METHOD FOR QUICKLY ESTABLISHING A TEMPERATURE GRADIENT IN A MAGNETOCALORIC ELEMENT, AND MAGNETOCALORIC THERMAL GENERATOR IMPLEMENTING SAID METHOD

摘要

The invention relates to a method for quickly establishing a predetermined temperature gradient in a magnetocaloric element (1) between the two opposite so-called hot (3) and cold (4) ends thereof, wherein said magnetocaloric element (1) includes a series of at least two magnetocaloric materials (2) having a different Curie temperature and arranged according to an increasing Curie temperature order, wherein said method comprises subjecting the magnetocaloric element (1) to a variable magnetic field alternately generating a heating cycle and a cooling cycle in said magnetocaloric materials (2). Said method is characterised in that it comprises, simultaneously with the magnetic field variation, circulating a heat carrier fluid through said magnetocaloric element (1) according to a variable alternation of length distances consecutively directed towards the hot end (3) and the cold end (4) until a predetermined temperature gradient is reached. The invention also relates to a magnetocaloric heat generator implementing said method.