Mechanical Analysis of a Solar-Powered Solid State Engine

Abstract

The mechanical principle of a solar-powered solid state engine utilizing the shape-memory effect is analyzed. The performance of a differential pulley Nitinol engine is discussed and it is calculated that a small, solar-powered differential pulley Nitinol engine could produce up to 15W with a single Nitinol wire, A higher power solar Nitinol engine producing up to 15 kW is possible by using larger Nitinol wire, and over 1 MW may be expected by applying the higher power engine system. The size of the solar energy collector needed to generate mechanical energy via a Nitinol engine is estimated to be about 0.02 m2/W and the total efficiency of the engine predicted to be about 4%, The overall efficiency and economics of a solar-powered Nitinol engine should be in the same order as that of solar energy system utilizing the photovoltaic effect.