US20100050657A1 - Refrigerator and /or freezer - Google Patents

Refrigerator and /or freezer Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100050657A1
US20100050657A1 US12/312,900 US31290007A US2010050657A1 US 20100050657 A1 US20100050657 A1 US 20100050657A1 US 31290007 A US31290007 A US 31290007A US 2010050657 A1 US2010050657 A1 US 2010050657A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
refrigerator
heat exchanger
pump
cold heat
freezer according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/312,900
Inventor
Holger Jendrusch
Dietmar Blersch
Eugen Schmid
Thomas Gindele
Matthias Wiest
Didier Siegel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of US20100050657A1 publication Critical patent/US20100050657A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/04—Preventing the formation of frost or condensate
    • 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
    • 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]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a magnetic cooler, comprising a cold heat exchanger for cooling the cooling and/or freezing space of the appliance and means for detecting a value representative of the temperature of the cold heat exchanger.
  • Refrigerators and/or freezers with magnetic cooling operate according to the principle of the so-called magnetocaloric effect.
  • the magnetic cooler includes heat exchanger units which are made of a material or include a material that is heated upon magnetization and undergoes a decrease in temperature upon demagnetization.
  • a heat transfer medium such as brine or an alcohol mixture
  • it undergoes an increase in temperature.
  • the cold heat exchanger unit it correspondingly undergoes a decrease in temperature.
  • the heat transfer medium cooled in this way then is passed through the so-called cold heat exchanger, which is arranged inside or in the vicinity of the cooling and/or freezing space and serves for cooling the same.
  • the magnetic cooler with pump is switched off when a temperature switch-off value is reached. This means that the magnetic cooler and the pump are switched off when the heat exchanger or the space to be cooled has reached a specified lower temperature value. With the magnetic cooler and pump switched off, heating of the cooling and/or freezing space and of the cold heat exchanger then is effected. Switching on the magnetic cooler with pump only will be effected again when the cold heat exchanger has been defrosted completely. Switching on again can for instance be effected at a temperature of the cold heat exchanger of +5° C.
  • the appliance includes a control or adjusting unit by means of which the temperature and/or the amount of the heat transfer medium supplied to the cold heat exchanger is adjustable such that in cooling operation the temperature of the cold heat exchanger does not go below +0° C.
  • the control or adjusting unit adjusts the refrigerating capacity such that the cold heat exchanger does not adopt a temperature of below 0° C., whereby icing of the same can effectively be prevented. Due to the reduced refrigerating capacity, the cold heat exchanger must be designed comparatively large corresponding to the size of the cooling and/or freezing space, in order to be able to provide the required cooling in general.
  • the appliance can include a pump for delivering the heat transfer medium, and the control or adjusting unit can be configured such that it acts upon the delivery volume of the pump. It thus is conceivable, for instance, to reduce the delivery volume of the pump, i.e. the rate of delivery of the heat transfer medium delivered by the pump, in order to ensure that the cold heat exchanger does not reach temperatures of below 0° C.
  • control or adjusting unit is configured such that it acts upon the strength and/or position of the magnetic field present in the magnetic cooler.
  • reduce the refrigerating capacity for instance by reducing the magnetic field. If a weaker magnetic field is present, the magnetocaloric effect is reduced correspondingly and the heat transfer medium flowing through the magnetic cooler is heated or cooled to a reduced extent, so that the refrigerating capacity of the cold heat exchanger is reduced correspondingly.
  • control or adjusting unit is configured such that the delivery volume of the pump and/or the magnetization in the magnetic cooler is effected in dependence on a control deviation, i.e. the deviation of the measured value from a desired value or a range of desired values. If the measured temperature already lies within the range of the desired temperature value, a change in the delivery volume of the pump or in the magnetization in the magnetic cooler may not be required, or an increase or reduction of the delivery volume of the pump or of the strength of the magnetic field is considered in dependence on the control deviation.
  • a control deviation i.e. the deviation of the measured value from a desired value or a range of desired values.
  • One advantage of the present invention consists in that the magnetic cooler and/or the pump for delivering the heat transfer medium can be configured such that they are running in continuous operation. This is due to the fact that a defrosting cycle is not required in accordance with the invention, since the cold heat exchanger is not, or at best for a short period, operated at temperatures below 0° C. If the temperature of the cold heat exchanger nevertheless falls below 0° C., it can be provided that a defrosting cycle is employed acyclically, if this is necessary.
  • the advantages of the invention consist in that due to the uniform and constant operation of the magnetic cooler and/or the pump, the energy consumption of the appliance is reduced as compared to prior art appliances, and that temperature fluctuations do not occur or only to a reduced extent.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Defrosting Systems (AREA)
  • Control Of Temperature (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a magnetic cooler, comprising a cold heat exchanger for cooling the cooling and/or freezing space of the appliance and means for detecting a value representative of the temperature of the cold heat exchanger, wherein the appliance includes a control or adjusting unit by means of which the temperature and/or the amount of the heat transfer medium supplied to the cold heat exchanger is adjustable such that in cooling operation the temperature of the cold heat exchanger does not go below 0° C.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a magnetic cooler, comprising a cold heat exchanger for cooling the cooling and/or freezing space of the appliance and means for detecting a value representative of the temperature of the cold heat exchanger.
  • Refrigerators and/or freezers with magnetic cooling operate according to the principle of the so-called magnetocaloric effect. It is known from the prior art that the magnetic cooler includes heat exchanger units which are made of a material or include a material that is heated upon magnetization and undergoes a decrease in temperature upon demagnetization. When a heat transfer medium, such as brine or an alcohol mixture, is passed through the heat exchanger unit heated in this way, it undergoes an increase in temperature. On the other hand, when it is passed through the cold heat exchanger unit, it correspondingly undergoes a decrease in temperature. The heat transfer medium cooled in this way then is passed through the so-called cold heat exchanger, which is arranged inside or in the vicinity of the cooling and/or freezing space and serves for cooling the same.
  • In prior art refrigerators and/or freezers it is common practice that the magnetic cooler with pump is switched off when a temperature switch-off value is reached. This means that the magnetic cooler and the pump are switched off when the heat exchanger or the space to be cooled has reached a specified lower temperature value. With the magnetic cooler and pump switched off, heating of the cooling and/or freezing space and of the cold heat exchanger then is effected. Switching on the magnetic cooler with pump only will be effected again when the cold heat exchanger has been defrosted completely. Switching on again can for instance be effected at a temperature of the cold heat exchanger of +5° C.
  • This procedure is disadvantageous in so far as the energy consumption of the appliance is comparatively high and in addition temperature fluctuations exist due to the periodic operation of the magnetic cooler and the pump.
  • Therefore, it is the object underlying the present invention to develop a refrigerator and/or freezer as mentioned above such that the same is improved in terms of energy consumption, and in which temperature fluctuations are avoided or reduced to a minimum.
  • This object is solved by a refrigerator and/or freezer with the features of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that the appliance includes a control or adjusting unit by means of which the temperature and/or the amount of the heat transfer medium supplied to the cold heat exchanger is adjustable such that in cooling operation the temperature of the cold heat exchanger does not go below +0° C. This means that the control or adjusting unit adjusts the refrigerating capacity such that the cold heat exchanger does not adopt a temperature of below 0° C., whereby icing of the same can effectively be prevented. Due to the reduced refrigerating capacity, the cold heat exchanger must be designed comparatively large corresponding to the size of the cooling and/or freezing space, in order to be able to provide the required cooling in general.
  • The appliance can include a pump for delivering the heat transfer medium, and the control or adjusting unit can be configured such that it acts upon the delivery volume of the pump. It thus is conceivable, for instance, to reduce the delivery volume of the pump, i.e. the rate of delivery of the heat transfer medium delivered by the pump, in order to ensure that the cold heat exchanger does not reach temperatures of below 0° C.
  • It is likewise conceivable that the control or adjusting unit is configured such that it acts upon the strength and/or position of the magnetic field present in the magnetic cooler. Thus, it is furthermore conceivable to reduce the refrigerating capacity for instance by reducing the magnetic field. If a weaker magnetic field is present, the magnetocaloric effect is reduced correspondingly and the heat transfer medium flowing through the magnetic cooler is heated or cooled to a reduced extent, so that the refrigerating capacity of the cold heat exchanger is reduced correspondingly.
  • In a further aspect of the invention it is provided that the control or adjusting unit is configured such that the delivery volume of the pump and/or the magnetization in the magnetic cooler is effected in dependence on a control deviation, i.e. the deviation of the measured value from a desired value or a range of desired values. If the measured temperature already lies within the range of the desired temperature value, a change in the delivery volume of the pump or in the magnetization in the magnetic cooler may not be required, or an increase or reduction of the delivery volume of the pump or of the strength of the magnetic field is considered in dependence on the control deviation.
  • Thus, it is conceivable to employ the delivery volume of the pump and/or the strength or position of the magnetic field as control variables of a control circuit, whose setpoint represents a temperature value or also a temperature range.
  • One advantage of the present invention consists in that the magnetic cooler and/or the pump for delivering the heat transfer medium can be configured such that they are running in continuous operation. This is due to the fact that a defrosting cycle is not required in accordance with the invention, since the cold heat exchanger is not, or at best for a short period, operated at temperatures below 0° C. If the temperature of the cold heat exchanger nevertheless falls below 0° C., it can be provided that a defrosting cycle is employed acyclically, if this is necessary. The advantages of the invention consist in that due to the uniform and constant operation of the magnetic cooler and/or the pump, the energy consumption of the appliance is reduced as compared to prior art appliances, and that temperature fluctuations do not occur or only to a reduced extent.

Claims (16)

1. A refrigerator and/or freezer with a magnetic cooler, comprising a cold heat exchanger for cooling the cooling and/or freezing space of the appliance and means for detecting a value representative of the temperature of the cold heat exchanger, wherein the appliance includes a control or adjusting unit by which the temperature and/or the amount of the heat transfer medium supplied to the cold heat exchanger is adjustable such that in cooling operation the temperature of the cold heat exchanger does not go below 0° C.
2. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, wherein the appliance includes a pump for delivering the heat transfer medium and that the control or adjusting unit is configured such that it varies the delivery volume of the pump.
3. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, wherein the control or adjusting unit is configured such that it varies the strength or position of the magnetic field acting in the magnetic cooler.
4. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, wherein the control or adjusting unit is configured such that the temperature of the cold heat exchanger is adjusted to a specified desired value or within a range of desired values.
5. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic cooler and/or the pump are configured such that they are running in continuous operation.
6. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 2, wherein the control or adjusting unit is configured such that it varies the strength or position of the magnetic field acting in the magnetic cooler.
7. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 6, wherein the control or adjusting unit is configured such that the temperature of the cold heat exchanger is adjusted to a specified desired value or within a range of desired values.
8. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 2, wherein the control or adjusting unit is configured such that the temperature of the cold heat exchanger is adjusted to a specified desired value or within a range of desired values.
9. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 3, wherein the control or adjusting unit is configured such that the temperature of the cold heat exchanger is adjusted to a specified desired value or within a range of desired values.
10. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 9, wherein the magnetic cooler and/or the pump are configured such that they are running in continuous operation.
11. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 8, wherein the magnetic cooler and/or the pump are configured such that they are running in continuous operation.
12. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 7, wherein the magnetic cooler and/or the pump are configured such that they are running in continuous operation.
13. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 6, wherein the magnetic cooler and/or the pump are configured such that they are running in continuous operation.
14. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 4, wherein the magnetic cooler and/or the pump are configured such that they are running in continuous operation.
15. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic cooler and/or the pump are configured such that they are running in continuous operation.
16. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic cooler and/or the pump are configured such that they are running in continuous operation.
US12/312,900 2006-12-01 2007-11-16 Refrigerator and /or freezer Abandoned US20100050657A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE202006018265 2006-12-01
DE202006018265.9 2006-12-01
DE202007003576U DE202007003576U1 (en) 2006-12-01 2007-03-09 Fridge and / or freezer
DE202007003576.4 2007-03-09
PCT/EP2007/009947 WO2008064784A1 (en) 2006-12-01 2007-11-16 Refrigerator and/or freezer with a magnetic cooler

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100050657A1 true US20100050657A1 (en) 2010-03-04

Family

ID=39186023

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/312,900 Abandoned US20100050657A1 (en) 2006-12-01 2007-11-16 Refrigerator and /or freezer

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20100050657A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2095042B1 (en)
CN (1) CN101523133B (en)
DE (1) DE202007003576U1 (en)
ES (1) ES2759529T3 (en)
RU (1) RU2489653C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2008064784A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20230046873A1 (en) * 2015-06-19 2023-02-16 Magneto B.V. Packed-Screen Type Magnetocaloric Element

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US2350249A (en) * 1941-09-04 1944-05-30 Hoover Co Refrigeration
US3226943A (en) * 1962-05-24 1966-01-04 Mitchell Co John E Evaporator temperature control device
US3530683A (en) * 1969-04-16 1970-09-29 John E Watkins Refrigeration system for chilling and storing meat products
US4257795A (en) * 1978-04-06 1981-03-24 Dunham-Bush, Inc. Compressor heat pump system with maximum and minimum evaporator ΔT control
US4272969A (en) * 1977-02-03 1981-06-16 Fernand Schwitzgebel Method for refrigerating fresh products and keeping them fresh, as well as refrigerator for carrying out this method
US5934078A (en) * 1998-02-03 1999-08-10 Astronautics Corporation Of America Reciprocating active magnetic regenerator refrigeration apparatus
US20060218936A1 (en) * 2005-03-31 2006-10-05 Tadahiko Kobayashi Magnetic refrigerator
US20070130960A1 (en) * 2003-10-23 2007-06-14 Christian Muller Device for generating a thermal flux with magneto-caloric material
US7650756B2 (en) * 2004-04-23 2010-01-26 Cooltech Applications Device and method for generating thermal units with magnetocaloric material

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FR2386791A1 (en) * 1977-04-06 1978-11-03 Drouhin Monique Refrigerator for preserving toiletries and certain foods - has conventional refrigeration circuit controlled to prevent ice formation
JPS58184471A (en) * 1982-04-23 1983-10-27 株式会社日立製作所 Magnetic refrigerator
JPH01155159A (en) * 1987-12-14 1989-06-19 Matsushita Refrig Co Ltd Cooling device
DE3833251C1 (en) * 1988-09-30 1990-06-13 Deutsche Forsch Luft Raumfahrt Active magnetic regenerator
US5003787A (en) * 1990-01-18 1991-04-02 Savant Instruments Cell preservation system
BR9808742A (en) * 1997-05-08 2001-10-02 David A Zornes Adsorbent refrigerator with separator
DK1307692T3 (en) * 2000-08-09 2007-09-10 Astronautics Corp Magnetic cooling device with rotating bearing
US6415611B1 (en) * 2001-02-22 2002-07-09 Praxair Technology, Inc. Cryogenic refrigeration system using magnetic refrigerator forecooling
CN1421661A (en) * 2002-12-25 2003-06-04 上海交通大学 Magnetofluid refrigerating circulator
CN1207523C (en) * 2003-07-31 2005-06-22 清华大学 Static type room temperature magnetic refrigerator
RU2252375C1 (en) * 2003-09-26 2005-05-20 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Перспективные магнитные технологии и консультации" Magnetic heat machine
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Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2350249A (en) * 1941-09-04 1944-05-30 Hoover Co Refrigeration
US3226943A (en) * 1962-05-24 1966-01-04 Mitchell Co John E Evaporator temperature control device
US3530683A (en) * 1969-04-16 1970-09-29 John E Watkins Refrigeration system for chilling and storing meat products
US4272969A (en) * 1977-02-03 1981-06-16 Fernand Schwitzgebel Method for refrigerating fresh products and keeping them fresh, as well as refrigerator for carrying out this method
US4257795A (en) * 1978-04-06 1981-03-24 Dunham-Bush, Inc. Compressor heat pump system with maximum and minimum evaporator ΔT control
US5934078A (en) * 1998-02-03 1999-08-10 Astronautics Corporation Of America Reciprocating active magnetic regenerator refrigeration apparatus
US20070130960A1 (en) * 2003-10-23 2007-06-14 Christian Muller Device for generating a thermal flux with magneto-caloric material
US7650756B2 (en) * 2004-04-23 2010-01-26 Cooltech Applications Device and method for generating thermal units with magnetocaloric material
US20060218936A1 (en) * 2005-03-31 2006-10-05 Tadahiko Kobayashi Magnetic refrigerator

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20230046873A1 (en) * 2015-06-19 2023-02-16 Magneto B.V. Packed-Screen Type Magnetocaloric Element
US11802720B2 (en) * 2015-06-19 2023-10-31 Magneto B.V. Packed-screen type magnetocaloric element

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101523133A (en) 2009-09-02
EP2095042A1 (en) 2009-09-02
RU2009125001A (en) 2011-01-10
WO2008064784A1 (en) 2008-06-05
EP2095042B1 (en) 2019-09-04
RU2489653C2 (en) 2013-08-10
ES2759529T3 (en) 2020-05-11
DE202007003576U1 (en) 2008-04-10
CN101523133B (en) 2012-01-04

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