Conduction based magneto caloric heat pump
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A heat pump, comprising:
- a plurality of stages arranged sequentially along a direction of heat transfer between a heat receiving end and a heat transmitting end, the plurality of stages alternating between a stage comprising a normal magneto caloric material and a stage comprising an inverse magneto caloric material;
a plurality of thermal blocks, wherein at least one thermal block is positioned at the heat receiving end, at least one thermal block is positioned at the heat transmitting end, and at least one thermal block is positioned between each of the stages, wherein each thermal block is configured to preclude the transfer of heat in a direction from the heat transmitting end towards the heat receiving end; and
a magnetic element configured to cycle a changing field of magnetic flux along the plurality of stages.
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Abstract
A heat pump is provided that uses multiple stages of MCMs to cause heat transfer between a heat receiving end and a heat transmitting end. Thermal blocks are placed along the direction of heat transfer at locations in the heat pump that preclude the transfer of heat in a direction from the heat transmitting end towards the heat receiving end. The heat pump can be, for example, part of a refrigeration loop or can be connected directly with the object for which heating or cooling is desired. An appliance incorporating such a heat pump is also provided.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A heat pump, comprising:
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a plurality of stages arranged sequentially along a direction of heat transfer between a heat receiving end and a heat transmitting end, the plurality of stages alternating between a stage comprising a normal magneto caloric material and a stage comprising an inverse magneto caloric material; a plurality of thermal blocks, wherein at least one thermal block is positioned at the heat receiving end, at least one thermal block is positioned at the heat transmitting end, and at least one thermal block is positioned between each of the stages, wherein each thermal block is configured to preclude the transfer of heat in a direction from the heat transmitting end towards the heat receiving end; and a magnetic element configured to cycle a changing field of magnetic flux along the plurality of stages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A refrigerator appliance, comprising:
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a compartment for the storage of food items; a heat pump comprising a heat receiving portion in thermal communication with the compartment so as to receive heat from the compartment; a heat transmitting portion for releasing heat; a plurality of stages positioned adjacent to each other along a direction of heat transfer between the heat receiving portion and the heat transmitting portion;
the plurality of stages alternating between one or more stages comprising a normal magneto caloric material and one or more stages comprising an inverse magneto caloric material;a plurality of thermal blocks, at least one block positioned between each pair of adjacent stages of the plurality of stages, at least one thermal block positioned downstream of the heat receiving portion, at least one thermal block positioned upstream of the heat transmitting portion, the plurality of thermal blocks configured to substantially block the transfer of heat in a direction from the heat transmitting portion towards the heat receiving portion; and a magnetic element configured to subject the plurality of stages to field of changing magnetic flux. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A heat pump, comprising:
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a plurality of stages arranged sequentially along a direction of heat transfer between a heat receiving end and a heat transmitting end, the plurality of stages alternating between a stage comprising a magneto caloric material and a stage comprising a thermally conductive metal; a plurality of thermal blocks, wherein at least one thermal block is positioned at the heat receiving end, at least one thermal block is positioned at the heat transmitting end, and at least one thermal block is positioned between each of the stages, wherein each thermal block is configured to preclude the transfer of heat in a direction from the heat transmitting end towards the heat receiving end; and a magnetic element configured to cycle a changing field of magnetic flux along the plurality of stages. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification