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Phase Change Material Thermal Power GeneratorAn innovative modification has been made to a previously patented design for the Phase Change Material (PCM) Thermal Generator, which works in water where ocean temperature alternatively melts wax in canisters, or allows the wax to re-solidify, causing high-pressure oil to flow through a hydraulic generator, thus creating electricity to charge a battery that powers the vehicle. In this modification, a similar thermal PCM device has been created that is heated and cooled by the air and solar radiation instead of using ocean temperature differences to change the PCM from solid to liquid. This innovation allows the device to use thermal energy to generate electricity on land, instead of just in the ocean.
Document ID
20130013822
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Other - NASA Tech Brief
Authors
Jones, Jack A.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 27, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 2013
Publication Information
Publication: NASA Tech Briefs, June 2013
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Report/Patent Number
NPO-48630
Report Number: NPO-48630
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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