MAGNETOCALORIC HEAT GENERATOR
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetocaloric heat generator (1) which comprises a driving mechanism (26) in fluidic connection with first and second ends (3 and 4) of a thermal module (2) via at least one heat exchange mechanism (7, 27) so that the heat transfer fluid circulates in a closed constant-volume fluidic circuit through the magnetocaloric heat generator (1).
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1-6. -6. (canceled)
-
7. A magnetocaloric heat generator (1, 10) comprising:
-
at least one thermal module (2, 20) having first and second ends (3, 4) and comprising at least one magnetocaloric element (5); a magnetic arrangement for subjecting the magnetocaloric element (5) to a variable magnetic field and alternately creating, in the magnetocaloric element (5), a heating phase and a cooling phase; a means for circulation (26, 16) of a heat transfer fluid in thermal contact with the magnetocaloric element (5) and circulating alternately towards the one (3) of the first and the second ends, and then towards the other (4) of the first and the second ends and vice-versa, in synchronisation with a variation of the magnetic field; and at least one heat exchange means (7, 27) for transferring the thermal energy produced by the thermal module (2, 20) to at least one device external to the heat generator (1, 10); wherein the heat transfer fluid driving means (26, 16) is in fluidic communication, in a closed constant-volume fluidic circuit, with both the first and the second ends (3 and 4) of the thermal module (2, 20) through the exchange means (7, 27); and the heat exchange means (7, 27) comprises first and second exchange areas (8 and 9, 28 and 29) distinct from one another, connected in parallel, and equipped with control means (11) for the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid, so that each of them is crossed alternately in only one direction of circulation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A process for exchange of the thermal energy produced by a heat generator (1, 10) which comprises at least one thermal module (2, 20) having first and second ends (3, 4) and comprising at least one magnetocaloric element (5);
- a magnetic arrangement for subjecting the magnetocaloric element (5) to a variable magnetic field and alternately creating, in the magnetocaloric element (5), a heating phase and a cooling phase;
a means for circulation (26, 16) of a heat transfer fluid in thermal contact with the magnetocaloric element (5) and circulating alternately towards the one (3) of the first and the second ends, and then towards the other (4) of the first and the second ends and vice-versa, in synchronisation with a variation of the magnetic field; and
at least one heat exchange means (7, 27) for transferring the thermal energy produced by the thermal module (2, 20) to at least one device external to the heat generator (1, 10);
wherein the heat transfer fluid driving means (26, 16) is in fluidic communication, in a closed constant-volume fluidic circuit, with both the first and the second ends (3 and 4) of the thermal module (2, 20) through the exchange means (7, 27); and
the heat exchange means (7, 27) comprises first and second exchange areas (8 and 9, 28 and 29) distinct from one another, connected in parallel, and equipped with control means (11) for the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid, so that each of them is crossed alternately in only one direction of circulation, the process comprising the steps of;moving the heat transfer fluid, step by step, in the magnetocaloric element (5), at every operating phase, by a driving means (26, 16) connected to heat exchange means (7, 27) in a closed constant-volume fluidic circuit; exchanging the thermal energy produced by the heat generator, at every operating phase, and transported by the heat transfer fluid, at every magnetocaloric cycle, comprising a heating phase and a cooling phase in two successive exchange areas (8, 9 and 28, 29) of each thermal exchange means (7, 27).
- a magnetic arrangement for subjecting the magnetocaloric element (5) to a variable magnetic field and alternately creating, in the magnetocaloric element (5), a heating phase and a cooling phase;
Specification