Abstract: A thermal apparatus (1) which comprises at least one primary circuit (P1) in which a heat transfer primary fluid is moved, in a reciprocating movement, by a displacement device, and at least one heat exchange interface (I1,1, I1,2), of the primary fluid, in which a secondary fluid that unidirectionally in a secondary circuit (S1,1, S1,2). The apparatus is characterized in that the exchange interface (I1,1, I1,2) comprises at least one heat exchange zone (ZN, ZN+1, Z?N, Z?N+1) in which the primary fluid and the secondary fluid flow unidirectionally and countercurrent with respect to one another.

Abstract: A magnetocaloric heat generator having an assembly of at least two magnetocaloric modules with a heat transfer fluid flowing through them. The cold ends of the modules are in fluidic communication via a cold transfer circuit and the hot ends are in fluidic communication via a hot transfer circuit. The cold transfer circuit is arranged so that the fluid exiting the cold end of one of the magnetocaloric modules with an exit temperature enters the cold end of the other magnetocaloric module with an entry temperature that is substantially equal to the temperature of the cold end. The hot transfer circuit modifies the temperature of the fluid so that the fluid exiting the hot end of one of the magnetocaloric modules with an exit temperature enters the hot end of the other magnetocaloric module with an entry temperature that is substantially equal to the temperature of the hot end.

Abstract: A magnetic field generator (G1) for a magnetocaloric thermal device which comprises first (SM11) and second (SM21) identical magnetizing structures mounted head-to-tail, on either side of a central plane (P) and defining two air gaps (E1, E2). Each magnetizing structure (SMM11, SM12) comprises first (AM1) and second (AM2) magnetizing assemblies, whose induction vectors are oriented in opposite directions, and mounted on a support (SUP1). Each magnetizing assembly (AM1, AM2) has a permanent magnet structure (API, APC) which comprises a passive side (FP1, FP2) and an active side (FA1, FA2), delimiting the air gaps (E1, E2). The induction vectors of the first (AM1, AM19) and the second (AM2, AM29) magnetizing assemblies, form inside the generator, a single circulation loop of a magnetic field through the supports (SUP1) and the air gaps (E1, E2, E3, E4).

Abstract: A magnetocaloric heat generator (1) which comprises at least one magnetocaloric unit (21) provided with at least one magnetocaloric material (3) in thermal contact with a heat transfer fluid (F) and at least one magnetic unit (41) capable of subjecting the magnetocaloric material (3) to a variable magnetic field. This generator (1) is characterized in that each unit (21, 41) has a modular configuration and comprises at least one fitting form (E1, E2, E3) which facilitates assembly with another unit (41, 21), along a same median axis (M), which is provided with a complementary fitting form (E1, E2, E3).

Abstract: A magnetocaloric thermal appliance (10) comprising at least one thermal module (2) with at least one magnetocaloric element (3) in contact with a heat transfer fluid and at least one magnetic arrangement (4) arranged so as to create a magnetic field in a gap (6) defined by the magnetic arrangement (4). The gap (6) has two openings (7) enabling the passage of the thermal module (2) through the gap (6) by a relative movement between the magnetocaloric element (3) and the gap (6). The positions able to be taken by the magnetocaloric element (3), outside of the gap (6), define magnetocaloric region (8) in which the magnetocaloric region (8) is disposed in an enclosure delimited by the magnetic arrangement (4) comprising a body (11) forming deflector of the magnetic field able to capture and to lead towards the magnetic arrangement (4) flux of magnetic field that appears outside of the gap (6).

Abstract: A magnetocaloric heat generator (10) comprising at least one magnetocaloric element (2) with a first and second ends (3, 4), a magnetic arrangement for subjecting the magnetocaloric element (2) to a variable magnetic field, alternately creating heating and cooling cycles in the magnetocaloric element (2), a mechanism for circulating a heat transfer fluid through the magnetocaloric element (2) alternately towards the first and second ends (3, 4) and vice versa in synchronisation with the variation of the magnetic field, and at least one energy exchange mechanism (15). This heat generator (10) is crossed in one direction by the heat transfer fluid entering the magnetocaloric element (2) through one of the ends (3, 4) during a heating or cooling cycle and to be crossed in the opposite direction by the heat transfer fluid exiting the magnetocaloric element (2) through the same end (3, 4) during the other cooling or heating cycle.

Abstract: A thermal apparatus (1) which comprises at least one primary circuit (P1) in which a heat transfer primary fluid is moved, in a reciprocating movement, by a displacement device, and at least one heat exchange interface (I1,1, I1,2), of the primary fluid, in which a secondary fluid that unidirectionally in a secondary circuit (S1,1, S1,2). The apparatus is characterized in that the exchange interface (I1,1, I1,2) comprises at least one heat exchange zone (ZN, NN+1, Z?N, Z?N+1) in which the primary fluid and the secondary fluid flow unidirectionally and countercurrent with respect to one another.

Abstract: A magnetic field generator (1) comprising first (2) and second (3) identical magnetizing structures mounted opposite and parallel to one another, head-to-tail, and defining at least two air gaps (42, 43). Each magnetizing structure (2) comprises first (4) and second (5) diametrically opposite structurally identical magnetizing assemblies which are arranged on either end of a ferromagnetic central part (6). Each magnetizing assembly (4, 5) comprises a polygonal, uniformly magnetized central magnet (7, 14) and laterally surrounded by a uniformly magnetized magnetic belt (13, 20). The magnetic flux, generated by the generator (1), forms a single loop concentrated through the air gaps (42, 43).

Abstract: A magnetic field generator (1) comprising first (2) and second (3) identical magnetizing structures mounted opposite and parallel to one another, head-to-tail, and defining at least two air gaps (42, 43). Each magnetizing structure (2) comprises first (4) and second (5) diametrically opposite structurally identical magnetizing assemblies which are arranged on either end of a ferromagnetic central part (6). Each magnetizing assembly (4, 5) comprises a polygonal, uniformly magnetized central magnet (7, 14) and laterally surrounded by a uniformly magnetized magnetic belt (13, 20). The magnetic flux, generated by the generator (1), forms a single loop concentrated through the air gaps (42, 43).

Abstract: A generator comprising at least one thermal stage having magnetocaloric elements (2) arranged around an axis and a magnetic arrangement (3) supported by a drive shaft (30) that rotates about the axis to subject the elements to a variation in magnetic field. The generator comprises pistons (70) to force heat transfer fluid through the elements with the pistons being driven in reciprocating translation within chambers (73) by at least one cam (71) that is rotationally driven the drive shaft (30). The generator comprises a forced circulation unit (8a) having planet gears (80) arranged around the central axis, supported by the body (72) of the generator and meshing with an inner crown gear (81) integral with the cam (71). Each gear (80) forms a gear pump that mixes the heat transfer fluid and places the fluid in forced circulation in the tanks (74) and the chambers (73).

Abstract: A method for generating a thermal flow from a thermal module comprising at least two magnetocaloric elements connected, two-by-two, through which a heat transfer fluid flows and is exposed to a magnetic field. The circulation exposes alternating elements of the magnetocaloric elements to an opposite variation in the magnetic field, and causes the transfer fluid to circulate simultaneously and in opposite directions in such a manner that the fluid flowing out of one of the magnetocaloric elements, at the end of a heating phase, is circulated, during the following phase, in the following magnetocaloric elements exposed to heating, while the fluid flowing out of one of the magnetocaloric elements, at the end of a cooling phase, is circulated in the following element exposed to cooling, and conversely. The heat transfer fluid is stored an intermediate receiving area. This invention also relates to a thermal generator implementing the method.

Abstract: A magnetic field generator (1) for a magnetocaloric thermal appliance comprising at least one magnetising structure (2) creating a constant magnetic field in at least one air gap (3) in which at least one magnetocaloric element (4) is arranged. The magnetising structure (2) comprises first (5) and second (6) magnetic poles arranged facing each other on each side of a symmetry plane (P) and each made up of an assembly of permanent magnets (7, 8) and of a ferromagnetic element (9). The magnetic field generator is characterised in that the ferromagnetic element (9) presents a face (F1) protruding with respect to the assembly forming the magnetic pole (5, 6) and the two ferromagnetic elements (9) of the magnetising structure (2) are arranged face to face with a distance forming the at least one air gap (3, 13, 23) of the magnetising structure (2).

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 magnetic field generator (1) for a magnetocaloric thermal appliance comprising at least one magnetising structure (2) creating a constant magnetic field in at least one air gap (3) in which at least one magnetocaloric element (4) is arranged. The magnetising structure (2) comprises first (5) and second (6) magnetic poles arranged facing each other on each side of a symmetry plane (P) and each made up of an assembly of permanent magnets (7, 8) and of a ferromagnetic element (9). The magnetic field generator is characterised in that the ferromagnetic element (9) presents a face (F1) protruding with respect to the assembly forming the magnetic pole (5, 6) and the two ferromagnetic elements (9) of the magnetising structure (2) are arranged face to face with a distance forming the at least one air gap (3, 13, 23) of the magnetising structure (2).

Abstract: A magnetocaloric thermal appliance (10) comprising at least one thermal module (2) with at least one magnetocaloric element (3) in contact with a heat transfer fluid and at least one magnetic arrangement (4) arranged so as to create a magnetic field in a gap (6) defined by the magnetic arrangement (4). The gap (6) has two openings (7) enabling the passage of the thermal module (2) through the gap (6) by a relative movement between the magnetocaloric element (3) and the gap (6). The positions able to be taken by the magnetocaloric element (3), outside of the gap (6), define magnetocaloric region (8) in which the magnetocaloric region (8) is disposed in an enclosure delimited by the magnetic arrangement (4) comprising a body (11) forming deflector of the magnetic field able to capture and to lead towards the magnetic arrangement (4) flux of magnetic field that appears outside of the gap (6).

Abstract: A method for generating a heat flow from a magnetocaloric element (1) comprising at least one magnetocaloric material (2) comprising a hot end (3) associated with a hot chamber (4) and a cold end (5) associated with a cold chamber (6), the method comprises magnetically and alternately activating and de-activating the magnetocaloric element (1) and circulating a heat transfer fluid through the magnetocaloric element (1) alternately towards the hot chamber (4) and the cold chamber (5) in synchronisation with the magnetic activation and de-activation phases. This method is characterized in that the method comprises reversing the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid during the magnetic activation and de-activation phases and also relates to a magnetocaloric heat generator implementing the method.

Abstract: A magnetocaloric heat generator (1) which comprises a driving mechanism (26) in fluidic connection with first and second ends (3 and 4) of a thermal module (2) via at least one heat exchange mechanism (7, 27) so that the heat transfer fluid circulates in a closed constant-volume fluidic circuit through the magnetocaloric heat generator (1).

Abstract: The magnetocaloric heat generator (1) comprises at least two magnetocaloric elements (2, 12) arranged in succession and making up at least two consecutive thermal stages crossed by separate heat transfer fluids and comprising each two opposite ends (3 and 4, 13 and 14), a magnetic arrangement intended for subjecting each magnetocaloric element (2, 12) to a variable magnetic field, alternately creating a heating cycle and a cooling cycle in each magnetocaloric element (2, 12), a mechanism (8) for circulating the heat transfer fluids through the magnetocaloric elements alternately towards one end and towards the opposite end and vice versa, in synchronisation with the variation of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetocaloric heat generator (10) comprising at least one magnetocaloric element (2) with a first and second ends (3, 4), a magnetic arrangement for subjecting the magnetocaloric element (2) to a variable magnetic field, alternately creating heating and cooling cycles in the magnetocaloric element (2), a mechanism for circulating a heat transfer fluid through the magnetocaloric element (2) alternately towards the first and second ends (3, 4) and vice versa in synchronisation with the variation of the magnetic field, and at least one energy exchange mechanism (15). This heat generator (10) is crossed in one direction by the heat transfer fluid entering the magnetocaloric element (2) through one of the ends (3, 4) during a heating or cooling cycle and to be crossed in the opposite direction by the heat transfer fluid exiting the magnetocaloric element (2) through the same end (3, 4) during the other cooling or heating cycle.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a thermal generator which is non-polluting, has very good energy efficiency, is of simple and economical design and uses little energy, at the same time as being capable of further development, flexible and modular. In this thermal generator (1), the thermal elements (3) composed of magneto-calorific material each comprises two separate collector circuits (31 and 32), a “hot” collector circuit connected to a hot heat transfer fluid circuit (51) and a “cold” collector circuit (32) linked to a cold heat transfer fluid circuit (52). The heat transfer fluid is made to move alternately in one or the other of the collector circuits (31 and 32) depending on whether or not the thermal elements (3) are subjected to the magnetic field generated by the magnets (40) moving in rotation around a central axis (B) with respect to the thermal elements (3).