Thermo-mechanical Research Of Ocean Thermal Eneroy Harvester Using Shape Memory Alloys

With the growing global energy crisis and environmental pollution, some emerging clean energy technologies have attracted people’s attention, among which is the Shape Memory Alloy ocean thermal energy harvester. Simple structure, reliable characteristics and no pollution are its unique advantages.Based on the research project, an innovative hybrid ocean thermal energy harvester is proposed based on martensitic phase transformations in Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs). It is capable of obtaining low temperature ocean thermal energy by using the solar energy. The main device contains two parts:the shape memory alloy spring and the transmission parts. Driven by the restoring force produced by the heating spring, the device will output torque. A new model is established by the improved Ginzburg-Landau theroy, which is testified by the experiment later. The full text has six chapters, which is introduced as follow:Chapter one:Introduction of the background and significance in ocean thermal energy in this research. The ocean thermal energy harvesting technology and shape memory alloys both at home and abroad are presented with its advantages and disadvantages, leading to the research content of this project.Chapter two:The development of shape memory alloy and its classification are introduced, and characteristics of shape memory effect and superelasticity are described in detail, and the main categories of shape memory alloy models are analyzed, by which, lead to the Ginzburg-Landau theory model and its related spring model. At the end of the chapter, the design and manufactory are also introduced.Chapter three:Synoptical description of the working principle of shape memory alloy heat engine and the overall structural design.Chapter four:After the detailed introduction of the spring, the theoretical output torque and no-load speed of the device is calculated.Chapter five:A related experiment is carried out, and the detial procedure and the stucture of the experiment is describled. The data is analysed, which is also compared with the simulation values.Chapter six:At last, the whole project is summarized with their defects and future research direction discussed.