Apparatus for heating and / or cooling fluids and air conditioning systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating and / or cooling a fluid, comprising one or more chambers (31, 32) with respective elastic caloric elements (41, 42), an actuation unit (70) and a valve unit (80), wherein the fluid is selectively transferred through the chambers. The present invention also relates to an air conditioning system including such an apparatus.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for heating and / or cooling a fluid and to an air conditioning system comprising such a device. [Background technology]

[0002] In many situations, fluids, such as air, water, or some other fluid, need to be cooled or heated as intended. For example, the temperature of the interior compartment of a motor vehicle is controlled to create a comfortable interior compartment environment independent of the exterior temperature. The same is true for, for example, residential and commercial buildings, which are typically heated at least in winter and also cooled, especially in countries with severe summer heat.

[0003] Today, when it is intended to provide both heating and cooling functions, heat pumps are typically used. Heat pumps typically work with a reservoir and can either draw heat from or dump heat into the reservoir, which is located outside the area whose temperature is to be controlled. Heat pumps typically use a refrigerant that can run out, create maintenance costs, and, depending on the design, can be harmful to the climate if the refrigerant escapes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for heating and / or cooling a fluid, which is designed in an alternative or better way compared to known devices. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an air conditioning system comprising such a device. This is achieved according to the present invention by the subject matter of the respective main claims. Advantageous configurations can be found, for example, in the respective dependent claims. The content of the claims is incorporated into the content of this description by explicit reference. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention relates to a device for heating and / or cooling a fluid. The device has one or more chambers. The device has one or more elastic caloric elements, each in fluid contact with a chamber. The device has an actuation unit configured to alternately stretch and relax the elastic caloric elements. The device has a valve unit configured to selectively transmit fluid through one or more chambers.

[0006] Such devices allow for the use of the elastocaloric effect that occurs in various materials. In this case, the material heats up in response to its elongated state and cools down again accordingly. Thus, the cyclical elongation and relaxation allows heat to be transferred from one reservoir to another in a targeted manner, thereby enabling targeted heating and cooling. Typically, a fluid is transferred through each chamber, which can be heated or cooled as desired. In contrast to known heat pumps, no coolant is used in this case, thereby reducing maintenance costs and avoiding potential damage due to coolant leaks.

[0007] Fluid may be understood in particular to mean a gaseous or liquid substance, for example air may be heated or cooled, or water or a special coolant or some other liquid may be heated or cooled.

[0008] A chamber may in particular be understood to mean a space in which a fluid is heated or cooled.

[0009] An elastic caloric element is to be understood as meaning in particular an element that heats or cools depending on its state of elongation. An elastic caloric element can therefore either emit heat to the surroundings or absorb heat from the surroundings. Examples are mentioned further below.

[0010] The actuation unit may in particular be operatively connected to a valve unit. Examples are further mentioned below. Selective transmission of a fluid may in particular be understood to mean that a fluid is transmitted or not transmitted through a particular chamber depending on the current state of the valve unit.

[0011] In particular, the embodiments described herein make it possible to eliminate the need for movement of the elastic caloric element within the device. Thus, it is not the case that the elastic caloric element is moved to another chamber when, for example, there is a switch from a cooling function to a heating function. Rather, it is the case that a fluid to be selectively cooled or selectively heated is transferred through the chamber, and within the chamber is an elastic caloric element that can specifically perform the desired task of cooling or heating, respectively.

[0012] In particular, the device may have multiple chambers, which may be arranged in a circle. However, other configurations are possible. In principle, the use of only one chamber is also possible.

[0013] The chamber may have a circular cross section, in particular transverse to the through-flow direction of the fluid, which allows for a simple embodiment, although in principle other cross sections are also possible.

[0014] According to one embodiment, one, some or all of the elastic caloric elements are arranged in respective chambers, in other words, such elastic caloric elements are located in chambers, which chambers define spaces accessible to the fluid.

[0015] According to one embodiment, one, some or all of the elastic caloric elements surround and / or form the respective chambers. In this way, the elastic caloric elements themselves can be used to completely or partially define the respective chambers. The chambers can be, for example, in the form of hollow spaces within the elastic caloric elements.

[0016] According to one embodiment, one, some or all of the elastic caloric elements are in the form of a wire or a wire bundle. Such wires may in particular be elongated. A wire bundle may in particular be an aggregation of several directly adjacent wires. This allows for a simple embodiment that can also be stretched and relaxed in a simple manner.

[0017] According to one embodiment, one, some or all of the elastic caloric elements are of elongated and / or rod-like form and are conveniently subjected to tensile elongation, which allows the elastic caloric elements to stretch and relax along their respective longitudinal directions.

[0018] According to one embodiment, one, some or all of the elastic caloric elements are of helical form and / or in the form of a wound spring and are expediently subjected to torsional elongation, which allows for extension and relaxation by rotational movements, whereby different or better utilization of the installation space may be achieved, for example.

[0019] According to one embodiment, one, some or all of the elastic caloric elements are made of a shape memory material. Such shape memory materials typically have cooling and heating properties depending on the stretched state. In particular, nickel-titanium alloys can be used. For example, nickel percentages of at least 50% and / or up to 60% can be used in nickel-titanium alloys. In particular, nickel percentages of 55% and correspondingly titanium percentages of 45% can be used. Such materials have proven advantageous for typical designs. However, other corresponding materials are also possible.

[0020] The actuation unit may in particular be in the form of a cam disc, which allows simple actuation, i.e. extension and relaxation of the elastic calorific element depending on the rotational state of the cam disc.

[0021] Alternatively, it is also possible to use a separate actuator, for example for each wire bundle or wire, more generally for each elasto-caloric element and / or for each chamber. This allows separate actuation of the elasto-caloric elements. A rotating cam disc can periodically transmit the change in distance to the elasto-caloric elements via a cam profile. The movement of the cam disc can be synchronized, in particular, with the valve unit.

[0022] The valve unit may in particular have a cooling inlet and a cooling outlet. The valve unit may in particular be configured such that during or immediately after relaxation of the elastocaloric element, the valve unit connects a chamber in fluid contact with the elastocaloric element to the cooling inlet and the cooling outlet. This allows for the intended cooling of the fluid to be cooled, which enters the cooling inlet and exits again through the cooling outlet. When the elastocaloric element relaxes, it typically cools and is therefore able to absorb heat from the surroundings, which can be utilized to cool the fluid.

[0023] The valve unit may have, in particular, a heated inlet and a heated outlet. The valve unit may be configured in such a way that, during or immediately after elongation of the elastic caloric element, the valve unit connects a chamber in fluid contact with the elastic caloric element to the heated inlet and the heated outlet. In this way, the fluid entering the heated inlet and exiting the heated outlet can be heated as intended. As a result, the effect that a typical elastic caloric element heats up during elongation and can therefore release heat to the surroundings is utilized.

[0024] The valve unit may have, in particular, a heated inlet and a heated outlet. The valve unit may be configured such that, during or immediately after the extension of the first and second elastic caloric elements, the valve unit connects a first chamber in fluid contact with the first elastic caloric element to the heated inlet, the valve unit at least partially connects the first chamber to a second chamber in fluid contact with the second elastic caloric element, and the valve unit connects the second chamber to the heated outlet. In this way, cascaded heating of the fluid can be achieved, and accordingly, the described embodiments may be cascaded. That is, accordingly, multiple chambers may be interconnected. The first chamber may be fully or only partially fluidly connected to the second chamber. Partial connection may be understood to mean, in particular, that a portion of the fluid emerging from each chamber is transferred into another chamber, and another portion of the emerging fluid is used in some other way, for example, directly supplied to the heated outlet or used for heating in some other way.

[0025] The valve unit may have, in particular, a cooling inlet and a cooling outlet. The valve unit may be configured such that, during or immediately after relaxation of the first and second elastic caloric elements, the valve unit connects a first chamber in fluid contact with the first elastic caloric element to the cooling inlet, the valve unit at least partially connects the first chamber to a second chamber in fluid contact with the second elastic caloric element, and the valve unit connects the second chamber to the cooling outlet. Corresponding cascade connections are also possible. Cascaded cooling can thereby be provided, and reference is made to the embodiments described in connection with heating.

[0026] The valve unit may be rotationally coupled to the actuation unit, or at least this may apply to the rotating part of the valve unit, which allows direct synchronization between the actuation unit and the valve unit, thereby ensuring in a simple way that the fluid is always transmitted to the correct chamber.

[0027] The valve unit may in particular have a number of slot-controlled fluid channels formed in the shaft, which allows the connections to be connected in a simple manner to the chambers, in particular depending on the respective rotation angle.

[0028] In particular, in each case, several elastic calorific elements can be arranged in one, some or all of the chambers. In this way, the heating and cooling effect can be enhanced. However, it is also possible to use only one of each elastic calorific element.

[0029] The present invention further relates to an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle, comprising the device described herein. With regard to the device, reference may be made to all embodiments and variants described herein. The air conditioning system may be configured in particular for both cooling and heating the interior compartment of a motor vehicle. However, this is not the only anticipated application. Other applications are also conceivable, for example, for cooling and heating homes, aircraft, ships or drinking water or tap water.

[0030] Very generally, the device described herein can be understood as a heat pump with an alternative concept. It can heat and cool both in a stationary and in a moving state. It can also be used, for example, to heat and / or cool further components in the drive train of, for example, an automotive vehicle.

[0031] In embodiments that omit the valve unit described herein and instead move an elastic caloric element, it is recognized that, among other things, cold media may have high viscosity at low temperatures and that the elastic caloric element experiences additional loads (flow resistance) through movement in the media. In the devices described herein, the elastic caloric element, in contrast, is stationary, and only the media moves or is transferred as intended through the appropriate chambers.

[0032] Specifically, the elastic calorific elements are stationary in each separate flow channel. The elastic calorific elements can be cyclically stretched and relaxed, for example, by a cam disk that can be fastened to the main shaft and rotated. Slot control means for cyclically applying cold or warm medium to the elastic calorific elements of the channels while rotating can be located on the main shaft, particularly in the intake and exhaust regions. Specifically, one cold application and one warm application per revolution can be realized, i.e., paired applications. Multiple warm / cold cycles per revolution are also possible.

[0033] A cam disc, which may also be fastened to the rotatable shaft, can provide distance to the elastic caloric element or wire. This may specifically mean that these can be cyclically stretched and relaxed, possibly via a power transmission element. Typically, the elastic caloric element relaxes in the cold channel and stretches in the warm channel. It is not absolutely necessary that the stretching and relaxation process occurs at the exact moment that the warm or cold medium flows around the elastic caloric element. The flow turnaround may occur with a slight delay.

[0034] Advantageously, the flow channel itself may form the elastic caloric element, and the flow may then be transmitted through the interior of the elastic caloric element.

[0035] Strictly axially parallel flow passage is not absolutely necessary; radial flow turns or combinations are also possible. It is conceivable that there may be multiple elastocaloric elements per channel. Typically, at least one flow channel is provided in which an elastocaloric element or wire is located.

[0036] A part of the leaving warm medium can be redirected into the inflow of the warm medium. Also, a part of the leaving warm medium can be transferred into the inflow of the warm medium. This can be controlled in an adjustable manner via a valve or in a fixed manner by the flow cross section. In static transfer elements that implement a slot control of the inflow into the machine, it is possible to control the inflow and outflow, and therefore an element can be introduced that controls the mass flow of the medium through the machine.

[0037] In particular, the embodiments described herein offer the advantages of additional adjustability of power and efficiency and avoiding strain on wires due to rotational movements. The devices described herein can in principle be used almost anywhere something needs to be heated and / or cooled.

[0038] Overall, it has been found that, in addition to the advantage of not needing a refrigerant, higher efficiencies can be achieved than with refrigerant-based heat pumps.

[0039] Those skilled in the art will recognize further features and advantages upon reading the following exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic plan view of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] Figure 1 shows a device 10 for heating and cooling fluids according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, while figure 2 shows a detail of the same device 10 in a purely schematic plan view.

[0042] Device 10 has a housing 20. The housing surrounds the exterior of device 10 and defines the elements located therein. A central shaft 15 having multiple functions is rotatably mounted within housing 20, as will be described below.

[0043] A plurality of chambers are formed within housing 20, with first chamber 31 and second chamber 32 shown in Figure 1. Device 10 additionally has third chamber 33 and fourth chamber 34, which are shown in schematic plan view in Figure 2, where it can also be seen that they are arranged along a circle. This constitutes an exemplary embodiment, and other numbers of chambers and other configurations of chambers are possible.

[0044] A first elastic calorific element 41 is disposed within the first chamber 31. A second elastic calorific element 42 is disposed within the second chamber 32. Corresponding third and fourth elastic calorific elements 43, 44 are also disposed within the further chambers 33, 34, and their function is identical to that described below for the first and second elastic calorific elements 41, 42.

[0045] In this case, the elastic caloric elements 41, 42 are elongated, i.e. rod-shaped or wire-shaped. They extend vertically and are made of a shape memory material that exhibits the elastic caloric effect. This means, in particular, that they heat up when they stretch and cool down when they relax.

[0046] Below the chambers 31, 32 are located respective supply lines 51, 52. Above the chambers are located respective exhaust lines 61, 62. These serve to connect to a valve unit 80, which will be discussed in more detail further below.

[0047] An actuation unit 70 is arranged at the top of the shaft 15. In this case, it is in the form of a cam disk, and one cam 71 is shown. A spacer element 75 is arranged in each case between the actuation unit 70 or each cam 71 and the elasto-caloric elements 41, 42. The spacer element 75 transmits force from the cam 71 to the elasto-caloric elements 41, 42. Thus, rotation of the actuation element 70, in the form of a cam disk and with a predetermined change in distance, causes the elasto-caloric elements 41, 42 to stretch and relax in a cyclically repeating manner. In this way, the above-mentioned elasto-caloric effect is triggered. That is, the elasto-caloric elements 41, 42 are cyclically heated and cooled again depending on their stretched state. In particular, the spacer element 75 can be permanently connected to the actuation unit 70. According to a conceivable embodiment, it is also possible to configure the elasto-caloric elements 41, 42 so that they exert an upward force, thereby bringing the spacer element 75 into contact with the actuation unit 70. However, other embodiments are possible: instead of a cam disc, for example, a circular array of actuators is also conceivable.

[0048] The device 10 further comprises the aforementioned valve unit 80, the function of which is discussed below. The valve unit 80 comprises a stationary element 81 formed on both the top and bottom sides thereof, and an inlet and an outlet, as will be described below.

[0049] A heating inlet 82 and a cooling inlet 83 are formed on the bottom side. A fluid to be heated can be introduced into the heating inlet 82. A fluid to be cooled can be introduced into the cooling inlet 83. A heating outlet 84 and a cooling outlet 85 are formed on the top side. A fluid to be heated can be introduced through the heating inlet 82 and exit again through the heating outlet 84. A fluid to be cooled can be introduced through the cooling inlet 83 and exit again through the cooling outlet 85. For proper use of the device 10, it is sufficient that the lines for the cooled and heated fluids are connected to the connections provided for this purpose, i.e. the inlets and outlets.

[0050] A slot-controlled lower fluid channel 86 and a slot-controlled upper fluid channel 87 are formed in the shaft 15. These channels are in fluid contact with the inlets 82, 83 and outlets 84, 85 depending on the angular position of the shaft 15, so that the channels are connected to the chambers 31, 32, 33, 34 in such a way that the elastic caloric elements 41, 42, 43, 44 that have been heated or are being heated due to elongation are in contact with the fluid to be heated, and the elastic caloric elements 41, 42, 43, 44 that are being cooled due to relaxation are in contact with the fluid to be cooled. In this way, changes in the position of the elastic caloric elements 41, 42, 43, 44 can be eliminated, but rather the mentioned fluid control ensures that the fluid is heated or cooled as required.

[0051] A connection may be permanent or temporary between the cooling outlet 85 and the cooling inlet 83, which re-supplies a portion of the cooling medium from the cooling outlet 85 to the cooling inlet 83. In the case of a temporary connection, the connection may be particularly synchronized with the extension and relaxation cycles.

[0052] For example, for ease of understanding, in the claims and the description of this specification, each feature may be described in combination, but it should be pointed out that these features may be used separately from each other. Those skilled in the art will also understand that such features may be combined with other features or combinations of features independently of each other.

[0053] Reference to dependencies in the dependent claims may characterize preferred combinations of the respective features, but do not exclude other combinations of features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10 devices 15 shaft 20. Housing 31, 32, 33, 34 Chambers 41, 42, 43, 44 Elasto-caloric elements 51, 52 Supply lines 61, 62 Discharge lines 70 Operating Unit 71 Cam 80 Valve Unit 81 Static Elements 82 Heating inlet 83 Cooling inlet 84 Heating outlet 85 Cooling outlet 86 Lower fluid channel 87 Upper fluid channel

Claims

1. A device (10) for heating and / or cooling a fluid, comprising: a plurality of chambers (31, 32, 33, 34); a plurality of elastic calorific elements (41, 42, 43, 44), each elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44) in fluid contact with a respective chamber (31, 32, 33, 34); an actuation unit (70) configured to alternately stretch and relax said plurality of elastic caloric elements (41, 42, 43, 44); a valve unit (80) configured to selectively transmit fluid through said plurality of chambers (31, 32, 33, 34); and The plurality of chambers (31, 32, 33, 34) are arranged along a circle; The valve unit (80) is rotatably connected to the actuation unit (70), and the valve unit (80) and the actuation unit (70) are configured to move synchronously. Device (10).

2. 2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of chambers (31, 32, 33, 34) have a circular cross section transverse to the through-flow direction of the fluid.

3. A device (10) as described in claim 1, wherein all of the elastic calorific elements (41, 42, 43, 44) are arranged within respective chambers (31, 32, 33, 34).

4. A device (10) as described in claim 1, wherein all of the elastic calorific elements (41, 42, 43, 44) surround and / or form the respective chambers (31, 32, 33, 34).

5. 2. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein one, some or all of the elastic caloric elements (41, 42, 43, 44) are in the form of a wire or a wire bundle.

6. 2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein one, some or all of the elastic caloric elements (41, 42, 43, 44) are of elongated and / or rod-like form and are subject to tensile elongation.

7. 2. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein one, some or all of the elastic calorific elements (41, 42, 43, 44) are of helical form and / or are in the form of wound springs and are subject to torsional elongation.

8. 2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein one, some or all of the elastic caloric elements (41, 42, 43, 44) are made from a shape memory material.

9. 2. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the actuation unit (70) is in the form of a cam disc.

10. - said valve unit (80) has a cooling inlet (83) and a cooling outlet (85); The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the valve unit (80) is configured such that during or immediately after the relaxation of the elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44), the valve unit (80) connects chambers (31, 32, 33, 34) in fluid contact with the elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44) to the cooling inlet (83) and the cooling outlet (85).

11. - said valve unit (80) has a heated inlet (82) and a heated outlet (84); The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the valve unit (80) is configured such that during or immediately after the extension of the elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44), the valve unit (80) connects chambers (31, 32, 33, 34) in fluid contact with the elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44) to the heated inlet (82) and the heated outlet (84).

12. - said valve unit (80) has a heated inlet (82) and a heated outlet (84); - the valve unit (80) connects a first chamber (31, 32, 33, 34) of the plurality of chambers (31, 32, 33, 34), which is in fluid contact with the first elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44), to the heating inlet (82) during or immediately after the extension of a first elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44) and a second elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44) of the plurality of elastic calorific elements (41, 42, 43, 44).

2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein the valve unit (80) at least partially connects the first chamber (31, 32, 33, 34) to a second chamber (31, 32, 33, 34) of the plurality of chambers (31, 32, 33, 34) that is in fluid contact with the second elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44), and the valve unit (80) is configured to connect the second chamber (31, 32, 33, 34) to the heating outlet (84).

13. - said valve unit (80) has a cooling inlet (83) and a cooling outlet (85); - the valve unit (80) connects a first chamber (31, 32, 33, 34) of the plurality of chambers (31, 32, 33, 34), which is in fluid contact with the first elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44), to the cooling inlet (83) during or immediately after the relaxation of a first elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44) and a second elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44) of the plurality of elastic calorific elements (41, 42, 43, 44).

2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein the valve unit (80) at least partially connects the first chamber (31, 32, 33, 34) to a second chamber (31, 32, 33, 34) of the plurality of chambers (31, 32, 33, 34) that is in fluid contact with the second elastic calorific element (41, 42, 43, 44), and the valve unit (80) is configured to connect the second chamber (31, 32, 33, 34) to the cooling outlet (85).

14. 2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein the valve unit (80) has a plurality of slot-controlled fluid channels (86, 87) formed in the shaft.

15. A device (10) as described in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of elastic thermal elements (41, 42, 43, 44) is positioned within the respective chamber (31, 32, 33, 34).

16. An air conditioning system for a motor vehicle, comprising a device (10) according to claim 1.

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