Method for the stabilisation and/or open-loop and/or closed-loop control of a working temperature, heat exchanger unit, device for transporting energy, refrigerating machine and heat pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cyclic-process-based systems using calorically active materials suffer from self-heating due to hysteresis effects and other energy losses, leading to increased base temperature and reduced efficiency over time.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for stabilizing and controlling the base temperature of calorically active materials by using a cooling fluid to manage heat generated during cyclic operations, allowing for targeted temperature regulation and maintaining the material at an ideal working temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If calorically active material is used in cyclic processes for heat transport, then efficiency is significantly increased through latent heat transfer, but self-heating occurs due to hysteresis effects and energy losses leading to increased base temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the calorically active material from the cyclic process system and separates its temperature control into an independent subsystem. The material is removed from direct cyclic operation and placed in a temperature-controlled environment, allowing the cyclic process to operate independently without accumulating heat in the caloric material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temperature-controlled environment as an intermediary between the cyclic process and the calorically active material. This intermediary subsystem actively manages the base temperature of the caloric material, decoupling it from the cyclic process temperature variations and preventing self-heating accumulation.
2Productivity
If calorically active material is cyclically heated and cooled to increase efficiency, then heat flow increases linearly with cycle frequency, but self-heating accumulates and shifts working temperature away from ideal operating temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature control function from the cyclic process itself and places it in a separate temperature-controlled environment. This allows high-frequency cyclic operation to continue while the caloric material's base temperature is independently maintained at ideal operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary temperature control to the calorically active material before it participates in the cyclic process. By pre-establishing and maintaining the ideal base temperature through active control, the material is prepared to operate at optimal conditions regardless of the cyclic process frequency or heat flow demands.
3Loss of energy
If heat is transferred by pumping liquids to discharge heat, then heat transport is achieved, but the process is relatively lossy and does not achieve satisfactory efficiency or power density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the calorically active material (such as magnetocaloric, electrocaloric, or mechanocaloric phase changes) to enable heat transport. These phase transitions occur without mechanical pumping, eliminating the energy losses associated with liquid pumping while achieving high power density through the material's inherent caloric effects.
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 approach enhances the efficiency of cyclic-process-based systems by effectively managing heat and maintaining the calorically active material at a stable base temperature, thereby improving power density and operational frequency.
Implementation Method 1
a base temperature of the calorically active material element is controlled by means of a cooling fluid
Implementation Method 2
Magnetocaloric materials change their temperature in the region of influence of an electric field owing to the orientation of the magnetic moments and the associated reduction in entropy or a crystal-lattice transformation between a ferromagnetic phase and a paramagnetic phase
Implementation Method 3
Electrocaloric materials change their temperature in the region of influence of an electric field owing to the orientation of the electric moments and the associated reduction in entropy or a crystal-lattice transformation between a ferroelectric phase and a paraelectric phase
Implementation Method 4
Mechanocaloric materials (also known as elastocaloric materials, barocaloric materials or shape-memory alloys) undergo a crystalline phase transition as a result of the application of a mechanical stress, which phase transition gives rise to a change in temperature of the material
Implementation Method 5
The heat transfer between fluid and heat exchanger takes place by means of latent heat
Data Source
AI summary
A method for stabilization and/or control and/or regulation of the working temperature of a cyclic-process-based system having at least one heat-exchanger unit with at least one calorically active material element. It is essential that a base temperature of the calorically active material element (11, 12) is controlled by a cooling fluid. A heat-exchanger unit, a refrigeration machine, and a heat pump according to this are also provided.