COOLING SYSTEM

Abstract

A cooling system is provided. The cooling system includes a heat transfer means, a cool transfer means, and a magnetic-cooler. The magnetic-cooler includes a first magnetic member, a second magnetic member, a bed and a magnetic valve unit. The bed includes a working material, wherein the bed rotates between a first position and a second position, and when the bed is in the first position, the working material is magnetized, and when the bed is in the second position, the working material is demagnetized. Also, when the bed is in the first position, the magnetic valve unit controls a first fluid to travel between the heat transfer means and the working material, and when the bed is in the second position, the magnetic valve unit controls a second fluid travel between the cool transfer means and the working material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cooling system, and in particular relates to a magnetic cooling system utilizing a magnetic valve unit.

2. Description of the Related Art

In magnetic cooling systems, recycled water travels therein to transmit heat generated by a working material. Conventionally, electromagnetic valves or mechanical valves are utilized to control the flow paths of the recycled water. When a magnetic cooling material is in a magnetic field, the valves (electromagnetic valves or mechanical valves) control the recycled water to travel between a heat transfer means and the working material. When the magnetic cooling material is not in the magnetic field, the valves control the recycled water to travel between a cool transfer means and the working material. For conventional magnetic cooling systems, however, reliability of mechanical valves therein is not high, as mechanical valves wear out easily. Also, mechanical valves generate heat, require a relatively large amount of power, and are relatively expensive. As for electromagnetic valves, they also generate heat, are relatively large in size, and are also relatively expensive.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A cooling system is provided. The cooling system includes a heat transfer means, a cool transfer means, and a magnetic-cooler. The magnetic-cooler includes a first magnetic member, a second magnetic member, a bed and a magnetic valve unit. The bed includes a working material, wherein the bed rotates between a first position and a second position. Also, when the bed is in the first position, the working material is magnetized, and when the bed is in the second position, the working material is demagnetized. When the bed is in the first position, the magnetic valve unit controls a first fluid to travel along a first path between the heat transfer means and the working material, and when the bed is in the second position, the magnetic valve unit controls a second fluid travel along a second path between the cool transfer means and the working material.

The cooling system of the embodiment of the invention controls flow path of the first and second fluid with the magnetic valve unit. The magnetic valve unit of the invention is actuated by a magnetic force provided by the first and second magnetic members. Thus, the magnetic valve unit of the invention is reliable, does not generate heat, does not require power, and is relatively cheap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1a and 1b are block diagrams of a cooling system of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2a shows a bed of the embodiment of the invention located in a first position in a yoke;

FIG. 2b shows the bed of the embodiment of the invention located in a second position in the yoke;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along direction I-I of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3a shows the first fluid entering the bed through a first magnetic valve, passing a working material, and leaving the bed through a second magnetic valve when the bed is in the first position

FIG. 3b shows the second fluid entering the bed through the second magnetic valve, passes through the working material, and leaving the bed through the first magnetic valve when the bed is in the second position;

FIGS. 4a and 4b show a detailed structure of the first magnetic valve;

FIG. 5a is a sectional view along direction II-II of FIG. 4a;

FIG. 5b is a sectional view along direction III-III of FIG. 4b;

FIGS. 6a and 6b show a detailed structure of the second magnetic valve; and

FIGS. 7a and 7b show a modified embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.

FIGS. 1a and 1b are block diagrams of a cooling system 1 of an embodiment of the invention. With references to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the cooling system 1 includes a heat transfer means 10, a cool transfer means 20 and a magnetic-cooler 100. The heat transfer means 10 comprises a heat exchanger. The cool transfer means 20 comprises a cool exchanger. The magnetic-cooler 100 includes a first magnetic member 110, a second magnetic member 120, a bed 130 and a magnetic valve unit 200. The bed 130 comprises a working material (not shown). The working material includes a magnetocarolic material. The magnetic valve unit 200 is embedded in the bed 130. With reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the bed 130 is rotated between a first position (FIG. 2a) and a second position (FIG. 2b) in a yoke 140. With reference to FIGS. 1a and 2a, when the bed 130 is in the first position, the working material is magnetized by the first magnetic member 110 and the second magnetic member 120, and the magnetic valve unit 200 is actuated by the first magnetic member 110 and the second magnetic member 120 to control a first fluid 11 to travel between the heat transfer means 10 and the working material along a first path. With reference to FIGS. 1b and 2b, when the bed 130 is in the second position, the working material is demagnetized, and the magnetic valve unit 200 controls a second fluid 21 to travel between the cool transfer means 20 and the working material along a second path. The first fluid and the second fluid preferably comprises water, antifreeze, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, liquid metal, magnetic fluid, air, helium, nitrogen, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along direction I-I of FIG. 2a, wherein the magnetic-cooler 100 further includes a shaft 150 and pipes 160. The bed 130 surrounds the shaft 150, the working material 131 is filled in the bed 130, and the pipes 160 extend in the bed 130. With reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the magnetic valve unit 200 comprises a first magnetic valve 210 and a second magnetic valve 220. When the bed 130 is in the first position (FIG. 3a), the first fluid enters the bed 130 through the first magnetic valve 210, passes through the working material, and leaves the bed 130 through the second magnetic valve 220. When the bed 130 is in the second position (FIG. 3b), the second fluid enters the bed 130 through the second magnetic valve 220, passes through the working material, and leaves the bed 130 through the first magnetic valve 210.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show a detailed structure of the first magnetic valve 210. The first magnetic valve 210 comprises a first lever 211, a first inlet 212, a first outlet 213, a first inlet seal 214, a first outlet seal 215, a first elastic element 216, a first magnetic element 217 and a first soft sealing element 218. The first outlet seal 215 corresponds to the first outlet 213. The first inlet seal 214 corresponds to the first inlet 212. The first soft sealing element 218 is disposed between the first inlet seal 214 and the first inlet 212. The first lever 211 comprises a first end 2111, a second end 2112 and a first rotatable portion 2113. The first end 2111 is fixed on the first rotatable portion 2113. The first inlet seal 214 is disposed on the first end 2111, and the first magnetic element 217 is disposed on the first end 2111. The first outlet seal 215 is disposed on the second end 2112, and the first elastic element 216 is disposed on the second end 2112. The first rotatable portion 2113 is rotatable around a first axis 2114 of the first lever 211 relative to the second end 2112. The first elastic element 216 is a spring.

With reference to FIGS. 2a and 4a, when the bed 130 is in the first position, the first magnetic element 217 rotates the first rotatable portion 2113 and the first inlet seal 214, allowing the first fluid to pass through the first inlet 212. The first elastic element 216 pushes the second end 2112 to seal the first outlet 213. The first soft sealing element 218 extends with the first end 2111 rising, and has a height h. FIG. 5a is a sectional view along direction II-II of FIG. 4a, wherein the first magnetic element 217 comprises two magnets, and the magnets are arranged side by side with opposite magnetic pole directions, and are rotated by a magnetic force F provided by the first magnetic member 110 or the second magnetic member 120.

With reference to FIGS. 2b and 4b, when the bed 130 is in the second position, the first magnetic element 217 is attracted by a magnetic force F of the first magnetic member 110 and the second magnetic member 120, the second end 2112 is raised to separate the first outlet seal 215 from the first outlet 213, allowing the second fluid to pass through the first outlet 213. The first soft sealing element 218 is pressed by the first end 2111, and has a height h′. FIG. 5b is a sectional view along direction III-III of FIG. 4b, wherein the first magnetic element 217 is not rotated by a magnetic force F provided by the first magnetic member 110 or the second magnetic member 120.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show a detailed structure of the second magnetic valve 220. The second magnetic valve 220 comprises a second lever 221, a second outlet 222, a second inlet 223, a second outlet seal 224, a second inlet seal 225, a second elastic element 226, a second magnetic element 227 and a second soft sealing element 228. The second inlet seal 225 corresponds to the second inlet 223. The second outlet seal 224 corresponds to the second outlet 222. The second soft sealing element 228 is disposed between the second outlet seal 224 and the second outlet 222. The second lever 221 comprises a third end 2211, a fourth end 2212 and a second rotatable portion 2213. The third end 2211 is fixed on the second rotatable portion 2213. The second outlet seal 224 is disposed on the third end 2211, and the second magnetic element 227 is disposed on the third end 2211. The second inlet seal 225 is disposed on the fourth end 2212, and the second elastic element 226 is disposed on the fourth end 2212. The second rotatable portion 2213 is rotatable around a second axis 2214 of the second lever 221 relative to the fourth end 2212. The second elastic element 226 is a spring.

As shown in FIG. 6a, when the bed is in the first position, the second magnetic element 227 rotates the second rotatable portion 2213 and the second outlet seal 224, allowing the first fluid to pass through the second outlet 222. The second magnetic element 227 comprises two magnets, and the magnets are arranged side by side with opposite magnetic pole directions. As shown in FIG. 6b, when the bed is in the second position, the fourth end 2212 is raised to separate the second inlet seal 225 from the second inlet 223, allowing the second fluid to pass through the second inlet 223.

The first soft sealing element and the second soft sealing element can be made of rubber.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show a modified embodiment of the invention, wherein the first and second rotatable portions are omitted. In this embodiment, the first elastic element 216′ is disposed on the first magnetic element 217′, and the second elastic element 226′ is disposed on the second magnetic element 227′. With reference to FIG. 7a, when the bed is in the first position, the magnetic force applied on the first magnetic element 217′ and the second magnetic element 227′ overcomes the elastic force provided by the first elastic element 216′ and the second elastic element 226′, allowing the first fluid to pass through the first inlet 212 and the second outlet 222. With reference to FIG. 7b, when the bed is in the second position, the first elastic element 216′ and the second elastic element 226′ pushes the first inlet seal 214 and second outlet seal 224 to seal the first inlet 212 and the second outlet 222, and the first outlet 213 and the second inlet 223 are opened allowing the second fluid to pass therethrough.

The cooling system of the embodiment of the invention controls flow path of the first and second fluid with a magnetic valve unit. The magnetic valve unit of the invention is actuated by a magnetic force provided by the first and second magnetic members. Thus, the magnetic valve unit of the invention is relatively reliability, does not generate heat, does not require power, and is relatively cheap.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Claims

1. A cooling system, comprising:

a heat transfer means;

a cool transfer means; and

a magnetic-cooler, comprising: a first magnetic member; a second magnetic member; a bed, comprising a working material, wherein the bed rotates between a first position and a second position, and when the bed is in the first position, the working material is magnetized by the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and when the bed is in the second position, the working material is demagnetized; and a magnetic valve unit, embedded in the bed, wherein when the bed is in the first position, the magnetic valve unit is actuated by the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member to control a first fluid to travel along a first path between the heat transfer means and the working material, and when the bed is in the second position, the magnetic valve unit controls a second fluid travel along a second path between the cool transfer means and the working material.

2. The cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid comprise water, antifreeze, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, liquid metal, magnetic fluid, air, helium, nitrogen or a combination thereof, and the working material comprises a magnetocarolic material.

3. The cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic valve unit comprises a first magnetic valve and a second magnetic valve, and when the bed is in the first position, the first fluid enters the bed through the first magnetic valve, passes through the working material, and leaves the bed through the second magnetic valve.

4. The cooling system as claimed in claim 3, wherein when the bed is in the second position, the second fluid enters the bed through the second magnetic valve, passes through the working material, and leaves the bed through the first magnetic valve.

5. The cooling system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first magnetic valve comprises a first lever, a first inlet, a first outlet, a first inlet seal, a first outlet seal, a first elastic element and a first magnetic element, the first outlet seal corresponds to the first outlet, the first inlet seal corresponds to the first inlet, the first lever comprises a first end, a second end and a first rotatable portion, the first end is fixed on the first rotatable portion, the first inlet seal is disposed on the first end, the first magnetic element is disposed on the first end, the first outlet seal is disposed on the second end, the first elastic element is disposed on the second end, and the first rotatable portion is rotatable around a first axis of the first lever relative to the second end.

6. The cooling system as claimed in claim 5, wherein when the bed is in the first position, the first magnetic element rotates the first rotatable portion and the first inlet seal, allowing the first fluid to pass through the first inlet.

7. The cooling system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first magnetic element comprises two magnets, and the magnets are arranged side by side with opposite magnetic pole directions.

8. The cooling system as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the bed is in the second position, the second end is raised to separate the first outlet seal from the first outlet, allowing the second fluid to pass through the first outlet.

9. The cooling system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second magnetic valve comprises a second lever, a second outlet, a second inlet, a second outlet seal, a second inlet seal, a second elastic element and a second magnetic element, the second inlet seal corresponds to the second inlet, the second outlet seal corresponds to the second outlet, the second lever comprises a third end, a fourth end and a second rotatable portion, the third end is fixed on the second rotatable portion, the second outlet seal is disposed on the third end, the second magnetic element is disposed on the third end, the second inlet seal is disposed on the fourth end, the second elastic element is disposed on the fourth end, and the second rotatable portion is rotatable around a second axis of the second lever relative to the fourth end.

10. The cooling system as claimed in claim 9, wherein when the bed is in the first position, the second magnetic element rotates the second rotatable portion and the second outlet seal, allowing the first fluid to pass through the second outlet.

11. The cooling system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second magnetic element comprises two magnets, and the magnets are arranged side by side with opposite magnetic pole directions.

12. The cooling system as claimed in claim 10, wherein when the bed is in the second position, the fourth end is raised to separate the second inlet seal from the second inlet, allowing the second fluid to pass through the second inlet.

13. The cooling system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first elastic element is a spring and the second elastic element is a spring.

14. The cooling system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first magnetic valve comprises a first lever, a first inlet, a first outlet, a first inlet seal, a first outlet seal, a first elastic element and a first magnetic element, the first outlet seal corresponds to the first outlet, the first inlet seal corresponds to the first inlet, the first lever comprises a first end and a second end, the first inlet seal is disposed on the first end, the first magnetic element is disposed on the first end, the first outlet seal is disposed on the second end, and the first elastic element is disposed on the first magnetic element.

15. The cooling system as claimed in claim 14, wherein when the bed is in the first position, the first end is raised to separate the first inlet seal from the first inlet, allowing the first fluid to pass through the first inlet.

16. The cooling system as claimed in claim 5, wherein when the bed is in the second position, the second end is raised to separate the first outlet seal from the first outlet, allowing the second fluid to pass through the first outlet.

17. The cooling system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second magnetic valve comprises a second lever, a second outlet, a second inlet, a second outlet seal, a second inlet seal, a second elastic element and a second magnetic element, the second inlet seal corresponds to the second inlet, the second outlet seal corresponds to the second outlet, the second lever comprises a third end and a fourth end, the second outlet seal is disposed on the third end, the second magnetic element is disposed on the third end, the second inlet seal is disposed on the fourth end, and the second elastic element is disposed on the second magnetic element.

18. The cooling system as claimed in claim 17, wherein when the bed is in the first position, the third end is raised to separate the second outlet seal from the second outlet, allowing the first fluid to pass through the second outlet.

19. The cooling system as claimed in claim 18, wherein when the bed is in the second position, the fourth end is raised to separate the second inlet seal from the second inlet, allowing the second fluid to pass through the second inlet.

20. The cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat transfer means comprises a heat exchanger and the cool transfer means comprises a cool exchanger.