System and method for work recovery in a heat pump

Abstract

The heat pump system and method for operating a heat pump system includes a first Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) core that is adapted to convert movement of the core into energy in response to a temperature change. A second Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) core is in fluid communication with the first core and adapted to convert movement of the second core into energy. A third Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) or elastocaloric core is in fluid communication with the first and second cores and adapted to convert movement of the third core into energy. The first core, second core and the third core are arranged in series and a control system provides waste pressure from the first core to the second core and/or third core.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.