Energy Harvesting in Discontinuous Processes by Shape Memory Alloys

Author(s):  
Alexander Czechowicz ◽  
Sven Langbein

Heat is often lost unused in industry, commerce and households and is considered a waste product — while there is a lot of energy potential in waste heat. As part of the project “Theasmart”, scientists and companies are exploring just these potentials to find out how the waste product heat can be used for further purposes through the use of an innovative smart materials technology. The goal of the project is the further qualification of shape memory alloys with special focus on thin hysteresis applications for energy harvesting. In certain applications, these metals can be used as a thermal drive, for example for thermal valves or as thermal air flow regulators. Energy efficiency in processes in industrial companies or households could be improved by their use of waste heat. By 2020, the development of thermally driven generators, so-called “energy harvesters”, and the identification of other areas of application is planned. This publication focuses on first steps towards a process tool which can be actuated by waste heat of a thermal annealing sub-process directly, or used as mechanical energy charging device combined with a releasing mechanism.

Author(s):  
Konstantin Lygin ◽  
Alexander Czechowicz ◽  
Horst Meier

Shape memory alloys (SMA) are smart materials with the ability to remember a previous imprinted shape after plastic deformation. The shape memory actuator effect is induced by thermal energy. Its bases on crystalline transformation of NiTi-alloys from the austenitic B2 to the martensitic B19′ phase. Usually, SMA actuators show a large temperature hysteresis with high strokes and loads. A lot of technical applications are realizable with SMA-actuators, for example in automotive sector. Under special conditions an additional phase, the R-phase occurs in SMA. This transformation from the austenitic B2 phase to the R-phase is characterized by a very small temperature hysteresis. Compared to conventional transformation characteristic of B2 ⇒ B19′, the R-phase transformation has small stroke and load. Because of this the R-Phase transformation qualifies for temperature sensitive and autarkical applications in air-conditioning or heating systems. Today’s problem for engineers designing R-phase actuators is that a lot of rules and parameters need to be considered. This paper presents a methodology, which can be used as a guideline to support engineers designing R-phase actuators. The whole process from defining requirements to prototyping will be discussed for the development of an energy harvesting actuator, which uses a low thermal energy potential. This paper contribution is to fill this gap in product development methodologies for shape memory actuators.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hubert ◽  
N. Calchand ◽  
Y. Le Gorrec ◽  
J.-Y. Gauthier

In the field of microrobotics, actuators based on smart materials are predominant because of very good precision, integration capabilities and high compactness. This paper presents the main characteristics of Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys as new candidates for the design of micromechatronic devices. The thermo-magneto-mechanical energy conversion process is first presented followed by the adequate modeling procedure required to design actuators. Finally, some actuators prototypes realized at the Femto-ST institute are presented, including a push-pull bidirectional actuator. Some results on the control and performances of these devices conclude the paper.


2011 ◽  
Vol 674 ◽  
pp. 171-175
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Bałdys ◽  
Grzegorz Dercz ◽  
Łukasz Madej

The ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMA) are relatively the brand new smart materials group. The most interesting issue connected with FSMA is magnetic shape memory, which gives a possibility to achieve relatively high strain (over 8%) caused by magnetic field. In this paper the effect of annealing on the microstructure and martensitic transition on Ni-Mn-Co-In ferromagnetic shape memory alloy has been studied. The alloy was prepared by melting of 99,98% pure Ni, 99,98% pure Mn, 99,98% pure Co, 99,99% pure In. The chemical composition, its homogeneity and the alloy microstructure were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The phase composition was also studied by X-ray analysis. The transformation course and characteristic temperatures were determined by the use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and magnetic balance techniques. The results show that Tc of the annealed sample was found to decrease with increasing the annealing temperature. The Ms and Af increases with increasing annealing temperatures and showed best results in 1173K. The studied alloy exhibits a martensitic transformation from a L21 austenite to a martensite phase with a 7-layer (14M) and 5-layer (10M) modulated structure. The lattice constants of the L21 (a0) structure determined by TEM and X-ray analysis in this alloy were a0=0,4866. The TEM observation exhibit that the studied alloy in initial state has bigger accumulations of 10M and 14M structures as opposed from the annealed state.


Author(s):  
Alexander Czechowicz ◽  
Peter Dültgen ◽  
Sven Langbein

Shape memory alloys (SMA) are smart materials, which have two technical usable effects: While pseudoplastic SMA have the ability to change into a previously imprinted actual shape through the means of thermal activation, pseudoelastic SMA show a reversible mechanical elongation up to 8% at constant temperature. The transformation between the two possible material phases (austenite and martensite) shows a hysteretic behavior. As a result of these properties, SMA can be used as elastic elements with intrinsic damping function. Additionally the electrical resistance changes remarkably during the material deformation. These effects are presented in the publication in combination with potential for applications in different branches at varying boundary conditions. The focus of the presented research is concentrated on the application of elastic elements with adaptive damping function. As a proof for the potential considerations, an application example sums up this presentation.


Author(s):  
Arun Veeramani ◽  
John Crews ◽  
Gregory D. Buckner

This paper describes a novel approach to modeling hysteresis using a Hysteretic Recurrent Neural Network (HRNN). The HRNN utilizes weighted recurrent neurons, each composed of conjoined sigmoid activation functions to capture the directional dependencies typical of hysteretic smart materials (piezoelectrics, ferromagnetic, shape memory alloys, etc.) Network weights are included on the output layer to facilitate training and provide statistical model information such as phase fraction probabilities. This paper demonstrates HRNN-based modeling of two- and three-phase transformations in hysteretic materials (shape memory alloys) with experimental validation. A two-phase network is constructed to model the displacement characteristics of a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire under constant stress. To capture the more general thermo-mechanical behavior of SMAs, a three-phase HRNN model (which accounts for detwinned Martensite, twinned Martensite, and Austensite phases) is developed and experimentally validated. The HRNN modeling approach described in this paper readily lends itself to other hysteretic materials and may be used for developing real-time control algorithms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkata Siva C Chillara ◽  
Leon M Headings ◽  
Ryohei Tsuruta ◽  
Eiji Itakura ◽  
Umesh Gandhi ◽  
...  

This work presents smart laminated composites that enable morphing vehicle structures. Morphing panels can be effective for drag reduction, for example, adaptive fender skirts. Mechanical prestress provides tailored curvature in composites without the drawbacks of thermally induced residual stress. When driven by smart materials such as shape memory alloys, mechanically-prestressed composites can serve as building blocks for morphing structures. An analytical energy-based model is presented to calculate the curved shape of a composite as a function of force applied by an embedded actuator. Shape transition is modeled by providing the actuation force as an input to a one-dimensional thermomechanical constitutive model of a shape memory alloy wire. A design procedure, based on the analytical model, is presented for morphing fender skirts comprising radially configured smart composite elements. A half-scale fender skirt for a compact passenger car is designed, fabricated, and tested. The demonstrator has a domed unactuated shape and morphs to a flat shape when actuated using shape memory alloys. Rapid actuation is demonstrated by coupling shape memory alloys with integrated quick-release latches; the latches reduce actuation time by 95%. The demonstrator is 62% lighter than an equivalent dome-shaped steel fender skirt.


Author(s):  
A Spaggiari ◽  
D Castagnetti ◽  
N Golinelli ◽  
E Dragoni ◽  
G Scirè Mammano

This paper describes the properties and the engineering applications of the smart materials, especially in the mechatronics field. Even though there are several smart materials which all are very interesting from the research perspective, we decide to focus the work on just three of them. The adopted criterion privileges the most promising technologies in terms of commercial applications available on the market, namely: magnetorheological fluids, shape memory alloys and piezoelectric materials. Many semi-active devices such as dampers or brakes or clutches, based on magnetorheological fluids are commercially available; in addition, we can trace several applications of piezo actuators and shape memory-based devices, especially in the field of micro actuations. The work describes the physics behind these three materials and it gives some basic equations to dimension a system based on one of these technologies. The work helps the designer in a first feasibility study for the applications of one of these smart materials inside an industrial context. Moreover, the paper shows a complete survey of the applications of magnetorheological fluids, piezoelectric devices and shape memory alloys that have hit the market, considering industrial, biomedical, civil and automotive field.


Author(s):  
Johannes Ziske ◽  
Fabian Ehle ◽  
Holger Neubert

Smart materials, such as thermal or magnetic shape memory alloys, provide interesting characteristics for new solid state actuators. However, their behavior is highly nonlinear and determined by strong hysteresis effects. This complex behavior must be adequately considered in simulation models which can be applied for efficient actuator design and optimization. We present a new phenomenological lumped element model for magnetic shape memory alloys (MSM). The model takes into account the two-dimensional hysteresis of the magnetic field induced strain as a function of both the compressive stress and the magnetic flux density. It is implemented in Modelica. The model bases on measured limiting hysteresis surfaces which are material specific. An extended Tellinen hysteresis modeling approach is used to calculate inner hysteresis trajectories in between the limiting surfaces. The developed model provides sufficient accuracy with low computational effort compared to finite element models. Thus, it is well suited for system design and optimization based on network models. This is demonstrated with exemplary models of MSM based actuators. System models and simulation results are shown and evaluated for different topologies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 101 ◽  
pp. 79-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicenç Torra ◽  
Sara Casciati ◽  
Michele Vece

The use of Shape Memory Alloys in dampers devices able to reduce the wind, rain or traffic induced oscillations in stayed cables is well represented in the literature. An analysis realized on standard cables at existing facilities shows the reliable efficiency of the SMA wire in damping oscillations. Such studies also provide tools to build the SMA dampers and to account for the effects of the external temperature in the SMA. The particular study reported in this paper focuses on a critical discussion on the relation between the wire diameter and macroscopic behavior and external temperature effects. The damping requires the absorption of the mechanical energy and its conversion to heat via the action of hysteresis cycles. The study was realized on wires of different diameters. In particular, the study centers on wires of diameter 0.2, 0.5 and 2.46 mm. The flat cycles showed by the thin wires (i.e., diameter 0.2 and 0.5 mm) and the non-classical S-shaped cycles of wires of diameter 2.46 mm establish clear differences of the response under external summer-winter temperature actions. Depending of the room temperature and SMA composition, a complete flat transformation in thin wires requires stresses, in general, near 300-400 MPa. A complete transformation for an S-shaped cycle need stresses as higher as 600 MPa. The analysis of the behavior of these wires under the action of warm temperatures in summer and cold temperatures in winter, suggests that thin wires lose their pseudo-elastic state in winter. The S-shaped permits positive working in extended temperature domain and a supplementary investigation establishes that S-shaped can be increased by strain aging. The hysteretic behavior in S-shaped permits practical working under external temperatures as applications in bridges require. From a fundamental point of view, the flat cycles are coherent with the classical treatment of the SMA as a first order phase transition but the S-shaped can be considered associated to an anomaly in heat capacity.


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