Thermal energy scavenger (alternating stress limiter)

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A thermal energy scavenger assembly including a plurality of temperature-sensitive wires made of material which exhibits shape memory due to a thermoelastic martensitic phase, transformation. The wires are placed in tension between fixed and movable plates which are, in turn, supported by a pair of wheels which are rotatably supported by a housing for rotation about a central axis. A pair of upper and lower cams are fixed to the housing and cam followers react with the respective cams. Each cam transmits forces through a pair of hydraulic pistons. One of the pistons is connected to a movable plate to which one end of the wires are connected whereby a stress is applied to the wires to strain …