Shape memory alloy heat pump with valve assembly and fluid storage volume

Abstract

The present invention relates to a Shape-Memory Alloy heat pump system comprising at least one Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) core; a loading and unloading mechanism to convert the SMA core from one crystalline state to another crystalline state, such that the SMA core can release heat when loading and absorb heat when unloading; a fluid delivery system comprising one or more fluid lines to deliver fluid to the SMA core at an inlet side and the fluid to exit at an outlet side; a first valve assembly configured to split the fluid line at the outlet side into at least four separate fluid streams; and a second valve assembly positioned in fluid communication with the inlet to the SMA core, and configured to deliver fluid from the at least four separate fluid streams to the inlet side of the SMA core, wherein at least two fluid streams are each connected to a separate storage heat recovery volume such that fluid is stored with a temperature gradient across each heat recovery volume and used later in a cycle for heat recovery.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.