MAGNETO-CALORIC REGENERATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A regenerator comprising:
- a thermal diffusivity matrix of magneto-caloric material comprising a plurality of miniature protrusions intimately packed to form a gap between the protrusions;
a fluid path defined within the gap to facilitate flow of a heat exchange fluid and efficient thermal exchange between the heat exchange fluid and magneto-caloric material; and
a first layer disposed on each of the miniature protrusion to physically isolate the heat exchange fluid and magneto-caloric material, wherein the first layer further comprise a soft magnetic material configured to simultaneously enhance a permeability and a thermal efficiency of the regenerator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A regenerator having a thermal diffusivity matrix is presented. The thermal diffusivity matrix includes magneto-caloric material having multiple miniature protrusions intimately packed to form a gap between the protrusions. A fluid path is provided within the gap to facilitate flow of a heat exchange fluid and further provide efficient thermal exchange between the heat exchange fluid and magneto-caloric material. A first layer is disposed on each of the miniature protrusion to physically isolate the heat exchange fluid and magneto-caloric material, wherein the first layer further includes a soft magnetic material configured to simultaneously enhance a permeability and a thermal efficiency of the thermal diffusivity matrix.
66 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A regenerator comprising:
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a thermal diffusivity matrix of magneto-caloric material comprising a plurality of miniature protrusions intimately packed to form a gap between the protrusions; a fluid path defined within the gap to facilitate flow of a heat exchange fluid and efficient thermal exchange between the heat exchange fluid and magneto-caloric material; and a first layer disposed on each of the miniature protrusion to physically isolate the heat exchange fluid and magneto-caloric material, wherein the first layer further comprise a soft magnetic material configured to simultaneously enhance a permeability and a thermal efficiency of the regenerator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A regenerator comprising:
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a thermally conducting material defining a plurality of micro fluidic channels adjacent to each other; a magneto-caloric material disposed within a plurality of pockets formed between said micro fluidic channels; a fluid path defined within said micro fluidic channels, said fluid path facilitate flow of a heat exchange fluid, wherein the magneto-caloric material and the heat exchange fluid are in thermal communication and physical isolation. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A magneto-caloric system comprising:
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a regenerator comprising; a magnetically aligned cluster of a magneto-caloric material, the cluster comprising miniature protrusions arranged intimately to form a gap between said miniature protrusions; and a fluid path within said gap configured to exchange thermal units between a heat exchange fluid and the magneto-caloric material; a magnet assembly to generate magnetic flux that magnetize and de-magnetize the regenerator cyclically; a fluid circuit coupling a load, a sink, and the regenerator, wherein the heat exchange fluid facilitate exchange of thermal units between the load and the sink. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A magneto-caloric system comprising:
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a regenerator made of magneto-caloric material configured to heat or cool when magnetically excited; a magnetic assembly to generate a first magnetic field configured to excite the regenerator; a second magnetic source to generate a high frequency magnetic field configured to excite the regenerator; and a fluid circuit to facilitate flow of a heat exchange fluid though the regenerator configured to transfer thermal units between a load and a sink. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification