MAGNETIC REFRIGERATION DEVICE
First Claim
1. A magnetic refrigeration device for transferring heat, the magnetic refrigeration device comprising:
- a shaft rotatable about an axis;
an inner magnet disposed at one of the axis and a radial distance from the axis;
an outer magnet disposed a radial distance from the axis outside of the inner magnet defining a magnetic gap between the inner and outer magnets; and
magnetocaloric material disposed at a radial distance from the axis between the radial distances of the inner and outer magnets, wherein the magnetocaloric material is coupled to the shaft for rotation with the shaft about the axis such that during rotation of the shaft a portion of the magnetocaloric material alternates between a magnetized position disposed within the magnetic gap and a demagnetized position outside of the magnetic gap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic refrigeration device for transferring heat including a shaft rotatable about an axis, an inner magnet disposed at one of the axis and a radial distance from the axis, an outer magnet disposed a radial distance from the axis outside of the inner magnet defining a magnetic gap between the inner and outer magnets, and magnetocaloric material disposed at a radial distance from the axis between the radial distances of the inner and outer magnets. The magnetocaloric material is coupled to the shaft for rotation with the shaft about the axis such that during rotation of the shaft a portion of the magnetocaloric material alternates between a magnetized position disposed within the magnetic gap and a demagnetized position outside of the magnetic gap.
142 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A magnetic refrigeration device for transferring heat, the magnetic refrigeration device comprising:
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a shaft rotatable about an axis; an inner magnet disposed at one of the axis and a radial distance from the axis; an outer magnet disposed a radial distance from the axis outside of the inner magnet defining a magnetic gap between the inner and outer magnets; and magnetocaloric material disposed at a radial distance from the axis between the radial distances of the inner and outer magnets, wherein the magnetocaloric material is coupled to the shaft for rotation with the shaft about the axis such that during rotation of the shaft a portion of the magnetocaloric material alternates between a magnetized position disposed within the magnetic gap and a demagnetized position outside of the magnetic gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of operating a magnetic refrigeration device to transfer heat, the method comprising:
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rotating a shaft and a magnetocaloric material with the shaft about an axis; and alternating a portion of the magnetocaloric material between a magnetized position disposed in a magnetic gap defined between an inner magnet disposed at one of the axis and a radial distance from the axis and an outer magnet disposed at a radial distance from the axis outside of the inner magnet, and a demagnetized position disposed outside of the magnetic gap. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of operating a magnetic refrigeration device to transfer heat, the method comprising:
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rotating a shaft about an axis; coupling a first magnet to the shaft, allowing relative rotation therebetween; magnetically coupling the first magnet with a stationary second magnet such that the first magnet substantially resists rotating with the shaft during rotation of the shaft; rotating a magnetocaloric material with the shaft about the axis; alternating a portion of the magnetocaloric material between a magnetized position disposed within a magnetic gap defined between the first magnet disposed at one of the axis and a radial distance from the axis and the second magnet disposed at a radial distance from the axis outside of the first magnet, and a demagnetized position outside of the magnetic gap; and circulating a working fluid of a fluid circuit through the magnetocaloric material to cool a medium to be cooled.
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Specification