Heat Exchange Means with an Elastocaloric Element, Which Surrounds a Fluid Line

Abstract

A heat exchanger is configured to surround a fluid line which guides a heat transport fluid. The heat exchanger includes at least one elastocaloric element, which is connected to the fluid line, and at least one actuator, which acts on the elastocaloric element and is configured so as, when actuated, to exert a force on the at least one elastocaloric elements in order to deform the at least one elastocaloric element. The heat exchanger further includes at least one fastening element, which is configured to fasten the heat exchanger to the fluid line.

1 . A heat exchanger configured to surround a fluid line that guides a heat transport fluid, the heat exchanger comprising:
 at least one elastocaloric element configured to be connected to or arranged on the fluid line;   at least one actuator operatively connected to the elastocaloric element and configured such that, when actuated, the at least one actuator exerts a force on the at least one elastocaloric element so as to deform the at least one elastocaloric element; and   at least one fastening element configured to fasten the heat exchanger to the fluid line.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one actuator includes two actuators arranged on one elastocaloric element of the at least one elastocaloric elements in a longitudinal direction of the fluid line, and   the two actuators are configured such that, when actuated, the two actuators exert the force on the one elastocaloric element so as to deform the one elastocaloric element.   
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein each actuator of the two actuators is connected to and held by one fastening element of the at least one fastening element, the one fastening element arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fluid line. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one actuator includes at least two actuators that divide a common fastening element of the at least one fastening element, and the at least two actuators are held by the common fastening element. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elastocaloric element, the at least one actuator, and the at least one fastening element are each designed in the form of an annular disk and configured to be arranged annularly around the fluid line. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heat-conducting layer configured to thermally connect the at least one elastocaloric element to the fluid line.   
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heat-insulating layer that thermally insulates at least the at least one actuator from the at least one elastocaloric element and from the fluid line.   
     
     
         8 . A heat exchange system, comprising:
 a fluid line;   at least one heat exchanger comprising:
 at least one elastocaloric element connected to or arranged on the fluid line; 
 at least one actuator operatively connected to the elastocaloric element and configured such that, when actuated, the at least one actuator exerts a force on the at least one elastocaloric element so as to deform the at least one elastocaloric element; and 
 at least one fastening element that fastens the heat exchanger to the fluid line; and 
   an electronic control unit configured to control the at least one actuator of the at least one heat exchanger.   
     
     
         9 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the at least one heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchangers arranged on the fluid line, and   the electronic control unit is configured to control the at least one actuator of each of the plurality of heat exchangers.   
     
     
         10 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of heat exchangers are connected to one another in the manner of a cascade. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 9 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to control the at least one actuator of the plurality of heat exchangers successively in time depending on flow properties of a heat transport fluid in the fluid line. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a reservoir that supplies heat transport fluid to the fluid line; and   at least one return line through which heat transport fluid is guided out of the fluid line to the reservoir.   
     
     
         13 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 at least one internal return line which connects an end of the fluid line to a beginning of the fluid line,   wherein the at least one heat exchanger is arranged between the beginning of the fluid line and the end of the fluid line.   
     
     
         14 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 at least one first valve arranged at a beginning of the fluid line; and   at least one second valve arranged at an end of the fluid line.