Magnetic Refrigerant Container Motion for Compressor-Free Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic refrigeration techniques face challenges in achieving high refrigerating efficiency, particularly in the room temperature range, due to obstacles such as lattice entropy, which hinders the effective utilization of magnetic materials for thermal storage and refrigeration.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic refrigerating device is designed with a fixed container filled with a refrigerant and a magnetic material container that moves within it, utilizing a magnetic field applying/removing mechanism to generate magnetic torque, eliminating the need for a power source to move the refrigerant and enhancing refrigeration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional compression cycle using chlorofluorocarbon is used, then refrigeration can be achieved, but refrigeration efficiency is lower compared to magnetic refrigeration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical compression cycle system with a magnetic field-based refrigeration system. The magnetic field applying/removing mechanism generates magnetic torque to move the magnetic material container, eliminating the need for mechanical compressors and chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the magnetocaloric effect by changing the magnetic field parameters (applying and removing magnetic fields) to induce temperature changes in the magnetic material. This parameter change approach enables efficient heat transfer and refrigeration without the energy losses associated with conventional compression cycles
2Loss of energy
If lattice entropy is considered an obstructive factor, then magnetic refrigeration in room temperature range is hindered, but lattice entropy can be positively utilized for thermal storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously obstructive lattice entropy into a beneficial thermal storage mechanism. By utilizing the lattice entropy of the magnetic material, the system can store cold heat generated during magnetic refrigeration operations, thereby improving overall energy efficiency and enabling practical room-temperature magnetic refrigeration
3Use of energy by moving object
If a power source is used to move the refrigerant, then refrigeration can be maintained, but energy use is reduced when no power source is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic material container moves autonomously within the fixed container through magnetic torque generated by the magnetic field applying/removing mechanism. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources to drive refrigerant circulation, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical drive systems (motors, pumps) with a magnetic field-based system that generates magnetic torque. This substitution eliminates mechanical complexity and power consumption associated with moving the refrigerant, while the magnetic torque provides sufficient force for autonomous container movement
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
This configuration allows for efficient heat transfer and refrigeration, achieving higher refrigeration efficiency by leveraging the magnetocaloric effect without requiring a power source to move the refrigerant, thus optimizing energy use and refrigeration performance.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field applying/removing mechanism that is provided at the outside of the fixed container for making it possible to apply and remove a magnetic field to and from the magnetic material and to generate a magnetic torque to the magnetic material container in the moving direction
Implementation Method 2
a lattice entropy, which used to be positioned as an obstructive factor for the magnetic refrigeration in a room temperature range, is positively utilized in order to allow a magnetic material to bear a thermal storage effect for storing cold heat generated by the magnetic refrigerating operation
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3C
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AI summary
The magnetic refrigerating device according to one embodiment includes a fixed container filled with a refrigerant, the fixed container including a magnetic material container that is filled with a magnetic material and that can move in the fixed container and an elastic member provided at the end of the magnetic material container. The magnetic refrigerating device also includes a magnetic-field applying/removing mechanism that is provided at the outside of the fixed container, and that can apply and remove a magnetic field to and from the magnetic material and can generate a magnetic torque to the magnetic material container in moving direction of the magnetic material container.