80results about "Thermoelectric deivce with magnetic permeability thermal change" patented technology

A heat generator comprising at least one thermal module comprising a magnetocaloric element crossed by a heat transfer fluid and two hot and cold chambers arranged on each side of the magnetocaloric element and containing a displacement device for directing the heat transfer fluid through the magnetocaloric element. A magnetic arrangement creates a magnetic field variation in each magnetocaloric element. A device for driving the displacement device, according to reciprocating movement in the concerned chamber, to displace the heat transfer fluid in synchronization with the magnetic field variation. The drive device contains a closed fluid circuit which connects the hot and cold chambers in which a working fluid is driven by a suction and discharge device. At least one switching interface is synchronized with the magnetic arrangement for alternately connecting each hot and cold chamber to suction and discharge sides of the suction and discharge device and inversely.

A thermal generator (1) comprises at least one thermal flow generation unit (2) that is provided with at least one thermal module (3) each containing a magnetocaloric member (4) through which a coolant flows. A magnetic arrangement (9) is actuated for alternatively subjecting each magnetocaloric member (4) to a variation in magnetic field, the alternating movement of the coolant is synchronized with the magnetic field variation, the magnetocaloric member (4) is integrated into a closed flow circuit (6) that connects the two opposite ends (7) of the magnetocaloric member (4), and the closed circuit includes a single element (5) for moving the coolant through the magnetocaloric member (4).

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.

A thermal generator (1) comprises at least one thermal flow generation unit (2) that is provided with at least one thermal module (3) each containing a magnetocaloric member (4) through which a coolant flows. A magnetic arrangement (9) is actuated for alternatively subjecting each magnetocaloric member (4) to a variation in magnetic field, the alternating movement of the coolant is synchronized with the magnetic field variation, the magnetocaloric member (4) is integrated into a closed flow circuit (6) that connects the two opposite ends (7) of the magnetocaloric member (4), and the closed circuit includes a single element (5) for moving the coolant through the magnetocaloric member (4).

Improved energy conversion devices comprise a first ferromagnetic element, a second ferromagnetic element oriented such that similar poles of the first ferromagnetic element and the second ferromagnetic element can be positioned proximate each other, and a mechanical element connected to the first ferromagnetic element such that movement of the first ferromagnetic element can actuate the mechanical element to provide mechanical work. In some embodiments, the energy conversion devices can further comprise an externally powered temperature control device to selectively alter the temperature of the ferromagnetic elements to change the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic elements. The change in temperature of the ferromagnetic elements and the orientation of the first and second ferromagnetic elements allows the repulsive force between the first and second ferromagnetic elements to result in mechanical work.

This Thermoacoustic Thermomagnetic Generator uses the thermal gradient in thermoacoustic waves to periodically raise the temperature of a thermomagnetic material past its Curie point so that it alternates between magnetic and non-magnetic states. In conjunction with a stator, induction windings and magnet, the metal alloy forms a magnetic circuit that is periodically interrupted and re-established by the action of the thermoacoustic waves. The expanding and collapsing magnetic field induces an alternating current in the stator windings. The resultant generator has no moving parts. This Thermoacoustic Thermomagnetic Generator embodies hot and cold heat exchangers, a working fluid contained in a reservoir that is divided into hot and cold zones, a resonant waveguide means and an electrical generating means that are typical of the art of thermoacoustic engine-generators, but the thermal-to-electric conversion means and process are entirely unique. This basic arrangement of components can be scaled in size from the micro-miniature to the very large. The thermoacoustic thermomagnetic generators can also be arrayed in multiple units with common waveguide, housing and hot and cold heat exchanger means, such as in a panel array of multiple miniature units.

A special thermo magnetic motor which is an electromagnetic heat engine used for directly converting power between heat and electrical forms using magnetism. It is comprised of a unique combination of a base support, a heating system to heat the magnetic wafers to the Curie temperature; a magnet system with a base and shorting bar; a rotatable disk assembly with the magnetic wafers and a support shaft / transfer means; and an output to an output means to the using device. It provides significant benefits compared to prior art devices and is used for driving various other devices.

A thermomagnetic power generation system driven by a thermoacoustic engine comprises the thermoacoustic engine, a heat source supply system and a thermomagnetic power generator. The heat source supply system supplies heat for the thermomagnetic power generator; and the thermomagnetic power generator utilizes alternating flow of fluid to converts the heat into electric energy. The thermomagnetic power generator comprises two room temperature heat exchangers; a high temperature heat exchanger arranged between the two room temperature heat exchangers; soft magnets arranged between the room temperature heat exchangers and the high temperature heat exchanger; and two groups of oppositely-arranged bow-type magnetizers. One end of each group of bow-type magnetizer is clamped with a permanent magnet, and the other end is clamped with a soft magnet. The magnetizers are respectively provided with a coil. Each soft magnet, the permanent magnet and a group of bow-type magnetizer form a magnetic loop. When working, the thermoacoustic engine drives the fluid to move back and forth between the room temperature heat exchangers and the high temperature heat exchanger, so that the soft magnets are heated and cooled periodically, the temperature changes around the curie point, the magnetic conductivity changes periodically, the magnetic loop reluctance and magnetic flux change, and the coils generate induced electromotive force to generate electric energy. The thermomagnetic power generation system is noiselessness, wide in applied temperature range and flexible in generated energy adjustment.

A generator device for converting thermal energy to electric energy. A magnetic circuit includes at least a portion made of a magnetic material. A temperature-varying device varies the temperature in the portion made of the magnetic material alternately above and below a phase transition temperature of the magnetic material to thereby vary the reluctance of the magnetic circuit. A coil is arranged around the magnetic circuit, in which electric energy is induced in response to a varying magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. A magnetic flux generator generates magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. A controllable electric circuit device is connected to the coil and a control device controls the controllable electric circuit device.

A method and apparatus for harvesting waste thermal energy from a pyrometallurgical vessel (1) and converting that energy to direct electrical current, the method including deriving and controlling a primary fluid flow (103) from a primary heat exchanger (10) associated with the pyrometallurgical vessel (1), providing a secondary heat exchanger (12) physically displaced from the pyrometallurgical vessel (1) which exchanges heat between the primary fluid flow (103) from the primary heat exchanger (10) and a secondary fluid flow (104). The secondary heat exchanger (12) has at least one thermoelectric or magneto-thermoelectric device having two operationally-opposed sides, the operationally-opposed sides being in thermal communication with the primary and secondary fluid flows (103,104) respectively. A temperature difference is maintained between the two operationally-opposed sides of the thermoelectric or magneto-thermoelectric device and electrical energy is generated from the temperature differential. The pyrometallurgical vessel preferably generates a magnetic field (14) in the region surrounding the pyrometallurgical vessel (1) and the secondary heat exchanger (12) having at least one magneto-thermoelectric device is positioned physically displaced from but within the magnetic field (14) surrounding the pyrometallurgical vessel such that the direction of temperature gradient across the secondary heat exchanger is oriented normally to the maximum principal direction of the magnetic field (14) and electrical energy is generated from the temperature differential and magnetic field via the Nernst effect or magneto-thermoelectric effects.

This invention relates to a cooling device which utilizes both thermoelectric and magnetocaloric mechanisms for enhanced cooling applications. Using high thermal conductivity magnetocaloric composites in conjunction with thermoelectric elements acting as thermal switches which are electrically coupled to a magnetization and demagnetization cycle enables the use of larger quantities of magnetocaloric material, and high efficiency solid state cooling can be achieved. Solid state cooling devices are useful for a variety of industrial applications which require cooling, such as, but not limited to cooling of microelectronic devices, cooling on space platforms, etc.

The present invention relates to a heat generator (10) comprising magnetocaloric elements (2) arranged on a circle around a central axis, a magnetic arrangement (3) made of alternating magnetized zones (4) and non magnetized zones (5), located inside the circle formed by the magnetocaloric elements (2), rotated around the central axis and co-operating with a field closing device (6) arranged to loop the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic arrangement to subject alternately the magnetocaloric elements (2) to a magnetic field variation and create alternately in each magnetocaloric element (2) a heating cycle and a cooling cycle, in synchronization with the circulation of at least one heat transfer fluid arranged to pass through the magnetocaloric elements (2) during the heating and cooling cycles, heat generator (1) characterized in that the field closing device (6) comprises a heat insulation means (9).

An object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost thermoelectric converter element having high productivity and excellent conversion efficiency. A thermoelectric converter element according to the present invention includes a substrate 4, a magnetic film 2 provided on the substrate 4 with a certain magnetization direction A and formed of a polycrystalline magnetically insulating material, and an electrode 3 provided on the magnetic film 2 with a material exhibiting a spin-orbit interaction. When a temperature gradient is applied to the magnetic film 2, a spin current is generated so as to flow from the magnetic film 2 toward the electrode 3. A current I is generated in a direction perpendicular to the magnetization direction A of the magnetic film 2 by the inverse spin Hall effect in the electrode 3.

A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a magneto-caloric cylinder with a plurality of magneto-caloric stages. Each of the plurality of magneto-caloric stages has a respective Currie temperature. The magneto-caloric cylinder has a length along an axial direction. The plurality of magneto-caloric stages is distributed along the length of the magneto-caloric cylinder. A plurality of thermal stages also has a length along the axial direction. The length of the plurality of thermal stages is less than the length of the magneto-caloric cylinder. The magneto-caloric cylinder is received within the plurality of thermal stages such that the magneto-caloric cylinder is movable along the axial direction relative to the plurality of thermal stages.

A combined pump and valve apparatus including a cylindrical casing, a shaft arranged symmetrically in the casing, a device fixedly attached to the shaft and in close fit with the cylindrical casing, thereby defining separated chambers within the casing, a plurality of outlets / inlets arranged along the circumference of the casing, and a plurality of axially arranged inlets / outlets, each of which is fixedly connected to a respective one of the separated chambers. The axially arranged inlets / outlets are alternately in fluid connection with each of the outlets / inlets fixedly arranged along the circumference of the casing in response to rotation of the shaft and the device with respect to the casing. An impeller arrangement pumps a fluid through the combined pump and valve apparatus in response to the rotation of the shaft.

A thermoacoustic-drive thermomagnetic power generating system comprises a thermoacoustic engine and a thermomagnetic power generator mounted on a resonance tube of the thermoacoustic engine. The thermomagnetic power generator comprises two room-temperature heat exchangers, a high-temperature heat exchanger, at least one magnet conductive section, a pair of magnetizing blocks and a permanent magnet, wherein the high-temperature heat exchanger is arranged between the two room-temperature heat exchangers, the magnet conductive sections are mounted among the room-temperature heat exchangers and the high-temperature heat exchanger, the magnetizing blocks are disposed oppositely, the permanent magnet is clamped between one ends of the magnetizing blocks, the magnet conductive sections are clamped between the other ends of the magnetizing blocks, a coil is sleeved on the magnetizing blocks, and each magnet conductive section, the permanent magnet and the pair of magnetizing blocks form a magnetic loop. When alternating flowing fluid in a system moves back and forth among the room-temperature heat exchangers and the high-temperature heat exchanger, sheets of magnetized materials of the magnet conductive sections are heated or cooled; magnetic resistance and magnetic flux of the magnetic loop vary along with variation of magnetic conductivity of the magnetized materials, and the coil generates induced electromotive force and generates electric energy then. The thermoacoustic-drive thermomagnetic power generating system is totally free of mechanical moving parts, high in reliabilityand power density and the like.

A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a magneto-caloric cylinder with a plurality of magneto-caloric stages. Each of the plurality of magneto-caloric stages has a respective Curie temperature. The magneto-caloric cylinder also includes a plurality of insulation blocks and a plurality of pins. The plurality of magneto-caloric stages and the plurality of insulation blocks are distributed sequentially along an axial direction in the order of magneto-caloric stage then insulation block. One or more the plurality of pins extends along the axial direction between each magneto-caloric stage and a respective insulation block within the magneto-caloric cylinder.

A thermal oscillator (10) for creating an oscillating heat flux from a stationary spatial thermal gradient between a warm reservoir (20) and a cold reservoir (30) is provided. The thermal oscillator (10) includes a thermal conductor (11) which is connectable to the warm reservoir (20) or to the cold reservoir (30) and configured to conduct a heat flux from the warm reservoir (20) towards the cold reservoir (30), and a thermal switch (12) coupled to the thermal conductor (11) for receiving the heat flux and having a certain difference between two states (S1, S2) of thermal conductance for providing thermal relaxation oscillations such that the oscillating heat flux is created from the received heat flux.

A rotating valve apparatus includes a cylindrical casing; a shaft arranged symmetrically in the casing; a member fixedly attached to the shaft and in close fit with the cylindrical casing, defining separated chambers within the casing; at least one outlet fixedly arranged along the circumference of the casing; and a plurality of axially arranged inlets, each of which being constantly in fluid communication with a respective one of the separated chambers, wherein the axially arranged inlets are alternately in fluid connection with the outlet fixedly arranged along the circumference of the casing in response to rotation of the shaft and the member with respect to the casing. The outlet(s) has / have a fluid path length that varies along the circumference of the casing depending on the rotational speed of the shaft such that the interfaces between fluids originating from different ones of the axially arranged inlets will be essentially vertical to the flow direction of the fluids.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric conversion element that can demonstrate satisfactory thermoelectric conversion performance, and also has flexibility or can be mounted on a surface having irregularities or a curved surface, a method of manufacturing such a thermoelectric conversion element, and a method of using such a thermoelectric conversion element. A thermoelectric conversion element according to the present invention includes a columnar crystal ferrite layer and an electromotive film formed on the columnar crystal ferrite layer. The electromotive film is configured to generate an electromotive force in an in-plane direction by an inverse spin Hall effect. Columnar crystal grains of the columnar crystal ferrite layer include a major axis a of not less than 200 nm and a minor axis b of not more than 500 nm where a>b.

A heat exchanger device includes a body and at least one channel located in the body, through which a heat exchange fluid is adapted to be guided, thereby providing heat transfer per unit area between the heat exchange fluid and the material of the body, wherein the body has a material composition and / or dimensions such that the amount of heat transfer per unit area between the heat exchange fluid and the material of the body is essentially constant along the direction of the channel.

A thermomagnetic power generation system driven by a linear compressor comprises the linear compressor, a heat source supply system and a thermomagnetic power generator. The heat source supply system supplies heat for the thermomagnetic power generator; and the thermomagnetic power generator utilizes alternating flow of fluid to converts the heat into electric energy. The thermomagnetic power generator comprises two room temperature heat exchangers; a high temperature heat exchanger arranged between the two room temperature heat exchangers; soft magnets arranged between the room temperature heat exchangers and the high temperature heat exchanger; and two groups of oppositely-arranged bow-type magnetizers. One end of each group of bow-type magnetizer is clamped with a permanent magnet, and the other end is clamped with a soft magnet. The magnetizers are respectively provided with a coil. Each soft magnet, the permanent magnet and a group of bow-type magnetizer form a magnetic loop. When working, the linear compressor drives the fluid to move back and forth between the room temperature heat exchangers and the high temperature heat exchanger, so that the soft magnets are heated and cooled periodically, the temperature changes around the curie point, the magnetic conductivity changes periodically, the magnetic loop reluctance and magnetic flux change, and the coils generate induced electromotive force to generate electric energy. The thermomagnetic power generation system is noiselessness, wide in applied temperature range and flexible in generated energy adjusting.

A thermal oscillator (10) for creating an oscillating heat flux from a stationary spatial thermal gradient between a warm reservoir (20) and a cold reservoir (30) is provided. The thermal oscillator (10) includes a thermal conductor (11) which is connectable to the warm reservoir (20) or to the cold reservoir (30) and configured to conduct a heat flux from the warm reservoir (20) towards the cold reservoir (30), and a thermal switch (12) coupled to the thermal conductor (11) for receiving the heat flux and having a certain difference between two states (S1, S2) of thermal conductance for providing thermal relaxation oscillations such that the oscillating heat flux is created from the received heat flux.

The present invention relates to a thermal generator (1) that comprises at least one thermal module (1') including at least two adjacent magnetocaloric members (2), a common distribution chamber (3) combined with a coolant circulation means (4) fluidically connecting said magnetocaloric members (2) together, and two end chambers (5, 6) also combined with a circulation means (7) and each fluidically connected to the two magnetocaloric members (2) located at the hot (9) and cold ends of said thermal module (1'), and a magnetic arrangement for subjecting each magnetocaloric member (2) to a variable magnetic field, wherein said thermal generator (1) is characterised in that said circulation means (4) combined with said common distribution chamber (3) moves the coolant simultaneously through the two adjacent magnetocaloric members (2) in different directions.

The invention discloses a heat-power conversion magnetism device. The heat-power conversion magnetism device includes a magneto caloric effect material so that the magnetic field thereof can be changed according to the temperature difference. The heat-power conversion magnetism device rotates by changing the magnetic field of the magneto caloric effect material.

A device for transforming thermal energy to electric energy including a magnetic circuit including at least a portion made of a magnetic material, a temperature-varying device for varying the temperature in the portion made of the magnetic material alternately above and below a phase transition temperature of the magnetic material to thereby vary the reluctance of the magnetic circuit, and a coil arranged around the magnetic circuit, in which electric energy is induced in response to a varying magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. A capacitor is connected in parallel with the coil to thereby form a resonant circuit, wherein the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit and the frequency of the temperature variation above and below the phase transition temperature of the magnetic material are dependent on one another to optimize the electric power output.

A special thermo magnetic motor which is an electromagnetic heat engine used for directly converting power between heat and electrical forms using magnetism. It is comprised of a unique combination of a base support, a heating system to heat the magnetic wafers to the Curie temperature; a magnet system with a base and shorting bar; a rotatable disk assembly with the magnetic wafers and a support shaft / transfer means; and an output to an output means to the using device. It provides significant benefits compared to prior art devices and is used for driving various other devices.