Columnar Magnetic Working Elements for Low-Reluctance Heat Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic heat pump apparatuses face inefficiencies due to large magnetic reluctance and insufficient heat emission/absorption when using fine spherical magnetic working substances, which limits their heat transfer capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic heat pump apparatus with a container and magnetic working elements arranged in a column shape within the work chamber, where a magnetic field is alternately applied and removed in a direction intersecting the reciprocation of the heat medium, enhancing heat exchange efficiency by reducing magnetic reluctance and increasing the heat transfer area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If fine spherical magnetic working substance is used, then heat exchange area is increased, but magnetic reluctance becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic working substance is divided into multiple column-shaped elements arranged in parallel within the work chamber. Each columnar element maintains a compact structure that minimizes magnetic reluctance while collectively providing sufficient heat exchange surface area through their combined presence in the reciprocating heat medium flow.
2Area of moving object
If fine spherical magnetic working substance is used, then specific surface area is increased, but heat emission and absorption amount is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from spherical to columnar geometry, changing the dimensional characteristics of the magnetic working substance. The columnar shape extends in the direction of the applied magnetic field, increasing the volume of magnetic material that can be effectively magnetized and demagnetized, thereby increasing the total heat emission and absorption amount while maintaining adequate surface area for heat exchange.
3Productivity
If column shaped magnetic working elements are used, then magnetic reluctance is reduced and heat transfer area is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple columnar magnetic working elements are merged into an integrated assembly that functions as a unified component within the work chamber. This combined structure achieves the desired heat transfer performance through the collective effect of all columns while simplifying installation and maintenance compared to managing individual elements separately.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus achieves high efficiency in heat transfer by optimizing the shape and arrangement of magnetic working elements, improving heat exchange performance and reducing magnetic reluctance, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the heat pump system.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic working element is made of magnetic working substance having magneto-caloric effect
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic heat pump apparatus includes: a container defining a work chamber; a magnetic working element arranged in the work chamber; a magnetic-field applier that alternately applies a magnetic field to the magnetic working element and removes the magnetic field from the magnetic working element in a magnetic-field direction; and a transportation device that transports heat medium to reciprocate in a reciprocation direction. The magnetic-field direction and the reciprocation direction intersect with each other. The magnetic working element is one of a plurality of magnetic working elements. Each of the plurality of magnetic working elements has a column shape extending in the magnetic-field direction.