Shape Memory Fan Saves Energy
Shape Memory Fan Schematic
This idea for a fan that changes shape with temperature could be adapted to room fans, air conditioners, airplanes (cool dense air needs less of a push for the same reaction). More information is available from Yet2.com
From Yet2.com:
The morphing of the shape of a fan’s blade with environmental temperature can optimize the pushing effect of the fan on the medium (e.g. air, water, fluid etc.) with the environmental temperature. In cases where the physical properties of the medium change or when, due to lower temperatures of a device environment, there’s no need to further cool down the system thus, the pushing force can be lowered. In cases where the speed of the fan cannot be modified (e.g. cooling fans attached to the engine in tractors), it is possible to obtain a variable output of air flow depending on temperature morphing the shape of the blades by Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) materials embedded in the blade itself or discretely placed in the in the shaft of the blade. In this way the device changes shape when the shape memory material changes its properties with the temperature of a given environmental. Such a device is not externally power supplied and is thus economic, reliable and simple.
Benefits Summary
Self adaptive to the environmental temperature with no need of external control and no need to supply power o repetitive work, reliable, long lasting moreDevelopment Summary
Shape Memory Alloys are a well known and commercial technology. They are made in different shapes and with different transition temperatures. The technology to realize composite material with SMA wire embedded is known, and the integration of discrete devices as in the case of the shaft is technologically easy. moreIP Summary
This technology is supported by 1 US patent and 1 European patent. The most recent year of issue is 2003. more
