CooliNiTi Nitinol Heat Engine Project

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Objective

To design and prototype a new device using Nitinol for possible
mass production and distribution. Additionally, to Identify a possible
market for the product and construct a basic cost analysis for NDC.

TImeline

1) Identify a market for product
2) Utilize shape memory or hysteresis effect of Nitinol Wire
3) Design a product unique to existing market products
4) Design preliminary tests to assess product performance
5) Prototype product
6) Assess prototype performance vs. preliminary standards



Utilizing the hysteresis a prototype heat exchanger was designed to
heat or cool a liquid medium for use in a heat exchanger.
Results

Prototype data did not match preliminary testing data of an
observed single cycle A1 C in 500 ml of H
2
O
Prototype did not perform in repeatable and replicable
cycles creating erratic behaviour
Wire provided the least thermally efficient geometry for
creating uniform strain and thus AH was considerably below
expected rates
Maximum wire temperature of 98 F
Minimum wire temperature of 65 F

Recommendations

Pursue Continuous Spooling Concept and attempt current design
using square wire instead of round wire to improve heat exchanging
efficiency.

Contact Info: aschader@calpoly.edu, Austin Schader