Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a first heat exchanger that is coupled to a tank. The water heater appliance also includes a caloric heat pump system that is configured for heating liquid within the tank via the first heat exchanger. The caloric heat pump system includes a plurality of caloric material stages. A field generator is positioned such that the caloric material stages are moved in and out of a field of the field generator during operation of the caloric heat pump system.

Abstract: A method for forming a stabilized bed of magneto-caloric material is provided. The method includes aligning magneto-caloric particles within the casing while a magnetic field is applied to the magneto-caloric particles and then fixing positions of the magneto-caloric particles within the casing. A related stabilized bed of magneto-caloric material is also provided.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses MCM to provide for heating or cooling. The heat pump can include one or more stages of MCM, each stage having an original peak Curie temperature. In the event the magneto caloric response of one or more stages of MCM degrades, the present invention provides for operating the heat pump system so that one or more stages of MCM are held at a different temperature from the original peak Curie temperature so as to restore the MCM to its original peak Curie temperature or to within a certain interval thereof. The present invention can be used with e.g., an appliance, air-conditioning systems (heating or cooling), or other devices using such a heat pump system as well.

Abstract: A magnetic device is provided for a magneto caloric heat pump regenerator. Magnets are arranged within two magnetic flux circuits in a manner than that provides at least four fields of increased magnetic flux density. The regenerator can be used to move working units of magneto caloric material through the fields of increase magnetic flux to provide for heating and cooling as part of heat pump cycle. The orientation of the magnets provides concentrated fields of magnetic flux to induce the magneto caloric effect while optimizing the size of the magnets required to create the fields.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses MCM for heating or cooling. A magnetic field of decreasing flux intensity is used to decrease power consumption and reduce e.g., the size of one or more magnetic devices associated with creating the magnetic field. In one exemplary embodiment, the heat pump is constructed from a continuously rotating regenerator where MCM is cycled in and out of a magnetic field in a continuous manner and a heat transfer fluid is circulated therethrough to provide for heat transfer in a cyclic manner. The magneto caloric material may include stages having different Curie temperature ranges. An appliance using such a heat pump system is also provided. The heat pump may also be used in other applications for heating, cooling, or both.

Abstract: A heat pump is provided that uses multiple stages of MCMs to cause heat transfer between a heat receiving end and a heat transmitting end. Thermal blocks are placed along the direction of heat transfer at locations in the heat pump that preclude the transfer of heat in a direction from the heat transmitting end towards the heat receiving end. The heat pump can be, for example, part of a refrigeration loop or can be connected directly with the object for which heating or cooling is desired. An appliance incorporating such a heat pump is also provided.

Abstract: A magnetic device is provided for a magneto caloric heat pump regenerator. Magnets are arranged within two magnetic flux circuits in a manner than that provides at least four fields of increased magnetic flux density. The regenerator can be used to move working units of magneto caloric material through the fields of increase magnetic flux to provide for heating and cooling as part of heat pump cycle. The orientation of the magnets provides concentrated fields of magnetic flux to induce the magneto caloric effect while optimizing the size of the magnets required to create the fields.

Abstract: The present invention provides a regenerator having magneto caloric material (MCM) configured with flow channels for the passage of a heat transfer fluid through the MCM. The flow channels are created by positioning elongate elements of the MCM adjacent to each other. The elongate elements provide surface area necessary for heat transfer while the flow channels reduce the pressure drop incurred by the heat transfer fluid as it flows through the regenerator. The elongate elements can also be configured with MCM having different Curie temperatures (e.g., different Curie temperature ranges) in order to accommodate a variety of ambient conditions in which the regenerator may be used.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses multiple stages of MCMs with different Curie temperature ranges. An adjustable fluid flow path is used whereby the number of stages through which a heat transfer fluid passes can be varied depending upon e.g., the amount of heating or cooling desired. In certain embodiments, a magnetic field used to activate the MCMs can be manipulated so that the number of stages of MCMs that are activated also be adjusted. These and other features can improve the operating efficiency of the heat pump.

Abstract: A magnetocaloric driving device is disclosed herein. The driving device comprises a magnet, an effective amount of a magnetocaloric material, and a counterpoise mechanism. The driving device generates useful mechanical energy by alternately cooling and heating the magnetocaloric material using an ambient heat sink proximate to a heat source. Useful heat sources include hot production fluids, such as hot water produced from a geothermal well. Useful heat sinks include cold production fluids, and cold ambient environments.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses MCM to provide for heating or cooling. The heat pump can include one or more stages of MCM, each stage having an original peak Curie temperature. In the event the magneto caloric response of one or more stages of MCM degrades, the present invention provides for operating the heat pump system so that one or more stages of MCM are held at a different temperature from the original peak Curie temperature so as to restore the MCM to its original peak Curie temperature or to within a certain interval thereof. The present invention can be used with e.g., an appliance, air-conditioning systems (heating or cooling), or other devices using such a heat pump system as well.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses MCM to provide for heating or cooling. The heat pump is constructed from a continuously rotating regenerator where MCM is cycled in and out of a magnetic field in a continuous manner. A heat transfer fluid is circulated therethrough to provide for heat transfer in a cyclic manner. The MCM may include stages having different Curie temperature ranges. A field of varying magnetic flux may be used. The rotating regenerator can be equipped with one or more gaskets to improve fluid seals between the rotating regenerator and stationary parts. An appliance using such a heat pump system is also provided. The heat pump may also be used in other applications for heating, cooling, or both.

Abstract: A tine assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The tine assembly includes a plurality of segmented tines. Each segmented tine of the plurality of segmented tines includes a plurality of tine segments. Each tine segment of the plurality of tine segments is pivotally or rotatably mounted to a respective adjacent tine segment of the plurality of tine segments such that the segmented tines of the plurality of segmented tines are compliant. A related dishwasher appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses multiple stages of MCMs with different Curie temperature ranges. An adjustable fluid flow path is used whereby the number of stages through which a heat transfer fluid passes can be varied depending upon e.g., the amount of heating or cooling desired. In certain embodiments, a magnetic field used to activate the MCMs can be manipulated so that the number of stages of MCMs that are activated also be adjusted. These and other features can improve the operating efficiency of the heat pump.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses MCM for heating or cooling. A magnetic field of decreasing flux intensity is used to decrease power consumption and reduce e.g., the size of one or more magnetic devices associated with creating the magnetic field. In one exemplary embodiment, the heat pump is constructed from a continuously rotating regenerator where MCM is cycled in and out of a magnetic field in a continuous manner and a heat transfer fluid is circulated therethrough to provide for heat transfer in a cyclic manner. The magneto caloric material may include stages having different Curie temperature ranges. An appliance using such a heat pump system is also provided. The heat pump may also be used in other applications for heating, cooling, or both.

Abstract: A heat pump is provided that uses multiple stages of MCMs to cause heat transfer between a heat receiving end and a heat transmitting end. Thermal blocks are placed along the direction of heat transfer at locations in the heat pump that preclude the transfer of heat in a direction from the heat transmitting end towards the heat receiving end. The heat pump can be, for example, part of a refrigeration loop or can be connected directly with the object for which heating or cooling is desired. An appliance incorporating such a heat pump is also provided.

Abstract: A heat pump system that uses variable magnetization to control the amount of MCM subjected to a magnetic field is provided. More particularly, the amount of MCM subjected to a magnetic field can be selected based on the amount of refrigeration needed. As such, the heat pump system can be adjusted based on e.g., changes in ambient conditions, and the energy used in operating such a heat pump system can be conserved so as to increase energy efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A heat pump system having magneto caloric material positioned in a continuously rotating regenerator is provided. The magneto caloric material is staged so that as the regenerator is rotated, a portion of the material is cycled in and out of a magnetic field in a continuous manner. A heat transfer fluid is circulated through the magneto caloric material simultaneously along at least two paths to provide for the transfer of heat both to and from the material in a cyclic manner. The magneto caloric material may include zones having different temperature ranges of responsiveness to the magnetic field. An appliance using a heat pump system based on magneto caloric material is also provided.