REGENERATOR INCLUDING MAGNETO CALORIC MATERIAL WITH CHANNELS FOR THE FLOW OF HEAT TRANSFER FLUID

• US 20160216012A1
• Filed: 01/22/2015
• Published: 07/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2015
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Benedict, Michael Alexander, Beers, David G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,254,020 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/00 Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2321/0021 with a static fixed magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 11/00 Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/00 Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]

Abstract

The present invention provides a regenerator having magneto caloric material (MCM) configured with flow channels for the passage of a heat transfer fluid through the MCM. The flow channels are created by positioning elongate elements of the MCM adjacent to each other. The elongate elements provide surface area necessary for heat transfer while the flow channels reduce the pressure drop incurred by the heat transfer fluid as it flows through the regenerator. The elongate elements can also be configured with MCM having different Curie temperatures (e.g., different Curie temperature ranges) in order to accommodate a variety of ambient conditions in which the regenerator may be used.

Claims

1. A regenerator, comprising:

a working unit extending along a longitudinal direction between a first end of the regenerator and a second end of the regenerator, the working unit comprising a plurality of discrete, elongate elements defining a plurality of flow channels extending along the longitudinal direction and configured for the flow of a heat transfer fluid therethrough, wherein each elongate element comprises magneto caloric material.

2. The regenerator of claim 1, wherein each elongate element is positioned adjacent to, and in contact with, at least one other elongate element in a manner that defines at least one of the plurality of flow channels between the elongate elements.

3. The regenerator of claim 1, wherein the magneto caloric material of the working unit has a Curie temperature that continuously decreases along the longitudinal direction.

4. The regenerator of claim 1, wherein the magneto caloric material of the working unit has a Curie temperature that continuously decreases in a linear manner along the longitudinal direction.

5. The regenerator of claim 1, wherein the magneto caloric material of the working unit comprises a plurality of stages of magneto caloric material with each stage having a different Curie temperature or Curie temperate range than an adjacent stage.

6. The regenerator of claim 1, wherein the magneto caloric material of the working unit comprises a plurality of stages of magneto caloric material with each stage having a different Curie temperature such that the Curie temperatures of the stages decreases along the longitudinal direction.

7. The regenerator of claim 1, wherein the elongate elements have a circular cross-sectional shape.

8. The regenerator of claim 1, wherein the elongate elements have a tubular cross-sectional shape.

9. A heat pump, comprising:

a regenerator defining a circumferential direction along which the regenerator is rotatable, the regenerator extending along an axial direction between a first end and a second end, the regenerator comprising

a plurality of working units arranged adjacent to each along the circumferential direction and extending along the longitudinal direction between the first end of the regenerator and the second end of the regenerator, each working unit comprising a plurality of discrete, elongate elements defining a plurality of flow channels extending along the longitudinal direction and configured for the flow of a heat transfer fluid therethrough, wherein each elongate element comprises magneto caloric material; and

a magnetic device positioned proximate to the working units and extending along the longitudinal direction, the magnetic device creating a field of magnetic flux, 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 working units are rotated along the circumferential axial direction.

10. The heat pump of claim 9, wherein the regenerator defines a radial direction and further comprises a cavity positioned radially-inward of the plurality of working units, wherein the magnetic device is positioned within the cavity.

11. The heat pump of claim 10, wherein the magnetic device comprises a plurality of magnets arranged in the shape of an arc and configured to project a magnetic field substantially along a radially-outward direction.

12. The heat pump of claim 9, wherein each elongate element is positioned adjacent to, and in contact with, at least one other elongate element in a manner that defines at least one of the plurality of flow channels between the elongate elements.

13. The heat pump of claim 9, wherein the magneto caloric material of each working unit has a Curie temperature that continuously decreases along the longitudinal direction.

14. The heat pump of claim 9, wherein the magneto caloric material of each working unit has a Curie temperature that continuously decreases in a linear manner along the longitudinal direction.

15. The heat pump of claim 9, wherein the magneto caloric material of each working unit comprises a plurality of stages of magneto caloric material with each stage having a different Curie temperature or Curie temperate range than an adjacent stage.

16. The heat pump of claim 9, wherein the magneto caloric material of each working unit comprises a plurality of stages of magneto caloric material with each stage having a different Curie temperature such that the Curie temperatures of the stages decreases along the longitudinal direction.

17. The heat pump of claim 9, wherein the elongate elements have a circular cross-sectional shape.

18. The heat pump of claim 9, wherein the elongate elements have a tubular cross-sectional shape.

19. The heat pump of claim 9, wherein the elongate elements have beveled ends.

20. A refrigerator appliance comprising the heat pump of claim 9.