Nested Magnetocaloric Thermal Diode Assembly for Efficient Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump systems using fluid refrigerants face inefficiencies, environmental concerns, and operational impracticalities, while magneto-caloric materials offer higher theoretical efficiency but require cost-effective and practical equipment solutions for widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly with stacked thermal stages and magneto-caloric cylinders, utilizing a combination of magnets and non-magnetic rings for relative rotation to exploit the magneto-caloric effect, allowing for efficient heat transfer between cold and hot sides, and accommodating a range of ambient temperatures through varied magneto-caloric materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If magneto-caloric materials are used in heat pump systems, then Carnot cycle efficiency is significantly improved, but equipment complexity and cost increase due to requiring specialized magnets and thermal stage assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested magneto-caloric cylinders where inner cylinders are positioned within outer cylinders, with thermal stages arranged in concentric configurations. This nesting approach maximizes the utilization of magnetic fields and thermal gradients, allowing multiple magneto-caloric materials to operate simultaneously in different temperature ranges, thereby achieving high Carnot efficiency while containing the complex components within a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system is divided into multiple discrete thermal stages, each containing specific magneto-caloric materials optimized for particular temperature ranges. Each stage includes independently controllable magnets and thermal management components, allowing segmented operation that can be tailored to different operating conditions, thus improving overall efficiency while enabling modular assembly that manages complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple magneto-caloric cylinders and thermal stages are used to achieve efficient heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple magneto-caloric cylinders are nested concentrically within each other, with thermal stages arranged in corresponding nested patterns. This configuration enables efficient heat transfer through the thermal stages by creating overlapping thermal fields and magnetic gradients, while the nested structure itself serves as a space-efficient manufacturing approach that reduces the overall footprint and potential assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal stages are designed with universal components that serve multiple functions: they provide thermal coupling between nested cylinders, support magnetic assemblies, facilitate heat transfer pathways, and enable mechanical alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of discrete parts needed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining high heat transfer efficiency across multiple temperature stages.
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 solution enhances the efficiency and practicality of heat pump systems, potentially achieving higher Carnot cycle efficiency and enabling cost-effective, environmentally friendly operation across various temperature ranges, suitable for applications like refrigerator appliances.
Implementation Method 1
In general, the magnetic moments of MCMs become more ordered under an increasing, externally applied magnetic field and cause the MCMs to generate heat. Conversely, decreasing the externally applied magnetic field allows the magnetic moments of the MCMs to become more disordered and allow the MCMs to absorb heat.
Data Source
AI summary
A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a first magneto-caloric cylinder and a second magneto-caloric cylinder. First and second pluralities of thermal stages are stacked along an axial direction between a cold side and a hot side. The second magneto-caloric cylinder and the second plurality of thermal stages are nested concentrically within the first magneto-caloric cylinder and the first plurality of thermal stages. Each thermal stage of the first and second pluralities of thermal stages includes a plurality of magnets and a non-magnetic ring. The plurality of magnets is distributed along a circumferential direction within the non-magnetic ring in each thermal stage of the first and second pluralities of thermal stages.