Abstract: A system for and method of harvesting, storing and converting naturally occurring energy, includes exposing an active material, and more preferably a shape memory element to an ambient activation signal or condition, harvesting a portion of the energy by pseudoplastically straining or superelastically deforming the element, storing the energy by causing a change in the element and/or engaging a locking mechanism, and converting the energy by exposing the mechanism to an activation signal and/or otherwise releasing the mechanism.

Abstract: A heat conversion device configured for generating electricity and converting thermal energy includes a heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a pseudoplastically pre-strained shape-memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite in response to thermal energy from a temperature difference between fluids of less than or equal to about 300° C. The heat engine also includes a generator driven by the heat engine and configured for converting mechanical energy to electricity. A heat conversion system configured for generating electricity and converting thermal energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference of less than or equal to about 300° C. between a primary fluid having a first temperature and a secondary fluid having a second temperature that is different from the first temperature, and the heat conversion device.

Abstract: A power plant configured for converting thermal energy to electricity includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a primary fluid having a first temperature and a secondary fluid having a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The plant also includes a collector configured for enhancing the temperature difference between the primary and secondary fluids, and a heat engine configured for converting at least some thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a pseudoplastically pre-strained shape-memory alloy disposed in heat exchange relationship with each of the primary and secondary fluids. Further, the plant includes a generator driven by the heat engine and configured for converting mechanical energy to electricity.

Abstract: A heat transport system includes a fluid, a heat engine, and a component. The fluid has a first fluid region at a first temperature and a second fluid region at a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The heat engine includes a shape-memory alloy disposed in contact with each of the first fluid region and the second fluid region. The heat engine is operable to transfer heat from one of the first fluid region and the second fluid region to the other of the first fluid region and the second fluid region in response to the crystallographic phase of the shape-memory alloy.

Abstract: In a gear shaft mechanism is provided that includes, but is not limited to a gear stick passing through slots in a plate to operate a shifter mechanism to move control cables, The gear stick is not pivotally mounted and performs only translational movements. The shaft is fixed to a bar member that is constrained to slide in a first direction relative to a frame member and the frame member is arranged to slide relative to a fixed support in a second direction. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A first pivot is arranged to slide on the bar member and the mechanism further includes, but is not limited to a two-armed lever pivoted at the junction of its arms to a second pivot fixed to said fixed support, a first arm of the lever being pivotally connected to the first pivot. The control cables are respectively connected to a second arm of the lever and the frame member.

Abstract: An exhaust system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between an exhaust gas having a first temperature and a heat sink having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The exhaust system also includes a conduit configured for conveying the exhaust gas, a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy, and a member disposed in contact with the conduit and configured for conducting thermal energy from the conduit to the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite at a first transformation temperature in response to the temperature difference between the exhaust gas and the heat sink.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system comprises a first region and a second region having a temperature difference therebetween. A heat engine is configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a first discrete element of a shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite in response to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. The first discrete element of the shape memory alloy expands and contracts in response to the phase change to exert a linear force. A motion conversion mechanism is operatively connected to the first discrete element to be driven by the linear force and a component is driven by the motion conversion mechanism.

Abstract: A method and system for improving traffic safety when driving a vehicle on a roadway including detecting at least one object in the immediate surroundings of the vehicle, analyzing the at least one detected object, deciding whether the at least one analyzed object is relevant in terms of traffic safety to the driving of the vehicle, and illuminating, via a light source, the roadway with a light pattern indicating the at least one object which is considered to be relevant in terms of traffic safety to the driving of the vehicle, thereby improving traffic safety.

Abstract: A system for and method of harvesting, storing and converting naturally occurring energy, includes exposing an active material, and more preferably a shape memory element to an ambient activation signal or condition, harvesting a portion of the energy by pseudoplastically straining or superelastically deforming the element, storing the energy by causing a change in the element and/or engaging a locking mechanism, and converting the energy by exposing the mechanism to an activation signal and/or otherwise releasing the mechanism.

Abstract: A method for an emergency call from a vehicle to an alarm centre, including receiving a wireless initiation signal from a portable alarm unit, evaluating the initiation signal, and sending, based on the result of the evaluation, a wireless alarm signal from a vehicle communication system arranged in the vehicle to the alarm centre. If the owner of the vehicle or some other person gets into an emergency, for instance is assaulted, in the immediate surroundings of the vehicle, it is thus possible to send an alarm signal to an alarm centre via the vehicle without first entering it. The personal safety for the individual is therefore increased. In addition, in the case of an assault, the perpetrator can be frightened away by sound and/or light signals emitted by the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for an emergency call from a vehicle to an alarm centre, including receiving a wireless initiation signal from a portable alarm unit, evaluating the initiation signal, and sending, based on the result of the evaluation, a wireless alarm signal from a vehicle communication system arranged in the vehicle to the alarm centre. If the owner of the vehicle or some other person gets into an emergency, for instance is assaulted, in the immediate surroundings of the vehicle, it is thus possible to send an alarm signal to an alarm centre via the vehicle without first entering it. The personal safety for the individual is therefore increased. In addition, in the case of an assault, the perpetrator can be frightened away by sound and/or light signals emitted by the vehicle.

Abstract: A storage arrangement for a vehicle is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the arrangement includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, which wall portions are at least part of a delimitation of an accessible storage space and define at least part of an entry opening of the storage space. The second wall portion is movable and adjustable relative to the first wall portion between at least a first defined and directly accessible storage position and a second defined and directly accessible storage position, the storage space including a relatively greater storage capacity and a larger entry opening in the second storage position than in the first storage position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for interior light. More specifically, the invention concerns a system and a method for proactively controlling interior light in vehicles. The system according to the present invention comprises at least one light source, at least one data retrieval unit which is adapted to retrieve data on at least one object located in said vehicle or in the immediate surroundings of the vehicle, and at least one processing unit which is adapted to analyze said retrieved data. Said processing unit is also adapted to proactively control light patterns inside the vehicle based on said analyzed data. Advantages achieved by the invention imply that the amount of light in the vehicle can be minimized while at the same time traffic safety can be increased by individuals in the vehicle not having to keep track of more than a necessary and relevant amount of light-related information, and they may concentrate on the driving of the vehicle instead.

Abstract: A method for improving traffic safety when driving a vehicle on a roadway is disclosed. The method includes detecting at least one object in the immediate surroundings of the vehicle, analyzing the at least one detected object, deciding whether the at least one analyzed object is relevant in terms of traffic safety to the driving of the vehicle, and illuminating, via a light source, the roadway with a light pattern indicating the at least one object which is considered to be relevant in terms of traffic safety to the driving of the vehicle, thereby improving traffic safety. A corresponding system for improving traffic safety, when driving a vehicle on a roadway, is also disclosed.