Need help with nitinol motor Bribe offered

 HI All.  I am developing a motor using super elastic nitinol wire and have
problems.
Picture at: http://www.pacificsites.com/~snyder/motor.jpg   The most
frustrating problem is joining the wire together.  I bought some tiny
stainless steel tubing from Ebay.  The idea is to use this as a sleeve and
solder/braze it together.  It hasn't arrived yet.  I have been unable to
find small high pressure crimp fittings.
The second problem is the wire slipping on the pulleys.  I will send anyone
coming up with a solution to either of these problems a piece of wire to
play with, assuming it is something I can use. Wire description at:
http://www.pacificsites.com/~snyder/Ebay/Flexinol%20Test%20Data.htm
This wire has a transition temp ~100C.  This helps resolving the cooling
side.  The heating side can be easily insulated with cheap
materials(styrofoam).  I am hoping to put this on a bicycle and operate with
solar power. Any comment/suggestions are welcome.  Thanks in advance.
Larry
 

 

that looks very cool.

Have you tried coating the pullies with anything?  I"m thinking like
performix plastic dip (or similar) -- its that stuff you dip your tool
handles in.  This would give a rubber like coating that might increase
your grip. You can just paint it on so its easy to apply. Might wear off
pretty fast though.. dono

good luck

-zachary

 

HI All.  I posted this on several newsgroups and got a lot of responses. I
would like to thank everyone for their input.
The answers that I like are:
capstain/multiple turns around pulleys
use tubing for guide and spot weld
grooving pulleys for more surface area
crimp fittings from fishing supply store
idlers/belts to apply extra pressure on pulleys
Answers I didn't like:
coating pulleys with nonslip stuff-   wire pressure too great. will fail too
fast.
I have notified people with the above ideas and will offer wire only for
some other ideas.
Thanks for your interest.
Larry