Cooling device including an electrocaloric composite

Abstract

Cooling devices, heat pumps, and climate controlling devices employing an electrocaloric composite of high thermal conductivity and significant electrocaloric effect are disclosed. The electrocaloric composites include a combination of one or more EC-fluoropolymers and their blends with one or more electric-insulating fillers of high thermal conductivity.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present disclosure is directed to cooling devices, including heat pumps, refrigerators, air conditioning, and climate control devices, employing high thermal conductivity electrocaloric composites. The composite comprises an electrocaloric polymer and filler that has the characteristics of electrical insulation and high thermal conductivity. Such composites exhibit a high thermal conductivity and a sufficient electrocaloric effect to act as refrigerants in cooling devices.BACKGROUND[0002]Most conventional air conditioners and refrigerators achieve cooling through a mechanical vapor compression cycle (VCC). These systems suffer from low efficiency and there does not appear to be any economically viable avenue to significantly improve the efficiency of these VCC systems. Further, air conditioning is a major contributor to electric utility peak loads. The peak load electricity production is generally characterized by high generation costs and is provided by rel...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent is about a cooling device that uses a special material called a high thermal conductivity electrocaloric composite. This composite has high thermal conductivity, which helps to improve its performance in the cooling device. The composite contains a combination of electrocaloric polymers and fillers that are electrically insulating. The fillers do not interfere with the operation of the electrocaloric effect. The technical effect of this patent is to provide a more efficient cooling device that uses a special material that has improved performance.

Problems solved by technology

These systems suffer from low efficiency and there does not appear to be any economically viable avenue to significantly improve the efficiency of these VCC systems.

Further, air conditioning is a major contributor to electric utility peak loads.

The peak load electricity production is generally characterized by high generation costs and is provided by relatively inefficient and peak-poor polluting plants.

Peak loads are also a major factor contributing to poor grid reliability.

A related problem with today's VCC cooling technology is the adverse environmental impact of the refrigerant gases employed.

However, the art does not appear to have recognized certain deficiencies with EC materials and improvements in such materials are still needed to make them practical for use in cooling devices.

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