Active magnetic regenerator
An apparatus and method for refrigeration are disclosed which provides efficient refrigeration over temperature ranges in excess of 20/sup 0/C and which requires no maintenance and is, therefore, usable on an unmanned satellite. The apparatus comprises a superconducting magnet which may be solenoidal. A piston comprising a substance such as a rare earth substance which is maintained near its Curie temperature reciprocates through the bore of the solenoidal magnet. A magnetic drive rod is connected to the piston and appropriate heat sinks are connected thereto. The piston is driven by a suitable mechanical drive such as an electric motor and cam. In practicing the invention, the body of the piston is magnetized and demagnetized as it moves through the magnetic field of the solenoid to approximate any of the following cycles or a condition thereof as well as, potentially, other cycles: Brayton, Carnot, Ericsson, and Stirling. Advantages of the present invention include: that refrigeration can be accomplished over at least a 20/sup 0/C scale at superconducting temperatures as well as at more conventional temperatures; very high efficiency, high reliability, and small size. (LCL)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Application Number:
- ON: DE82004463
- OSTI ID:
- 5740115
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
MAGNETIC REFRIGERATORS
DESIGN
OPERATION
CRYOGENICS
GADOLINIUM COMPOUNDS
REGENERATORS
SPACE VEHICLES
SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
VERY LOW TEMPERATURE
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETS
EQUIPMENT
MAGNETS
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS
REFRIGERATORS
SUPERCONDUCTING DEVICES
VEHICLES
420201* - Engineering- Cryogenic Equipment & Devices