Abstract: An energy recovery device comprising a drive mechanism; an engine comprising a plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements fixed at a first end by a holder element and connected at a second end to a drive mechanism wherein a compensation mechanism is positioned and adapted to combat the shrinkage of the SMA or NTE elements encountered in heating cycles.

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 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.

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 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 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: An energy recovery device comprising a drive mechanism; an engine comprising a plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements fixed at a first end by a holder element and connected at a second end to a drive mechanism wherein a compensation mechanism is positioned and adapted to combat the shrinkage of the SMA or NTE elements encountered in heating cycles.

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.

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: An energy recovery device comprising a drive mechanism; an engine comprising a plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) elements or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements fixed at a first end by a holder element and connected at a second end to a drive mechanism wherein Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) elements or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements are positioned to from a gap between adjacent elements and configured to improve heat transfer from a fluid to each element.

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 application provides a number of embodiments for an energy recovery device incorporating a SMA core or material. This application solves the problem of pressure pulsing caused by a volume reduction which is a result of the contraction of SMA core and its coupled piston head within a closed immersed chamber. The application disclosed provides a number of effective solutions of removing this issue with minimal additional components.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy recovery device comprising a drive mechanism configured with a transmission system; a SMA engine comprising a length of SMA material fixed at a first end and connected at a second end to the drive mechanism; an immersion chamber adapted for housing the SMA engine and adapted to be sequentially filled with fluid to allow heating and/or cooling of the SMA engine; and an output transmission for coupling to and being driven by a gear based or hydraulic based transmission system.

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.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of phosphonomethylglycine in nearly quantitative yields which eliminates the use of a noble metal co-catalyst and its concomitant problems. The oxygen-containing gas is replaced with the much more chemically active hydrogen peroxide, which in combination with activated carbon, oxidizes the PMIDA to PMG in very high yield. The amount of oxidant allowed to react with PMIDA is a function of the concentration of oxygen in the gaseous reaction products, and is controlled by monitoring that concentration. In another embodiment, the oxidizing agent is an oxygen-containing gas. In either case, the concentration of oxygen in the gaseous reaction product is monitored to determine the end point of the reaction.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of phosphonomethylglycine in high yields is disclosed. In accordance with the process of the present invention, alkali metal IDA, such as disodium IDA, is reacted with a strong mineral acid, such as HCl, to convert the salt of IDA to IDA. The IDA is then converted to soluble IDA phosphite salt by the addition of phosphorous acid, and the alkali metal salt of the strong acid is precipitated. The phosphite salt of IDA is phosphonomethylated, such as by the addition of PCl.sub.3 and formaldehyde. Optionally, phosphorous trichloride can be hydrolyzed to provide the phosphorous acid source for phosphonomethylation of the phosphite salt.

Abstract: Plant micronutrient compounds comprising N-acyl ED3A or salts thereof. The N-acyl ED3A derivatives chelate various trace metals, including iron, copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt and nickel.

Abstract: Plant micronutrient compounds comprising N-acyl ED3A or salts thereof. The N-acyl ED3A derivatives chelate various trace metals, including iron, copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt and nickel.

Abstract: A pesticidal composition including isocyanate capped high molecular weight diols, triols and polyols. A pesticide and water are combined with hydrophilic isocyanate end-capped prepolymers in order to significantly improve the efficacy of the pesticide. The liquid pesticidal compositions of the present invention can be prepared by simply mixing the various constituents. The order of addition can be used effectively to cap free isocyanate groups in the hydrophilic prepolymer.

Abstract: Synthesis of ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (ED3A) or its salts is disclosed. A salt of N,N'-ethylenediaminediacetic acid (ED2AH.sub.2) is condensed with formaldehyde to form a stable 5-membered ring intermediate. The addition of cyanide across this cyclic material forms ethylenediamine N,N'-diacetic acid-N'-cyanomethyl or salts thereof (mononitrile-diacid). The nitrile in aqueous solutions may be spontaneously cyclized to form 2-oxo-1,4-piperazinediacetic acid (3KP) or salts thereof, which is the desired cyclic intermediate. In the presence of excess base, salts of ED3A are formed in excellent yield and purity. Alternatively, the starting material is ED2AH.sub.a X.sub.b, where x is a base cation, e.g., an alkali or alkaline earth metal, a is 1 to 2, and b is 0 to 1 in aqueous solutions. The reaction mixture also can be acidified to ensure complete formation of carboxymethyl-2-oxopiperazine (the lactam) prior to the reaction. Formaldehyde is added, essentially resulting in the hydroxymethyl derivative.