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Flow-synchronous field motion refrigeration

  • US 9,739,510 B2
  • Filed: 09/17/2010
  • Issued: 08/22/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2009
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for operating an active magnetocaloric or electrocaloric regenerator, the regenerator comprising magnetocaloric or electrocaloric material and fluid in contact with the material, the method comprising:

  • a. acting upon the material to create at one time a plurality of non-overlapping volumes of the fluid;

    wherein(1) the fluid acted upon occupies at the time a first fluid flow path through a homogeneous portion of the material, the fluid being in motion in one direction at the time;

    (2) a first volume of the plurality has a first temperature at a first position of the path;

    (3) a second volume of the plurality has a second temperature at a second position of the path, the second position is a first distance from the first position in the direction, the second temperature is less than the first temperature;

    (4) a third volume of the plurality has a third temperature at a third position of the path, the third position is a second distance from the first position in the direction, the second distance being greater than the first distance, the third temperature is greater than the first temperature;

    (5) a fourth volume of the plurality has a fourth temperature at a fourth position of the path, the fourth position is a third distance from the first position in the direction, the third distance is greater than the second distance, the fourth temperature is greater than the third temperature;

    (6) a fifth volume of the plurality has a fifth temperature at a fifth position of the path, the fifth position is a fourth distance from the first position in the direction, the fourth distance is greater than the third distance, the fifth temperature is less than the fourth temperature, the fifth temperature is greater than the third temperature;

    b. pumping the fluid through the material in the direction;

    c. directing the second volume to a first destination apart from the regenerator so that the second volume receives heat; and

    d. directing the fourth volume to a second destination apart from the regenerator so that the fourth volume provides heat.

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