Continuous Operating Elastocaloric Device: Model and Experiments

Elastocaloric refrigeration using superelastic NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs) has attracted much attention recently because it has a large energy saving potential, no environmental effects, and a low cost. Achieving the continuous operating of elastocaloric devices, i.e., separating the cold and hot areas on the NiTi alloys physically, helps the efficient release and absorption of heat and avoid the reciprocal parts and intervals of outputs in the system. In this paper, an analytical model and proof-of-concept experiments for continuous operating (elasto)caloric devices are presented. The experimental concept was developed based on a set of rotating NiTi sheets with which the copper heat sink and heat source contact cyclically.