| CPC G01T 1/175 (2013.01) [G01T 7/00 (2013.01); G21F 5/14 (2013.01); G21F 1/085 (2013.01)] | 13 Claims |

|
1. A heat pump with a shape-memory alloy (SMA) core, the SMA core comprising:
at least one stack of a plurality of plates where at least two plates are formed of a shape-memory alloy and assembled, the plurality of shape-memory alloy plates having one or a plurality of fluid ports adapted to allow passage of a fluid through the stack, the plurality of shape-memory alloy plates including a plurality of plate stiffener slots, each stiffener slot of the plurality of plate stiffener slots being positioned in alignment with a respective stiffener slot of an adjacent plate;
wherein at least one plate is dimensioned with an intake port to introduce the fluid into the stack; and
at least one plate is dimensioned with an outlet port to externally discharge the fluid introduced through the intake port.
|