Magneto-caloric regenerator system and method

Abstract

A regenerator having a thermal diffusivity matrix is presented. The thermal diffusivity matrix includes magneto-caloric material having multiple miniature protrusions intimately packed to form a gap between the protrusions. A fluid path is provided within the gap to facilitate flow of a heat exchange fluid and further provide efficient thermal exchange between the heat exchange fluid and magneto-caloric material. A first layer is disposed on each of the miniature protrusion to physically isolate the heat exchange fluid and magneto-caloric material, wherein the first layer further includes a soft magnetic material configured to simultaneously enhance a permeability and a thermal efficiency of the thermal diffusivity matrix.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to magneto-caloric refrigeration and in particular to regenerators in magneto-caloric refrigeration.[0002]Conventional refrigeration technology has often utilized the adiabatic expansion or the Joule-Thomson effect of a gas. However, such gas compression technology has some drawbacks. First, a Hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC), Hydro-chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), or chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gas, a typical refrigerant working material used most commonly in this technology, may pose some level of environmental challenges if not disposed of properly. Additionally, the gas compression technology is a mature technology and extracting additional energy savings out of this technology has proved difficult.[0003]An alternative refrigeration technique involves a method that takes advantage of entropy change accompanied by a magnetic or magneto-structural phase transition of a magneto-caloric material, referred to as a magnetic phase tr...

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Benefits of technology

[0007]In another embodiment, a regenerator having a thermally conducting material is presented. The thermally conducting material defines multiple micro fluidic channels adjacent to each other. A magneto-caloric material is disposed within multiple pockets formed between the micro fluidic channels. A fluid path is defined within said micro fluidic channels. The fluid path facilitates flow of a heat exchange fluid, wherein the heat exchange fluid and magneto-caloric material are in thermal communication and physical isolation.

[0008]A magneto-caloric system having a regenerator, an excitation source, a magnetic core, and a thermal exchange cycle is presenter. The regenerator includes a

Problems solved by technology

However, such gas compression technology has some drawbacks.

First, a Hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC), Hydro-chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), or chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gas, a typical refrigerant working material used most commonly in this technology, may pose some level of environmental challenges if not disposed of properly.

Additionally, the gas compression technology is a mature technology and extracting additional energy savings out of this technology has proved difficult.

Magneto-caloric materials include multiple alloys that are typically bri

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