RESEARCH ON MULTI-DISC COMPOSITE OFFSET-SHAFT SMA HEAT ENGINE

Shape memory alloy (SMA) heat engines have attracted attention because of their ability to operate under low-temperature-difference conditions, showing potential for applications such as geothermal and waste-heat energy recovery. In this study, a novel multi-disc composite offset-shaft SMA heat engine was designed and fabricated. The device can achieve sustained and stable operation under relatively low-temperature-difference conditions. The output power and rotational speed of the prototype were measured through experimental tests. By combining experimental results with theoretical analysis, the effects of heat-source temperature and external load on the output power were investigated. The results show that, under the tested conditions, the output power increases with increasing heat-source temperature, while it first increases and then decreases with increasing load. In addition, the energy conversion efficiency of the heat engine was quantitatively evaluated. This study provides a feasible design and experimental reference for the development of SMA heat engines and related teaching demonstrations.