IP Library Granted Patent US 12679173
Granted Patent B2
US 12679173 · App. 18/479,466 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Elastocaloric heat pump and transportation vehicle with elastocaloric heat pump

Inventors: Jürgen Olfe (Volkse, DE); Christian Schneck (Braunschweig, DE); Sergej Kujat (Varrel, DE)
Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
B60H1/32B60H1/14F25B23/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12679173
App. No.
18/479,466
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An elastocaloric heat pump requiring little installation space wherein the elastocaloric heat pump includes an elastocaloric element, a first coolant duct and a second coolant duct and at least one drive device, wherein the elastocaloric element is connected to a carriage on the end sides in each case, the carriages are arranged displaceably on two guide mechanisms which are not parallel to each other, and the drive device cyclically displaces the carriages along the guide mechanism so the elastocaloric element is displaced cyclically and cyclically expanded between the first coolant duct and the second coolant duct.

Claims (11)

1 . An elastocaloric heat pump comprising:

a first coolant duct;

a second coolant duct;

an elastocaloric element connected on each end side to a respective carriage, wherein the carriages are arranged displaceably on two guide mechanisms, which are not parallel to each other; and

at least one drive device that cyclically displaces the two guide mechanisms that correspond to the carriages so the elastocaloric element is displaced cyclically and cyclically expanded between the first coolant duct and the second coolant duct.

2 . The elastocaloric heat pump of claim 1 , wherein the at least one drive device comprises drive rods, wherein the carriages are rotatably or rigidly connected to one of the at least one drive rods, and the at least one drive rods are guided along a track.

3 . The elastocaloric heat pump of claim 2 , wherein tracks are arranged non-orthogonally relative to the plurality of guide mechanisms, and/or wherein the tracks are mounted rotatably so an angle between the respective track and the corresponding respective guide mechanism is adjustable, and/or wherein the tracks are roller tracks, and wherein the drive rods are guided on the respective roller track by rollers.

4 . The elastocaloric heat pump of claim 1 , further comprising receiving mechanisms arranged on the end sides of the elastocaloric element, wherein each of the receiving mechanisms are each connected rotatably or rigidly to one carriage, and the elastocaloric element is preloaded in tension or in compression between the receiving mechanisms.

5 . The elastocaloric heat pump of claim 4 , further comprising spring elements configured to at least partially compensate for a force exerted on the carriages along the guide mechanism because of the preloading of the elastocaloric element.

6 . The elastocaloric heat pump of claim 1 , wherein the drive device comprises a plurality of camshafts, each of the camshafts comprising a cam and the drive rods running on the cam of one of the camshafts by one roller each.

7 . A transportation vehicle comprising the elastocaloric heat pump of claim 1 .