Regenerative Device Based on Solid-State Elastocaloric Refrigeration and Heating and Refrigeration and Heating Device
The regenerative device with a fixing mechanism and driving mechanism ensures uniform stress application and heat transfer in solid-state elastocaloric materials, addressing misplacement issues and enhancing heating and cooling efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- THE HONG KONG UNIV OF SCI & TECH
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Solid-state elastocaloric materials in refrigeration and heating devices are prone to misplacement, blocking flow channels and reducing heat transfer efficiency due to non-uniform stress application, leading to reduced heating and cooling capacity.
A regenerative device with a fixing mechanism and driving mechanism, featuring a movable pressure head and perforated elastocaloric materials aligned to form channels for heat transfer, ensuring uniform stress application and preventing material displacement, using a polymer material to accommodate lateral expansion and buffer transverse stress.
Improves refrigeration and heating efficiency by ensuring all materials undergo phase change and maintains heat transfer efficiency through uniform stress application and heat exchange.
Smart Images
Figure US20260210587A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure belongs to the field of refrigeration and heating technologies, and in particular, to a regenerative device based on solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating and a refrigeration and heating device.BACKGROUND
[0002] Solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating is an emerging green and environmentally friendly refrigeration and heating technology. By loading or unloading stress, a solid-state elastocaloric material undergoes a phase transition or reverse phase transition to generate heating capacity or cooling capacity, thereby achieving refrigeration or heating.
[0003] In a refrigeration and heating device manufactured based on this principle, when a driving mechanism loads the solid-state elastocaloric material, a significant amount of such material is required to produce sufficient heating capacity or cooling capacity. In practical application, the solid-state elastocaloric material is typically designed as a plurality of solid-state elastocaloric material units assembled together. During a process of applying stress by the driving mechanism, the plurality of solid-state elastocaloric material units are prone to misplacement, which blocks a flow channel and reduces heat transfer efficiency of a thermal fluid. Furthermore, after the solid-state elastocaloric material units are misplaced, the driving mechanism may fail to apply stress uniformly across an entire surface of a solid-state elastocaloric material plate during the loading process. Consequently, some solid-state elastocaloric material units fail to undergo the phase transition, reducing the generated heating capacity and cooling capacity and reducing overall refrigeration and heating efficiency.SUMMARY
[0004] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a regenerative device based on solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating, including: a fixing mechanism, solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials each provided with a perforation and arranged in sequence in the fixing mechanism, a driving mechanism, and a sleeve, where the fixing mechanism and the driving mechanism are arranged in the sleeve;
[0005] the driving mechanism includes a movable pressure head provided with a through hole, and the movable pressure head extends into the fixing mechanism to apply stress to or remove stress from the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials; and
[0006] the perforations on the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials are aligned to form a channel, and the channel is in fluid communication with the through hole to allow a heat-transfer fluid to perform heat exchange with heat generated by the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials during flowing.
[0007] Further, a cross-sectional shape of a force-applying end of the movable pressure head matches a cross-sectional shape of a stress-receiving end of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials, and the through hole is located at a center of the movable pressure head and is coaxial with the channel.
[0008] Further, the driving mechanism further includes a first fluid-distribution pressure head, one end of the first fluid-distribution pressure head is fixed to one end of the movable pressure head, a fluid-distribution pipeline is provided in the first fluid-distribution pressure head, and the fluid-distribution pipeline is in fluid communication with the through hole for guiding out the heat-transfer fluid.
[0009] Further, the driving mechanism further includes a drive pressure head, one end of the drive pressure head is fixed to another end of the first fluid-distribution pressure head, and another end of the drive pressure head is fixed to a driver.
[0010] Further, the fluid-distribution pipeline includes a main pipeline, and a first branch pipeline and a second branch pipeline respectively in fluid communication with the main pipeline, the main pipeline is in fluid communication with the through hole, the first branch pipeline is configured to allow the heat-transfer fluid to flow out, and the second branch pipeline is configured to allow the heat-transfer fluid to flow in.
[0011] Further, a slide rail is arranged in the sleeve, and a surface of each of the first fluid-distribution pressure head and the drive pressure head is provided with a track matching the slide rail to slide along the slide rail when the driving mechanism applies or removes stress.
[0012] Further, the fixing mechanism is made of a polymer material.
[0013] Further, the regenerative device further includes: a fluid-distribution plug, arranged at an end of the fixing mechanism away from the movable pressure head, where the fluid-distribution plug is provided with a fluid passage hole, and the fluid passage hole is coaxial with the channel.
[0014] Further, the regenerative device further includes: a second fluid-distribution pressure head, including a main pipeline, a first fluid-distribution pipeline, and a second fluid-distribution pipeline, where the main pipeline is respectively in fluid communication with the fluid passage hole, the first fluid-distribution pipeline, and the second fluid-distribution pipeline.
[0015] The present disclosure provides a refrigeration and heating device, including the regenerative device described above and a heat exchange device.
[0016] The regenerative device is in fluid communication with the heat exchange device through a pipeline to transmit a heat-transfer fluid which has heated up by absorbing heat or has cooled down by releasing heat to the heat exchange device for heat exchange.
[0017] In the disclosure, the fixing mechanism is used to fix the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials to prevent the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials from moving and being displaced to block the perforations. In addition, the movable pressure head of the driving mechanism extends into the fixing mechanism to apply stress to the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material plates, to ensure that all the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material plates perform phase change, thereby improving the refrigeration and heating efficiency. In addition, the fixing mechanism made of the polymer material can further adapt the lateral expansion of the materials during stress application, buffer the transverse stress, and prevent heat loss of the heat-transfer fluid.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] To describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the related art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a regenerative device according to the present disclosure
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing stacking of solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials according to the present disclosure; and
[0021] FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material according to the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] To make the technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure, technical solutions, and beneficial effects more comprehensible, the following further describes the present disclosure in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely used for explaining the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the present disclosure provides a regenerative device based on solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating, including: a fixing mechanism 1, solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2 arranged in sequence in the fixing mechanism 1, a driving mechanism 3, and a sleeve 4. The fixing mechanism 1 and the driving mechanism 3 are arranged in the sleeve 4.
[0024] The driving mechanism 3 includes a movable pressure head 31 provided with a through hole 311. The movable pressure head 31 extends into the fixing mechanism 1 to apply stress to or remove stress from the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2.
[0025] Perforations on the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2 are aligned to form a channel. The channel is in fluid communication with the through hole 311 to allow a heat-transfer fluid to perform heat exchange with heat generated by the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2 during flowing.
[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the fixing mechanism 1 is configured to fix the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2 that are arranged and stacked in sequence according to cross section. The fixing method of the fixing mechanism 1 is not limited, as long as there is sufficient space at either or both ends of the fixing mechanism for the movable pressure head 31 to extend into after the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2 are fixed. Preferably, the fixing mechanism is of a cylindrical, cubic, cuboid, or other shape with a cavity therein, and an inner wall of the fixing mechanism is in close contact with the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2. As such, the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2 may be put into the fixing mechanism during the assembly process. It should be noted that the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material 2 may in a shape of a block, a plate, or a sheet shape, which is not limited herein.
[0027] It should be noted that the fixing mechanism 1 is preferably made of a polymer material, which may be nylon, polyester, rigid silica gel, resin, or the like, and is preferably polytetrafluoroethylene. When the driving mechanism 3 applies stress, the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2 will expand transversely. The polymer material can accommodate the expanded size of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2 and buffer the transverse pressure. In addition, the polymer material has weak thermal conductivity, which can prevent the heat loss of the heat-transfer fluid.
[0028] In this embodiment, the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2 are provided with the perforations, and when the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2 are stacked, the perforations are aligned to form the channel for heat-transfer fluid to flow. To further facilitate the assembly operation, the inner wall of the fixing mechanism may be provided with an alignment structure, which may be a notch, an irregular shape or an external limiting member. In addition, each of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2 is provided with a corresponding alignment mark according to the alignment structure. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the alignment structure is preferably of an irregular shape, which is not limited herein. It should be noted that the shape of the perforations is not limited, and may be one or more of a square shape, a circular shape, a radial shape, or a spiral shape. Preferably, to improve the heat exchange capacity, the perforations are of a radial shape or a spiral shape.
[0029] Further, a shape of a cross-section of one end of the movable pressure head 31 in the driving mechanism 3 in contact with the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material 2 is the same as a shape of a cross-section of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material 2, and the through hole 311 is located at a center of the movable pressure head 31 and is coaxial with the channel. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the force-applying end of the movable pressure head 31 matches the cross-sectional shape of a stress-receiving end of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials 2. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the movable pressure head 31 is the same as that of the end of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material 2 to which the stress is applied, and when the stress is applied, the cross section of the movable pressure head 31 coincide with that of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material 2. Alternatively, the cross-sectional shape of the movable pressure head 31 is different from that of the end of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material 2 to which the stress is applied, and the cross section of the movable pressure head 31 completely covers the cross section of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material. This can ensure that when the driving mechanism 3 applies stress, the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material completely perform phase change, such that the efficiency of refrigeration and heating is improved. In addition, the arrangement of the through hole 311 at the center of the movable pressure head 31 can ensure that the heat-transfer fluid in the channel at each angle uniformly flows out of the through hole 311 at the same flow rate.
[0030] It should be noted that a thickness of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating material plate is 0.01 mm to 100 mm, preferably 0.1 mm to 10 mm, and more preferably 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm.
[0031] In this embodiment, the sleeve 4 is configured to fix the fixing mechanism 1 and the driving mechanism 3. In other words, in practical applications, the fixing mechanism 1 and the driving mechanism 3 that are assembled together are placed in the sleeve 4, such that the mechanisms can be fixed, and components in the sleeve 4 can be conveniently replaced.
[0032] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the drive mechanism 3 includes a movable pressure head 31, a first fluid-distribution pressure head 32, and a drive pressure head 33. One end of the movable pressure head 31 is fixed to one end of the first fluid-distribution pressure head 32. A fluid-distribution pipeline 321 is provided in the first fluid-distribution pressure head 32. The fluid-distribution pipeline 321 is in fluid communication with the through hole for guiding out the heat-transfer fluid. Another end of the first fluid-distribution pressure head 32 is fixed to one end of the drive pressure head 33. Another end of the drive pressure head 33 is fixed to a driver. The fluid-distribution pipeline 321 includes a main pipeline, and a first branch pipeline and a second branch pipeline respectively in fluid communication with the main pipeline. The main pipeline is in fluid communication with the through hole. The first branch pipeline is configured to allow the heat-transfer fluid to flow out. The second branch pipeline is configured to allow the heat-transfer fluid to flow in.
[0033] To increase the stress applied, the movable pressure head may be made of high-strength tungsten steel. To ensure that the flow of a medium in the flow channel, a sealing ring is arranged at the connection between a pressure rod and the pressure head to form a closed flow channel, thus preventing the medium from leaking.
[0034] In some embodiments, to reduce the friction between the first fluid-distribution pressure head 32 and the drive pressure head 33 in the driving mechanism and the sleeve 4, a slide rail 41 is arranged in the sleeve 4, and a surface of each of the first fluid-distribution pressure head 32 and the drive pressure head 33 is provided with a track matching the slide rail 41 to slide along the slide rail 41 when the first fluid-distribution pressure head 32 and the drive pressure head 33 in the driving mechanism 3 applies or removes stress. In some embodiments, a slide rail in contact with the fixing mechanism 1 in an inner wall of the sleeve 4 may be provided with an engagement member configured to fix the fixing mechanism 1; or a portion of the inner wall of the sleeve 4 overlapping with the fixing mechanism 1 is not provided with a slide rail, and a slide rail is provided only at an end opening of the sleeve 4.
[0035] In some embodiments, to realize heat exchange, i.e., to transport the heat-transfer fluid that absorbs heat or cold energy to a heat exchange device as soon as possible, a fluid-distribution plug is arranged at an end of the fixing mechanism 1 away from the movable pressure head 31, the fluid-distribution plug is provided with a fluid passage hole, and the fluid passage hole is coaxial with the channel. For the function of the fluid passage hole, see the description of the function of the through hole in the movable pressure head 31.
[0036] Further, the fixing mechanism 1 further includes a second fluid-distribution pressure head, the second fluid-distribution pressure head includes a main pipeline, a first fluid-distribution pipeline, and a second fluid-distribution pipeline, and the main pipeline is respectively in fluid communication with the fluid passage hole, the first fluid-distribution pipeline, and the second fluid-distribution pipeline. For the specific functions of the main pipeline, the first fluid-distribution pipeline, and the second fluid-distribution pipeline in the second fluid-distribution pressure head, see the description of the functions of the main pipeline, the first fluid-distribution pipeline, and the second fluid-distribution pipeline in the first fluid-distribution pressure head.
[0037] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a refrigeration and heating device, including the regenerative device described above and a heat exchange device.
[0038] The regenerative device is in fluid communication with the heat exchange device through a pipeline to transmit a heat-transfer fluid which has heated up by absorbing heat or has cooled down by releasing heat to the heat exchange device for heat exchange. It should be noted that the pipeline may be inserted into the first fluid-distribution pressure head and the first fluid-distribution pipeline and the second fluid-distribution pipeline in the second fluid-distribution pressure head, such that the heat-transfer fluid flows into the heat exchange device for heat exchange.
[0039] In this embodiment, the pipeline, which is not shown in the drawings, conveys the medium and is connected to the heat exchange device, such that the medium flows into the heat exchange device and releases heat or cold energy.
[0040] The foregoing descriptions are merely optional embodiments of the present disclosure, but are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made within the scope and principle of the present disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A regenerative device based on solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating, comprising: a fixing mechanism, solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials, wherein each of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials is provided with a perforation and is arranged in sequence in the fixing mechanism, a driving mechanism, and a sleeve, wherein the fixing mechanism and the driving mechanism are arranged in the sleeve;the driving mechanism comprises a movable pressure head provided with a through hole, and the movable pressure head extends into the fixing mechanism to apply stress to or remove stress from the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials; andthe perforations on the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials are aligned to form a channel, and the channel is in fluid communication with the through hole to allow a heat-transfer fluid to perform heat exchange with heat generated by the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials during flowing.
2. The regenerative device of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of a force-applying end of the movable pressure head matches a cross-sectional shape of a stress-receiving end of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials, and the through hole is located at a center of the movable pressure head and is coaxial with the channel.
3. The regenerative device of claim 2, wherein the driving mechanism further comprises a first fluid-distribution pressure head, one end of the first fluid-distribution pressure head is fixed to one end of the movable pressure head, a fluid-distribution pipeline is provided in the first fluid-distribution pressure head, and the fluid-distribution pipeline is in fluid communication with the through hole for guiding out the heat-transfer fluid.
4. The regenerative device of claim 3, wherein the driving mechanism further comprises a drive pressure head, one end of the drive pressure head is fixed to another end of the first fluid-distribution pressure head, and another end of the drive pressure head is fixed to a driver.
5. The regenerative device of claim 3, wherein the fluid-distribution pipeline comprises a main pipeline, and a first branch pipeline and a second branch pipeline respectively in fluid communication with the main pipeline, the main pipeline is in fluid communication with the through hole, the first branch pipeline is configured to allow the heat-transfer fluid to flow out, and the second branch pipeline is configured to allow the heat-transfer fluid to flow in.
6. The regenerative device of claim 4, wherein a slide rail is arranged in the sleeve, and a surface of each of the first fluid-distribution pressure head and the drive pressure head is provided with a track matching the slide rail to slide along the slide rail in response to the driving mechanism applying or removing stress.
7. The regenerative device of claim 1, wherein the fixing mechanism is made of a polymer material.
8. The regenerative device of claim 1, further comprising: a fluid-distribution plug, arranged at an end of the fixing mechanism away from the movable pressure head, wherein the fluid-distribution plug is provided with a fluid passage hole, and the fluid passage hole is coaxial with the channel.
9. The regenerative device of claim 8, further comprising: a second fluid-distribution pressure head, comprising a main pipeline, a first fluid-distribution pipeline, and a second fluid-distribution pipeline, wherein the main pipeline is respectively in fluid communication with the fluid passage hole, the first fluid-distribution pipeline, and the second fluid-distribution pipeline.
10. A refrigeration and heating device, comprising the regenerative device of claim 1 and a heat exchange device, whereinthe regenerative device is in fluid communication with the heat exchange device through a pipeline to transmit a heat-transfer fluid which has heated up by absorbing heat or has cooled down by releasing heat to the heat exchange device for heat exchange.
11. The refrigeration and heating device of claim 10, wherein a cross-sectional shape of a force-applying end of the movable pressure head matches a cross-sectional shape of a stress-receiving end of the solid-state elastocaloric refrigeration and heating materials, and the through hole is located at a center of the movable pressure head and is coaxial with the channel.
12. The refrigeration and heating device of claim 11, wherein the driving mechanism further comprises a first fluid-distribution pressure head, one end of the first fluid-distribution pressure head is fixed to one end of the movable pressure head, a fluid-distribution pipeline is provided in the first fluid-distribution pressure head, and the fluid-distribution pipeline is in fluid communication with the through hole for guiding out the heat-transfer fluid.
13. The refrigeration and heating device of claim 12, wherein the driving mechanism further comprises a drive pressure head, one end of the drive pressure head is fixed to another end of the first fluid-distribution pressure head, and another end of the drive pressure head is fixed to a driver.
14. The refrigeration and heating device of claim 12, wherein the fluid-distribution pipeline comprises a main pipeline, and a first branch pipeline and a second branch pipeline respectively in fluid communication with the main pipeline, the main pipeline is in fluid communication with the through hole, the first branch pipeline is configured to allow the heat-transfer fluid to flow out, and the second branch pipeline is configured to allow the heat-transfer fluid to flow in.
15. The refrigeration and heating device of claim 14, wherein a slide rail is arranged in the sleeve, and a surface of each of the first fluid-distribution pressure head and the drive pressure head is provided with a track matching the slide rail to slide along the slide rail in response to the driving mechanism applying or removing stress.
16. The refrigeration and heating device of claim 10, wherein the fixing mechanism is made of a polymer material.
17. The refrigeration and heating device of claim 10, wherein the regenerative device further comprises a fluid-distribution plug arranged at an end of the fixing mechanism away from the movable pressure head, wherein the fluid-distribution plug is provided with a fluid passage hole, and the fluid passage hole is coaxial with the channel.
18. The refrigeration and heating device of claim 10, wherein the regenerative device further comprises a second fluid-distribution pressure head, the second fluid-distribution pressure head comprises a main pipeline, a first fluid-distribution pipeline, and a second fluid-distribution pipeline, wherein the main pipeline is respectively in fluid communication with the fluid passage hole, the first fluid-distribution pipeline, and the second fluid-distribution pipeline.