Magnetic refrigeration apparatus, magnetic refrigeration system, and magnetic refrigeration method

Abstract

Provided is a magnetic refrigeration apparatus in which a condition for passage of a magnetic working substance through a magnetic field application region and a magnetic field removal region can easily be set.　The present invention is a magnetic refrigeration apparatus in which: a circulation track is disposed so as to be capable of circulating through a magnetic field application region (11) and a magnetic field removal region (12); an annular body (belt) (141), a drive wheel (142), and a guide wheel (143) are capable of moving a magnetic work unit (13) along the circulation track and circulating the magnetic work unit (13) through the magnetic field application region (11) and the magnetic field removal region (12); a magnetic working substance of the magnetic work unit (13) generates heat in the magnetic field application region (11) and absorbs heat in the magnetic field removal region (12); and a heat exchange medium is disposed in the magnetic field removal region (12), the heat exchange medium being cooled due to the absorption of heat by the magnetic working substance.

Description

Magnetic refrigeration device, magnetic refrigeration system, and magnetic refrigeration method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a magnetic refrigeration device, a magnetic refrigeration system, and a magnetic refrigeration method.

[0002] Since the magnetic refrigeration device is a technology that utilizes the magnetocaloric effect, it has the advantages of not requiring a fluorocarbon refrigerant gas, which is a warming gas, for a vapor compression refrigeration device, and not being accompanied by vibration and noise. In addition, since it does not use a compressor that requires a large amount of power, there is an advantage that energy saving can be expected. For this reason, various technologies related to magnetic refrigeration devices have been developed. For example, in Patent Document 1, a technology is disclosed in which a heat exchange medium flows in accordance with the rotation of a rotating magnet in a magnetic refrigeration device composed of a rotating magnet and a magnetic working substance filling tank fixed thereto. However, in the magnetic refrigeration device of Patent Document 1, a rotary valve is required for switching the flow path of the heat exchange medium, and the configuration is complicated. On the other hand, in the magnetic refrigeration device disclosed in Patent Document 2, a magnetic refrigeration device is disclosed in which a circular unit filled with a magnetic working substance rotates in a magnetic field application region and a magnetic field removal region. According to the magnetic refrigeration device of Patent Document 2, there is no need to change the flow path of the heat exchange medium, and the configuration does not become complicated.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 5425732 Utility Model Registration No. 3230158

[0004] Since the magnetic refrigeration device of Patent Document 2 adopts a configuration in which a circular unit filled with a magnetic working substance rotates, the orbit of the magnetic working substance is limited to a circular shape. For this reason, in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that it is difficult to adjust conditions such as the amount, time, and distance of the magnetic working substance passing through the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a magnetic refrigeration device, a magnetic refrigeration system, and a magnetic refrigeration method capable of easily setting the passing conditions of a magnetic working substance through a magnetic field application region and a magnetic field removal region.

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the magnetic refrigeration apparatus of the present disclosure includes a magnetic field application region, a magnetic field removal region, a circulation track, a magnetic work unit, a circulation means, and a heat exchange medium, wherein the circulation track is arranged to circulate between the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region, the magnetic work unit is a unit containing a magnetic work material, the circulation means is capable of moving the magnetic work unit along the circulation track, the magnetic work unit is capable of circulating between the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region by the circulation track and the circulation means, the magnetic work material of the magnetic work unit generates heat in the magnetic field application region and absorbs heat in the magnetic field removal region, the heat exchange medium is arranged in the magnetic field removal region, and the heat exchange medium is cooled by the heat absorbed by the magnetic work material.

[0007] The magnetic refrigeration system of this disclosure includes a magnetic refrigeration device and a device to be cooled, wherein the magnetic refrigeration device is the magnetic refrigeration device of this disclosure, and the device to be cooled is cooled by the heat exchange medium cooled by the magnetic refrigeration device.

[0008] The magnetic refrigeration method of the present disclosure is a magnetic refrigeration method in which, in a magnetic refrigeration apparatus of the present disclosure, the magnetic work unit is circulated by the circulation means between the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region to cool the heat exchange medium.

[0009] According to this disclosure, the conditions for a magnetic working material to pass through the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region can be easily set.

[0010] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing another example of a magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a circulation track.

[0011] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In the following figures, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the descriptions of each embodiment can be used interchangeably with those of the others, and unless otherwise specified, the configurations of each embodiment can be combined.

[0012] In the magnetic refrigeration apparatus of this disclosure, the circulation means may include an annular body and a drive unit, wherein the annular body is arranged to form the circulation track, the magnetic work unit is arranged on the annular body, the drive unit is rotatable of the annular body, and the rotation causes the magnetic work unit to move along the circulation track. In this embodiment, two or more magnetic work units may be arranged on the annular body. In addition, in the magnetic refrigeration apparatus of this disclosure, the circulation track is not limited to the annular body, and for example, a rail may be used to form the circulation track and the magnetic work unit may run on the rail.

[0013] The magnetic refrigeration apparatus of the present disclosure may further include an intake / extraction means, wherein the heat exchange medium can be introduced into and out of the magnetic field removal region by the intake / extraction means.

[0014] The magnetic refrigeration apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a heat exchange medium tank, wherein the heat exchange medium is placed in the heat exchange medium tank, and the heat exchange medium is cooled by immersing the magnetic work unit in the heat exchange medium.

[0015] The magnetic refrigeration apparatus of this disclosure may further include a magnet, wherein the magnet is located in the magnetic field application region and is not located in the magnetic field removal region.

[0016] In the magnetic refrigeration apparatus of this disclosure, the circulation track may include a meandering track. The meandering track is a track that travels in a so-called zigzag pattern. The circulation track may be entirely a meandering track, or part of it may be a meandering track and the rest may be a track other than a meandering track (for example, a straight track, a curved track, or a track that combines these).

[0017] Figure 1 shows a configuration diagram of an example of a magnetic refrigeration device according to the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the magnetic refrigeration device 1 includes a magnetic field application region 11, a magnetic field removal region 12, a magnetic work unit 13, an annular body 141, a drive wheel 142, and a guide wheel 143. The annular body 141 is a belt (track), and the annular body 141 is stretched over the drive wheel 142 and the guide wheel 143 to form a circulating track (endless track). The drive wheel 142 is driven by a drive motor (not shown), and the drive force of the drive motor causes the drive wheel 142 to rotate. The rotational force of the drive wheel 142 causes the annular body 141, which is a belt, to rotate, guided by the guide wheel 143, and circulates between the magnetic field application region 11 and the magnetic field removal region 12. In Figure 1, the annular body 141, the drive wheel 142, the drive motor, and the guide wheel 143 are the circulating means of the present disclosure. A plurality of magnetic work units 13 are attached to the annular body 141. The magnetic work unit 13 is filled with a magnetic work material (magnetic material). A magnetic field generator 111 is located in the magnetic field application region 11, making it possible to apply a magnetic field. The magnetic field removal region 12 does not have a magnetic field generator 111, making it possible to remove the magnetic field. Figure 2 shows a configuration diagram of another example of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, a heat exchange medium tank 121 is located in the magnetic field removal region 12, and an introduction channel (pipe) 152a and an outlet channel (pipe) 152b are located in the heat exchange medium tank 121. The pump 151 introduces the heat exchange medium 122 into the heat exchange medium tank 121 from the introduction channel 152a, and the heat exchange medium 122 is discharged from the heat exchange medium tank 121 from the outlet channel 152b. In the heat exchange medium tank 121, the magnetic work unit 13 is immersed in the heat exchange medium 122. In Figures 1 and 2, the pump 151, the inlet channel 152a, and the outlet channel 152b constitute the inlet / outlet means 15 of this disclosure.

[0018] In the magnetic refrigeration apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, the drive wheel 142 rotates the annular body (belt) 141, circulating through the magnetic field application region 11 and the magnetic field removal region 12. As shown in Figure 2, the magnetic working material filled in the magnetic working unit 13 attached to the annular body (belt) 141 generates heat in the magnetic field application region 11 and absorbs heat in the magnetic field removal region 12, cooling the heat exchange medium 122 in the heat exchange medium tank 121. The cooled heat exchange medium 122 is discharged from the discharge channel 152b, and the discharged heat exchange medium is transported to a cooling target device (not shown), where it cools the object to be cooled. After cooling, the heat exchange medium 122 is introduced into the heat exchange medium tank 121 from the introduction channel 152a by the pump 151, and is cooled again by the heat-absorbing magnetic working material. In the magnetic refrigeration apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, the magnetic field generator 111 is positioned above the annular body 141. However, this disclosure is not limited to this arrangement, and for example, the magnetic field generator may be set on the side of the annular body 141 (one side or both sides). In this disclosure, by employing a circulating track, the overall layout of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus can be freely and easily configured.

[0019] In this disclosure, the magnetic working material (magnetic material) is not particularly limited and includes, for example, Gd (gadolinium)-based magnetic materials, Mn (manganese)-based magnetic materials, and magnetic materials containing La (lanthanum), Fe (iron), and Si (silicon). Examples of Gd-based magnetic materials include elemental Gd, compounds containing Gd, and alloys of Gd with other metals. Examples of Mn-based magnetic materials include compounds containing Mn and alloys of Mn with other metals, with specific examples being MnAs and NiMnX (where X is any element). Examples of magnetic materials containing La (lanthanum), Fe (iron), and Si (silicon) include LaFeSi (for example, La(Fe ｘ Si １－ｘ ) １３ , and La(Fe ｘ Si １－ｘ ) １３ There are magnetic materials (metallic materials in which hydrogen is added to an alloy).

[0020] In this disclosure, the magnetic field generating device is a device that uses magnets. Magnets include, for example, permanent magnets and electromagnets. Examples of permanent magnets include neodymium magnets. Examples of neodymium magnets include neodymium magnets with an N-S arrangement and neodymium magnets with a Halbach arrangement.

[0021] In this disclosure, the heat exchange medium 122 is not particularly limited and includes, for example, an aqueous heat exchange medium, an ethanol heat exchange medium, an ethylene glycol heat exchange medium, a fluorine heat exchange medium, and a silicone oil heat exchange medium.

[0022] In this disclosure, the circulating means is not particularly limited and may include a belt (track) type circulating means consisting of an annular body 141, a drive wheel 142, a drive motor, and an idler wheel 143 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0023] Figure 3 shows another example of a circulating trajectory formed by the annular body (belt) 141. In Figure 3, multiple guide wheels 143 are arranged so that the annular body 141 (belt) travels in a zigzag, meandering trajectory in the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region. In this way, the length of the circulating path can be adjusted by changing the arrangement of the annular body 141. It is also possible to adjust the travel speed of the annular body 141 by adjusting the rotation speed of the drive wheels. As a result, since this disclosure employs a circulating trajectory such as an annular body, the travel distance and travel time of the magnetic work unit in the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region can be freely set, and for example, the travel time and travel distance can be freely set in each of the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region.

[0024] In this disclosure, the material and structure of the annular body can be appropriately selected depending on the configuration of the magnetic refrigeration device and the chemical properties of the heat exchange medium, for example, a resin belt, a resin chain, a metal belt made of a non-magnetic material, and a metal chain made of a non-magnetic material.

[0025] In the magnetic refrigeration apparatus of this disclosure, for example, in order to avoid a situation in which the magnetic working material (magnetic material) receives heat from the heat exchange medium before returning to the magnetic field application area after the magnetic working material (magnetic material) has finished heat exchange in the magnetic field removal area, the guide wheel can be moved (raised) as needed to separate the magnetic working material (magnetic material) from the liquid surface of the heat exchange medium. Once the magnetic working material (magnetic material) is separated from the liquid surface, a magnetic field generator can be introduced into the magnetic field application area located on the side, and then the magnetic working material (magnetic material) can enter the magnetic field removal area, thereby causing the heat exchange medium to absorb heat again.

[0026] In this disclosure, the cooling effect can be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the number of magnetic work units and the amount of magnetic work material filled into the magnetic work units. The shape of the magnetic work material is, for example, spherical, and the diameter of the sphere is, for example, 300 to 700 μm, and for example, in the range of about 500 μm, from the viewpoint of minimizing variations in thermal work. The spherical magnetic material is, for example, densely filled into the magnetic work unit. The shape of the magnetic work unit is not particularly limited, and for example, a shape that increases the surface area is preferred, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The size of the magnetic work unit can be set, for example, to a size that does not affect the rotation of the annular body, or to a size that can be easily replaced with a single touch during maintenance work.

[0027] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present disclosure are possible, as can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0028] The magnetic refrigeration apparatus of this disclosure makes it possible to easily set the conditions under which the magnetic working material passes through the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region, and the overall layout of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus can also be freely and easily set. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus of this disclosure does not require greenhouse gases such as CFCs, produces little vibration and noise, is expected to be energy-efficient, and is highly useful.

[0029] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-014298, filed on 30 January 2025, and incorporates all of its disclosures herein.

[0030] 1 Magnetic Refrigeration System 11 Magnetic Field Application Area 12 Magnetic Field Removal Area 121 Heat Exchange Medium Tank 122 Heat Exchange Medium 13 Magnetic Working Unit 111 Magnetic Field Generator 141 Annular Body (Belt) 142 Drive Wheel 143 Guide Wheel 15 Inlet / Outlet Means 151 Pump 152a Inlet Channel 152b Outlet Channel

Claims

1. A magnetic refrigeration apparatus comprising a magnetic field application region, a magnetic field removal region, a circulation track, a magnetic work unit, a circulation means, and a heat exchange medium, wherein the circulation track is arranged to circulate between the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region, the magnetic work unit is a unit containing a magnetic work material, the circulation means is capable of moving the magnetic work unit along the circulation track, the magnetic work unit is capable of circulating between the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region by the circulation track and the circulation means, the magnetic work material of the magnetic work unit generates heat in the magnetic field application region and absorbs heat in the magnetic field removal region, the heat exchange medium is arranged in the magnetic field removal region, and the heat exchange medium is cooled by the heat absorbed by the magnetic work material.

2. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circulation means includes an annular body and a drive unit, the annular body is arranged to form the circulation track, the magnetic work unit is arranged on the annular body, and the drive unit is rotatable of the annular body, and the rotation causes the magnetic work unit to move along the circulation track.

3. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 2, wherein two or more magnetic work units are arranged on the annular body.

4. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an intake / extraction means, wherein the heat exchange medium can be introduced into and out of the magnetic field removal region by the intake / extraction means.

5. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heat exchange medium tank, wherein the heat exchange medium is placed in the heat exchange medium tank, and the heat exchange medium is cooled by immersing the magnetic work unit in the heat exchange medium.

6. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a magnet, wherein the magnet is located in the magnetic field application region and is not located in the magnetic field removal region.

7. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circulation track includes a meandering track.

8. A magnetic refrigeration system comprising a magnetic refrigeration device and a device to be cooled, wherein the magnetic refrigeration device is the magnetic refrigeration device described in claim 1, and the device to be cooled is cooled by the heat exchange medium cooled by the magnetic refrigeration device.

9. A magnetic refrigeration method in which the magnetic work unit is circulated by the circulation means between the magnetic field application region and the magnetic field removal region to cool the heat exchange medium, in the magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1.

Images