Thermomagnetic generator

• US 8,729,718 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2011
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delta Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Delta Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: HSIEH, Sheng-Fan, Shih, Cheng-Yen, LIN, Ming-Tsz, Hsu, Mao-Jen, Hsiao, Fu-Chou, Kuo, Chung-Jung, MAO, Tze-Chern
• Primary Examiner(s): NASRI, JAVAID H
• Application Number:
  US13/284,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20130106116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/04 for electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 71/04 Adaptations of such engines for special use; Combinations of such engines with apparatus driven thereby
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 10/00 Electric motors using thermal effects motors using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating or cooling F03G7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 11/00 Generators or motors not provided for elsewhere; Alleged perpetua mobilia obtained by electric or magnetic means by hydrostatic pressure F03B17/04; by mechanical means F03G7/10; by dynamo-electric means, including arrangements of permanent magnets interacting with other permanent magnets, H02K53/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 7/08 incorporating negative feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 15/20 Thermomagnetic devices using thermal change of the magnetic permeability, e.g. working above and below the Curie point

Abstract

A thermomagnetic generator is provided, including a switch valve, a plurality of magnetic circuit units, a coil, and a plurality of inlet pipes connecting the magnetic circuit units to the switch valve. Each of the magnetic circuit units includes a magneto-caloric member. The switch valve repeatedly and alternatively switches at a predetermined frequency to guide hot and cold fluids to the magnetic circuit units, such that the magneto-caloric members are magnetized and demagnetized, respectively, by the cold and hot fluids. The coil is coupled to at least one of the magnetic circuit units for obtaining an induced voltage.

Claims

1. A thermomagnetic generator, comprising:

a switch valve;

a hot liquid source;

a hot liquid pipe, connecting the hot liquid source to the switch valve, wherein a hot fluid is pumped through the hot liquid pipe to the switch valve;

a cold liquid source;

a cold liquid pipe, connecting the cold liquid source to the switch valve, wherein a cold fluid is pumped through the cold liquid pipe to the switch valve;

a plurality of magnetic circuit units, wherein each of the magnetic circuit units comprises a magneto-caloric member;

a plurality of inlet pipes, respectively, connecting the magnetic circuit units to the switch valve, wherein the switch valve repeatedly switches at a predetermined frequency to guide the hot and cold fluids through the inlet pipes to the magnetic circuit units, and wherein the magneto-caloric members are magnetized and demagnetized in turns by the cold and hot fluids; and

a coil, coupled to at least one of the magnetic circuit units for obtaining an induced voltage.

2. The thermomagnetic generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic circuit unit further comprises two magnetic yokes and a tube disposed between the magnetic yokes for guiding the hot and cold fluids.

3. The thermomagnetic generator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magneto-caloric member is disposed in the tube.

4. The thermomagnetic generator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magnetic circuit unit further comprises two permanent magnets in contact between the magnetic yokes.

5. The thermomagnetic generator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tube communicates with the inlet pipe.

6. The thermomagnetic generator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magneto-caloric member comprises gadolinium, gadolinium alloy or other magneto-caloric material.

7. The thermomagnetic generator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magneto-caloric member comprises a porous structure.

8. The thermomagnetic generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic circuit units are arranged side by side.

9. The thermomagnetic generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermomagnetic generator further comprises a plurality of outlet pipes, respectively, connected to the magnetic circuit units, for discharging the hot and cold fluids.

10. The thermomagnetic generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hot and cold liquids comprise water.