Electrocaloric Module Cycling for Low-Power Refrigerant-Free Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vapor compression refrigerant loops pose environmental hazards and are impractical in settings lacking sufficient power, such as electric vehicles, due to high power demand and weight requirements, necessitating alternative cooling technologies.
Innovation Solution
An electrocaloric heat transfer system comprising two electrocaloric modules with electrodes and fluid flow paths, where a controller alternately energizes and de-energizes the modules to create a thermal gradient, utilizing a heat exchanger to direct fluid flow for efficient heat absorption or rejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If vapor compression refrigerant loops are used for cooling applications, then effective cooling and refrigeration can be provided, but environmental hazards such as ozone depleting potential and global warming potential occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from mechanical compression to electrocaloric effect-driven heat transfer. The electrocaloric elements undergo temperature changes in response to applied electric fields, enabling cooling without refrigerants. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by eliminating environmental hazards while maintaining cooling effectiveness through a different physical mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical compressor system with an electrocaloric-based heat transfer system. Instead of using mechanical compression to achieve cooling, the system uses electrocaloric materials that change temperature in response to electric fields. This substitution eliminates the need for harmful refrigerants while maintaining effective cooling performance.
2Temperature
If vapor compression refrigerant loops are used for cooling applications, then effective cooling can be achieved, but high power demand and weight requirements make them impractical in settings lacking sufficient power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-power mechanical compressor with low-power electrocaloric elements. The electrocaloric materials require only electrical fields to induce temperature changes, dramatically reducing power demand compared to mechanical compression systems. This enables effective cooling in applications with limited power availability such as electric vehicles and portable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy input parameter from mechanical work to electrical field application. The electrocaloric effect allows temperature control through electrical fields, which require significantly less power than mechanical compressors. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining cooling effectiveness while reducing power demand to levels suitable for portable and electric vehicle applications.
3Temperature
If vapor compression refrigerant loops are used for cooling applications, then effective cooling can be provided, but the weight and power requirements of the compressor become problematic in portable cooling applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical compressor with lightweight electrocaloric elements. The electrocaloric-based heat transfer system eliminates the need for bulky mechanical components, significantly reducing system weight. This enables effective cooling in portable applications where weight is a critical constraint such as handheld devices and portable refrigeration units.
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
This system provides effective cooling or heating with reduced environmental impact and lower power requirements, suitable for various applications including electric vehicles, by leveraging electrocaloric materials to manage thermal energy efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
the electrodes of the first and second electrocaloric modules are alternately energized and de-energized to provide a thermal gradient along the flow paths
Implementation Method 2
A third fluid flow path is disposed between the second port and the third port. The third fluid flow path comprises a heat exchanger in thermal communication with a thermal target.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer system cycles between a first mode where a heat transfer fluid is directed to a first electrocaloric module and from the first electrocaloric module to a heat exchanger to a second electrocaloric module while one of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized, and a second mode where the heat transfer fluid is directed to the second electrocaloric module and from the second electrocaloric module to the heat exchanger to the first electrocaloric module, while the other of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized. The modes are repeatedly cycled in alternating order directing the heat transfer fluid to cause a temperature gradient in each of the first and second electrocaloric modules, and heat is rejected to the fluid from the heat exchanger or is absorbed by the heat exchanger from the fluid.