A method for operating a coolant circuit of a vehicle cooling system in an AC mode and in a heating mode, implemented by a heat pump function, having an evaporator branch including an evaporator and a first expansion element, a coolant compressor, an AC and heat pump branch, having an outer condenser or gas cooler, as a heat pump evaporator having a second expansion element. The AC and heat pump branch is connected to the coolant compressor via a first blocking element and to the evaporator branch via the second expansion element, a heating branch having an inner heating condenser or heating gas cooler and a second blocking element, connected downstream thereto.

A mechano-caloric stage includes an elongated outer sleeve. An elongated inner sleeve is disposed within the elongated outer sleeve. A pair of pistons is received within the elongated inner sleeve. Each of the pair of pistons is positioned at a respective end of the elongated inner sleeve. The pair of pistons are moveable relative to the elongated inner sleeve. A mechano-caloric material is disposed within the elongated inner sleeve between the pair of pistons. The mechano-caloric material is compressible between the pair of pistons.

A mechano-caloric stage includes an elongated outer sleeve. An elongated inner sleeve is disposed within the elongated outer sleeve. A pair of pistons is received within the elongated inner sleeve. Each of the pair of pistons is positioned at a respective end of the elongated inner sleeve. The pair of pistons are moveable relative to the elongated inner sleeve. A mechano-caloric material is disposed within the elongated inner sleeve between the pair of pistons. The mechano-caloric material is compressible between the pair of pistons.

A mechano-caloric heat pump includes a mechano-caloric stage, an elongated lever arm pivotable about a point, and a motor is operable to rotate a cam. The elongated lever arm is coupled to the mechano-caloric stage proximate a first end portion of the elongated lever arm and to the cam proximate a second end portion of the elongated lever arm such that the motor is operable to stress the mechano-caloric stage via pivoting of the elongated lever arm as the cam rotates.

A mechano-caloric heat pump includes a mechano-caloric stage, an elongated lever arm pivotable about a point, and a motor is operable to rotate a cam. The elongated lever arm is coupled to the mechano-caloric stage proximate a first end portion of the elongated lever arm and to the cam proximate a second end portion of the elongated lever arm such that the motor is operable to stress the mechano-caloric stage via pivoting of the elongated lever arm as the cam rotates.

A heat pump system for vehicle includes a cooling device including a radiator and a first water pump by a cooling line and circulating a coolant along the cooling line to cool an electric component; a battery module provided on a battery cooling line selectively connected to the cooling line through a first valve; a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module including an internal heater connected to the cooling line through a first connection line, a cooler connected to the battery cooling line through a second connection line, and an opening or closing door provided between the internal heater and the cooler and controlling external air passing through the cooler to be selectively introduced into the internal heater depending on cooling, heating, and heating and dehumidifying modes of the vehicle; and a centralized energy (CE) module connected to each of the battery cooling line and the cooling line.

Various embodiments include a device for increasing the heat yield of a heat source comprising: a heat sink; a heat pump with a condenser and an evaporator; and the heat source. The heat sink includes a heat sink feed and a heat sink return providing thermal coupling to the heat source with a heat exchanger. The heat source includes a heat source feed and a heat source return for thermal coupling to the heat sink with the heat exchanger. The condenser of the heat pump is thermally coupled to the heat sink feed to dissipate heat to the heat sink. The evaporator of the heat pump is thermally coupled to the heat source return downstream of the heat exchanger to absorb heat.

Various embodiments include a device for increasing the heat yield of a heat source comprising: a heat sink; a heat pump with a condenser and an evaporator; and the heat source. The heat sink includes a heat sink feed and a heat sink return providing thermal coupling to the heat source with a heat exchanger. The heat source includes a heat source feed and a heat source return for thermal coupling to the heat sink with the heat exchanger. The condenser of the heat pump is thermally coupled to the heat sink feed to dissipate heat to the heat sink. The evaporator of the heat pump is thermally coupled to the heat source return downstream of the heat exchanger to absorb heat.

A heat pump system includes a main heat pump system, a heat retaining layer and a reflecting layer coated on an partial inner surface of a building, a directly expanded strong cool-heat radiation plate having a distance from the reflecting layer, a heat radiating layer located at a side of the directly expanded strong cool-heat radiation plate and having a distance from the directly expanded strong cool-heat radiation plate, a buffer plate disposed between the heat radiating layer and the directly expanded strong cool-heat radiation plate, an anti-condensation trough disposed below the directly expanded strong cool-heat radiation plate. A sealed cavity is enclosed by the heat radiating layer and a wall surface, and the wall surface is formed by a combination of the partial inner surface of the building, the heat retaining layer and the reflecting layer, and, the sealed cavity is filled with air.

A heat pump system includes a main heat pump system, a heat retaining layer and a reflecting layer coated on an partial inner surface of a building, a directly expanded strong cool-heat radiation plate having a distance from the reflecting layer, a heat radiating layer located at a side of the directly expanded strong cool-heat radiation plate and having a distance from the directly expanded strong cool-heat radiation plate, a buffer plate disposed between the heat radiating layer and the directly expanded strong cool-heat radiation plate, an anti-condensation trough disposed below the directly expanded strong cool-heat radiation plate. A sealed cavity is enclosed by the heat radiating layer and a wall surface, and the wall surface is formed by a combination of the partial inner surface of the building, the heat retaining layer and the reflecting layer, and, the sealed cavity is filled with air.