Abstract: A thermal generator (1) comprises at least one thermal flow generation unit (2) that is provided with at least one thermal module (3) each containing a magnetocaloric member (4) through which a coolant flows. A magnetic arrangement (9) is actuated for alternatively subjecting each magnetocaloric member (4) to a variation in magnetic field, the alternating movement of the coolant is synchronized with the magnetic field variation, the magnetocaloric member (4) is integrated into a closed flow circuit (6) that connects the two opposite ends (7) of the magnetocaloric member (4), and the closed circuit includes a single element (5) for moving the coolant through the magnetocaloric member (4).

Abstract: A magnetocaloric element (1) made by an alignment of at least two adjacent sets (MC1-10) of magnetocaloric materials having different Curie temperatures. The magnetocaloric materials within a same set (MC1-10) have the same Curie temperature. The sets (MC1-10) are arranged according to an increasing Curie temperature, and the magnetocaloric element (1) comprises elements (MA1-2) for initiating a temperature gradient between a hot end (6) and an opposed cold end (7) of the magnetocaloric element (1).

Abstract: A heat generator comprising a magneto-caloric material and a method for generating efficient and reliable thermies enabling of substantially limiting displaceable inert masses in order to produce a magnetic field variation required for obtaining a magneto caloric effect and usable by individuals and/or industries. The generator (10) comprises magneto caloric thermal elements (Ti) which are circularly arranged and crossed by conduits containing coolant flowing therethrough and magnetic elements (Gi) exposing the thermal elements (Ti) to a magnetic field action. The generator (10) also comprises magnetic divergence (mj) elements arranged between the thermal elements (Ti) and the magnetic elements (Gi) and coupled to displacement mechanism (not represented) for moving from one thermal element (Ti) to another thermal element (Ti+1) and initiating the magnetic flux variation in the thermal elements (Ti), thereby promoting the calorie and/or frigorie generation.

Abstract: A heat generator (1) comprising at least one thermal module (10) that comprises N adjacent magnetocaloric elements (2) arranged in a circle around a central axis (A) and subjected to a varying magnetic field caused by magnetic devices (3). The magnetocaloric elements (2) are associated with N pistons (40) subjected to an reciprocating translation movement by an actuating cam (70) to circulate the heat transfer fluid, contained in the thermal module (10), in two opposite directions, at the same time, so that a first fraction of the heat transfer fluid circulates towards a hot exchange chamber (5), through the magnetocaloric elements (2) and is subjected to a heating cycle, and a second fraction of the heat transfer fluid circulates towards a cold exchange chamber (6), through the magnetocaloric elements (2), and is subjected to a cooling cycle, and inversely. The exchange chambers (5, 6) are coupled with external circuits that use calories and frigories for heating, air-conditioning, tempering systems, etc.

Abstract: A gear pump capable of alternately distributing a fluid in two distinct utilization circuits without the need for a switch. The gear pump (1) comprises two fluid outlet ports (5, 6) connected to two fluid utilization circuits and linked to the discharge chamber (C) of the pump via an integrated commutation (7). These commutation (7) comprise two distribution circuits (50, 60), located in a fixed support plate (70), and two buffer channels (30, 40), located in the rotary toothed wheels (3), arranged so as to alternately open and close the distribution circuits according to a commutation cycle that approximately corresponds to the rotation of the toothed wheels over half a revolution.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for increasing the temperature gradient of a magneto-calorific thermal generator comprising magneto-calorific elements subjected to a magnetic field variation. At least one of a pre-heating and pre-cooling of the magneto-calorific elements (60) is carried out to modify the initial temperature before and/or during the magnetic field variation before reaching the maximum and/or minimum field value. The method and apparatus may be employed in heating, tempering, air conditioning, refrigeration and other industrial or domestic applications.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a compact, multi-purpose magneto-calorific thermal generator of high thermal efficiency, having a maximal heat exchange coefficient, while being simple to industrialise in order to respond to a wide range of both industrial and domestic applications.