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Reciprocating active magnetic regenerator refrigeration apparatus

  • US 5,934,078 A
  • Filed: 02/03/1998
  • Issued: 08/10/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An active magnetic regenerator comprising:

  • (a) a magnet producing a magnetic field;

    (b) a distribution valve having a first valve member and a moving second valve member slidably engaged to one another, the first valve member and the moving second valve member each having ports by which heat transfer fluid may be provided to and received from the valve member;

    (c) a magnetic regenerator bed including material that exhibits the magnetocaloric effect that is porous and allows the flow of heat transfer fluid through such magnetocaloric material, the bed mounted to the moving second valve member of the distribution valve to move with it, the moving second valve member having a port opening into a first side of the bed and a port opening into a second side of the bed so that fluid flowing between the ports flows through the magnetocaloric material of the bed; and

    (d) a reciprocating drive connected to the moving second valve member to slide the moving second valve member and the regenerator bed mounted to it between a first position in which the regenerator bed is outside of the magnetic field of the magnet to a second position in which the regenerator bed is in the magnetic field of the magnet.

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