Magnetic Cooling Control Using Direct Electromagnetic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic cooling apparatuses face challenges in miniaturization and energy efficiency due to the use of motors and power transmission systems, which hinder their effectiveness and environmental sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic cooling apparatus utilizing magnets, magnetocaloric materials with coils, and an electromagnetic force to generate kinetic energy, where a controller manages current supply to achieve magnetization and demagnetization, enabling efficient movement and temperature control without motors or power transmission systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motors and power transmission systems are used to drive magnetic regeneration units, then the cooling apparatus can achieve reciprocating or rotating motion, but the device complexity increases and miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the motor and power transmission system from the magnetic cooling apparatus. Instead of using conventional motor-driven mechanisms, the invention employs direct electromagnetic actuation where electromagnetic coils generate magnetic fields that directly interact with magnetic regeneration units to produce reciprocating motion, eliminating the need for separate driving components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical motor and power transmission system with an electromagnetic field-based actuation system. Electromagnetic coils generate time-varying magnetic fields that directly exert forces on magnetic regeneration units, substituting mechanical drive mechanisms with field-based control to reduce structural complexity
2Ease of operation
If motors and power transmission systems are used to drive magnetic regeneration units, then the cooling apparatus can achieve reciprocating or rotating motion, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical motor and power transmission system with an electromagnetic field-based actuation system. Electromagnetic coils generate time-varying magnetic fields that directly exert forces on magnetic regeneration units, substituting mechanical drive mechanisms with field-based control to reduce structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic regeneration units utilize their own magnetic properties to interact with the electromagnetic fields generated by the coils. The units are attracted to regions of high magnetic field density during magnetization and repelled during demagnetization, allowing the system to use the material's inherent magnetic characteristics for actuation without requiring additional mechanical drive components
3Temperature
If CFC is used as gaseous refrigerant, then cooling effect is achieved, but environmental destruction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs magnetocaloric materials that undergo phase transitions or magnetic state changes in response to applied magnetic fields. When magnetic fields are applied, the magnetic moments align and temperature increases; when fields are removed, the moments randomize and temperature decreases, providing a sustainable alternative to CFC-based cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from chemical refrigerants to magnetic field control. By applying and removing magnetic fields to magnetocaloric materials, the system achieves temperature changes and cooling effects without requiring harmful chemical substances, fundamentally altering the cooling mechanism from chemical to physical/ magnetic parameter control
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 solution allows for a compact design with improved energy efficiency, replacing traditional motor-driven systems and enhancing the cooling process by controlling the movement of magnetocaloric materials within magnetic fields.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic regeneration units formed of a magnetocaloric material, provided with coils, and using electromagnetic force, generated when currents are supplied to the coils in the magnetic field, as kinetic energy
Implementation Method 2
A magnetic cooling apparatus is a cooling apparatus using a magnetocaloric effect. The magnetocaloric effect may be defined as a phenomenon in which the temperature of a magnetic material is raised when a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic material, and is lowered when the magnetic field is removed from the magnetic material
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic cooling apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The magnetic cooling apparatus provides a replacement having a simplified structure for motors providing driving force and power transmission systems of reciprocation type and rotation type cooling apparatuses. The magnetic cooling apparatus includes magnets forming a magnetic field, magnetic regeneration units formed of a magnetocaloric material that are provided with coils, and using electromagnetic force, generated when currents are supplied to the coils in the magnetic field, as kinetic energy, and a controller controlling the currents supplied to the coils of the magnetic regeneration units to control moving speeds and directions of the magnetic regeneration units.