USE OF UNIDIRECTIONAL FLOW MODES OF MAGNETIC COOLING SYSTEMS

摘要

A dual-mode magnetic refrigeration apparatus includes beds of magnetocaloric material, a magnet to apply a time-varying magnetic field to the beds, a heat transfer fluid (HTF), a pump to circulate the HTF, a hot side heat exchanger (HHEX), a cold side heat exchanger (CHEX), valves to direct flow of the HTF, and a controller configured to control periodic switching of the valves to allow the apparatus to operate in a first mode and in a second mode. The first mode transfers heat from the CHEX to the HHEX. In the second mode of operation, the periodic switching of the valves is suspended to allow unidirectional flow of the HTF through the HHEX, the beds, and the CHEX such that heat is transferred from the HHEX to the CHEX.

主权项

1. A dual-mode magnetic refrigeration apparatus, comprising:
one or more beds of magnetocaloric material; a magnet to apply a time-varying magnetic field to the one or more beds of magnetocaloric material; a heat transfer fluid; a pump to circulate the heat transfer fluid; a hot side heat exchanger (HHEX); a cold side heat exchanger (CHEX); one or more valves to direct flow of the heat transfer fluid; and a controller configured to control periodic switching of the one or more valves to allow the apparatus to operate in a first mode and in a second mode, wherein in the first mode the one or more valves direct the heat transfer fluid to a cold end of the one or more beds through the one or more beds to a hot end of the one or more beds and through the HHEX when the time-varying magnetic field applied to the one or more beds is high, and to the hot end of the one or more beds through the one or more beds to the cold end of the one or more beds and through the CHEX when the time-varying magnetic field applied to the one or more beds is low, in order to transfer heat from the CHEX to the HHEX; and wherein in the second mode of operation, the periodic switching of the one or more valves is suspended to allow unidirectional flow of the heat transfer fluid through the HHEX, the one or more beds, and the CHEX such that heat is transferred from the HHEX to the CHEX.