Magnetic Refrigeration System with Improved Coaxial Valve
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An active magnetic regenerative refrigerator (AMR) apparatus, comprising:
- a first AMR bed with a first end and a second end;
a first heat exchanger (HEX) with an inlet and an outlet;
a shaft rotatable along an axis;
a magnet attached to the shaft to apply a time-varying magnetic field to the first AMR bed with rotation of the shaft;
a first valve switchably connecting the outlet of the first HEX to the first end of the AMR bed for fluid flow therebetween when the field on the first AMR bed is in a low state relatively removed from the magnet;
a second valve switchably connecting the inlet of the first HEX to the first end of the AMR bed for fluid flow therebetween when the field on the first AMR bed is in a high state relatively proximate to the magnet; and
wherein the first and second valves include;
(a) at least one pair of valve plates in rotational sliding communication and positioned coaxially about the shaft, wherein a first valve plate is attached to rotate with the shaft with respect to the second valve plate, the valve plates including valve ports that move into alignment and out of alignment to allow fluid flow through the valve ports when in alignment and to block fluid flow through the valve ports when out of alignment, wherein at least one of the valve plates is mounted for movement along the axis of the shaft with respect to another of the valve plates; and
(b) a spring-like object urging the valve plates axially into contact with each other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic refrigeration system provides a rotary valve design that balances the forces needed to seal valve surfaces, reduces influence of wear on leakage, makes assembly and adjustment of the valve easier, reduces potential for bypass flows, reduces stress on and corrosion of the drive shaft, and provides a more compact system.
49 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An active magnetic regenerative refrigerator (AMR) apparatus, comprising:
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a first AMR bed with a first end and a second end; a first heat exchanger (HEX) with an inlet and an outlet; a shaft rotatable along an axis; a magnet attached to the shaft to apply a time-varying magnetic field to the first AMR bed with rotation of the shaft; a first valve switchably connecting the outlet of the first HEX to the first end of the AMR bed for fluid flow therebetween when the field on the first AMR bed is in a low state relatively removed from the magnet; a second valve switchably connecting the inlet of the first HEX to the first end of the AMR bed for fluid flow therebetween when the field on the first AMR bed is in a high state relatively proximate to the magnet; and wherein the first and second valves include; (a) at least one pair of valve plates in rotational sliding communication and positioned coaxially about the shaft, wherein a first valve plate is attached to rotate with the shaft with respect to the second valve plate, the valve plates including valve ports that move into alignment and out of alignment to allow fluid flow through the valve ports when in alignment and to block fluid flow through the valve ports when out of alignment, wherein at least one of the valve plates is mounted for movement along the axis of the shaft with respect to another of the valve plates; and (b) a spring-like object urging the valve plates axially into contact with each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification