US20110162388A1 - Magnetocaloric device - Google Patents
Magnetocaloric device Download PDFInfo
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- US20110162388A1 US20110162388A1 US12/652,197 US65219710A US2011162388A1 US 20110162388 A1 US20110162388 A1 US 20110162388A1 US 65219710 A US65219710 A US 65219710A US 2011162388 A1 US2011162388 A1 US 2011162388A1
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B21/00—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2321/00—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
- F25B2321/002—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects by using magneto-caloric effects
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2321/00—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
- F25B2321/002—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects by using magneto-caloric effects
- F25B2321/0023—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects by using magneto-caloric effects with modulation, influencing or enhancing an existing magnetic field
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Hard Magnetic Materials (AREA)
Abstract
A magneto-caloric (MC) device is disclosed. The MC device comprise a rotor, a housing disposed about and concentric with the rotor and mechanically coupled to the rotor, wherein the housing comprises at least one axial slot, at least one set of MC elements, wherein each set of MC elements comprises at least one MC element, and at least one MC element of each set of MC elements is disposed within each of the at least one axial slots, and at least one working-segment corresponding to each set of MC elements, wherein each working-segment is disposed axially around the rotor and external to the housing, and wherein each working-segment comprises, a yoke substantially defining an inner volume comprising a first inner volume and a second inner volume, and a magnetic field production (MFP) unit magnetically coupled to the yoke and configured to provide a magnetic field within the first inner volume.
Description
- The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to magneto-caloric (MC) devices, and refrigeration or a cooling systems based on MC devices.
- Conventional refrigeration technologies suffer from several drawbacks. For instance, one of the more common conventional refrigeration technologies, namely, vapor compression (VC) refrigeration, is based on exploitation of the Joule-Thomson (JT) effect, as per which effect, an adiabatic expansion or compression of a gas results in a temperature change of the gas. Such VC refrigeration technologies typically employ chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) based gases as working fluids, or refrigerants, which CFC based working fluids pose well documented environmental challenges, for instance, recycling of the working fluids is known to present significant environment challenges. Furthermore, refrigeration technologies based on the JT effect are mature technologies and extracting additional energy savings out of such technologies has proved difficult.
- An alternative refrigeration technique involves a method that takes advantage of entropy change that accompanies a magnetic or magneto-structural phase transition of a MC material. Such refrigeration techniques, quite generally may be referred to as magnetic refrigeration techniques. In the magnetic refrigeration technique, cooling is effected by using a change in temperature resulting from the entropy change of the MC material. More specifically, the MC material used in this method alternates between a low magnetic entropy state with a high degree of magnetic orientation created by applying a magnetic field to the MC material near its Curie transition temperature, and a high magnetic entropy state with a low degree of magnetic orientation that is created by removing the magnetic field from the MC material. Under adiabatic conditions, such transition between high and low magnetic entropy state manifests as transition between low and high lattice entropy state, in turn resulting in warming up or cooling down of the MC material when exposed to magnetization and demagnetization. This is known as the “magneto-caloric effect” (MC effect).
- Magnetic refrigeration systems that employ the MC effect provide several advantages over conventional vapor compression refrigeration systems. For instance, magnetic refrigeration systems do not employ CFC based gases. Additionally, magnetic refrigeration systems do not need a gas compressor and therefore are free of compressor-reliability related issues. Furthermore, magnetic refrigeration systems are known to have enhanced energy efficiency as compared to conventional VC based refrigeration systems. Also, magnetic refrigeration systems have reduced vibration and noise levels as compared to conventional VC based refrigeration systems. Accordingly, significant research has been directed at leveraging the MC effect to develop magnetic systems or refrigerators.
- Conventional MC effect based magnetic systems require a magnet assembly to effect periodic magnetization and demagnetization cycling of the MC material. Magnetic assemblies according to presently available designs however, suffer from several drawbacks. For instance, presently available designs often utilize complex fluid transfer mechanisms via which circulates a heat exchange fluid. Such designs often suffer from reliability issues or prohibitively high manufacturing costs. Furthermore, many of the present generation designs are not readily scaleable.
- A magnetic system that is reliable, energy efficient, and scaleable, would therefore be highly desirable.
- Embodiments of the invention are directed to a MC device incorporating MC materials and to magnetic refrigeration systems including such MC devices.
- A magneto-caloric (MC) device, comprising, a rotor, a housing disposed about and concentric with the rotor and mechanically coupled to the rotor, wherein the housing comprises at least one axial slot, at least one set of MC elements, wherein each set of MC elements comprises at least one MC element, and at least one MC element of each set of MC elements is disposed within each of the at least one axial slots, and at least one working-segment corresponding to each set of MC elements, wherein each working-segment is disposed axially around the rotor and external to the housing, and wherein each working-segment comprises, a yoke substantially defining an inner volume comprising a first inner volume and a second inner volume, and a magnetic field production (MFP) unit magnetically coupled to the yoke and configured to provide a magnetic field within the first inner volume, wherein the rotor is configured to oscillate the at least one axial slot so that the MC elements disposed therein are oscillated between their respective first and second inner volumes, which MC elements are thereby subjected to magnetization-demagnetization cycling.
- A refrigeration system, comprising, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a MC device, comprising, a rotor, a housing disposed about and concentric with the rotor and mechanically coupled to the rotor, wherein the housing comprises at least one axial slots, at least one set of MC elements, wherein each set of MC elements comprises at least one MC element, and at least one MC element of each set of MC elements is disposed within each of the at least one axial slots, and at least one working-segment corresponding to each set of MC elements wherein each working-segment is disposed axially around the rotor and external to the housing, and wherein each working-segment comprises, a yoke substantially defining an inner volume comprising a first inner volume and a second inner volume, and a magnetic field production (MFP) unit magnetically coupled to the yoke and configured to provide a magnetic field within a first portion of the inner volume, wherein the rotor is configured to oscillate the at least one axial slot so that the MC elements disposed therein are oscillated between their respective first and second inner volumes, which MC elements are thereby subjected to heating-cooling cycling, and a fluid-circuit mechanically coupled to the housing and configured to selectively thermally couple the at least one axial slot to the first heat exchanger or to the second heat exchanger, or to the first heat exchanger and to the second heat exchanger.
- A magnetocaloric (MC) device comprising, a rotor comprising a magnetically permeable material, a hermetic housing disposed about and concentric with the rotor and mechanically coupled to the rotor, wherein the hermetic housing comprises at least one axial slot, at least one set of MC elements, wherein each set of MC elements comprises at least one MC element comprising a finned structure, and at least one MC element of each set of MC elements is disposed within each of the at least one axial slot, and at least one working-segment corresponding to each set of MC elements, wherein each working-segment is disposed axially around the rotor and external to the hermetic housing, and wherein each working-segment comprises, a yoke formed as a mechanically closed loop defining an inner volume comprising a first inner volume and a second inner volume, wherein the yoke comprises a magnetically permeable material, and a magnetic field generation and concentration (MFGC) unit magnetically coupled to the yoke and configured to provide a magnetic field within the first inner volume, wherein the rotor is configured to oscillate the at least one axial slot so that the MC elements disposed therein are oscillated between their respective first and second inner volumes, which MC elements are thereby subjected to magnetization-demagnetization cycling.
- These and other advantages and features will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention that is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional illustration of a MC device according to one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a radial cross-sectional view of an MC device according with one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary housing for use within MC device embodiments according to aspects of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 schematically representation of a refrigeration system, according to one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 5 schematically representation of a refrigeration system, according to one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary MC element design for use within MC device embodiments according to the present invention. - In the following description, whenever a particular aspect or feature of an embodiment of the invention is said to comprise or consist of at least one element of a group and combinations thereof, it is understood that the aspect or feature may comprise or consist of any of the elements of the group, either individually or in combination with any of the other elements of that group.
- Those of skill in the art would be aware that MC materials may be classified as positive MC materials or as negative MC materials. Positive MC materials are those which warm up when magnetized and cool down when demagnetized, while negative MC materials cool down when magnetized and warm up when demagnetized. It is stated that the discussions herein are applicable to both positive and negative MC materials. However, for the sake of brevity, the discussions herein are developed with reference to “positive” MC materials. Furthermore, it is noted that, in the discussions herein, the terms “demagnetized” and “unmagnetized” are used interchangeably.
- As discussed in detail below, embodiments of the invention are directed to improved magneto-caloric (MC) device designs. The designs proposed herein provide for a magnetic assembly including MC elements. The proposed designs are improved over present generation MC device designs in several ways. Firstly, the inter-related considerations of placement of magnets, and of the design of a return path, within the MC device, for a magnetic field generated by the magnets, have been addressed, resulting in MC devices having efficiency improved over present generation MC devices. Secondly, the MC devices disclosed herein are readily scaleable, in that, changing operational requirements (for example, an increase in heat load), and conditions (for example, constraints as to the space “volume” available for placement of the MC device) can be readily accommodated. Thirdly, disturbance due to movement of MC elements, within a fluid-circuit, is mitigated since the designs proposed herein require only a minimal movement of the MC elements. This results in an enhancement of operational reliability, of the proposed MC devices, over presently available MC devices. These and other aspects of the invention are elaborated in more detail below.
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FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional illustration of aMC device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. TheMC device 100 includes arotor 118, and ahousing 134 disposed about and concentric with therotor 118 and mechanically coupled to therotor 118, wherein thehousing 134 includes at least oneaxial slot 139. Thehousing 134 may be formed as a hermetic housing or as a semi-hermetic housing, as will be discussed in more detail at least in context ofFIGS. 3 , 4 and 5. Particular embodiments of the invention comprise housings comprising non-magnetic materials such as steel or plastic. It is clarified that, even though in theMC device embodiment 100 shown inFIG. 1 , thehousing 134 includes fouraxial slots MC device 100 further includes at least one set ofMC elements 120, wherein each set of MC elements comprises at least one MC element and at least one MC element of each set of MC elements is disposed within each of the at least oneaxial slot 139. For instance, in the MC device embodiment shown inFIG. 1 , a particular set of MC elements comprising fourMC elements axial slots FIG. 1 , theMC element 126 is formed so as to include one ormore ridges 170 across which a fluid can flow through theaxial slot 140. - Furthermore, the at least one set of
MC elements 120 are disposed within the housing along an axial direction (of the rotor 118) 122, wherein each member of any particular set of MC elements (120) are disposed at substantially the same axial location within theaxial slots 139. For instance, the set ofMC elements 120 comprising fourindividual MC elements axial slots rotor 118. - The
MC device 100 further includes at least one working-segment 138 corresponding to each set of MC elements of the at least one set ofMC elements 120. The at least one working-segment 138 is disposed axially around therotor 118 and external to thehousing 134. Each working-segment includes ayoke 104 that substantially defines aninner volume 136, which inner volume may be considered as including a firstinner volume 148 and a secondinner volume 150. The firstinner volume 148, and the secondinner volume 150, respectively are defined respectively as those portions of theinner volume 136 wherein is substantially present, or is substantially absent, a magnetic field. The magnetic field in question is a substantially static, that is, substantially time invariant,magnetic field 112 that is produced by a magnetic field production (MFP)unit 152. TheMFP unit 152 is magnetically coupled to theyoke 104, which coupling allows the closure of themagnetic field 112 loop within theMC device 100. Quite generally, those of skill in the art would appreciate that theMFP unit 152 is configured to provide themagnetic field 112 within a volume, which volume is referred to herein as the firstinner volume 148. - Those of skill in the art would appreciate that the present design of the
yoke 104, wherein the yoke forms a closed ring provides for stability against mechanical stresses produced within theyoke 104 due to the passage, within itself (that is, within the yoke 104), of themagnetic field 112 that is produced by theMFP unit 152. Therotor 118 also serves a “magnetic” purpose, in that therotor 118 helps complete thereturn path 108 for themagnetic field 112. Particular embodiments of the invention therefore, include a rotor that includes a magnetically permeable material. - In particular embodiments of the invention, the
MFP unit 152 comprises at least one of an electromagnet, a permanent magnet, or a superconducting magnet, or a group of permanent magnets in a Hallbach arrangement. TheMC device 100 may further include a magnetic field concentrator (MFC)unit 114 configured to concentrate the magnetic field produced by theMFP unit 152. In one embodiment of the invention, the MFP unit is configured to produce a magnetic field of up to about 10 Tesla. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the MFP unit is configured to produce a magnetic field of up to about 7 Tesla. In more particular embodiment of the invention, the MFP unit is configured to produce a magnetic field of up to about 5 Tesla. In more particular embodiment of the invention, the MFP unit is configured to produce a magnetic field of up to about 3 Tesla. In more particular embodiment of the invention, the MFP unit is configured to produce a magnetic field of up to about 2 Tesla. In more particular embodiment of the invention, the MFP unit is configured to produce a magnetic field of up to about 1 Tesla. - For embodiments of the invention that comprise more than one working-segment, the MFP units corresponding to each working-segment are disposed substantially radially symmetrically about the
rotor 118. TheMC device 100 further includes an air-gap 154 mediate theMFP unit 152 and thehousing 134. The provision of the air-gap 154 allows a configuration of therotor 118 for rotatory motion. In particular embodiments of the invention, the rotor is configured to oscillate the at least oneaxial slot 139 so that the MC elements disposed therein are oscillated between their respective first and second inner volumes, which MC elements are thereby subjected to magnetization-demagnetization cycling. Evidently, the magnetization-demagnetization cycling of MC elements disposed within any given axial slot occurs substantially simultaneously. However, it is pointed out that MC devices, configured so that one or more MC elements disposed inside any particular axial slot remain unmagnetized, fall within the purview of the present invention. In one embodiment of the invention, therotor 118 is configured for semi-rotatory motion. Quite generally, it is pointed out that the oscillatory motion of therotor 118 may comprise rotary motion over any angle. - As discussed, the rotor is configured to oscillate the at least one axial slot so that the MC elements disposed therein are oscillated between their respective first and second inner volumes, which MC elements are thereby subjected to magnetization-demagnetization cycling. It is evident that those MC elements that are moved (during the oscillatory motion of the rotor 118) to within their first inner volumes undergo magnetization, while those MC elements that are moved (during the oscillatory motion) to their second inner volumes undergo demagnetization. For instance, according to the particular “snapshot” view shown in
FIG. 1 ,MC elements MC elements FIGS. 4 and 5 . - Based on the descriptions of
FIG. 1 herein, those of skill in the art will recognize that each of the MC elements are disposed within any one of theaxial slots 139 correspond to a different set of MC elements, wherein each set of MC elements corresponds to a particular working-segment, wherein each working-segment includes a yoke defining a respective inner volume comprising a respective first inner volume and a respective second inner volume. Based on the descriptions herein, it will also be evident that all of the MC elements disposed within any particular axial slot move together (due the oscillation of the rotor 118) into their respective first inner volumes (magnetic field present), as also into their respective second inner volumes (magnetic field substantially absent or much smaller in magnitude as compared to the corresponding first inner volume). Evidently therefore, the MC elements disposed within any particular axial slot get magnetized or demagnetized together. As will be discussed in detail in context ofFIGS. 4 and 5 , embodiments of the MC device disclosed herein are configurable for use within refrigeration systems. For the purposes of discussion of such refrigeration systems, it will be convenient to regard all of the MC elements disposed within any particular axial slot as a single entity, all portions of which entity (that is, the component MC elements) get magnetized or demagnetized substantially together. Therefore, in the discussions herein, the term “MC element assembly” will refer to such an entity. It is noted that each MC element of an MC element assembly belongs to a different set of MC elements. It is further pointed out that the different MC elements corresponding to any particular MC element assembly may comprise MC materials having substantially different compositions and therefore substantially different Curie temperatures. Furthermore, any particular MC element may comprise more than one MC materials having substantially different compositions and therefore substantially different Curie temperatures. - MC device embodiments comprising a plurality of sets of MC elements and a plurality of working-segments fall within the purview of the present invention. In particular embodiments of such MC devices, each set of MC elements comprises an MC material of a different composition.
- In particular embodiments of the
MC device 100, the at least one set ofMC elements 120 comprises a plurality of sets of MC elements, wherein each set of the plurality of sets of MC elements includes the same number of MC elements. In more particular embodiments of theMC device 100, each set of the at least one set ofMC elements 120 consists of an even number of MC elements. Non-limiting examples of MC materials from which the MC elements may be fabricated include alloys including gadolinium (Gd), alloys including manganese and iron, alloys including lanthanum and silicon, alloys of manganese and tin, alloys including nickel, manganese and gadolinium, alloys including lanthanum and manganese and oxygen, and combinations thereof. -
FIG. 2 is a radial cross-sectional view of anMC device 200 according with one embodiment of the invention. TheMC device 200 includes at least one working-segment 204 (of type 138) and arotor 206, wherein the working segments (204) are arranged along anaxial direction 208 ofrotor 206. It is clarified that, the MC device embodiment shown inFIG. 2 is shown as including four working-segments, namely, 212, 214, 216, and 218 for illustrative purposes only. In other words, MC devices including any number of working-segments fall within the purview of the present invention. The number of working-segments required would be dictated by operational requirements such as load, and/or desired cooling temperature span to be covered by the device, and/or MC materials used, and/or space constraints. TheMC device 200 further includes a housing 210 (of type 134) disposed axially alongaxial direction 208 and including at least oneaxial slot 236. Each of the working-segments has a corresponding set of MC elements, wherein the number of MC elements within a set is the same as the number of axial slots, and one MC element of a set of MC elements is disposed within one of the axial slots. For the sake of clarity, no MC elements are shown disposed within theaxial slots 236. However, a manner of disposition of the MC elements within the axial slots is evident fromFIG. 1 , wherein theMC elements axial slots - Ports are provided at the axial extremities of, for example, the two
axial slots housing 210, via which ports the MC device may 200 be coupled (“connected”) to a fluid-circuit, as is discussed in more detail in context ofFIGS. 4 and 5 . For instance,ports axial slot 238 and allow for afluid flow path 234, whileports axial slot 240, and allow for afluid flow path 235. -
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of anexemplary housing 300 for use within MC device, some embodiments of which MC device (for instance,MC device embodiments 100, 200) are disclosed herein. Thehousing 300 includes aninner surface 318, and anouter surface 320. The volume enclosed within theinner surface 318, and theouter surface 320 is substantially solid except that it includes four axial slots (not visible/shown) that run along theaxial direction 322 of thehousing 300. Ports are provided at the extremities of each of the four axial slots, which ports may be used to couple the housing to a fluid-circuit, as discussed in detail in context ofFIGS. 4 and 5 . In the housing illustrated inFIG. 3 ,ports FIG. 3 includes four axial slots, housings with other numbers of axial slots (and therefore, including correspondingly other numbers of ports) fall within the purview of the present invention. - MC devices, representative embodiments of which are disclosed herein (for instance,
MC device 100, or MC device 200) are configurable for use within refrigeration systems. Refrigeration systems that incorporate embodiments of the MC device disclosed herein, therefore, fall within the purview of the present invention.FIG. 4 schematically depicts principles of design and operation of one embodiment of arefrigeration system 400 according to the present invention. Therefrigeration system 400 depicted inFIG. 4 includes anMC device 402 including fourMC element assemblies MC device 402 is similar in design and construction toMC device embodiments FIG. 4 . Accordingly, blocks 404, 406, 408, and 410 are schematic representations of four MC element assemblies that are provided as part of theMC device 402. As discussed earlier, each of the four MC device assemblies are disposed within a corresponding axial slot, wherein each of the axial slots are coupled, via for example, ports (as discussed earlier), to a fluid-circuit. These and other aspects of the invention are now discussed in detail. - The
refrigeration system 400 includes afirst heat exchanger 412 and asecond heat exchanger 414. Therefrigeration system 400 further includes theMC device 402 including a rotor (not shown; similar, for example, to rotor 118), a housing (not shown; similar, for example, to housing 300) disposed about and concentric with the rotor and coupled to the rotor, wherein the housing includes at least one axial slot (not shown; similar, for example to axial slots 139). The axial slots are positioned radially symmetrically within the housing. In other words, theMC element assemblies refrigeration system 400 includes at least one set of MC elements (not indicated inFIG. 4 ; each set of the at least one set of MC elements being similar, for example, to the set of MC elements 124), wherein each set of MC elements includes at least one MC element, and at least one MC element of each set of MC element is disposed within each of the at least one axial slot. The refrigeration system further includes a plurality of working-segments (not depicted; each of the plurality of the working-segments being similar, for example, to working-segment 212) disposed axially around the rotor (that is, along the length of the rotor 206) and external to the housing. Each working-segment includes a yoke (not depicted; similar to yoke 104) substantially defining an inner volume (for instance, of type 148) including a first inner volume (for instance, of type 148) and a second inner volume (for instance, of type 150), and a magnetic field production (MFP) unit (not depicted; similar for example, to MFP unit 152) magnetically coupled to the yoke and configured to provide a magnetic field within the first inner volume. The rotor is configured to oscillate the at least one axial slot so that the MC elements disposed therein are oscillated between their respective first and second inner volumes, which MC elements are thereby subjected to heating-cooling cycling. In other words, the rotor is configured to oscillate each of the MC element assemblies so that the constituent MC elements of the MC element assemblies are oscillated between their respective first inner volumes and their respective second inner volumes, subjecting the constituent MC elements to magnetization-demagnetization cycling, or equivalently, in light of the magneto-caloric effect, to heating-cooling cycling. - In order to illustrate a mode of operation of the
refrigeration system 400, consider the situation wherein, for instance, theMC element assemblies refrigeration system 400 utilizes the heating and cooling of the MC element assemblies as just described, to perform its refrigeration action as is now discussed. - The
refrigeration system 400 further includes a fluid-circuit 416 coupled to the housing and configured to selectively thermally couple, via a thermal or heat transfer fluid, the at least one axial slots to thefirst heat exchanger 412 or to thesecond heat exchanger 414, or to thefirst heat exchanger 412 and thesecond heat exchanger 414. The fluid-circuit 416 as described will, evidently, also selectively thermally couple the MC element assemblies corresponding to the at least one axial slot, to thefirst heat exchanger 412 or to thesecond heat exchanger 414, or to thefirst heat exchanger 412 and thesecond heat exchanger 414. The fluid-circuit 416 together with theaxial slots refrigeration system 400, the fluid-circuit 416 includes at least one control valve as part of the valving. A mode of operation of any of the control valves may a latching mechanism wherein the latching mechanism comprises magnetic latching, mechanical latching, hydraulic latching, pneumatic latching, magneto-rheological latching, electro-rheological latching, or combinations thereof. In particular embodiments of the invention, the control valve comprises a solenoid valve. - In one mode of operation of the
refrigeration system 400, via appropriately provided and operatedvalving 418, a thermal fluid provided within the fluid-circuit 416, and having an initial temperature substantially lower than the lowest temperature within theMC element assemblies MC element assemblies valving 420, to thefirst heat exchanger 412, whichfirst heat exchanger 412 is configured to extract heat from the thermal fluid, and at least a portion of the extracted heat is disposed to the ambient. In other words, therefrigeration system 400 is configured to enable the first heat exchanger to extract heat from the thermal fluid. The thus cooled thermal fluid is now channeled to theMC element assemblies valving 422. The thermal fluid, upon contact with theMC element assemblies MC element assemblies valving 424, to asecond heat exchanger 414, wherein, being at a temperature lower than the temperature of thesecond heat exchanger 414, the thermal fluid extracts heat from thesecond heat exchanger 414, which extraction of heat results in a cooling at the second heat exchanger. In other words, therefrigeration system 400 is configured to enable the second heat exchanger to inject heat to the thermal fluid. Evidently, MC elements having substantially different Curie temperatures, may be arranged “sequenced” within any particular MC element assembly in a canonical manner (for instance, in either increasing, or for instance, in decreasing order of their respective Curie temperatures) in order to achieve, during operation of the MC device, a required temperature change of the thermal fluid. - Similar to the above description of operation of
refrigeration system 400 during the first half-cycle of the oscillatory motion of the rotor, during a second half-cycle of the oscillatory motion of the rotor, theMC element assemblies MC element assemblies FIG. 5 for a description of the operation of therefrigeration system 400 during the second half-cycle of the oscillatory motion of the rotor. Via appropriately provided and operatedvalving 424, a thermal fluid provided within the fluid-circuit 416, and having an initial temperature substantially lower than the lowest temperature within theMC element assemblies MC element assemblies valving 422, to thefirst heat exchanger 412, wherein, at least a portion of the extracted heat is dispelled to the ambient. The thus cooled thermal fluid is now allowed to dispose heat to theMC element assemblies valving 420 is now channelled to theMC element assemblies valving 418, to asecond heat exchanger 414, wherein, being at a temperature lower than the temperature of thesecond heat exchanger 414, the thermal fluid extracts heat from thesecond heat exchanger 414, which extraction of heat results in a cooling down at the second heat exchanger. - In particular embodiments of the
refrigeration system 400, the thermal fluid includes at least one liquid, or at least one gas, or combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of a suitable liquid include water, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, Silicone oil, mineral oil, and other commercially available heat transfer fluids such as dynalene, paratherm, syltherm, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of a suitable gas include air, helium, argon, nitrogen, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of the second heat exchanger include a cold storage chamber or freezer used for storing food materials. - As discussed herein, the design of an MC element needs to enable efficient heat transfer between the MC element (or an MC element assembly), and the thermal fluid. Accordingly, MC elements designed for use within embodiments of the present invention, may advantageously possess a high heat-transfer surface-area to volume ratio, typically of up to about 50 per millimeter (mm)
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplaryMC element design 600 as may be used within MC device embodiments according to the present invention. The MC element design includes a double-layered structure 602, including a “top”layer 604 and a “bottom”layer 606, wherein thetop layer 604 and thebottom layer 606 include multiple channels or “grooves” 602 of width between about 0.01 to about 10 mm and height between about 0.01 to about 100 mm. It may be appreciated that the multiple channels serve to enhance the surface area of the double-layered structure, as well as provide a convenient mechanism to admit flow of the thermal fluid across the MC element, when it is disposed within a housing. More particular embodiments of the MC element may includeprotective coatings 608 to protect the MC element from any corrosive action of the thermal fluid. In particular embodiments of the invention, the protective are thermally conductive. Non-limiting examples of coatings including a nitride compound, nickel, aluminum, copper, carbon, silver, or gold. Quite generally, any protective coating that does not chemically react with, and/or is otherwise compatible with the MC elements and/or the thermal fluid, and/or has appropriate thermal conductivity, and/or remains sufficiently robust during the operational life of the MC element to which it corresponds, are appropriate for use within embodiments of the present invention. In more particular embodiments of the invention, the MC element, comprises a single layered structure. In more particular embodiments of the invention, the MC element comprises a structure with fluid flow paths that span the axial length of the MC element. In more particular embodiments of the invention, the MC element comprises a fluid-permeable structure. The surfaces of the MC elements may be fashioned to include features such as dimples, groves, threads, micro-fins, or multiple spiral coils to increase the flow rate and/or turbulence, and hence increase thermal transfer efficiency between the thermal fluid and the MC elements. In one embodiment of the invention, surface roughness of the protective coatings lies within a range from about 1 micrometer to about 1000 micrometers. - Based on the discussions herein, according to one embodiment of the invention, a MC device (for instance, of type 100) is provided. The MC device includes a rotor (for instance, of type 118) including a high magnetic permeability material, a hermetic housing (for instance, of type 300) disposed about and concentric with the rotor and mechanically coupled to the rotor, wherein the hermetic housing includes at least two axial slots (for instance, of type 139). The MC device further includes at least one set of MC elements (for instance, of type 120), wherein each set of MC elements includes at least two double-layer-finned MC elements (for instance, of type 600), and at least one MC element of each set of MC elements is disposed within each of the at least two axial slots (for instance, of type 139), and at least one working-segment (for instance, of type 204) disposed axially around the rotor and external to the hermetic housing. Each working-segment includes a yoke (for instance, of type 104) formed at least as a mechanically closed loop defining an inner volume (for instance, of type 136) including a first inner volume (for instance, of type 148) and a second inner volume (for instance, of type 150), wherein the yoke includes a high magnetic permeability material, and a magnetic field generation and concentration (MFGC) unit magnetically coupled to the yoke and configured to provide a magnetic field within the first inner volume. Furthermore, rotor is configured to oscillate each of the at least one axial slots between the first inner volume and the second inner volume, subjecting the MC elements disposed therebetween to magnetization-demagnetization cycling.
- While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (25)
1. A magneto-caloric (MC) device, comprising:
a rotor;
a housing disposed about and concentric with the rotor and mechanically coupled to the rotor, wherein the housing comprises at least one axial slot;
at least one set of MC elements, wherein each set of MC elements comprises at least one MC element, and at least one MC element of each set of MC elements is disposed within each of the at least one axial slots; and
at least one working-segment corresponding to each set of MC elements, wherein each working-segment is disposed axially around the rotor and external to the housing, and wherein each working-segment comprises:
a yoke substantially defining an inner volume comprising a first inner volume and a second inner volume; and
a magnetic field production (MFP) unit magnetically coupled to the yoke and configured to provide a magnetic field within the first inner volume;
wherein the rotor is configured to oscillate the at least one axial slot so that the MC elements disposed therein are oscillated between their respective first and second inner volumes, which MC elements are thereby subjected to magnetization-demagnetization cycling.
2. The MC device of claim 1 , wherein the rotor is configured for semi-rotatory motion.
3. The MC device of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises, a hermetic housing, or a semi-hermetic housing.
4. The MC device of claim 1 , further comprising an air-gap mediate the MFP unit and the housing.
5. The MC device of claim 1 , wherein the MFP unit comprises at least one of an electromagnet, a permanent magnet, a superconducting magnet, or a group of permanent magnets in a Hallbach arrangement.
6. The MC device of claim 1 , wherein the MFP unit can produce a magnetic field of up to about 10 Tesla.
7. The MC device of claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic field concentrator (MFC) unit configured to concentrate the magnetic field produced by the MFP unit.
8. The MC device of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one set of MC elements comprises alloys including gadolinium (Gd), alloys including manganese and iron, alloys including lanthanum and silicon, alloys of manganese and tin, alloys including nickel, manganese and gadolinium, alloys including lanthanum and manganese and oxygen, and combinations thereof.
9. The MC device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one set of MC elements comprises a plurality of sets of MC elements, wherein each set of the plurality of sets of MC elements comprises the same number of MC elements.
10. The MC device of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a non-magnetic material.
11. The MC device of claim 1 , wherein the rotor comprises a magnetically permeable material.
12. The MC device of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of sets of MC elements and a plurality of working-segments.
13. The MC device of claim 12 , wherein the sets of MC elements comprise MC materials comprising more than one composition.
14. A refrigeration system, comprising:
a first heat exchanger;
a second heat exchanger;
a MC device, comprising:
a rotor,
a housing disposed about and concentric with the rotor and mechanically coupled to the rotor, wherein the housing comprises at least one axial slot;
at least one set of MC elements, wherein each set of MC elements comprises at least one MC element, and at least one MC element of each set of MC elements is disposed within each of the at least one axial slots;
and at least one working-segment corresponding to each set of MC elements wherein each working-segment is disposed axially around the rotor and external to the housing, and wherein each working-segment comprises:
a yoke substantially defining an inner volume comprising a first inner volume and a second inner volume; and
a magnetic field production (MFP) unit magnetically coupled to the yoke and configured to provide a magnetic field within a first portion of the inner volume;
wherein the rotor is configured to oscillate the at least one axial slot so that the MC elements disposed therein are oscillated between their respective first and second inner volumes, which MC elements are thereby subjected to heating-cooling cycling; and
a fluid-circuit mechanically coupled to the housing and configured to selectively thermally couple the at least two axial slots to the first heat exchanger or to the second heat exchanger, or to the first heat exchanger and to the second heat exchanger.
15. The refrigeration system of claim 14 , wherein the housing comprises a hermetic housing, or a semi-hermetic housing.
16. The refrigeration system of claim 14 , wherein the fluid-circuit comprises at least one solenoid valve.
17. The refrigeration system of claim 16 , wherein a mode of operation of the solenoid valve comprises a latching mechanism.
18. The refrigeration system of claim 17 , wherein the latching mechanism comprises magnetic latching, mechanical latching, hydraulic latching, pneumatic latching, or combinations thereof.
19. The refrigeration system of claim 13 , further comprising a thermal fluid wherein the thermal fluid comprises at least one liquid, or at least one gas, or combinations thereof.
20. The refrigeration system of claim 19 , configured to enable the first heat exchanger to extract heat from the thermal fluid.
21. The refrigeration system of claim 19 , configured to enable the second heat exchanger to inject heat to the thermal fluid.
22. A magnetocaloric (MC) device comprising:
a rotor comprising a magnetically permeable material;
a hermetic housing disposed about and concentric with the rotor and mechanically coupled to the rotor, wherein the hermetic housing comprises at least one axial slots;
at least one set of MC elements, wherein each set of MC elements comprises at least one MC element comprising a finned structure, and at least one MC element of each set of MC elements is disposed within each of the at least one axial slot; and
at least one working-segment corresponding to each set of MC elements, wherein each working-segment is disposed axially around the rotor and external to the hermetic housing, and wherein each working-segment comprises:
a yoke formed as a mechanically closed loop defining an inner volume comprising a first inner volume and a second inner volume, wherein the yoke comprises a magnetically permeable material; and
a magnetic field generation and concentration (MFGC) unit magnetically coupled to the yoke and configured to provide a magnetic field within the first inner volume;
wherein the rotor is configured to oscillate the at least one axial slot so that the MC elements disposed therein are oscillated between their respective first and second inner volumes, which MC elements are thereby subjected to magnetization-demagnetization cycling.
23. The MC device of claim 22 , wherein the MC elements comprise a protective coating.
24. The MC device of claim 23 , wherein the coating comprises a nitride compound, nickel, aluminum, copper, carbon, silver, gold, or combinations thereof.
25. The MC device of claim 22 , wherein at least one MC element comprises a double finned structure.
Priority Applications (1)
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US12/652,197 US20110162388A1 (en) | 2010-01-05 | 2010-01-05 | Magnetocaloric device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/652,197 US20110162388A1 (en) | 2010-01-05 | 2010-01-05 | Magnetocaloric device |
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US20110162388A1 true US20110162388A1 (en) | 2011-07-07 |
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US12/652,197 Abandoned US20110162388A1 (en) | 2010-01-05 | 2010-01-05 | Magnetocaloric device |
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