THERMO-MAGNETIC EXCHANGING DEVICE
A thermo-magnetic exchanging device includes a heat exchanging element and a magnet unit. The heat exchanging element has at least one channel to convey a heat-carrying fluid. The magnet unit is disposed around the heat exchanging element and provides a magnetic field to the heat exchanging element. The magnitude of the magnetic field is non-uniform. The cross-sectional area of the channel corresponds to the magnetic field so that temperature gradients at different points of the heat exchanging element are substantially the same when the heat-carrying fluid flows through the channel.
1. Field of the Invention
The inventions relates to a thermo-magnetic exchanging device, and in particular, to a thermo-magnetic exchanging device including a heat exchanging element and a magnet unit generating a magnetic field to the heat exchanging element.
2. Description of the Related Art
Magnetic refrigeration is considered a highly efficient and environmentally friendly cooling technology. Magnetic refrigeration technologies adapt a magnetocaloric effect of magnetocaloric materials (MCM) to realize or utilize refrigeration cycles.
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To solve the problems of the prior art, the object of the invention is to provide a thermo-magnetic exchanging device including a heat exchanging element and a magnet unit. The heat exchanging element has at least one channel. The magnet unit generates a magnetic field to the heat exchanging element. Temperature gradients at different points of the heat exchanging element are substantially the same when a heat-carrying fluid flows through the channel.
For the above object, a thereto-magnetic exchanging device includes a heat exchanging element and a magnet unit. The heat exchanging element has at least one channel to convey a heat-carrying fluid and has two ends. The magnet unit is disposed around the heat exchanging element and provides a magnetic field to the heat exchanging element. The magnitude of the magnetic field is non-uniform. The cross-sectional area of the channel corresponds to the magnetic field so that temperature gradients at different points of each end of the heat exchanging element are substantially the same when the heat-carrying fluid flows through the channel
For the above object, a thermo-magnetic exchanging device includes a heat exchanging element and a magnet unit. The heat exchanging element has a first channel and a second channel to convey a heat-carrying fluid. The first channel has a first cross-sectional area and the second channel has a second cross-sectional area, and the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area. The magnet unit is disposed around the heat exchanging element and provides a magnetic field to the heat exchanging element. The magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the first channel is greater than the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the second channel.
For the above object, a thereto-magnetic exchanging device includes a heat exchanging element and a magnet unit. The heat exchanging element has a plurality of first channels and at least one second channel to convey a heat-carrying fluid. The distance between the two adjacent first channels is greater than the distance between the two adjacent first channel and second channel. The magnet unit is disposed around the heat exchanging element and provides a magnetic field to the heat exchanging element. The magnitude of the magnetic field applied to each of the first channels is greater than the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the second channel.
In conclusion, the temperature gradients at different points of the heat exchanging element are substantially the same when the heat-carrying fluid flows through the channel, and the exchange efficiency of the thermo-magnetic exchanging device is increased.
The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
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The heat exchanging element 30 is made of a material selected from a group consisting of at least one magnetocaloric material. The magnetocaloric material, for example, and not limited to, may be Mn—Fe—P—As alloy, Mn—Fe—P—Si alloy, Mn—Fe—P—Ge alloy, Mn—As—Sb alloy, Me—Fe—Co—Ge alloy, Mn—Ge—Sb alloy, Mn—Ge—Si alloy, La—Fe—Co—Si alloy, La—Fe—Si—H alloy, La—Na—Mn—O alloy, La—K—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Sr—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Pb—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Ba—Mn—O alloy, Gd alloy, Gd—Si—Ge, Gd—Yb alloy, Gd—Si—Sb alloy, Gd—Dy—Al—Co alloy, or Ni—Mn—Ga alloy.
The heat exchanging element 30 includes a channel 31 and two channels 32. The number Of the channel 31 or the channels 32 is not to be limited. In the embodiment, the channel 31 is located between the channels 32. The channel 31 and the channels 32 are arranged along a first extension direction D1. The first extension direction D1 is parallel to a cross-section S1 of the heat exchanging element 30. The heat exchanging element 30, the channel 31, and the channels 32 are extended along a longitudinal direction D3. The channel 31 and the channels 32 are provided to convey a heat-carrying fluid.
The magnet unit 40 may be a permanent magnet, a superconducting magnet, or a solenoid. Two magnet units 40 are disposed around the heat exchanging element 30. In the embodiment, the heat exchanging element 30 is located between the magnet units 40. The magnet units 40 and the heat exchanging element 30 are arranged along a second extension direction D2, wherein the first extension direction D1, the second extension direction D2, and the longitudinal direction D3 are perpendicular to each other. Each of the magnet units 40 can provide a magnetic field to the heat exchanging element 30, and the magnitude of the magnetic field may be time-varying and non-uniform. Thus, when the magnetic field is applied to the heat exchanging element 30, the heat exchange ability of the heat exchanging element 30 can be changed.
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The arrangement of the first cross-section zone Z1 and the second cross-section zones Z2 are substantially parallel to the magnet unit 40. The first cross-section zone Z1 is close to the center area of the magnet unit 40. The second cross-section zones Z2 are close to two opposite ends of the magnet unit 40. The magnetic field in the first cross-section zone Z1 exceeds that in each of the second cross-section zones Z2. Namely, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the first channel 31 is greater than the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to each of the second channels 32.
In general, a stronger magnetic field can facilitate higher heat exchange ability of the heat exchanging element 30. Since the cross-sectional area of the channels 31 and 32 are designed to correspond to the magnetic field distribution within the heat exchanging element 30, temperature gradients at different points of the cross-section S1 of the heat exchanging element 30 are substantially the same when the heat-carrying fluid flows through the channels 31 and 32.
In the embodiment, the cross-section area of the channel 31 is greater than the cross-section area of the channel 32, and the area of the first cross-section zone Z1 and the second cross-section zone Z2 are the same. Since the first cross-section zone Z1 of the heat exchanging element 30 has stronger magnetic field, the cross-section area of the channel 31 is designed to exceed that of the channel 32.
When the heat-carrying fluid flows through the channel 31 and the channels 32, the flowing velocity of the heat-carrying fluid in the channel 31 is higher than that in the channel 32. Since the magnetic field of the second cross-section zones Z2 are lower than that of the first cross-section zone Z1, heat exchange ability of the heat exchanging element 30 in the second cross-section zones Z2 are relatively weak. However, by the slower flowing velocity of the heat-carrying fluid in the channels 32, the heat exchange between the exchanging element 30 in the second cross-section zone Z2 and the heat-carrying fluid in the channels 32 is sufficient. Thus, the temperature gradients in the second cross-section zone Z1 and the second cross-section zone Z2 are substantially the same.
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In the embodiment, the magnetic field generated by the magnet portion 41 is greater than the magnetic field generated by the magnet portion 42. The cross-section area of the channel portion 311 exceeds that of the channel portion 312, and the cross-section area of the channel portion 321 exceeds that of the channel portion 322. Thus, the total cross-section area of the channels 31 and 32 of the heat exchanging portion 33 exceeds that of the channels 31 and 32 of the heat exchanging portion 34. Namely, the cross-sectional areas of the channels 31 and 32 can be appropriately designed corresponding to the magnitude of the magnetic field. Thus, when the heat-carrying fluid flows through the channels 31 and 32, temperature gradients at different points of each end of the heat exchanging element 30b are substantially the same.
In conclusion, the temperature gradients at different points of the heat exchanging element are substantially the same when the heat-carrying fluid flows through the channel, and the exchange efficiency of the thermo-magnetic exchanging device is increased.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. 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 thermo-magnetic exchanging device, comprising:
- a heat exchanging element, having at least one channel to convey a heat-carrying fluid and having two ends; and
- a magnet unit, disposed around the heat exchanging element and providing a magnetic field to the heat exchanging element, wherein the magnitude of the magnetic field is non-uniform,
- wherein the cross-sectional area of the channel corresponds to the magnetic field so that temperature gradients at different points of each end of the heat exchanging element are substantially the same when the heat-carrying fluid flows through the channel.
2. The thermo-magnetic exchanging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat exchanging element is made of a material selected from a group consisting of at least one magnetocaloric material.
3. The thermo-magnetic exchanging device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magnetocaloric material is Me—Fe—P—As alloy, Me—Fe—P—Si alloy, Me—Fe—P—Ge alloy, Mn—As—Sb alloy, Me—Fe—Co—Ge alloy, Mn—Ge—Sb alloy, Mn—Ge—Si alloy, La—Fe—Co—Si alloy, La—Fe—Si—H alloy, La—Na—Mn—O alloy, La—K—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Sr—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Pb—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Ba—Mn—O alloy, Gd alloy, Gd—Si—Ge, Gd—Yb alloy, Gd—Si—Sb alloy, Gd—Dy—Al—Co alloy, or Ni—Mn—Ga alloy.
4. The thermo-magnetic exchanging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnet unit is a permanent magnet, a superconducting magnet, or a solenoid.
5. A thereto-magnetic exchanging device, comprising:
- a heat exchanging element having a first channel and a second channel to convey a heat-carrying fluid, wherein the first channel has a first cross-sectional area and the second channel has a second cross-sectional area, and the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area; and
- a magnet unit, disposed around the heat exchanging element, providing a magnetic field to the heat exchanging element,
- wherein the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the first channel is greater than the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the second channel.
6. The thermo-magnetic exchanging device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the heat exchanging element is made of a material selected from a group consisting of at least one magnetocaloric material.
7. The thermo-magnetic exchanging device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the magnetocaloric material is Me—Fe—P—As alloy, Me—Fe—P—Si alloy, Me—Fe—P—Ge alloy, Mn—As—Sb alloy, Me—Fe—Co—Ge alloy, Mn—Ge—Sb alloy, Mn—Ge—Si alloy, La—Fe—Co—Si alloy, La—Fe—Si—H alloy, La—Na—Mn—O alloy, La—K—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Sr—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Pb—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Ba—Mn—O alloy, Gd alloy, Gd—Si—Ge, Gd—Yb alloy, Gd—Si—Sb alloy, Gd—Dy—Al—Co alloy, or Ni—Mn—Ga alloy.
8. The thermo-magnetic exchanging device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the magnet unit is a permanent magnet, a superconducting magnet, or a solenoid.
9. A thermo-magnetic exchanging device, comprising:
- a heat exchanging element having a plurality of first channels and at least one second channel to convey a heat-carrying fluid, wherein the distance between the two adjacent first channels is greater than the distance between the two adjacent first channel and second channel; and
- a magnet unit, disposed around the heat exchanging element, providing a magnetic field applied to the heat exchanging element,
- wherein the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to each of the first channels is greater than the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the second channel.
10. The thermo-magnetic exchanging device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heat exchanging element is made of a material selected from a group consisting of at least one magnetocaloric material.
11. The thermo-magnetic exchanging device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the magnetocaloric material is Me—Fe—P—As alloy, Me—Fe—P—Si alloy, Me—Fe—P—Ge alloy, Mn—As—Sb alloy, Me—Fe—Co—Ge alloy, Mn—Ge—Sb alloy, Mn—Ge—Si alloy, La—Fe—Co—Si alloy, La—Fe—Si—H alloy, La—Na—Mn—O alloy, La—K—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Sr—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Pb—Mn—O alloy, La—Ca—Ba—Mn—O alloy, Gd alloy, Gd—Si—Ge, Gd—Yb alloy, Gd—Si—Sb alloy, Gd—Dy—Al—Co alloy, or Ni—Mn—Ga alloy.
12. The thermo-magnetic exchanging device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the magnet unit is a permanent magnet, a superconducting magnet, or a solenoid.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 7, 2012
Publication Date: Aug 8, 2013
Inventors: Chi-Hsiang KUO (Taoyuan Hsien), Tiao-Yuan Wu (Taoyuan Hsien)
Application Number: 13/367,906
International Classification: F28D 15/00 (20060101);