Electrocaloric module with embedded electronics, method of making the electrocaloric module and method of transferring heat by using the electrocaloric module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vapor compression refrigerant loops used in cooling technologies pose environmental hazards and are impractical in settings lacking sufficient power, such as electric vehicles, due to their power and weight requirements, and existing alternative technologies like electrocaloric modules are limited in capability and scalability.
Innovation Solution
An electrocaloric module comprising an electrocaloric film with electrodes and thermal connections to a heat source and sink, along with an embedded electronic component for ancillary functions, is designed to transfer heat efficiently using a controller that selectively applies voltage to the electrodes, facilitating heat transfer between the heat source and sink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
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 replaces the mechanical vapor compression system with an electrocaloric system that uses electric field-induced entropy changes in electrocaloric materials to achieve cooling. This substitution eliminates refrigerants and their associated environmental hazards while maintaining effective cooling through solid-state thermodynamic cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes changes in entropy and temperature parameters of electrocaloric materials under applied electric fields to achieve cooling. By cycling the electric field application, the system transforms material parameters (entropy, temperature) to enable heat transfer from cold to hot reservoirs, providing cooling without harmful refrigerants.
2Reliability
If vapor compression refrigerant loops are used in electric vehicles, then cooling can be provided, but the power demand significantly shortens vehicle battery life or driving range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-power mechanical compressor with an electrocaloric system that uses low-power electric field application to induce entropy changes in the material. This substitution dramatically reduces power consumption while maintaining cooling capability, making it suitable for electric vehicle applications where battery range is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits reversible phase transitions or entropy changes in electrocaloric materials under electric field application. These material-level transitions enable cooling cycles without requiring high-power mechanical compression, thereby reducing energy consumption and preserving battery life in electric vehicles.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing electrocaloric modules are used for cooling applications, then environmental safety is improved, but the modules have limited capabilities and lack scalability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs modular electrocaloric elements that can be segmented and arranged in various configurations to meet different cooling requirements. Each electrocaloric cell operates independently, allowing the system to be scaled from small portable applications to large commercial refrigeration systems by simply adding or arranging more modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal electrocaloric cooling platform that can serve multiple applications through configuration changes. The same basic electrocaloric module design can be adapted for portable cooling, vehicle air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, and other applications, providing both environmental safety and scalability.
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 electrocaloric module effectively transfers heat without the environmental drawbacks of vapor compression systems, offering a scalable and efficient cooling solution suitable for various applications, including electric vehicles, by leveraging the electrocaloric material's entropy changes to manage heat energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
an electrocaloric element comprising an electrocaloric film (12), a first electrode (14) on a first side of the film and a second electrode (16) on a second side of the film
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrocaloric module includes a housing and an electrocaloric element in the housing. The electrocaloric element includes an electrocaloric film, a first electrode on a first surface of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode on a second surface of the electrocaloric film. The electrocaloric module also includes a first thermal connection configured to connect to a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric elements and a heat sink, a second thermal connection configured to connect to a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric elements and a heat source, and a power connection connected to the first and second electrodes and configured to connect to a power source.