Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a magnetic-field source and two or more bed rings. The bed rings can be arranged in pairs with shared cold and hot fluid plenums. A flow of heat transfer fluid may pass at least partially radially through the shared fluid plenum or through a connection between the fluid plenum and one or more flow tubes. The MR apparatus and systems of the present disclosure may further include one or more circumferential flux returns with radial through-hole passageways to accommodate flow tubing. For apparatus configurations with an even number of bed rings, the axial dimension of the passageways may be smaller than the circumferential dimension of the passageways.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration apparatus includes one or more beds of magnetocaloric material arranged along a circumferential direction. The apparatus also includes a heat transfer fluid, one or more hot side heat exchangers (HHEX), one or more pumps or fluid displacement devices configured to move the heat transfer fluid, and a magnetic-field source. The magnetic-field source generates magnetic flux oriented substantially in a radial direction through the beds. The field source advantageously includes one or more pole pieces, one or more axial-end magnets, and one or more axial-end flux return pieces. Additionally, one or more circumferential flux returns, one or more gap flux return pieces, one or more side magnets, and one or more side flux return pieces can be added to increase system performance and reduce cost.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration apparatus includes one or more beds of magnetocaloric material arranged along a circumferential direction. The apparatus also includes a heat transfer fluid, one or more hot side heat exchangers (HHEX), one or more pumps or fluid displacement devices configured to move the heat transfer fluid, and a magnetic-field source. The magnetic-field source generates magnetic flux oriented substantially in a radial direction through the beds. The field source advantageously includes one or more pole pieces, one or more axial-end magnets, and one or more axial-end flux return pieces. Additionally, one or more circumferential flux returns, one or more gap flux return pieces, one or more side magnets, and one or more side flux return pieces can be added to increase system performance and reduce cost.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a magnetic-field source and two or more bed rings. The bed rings can be arranged in pairs with shared cold and hot fluid plenums. A flow of heat transfer fluid may pass at least partially radially through the shared fluid plenum or through a connection between the fluid plenum and one or more flow tubes. The MR apparatus and systems of the present disclosure may further include one or more circumferential flux returns with radial through-hole passageways to accommodate flow tubing. For apparatus configurations with an even number of bed rings, the axial dimension of the passageways may be smaller than the circumferential dimension of the passageways.