The information in this video contains the inventor of Nitinol
And some of the most basic discoveries.
Including the information provided to McDonald-Douglas
When they began their research.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oKmYqUSDch8Time stamp: 1:34-2:15
This (I believe) is the basic structural approach
to a Nitinol replacement of the combustion chamber.
When attached as linear piston actuators linked to a
crankshaft, rotary motion will be attained.
The combustion chambers, the intake and exhaust systems,
and the fueling system of an ICE can be removed and replaced
with a temperature differential system which contains a heating
system and a cooling system.
The heating system could consist of a trough of warm water
when the piston is compressed, or bent (stressed) by the crankshaft
it curves downward and dips into the warm water ( or fluid) thus
providing a driving force to the crankshaft.
When the metal is "straightened" by the Nitinol action, the cooling
system blasts it with a cooling fan (or circulated fluid, etc).
That's kinda where I'm leaning towards.
I think it is important to analyze each approach in its' own right.
Spring mechanics provides for a wide array of shapes and the work
has already been done for us. However there lies an infinity of
non-conventional spring geometry that was never researched due to
the conservative nature of springs. So for those we are faced with the
raw differential equations and a segment by segment analysis that
rivals each design against the next in a quest for time and resources.
Such time and resources is better spent on the workbench than in the
calculator and notepad. ( for this particular scenario).
Known (common and uncommon) spring designs that have been analyzed
we can simply insert the Nitinol specs into the spring characteristics variables
and see exactly how it will perform. This (I believe) is the basis for almost every
Nitinol mathematical analysis available to us publicly.
I don't think it's because they're lazy, it's just too much for most to try and do
on their own. I'm still recovering from the gyroscope thing and I only did a dozen
or so. I couldn't imagine the mind boggling task of a full Nitinol mechanical work-up
to relate the metal into our mechanics textbooks.
I don't mind helping out if someone posts an "out of the box" spring design.
But as far as calculating every possibility we have in front of us
You guys are on your own on that one.
Real world tests are probably easier to deal with.
That being said I will discuss over the next few days:
The known Nitinol contraptions, their cons and pros, etc.
As well as several possible Nitinol contraptions, based on
known spring designs. Of which there are enough of, to
recreate every contraption on earth in Nitinol form.
How we get the heat in and out of each system will be a major
determining factor of whether or not someone chooses one design
over another.
It's not just the function of the Nitinol, but our realistic means of
providing the scenario upon which it functions.
Time stamp (in the video at the beginning):
2:50 - 3:50
This horizontal wheel is the worlds first solid-state heat engine.
When the springs contract in the water they push against the water.
Like when the Jesus lizard runs really fast. Except it's not just surface
tension, its water pressure and gravity and the whole of what keeps
the water in the container. Namely Archemedes Displacement and
water's natural resistance to movement through it, combine to provide
a constant force on the driveshaft as long as the temperature difference
is maintained between the two reservoirs.
More later when I have time to type.