# US 12,111,084 B2 · System and method for supporting SMA material and optimising heat transfer in a SMA heat pump > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,111,084 B2 - Document ID: US12111084B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/632,137 - Filed: 2020-08-01 - Published: 2022-09-01 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-08-02 - Assignees: Exergyn Ltd. - Applicants: Exergyn Ltd. - Inventors: Kevin O'Toole; Michael Langan; Matthieu Morhan; Richard Blackburn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111084B2 ## CPC - F25B 30/00: Heat pumps (F25B1/00-F25B25/00, F25B29/00 take precedence) - F25B 30/02: of the compression type - F03G 7/062: {characterised by the activation arrangement} - F25B 23/00: Machines, plants or systems, with a single mode of operation not covered by groups F25B1/00 - F25B21/00, e.g. using selective radiation effect - F03G 7/0614: {using shape memory elements} - F03G 7/0646: {for pumping or compressing fluids} - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - F03G: SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (arrangements in connection with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60K16/00; electric propulsion with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60L8/00) ## Abstract The invention provides heat pump system a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) or elastocaloric material core positioned in a housing and adapted to absorb thermal heat and store energy in response to a first fluid inputted at a first temperature. The housing is configured to receive the fluid at the first temperature via an inlet to cause the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric material core to change state. A device is configured to apply stress on the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric core in the housing to cause the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric core to change state. A support system is configured to engage with the material in the core to prevent the material buckling when the stress is applied wherein the support system comprises a series of buckling supports positioned along at least one length of the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric material core. The support system provides a mechanical buckling support and heat transfer optimisation for fluid flow in a SMA heat pump during compression. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A heat pump system comprising a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) or elastocaloric material core positioned in a housing and adapted to absorb thermal heat and store energy in response to a first fluid inputted at a first temperature; the housing is configured to receive the fluid at the first temperature via an inlet to cause the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric material core to change state; a device is configured to apply stress on the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric core in the housing to cause the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric core to change state; and a support system is configured to engage with the material in the core to prevent the material buckling when the stress is applied wherein the support system comprises a series of buckling supports positioned along at least one length of the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric material core. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The heat pump system of claim 1 wherein the stress applied is a compression stress. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The heat pump system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the core material comprises at least one rod and adapted to engage with the support system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The heat pump system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the core or housing surface comprises at least one of plate/crenelated/roughness/screwthread/sawtooth shaped material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The heat pump system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support system comprises the plurality of supports configured to engage the material at a plurality of points and dimensioned to generate turbulence in the fluid during use. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The heat pump system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support system comprises the plurality of supports and a turbulence generator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The heat pump system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of elements are positioned on an internal surface of the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The heat pump system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of elements are positioned on the outside surface of the core. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The heat pump system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the core comprises a hollow core and a plurality of elements are positioned on the inside surface of the hollow core. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The heat pump system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the element comprises a spring or helical coil element. ### Claim 11 A cooling/refrigeration system comprising: a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) or elastocaloric material core positioned in a housing and adapted to absorb thermal heat and store energy in response to a first fluid inputted at a first temperature; the housing is configured to receive the fluid at the first temperature via an inlet to cause the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric material core to change state; a device is configured to apply stress on the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric core in the housing to cause the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric core to change state; and a support system is configured to engage with the material in the core to prevent the material buckling when the stress is applied wherein the support system comprises a series of buckling supports positioned along at least one length of the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric material core.