Composite Elastocaloric Cooling Device Using Magnetostrictive Strain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cooling technologies are inefficient in providing localized and continuous cooling, especially in applications where compact and remote cooling is required, as they often rely on high magnetic fields or complex setups.

Innovation Solution

A composite elastocaloric device is employed, comprising a first member made of magnetostrictive or piezoelectric material that induces strain in a second member with elastocaloric material, allowing for stress-induced heat absorption when the field is removed, enabling periodic or continuous localized cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If high magnetic fields are used for cooling, then cooling effect is improved, but energy consumption and heat generation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an elastocaloric material as an intermediary between the magnetic field and the cooling target. The magnetostrictive material converts magnetic field energy to mechanical strain, which then stresses the elastocaloric material to induce heat absorption. This intermediary mechanism reduces direct magnetic field requirements and associated energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct magnetic field-based cooling with a mechanically-mediated elastocaloric effect. By using magnetostrictive materials to generate mechanical strain that stresses the elastocaloric material, the system substitutes a mechanical transmission path for direct magnetic cooling, reducing energy consumption and heat generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If high magnetic fields are used for cooling, then cooling effect is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectVSAvoidsetup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material structures combining magnetostrictive and elastocaloric materials in a mechanically coupled configuration. This composite approach integrates multiple functional materials to achieve cooling with lower magnetic fields, simplifying the overall device setup while maintaining effective cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If strain is applied to elastocaloric material, then heat absorption is improved, but heat generation during loading increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat absorptionVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes periodic application and removal of strain to the elastocaloric material. During the loading phase, heat is generated; during the unloading phase, heat is absorbed from the target. This periodic cyclic operation allows the system to achieve net cooling effect while managing heat generation through temporal separation of heating and cooling phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composite device provides effective and efficient cooling with reduced heat release during the loading phase and significant temperature changes during the unloading phase, suitable for various applications including electronic components and biological uses, using lower magnetic fields compared to existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

The first member includes a magnetostrictive material, which increases in size in response to an applied magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetostriction: Magnetostriction

Implementation Method 2

or a piezoelectric material, which increases in size in response to an applied electric field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

When the stress, which was applied to the second member via the strain induced in the first member, is released, the elastocaloric material can absorb heat from the surrounding environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastocaloric effect: Mechanocaloric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11808492B2Systems and methods for cooling using a composite elastocaloric device

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

A cooling system employs at least one composite elastocaloric device. Each composite device has a first member with a first material and a second member with an elastocaloric material. The first material increases in size in response to an applied electric or magnetic field and returns to its prior size upon removal of the applied electric or magnetic field. The first and second members are mechanically coupled together such that the increase in size of the first material applies a stress to the elastocaloric material and the return of the first material to its prior size releases said stress, thereby causing the elastocaloric material to absorb heat.