Magnetocaloric refrigerator
Patent
·
OSTI ID:1576441
The invention is for an apparatus and method for a refrigerator and a heat pump based on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) offering a simpler, lighter, robust, more compact, environmentally compatible, and energy efficient alternative to traditional vapor-compression devices. The subject magnetocaloric apparatus alternately exposes a suitable magnetocaloric material to strong and weak magnetic field while switching heat to and from the material by a mechanical commutator comprising heat pipe elements. The invention may be practiced with multiple magnetocaloric stages to attain large differences in temperature. Key applications include thermal management of electronics, as well as industrial and home refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning. The invention offers a simpler, lighter, compact, and robust apparatus compared to magnetocaloric devices of prior art. Furthermore, the invention may be run in reverse as a thermodynamic engine, receiving low-level heat and producing mechanical energy.
- Research Organization:
- Vetrovec, Jan, Larkspur, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0013769
- Assignee:
- Vetrovec, Jan, Larkspur, CO (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- 10,436,481
- Application Number:
- 15/731,270
- OSTI ID:
- 1576441
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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