Abstract
A heat exchanger system includes a heat exchanger device, which has elastocaloric elements made of elastocaloric material and is designed to move the elastocaloric elements, as a result of which said elements are deformed, so that an elastocaloric effect is achieved. The heat exchanger system further includes a vibrating unit, which generates mechanical vibrations, and a vibration transfer device arranged between the vibrating unit and the heat exchanger device, and which transfers the vibrations from the vibrating unit into the elastocaloric elements so that the elastocaloric elements move.
Claims
1. A heat exchanger system, comprising: a heat exchanger device comprising elastocaloric elements made of elastocaloric material, the heat exchanger device configured to move the elastocaloric elements in such a manner that the elastocaloric elements are deformed such that an elastocaloric effect is achieved; a vibrating unit which generates mechanical vibrations; and a vibration transmitter arranged between the vibrating unit and the heat exchanger device, the vibration transmitter transmitting the mechanical vibrations of the vibrating unit to the elastocaloric elements so as to move the elastocaloric elements.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the heat exchanger device further comprises heat-conducting elements; the heat exchanger device is configured to move the elastocaloric elements and the heat-conducting elements toward one another, as a result of which the elastocaloric elements come into contact with the heat-conducting elements and are deformed such that an elastocaloric effect is achieved, and/or to move said elastocaloric elements away from one another; and the vibration transmitter transmits the vibrations of the vibrating unit at least to the elastocaloric elements such that the elastocaloric elements and the heat-conducting elements move toward one another and/or move away from one another.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibration transmitter comprises mechanical transmission elements.
4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vibration transmitter comprises a travel distance limiter which limits a deflection of the vibrations to a travel distance provided for operation of the heat exchanger device.
5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vibration transmitter comprises a damping element configured to damp forces which arise during the transmission of the vibration.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibration transmitter comprises a pressure changing device.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibration transmitter comprises; a conversion device configured to convert the vibrations into electrical work; and at least one actuator which converts the electrical work into a movement of the elastocaloric elements.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: sensors which measure at least one of a frequency of the mechanical vibrations of the vibrating unit, a force transmitted by the vibrating unit, an elongation exerted on the elastocaloric elements, and a travel distance.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibration transmitter is configured to convert a frequency of the mechanical vibrations of the vibrating unit into a frequency suitable for operating the heat exchanger device.
10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the vibration transmitter is configured to convert the frequency of the mechanical vibrations of the vibrating unit into a resonant frequency of the heat exchanger device.
11. A heat pump comprising: a heat exchanger system comprising: a heat exchanger device comprising elastocaloric elements made of elastocaloric material, the heat exchanger device configured to move the elastocaloric elements in such a manner that the elastocaloric elements are deformed such that an elastocaloric effect is achieved; a vibrating unit which generates mechanical vibrations; and a vibration transmitter arranged between the vibrating unit and the heat exchanger device, the vibration transmitter transmitting the mechanical vibrations of the vibrating unit to the elastocaloric elements so as to move the elastocaloric elements.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the description below.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the heat exchanger system according to the invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a vibration transmitter from FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of the vibration transmitter from FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of the vibration transmitter from FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of the vibration transmitter from FIG. 1.
EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0032] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the heat exchanger system according to the invention which comprises a heat exchanger device 1. The heat exchanger device 1 has elastocaloric elements 11 made of elastocaloric material, and heat-conducting elements 12. In this embodiment, the elastocaloric elements 11 are moved cyclically toward the fixed heat-conducting elements 12, as a result of which the elastocaloric elements 11 come into contact with the heat-conducting elements 12 and are deformed such that an elastocaloric effect is achieved, and is subsequently moved away from the heat-conducting elements 12. In further exemplary embodiments, the heat-conducting elements 12 can be moved and the elastocaloric elements 11 remain fixed, or both the elastocaloric elements 11 and the heat-conducting elements 12 can be moved.
[0033] In addition, the heat exchanger system has a vibrating unit 2, such as, for example, a compressor or a pump for conveying a heat transport means 21, which unit generates mechanical vibrations. Firstly, if the vibrating unit 2 is operated at a working point in a stationary manner, regular vibrations with a constant amplitude and frequency can be generated and, secondly, irregular vibrations, the amplitude and frequency of which vary, can be generated.
[0034] According to the invention, a vibration transmitter 3 is to be arranged between the vibrating unit 2 and the heat exchanger device 1. The vibration transmitter 3 is configured to transmit the mechanical vibrations of the vibrating unit 2 to the elastocaloric elements 11 or/and to the heat-conducting elements 12 of the heat exchanger device 1 such that the elastocaloric elements 11 and the heat-conducting elements 12 move cyclically toward one another and away from one another. In the embodiments below, the vibration transmitter 3, which is configured in the same manner, transmits the vibration solely to the elastocaloric elements 11 which then move toward the fixed heat-conducting elements 12, enter into contact therewith, are deformed and then moved away therefrom. In further embodiments, the vibration transmitter 3 can transmit the vibrations alternatively or additionally to the heat-conducting elements 12 such that the latter move. The design and the function of the vibration transmitter will be explained in detail in connection with the further FIGS. 2 to 4.
[0035] Furthermore, sensors 4 are provided which measure the frequency of the mechanical vibrations of the vibrating unit 2, a force transmitted by the vibrating unit 2, an elongation exerted on elastocaloric elements 11 and/or a travel distance. The arrangement of said sensors and the function are likewise explained in conjunction with the further FIGS. 2 to 4. An electronic computer device 5 is connected to the vibration transmitter 3 and to the sensors 4 and to the vibrating unit 2 and controls the heat exchanger system with the aid of variables measured by the sensors 4. For example, the cycles in which the heat transport means 21 is conveyed are set synchronously to the vibrations which have been emitted by the vibrating unit 2 and transmitted by the vibration transmitter 3.
[0036] FIGS. 2 to 5 show three embodiments of the vibration transmitter 3. The same reference signs indicate identical components; the latter will be explained in detail only once. In these embodiments, the heat-conducting elements 12 are fixed and the elastocaloric elements 11 are moved. In further embodiments, the vibration transmitter of which is configured in the same manner, the elastocaloric elements 11 are fixed and the heat-conducting elements 12 are moved. Although, for illustrative reasons, only one elastocaloric element 11 is illustrated in these figures, the description is intended to apply, however, to one elastocaloric element 11, to a plurality of elastocaloric elements 11 or to all of the elastocaloric elements 11 of the heat exchanger device.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the vibration transmitter 3 which has a mechanical transmission element in the form of a spring element 300. This embodiment is particularly readily suitable if the vibrating unit 2 generates regular vibrations having an identical amplitude and identical frequency. The spring element 300 is selected in accordance with the requirements demanded of the heat transport device 1 and the parameters of the regular vibration. For this case, an additional control in the vibration transmitter 3 is unnecessary. The mechanical vibrations of the vibrating unit 2 that are deflected in the direction of the spring element 300 are absorbed by the spring element 300 and transmitted by the latter linearly to a transmission element 301. The spring element 300 additionally serves here as a damping element for damping the forces which arise during the transmission of the vibration. A first sensor 41 is provided which measures the force transmitted to the spring element 300 and the frequency of the transmitted vibrations. The transmission element 301 is connected to the elastocaloric element 11. In the event of a deflection of the spring element 300, the movement is transmitted by means of the transmission element 301 to the elastocaloric element 11. A stop 302 is provided for the spring element 300, the stop limiting the deflection of the spring element 300 to a provided travel distance. If the spring element 300 elongates because of the vibration, the elastocaloric element 11 is moved by the provided travel distance in the direction of a heat-conducting element 12, not illustrated here, and comes into contact therewith. If the spring element 300 contracts, the elastocaloric element 11 is moved in the opposite direction. The travel distance of the movement of the elastocaloric element 11 and/or the deformation of the elastocaloric element 11 are/is measured by a second sensor 42.
[0038] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second and a third embodiment of the vibration transmitter 3 which in each case has a pump 310 with which the pressure p in a pressure cylinder 311 can be changed. These embodiments are particularly readily suitable if the vibrating unit 2 generates irregular vibrations with a varying amplitude and different frequency. In the second exemplary embodiment regarding FIG. 3, the pump 310 is operated by the mechanical vibrations of the vibrating unit 2 and generates a negative pressure in the pressure cylinder 311 step by step. A nonreturn valve 312 is provided in order to control the change in the pressure p. In other words, each small vibration (in the direction suitable for operating the pump) leads to a decrease in the pressure p, said decreases in total finally resulting in a desired negative pressure. The pressure p in the pressure cylinder is measured by means of a pressure sensor 41. From a predeterminable negative pressure, a linearly movable transmission element 313 which is connected to the elastocaloric element 11 is pulled into the pressure cylinder 311, and therefore the elastocaloric element 11 is moved toward the heat-conducting element 12 and comes into contact therewith. In a third exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4, instead of the negative pressure, a positive pressure is generated in the pressure cylinder 311. By means of the positive pressure, the transmission element 313 is moved out of the pressure cylinder 311. The elastocaloric element 11 is also moved here toward the heat-conducting element 12 and comes into contact therewith. The pressure p in the pressure cylinder 311 is subsequently equalized again via a relief valve 314 on the pressure cylinder 311 and the transmission element 313 is moved again back into its starting position. In both embodiments, the pump 310 and the relief valve 314 can be adjusted or controlled by means of the measured pressure.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the vibration transmitter 3 which has a coil 320 and a permanent magnet 321, which convert the vibrations into electrical work, and an actuator 323. This embodiment is likewise particularly readily suitable if the vibrating unit 2 generates irregular vibrations having a varying amplitude and different frequency. The mechanical vibrations of the vibrating unit 2 that are deflected in the direction of the permanent magnet 321 are transmitted to the permanent magnet 321 which is then moved into the interior of the coil 320 and/or moved out of the latter. The changing magnetic flux induces a voltage which is measured by a voltage measurement device 44. An electrical energy resulting from the induced voltage is stored in an energy store 322, for example in a battery. Accordingly, the energy stored 322 is also charged by small vibrations which move the permanent magnet 321 only over a short distance. The electrical energy from the energy store 322 is used in order to operate an actuator 323 which comprises a transmission element 324 which is connected to the elastocaloric element 11, wherein the actuator 323 can be adjusted or controlled with the aid of the sensors 41, 42, 44. The actuator 323 moves the transmission element 324 such that the elastocaloric element 11 is moved cyclically in the direction of a heat-conducting element 12, not illustrated, and comes into contact therewith and is then moved in the opposite direction.
