Abstract: An energy-recovery device comprises an engine, an immersion chamber, a drive, and a power module. The engine comprises a core comprising a core element that comprises working material, the core element comprising a fixed first end and a second end that is connected to the drive. The immersion chamber houses the engine and is configured to be sequentially filled with fluid to expand and contract the core element. The power module applies a controlled stress to the core element during at least one of a heating phase and a cooling phase of a power cycle carried out by the engine.

Abstract: The application discloses an energy recovery device comprising a drive mechanism; an engine core comprising a plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) elements or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements fixed at a first end and connected at a second end to the drive mechanism. A block mechanism is positioned between the engine core and the drive mechanism to restrict movement of the drive mechanism until the elements reach a desired temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy recovery method and system comprising a first Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) core and adapted to convert movement of the core into energy in response to a change in temperature, and a fluid provides a temperature change to activate the first core, to generate a power stroke; and a back load is applied to the SMA core with a force higher than a maximum relaxation force of the SMA core. The advantage of the invention is to be able to allow a multistage variable loading regime on an SMA engine to increase the system efficiency. The invention provides a method of transferring large reciprocating forces into a steady rotary motion.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy recovery device comprising a plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMAs) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements arranged as a plurality of wires positioned substantially parallel with each other to define a core wherein the wires are selected to have different dimensions such that the plurality of wires are activated at substantially the same time in response to a temperature change.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy recovery system comprising a first Shape Memory Alloy (SMAs) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) core and adapted to convert movement of the core into energy in response to a first temperature. Various embodiments are disclosed to include cascaded core arrangements, preheating/cooling of cores and how to decrease the time of reaction for the shape memory alloy in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A plurality of wire elements for use in an energy recovery device comprising Shape Memory Alloy or other Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) material, wherein at least one wire element is fixed at one end and free to move at a second end, such that the wire elements are arranged adjacently and are in friction or interference contact with each other and are secured at the outer perimeter of wires utilising a securing means. In such arrangement, during the operation of the bundle arrangement in a heat engine system, the plate elements act to transmit the aggregated force generation of the wire grouping and thus usefully recover and transmit power.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy recovery device comprising an engine comprising a plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements fixed at a first end and connected at a second end to a drive mechanism wherein a holder is configured with a plurality of slots adapted to receive the plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) or NTE elements.

Abstract: The present application relates to the field of energy recovery and in particular to the use of shape memory alloys (SMA) for same. An energy recovery device is provided which comprises a one way drive mechanism for incrementally winding a spring. An SMA engine comprising a length of SMA material is fixed at a first end and connected at a second end to the one way drive mechanism. The SMA engine is housed in an immersion chamber and adapted to be sequentially filled with fluid to allow heating and/or cooling of the SMA engine to enable high frequency contractions and expansion. An output transmission is provided which is coupled to and driven by the spring. In this manner, repeated contractions of the SMA material incrementally wind the spring to store energy. The spring is restrained by a release mechanism which may be activated to allow the spring to drive an output transmission.