between the...     

A power generator utilizing the full volumetric expansion of water upon its change from the liquid phase to the solid phase (ice). The generator includes a chamber having heat transmitting, fluid impervious, flexible walls. The chamber is filled with water. A pressure-containing housing has an internal...     

A heat engine using as the working medium a non-compressible substance such as a liquid or a solid. The non-compressible substance in an enclosure is moved alternately relative to and between a high temperature zone and a low temperature zone to undergo expansion and contraction, which are transmitted...     

A thermal actuator of the expansible wax type is disclosed having an actuator rod extending through an enlarged clearance hole in an upper guide casing, a closely fitting hole in a guide washer, and a snugly fitting anti-chafe ring. The washer and ring are located intermediate the upper surface of a...     

A gravity motor utilizes a heat expansion mechanism comprising a frame, a rotational shaft supported by the frame, a drive gear connected to the rotational shaft, the drive gear having a plurality of teeth around the outer periphery thereof, a plurality of drive bars, the drive bars at one end thereof...     

An improved solid state thermal engine utilizes as a drive member a braided belt fabricated from a memory alloy such as nickel-titanium and nickel-titanium ternary alloys, copper-zinc and copper-zinc ternary alloys, and the like. The braided belt is mounted on a set of pulleys to provide passage through...     

A thermal element having a tubular casing with an open end, a volume of heat-responsive, expandable wax positioned in said casing at a distance from the open end thereof, a spherical resilient seal member compressively positioned in the casing adjacent said wax, a motion-transmitting pin extended between...     

A heat engine for developing rotational energy from elements of thermodynamic working material. Elements of the material are secured between levers. The cycling of the elements through hot and cold temperature changes causes the levers to reciprocate. The reciprocating movement is then mechanically translated...     

A temperature-sensitive actuator particularly for varying the pitch of blades spaced around a cooling fan hub. The actuator, as applied to a fan, includes at least first and second circular or part-circular elongate members within the hub, restraining means on the hub for one end of the first elongate...     

A thermal-mechanical energy converting device with at least two rotatably supported wheels and with one or more endless transmission elements of a material having a memory effect capable in the bending mode of converting thermal energy into mechanical energy when heated from a temperature below its transition...     

A self-recocking actuation device. One possible use for it is in conjunction with a pneumatic fire protection system. This invention employs the process known as occlusion to store large amounts of gas in a small volume. Metal hydrides in a chamber are used to store hydrogen in the disclosed preferred...     

A temperature responsive drain valve (10) is disclosed for draining fluid lines (12) to prevent freeze up damage. The valve includes a housing (14) having a fluid passageway (15) therethrough. A temperature responsive thermal actuator (20) is mounted to the housing adjacent fluid inlet passageways (34)....     

A compact solid state turbine heat engine can be devised by pairing the Nitinol elements. Each element is characterized by being in thermal contact with at least one hot water and one cold water bath and mechanically coupled to at least one driven pulley and driver pulley. A second Nitinol element is...     

A thermal energy scavenger assembly including a plurality of temperature-sensitive wires made of material which exhibits shape memory due to a thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformation. The wires are placed in tension between fixed and movable plates which are, in turn, supported by a pair of wheels...     

A rotatable device having outwardly extending weighted arms of thermally expandable material is supported for rotation about an axis arranged at an angle to the vertical. The device is exposed to the sun or other source of radiant energy, causing the arms to expand lengthwise. A sun shield is provided...     

A carburetor system has a fast idle cam to hold the throttle plate in a fast idle position for facilitating engine operation during warm-up after starting. The cam is movable to a second position after engine warm-up to permit the throttle plate to move to its low idle position in response to a bias....     

A solar energy device comprising a body having a plurality of spaced focusing lenses to concentrate direct and reflected rays from the sun. A heat receiving member is inside of the body. One of the body and the member is expansible and contractible so that there is a relative movement between the surface...     

A power element assembly is disclosed for use in a liquid environment to operate devices such as valves, switches and the like wherein such assembly is provided with an elastomeric diaphragm having an integral sealing neck with internal seal beads that are sealingly retained in engagement with a piston...     

Apparatus for storing solar energy, including a thermal-expansion motor operating through a ratchet mechanism to compress a coil spring located in an energy cell.

The invention comprises an actuator for positioning a controllable element and having first and second thermally expandable members, the first member is fixedly connected at one end to a supporting member and at the other end to one end of the second member. Means are provided for directing a flow of...     

A temperature-responsive control device for carburetors in which a heat-generating body produces heat as the engine is started from the cold state to heat up a heat-mass through an annular contact portion. The heat-mass temperature then rises with a certain time lag to the rise of the temperature of...     

An engine for conversion of low grade thermal energy into useful rotational energy incorporates a plurality of hollow deformable shape memory elements coupled in series with the crankpins of a crankshaft and with load limiting members. Hot and cold fluids are alternately directed through the crankshaft...     

A pair of spooling means, such as cylinders, are rotatable about fixed and parallel axes. An elongated member with a planar surface moves in reciprocating motion essentially normal to the cylinder axes such that planar surface remains adjacent and essentially tangential to the cylinder walls. Nitinol...     

An engine for conversion of low grade thermal energy into useful rotational energy incorporates a plurality of shape memory elements coupled in series to the crankpins of a crankshaft and to load limiting members. Hot and cold fluids are alternately directed through a sprayer head to the external surfaces...     

A thermal engine utilizing a strip of nitinol material or other thermally responsive shape memory effect material to drive a reciprocating output shaft, said strip of material forming a common wall between two different alternating temperature sources which thermally cycle the material.

This arrangement provides the stirring of the contents of a container. The motive force for the stirring action is supplied by connection of the stirring means to a selected pulley shaft of a pulley arrangement on which an alloy belt of nickel and titanium is placed so that the belt can be cycled through...     

A self-actuated device, of particular use as a valve or an orifice for nuclear reactor fuel and blanket assemblies, in which a gas produced by a neutron induced nuclear reaction gradually accumulates as a function of neutron fluence. The gas pressure increase occasioned by such accumulation of gas is...     

An engine has at least two piston-cylinder assemblies each comprising a cylinder formed in an engine block with a cylinder head and a piston therein in sliding relationship toward and away from the head, a piston rod operatively connected to the piston and to a crankshaft, motion producing member of...     

A warning device for indicating a predetermined temperature level of a solid object includes inner and outer concentric telescoping tubes having outer surfaces of different and contrasting appearances; a heat-conducting device for fixing one of the tubes to the solid object; a temperature-responsive...     

A simple single wire nitinol engine including a pair of levers, one of which reciprocates with respect to the other and is connected to a crank shaft by a connecting rod to transmit rotational energy from the reciprocating motion of the lever. A spring wound single nitinol wire is connected to the ends...     

The freeze protection valve includes a valve housing (A) which has a bore (20) through a lower wall portion (22) thereof to define a freeze drain outlet (B). A valve assembly (C) including a valve cup (50), a valving element (54), and a valve element biasing spring (56) is biased away from the valve...     

Thermal actuator apparatus for controlling or adjusting the position of a surface or other object as a function of temperature. The principle of operation is the rate of change, as a function of temperature, in the modulus of rigidity or elasticity of counterbalanced springs of differing materials resulting...     

Pumping in oil wells and like power conversion applications is carried out in an economical manner with efficient utilization of energy and low capital cost by pushing or pulling the plunger mechanism (of conventional type) with a metal wire, rod or tube arranged as a helical coil spring and constructed...     

A thermal-mechanical energy converting device including a fixed cylinder, a frame mounted to co-axially rotate about the fixed cylinder, at least one wheel rotatably support on the frame, and endless transmission elements of a material having a memory effect capable in the bending mode of converting...     

An apparatus for moving a controlled member, as for example a valve, to a predetermined position in response to temperature conditions includes a bearing member which overcomes a force exerted by an energy storage device within a predetermined temperature range. The bearing member includes a fusible...     

A freeze preventing valve which comprises a valve body longitudinally provided with an inserting hole at the upper part thereof in a hollow valve housing connected to a steam feed pipe, a valve element having a shaft disposed movably through the inserting hole of the valve body to be able to open an...     

A freeze preventing valve which comprises a valve cage body longitudinally provided with a cylindrical guide at the upper part thereof in a valve housing connected to a steam feed pipe, a valve element having a shaft disposed through the guide of the valve body to be able to open an exhaust port opened...     

A self-regulated actuator is disclosed having a shape-memory element which is heated preferably by passing electrical current therethrough and having a reset mechanism including a circuit-breaking mechanism. The shape-memory element provides the force to retract the actuator when heated. The reset mechanism...     

A fluid circulating system includes a thermal differential engine having a pair of expansion-contraction vessels each containing an expansion component expansible with heat for discharging fluid to a delivery line when heated and drawing fluid from a return line when cooled. Heated water is supplied...     

An optical hydraulic control wherein the flow of hydraulic fluid is controlled by movement of a valve spool 12. Movement of the valve spool is initiated by a hydraulic pressure differential that is established by moving a control member 34 out of an equilibrium position. Movement of the control member...     

A mechanical actuator can be constructed by employing a plurality of memory metal actuator elements in parallel to control the amount of actuating force. In order to facilitate direct control by digital control signals provided by a computer or the like, the actuating elements may vary in stiffness according...     

A shape memory metal (SMM) actuator includes an SMM actuator element mounted to an end fitting. An end portion of the actuator element adjacent the end fitting is cold formed to a thickness no more than 40% of the original thickness of the actuator element. This cold formed region extends by about 5...     

A shape memory metal actuator includes an actuator element that is secured at one end to an end fitting which is in turn secured to an overload protection spring. An adjustable screw is mounted to a frame and is positioned such that the overload protection spring biases the end fitting into contact with...     

A linear output heat engine for developing energy from elements of nitinol wire. The wires are secured between parallel linkage levers which are reciprocated between hot and cold fluid baths causing the levers to actuate whereby linear reciprocating energy is extracted from the levers.

An actuator including a plurality of shape memory materials used as a drive source. The plurality of the shape memory materials being arranged in parallel between a stationary member and a movable member so as to enable the actuator to operate at high speed.

An engine powered by radiant thermal energy wherein elongated thermally expandable members are tensioned radially out from a centrally located floating bearing to which the converging ends of the tension members are secured. The floating bearing encloses an eccentric section of a crankshaft with axis...     

Apparatus for mechanical storage of energy derived from the rotation of a first shaft and for driving a rotatable main shaft associated with a power generator comprising, in combination, means for rotating the first shaft, connecting means for communicating the rotation of the first shaft to a first...     

An automatically operated valve to prevent freezing of water lines. The valve is elongated, having threads on one end to be received in a conventional plumbing tee or the like, or in a threaded opening in a faucet. The opposite end discharges water during dripping, and has a nipple to receive a hose...     

Mechanical energy is provided in the form of continuous reciprocating motion by causing repeated temperature alternations in wire arrays made of alloys of shape memory metals when alternating changes in the lengths of the wires result from repeatedly heating and then cooling the wires as these arrays...     

A heat engine is provided with twin crankshafts and coil shaped power elements mounted between each of two crankshafts. Each power element moves upward and downward, parallel with the surface of a tank of hot water, in which the engine is partially submersed, so that every part of the power element is...     

A slider lifter including a support structure, a flexure arm and a resilient means cantilevered from the support structure, and a shape memory alloy element operatively connected between the support structure and the resilient means, wherein the shape memory alloy element has a martensitic condition...     

A capsule of a thermic control device contains a substance which expands when heated by an electrical resistor to displace a piston. Devices are disclosed wherein the capsule is disposed transversely in a pipe which carries a circulating fluid, and the front and rear ends of the capsule are sealingly...     

A simple nitinol wire powered engine which employs a pair of interconnected drive members which oscillate in a horizontal plane about two different axes of rotation.

A simple nitinol wire powered engine employing a four bar linkage which oscillates the nitinol wire in a vertical plane into and out of a pair of aligned different temperature baths.

An electrically controlled shape memory alloy actuator capable of being miniaturized for use in robotics and other fields. The actuator is made of a shape memory alloy wire which is torsioned end along its longitudinal axis and with its ends constrained against movement. A lever or other suitable element...     

A cylinder with one end convex, upon said end a disk with a hole in it sits upon it to act as a pivoting mounting plate; stretched nitinol wires are strung down the sides of the cylinder from the edge of the disk to the opposite end of the cylinder rim edge. Each wire is fed an independent voltage to...     

A digital linear actuator includes a plurality of digital actuator cells each connected to the next in sequential fashion. Each of the digital actuator cells contracts or expands a predetermined amount along an expansion/contraction axis when it is actuated by a corresponding digital signal. Each digital...     

The reciprocating motion that is provided when long arrays of wires of shape memory metal alloys are made to repeatedly change in length by means of repeated temperature alternations is made to occur more efficiently and more rapidly by means of a system that contacts first heated then cooled liquid...     

A self-limiting electro-thermal actuator, capable of improved response time and continuous energization operation to produce a mechanical output uses plural heaters, e.g. a resistance heater and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater, connected in series electrically. The actuator includes a...     

A first flexible vessel of a first cross section communicates with the rod and a second flexible vessel of a second cross section, different from the first cross section communicates with the first vessel. A substantially incompressible fluid is contained in the first and second vessels. Movement of...     

A memory element made of a shape-memory alloy includes lead-attachment and shape-memory portions and a partition interconnecting such portions. The lead-attachment and shape-memory portions are comprised of characteristic internal structures, while the partition is comprised of an internal structure...     

A drive device of the type utilizing the property of shape memory alloys comprising a first wheel (12) and a second wheel (16) drivingly coupled together by means of a wire loop (20) of a shape memory alloy and a generator and/or a fan (7) coupled as an integral part of the drive device in such a way...     

Electrically operated linear actuators are provided wherein both the forward and rearward motions are obtained by heating a shape memory metal to its austenitic state and thereafter cooling it to its martensitic state. One shape memory metal forms a retractor spring while the other shape memory metal...     

Apparatus for the control of a mounting table and the like utilizing wires made of temperature responsive material such as nitinol to position the table. Current flow through the wires cause the movement of the table which is mounted to permit tilting in any direction and rotation as well. Some of the...     

An apparatus for rocking a crank has a crank having opposite ends and being pivotally mounted at one end thereof to a first point on a first substrate, a first spring attached at one end thereof to a second point on a second substrate and at the other end thereof to the other end of the crank and a second...     

An SME actuator is provided by a housing (14), a plunger (12) axially reciprocal in the housing, a compression spring (16) or Belleville washers (60) biasing the plunger in one direction, SME (shape memory effect) disc washers (18) around the plunger and thermally deformable to move the plunger in the...     

An actuator comprising an actuator body, a shape memory member mounted on the body and a heating element in heat exchange relationship to the shape memory member. By activating the heating element, sufficient heat is generated to heat the shape memory member to its transition temperature so that it deforms...     

A fluid level controller having a thermal expansion element in the form of cylinder made from polytetrafluoroethylene. The cylinder is located in a container which is connected to a supply of cryogenic fluid by a ball valve. When the cryogenic fluid in the container reaches the level of the cylinder...     

An active member can deform in accordance with its temperature. The active member is connected to a mechanically-operated valve member so that the operated member is driven in accordance with deformation of the active member. The temperature of the active member is adjusted to control the operated member.

An electro-thermal actuator has a boiler chamber in which a working fluid is heated to increase its pressure and a variable volume chamber defined in part by a rolling diaphragm. When the working fluid is heated to a sufficient temperature, the pressure within the variable volume chamber becomes large...     

In a bistable shape memory effect, SME, mechanism having first and second opposing shape memory effect, SME, elements (16, 20) moving an actuator (12) along a travel stroke between respective first and second positions upon heating of the respective SME element above its transition temperature mechanical...     

A pre-tensioned shape memory actuator for providing remote actuation at relatively high loads. The actuator utilizes a two-way shape memory alloy which is pre-tensioned to a pre-tensioned position, then partially compressed to a position intermediate its original position and the pre-tensioned position...     

A sealant injector for use in repair is provided with a sealant nozzle formed in a forward end of an injector body. A piston is slidably fitted in the injector body, and cooperates with the forward end of the injector body to define therebetween a sealant chamber capable of being filled with sealant....     

In an electrically operated valve, a valve closure member, which lies in the path between the inlet channel and the outlet channel, is connected to an expansion member. At the time of electrical heating, the expansion member lifts the valve closure member from the associated valve seat, due to which...     

A memory element of the present invention is split to minimize the magnitude of electrical current flowing therethrough as the split memory element is being heated to its transitional temperature, thereby permitting the cross-sectional area of the lead wires used to conduct an electric current to the...     

A thermal energy scavenger assembly (10) includes a plurality of integral elements (12) made of temperature sensitive material having first and second ends (14, 16). The integral elements (12) comprise a first portion (18) which is subjected to predetermined cyclic temperature changes to cause the first...     

A shape memory metal actuator for accurately pointing or aligning a moveable piece of equipment or other object. The memory metal components (12, 14, 16, 18) are stretched along their axes and arranged in a push-pull configuration so that one element (14) in the activated state moves the object while...     

A hydraulic shape memory alloy actuator is provided comprising a uniaxial shape memory alloy wire constructed of Nitinol. The actuator utilizes a pair of hydraulic cylinders in fluid communication with each other, each cylinder containing a hydraulic piston. The first hydraulic piston is moved from a...     

The invention internal energy engine is a power machine that makes use of the shape memory effect of shape memory alloy members. The member can be made from a Ni-Ti alloy, for example. It generates great force on a movable part when its transformation is constrained while undergoing temperature changes....     

A temperature sensor having a heat sensing portion including silicone rubber having thermal expansion and contraction characteristics which are linear with respect to changes in temperature, and an responsively operating portion adapted to operate by thermal expansion and contraction of the silicone...