A support layer is disposed between a first layer of first electrocaloric capacitors and the second layer of second electrocaloric capacitors. The support layer has thermally conductive vias. A voltage source is configured to apply a first voltage thereby applying a first electric field to the first electrocaloric capacitors and a second voltage thereby applying a second electric field to the second electrocaloric capacitors. The first and second electric fields are complementary such that when the first and second electric fields are applied, heat is transferred through the thermally conductive vias from the first electrocaloric capacitors to the second electrocaloric capacitors or from the second electrocaloric capacitors to the first electrocaloric capacitors.

An electrocaloric effect element includes a container having a first wall and a second wall, the second wall facing the first wall, ionic liquid accommodated in the container, a first electrode provided at an outer surface of the first wall, and a movable electrode provided in the ionic liquid such that the movable electrode is movable in the ionic liquid.

A method of making an electrocaloric element includes forming conductive layers on opposing surfaces of a film comprising an electrocaloric material to form an electrocaloric element, wherein the forming of the conductive layers includes one or more of: vapor deposition of the conductive layers under reduced pressure for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time under reduced pressure is less than 240 minutes; vapor deposition of the conductive layers under reduced pressure for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time of exposure to conductive material deposition is less than 240 minutes; vapor deposition of the conductive layers under reduced pressure, wherein the reduced pressure is 10.sup.−8 torr to 500 torr; or maintaining the film at a temperature of less than or equal to 200° C. during forming of the conductive layers.

An electrocaloric element for a heat transfer system includes an electrocaloric material of a copolymer of (i) vinylidene fluoride, (ii) an addition polymerization monomer selected from tetrafluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, vinyl fluoride, or combinations thereof, and (iii) a halogenated addition polymerization monomer larger than vinylidene fluoride. It is also provided that: (a) the monomer (ii) includes an addition polymerization monomer smaller than trifluoroethylene, (b) at least one of the addition polymerization monomers (ii) or (iii) is a chiral monomer, and the copolymer includes syndiotactic ordered segments of chiral monomer units, and/or (c) at least one of the addition polymerization monomers (ii) or (iii) comprises chlorine, and the copolymer includes an ordered distribution of monomer units comprising chlorine along the copolymer polymer backbone.

A device comprising one or more heat transfer laminates each including an electrode, a first dielectric layer on a first side of the electrode, and a second dielectric layer on a second side of the electrode; a plurality of flexible electrocaloric elements, each of the flexible electrocaloric elements including an electrocaloric material layer, a flexible electrode layer on the electrocaloric layer, one or more fixed portions each attached to one of heat transfer laminates, and a movable portion that is movable with respect to the one of the heat transfer laminates.

A method of making an electrocaloric article is disclosed in which a continuous sheet of an electrocaloric film is bent back and forth to form a plurality of connected aligned segments of electrocaloric film with gaps between film surfaces of adjacent aligned segments. The continuous sheet of electrocaloric film is secured in this with a securing method that includes attaching a spacer to the continuous sheet of electrocaloric film prior to the back and forth bending; or providing a spacer comprising a base and a plurality of projections extending from the base, and inserting the projections into the gaps between the film surfaces of adjacent aligned segments after the back and forth bending; or interweaving a continuous spacer through the gaps between the aligned segments of the electrocaloric film; or attaching an end cap to a plurality of connecting portions of the electrocaloric film between the aligned segments.

A heat transfer system is disclosed that includes an electrocaloric element including an electrocaloric material and electrodes arranged to impart an electric field to the electrocaloric material. A first thermal flow path is disposed between the electrocaloric material and a heat sink. A second thermal flow path is disposed between the electrocaloric material and a heat source. An electric power source is in operative electrical communication with the electrodes. The system also includes an arc suppression circuit in series with the electrocaloric element. The arc suppression circuit includes an interruptible electrical connection configured to interrupt the electrical connection in response to detection of an arc between the electrodes, and a series shunt connection in parallel with the interruptible electrical connection, with the series shunt connection including a series shunt load.

A heat transfer system includes first (62) and second (64) electrocaloric module with aligned first and second sides. First and second prime movers (80,82) are arranged to direct a working fluid in opposite directions along flow paths through the electrocaloric modules. A rotary fluid control device (92,98) including a plurality of openings (94,96,100,102) is disposed around the electrocaloric modules, and is configured to rotate between positions relative to the modules. In a first position, the first module is in operative fluid communication through the openings with the first prime mover, and the second module is in operative fluid communication through the openings with the second prime mover. In a second position, the first module is in operative fluid communication through the openings with the second prime mover, and the second module is in operative fluid communication through the openings with the first prime mover.

An apparatus can comprise a DC power supply to generate a DC electrical signal, a pulse generator to generate an electrical pulse, and an electrical element. The pulse generator and the DC power supply can be electrically coupled together. The electrical element can receive the DC electrical signal and the electrical pulse. The electrical element can generate a magnetic field in response to receiving the DC electrical signal and cool in response to receiving the electrical pulse.

An electrocaloric-based cooling system includes a solid electrolyte, which includes a silver conducting electrolyte sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode. The solid electrolyte when biased shows an electrocaloric effect.