Method for stabilizing and / or controlling and / or regulating the working temperature, heat exchanger unit, device for transporting energy, refrigeration machine and heat pump

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for stabilizing and / or controlling and / or regulating the working temperature of a cycle-based system according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a device in the form of a cycle-based system according to the preamble of claim 9.

[0002] It is known from the prior art to use calorically active material in cycle-based systems such as chillers, heat pumps, or heat engines, which changes its temperature in interaction with a corresponding field. For example, DE 10 2014 010 476 B3 describes an air conditioning device based on a heat pipe with calorically active material, in this case, magnetocaloric material. Likewise, DE 10 2015 121 657 A1 describes a method for operating cycle-based systems using mechanocaloric material.

[0003] Cyclic processes are known from thermodynamics as a sequence of periodic changes in the state of a working fluid that regularly passes through an initial state. Examples of such cyclic processes include heating and / or cooling through the application of work, such as in heat pumps or refrigeration machines, or the conversion of heat into work, such as in heat engines.

[0004] As already mentioned, it is known from the state of the art to use calorically active materials in such cyclic processes. Such calorically active materials change their temperature within the influence of a suitable field. The term "calorically active materials" includes, for example, electrocaloric materials, magnetocaloric materials, and mechanocaloric materials.

[0005] Electrocaloric materials change their temperature in the region of influence of an electric field due to the alignment of the electric moments and the associated entropy reduction, or a crystal lattice transformation between a ferroelectric and a paraelectric phase. Magnetocaloric materials change their temperature in the region of influence of a magnetic field due to the alignment of the magnetic moments and the associated entropy reduction, or a crystal lattice transformation between a ferromagnetic and a paramagnetic phase. Mechanocaloric materials (also known as elastocaloric materials, barocaloric materials, or shape memory alloys) undergo a crystalline phase transition upon the application of mechanical stress, which causes a temperature change in the material.This is usually a crystal lattice transformation between a high-temperature phase (austenite) and a low-temperature phase (martensite).

[0006] The described effects for calorically active materials are usually reversible and also work in reverse: In mechanocaloric materials, a change in temperature can induce a change in the material's shape and / or volume. In magnetocaloric materials, a change in temperature can induce a change from the ferromagnetic to a paramagnetic phase, or vice versa. In electrocaloric materials, a change in temperature can induce a change from the ferromagnetic to a paramagnetic phase, or vice versa.

[0007] In cycle-based systems, calorically effective materials can therefore be used to transport and / or convert energy or heat. It is known from the state of the art that heat transfer via sensible heat, particularly via pumping fluids to dissipate heat, is comparatively lossy and thus cannot achieve satisfactory system efficiency or power density. Instead, heat is transferred via latent heat. The calorically effective material is typically arranged as a heat exchanger in a fluid circuit in conjunction with a hot-side reservoir and a cold-side reservoir. Heat transfer between fluid and heat exchanger occurs via latent heat. To increase system efficiency, the calorically effective material is cyclically heated and cooled. Ideally, the heat flow increases linearly with the cycle frequency.The heat flow is directed via thermal diodes, which are designed as active or passive fluid valves. Passive check valves are a common option.

[0008] The process undergone by the calorically active material is fundamentally reversible. In reality, however, all calorically active materials exhibit self-heating during cyclic operation, e.g., due to hysteresis effects. With each phase transformation, field energy is lost, which is converted into heat and heats the calorific material on average. For example, self-heating includes the aforementioned hysteresis effects, particularly in mechanocaloric materials, but also friction or, particularly in electrocaloric, magnetocaloric, and multicaloric materials, inductive heating, capacitive heating, and / or resistive heating. These heating effects are induced by charging and / or eddy currents caused by the field change, both in the calorically active materials and in other elements, thus directly or indirectly heating the calorically active material element.The base temperature of the calorically effective material, i.e. temperature without field exposure, increases.

[0009] A disadvantage of the previously known devices and methods from the prior art is that the base temperature of the calorically active material increases due to the described self-heating. With this material heating, the operating temperature shifts away from the ideal operating temperature of the calorically active material as the operating time increases. The remaining heat in the calorically active material element and the associated temperature increase in the calorically active material element precludes an efficient increase in the operating frequency of the previously known systems.

[0010] The present invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a method for operating cycle-based systems and a device in the form of such a cycle-based system, which have a higher efficiency compared to previously known devices and methods.

[0011] This object is achieved by a method for temperature stabilization and / or control and / or regulation according to claim 1 and by a device according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention can be found in claims 2 to 8. Preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention can be found in claims 9 to 15.

[0012] The method according to the invention is preferably designed to be carried out using the device according to the invention and / or a preferred embodiment of the device. The device according to the invention is preferably designed to carry out the method according to the invention and / or a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0013] The method according to the invention for stabilizing and / or controlling the working temperature of a cycle-based system is carried out, as is known per se, with a cycle-based system having a heat exchanger unit with calorically effective material.

[0014] It is essential that a base temperature of the calorically effective material element is controlled by means of a cooling fluid.

[0015] The invention is based on the applicant's finding that by stabilizing the base temperature or controlling and / or regulating it to a desired base temperature, the efficiency of cycle-based systems with a heat exchanger unit with calorifically effective material can be significantly increased.

[0016] For the purposes of this description, the term "calorically effective material element" refers to an element made partially or entirely of a calorically effective material. The calorically effective material element can be designed as a heat exchanger.

[0017] In the context of this description, the base temperature is a desired working temperature of the calorically effective material, i.e. the desired temperature without field exposure.

[0018] For the purposes of this description, the term "calorically effective material element" refers to an element made partially or entirely of a calorically effective material. The calorically effective material element can be designed as a heat exchanger.

[0019] In the context of this description, the base temperature is a desired working temperature of the calorically effective material, i.e. the desired temperature without field exposure.

[0020] The process is suitable for transporting energy using a refrigeration machine, a heat pump, or even a heat engine. Mechanocaloric, electrocaloric, or magnetocaloric materials can be used as the calorific material.

[0021] The method according to the invention for operating cycle-based systems is implemented using a cycle-based system with a hot-side reservoir and a cold-side reservoir and at least one fluid chamber for a working fluid. The system is configured with an evaporator region and a condenser region for the working fluid and has at least one heat exchanger unit with at least one calorically active material element. The calorically active material is arranged in the fluid chamber directly or indirectly in operative connection with the working fluid, and heat is transferred between the calorically active material of the calorically active material element and the working fluid by means of latent heat transfer.

[0022] It is essential that a base temperature of the heat exchanger unit with calorically effective material is controlled by means of a cooling fluid.

[0023] The process is suitable for transporting energy using a refrigeration machine, a heat pump, or even a heat engine. Mechanocaloric, electrocaloric, or magnetocaloric materials can be used as the calorific material.

[0024] The procedure includes the following steps: A activating an electric field and / or magnetic field and / or mechanical stress field, so that the calorically active material is at least temporarily exposed to an interaction with said electric field and / or magnetic field and / or mechanical stress field; B evaporating the working fluid by heating the calorically active material by a first temperature change of the calorically active material induced in process step A above a base temperature; C discharging the working fluid to the hot-side reservoir and condensing the working fluid in the condenser region, wherein heat is transported by means of latent heat of the evaporated working fluid; D transporting the condensed working fluid back from the condenser region to the evaporator region; E deactivating the electric and / or magnetic and / or elastic field;F Second, opposite temperature change of the calorific material below the base temperature; G Supplying the working fluid from the cold-side reservoir into the fluid chamber, whereby heat is transported from the evaporator region into the fluid chamber by means of latent heat of the vaporized working fluid. ;

[0025] It is essential that the base temperature of the calorically effective material element is controlled or regulated by means of a cooling fluid.

[0026] This provides the advantage that the heat generated or introduced into the calorific material can be dissipated by the calorific material. The calorific material is thus kept stable at a base temperature that preferably corresponds to the ideal working temperature of the calorific material.

[0027] Furthermore, it is also possible to not only maintain a base temperature of the calorific material element. Rather, the cooling fluid can be used to set the operating temperature, i.e., a selected target base temperature, of the calorific material element. The temperature fluctuations due to the field exposure of the calorific material then fluctuate around the target base temperature.

[0028] Calorically effective materials exhibit an ideal working temperature (target base temperature, base temperature) depending on the material. Caloric materials have a limited temperature range in which the calorific effect occurs. This temperature range is known as the working window. The working window is usually very wide for electrocaloric and mechanocaloric materials (typically up to 100 K) and very narrow for magnetocaloric materials (typically a few Kelvin). The position of the working window is essentially material-dependent and can be adjusted via the material composition or the alloy constituents. The invention offers the advantage that the working temperature of the process can be specifically adjusted.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method is repeated, in particular repeated several times, preferably cyclically with a frequency greater than 1 Hz, particularly preferably with a frequency greater than 10 Hz, preferably with a frequency between 1 Hz and 100 Hz.

[0030] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the method is carried out using a cycle-based system comprising a plurality of fluid chambers, in particular a plurality of fluid chambers connected in series. The working fluid flows through the series-connected fluid chambers. Since the temperature of the working fluid changes with each fluid chamber, it is expedient to adapt the calorific material of the fluid chambers to the respective temperature of the working fluid. Such a method and such a device are described, for example, in DE 10 2015 121 657 A1. This embodiment is incorporated herein by reference.

[0031] Alternatively, several fluid chambers can be connected in parallel. Such an arrangement of parallel fluid chambers can be used in heat recovery devices.

[0032] Typically, at least one hot-side valve is provided between the hot-side reservoir and the fluid chamber, and at least one cold-side valve is provided between the cold-side reservoir and the fluid chamber. The valves preferably act as passive valves and enable the system to operate as a thermal diode, i.e., with directed heat transfer. As described, the system is designed with an evaporator region and a condenser region for the working fluid. The evaporator region and condenser region can be designed as separate regions, preferably in the form of the hot-side reservoir and the cold-side reservoir. However, independent regions can also be provided.Particularly in the case of several fluid chambers connected in series, the calorific material of a heat exchanger unit acts as an evaporator zone and a condenser zone: The fluid flows in vapor form from the cold-side reservoir or an upstream fluid chamber into the fluid chamber and condenses on the heat exchanger unit made of calorific material. As the calorific material heats up, the condensed fluid evaporates, the pressure in the fluid chamber rises, and the fluid flows via the hot-side valve into the next fluid chamber, where it condenses again on the heat exchanger unit made of calorific material. With this repeated process, the fluid passes through all of the series-connected fluid chambers until it reaches the hot-side reservoir. From there, the fluid is returned to the cold-side reservoir via the fluid return line.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling fluid is used to adjust the base temperature of the calorically active material element to an ideal working temperature for the calorically active material. Particularly when a plurality of fluid chambers are connected in series or parallel, it is advantageous to adjust the base temperature of each calorically active material element of the series-connected fluid chambers to an ideal working temperature for the calorically active material of the respective fluid chamber. Due to the directed heat transport, the working fluid changes its temperature as it passes through the fluid chambers. By controlling or regulating the base temperature of the respective calorically active material element, the system efficiency can be significantly increased.

[0034] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid circuit for the working fluid and the fluid circuit for the cooling fluid are spatially separated, in particular the working fluid and the cooling fluid circulate in two separate fluid circuits.

[0035] This offers the advantage that the selection of the cooling fluid is not limited to the fluid in the working fluid circuit. The fluid in the working fluid circuit can be selected independently of the fluid in the cooling fluid circuit. Furthermore, the pressure and / or temperature parameters in the working fluid circuit can be adjusted independently of the working fluid circuit.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling fluid is passed through the calorically active material element containing calorically active material. Preferably, the cooling fluid is passed through at least one channel in the calorically active material element. This provides the advantage that the cooling fluid and the calorically active material of the calorically active material element can be brought into operative connection in a simple manner, so that thermal contact is established and the heat is dissipated from the calorically active material. This ensures the separation of the cooling fluid within the channel of the calorically active material element and the working fluid on an outer surface of the calorically active material element.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the working fluid is used as a cooling fluid. Particularly preferably, the fluid return of the working fluid from the hot-side reservoir to the cold-side reservoir can be used for this purpose.

[0038] The calorically active material is exposed to an electric field and / or magnetic field and / or mechanical stress field, wherein the elastic field is generated in the form of a mechanical stress in the calorically active material, preferably by a tensile and / or compressive load on the calorically active material, a shear and / or a compression of the calorically active material, wherein the tensile and / or compressive load on the calorically active material generates a temperature change in the calorically active material, and / or the electric field is generated by means of an electric capacitor, wherein the electric field generates a temperature change in the calorically active material, and / or the magnetic field is generated by means of a permanent magnet, preferably by means of a movable permanent magnet, wherein the magnetic field generates a temperature change in the calorically active material.This allows the caloric effect to be induced in a simple manner.

[0039] Preferably, a transport means for the working fluid and / or the cooling fluid, in particular in the form of a compressor, is driven by a stroke created by the means for generating the mechanical stress field.

[0040] This allows energy from the generation of the mechanical stress field to be used to drive or transport cooling fluid and / or working fluid.

[0041] To prevent the cold-side reservoir from drying out, as the working fluid is transported from the cold-side reservoir as the evaporator to the hot-side reservoir as the condenser for directed heat transfer, cycle-based systems with calorific materials typically feature a fluid return from the hot-side reservoir back to the cold-side reservoir. The fluid condenses in the condenser area on the hot side and is returned to the cold-side reservoir via the fluid return. If the working fluid is passed past the calorific material element or, preferably, through the heat exchanger unit when returning from the hot-side reservoir to the cold-side reservoir, the working fluid can be used as a cooling fluid. The cooling fluid and the calorific material can thus be brought into active contact.

[0042] It is also within the scope of the invention for the hot-side and cold-side reservoirs to be interchanged and / or for the fluid return to be directed in the opposite thermal direction. The principle of fluid return can be used as the inventive temperature regulation for the cooling fluid, regardless of direction and temperature difference.

[0043] Using the working fluid as a cooling fluid has the advantage that the calorically effective material element can be cooled in a simple manner using existing means.

[0044] It is also within the scope of the invention that the calorically effective material element is not cooled, but rather that a desired temperature is specifically set or regulated to a desired temperature using the cooling fluid. The use of the terms "cooling fluid" and "cooling" are merely simplifications. Within the scope of the invention, this means that any desired base temperature is set. Within the scope of the invention, this also includes heating the calorically effective material of a fluid chamber to a desired base temperature, in particular the ideal operating temperature.

[0045] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, a fluid connection from the cold side reservoir is provided, which conducts cooling fluid from the cold side reservoir through the calorically effective material element or past the calorically effective material element, so that cooling fluid and calorically effective material of the calorically effective material element are in operative connection.

[0046] In a further alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, in addition to the fluid return, a fluid connection from the cold side reservoir is provided, which conducts cooling fluid from the cold side reservoir through the calorically effective material element or past the calorically effective material element to the cold side reservoir, so that cooling fluid and calorically effective material of the calorically effective material element are in operative connection.

[0047] The above-described object is also achieved by a device for a cycle-based system. The heat exchanger unit of the device comprises, as known per se, a calorically active material element with calorically active material, wherein the calorically active material is arranged in operative connection with a working fluid, so that heat can be transferred between the working fluid and the calorically active material, and the heat transfer between the working fluid and the calorically active material occurs essentially by means of latent heat transfer.

[0048] It is essential that the heat exchanger unit of the device comprises a regulating device for controlling or regulating a base temperature of the calorically effective material element.

[0049] The device according to the invention also has the aforementioned advantages of the method according to the invention. Likewise, the method according to the invention has all the advantages of the device according to the invention mentioned below.

[0050] In a possible preferred implementation, the regulating device is designed as at least one fluid channel for the cooling fluid. The fluid channel runs in operative connection with the calorific material. Preferably, the fluid channel runs along the calorific material or through the calorific material. This allows the cooling fluid to be brought into operative connection with the calorific material in a simple manner.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the calorically active material is in the form of rods, preferably in the form of hollow rods. Preferably, a plurality of rods, particularly preferably 2 to 100 rods, preferably 5 to 50 rods, particularly preferably 10 rods, are arranged as part of the heat exchanger unit. Particularly preferably, the number and configuration of the rods are determined as a function of the total calorific material mass and as a function of the surface area to volume ratio in order to be able to dissipate or remove sufficient heat. Preferably, a channel for the cooling fluid runs through each rod of calorically active material of the heat exchanger unit.

[0052] Preferably, the cooling fluid is water, alcohol, butane, propane, CO 2 , NH 3 or a mixture of the aforementioned fluids.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the regulating device comprises at least one pump for pumping the cooling fluid and / or at least one throttle. Both the pump and the throttle are preferably arranged in the fluid line for the cooling fluid, particularly preferably in the fluid return line. The speed of the cooling fluid can be adjusted by means of the pump and / or the throttle. The speed of the cooling fluid controls the amount of heat transferred from the calorically active material of the calorically active material element to the cooling fluid, i.e., the degree to which the cooling fluid cools the calorically active material.

[0054] By using the pump and / or a throttle, the base temperature can be easily controlled.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, the working fluid is used as a cooling fluid. Preferably, a fluid return of the cycle-based system is arranged and configured such that the working fluid is brought into operative connection with the calorifically active material in the fluid return. The working fluid and cooling fluid are thus no longer spatially separated. Rather, the working fluid is the cooling fluid. Thus, essentially only one fluid circuit is provided for the working fluid and cooling fluid. Two circuits of fluid lines can be provided. However, these two circuits are connected, preferably via the hot-side reservoir and / or the cold-side reservoir. The working fluid is evaporated from the cold-side reservoir and heated in the fluid chamber by the calorifically active material. The working fluid thereby flows to the hot-side reservoir, where it condenses in the condenser region.The condensed working fluid is returned to the cold side reservoir as a cooling fluid by means of the fluid return in such a way that the working fluid is brought into operative connection with the calorically effective material as a cooling fluid in the calorically effective material element.

[0056] This has the advantage that the base temperature can be controlled without the need for complex fluid circuit design.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the fluid return of the cycle-based system is arranged and configured such that the working fluid is guided as a cooling fluid to the calorically active material by means of the fluid return, so that a surface of the calorically active material in the fluid chamber is wetted. The cooling fluid is therefore not guided through the calorically active material. Rather, the cooling fluid wets the surface of the calorically active material in the fluid chamber. The additional heat of vaporization from the additional fluid can thus be used to adjust the temperature of the calorically active material. The fluid can be supplied within the system, for example, from the hot side, the cold side, or another segment.The fluid supply can be actively controlled (pump, valve) or directed into the fluid chamber by a passively induced pressure gradient or gravity, for example. Furthermore, the fluid supply can be controlled using programmable materials.

[0058] To optimally dissipate heat, the additional fluid must be distributed over the surface of the calorific material, where it can dissipate heat through evaporation. This is preferably achieved by specifically adjusting the wetting properties. Wetting surface properties can be achieved through chemical surface treatment. This effect can be enhanced by additional microstructuring of the surface.

[0059] Preferably, the heat exchanger unit is designed with a liquid circuit for the working fluid and a liquid circuit for the cooling fluid, in particular spatially separated.

[0060] The object of the invention is also achieved by a device for transporting energy. The device for transporting energy can be operated as a heat pump and / or cooling device and, as known per se, comprises a hot-side reservoir and a cold-side reservoir for a working fluid. The device further comprises at least one fluid chamber connected to the hot-side reservoir and the cold-side reservoir via fluid lines. At least one hot-side valve is provided between the hot-side reservoir and the fluid chamber; at least one cold-side valve is provided between the cold-side reservoir and the fluid chamber. A calorically active material element with calorically active material is arranged in the fluid chamber, wherein the calorically active material is in operative connection with the working fluid, so that heat can be transferred between the working fluid and the calorically active material by means of latent heat transfer.The device comprises means for generating an electric and / or magnetic and / or elastic field for the calorically active material, so that the calorically active material is arranged in an interaction region of the field. One possible implementation of such a device is described, for example, in DE 10 2015 121 657 A1.

[0061] It is essential that the device comprises a regulating device for controlling a base temperature of the calorically effective material element.

[0062] The device for transporting energy according to the invention also offers the above-described advantages of the method according to the invention and the heat exchanger unit according to the invention. The device for transporting energy according to the invention is particularly suitable for use with the heat exchanger unit according to the invention and / or the preferred embodiments of the heat exchanger unit according to the invention.

[0063] The object of the invention is also achieved by a cooling device or a heat pump with a heat exchanger unit, wherein the heat exchanger unit comprises a calorically active material element with a calorically active material. The calorically active material is arranged in operative connection with a working fluid such that heat can be transferred between the working fluid and the calorically active material, wherein the heat transfer between the working fluid and the calorically active material occurs essentially by means of latent heat transfer.

[0064] It is essential that the heat pump or the cooling device comprises a regulating device for controlling a base temperature of the calorically effective material element.

[0065] The method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are generally suitable for applications in which heat is to be transported from a reservoir with a first temperature to a reservoir with a second temperature. The method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are therefore preferably designed as heat pumps or refrigeration machines or are used in heat pumps or refrigeration machines.

[0066] A particularly advantageous possible implementation is in an air conditioning system, in particular in a cooling and air conditioning unit. Conventional cooling and air conditioning units are generally compressor-based and require a refrigerant. These refrigerants are known to be harmful to the climate and the environment, as well as highly flammable and hazardous to health. For this reason, cooling using the presented systems with calorific materials is an interesting alternative to compressor-based systems. A disadvantage of the systems already known from the prior art is their comparatively low efficiency. This efficiency is increased with the temperature stabilization according to the invention.

[0067] Further preferred features and embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to embodiments and the figures.

[0068] It shows: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the invention with internal flow of the heat exchanger unit; Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention with internal flow of the heat exchanger unit; Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention with internal flow of the heat exchanger unit; Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the invention with wetting of the surface of the heat exchanger unit; Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a sixth embodiment of the invention in the form of a cooling system.

[0069] In the Figures 1 to 5 the same reference symbols designate the same or equivalent elements.

[0070] Figure 1shows a schematic representation of a refrigeration machine according to the invention as a first exemplary embodiment. The refrigeration machine 1 is designed with a hot-side reservoir 2 and a cold-side reservoir 3 for a working fluid. In this case, water is used as the working fluid. The cold-side reservoir has a temperature of 5°C and a prevailing pressure of 8 mbar. The hot-side reservoir 2 has a temperature of 35°C and a prevailing pressure of 55 mbar.

[0071] Two fluid chambers 4, 5 are provided between the cold-side reservoir 3 and the hot-side reservoir 2. The first fluid chamber 4 is connected to the cold-side reservoir 3 via a fluid line 6. A cold-side valve 7 is arranged in the fluid line 6 between the cold-side reservoir 3 and the first fluid chamber 4. The cold-side valve 7 is designed as a check valve.

[0072] The second fluid chamber 5 is connected to the hot-side reservoir 2 via a fluid line 8. A hot-side valve 9 is arranged in the fluid line 8 between the hot-side reservoir 2 and the second fluid chamber 5. The hot-side valve 9 is designed as a check valve 10.

[0073] The first fluid chamber 4 and the second fluid chamber 5 are also connected to each other via a check valve 10. A calorically active material element 11, 12 is arranged in each of the first fluid chamber 4 and the second fluid chamber 5. The calorically active material elements 11, 12 are formed from a mechanocaloric material, specifically a nickel-titanium alloy Ni55.8Ti44.2.

[0074] In this case, a channel 13, 14 runs through the calorically active material of the calorically active material elements 11, 12. The cooling fluid is passed through the channel to stabilize and / or control the base temperature of the calorically active material elements 11, 12. The cooling fluid thus flows through the calorically active material elements 11, 12.

[0075] A fluid return 15 is arranged between the hot-side reservoir 2 and the cold-side reservoir 3. A throttle 23 is provided in the fluid return 15. The cooling device 1 thus has a first fluid circuit 16 for the working fluid. The fluid circuit 16 for the working fluid comprises the cold-side reservoir 3, the first fluid line 6, the first fluid chamber 4, the second fluid chamber 5, the second fluid line 8, the hot-side reservoir 2, and the fluid return 15. The fluid circuit 16 is designed as a pressure-tight system in which essentially all foreign gases (i.e., all gases except the working fluid) are removed from the pressure-tight system.

[0076] In the fluid circuit, as already described, the cold-side valve 7 is arranged between the cold-side reservoir 3 and the first fluid chamber 4, and the hot-side valve 9 is arranged between the hot-side reservoir and the second fluid chamber 5. In this case, the cold-side valve 7 and the hot-side valve 9 are designed as pressure-controlled valves. The respective differential pressure at which the two valves open is adjustable and, in this case, is approximately 1 mbar.

[0077] In addition to the first fluid circuit 16 for the working fluid, a second fluid circuit 17 is provided for the cooling fluid. A pump 18 is provided in the second fluid circuit 17 to control the flow of the cooling fluid.

[0078] The second fluid circuit 17 runs from the hot-side reservoir 2 via the pump 18 to the first fluid chamber 4. In the first fluid chamber 4, the second fluid circuit 17 runs through the first channel 13 through the first calorically effective material element 11. As a result, the cooling fluid flows through the inside of the first calorically effective material element 11. The fluid circuit 17 then continues to the second fluid chamber 5. Here, the second fluid circuit runs with the second channel 14 through the second calorically effective material element 12. As a result, the cooling fluid also flows through the inside of the second calorically effective material element 12. The second fluid circuit 17 then continues back to the hot-side reservoir 2. The second fluid circuit 17 is thus a fluid circuit that is connected to the first fluid circuit 16 via the hot-side reservoir 2. The working fluid of the first fluid circuit 16 is thus used as the cooling fluid of the second fluid circuit 17.

[0079] The speed of the cooling fluid can be controlled by means of the pump 18. By controlling the speed, the amount of heat transferred from the first calorific material element 11 and the second calorific material element 12 to the cooling fluid can be adjusted, thereby controlling the base temperature of the two calorific material elements 11, 12.

[0080] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the invention with a separate reservoir for the cooling fluid.

[0081] To avoid repetition, the following will only point out the differences to Figure 1 be addressed.

[0082] Two separate fluid circuits 16, 19 are provided for the cooling fluid and the working fluid. The working fluid flows, as shown in Figure 1described, in a liquid circuit 16 from the cold side reservoir 3 via the calorically effective material elements 11, 12 to the hot side reservoir 2 and via the fluid return 15 back to the cold side reservoir 3.

[0083] The separate fluid circuit 19 for the cooling fluid is not connected to the cold-side reservoir 3 or the hot-side reservoir 2 in the present case. Rather, a separate cooling fluid reservoir 20 is provided for the cooling fluid. A fluid line 21 runs from the cooling fluid reservoir 20 to the first calorically active material element 11 containing calorically active material. The cooling fluid flows through the first calorically active material element 11 through the channel 13, which runs internally through the calorically active material of the first calorically active material element 11. From the first calorically active material element 11, the cooling fluid flows via the second channel 14 through the second calorically active material element 12. The channel 14 also runs internally through the calorically active material. To close the separate fluid circuit 19, a fluid line leads from the channel 14 back to the cooling fluid reservoir 20.

[0084] In the fluid circuit 19, a pump 18 is provided in the fluid line 21 between the cooling fluid reservoir 20 and the channel 13. The pump 18 can be used to control the speed of the cooling fluid in the fluid circuit 19. The speed is, as Figure 1 described, the base temperature of the two calorically effective material elements 11, 12 can be controlled.

[0085] The separate fluid circuit 19 for the cooling fluid is thus a closed fluid circuit which is spatially separated from the first fluid circuit 16 for the working fluid.

[0086] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of the invention.

[0087] The fluid return 15 is configured in this case such that the fluid return 15 runs via the channel 14 through the calorific material element 12 and through the channel 13 through the calorific material element 11. The fluid return 15 runs from the hot-side reservoir to the cold-side reservoir 3.

[0088] A throttle 23 is provided in the fluid line of the fluid return 15 between the hot-side reservoir 2 and the channel 14 through the calorific material element 12. The throttle 23 can be used to adjust the speed of the cooling fluid, so that the amount of heat transferred from the calorific material elements 12 and 11 to the cooling fluid can be controlled.

[0089] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the invention with wetting of the surface of the calorically active material by the cooling fluid.

[0090] The first fluid circuit 16 is connected to the fluid return 15, as in the Figures 1 and 2 described, trained.

[0091] A fluid line 24 leads from the hot-side reservoir 2 to the fluid chambers 4, 5. The fluid line 24 is divided into two fluid lines 24.a, 24.b, each of which ends on the side of the fluid chambers 4, 5 facing the hot-side reservoir. A throttle 23.a, 23.b is provided in each of the two fluid lines. The cooling fluid is supplied to the two fluid chambers 4, 5 via the fluid lines 24.a, 24.b in such a way that a surface of the calorically effective material elements 11, 12 facing the hot-side reservoir 2 is wetted with the cooling fluid. The additional cooling fluid, which is available in addition to the working fluid in the fluid chambers 4, 5, results in greater evaporation and thus greater heat removal. This allows the temperature of the calorically effective material elements 11, 12 to be adjusted.

[0092] Figure 5shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cycle-based system according to the invention, in this case a cooling device.

[0093] The cooling device comprises several fluid chambers, in this case five fluid chambers. The fluid chambers 4, 5 are arranged in a circle around a center. An eccentric 30 is provided in the center. The fluid chambers 4, 5 are identified by way of example. The fluid chambers 4, 5 are connected to one another via check valves. Calorically effective material elements 11, 12, in this case hollow rods made of mechanocaloric material, are provided in the fluid chambers 4, 5. In this case, several fluid chambers 4, 5 are connected in series. The eccentric 30 applies pressure to the calorically effective material elements 11, 12. This heats the mechanocaloric material of the calorically effective material elements 11, 12. Due to the temperature change, the fluid in the fluid chamber 4, 5 evaporates and flows via the check valve into the next fluid chamber. The arrows indicate the "direction of movement" of the working fluid, in this case counterclockwise.Heat is also transported in this direction. The working fluid flows through the series-connected fluid chambers 4 and 5. The temperature of the working fluid changes with each fluid chamber 4 and 5.

[0094] The temperature regulation devices are adapted in such a way that the temperature of the calorically effective material elements 11, 12 is each set to the ideal working temperature in the respective fluid chamber 4, 5.

[0095] The fluid chamber 5 is shown in an enlarged detail. Three hollow rods made of mechanocaloric material, designated 11, 12 by way of example, are provided in the fluid chamber 5. Each of these hollow rods has a channel, designated 13, 14 by way of example. The cooling fluid flows through the calorically effective material via the fluid circuit 17. List of reference symbols

[0096] 1 Cooling device 2 Hot-side reservoir 3 Cold-side reservoir 4 Fluid chamber 5 Fluid chamber 6 Fluid line 7 Cold-side valve 8 Fluid line 9 Hot-side valve 10 Check valve 11 Calorically effective material element 12 Calorically effective material element 13 Channel 14 Channel 15 Fluid return 16 1st fluid circuit 17 2nd fluid circuit 18 Pump 19 Fluid circuit 20 Cooling fluid reservoir 21 Fluid line 23 Throttle 23.1 Throttle 23.2 Throttle 24.a Fluid lines 24.b Fluid lines 30 Eccentric

Claims

1. Method for operating cyclic-process-based systems with a hot-side reservoir (2) and a cold-side reservoir (3) and at least one fluid chamber (4, 5), with an evaporator region and a condenser region for a working fluid and at least one heat-exchanger unit with at least one calorically active material element (11, 12), wherein the calorically active material element (11, 12) is arranged in the fluid chamber (4, 5) so as to be indirectly or directly operatively connected to the working fluid and a heat transfer between the calorically active material of the calorically active material element (11, 12) and the working fluid takes place by means of a latent heat transfer, the method comprising the following steps: A activating an electric field and / or magnetic field and / or mechanical stress field such that the calorically active material is at least temporarily subjected to interaction with the aforementioned electric field and / or magnetic field and / or mechanical stress field; B evaporating the working fluid through heating of the calorically active material by a first temperature change, induced in method step A, of the calorically active material to above a base temperature, wherein the base temperature is a temperature of the calorically active material without field application; C discharging the working fluid to the hot-side reservoir (2) and condensing the working fluid at the condenser region, wherein heat is transported by means of latent heat of the evaporated working fluid; D return transport of the condensed working fluid from the condenser region to the evaporator region; E deactivating the electric and / or magnetic and / or elastic field; F causing a second, opposite temperature change of the calorically active material to below the base temperature; G feeding of the working fluid from the cold-side reservoir (3) into the fluid chamber, wherein heat is transported from the evaporator region into the fluid chamber by means of latent heat of the evaporated working fluid; characterized in that the base temperature of the calorically active material element is controlled or regulated by means of a cooling fluid.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method is repeated, in particular in that a plurality of fluid chambers (4, 5) are connected in series or parallel such that the working fluid flows through the fluid chambers (4, 5) that are connected in series or parallel and the method is cyclically repeated in the fluid chambers that are connected in series or parallel.

3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the cooling fluid, the base temperature of the calorically active material element (11, 12) is adapted to an ideal working temperature for the calorically active material, in particular in that a plurality of fluid chambers (4, 5) are connected in series or parallel and the base temperature of the calorically active material element (11, 12) of the fluid chambers (4, 5) connected in series or parallel is adapted in each case to an ideal working temperature for the calorically active material of the respective fluid chamber (4, 5).

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the working fluid and cooling fluid are spatially separated, in particular in that the working fluid and cooling fluid circulate in two separate liquid circuits (16, 17).

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling fluid is conducted through the calorically active material element (11, 12), preferably in that the cooling fluid is conducted through at least one channel (13, 14) in the calorically active material element (11, 12).

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the working fluid is used as cooling fluid, in particular in that a fluid return of the working fluid from the hot-side reservoir (2) to the cold-side reservoir (3) is conducted as cooling fluid through the calorically active material element (11, 12) or past the calorically active material element (11, 12), such that cooling fluid and calorically active material of the calorically active material element (11, 12) are operatively connected and / or in that a fluid connection from the cold-side reservoir (3) is conducted as cooling fluid through the calorically active material element (11, 12) or past the calorically active material element (11, 12), such that cooling fluid and calorically active material of the calorically active material element (11, 12) are operatively connected.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the calorically active material is exposed to the mechanical stress field, wherein the mechanical stress field is generated in the calorically active material in the form of a mechanical stress, preferably by tensile and / or compressive loading of the calorically active material, shearing and / or compression of the calorically active material, wherein a temperature change of the calorically active material is generated by the tensile and / or compressive loading of the calorically active material, and / or in that the calorically active material is exposed to the electric field, wherein the electric field is generated by means of an electrical condenser, wherein a temperature change of the calorically active material is generated by the electric field, and / or in that the calorically active material is exposed to the magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field is generated by means of a permanent magnet, preferably by means of a movable permanent magnet, wherein a temperature change of the calorically active material is generated by the magnetic field.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that a transport means for the working fluid and / or the cooling fluid, in particular in the form of a compressor, is driven by a stroke produced by the means for generating the mechanical stress field.

9. Device in the form of a cyclic-process-based system with a hot-side reservoir (2) and a cold-side reservoir (3) and at least one fluid chamber (4, 5), with an evaporator region and a condenser region for a working fluid and at least one heat-exchanger unit for a cyclic-process-based system, in particular for a heat pump and / or a cooling device and / or a heat engine, which heat-exchanger unit comprises at least one calorically active material element (11, 12) with calorically active material and the device comprises means for activating and deactivating an electric field and / or magnetic field and / or mechanical stress field and the calorically active material is arranged in an interaction region of the electric field and / or magnetic field and / or mechanical stress field, wherein the calorically active material is arranged in the fluid chamber and is arranged in operative connection with a working fluid, such that heat can be transferred between working fluid and calorically active material and the heat transfer between working fluid and calorically active material takes place substantially by means of latent heat transfer in the form of evaporation heat and condensation heat, characterized in that the heat-exchanger unit comprises a regulation device for controlling or regulating a base temperature of the calorically active material element by means of a cooling fluid, wherein the base temperature is a temperature of the calorically active material without field application.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the regulation device is designed as at least one fluid channel (13, 14) for a cooling fluid operatively connected to the calorically active material, in particular running on the calorically active material or through the calorically active material.

11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the cooling fluid is water, alcohol, butane, propane, CO2, NH3 and / or a mixture of the aforementioned fluids.

12. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the regulation device comprises at least one pump (18) for pumping the cooling fluid and / or a throttle (23).

13. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the working fluid is used as the cooling fluid, in particular in that a fluid return (15) of the cyclic-process-based system is arranged and configured such that the working fluid in the fluid return (15) is brought into operative connection with the calorically active material.

14. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that a fluid return (15) of the cyclic-process-based system is arranged and configured such that the working fluid is guided to the calorically active material by means of the fluid return (15), such that wetting of a surface of the calorically active material takes place in the fluid chamber.

15. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that a liquid circuit (16) for the working fluid and a liquid circuit (17) for the cooling fluid are provided, in particular so as to be spatially separated.