Abstract: A method of making an electrocaloric article is disclosed. The method includes mounting a supported electrocaloric film to a frame. The supported electrocaloric film includes an electrocaloric film and a first support film disposed on a first side of the electrocaloric film. An active area of the electrocaloric film is provided, which is not covered by the first support film on the first side of the electrocaloric film. Electrical connections are provided to electrodes disposed on opposing sides of the electrocaloric film in the active area.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of realizing a ferroic response is provided. The method includes applying a positive or negative conjugate field, which is of a first polarity, to a ferroic material to obtain a substantially minimized entropy of the ferroic material (301) and applying a slightly negative or a slightly positive conjugate field, which is of a second polarity opposite the first polarity, to the ferroic material to obtain a substantially maximized entropy of the ferroic material (302).

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat transfer system with a module that includes a peripheral frame (10) and an electrocaloric element (46) disposed in an opening in the peripheral frame. The electrocaloric element includes an electrocaloric film (46), a first electrode (48) on a first side of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode (50) on a second side of the electrocaloric film. First and second electrically conductive elements (24, 25) are disposed adjacent to first and second surfaces of the peripheral frame, and provide an electrical connection to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A building heating or cooling system is disclosed that includes an air handling system having an air delivery flow path in fluid communication with a conditioned space in the building. The building heating or cooling system also includes an electrocaloric heating or cooling system that includes first and second electrocaloric modules. A first inlet receives air from the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path and directs it through the first or second electrocaloric module to a first outlet to the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path, and a second inlet that receives air from the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path and directs it through the first or second electrocaloric module to a second outlet to outside the conditioned space.

Abstract: 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?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.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed in which, an electrocaloric material includes a copolymer of a monomer mixture including (i) vinylidene fluoride, (ii) an addition polymerization monomer selected from tetrafluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, or a monomer smaller than trifluoroethylene, and (iii) a halogenated addition polymerization monomer different than (ii) that is larger than vinylidene fluoride. The electrocaloric material also includes an additive selected from a nucleating agent having a polar surface charge, electrocalorically active solid particles, or a combination thereof. Electrodes are disposed on opposite surfaces of the electrocaloric material, and an electric power source is configured to provide voltage to the electrodes. The system also includes a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat sink, and a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat source.

Abstract: An electrocaloric module includes an electrocaloric element that includes an electrocaloric film, a first electrode on a first surface of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode on a second surface of the electrocaloric film. A support is attached along an edge portion of the electrocaloric film, leaving a central portion of the electrocaloric film unsupported film. At least one of the first and second electrodes includes a patterned disposition of conductive material on the film surface. The electrocaloric module also includes a first thermal connection configured to connect to a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric element and a heat sink, a second thermal connection configured to connect to a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric element and a heat source, and a power connection connected to the first and second electrodes and configured to connect to a power source.

Abstract: A heat transfer system cycles between a first mode where a heat transfer fluid is directed to a first electrocaloric module and from the first electrocaloric module to a heat exchanger to a second electrocaloric module while one of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized, and a second mode where the heat transfer fluid is directed to the second electrocaloric module and from the second electrocaloric module to the heat exchanger to the first electrocaloric module, while the other of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized. The modes are repeatedly cycled in alternating order directing the heat transfer fluid to cause a temperature gradient in each of the first and second electrocaloric modules, and heat is rejected to the fluid from the heat exchanger or is absorbed by the heat exchanger from the fluid.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed that includes a plurality of electrocaloric elements including an electrocaloric film, a first electrode on a first side of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode on a second side of the electrocaloric film. A fluid flow path is disposed along the plurality of electrocaloric elements, formed by corrugated fluid flow guide elements.

Abstract: A heat transfer system (310) is disclosed that includes a first electrocaloric module (62) comprising a first electrocaloric material, a first high-side voltage electrode, and a first low-side voltage electrode, arranged to impart an electric field to the electrocaloric material. The system also includes a second electrocaloric module (64) comprising a second electrocaloric material, a second high-side voltage electrode, and a second low-side voltage electrode, arranged to impart an electric field to the electrocaloric material. A bi-directional power transfer circuit (60) is also included arranged to alternately transfer power from the electrodes of the first electrocaloric module (62) to the second electrocaloric module (64), and from the electrodes of the second electrocaloric module (64) to the first electrocaloric module (62).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed that includes a plurality of supported electrocaloric film segments (46) arranged in a stack and connected to a frame (10). A working fluid flow path (44) extends through the stack, disposed between adjacent electrocaloric film segments. The working fluid flow path is in operative thermal communication with a heat sink and a heat source at opposite ends of the working fluid flow path. A plurality of electrodes are arranged to generate an electric field in the electrocaloric film segments, and are connected to a power source configured to selectively apply voltage to activate the electrodes in coordination with fluid flow along the working fluid flow path to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat sink. The heat transfer system further includes a film stress management mechanism.

Abstract: A cooling system includes an electrocaloric element having a nanoparticulate ion scavenger and a co-continuous polymer network of a first polymer phase and a second polymer phase wherein the first polymer includes a liquid crystal polymer. A pair of electrodes is disposed on opposite surfaces of the electrocaloric element. A first thermal flow path is disposed between the electrocaloric element and a heat sink. A second thermal flow path is disposed between the electrocaloric element and a heat source. The system also includes a controller configured to control electrical current to the electrodes and to selectively direct transfer of heat energy from the electrocaloric element to the heat sink along the first thermal flow path or from the heat source to the electrocaloric element along the second thermal flow path.

Abstract: A method of making an electrocaloric article is disclosed. The method includes mounting a supported electrocaloric film to a frame. The supported electrocaloric film includes an electrocaloric film and a first support film disposed on a first side of the electrocaloric film. An active area of the electrocaloric film is provided, which is not covered by the first support film on the first side of the electrocaloric film. Electrical connections are provided to electrodes disposed on opposing sides of the electrocaloric film in the active area.

Abstract: An electrocaloric module includes a housing and an electrocaloric element in the housing. The electrocaloric element includes an electrocaloric film, a first electrode on a first surface of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode on a second surface of the electrocaloric film. The electrocaloric module also includes a first thermal connection configured to connect to a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric elements and a heat sink, a second thermal connection configured to connect to a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric elements and a heat source, and a power connection connected to the first and second electrodes and configured to connect to a power source.

Abstract: A heat transfer system cycles between a first mode where a heat transfer fluid is directed to a first electrocaloric module and from the first electrocaloric module to a heat exchanger to a second electrocaloric module while one of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized, and a second mode where the heat transfer fluid is directed to the second electrocaloric module and from the second electrocaloric module to the heat exchanger to the first electrocaloric module, while the other of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized. The modes are repeatedly cycled in alternating order directing the heat transfer fluid to cause a temperature gradient in each of the first and second electrocaloric modules, and fluid from a flow path between the electrocaloric modules is mixed with circulating fluid from a conditioned space to cool or heat the conditioned space.

Abstract: A building heating or cooling system is disclosed that includes an air handling system comprising an air delivery flow path (44) in fluid communication with a conditioned space (40) in the building. The building heating or cooling system also includes an electrocaloric heating or cooling system (10, 11) that includes first and second modules (12, 14). A first inlet receives air from the conditioned space (40) or the air delivery flow path (44) and directs it through the first or second module (12, 14) to a first outlet to the conditioned space (40) or the air delivery flow path (44), and a second inlet that receives air from conditioned space (40) or the air delivery flow path (44) and directs it through the first or second module (12,14) to a second outlet to outside the conditioned space (40).