VARIABLE HEAT PUMP USING MAGNETO CALORIC MATERIALS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A heat pump, comprising:
- a plurality of stages arranged sequentially along a predetermined direction, each of the stages comprising magneto caloric material having a Curie temperature range, the stages arranged so that the Curie temperature ranges of the plurality of stages increase along the predetermined direction;
an adjustable heat transfer fluid flow path through the heat pump, the fluid flow path configured so that the number of stages through which heat transfer fluid passes is adjustable; and
a magnetic device positioned adjacent to the plurality of stages, the magnetic device configured to subject one or more of the plurality of stages to a magnetic field.
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Abstract
A heat pump system is provided that uses multiple stages of MCMs with different Curie temperature ranges. An adjustable fluid flow path is used whereby the number of stages through which a heat transfer fluid passes can be varied depending upon e.g., the amount of heating or cooling desired. In certain embodiments, a magnetic field used to activate the MCMs can be manipulated so that the number of stages of MCMs that are activated also be adjusted. These and other features can improve the operating efficiency of the heat pump.
59 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A heat pump, comprising:
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a plurality of stages arranged sequentially along a predetermined direction, each of the stages comprising magneto caloric material having a Curie temperature range, the stages arranged so that the Curie temperature ranges of the plurality of stages increase along the predetermined direction; an adjustable heat transfer fluid flow path through the heat pump, the fluid flow path configured so that the number of stages through which heat transfer fluid passes is adjustable; and a magnetic device positioned adjacent to the plurality of stages, the magnetic device configured to subject one or more of the plurality of stages to a magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a heat pump having a plurality of stages arranged sequentially along a predetermined direction, wherein each of the stages comprise magneto caloric material having a Curie temperature range, the stages arranged so that the Curie temperature ranges of the plurality of stages increase along the predetermined direction, the method comprising the steps of:
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directing a flow of fluid through the plurality of stages; adjusting the number of stages through which the fluid flows by altering a flow path of the fluid; and cycling the stages in and out of a magnetic field so as to exchange heat between the fluid and one or more of the stages; wherein the step of adjusting changes the amount of heat exchanged between the stages and the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A heat pump system, comprising:
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a regenerator defining a circumferential direction and rotatable about an axial direction, the axial direction extending between a first end and a second end of the regenerator, the regenerator comprising a plurality of chambers with each chamber extending longitudinally along the axial direction with an opening at the first end and having a first aperture positioned along a radially-outermost surface of each chamber, the plurality of chambers arranged proximate to each other along the circumferential direction; a plurality of working units, each working unit positioned within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the axial direction, each working unit comprising a plurality of stages arranged sequentially along the axial direction, each stage comprising magneto caloric material having a Curie temperature range, the plurality of stages arranged so that the Curie temperature ranges of the plurality of stages increase along the axial direction; a valve attached to the first end of the regenerator, the valve comprising a plurality of apertures spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction with each aperture positioned adjacent one of the openings of one of the plurality of chambers; a housing defining a chamber into which the regenerator is rotatably received, the housing and regenerator movable relative to each other along the axial direction, the housing defining a pair of second apertures positioned in an opposing manner, the pair of second apertures configured for selective alignment with the first apertures of the plurality of chambers as the regenerator is rotated relative to the housing; a magnetic device positioned proximate to the regenerator and extending along the axial direction, the magnetic device positioned so that one or more of the plurality of working units are moved in and out of the magnetic field as the regenerator is rotated about the axial direction; and a seal positioned adjacent to the valve and configured such that the regenerator and the valve are rotatable relative to the seal, the seal comprising a pair of ports positioned in an opposing manner relative to each other and also positioned so that each port can selectively align with at least one of the openings of the plurality of chambers as the regenerator is rotated about the axial direction. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification