Abstract: A parallel magnetic refrigerator assembly, includes at least two magnetocaloric stages arranged in parallel connection, each having in use a cold side and a hot side; each magnetocaloric stage including hot and cold side heat exchange circuit for carrying a heat exchange fluid to respectively receive and transfer heat from the magnetocaloric stages; wherein the hot and cold side heat exchange circuit are configured such that in use a heat exchange fluid passes in thermal contact with the respective hot and cold sides of both magnetocaloric stages. The magnetocaloric stages have substantially the same temperature spans but different cold end and hot end temperatures. In this way the device temperature span may be substantially larger than the individual temperature span of each magnetocaloric stage.

Abstract: The invention provides a refrigeration device, comprising: a magnetic field source; a magnetocaloric bed, one of the magnetocaloric bed and the magnetic field source being arranged to substantially surround the other, the magnetocaloric bed being arranged for relative rotation with respect to the magnetic field source such that during said relative rotation, the magnetic field experienced by parts of the magnetocaloric bed varies; plural pathways formed within the magnetocaloric bed for the flow of a working fluid during the relative rotation between the magnetocaloric bed and the permanent magnet; and a flow distributor placed at each end of the magnetocaloric bed, for controlling the part of the magnetocaloric bed able to receive working fluid during a cycle of operation.

Abstract: A parallel magnetic refrigerator assembly, includes at least: a first magnetocaloric stage having in use a cold side and a hot side; a second magnetocaloric stage having in use a cold side and a hot side, arranged in parallel connection with the first magnetocaloric stage; the first and second magnetocaloric stages each including a hot side heat exchange circuit for carrying a heat exchange fluid to receive heat from the magnetocaloric stages and a cold side heat exchange circuit for carrying a heat exchange fluid to transfer heat to the magnetocaloric stages; wherein the hot side heat exchange circuit is configured such that in use a heat exchange fluid passes in thermal contact with the hot side of both the first and second magnetocaloric stages and the cold side heat exchange circuit is configured such that in use a heat exchange fluid passes in thermal contact with the cold side of both the first and second magnetocaloric stages.

Abstract: The invention provides a refrigeration device, comprising: a magnetic field source; a magnetocaloric bed, one of the magnetocaloric bed and the magnetic field source being arranged to substantially surround the other, the magnetocaloric bed being arranged for relative rotation with respect to the magnetic field source such that during said relative rotation, the magnetic field experienced by parts of the magnetocaloric bed varies; plural pathways formed within the magnetocaloric bed for the flow of a working fluid during the relative rotation between the magnetocaloric bed and the permanent magnet; and a flow distributor placed at each end of the magnetocaloric bed, for controlling the part of the magnetocaloric bed able to receive working fluid during a cycle of operation.