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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Solid-state electrocaloric cooling system and method

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6847703
A cooling system for transferring heat is described comprising: a first electrocaloric element; a pair of electrodes disposed on opposite surfaces of the electrocaloric element; a first unidirectional heat pipe for conducting heat away from the heat source to the electrocaloric element when the heat source temperature exceeds the temperature of the electrocaloric element; a second unidirectional heat pipe for transferring heat from the electrocaloric element when the temperature of the electrocaloric element exceeds a predetermined temperature; a second electrocaloric element; a second pair of electrodes disposed on opposite surfaces of the second electrocaloric element; a third unidirectional heat pipe for transferring heat from the second electrocaloric element when its temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature; and means for selectively applying voltages between electrodes of the electrode pairs for respectively generating electric fields in the first and second electrocaloric elements to heat the first and second electrocaloric elements in response to the presence of the electric fields and to cool the first and second electrocaloric elements upon removal of the electric fields.
Assignee:
Hughes Aircraft Co., Los Angeles, CA
Patent Number(s):
US 4757688
OSTI ID:
6847703
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English