Magnetic refrigerating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic refrigeration systems require high energy input for driving the magnetic material and heat exchanging fluid, suffer from heat loss during fluid switching, and have complex mechanisms that hinder increased refrigeration cycle frequency.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic refrigerating device with a cylindrical AMR bed containing refrigerants and two movable magnetocaloric effect magnetic materials, driven by a magnetic field applying-removing mechanism and a rotary shaft, allowing for efficient heat exchange and temperature difference generation without external driving mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional AMR systems use external driving mechanisms to move magnetic material and heat exchanging fluid, then the refrigeration cycle can be driven, but high energy input is required and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic material moves itself through the AMR bed using magnetic attraction and repulsion forces from alternating magnetic fields applied at different locations. The heat exchanging fluid flows passively through the magnetic material bed driven by the movement of the magnetic material itself, eliminating the need for external pumps or driving mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
External mechanical driving mechanisms (pistons, pumps, motors) are replaced by applying alternating magnetic fields that directly act on the magnetic material to induce its movement and the corresponding fluid flow, converting a mechanical system into a magnetic field-based system.
2Productivity
If conventional AMR systems use switching mechanisms to alternate high- and low-heat exchanging fluids, then refrigeration cycle is achieved, but heat loss occurs during switching
Solution Approach 1:
The switching mechanism and fluid alternation system are completely removed from the design. Instead of switching between different fluids, a single heat exchanging fluid continuously flows through the magnetic material bed, which is moved through different thermal zones (hot and cold regions) by the alternating magnetic fields, achieving refrigeration without fluid switching losses.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of keeping the fluid stationary and switching thermal zones, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the thermal zones stationary and moving the magnetic material (with embedded fluid) through them, eliminating the need for fluid switching mechanisms.
3Productivity
If conventional AMR systems use complex driving mechanisms for magnetic material and fluid, then refrigeration is achieved, but device complexity increases and cycle frequency is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
All external driving mechanisms (pistons, pumps, motors, linkages) are completely extracted from the system. The only active components are the magnetic field sources (electromagnets or permanent magnets) that directly interact with the magnetic material to induce movement and fluid flow, dramatically simplifying the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The alternating magnetic field sources serve multiple functions simultaneously: they magnetize/demagnetize the magnetic material, drive its movement through the AMR bed, and indirectly pump the heat exchanging fluid through the system, eliminating the need for separate driving components for each function.
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 device achieves increased refrigerating capacity and efficiency by using one-time magnetic field control, eliminating the need for external driving mechanisms and reducing heat loss, thereby simplifying the structure and enhancing cycle rate.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field applying-removing mechanism that applies and removes a magnetic field to generate a magnetic force
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange occurs between the magnetic materials and the refrigerants in the AMR bed and generates a temperature difference in the AMR bed
Implementation Method 3
two magnetic materials arranged in a direction of an axis of the AMR bed, the magnetic materials being movable in the direction of the axis of the AMR bed and made of magnetocaloric effect materials
Data Source
AI summary
Magnetic refrigerating device improves refrigerating capacity and efficiency by improving the heat exchanging method between a magnetic material and a heat exchanging fluid and devising a magnetic field applying method. The magnetic refrigerating device comprises: a cylindrical active magnetic regenerator (AMR) bed accommodating refrigerant therein; two magnetic materials disposed in the AMR bed in the axial direction, configured to be movable in the axial direction of the AMR bed, and made of material having a magnetocaloric effect; at least two permanent magnets positioned to face the two magnetic materials; a rotary shaft positioned between the two magnetic materials in the AMR bed and positioned between the at least two permanent magnets; and a magnetic rotary movement unit that rotationally moves the permanent magnets about the rotary shaft and that repeatedly moves the permanent magnets and the two magnetic materials closer together and farther apart in association with the rotational movement.