JP2002106999A - Magnetic refrigerating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a magnetic refrigerating device usable at a normal temperature and obtain a refrigerating machine, not utilizing chlorofluorocarbon, which is constituted by a compact constitution, usable at a normal temperature, not necessitating any complicated constitution, high in an efficiency and easy in handling. SOLUTION: The magnetic refrigerating device is provided with a magnetic field generating means 1 for generating a magnetic field, a magnetic working body 6, having magnetic working substances 6a, 6b, whose temperature is changed in accordance with the increase and decrease of the magnetic field, and arranged in a magnetic field formed by the magnetic field generating means 1, a magnetic field increasing and decreasing means 8 for increasing and decreasing the magnetic field impressed on the magnetic working substances, a cooling fluid circulating device having a circulating machine 14 for circulating a cooling fluid through the magnetic working substances and a waste heat exchanger 15 for giving and taking heat from the magnetic working substances and a cooler 12 for cooling a body to be cooled by the cooling fluid, cooled by the magnetic working substances.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic refrigeration system utilizing a magnetocaloric effect, and more particularly to a room temperature magnetic refrigeration system.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Certain magnetic working materials exhibit large temperature changes upon magnetization or demagnetization. This is called a magnetocaloric effect. Physically, the degree of freedom of the magnetic spin inside the magnetic material is influenced by the magnetic field, and the resulting change in entropy of the magnetic system. A refrigerator using this is called a magnetic refrigerator.

When comparing a magnetic refrigerator with a gas refrigerator using gas such as chlorofluorocarbon, the difference is that a gas refrigerator controls a refrigeration cycle by pressure and volume, whereas a magnetic refrigerator has a magnetic refrigerator. In a refrigerator, a magnetic field is used for control. In a gas refrigerator, a refrigerant is a gas, whereas in a magnetic refrigerator, a solid magnetic working material is used instead of the refrigerant.

[0004] Due to the solid nature of the magnetic working material, the temperature inside the magnetic working material changes uniformly and almost simultaneously. Also, the entropy density is higher than that of a gas refrigerator. For this reason, the magnetic refrigerator has the following advantages: (1) high efficiency, (2) no chlorofluorocarbon, (3) compactness is possible, and (4) no noise and vibration because no compressor is used. There is. On the other hand, it is necessary to devise (1) a heat exchange mechanism for extracting the high-density heat stored in the magnetic work material to the outside. It has disadvantages such as requiring a magnetic field. For this reason, heretofore, it has been known as a limited technique for obtaining a very low temperature of 4K or less, which cannot be achieved by a cooling technique based on the compression and expansion of gas using a refrigerant such as Freon.

However, a gas refrigerator using a magnetic regenerative material has been developed, and as a result, a 4K range has been easily obtained, so that no prospect for the development of a practical refrigerator has been found for a magnetic refrigerator.

On the other hand, in order to prevent global warming, there has been increasing expectation for the development of a new refrigeration technology that does not use chlorofluorocarbons.
As one of them, realization of a room-temperature magnetic refrigeration system is expected. The raw material of the magnetic working material is selected according to the operating temperature range, but a gadolinium (Gd) -based material can be used for a room-temperature magnetic refrigerator. This is a temperature drop of 1 Tesla. Therefore, a superconducting magnet that can generate a high magnetic field (about 10 Tesla) is advantageous as the magnetic field generating means.

[0007]

However, in order to maintain a superconducting magnet operating near 4K, a refrigerator requiring a large power is required, and it is said that it is difficult to realize the refrigerator unless it is a 100KW class refrigerator.

Therefore, when realizing a magnetic refrigerator having a refrigerating capacity of about 1 kW or less, such as a refrigerator or an air conditioner, a compact magnetic refrigerator that does not use a superconducting magnet is desired.

Further, in a magnetic refrigerating apparatus used at room temperature, such as a refrigerator or an air conditioner, it is necessary to devise a cooling system including a heat exchange mechanism for extracting high-density heat stored in a magnetic work material to the outside. And other issues.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in realizing a magnetic refrigeration apparatus which can be used at room temperature without using chlorofluorocarbon, and provides a magnetic refrigeration apparatus which is compact, highly efficient and easy to handle. With the goal.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field, and a magnetic working material whose temperature changes according to the increase and decrease of the magnetic field. A magnetic working body disposed in a magnetic field formed by the magnetic field generating means, a magnetic field increasing / decreasing means for increasing / decreasing a magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance, a circulating machine for circulating a cooling fluid through the magnetic working substance, and A cooling fluid circulation device having a waste heat exchanger for transferring heat from the magnetic work material; and a cooler for cooling a body to be cooled with a cooling fluid cooled by the magnetic work material. A magnetic refrigerator is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the magnetic field generating means is an electromagnet or a permanent magnet.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the magnetic refrigerator according to the second aspect, wherein the permanent magnet generates a maximum magnetic field in the center bore portion.

In the invention according to claim 4, the magnetic field generating means is means for utilizing a magnetic field of a separate strong magnetic field generating device. Provide equipment.

In the invention according to claim 5, the magnetic working body is
5. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is filled with a magnetic working substance composed of powder, granules, mesh or cotton.
The present invention provides a magnetic refrigerator as described in any one of the above.

In the invention according to claim 6, the magnetic working body is
Magnetic working materials that have different magneto-caloric effects depending on the operating temperature are arranged in layers according to the temperature distribution, or multiple types of magnetic working materials are arranged in layers via a mesh partition, or multiple types of magnetic work A magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the substance is subjected to diffusion bonding treatment for each kind or integrally.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, at least one pair of the magnetic working bodies are connected to each other, and the magnetic working bodies are arranged so that one of the magnetic working bodies becomes a strong magnetic field and the other becomes a weak magnetic field in the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means. 7. The magnetic refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field increasing / decreasing means increases / decreases a magnetic field applied to the magnetic working material by inserting / removing the pair of magnetic working bodies. Provide equipment.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein the pair of magnetic working bodies are disposed so that the low-temperature sides face each other.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of magnetic field generating means are provided on a peripheral end of a rotatable disk-shaped or radial member, and a plurality of magnetic working bodies are provided on a fixed side opposed to the magnetic field generating means. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the magnetic field generating means increases or decreases the magnetic field applied to the magnetic work material as the magnetic field generating means rotates. I will provide a.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of donut-shaped permanent magnets are arranged concentrically, and when the permanent magnets have a specific positional relationship, a magnetic field is generated in the bore portion, and one of them is rotated. A permanent magnet unit configured so that the magnetic fields formed by the respective permanent magnets cancel each other and the magnetic field in the central bore portion disappears, a magnetic work material disposed in the central bore portion, A cooling mechanism for rotating a permanent magnet, a circulator for circulating a cooling fluid through the magnetic working material, and a cooling fluid circulating device having a waste heat exchanger for transferring heat from the magnetic working material; A magnetic refrigeration apparatus comprising: a cooler that cools an object to be cooled with a cooling fluid cooled by a substance.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, an even number of magnetic field generating means are arranged in a plane, and the magnetic working bodies are evenly fixed in the magnetic fields of the magnetic field generating means so as to be insertable / removable by an insertion / removal mechanism. The magnetic field applied to the magnetic work material is increased or decreased by setting an even number of halves to be inserted and the other half to be separated from the magnetic field generating means. Item 10. A magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 10.

In the twelfth aspect, the insertion / removal mechanism is
A drive shaft connected to the magnetic work body, a drive plate to which each drive shaft is fixed, and a drive mechanism attached to the drive plate and reciprocating the drive plate together with the magnetic work body are provided. A magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 11 is provided.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the insertion / removal mechanism is
A screw mechanism connected to each magnetic working body and converting a rotary motion into a linear motion; and a rotation transmission mechanism attached to the other end of each screw mechanism and meshing with a rotary drive source so as to transmit the rotation. A magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 11 is provided.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the circulating device discharges the cooling fluid such that the cooling fluid discharged from the circulating device always separates from the magnetic field generating means and flows into the demagnetized magnetic work material. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the section has a flow path switching valve.

In the invention according to claim 15, the flow path switching valve is provided at a discharge portion of the cooling fluid from the magnetic work material so that the flow direction of the cooling fluid flowing into the cooler is always one direction. A magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that:

In the invention according to claim 16, the plurality of magnetic refrigeration devices are combined so that the flow paths of the cooling fluid are arranged in series or in parallel.
15. A magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 15.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 9) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the magnetic field generating means 1 is constituted by a superconducting magnet 2. The superconducting magnet 2 has a configuration in which a superconducting coil 4 is housed in a cryostat 3, and the superconducting coil 4 is
At about 4K.

In the bore portion 2a of the superconducting magnet 2, a piston 7 (7a, 7a,
7b) are vertically arranged and inserted so as to be able to move up and down. The magnetic working materials 6a and 6b are, for example, in the form of powder and granules, are accommodated in a container described later, are suspended in the upper part of the piston 7 by a support member, and constitute the magnetic working body 6. Further, the low temperature pipes 9a and 9b are introduced into the piston 7 via a heat insulating material (not shown) and connected to the container.

These pistons 7 are simultaneously moved up and down by a drive mechanism (not shown), the upper piston 7a can be raised to a position above the bore 2a, and the lower piston 7b is removed below the bore 2a. Can descend to the site. Such a piston 7 and a drive unit for driving it up and down constitute a magnetic field increasing / decreasing means 8 for increasing / decreasing a magnetic field applied to the magnetic work material 6.

The magnetic working body 6 containing the magnetic working materials 6a and 6b in a container has low-temperature pipes 9a and 9b and high-temperature pipes 10a and 10b leading out of the pistons 7a and 7b.
And the low-temperature pipes 9a and 9b and the high-temperature pipes 10a and 10b constitute a closed loop as a whole. A cooler 12 for cooling the object to be cooled 11 is connected between the low-temperature pipes 9a and 9b.
On the other hand, the high-temperature pipes 10 a and 10 b that are led out are connected to a cooling fluid circulation device 16 including a circulator 14 and a waste heat exchanger 15 via a flow path switching valve 13.

Next, the operation of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus of this embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

A magnetic field having a substantially uniform strength is generated in the region H of the superconducting coil 4 in the bore 2 a of the superconducting magnet 2, and the magnetic field increases as the position goes outside the height H of the superconducting coil 4. become weak.

Now, of the pair of magnetic working materials 6a and 6b, one magnetic working material 6a is located at the center of the superconducting coil 4 in the axial direction, and the other magnetic working material 6b is located below the superconducting coil 4 in the weak magnetic field position. It is arranged to become. This state is called an insertion state, and when the piston 7 is pulled upward by the driving unit 8, one magnetic working material 6a is located at a weak magnetic field position above and outside the superconducting coil 4, and the other magnetic working material 6b is Center position. This state is called a withdrawn state.

When the state is changed from the withdrawn state to the inserted state, one magnetic work material 6a is demagnetized and its temperature is lowered by demagnetization of the other magnetic work material 6b. At this time, the cooling fluid is supplied to the “circulator 14 →
High temperature pipe 10b → magnetic work material 6b → low temperature pipe 9b → cooler 12 → low temperature pipe 9a → magnetic work substance 6a → high temperature pipe 10a → flow path switching valve 13 → exhaust heat exchanger 15 → circulator 14. Circulate.

At this time, the cooling fluid cooled in 6b cools the object 11 to be cooled by the cooler 12, and further cools the 6a whose temperature has been increased by magnetism, returns to the exhaust heat exchanger 15, and Emits heat in minutes.

Next, when the state is changed from the insertion state to the extraction state, the flow path switching valve 13 is switched to "circulator 14 → high temperature pipe 10 a → magnetic work material 6 a → low temperature pipe 9 a → cooler 12 → low temperature pipe 9 b → Magnetic work material 6b → High temperature pipe 1
0b → flow path switching valve 13 → exhaust heat exchanger 15 → circulator 1
Circulate as in 4 ". At this time, one magnetic work material 6
The cooling fluid cooled in a cools the object to be cooled 11 in the cooler 12, cools the other magnetic work material 6b, which has been further magnetized and raised in temperature, and returns to the exhaust heat exchanger 15 to work. Releases heat.

By repeating the insertion state and the extraction state, the temperatures of the magnetic working materials 6a and 6b on the low temperature pipe connection side are reduced to a temperature that balances the cooling capacity.

On the other hand, the temperatures of the magnetic working materials 6a and 6b on the high-temperature pipe connection side become substantially constant in balance with the cooling capacity of the exhaust heat exchanger 15. In addition, since the magnetic working material is formed of a material filled with the granular material, the cooling fluid easily flows between the granular materials, and the magnetic working material and the cooling fluid exchange heat sufficiently.

FIG. 2 shows a temperature change when a performance test is performed with the magnetic refrigerator having the above-described configuration. The test conditions at this time are as follows.

[0042]

[Outside 1]

As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature on the low temperature side keeps decreasing by repeating the insertion / extraction state, and reaches a constant temperature in balance with the load of the object 11 to be cooled. 80w
The object 11 cooled to 0 ° C. under the load.

According to the present embodiment, a low temperature can be generated without using chlorofluorocarbon, the amount of heat stored in the magnetic work material can be taken out, and the object to be cooled can be efficiently cooled.

Further, by inserting and removing a pair of magnetic working materials, the electromagnetic force acting between the magnetic working material and the superconducting coil is canceled out, so that the driving power of the drive unit can be reduced and the size can be reduced. Become. Further, any one of the magnetic working materials is cooled depending on the inserted state and the withdrawn state, so that the refrigerating ability can be improved.

In this embodiment, a superconducting magnet has been described as an example of the magnetic field generating means, but a normal conducting magnet or a permanent magnet may be used instead of the superconducting magnet. Also, the magnetic field increasing / decreasing means 8 is not limited to the vertical movement of the magnetic work materials 6a, 6b, but may be any means capable of increasing / decreasing the magnetic field, such as reciprocating movement, rotation, ON-OFF or movement of the magnetic field generating means. Absent.

Particularly, in the case of a superconducting magnet, it is turned on in a short time.
-There is a difficulty in turning it off, but a normal conducting magnet can suffice. Further, the cooling fluid can be appropriately selected, such as water, gas, and a mixed liquid, depending on the use conditions.

FIG. 3 is a modification of the configuration shown in FIG. The configuration of FIG. 3 is different from that of FIG. 1 in that the flow path switching valve 1 is provided between the low-temperature pipes 9a and 9b and the cooler 12.
3 is provided.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the low-temperature pipes 9a, 9
Since the cooling fluid flowing through b is reversed in the inserted state and the withdrawn state, the cooling fluid in the cooler also has a reversed flow, which may reduce the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler. In contrast, FIG.
According to this, by switching the flow path switching valve 13 in accordance with each state, the flow direction of the cooling fluid flowing through the cooler can always be one direction, and the heat exchange efficiency can be improved.

Further, regarding the configuration of the magnetic working body 6,
Various changes can be made in place of the magnetic working materials 6a and 6b stored in a container.

FIGS. 4 to 10 show such various modifications.

FIG. 4 shows a structure in which a plurality of nets (mesh) 64 made of a magnetic work material are stacked and stored in a material container 17.

FIG. 5 shows a material container 17 in which a cotton-like material (metal wool) 65 made of a magnetic working material is contained.

FIG. 6 shows an ultra-thin tape 66 wound in multiple layers and further laminated in the axial direction.

In any of the above arrangements, it is possible to form a flow path for the cooling fluid in the same manner as the one filled with the granular material, and to obtain a high heat exchange capacity between the magnetic working material and the cooling fluid. Can be. In addition, it is easier to adjust the packing density than the granular material, and the pressure loss of the cooling fluid can be reduced.

A large temperature difference occurs between the high temperature side and the low temperature side of the magnetic working material. In general, the magnetocaloric effect of a magnetic working material depends on its temperature, and the temperature at which the magnetocaloric effect is maximized differs depending on the raw material.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the magnetic working body can have various structures.

FIG. 7 shows a structure in which several types of magnetic working materials 61, 62 and 63 suitable for the temperature distribution are arranged in layers of powders having different magneto-caloric effects depending on the use temperature. Each of the magnetic working materials 61, 62, 63 is wrapped in a mesh having pores smaller than the particle size of the magnetic working material. According to such a configuration, each of the magnetic working materials 61, 62, and 63 exerts the maximum magnetocaloric effect in their optimum temperature state, so that the refrigerating capacity is improved. In addition, since each type is wrapped by the mesh, it is possible to prevent different types of magnetic working substances from being mixed during movement.

In FIG. 8, instead of wrapping several types of magnetic working materials 61, 62, and 63 in a mesh, each of the powders and granules is diffused and joined to form a thunderbolt, and they are arranged in layers. It was done.

In FIG. 9, several types of magnetic working materials 61, 62 and 63 are arranged on a layer and are integrally diffusion bonded.

Second Embodiment (FIGS. 10 and 11) FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of a magnetic refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 shows another example. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a magnetic field of a separate strong magnetic field generator is used for applying a magnetic field instead of the magnetic field generating means. Others are the same as the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a case where a large number of superconducting magnets are arranged in a toroidal shape, such as a superconducting energy storage device (SMES), as an example of using a strong magnetic field generator. Although not shown, the same applies to the case where a linear arrangement is applied.

In the SMES, a number of superconducting magnets are arranged in, for example, a toroidal shape, stored as magnetic energy, and taken out as electric energy in response to system stabilization and load fluctuation. Generally, the toroidal magnetic field is several Tesla to 10 Tesla, and is a magnetic field sufficiently usable as a magnetic refrigerator.

In the present embodiment, for example, the magnetic working bodies 6 are provided between the superconducting coils 4a provided for stabilizing the power system. These magnetic working bodies 6 are applied in place of the piston 7 in FIG. However, in the present embodiment, the magnetic field is not actively increased or decreased as in the first embodiment, but is applied in a form that incorporates a magnetic field generated during operation of another system.

For example, in the case of SMES for system stabilization,
A constant magnetic field is generated, and the magnetic work material of the magnetic work body 6 is moved by the magnetic field, and the magnetic field applied to the magnetic work material is increased / decreased to enable freezing.

On the other hand, in the case of the load fluctuation SMES, since electric energy is extracted in a cycle of several seconds, the magnetic field becomes a fluctuation magnetic field of “several tesla → zero tesla”. In such a case, the magnetic field applied to the magnetic work material increases or decreases without moving the magnetic work material of the magnetic work body 6,
Freezing becomes possible. In this case, as described in the first embodiment, the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the demagnetized state and the demagnetized state is controlled in conjunction with the excitation and energy release signals of the superconducting coil 4a.

FIG. 11 shows a case where a general superconducting magnet, for example, a single crystal pulling apparatus, an experiment using a strong magnetic field, or the like is used as a strong magnetic field generating apparatus. In such a superconducting magnet 2, generally, the center bore portion 2
a is used for its intended purpose. In this case, the leakage magnetic field of the superconducting magnet 2 is used. The leakage magnetic field of the superconducting magnet 2 of the 10 Tesla class can be about 1 to 2 Tesla near the superconducting magnet 2, and a magnetic field comparable to a permanent magnet can be used. This FIG.
In the example, the pair of magnetic working bodies 6 and 6 are supported by a ring-shaped support device 67, installed near the bore 2a of the superconducting magnet 2, and the support device 67 is rotated to increase or decrease the magnetic field. Can be performed.

According to the present embodiment, the magnetic field generating means is not required, so that not only the size can be reduced, but also the operation cost of the magnetic refrigeration system can be reduced, and the refrigeration system can be used for plant air conditioning and equipment cooling. Therefore, plant operation efficiency can be improved, and a plant that is friendly to the global environment can be realized.

Third Embodiment (FIGS. 12 and 13) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic field generating means used in the magnetic refrigerator of the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the magnetic field generating means in a plan view and showing the entire system. .

In FIG. 12, for example, a plurality of permanent magnets 20 as magnetic field generating means are mounted on the circumference of a horizontal rotating plate 19 supported by a vertical shaft 22. Opposite to the permanent magnet 20, a plurality of (two times as large as the permanent magnet) magnetic working bodies protruding inside the casing 21 on the fixed side are arranged with a gap that does not hinder the rotation of the permanent magnet 20. ing. The rotating plate 19 is rotated by the driving unit 8 connected to the shaft 22.

As shown in FIG. 13, low-temperature pipes 9 a and 9
b and the high temperature pipes 10a and 10b are connected. A cooler 12 for cooling the cooled object 11 is connected between the low-temperature pipes 9a and 9b. On the other hand, the high-temperature pipes 10a and 10b that are led out are connected to a cooling fluid circulation device 16 including a circulator 14 and a waste heat exchanger 15 via a flow path switching valve 13. In the present embodiment, four magnetic working bodies 6 are attached, and two high-temperature pipes 10a and low-temperature pipes 9a, and two high-temperature pipes 10b and low-temperature pipes 9b at the target positions are connected in series. ing.

Next, the operation of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus of the third embodiment configured as described above will be described.

When the permanent magnet 20 is at the 0-degree position (the position on the right side in FIG. 12), the magnetic working body 6 at this 0-degree position
And a magnetic working body 6 at a position 180 degrees opposite to the magnetic working body 6
Of the magnetic working material is magnetized and its temperature rises. on the other hand,
The magnetic working material 6b of the magnetic working body 6 out of phase by 90 degrees is demagnetized and its temperature drops.

At this time, the cooling fluid is supplied by the flow path switching valve 13 to “circulator 14 → high temperature pipe 10 b of demagnetized magnetic work material 6 b at 90 ° position → magnetic work material 6 b demagnetized → low temperature Pipe 9b → High temperature pipe 10b of another magnetic work substance 6b at 270 degree position in demagnetized state → Other magnetic work substance 6b → Low temperature pipe 9b → Cooler 12 → Low temperature pipe of magnetic work substance 6a in demagnetized state 9a → magnetic working material 6a in a magnetized state → high temperature pipe 10a → low temperature pipe 9a of another magnetic working material 6a in a magnetized state → another magnetic working material 6a →
High-temperature pipe 10b → flow path switching valve 13 → exhaust heat exchanger 15
→ Circulation 14 ”.

At this time, the cooling fluid cooled by the magnetic work material 6b cools the object 11 to be cooled by the cooler 12, and further cools the magnetic work material 6a, which has been increased in temperature and increased in temperature, to thereby remove the heat of the heat. Returning to the exchanger 15, the heat of work is released.

Next, when the permanent magnet is rotated 90 degrees,
The magnetic working material 6a at the position of 180 degrees and 180 degrees is demagnetized and the temperature is lowered. At this time, the cooling fluid is circulated from the magnetic work material 6a at the 0 degree position by switching the flow path switching valve 13.

By repeating this rotation, the temperature of the magnetic working materials 6a, 6b on the low-temperature pipe 9a, 9b connection side drops to a temperature that balances the refrigerating capacity. On the other hand, the temperatures of the magnetic working substances 6a, 6b on the connection side of the high-temperature pipes 10a, 10b become substantially constant in balance with the refrigerating capacity of the exhaust heat exchanger 15.

According to the present embodiment, since the permanent magnet which is the magnetic field generating means is rotated, the low-temperature pipe and the high-temperature pipe connected to the magnetic work material may be fixed pipes. In addition, when a permanent magnet is used, an excitation power supply is not required, and compactness can be achieved. The permanent magnet has a weak magnetic field as compared to the superconducting magnet, and has a maximum of about 2 Tesla, and has a disadvantage that the cooling capacity is inferior. However, due to the development of materials for magnetic working materials, new materials having a magnetocaloric effect several times higher than conventional materials have recently appeared, and can be expected as a low-power magnetic refrigeration device that does not use Freon.

In this embodiment, the permanent magnet has two poles,
Although four magnetic working materials were used, these numbers are selected according to the refrigeration capacity. Further, although the cooling fluid flowing through the magnetic work material is described as being connected in series, it may be connected in parallel. It is advantageous to employ a series connection if a lower temperature cooling fluid is required, and a parallel connection if a higher flow rate of cooling fluid is required.

Fourth Embodiment (FIGS. 14 and 15) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a magnetic refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a plan sectional view.

Referring to FIG. 15, a permanent magnet 20 is attached to the tip of a rotor 23 provided with a plurality of radially upward projections. A stator 24 forming a magnetic field path is provided. A plurality of magnetic working bodies 6 are fixed to the inner periphery of the stator 24 via a rotatable gap of a permanent magnet. The rotor 23 is connected to a shaft 22, and the shaft 22 is rotatably supported by a stator 24 via a bearing 25. Shaft 22
Is connected to a drive unit 8 at one end. At the tip of the permanent magnet 20, a pole piece 26 is provided.
And uniformity of the magnetic field can be achieved.

Next, the operation of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus of the fourth embodiment will be described. The cooling fluid path and the operation of the cooling fluid circulating device are the same as those in the third embodiment described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, the magnetic working materials 6a of the four magnetic working bodies 6 facing the permanent magnet 20 are in a magnetized state, and the working materials 6b of the other magnetic working bodies 6 are in a demagnetized state.

In this embodiment, when the rotor 23 is rotated by 45 degrees, the magnetic working material 6a in the demagnetized state is in the demagnetized state, and the magnetic working material 6b in the demagnetized state is in the demagnetized state, and is continuously or intermittently. By rotating, it works as a magnetic refrigerator.

According to this embodiment, in addition to the effect of the third embodiment, the refrigeration capacity can be easily adjusted by increasing the axial length of the permanent magnet. Therefore, the diameter of the rotor can be reduced, and the required driving torque can be reduced, so that downsizing can be achieved.

The magnetic field generating means includes a permanent magnet 2
Instead of 0, a normal conducting coil may be attached to the protrusion of the rotor 23. Also, the normal conducting coil is connected to the stator side 24.
It may be attached to. Further, in the case of a normal conducting coil, instead of rotating the rotor 23, the normal conducting coil is turned on.
By turning it off, a similar function can be achieved.

Fifth Embodiment (FIGS. 16 and 17) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG.
And FIG. 17 are cross-sectional views showing different configuration examples of the magnetic refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows an even number of superconducting magnets 2 as magnetic field generating means arranged in a plane, and a magnetic working body 6 which can be inserted into and removed from the magnetic field of the magnetic field generating means. An insertion / removal mechanism 27 that drives each magnetic working body 6 is configured.

The insertion / removal mechanism 27 includes a connecting shaft 28 connected to the magnetic working body 6, a driving plate 29 to which the connecting shafts 28 are fixed, and a driving plate 29 attached to the driving plate 29. And a drive mechanism 8 for reciprocating the vertical direction. The drive mechanism 29 is an elevating mechanism, and moves up and down along a vertical guide rail 30, for example.

In this embodiment, an even number of halves of the magnetic working body 6 are inserted into the magnetic field of the magnetic field generating means (left side in FIG. 16), and the other half (right side in FIG. 16) is in a detached state. Is attached to the insertion / removal mechanism 27.

In the above structure, the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working material can be increased or decreased by moving the magnetic working body 6 up and down, and the same operation as described above can be performed.

FIG. 17 shows another configuration example.

In FIG. 17, a drive system for converting a rotary motion into a linear motion is employed as the insertion / removal mechanism 27a. In other words, the magnetic work body 6 is a ball screw or the like that suspends the connecting shaft 28a, and is moved up and down using a screw mechanism. For example, the drive unit 8 is a motor, and is connected to the connection shaft 28 via power transmission mechanisms 31a and 31b such as gears, and converts the rotational motion into a vertical linear motion. Thus, the same operation as in the case of FIG. 16 is performed.

According to this embodiment, when half of the magnetic working body 6 is inserted, the remaining half is pulled out, so that the force acting on the drive mechanism is canceled. Therefore, the power required by the drive mechanism is reduced, and the efficiency of the entire magnetic refrigerator is improved. In addition, the drive mechanism can be made more compact by reducing the required power of the drive mechanism.

Sixth Embodiment (FIG. 18) Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 18 (a)
FIG. 18 is a plan view of a permanent magnet according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic refrigerator using this permanent magnet.

FIG. 18A shows Halbach Cyli.
When the permanent magnets 32 arranged in a ring are magnetized in the directions of the arrows in the figure, a strong magnetic field of about 2 Tesla is formed at the circuit center of the permanent magnets 32. You.

As shown in FIG. 18B, the magnetic working body 6 is supported by the drive unit 8 so as to be able to move up and down in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 32. Other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment.

The operation of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to the present embodiment thus configured is as follows. The capacity of a magnetic refrigerator increases almost in proportion to the magnetic field, but there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain a large-capacity magnetic field space because a normal permanent magnet has a weak magnetic field, and when the distance from the magnet increases, the magnetic field decreases extremely. However, by configuring the magnet as an HC magnet, it is possible to generate a magnetic field twice as large as a normal magnetic field in a wide space. By utilizing this, the refrigerating capacity of the magnetic refrigerator can be remarkably improved.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a magnetic refrigerator having a large refrigerating capacity can be manufactured using permanent magnets.

Seventh Embodiment (FIG. 19) Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are plan views showing a permanent magnet used in the seventh embodiment of the present invention and its magnetic field.

In this permanent magnet, a plurality of, for example, two of the HCs are coaxially combined, and the magnetic field generation direction of each HC is set to the same direction and the opposite direction, thereby increasing or decreasing the magnetic field. . The example of FIG. 19A shows a magnetic field when the magnetic field generation directions of the two HCs are the same, and FIG.
(B) shows the magnetic field when the magnetic field generation directions of the two HCs are reversed.

In the situation of FIG. 19 (a), the magnetic fields generated by the two HCs cancel each other out to zero, and in the situation of FIG. 19 (b), they reinforce each other. Therefore, for example, by rotating one magnet of the two HCs and keeping the other fixed, it is possible to increase or decrease the magnetization, thereby performing the same operation as described above.

That is, in this embodiment, a plurality of donut-shaped permanent magnets are arranged concentrically, and when the permanent magnets have a specific positional relationship, a magnetic field is generated in the bore portion, and one of them is rotated. By doing so, the magnetic fields formed by the respective permanent magnets cancel each other, so that the magnetic field in the central bore portion disappears. And a permanent magnet unit, a magnetic working material disposed in the central bore,
A cooling mechanism having a rotating mechanism for rotating any of the permanent magnets, a circulating machine for circulating a cooling fluid through the magnetic working material, and a waste heat exchanger for transferring heat from the magnetic working material; and a magnetic working material. With the cooler that cools the object to be cooled with the cooling fluid cooled by the above, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

Eighth Embodiment (FIG. 20) Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, a plurality of magnetic refrigeration units are combined such that the flow paths of the cooling fluid are arranged in series or in parallel.

FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C illustrate such variations of the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 20A shows a case where a plurality of magnetic refrigeration units A are connected to the high-temperature pipes 10a and 10b and the low-temperature pipe 9a.
A combination of the refrigerant flow paths a and 9b is made in series. This makes it possible to achieve low temperatures without changing the design.

In FIG. 20B, a plurality of magnetic refrigeration units A are combined by high-temperature pipes 10a and 10b and low-temperature pipes 9a and 9b so that the refrigerant flow paths are parallel. . Thereby, a refrigerator having a larger refrigerating capacity can be manufactured without changing the design.

FIG. 20 (c) is the same as FIG. 20 (a).
Similarly to the high-temperature pipes 10a and 10b and the low-temperature pipe 9
The refrigerant flow paths are combined in series by a and 9b, and an intermediate-temperature magnetic refrigeration apparatus A 'is provided in each pipe.

According to such a configuration, not only can a magnetic refrigerator with a lower temperature be obtained, but also a cooling stage with an intermediate temperature can be obtained. It becomes possible to cool. As a result, it is possible to obtain an advantage that the entire system becomes compact as compared with the case where each refrigerator is prepared.

Although the details of the magnetic refrigerator are not described in the present embodiment, all the magnetic refrigerators described above and combinations thereof can be used.

[0113]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a magnetic refrigerator which can be used even at room temperature, thereby providing a refrigerator which does not use Freon with a compact structure. Thus, it is possible to obtain a refrigeration apparatus that can be used even at room temperature. In addition, it is possible to provide a refrigerating apparatus that is highly efficient without requiring a particularly complicated structure and that is easy to handle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a magnetic refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing performance test results of the magnetic refrigerator of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a modification of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a mesh-like magnetic work substance in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a metal wool-like magnetic working material in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an ultra-thin tape-shaped magnetic working substance in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a stacked magnetic work material in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a magnetic work material subjected to diffusion bonding in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a magnetic work material integrally diffusion-bonded in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a magnetic refrigerator in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a magnetic refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a magnetic refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan sectional view of a magnetic refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a magnetic refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a magnetic refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a magnetic refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a magnetic refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

18A is a plan view of a permanent magnet according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are plan views showing a permanent magnet and its magnetic field according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C are configuration diagrams of a magnetic refrigeration system according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 magnetic field generating means 2 superconducting magnet 3 cryostat 4 superconducting coil 5 refrigerator 6 magnetic work material 7 piston 8 magnetic field increasing / decreasing means 9 low temperature pipe 10 high temperature pipe 11 cooled object 12 cooler 13 flow path switching valve 14 circulator 15 exhaust heat heat Exchanger 16 Cooling fluid circulation device 17 Substance container 19 Rotating plate 20 Permanent magnet 21 Casing 22 Shaft 23 Rotor 24 Stator 25 Bearing 26 Magnetic pole piece

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Koji Ito 2-4, Suehirocho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Toshiba ITEC Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toru Kuriyama 2--4, Suehirocho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture In-house Toshiba Keihin Works (72) Inventor Masami Okamura 8 Shingsugitacho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa In the Toshiba Yokohama Office, Inc. (72) Inventor Toshitoshi Nomura 8, Shinsugita-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Toshiba Yokohama Office, Inc. 20-1 Sekiyama Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. Technology Development Headquarters Power Technology Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Shigeo Nagaya Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 20-1 Kitaguanyama, Odaka-cho, Midori-ku Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic working body for generating a magnetic field, a magnetic working body having a magnetic working material whose temperature changes according to the increase and decrease of the magnetic field, and disposed in a magnetic field formed by the magnetic field generating means. A cooling fluid circulating device having a magnetic field increasing / decreasing means for increasing / decreasing a magnetic field applied to the magnetic working material, a circulating machine for circulating a cooling fluid to the magnetic working material, and a waste heat exchanger for transferring heat from the magnetic working material And a cooler that cools the object to be cooled with a cooling fluid cooled by the magnetic work material. 2. The magnetic refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generating means is an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. 3. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the permanent magnet generates a maximum magnetic field in a central bore portion. 4. The magnetic refrigerating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generating means uses a magnetic field of a separately installed strong magnetic field generating device. 5. The magnetic refrigeration system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic work body is a magnetic work material formed in a granular, net-like or cotton-like shape and filled in a container. apparatus. 6. A magnetic working body, wherein a magnetic working material having a different magnetocaloric effect depending on a use temperature is disposed in a layered manner in accordance with a temperature distribution, or a plurality of types of magnetic working substances are layered through a net-shaped partition body. 6. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the magnetic refrigeration apparatus is provided or a plurality of kinds of magnetic working substances are subjected to diffusion bonding treatment for each kind or integrally. 7. At least one pair of the magnetic working bodies is connected to each other, and one of the magnetic working bodies is arranged to be a strong magnetic field and the other is a weak magnetic field in the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means. The magnetic refrigerating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a magnetic field applied to the magnetic working material is increased or decreased by inserting and removing a pair of magnetic working bodies. 8. The magnetic refrigerating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pair of magnetic working bodies are disposed such that the low-temperature sides face each other. 9. A plurality of magnetic field generating means are provided at a peripheral end of a rotatable disk-shaped or radial member, and a plurality of magnetic working bodies are provided on a fixed side facing said magnetic field generating means. 9. The magnetic refrigerating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working material is increased or decreased as the magnetic field generating means rotates. 10. A plurality of doughnut-shaped permanent magnets are arranged concentrically, and when the permanent magnets are in a specific positional relationship, a magnetic field is generated in a bore portion. The magnetic field formed by the permanent magnet unit cancels the magnetic field of the central bore part by canceling each other, the magnetic work material disposed in the central bore part, and rotating any one of the permanent magnets A cooling mechanism for circulating a cooling fluid through the magnetic working material; a cooling fluid circulating device having a waste heat exchanger for transferring heat from the magnetic working material; and cooling cooled by the magnetic working material. A magnetic refrigeration apparatus comprising: a cooler for cooling a body to be cooled with a fluid. 11. An even number of magnetic field generating means are arranged in a plane, and the magnetic work bodies are fixedly arranged in the magnetic fields of the respective magnetic field generating means so as to be insertable / removable by an insertion / removal mechanism, respectively. 11. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field applied to the magnetic work material is increased or decreased by setting an even number of halves to be inserted and the other half to be in a detached state. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to any one of the above. 12. An insertion / removal mechanism, comprising: a drive shaft connected to a magnetic work body, a drive plate to which each drive shaft is fixed, and a drive mounted on the drive plate for reciprocating the drive plate together with the magnetic work body. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a mechanism. 13. An insertion / removal mechanism, which is connected to each magnetic working body, converts a rotary motion into a linear motion, and is attached to the other end of each of the screw mechanisms. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a transmission mechanism. 14. A circulating machine is provided with a flow switching valve at a discharge part of the circulating machine such that the cooling fluid discharged from the circulating machine always separates from the magnetic field generating means and flows into the demagnetized magnetic work material side. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the magnetic refrigeration apparatus has a configuration including: 15. A cooling device according to claim 1, wherein a flow switching valve is provided at a discharge portion of the cooling fluid from the magnetic working material so that the flow direction of the cooling fluid flowing into the cooler is always one direction. Item 15. The magnetic refrigerator according to any one of Items 1 to 14. 16. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of magnetic refrigeration devices are combined so that the flow paths of the cooling fluid are arranged in series or in parallel. apparatus.