Magnetic field generator for a magnetocaloric thermal device, and magnetocaloric thermal device equipped with such a generator

• US 9,548,151 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2013
• Issued: 01/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: France Brevets SAS
• Original Assignee: Cooltech Applications S.A.S.
• Inventors: Muller, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Melvin
• Application Number:
  US14/416,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20150206638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 62/31, 335/306, 335/302
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/00 Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2321/0022 with a rotating or otherwise moving magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 1/012 adapted for magnetic entropy change by magnetocaloric effect, e.g. used as magnetic refrigerating material refrigeration systems using magnetic effects F25B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0273 Magnetic circuits with PM for magnetic field generation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/00 Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]

Abstract

A magnetic field generator (G₁) for a magnetocaloric thermal device which comprises first (S_M11) and second (S_M21) identical magnetizing structures mounted head-to-tail, on either side of a central plane (P) and defining two air gaps (E₁, E₂). Each magnetizing structure (SM_M11, S_M12) comprises first (A_M1) and second (A_M2) magnetizing assemblies, whose induction vectors are oriented in opposite directions, and mounted on a support (S_UP1). Each magnetizing assembly (A_M1, A_M2) has a permanent magnet structure (A_PI, A_PC) which comprises a passive side (F_P1, F_P2) and an active side (F_A1, F_A2), delimiting the air gaps (E₁, E₂). The induction vectors of the first (A_M1, A_M19) and the second (A_M2, A_M29) magnetizing assemblies, form inside the generator, a single circulation loop of a magnetic field through the supports (S_UP1) and the air gaps (E₁, E₂, E₃, E₄).

Claims

1. A magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈, G₉) for a magnetocaloric thermal device (A_T) with a rotary structure, the magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈, G₉) comprising:

first (S_M11, S_M12, S_M13, S_M14, S_M15, SM₁₉) and second (S_M21, S_M22, SM₂₉) identical magnetizing structures mounted head-to-tail, opposite to each other, parallel on either side of a central plane (P) and arranged to define at least two air gaps (E₁, E₂, E₃, E₄, E₅, E₆, E₇, E₈, E₉, E₁₀) located diametrically opposed one another and in a same plane;

each magnetizing structure (S_M11, _M12, S_M13, S_M14, S_M15, SM₁₉, S_M21, S_M22, SM₂₉) comprising first (A_M1, A_M19) and second (A_M2, A_M29) structurally identical magnetizing assemblies, diametrically opposed, whose induction vectors are oriented in opposite directions, mounted on a support (S_UP1, S_UP2, S_UP3, S_UP4, S_UP9) made out of at least one ferromagnetic material and delimiting the air gaps;

wherein the first (A_M1, A_M19) and the second (A_M2, A_M29) magnetizing assemblies have each a structure with permanent magnets (A_PI, A_PC, A_PU) whose magnetic induction vectors are substantially perpendicular to the central plane (P) and comprise a passive side (F_P1, F_P2) and an active side (F_A1, F_A2);

the active side (F_A1, F_A2) delimits the air gaps; and

the induction vectors of the first (A_M1, A_M19) and the second (A_M2, _AM29) magnetizing assemblies form, inside of the generator, a single circulation loop of a magnetic field through the supports (S_UP1,S_UP2,S_UP3, S_UP4, S_UP9) and the air gaps (E₁, E₂, E₃, E₄, E₅, E₆, E₇, E₈, E₉, E₁₀).

2. The magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈,) according to claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet structure (A_PI, A_PC) is a stepped structure which comprises at least two stages (E_I1, E_I2, E_C1, E_C2) of permanent magnets (A_PI, A_PC), the at least two stages (E_I1, E_I2, E_C1, E_C2) are concentrically superposed and comprise a first stage of permanent magnets called magnetic flux initiator stage (E_I1, E_I2) which form the passive side (F_P1, F_P2) of the first (A_M1) and the second (A_M2) magnetizing assemblies, and a second stage of permanent magnets called magnetic flux concentrator stage (E_C1, E_C2) which form the active side (F_A1, F_A2) of the first (A_M1) and the second(A_M2) magnetizing assemblies delimiting the air gaps.

3. The magnetic field generator according to claim 1, wherein each magnetizing structure (S_M12, S_M13, S_M14, S_M15, S_M22) comprises a device (D_CF1, D_CF2, D_CF3) arranged to contain the magnetic field in a volume delimited by the generator (G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₇).

4. The magnetic field generator according to claim 3, wherein the device arranged to contain the magnetic field comprises at least one plate (D_CF1, D_CF2) made out of a ferromagnetic material, located against a corresponding lateral side of the support (S_UP1, S_UP2, S_UP3) and which extends towards the corresponding air gap (E₁, E₂).

5. The magnetic field generator according to claim 2, wherein a flat thermal insulation part (P_I1, P_I2), which extends parallel to the central plane (P), is mounted on every magnetizing structure (S_M11, S_M12, S_M21, S_M22) and placed on the corresponding concentrator stages (E_C1, E_C2).

6. The magnetic field generator according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a third magnetizing structure (S_M3, S_M31, S_M32, S_M33, S_M34, S_M35) inserted in the central plane (P), between the first (S_M12, S_M19) and the second (S_M22, S_M29) magnetizing structures, the third magnetizing structure (S_M3, S_M31, S_M32, S_M33, S_M34,S_M35) comprises two magnetizing units (U₁, U₁₃₁, U₁₃₂, U ₁₃₃, U₁₃₄, U₁₃₅, U₂, U₂₃₁, U₂₃₂, U₂₃₃, U₂₃₄, U₂₃₅) respectively located between the first (A_M1, A_M19) and the second (A_M2, A_M29) magnetizing assemblies of the first (S_M12, S_M19) and the second (S_M22, S_M29) magnetizing structures for delimiting four air gaps (E₃, E₄, E₅, E₆, E₇, E₈, E₉, E₁₀).

7. The magnetic field generator according to claim 6, wherein each magnetizing unit (U₁, U₁₃₁, U₁₃₂, U₁₃₃, U₁₃₄, U₁₃₅, U₂, U₂₃₁, U₂₃₂, U₂₃₃, U₂₃₄, U₂₃₅) comprises at least one permanent magnet (A_PU1, A_PU2) whose magnetic induction vector has a same orientation and a same direction as the magnetic induction vector of the magnetizing assemblies (A_M1, A_M2) between which the magnetizing unit (U₁, U₁₃₁, U₁₃₂, U₁₃₃, U₁₃₄, U₁₃₅, U₂, U₂₃₁, U₂₃₂, U₂₃₃, U₂₃₄, U₂₃₅) is positioned.

8. The magnetic field generator according to claim 6, wherein the magnetizing units (U₁, U₂) comprise permanent magnets (A_PU1, A_PU2) arranged on either side of a supporting element (M, M₃₁, M₃₂, M₃₃, M₃₄, M₃₅) made out of a ferromagnetic material.

9. The magnetic field generator according to claim 6, wherein the magnetizing units (U₁, U₂) comprise permanent magnets (A_PU1, A_PU2) arranged between two identical supporting elements (M, M₃₁, M₃₂, M₃₃, M₃₄, M₃₅) which extend parallel to one another and are made of a ferromagnetic material.

13. The magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈,) according to claim 1, wherein, in each magnetizing assembly (A_M1, A_M2), a cross-section of the permanent magnet stages (E_I1, E_I2, E_C1, E_C2) arranged along a plane parallel to the central plane (P), decreases from an initiator stage (E_I1, E_I2) towards a concentrator stage (E_C1, E_C2).

14. The magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈,) according to claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet stages (E_I1, E_I2, E_C1, E_C2) have different magnetic induction values.

15. The magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈) according to claim 1, wherein at least one plate (D_CF1) of the device, arranged to contain the magnetic flux, has a bent section which is oriented toward a corresponding air gap (E₁, E₂).

16. The magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈,) according to claim 13, wherein the device, arranged to contain the magnetic field flux, comprises a part (D_CF3) of a ferromagnetic material mounted on a support (S_UP4), the part (D_CF3)extends between the first (A_M1) and the second (A_M2) magnetizing assemblies of a same magnetizing structure, in a plane parallel to the central plane (P), and the part (D_CF3)comprises protruding areas (Z_S) which extend toward the concentrator stages (E_C1, E_C2) at a height of one of inlets and outlets of the aft gaps (E₁, E₂).

17. The magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈) according to claim 1, wherein each support (S_UP3) comprises at least one permanent magnet (A_I1) in a central part positioned between the first (A_M1) and the second (A_M2) magnetizing assemblies of a same magnetizing structure, the magnetic induction vector of the permanent magnet (A_I1) is parallel to the central plane (P), perpendicular to the induction vectors of the first (A_M1) and the second (A_M2) magnetizing assemblies and oriented in a circulation direction of the magnetic field.

18. The magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈) according to claim 1, wherein the central section of every support (S_UP2), located between the first (A_M1) and the second (A_M2) magnetizing assemblies of a same magnetizing structure, is made out of a ferromagnetic material which has a magnetic permeability that is higher than that of the material forming a remainder of the support.

19. The magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈) according to claim 13, wherein the thermal insulation part (P_I1, P_I2) is a disk which comprises recesses (E) for the passage of the permanent magnets (A_PC) of the concentrator stage (E_C1, E_C2) and rests on a landing formed by the magnet stage (E_I1, E_I2) on which the concentrator stage (E_C1, E_C2) is mounted.

10. A magnetocaloric thermal device (A_T) with a rotary structure, with at least one disk comprising magnetocaloric elements (E_M) and at least one magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈, G₉), the generator comprising a first (S_M11, S_M12, S_M13, S_M14, S_M15, SM₁₉) and a second (S_M21, S_M22, SM₂₉) identical magnetizing structures mounted head-to-tail, opposite to each other, parallel on either side of a central plane (P) and arranged to define at least two air gaps (E₁, E₂, E₃, E₄, E₅, E₆, E₇, E₈, E₉, E₁₀) located in a same plane and diametrically opposed,

each magnetizing structure (S_M11, S_M12, S_M13, S_M14, S_M15, SM₁₉, S_M21, S₂₂, SM₂₉) comprising first (A_M1, A_M19) and second (A_M2, A_M29) structurally identical magnetizing assemblies, diametrically opposed, whose induction vectors are oriented in opposite directions,

mounted on a support (S_UP1, S_UP2, S_UP3, S_UP4, S_UP9) made out of at least one ferromagnetic material and delimiting the air gaps between which the at least one disk carrying the magnetocaloric elements (E_M) is positioned, device

wherein the first (A_M1, A_M19,) and the second (A_M2, A_M29) magnetizing assemblies of each magnetizing structure each have a structure with permanent magnets (A_PI, A_PC, A_PU) whose magnetic induction vectors are substantially perpendicular to the central plane (P) and comprise a passive side (F _P1, F_P2) and an active side (F_A1, F_A2),

the active side delimits the air gaps, and

the induction vectors of the first (A_M1, A_M19) and the second (A_M2, A_M29) magnetizing assemblies form inside of the generator one single circulation loop of a magnetic field through the supports (S_UP1, S_UP2, S_UP3, S_UP4, S_UP9) and the air gaps (E₁, E₂, E₃, E₄, E₅, E₆, E₇, E₈, E₉, E₁₀).

11. The magnetocaloric thermal device (A_T) according to claim 10, wherein the permanent magnet structure (A_PI, A_PC) is a stepped structure which comprises at least two stages (E_I1, E_I2, E_C1, E_C2) of permanent magnets (A_PI, A_PC), the stages (E_I1, E_I2, E_C1, E_C2) are concentrically superposed and comprise a first stage of permanent magnets called magnetic flux initiator stage (E_I1, E_I2) forming the passive side (F_P1, F_P2) of the first (A_M1) and the second (A_M2) magnetizing assemblies, and a second stage of permanent magnets called magnetic flux concentrator stage (E_C1, E_C2) forming the active side (F_A1, F_A2) of the first (A_M1) and the second (A_M2) magnetizing assemblies delimiting the air gaps.

12. The magnetocaloric thermal device (A_T) according to claim 10, wherein the magnetic field generator (G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆, G₇, G₈, G₉) comprises a third magnetizing structure (S_M3, S_M31, S_M32, S_M33, S_M34, S_M35) inserted in the central plane (P), between the first (S_M12) and the second (_M22) magnetizing structures, the third magnetizing structure (S_M3, S_M31, S_M32, S_M33, S_M34, S_M35) comprises two magnetizing units (U₁, U₁₃₁, U₁₃₂, U₁₃₃, U₁₃₄, U₁₃₅, U₂, U₂₃₁, U₂₃₂, U₂₃₃, U₂₃₄, ₂₃₅) respectively located between the first (A_M1) and the second (A_M2) magnetizing assemblies of the first (S_M12) and second (S_M22) magnetizing structures, for delimiting four air gaps (E₃, E₄, E₅, E₆).