Magnetocaloric Thermal Module With Reciprocating Bidirectional Fluid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetocaloric heat generators face limitations in calorific output and efficiency, restricting their use to laboratory applications due to low heat transfer capacity and limited heat exchange surfaces, especially with gas-based heat transfer fluids.
Innovation Solution
A modular heat generator design that synchronizes the circulation of a heat transfer fluid in both directions through magnetocaloric elements during heating and cooling cycles, using a reciprocating movement driven by an actuating cam mechanism, allowing simultaneous collection of heat and cold, and featuring multiple pistons and magnetic devices to enhance heat exchange surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a gas-based heat transfer fluid is used in magnetocaloric heat generators, then the system structure is simple, but the heat transfer capacity and calorific output are too low for industrial applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the heat transfer fluid from gas to liquid, which fundamentally improves heat transfer capacity and calorific output while maintaining system functionality. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling industrial-scale productivity without requiring complex structural modifications.
2Device complexity
If the heat transfer fluid circulates in a single direction through magnetocaloric elements, then the circulation system is simple, but the heat exchange efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic reciprocating circulation of the heat transfer fluid, where the fluid alternately flows in opposite directions through the magnetocaloric elements. This periodic bidirectional flow maximizes heat exchange efficiency by ensuring both heating and cooling cycles effectively utilize the magnetocaloric material, resolving the contradiction between system complexity and heat exchange productivity.
3Productivity
If the heat transfer fluid circulates in both directions simultaneously through magnetocaloric elements, then the calorific value increases significantly, but the circulation system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic reciprocating movement of the heat transfer fluid using pistons and cam mechanisms, allowing the system to adaptively control fluid flow direction and timing. This dynamic approach enables simultaneous bidirectional circulation that maximizes calorific value while managing system complexity through coordinated mechanical motion rather than static complex piping.
4Temperature
If gas is used as heat transfer fluid, then the system operates at low temperatures, but the heat transfer capacity is markedly less efficient than liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase parameter of the heat transfer fluid from gas to liquid, which fundamentally improves heat transfer efficiency and reduces energy losses. This parameter change maintains the ability to operate at required temperatures while dramatically improving the heat transfer capacity, resolving the contradiction between operating temperature and heat transfer efficiency.
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 design significantly increases the calorific value by optimizing magnetic cycles and heat transfer efficiency, making the generator suitable for industrial and domestic applications while eliminating the need for hydraulic systems.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic devices (3) arranged so as to alternately subject said magnetocaloric elements (2) to a variation in magnetic field and alternately create a heating cycle and a cooling cycle in each magnetocaloric element (2)
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat transfer fluid arranged to collect the calories and/or frigories produced by said magnetocaloric elements during the heating and cooling cycles
Data Source
AI summary
A heat generator (1) having at least one thermal module (10) that has N adjacent magnetocaloric elements (2) arranged in a circle around a central axis (A) and is subjected to a varying magnetic field caused by magnetic devices (3). The magnetocaloric elements (2) are associated with N pistons (40) subjected to a reciprocating translation movement by an actuating cam (70) to circulate the heat transfer fluid, contained in the thermal module (10), in two opposite directions, at the same time, so that a first fraction of the heat transfer fluid circulates towards a hot exchange chamber (5), through the magnetocaloric elements (2) and is subjected to a heating cycle, and a second fraction of the heat transfer fluid circulates towards a cold exchange chamber (6), through the magnetocaloric elements (2), and is subjected to a cooling cycle, and inversely. The exchange chambers (5, 6) are coupled with external circuits that use calories and frigories for heating, air-conditioning, tempering systems, etc.