Abstract: The invention is for an apparatus and method for a refrigerator and a heat pump based on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) offering a simpler, lighter, robust, more compact, environmentally compatible, and energy efficient alternative to traditional vapor-compression devices. The subject magnetocaloric apparatus alternately exposes a magnetocaloric material to strong and weak magnetic field while switching heat to and from the material. Action of the heat switches is coordinated with the magnetic field strength to move heat up the thermal gradient. The invention may be practiced with multiple magnetocaloric stages to attain large differences in temperature. Key applications include thermal management of electronics, as well as industrial and home refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning. The invention offers a simpler, lighter, compact, and robust apparatus compared to magnetocaloric devices of prior art.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling device which utilizes both thermoelectric and magnetocaloric mechanisms for enhanced cooling applications. Using high thermal conductivity magnetocaloric composites in conjunction with thermoelectric elements acting as thermal switches which are electrically coupled to a magnetization and demagnetization cycle enables the use of larger quantities of magnetocaloric material, and high efficiency solid state cooling can be achieved. Solid state cooling devices are useful for a variety of industrial applications which require cooling, such as, but not limited to cooling of microelectronic devices, cooling on space platforms, etc.

Abstract: The invention is for an apparatus and method for a refrigerator and a heat pump based on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) offering a simpler, lighter, robust, more compact, environmentally compatible, and energy efficient alternative to traditional vapor-compression devices. The subject magnetocaloric apparatus alternately exposes a suitable magnetocaloric material to strong and weak magnetic field while switching heat to and from the material by a mechanical commutator comprising heat pipe elements. The invention may be practiced with multiple magnetocaloric stages to attain large differences in temperature. Key applications include thermal management of electronics, as well as industrial and home refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning. The invention offers a simpler, lighter, compact, and robust apparatus compared to magnetocaloric devices of prior art. Furthermore, the invention may be run in reverse as a thermodynamic engine, receiving low-level heat and producing mechanical energy.

Abstract: A magnetic air conditioner includes heat generation disks of a hollow shape each having a magneto-caloric material and a thermal switch, and magnetic field application disks of a hollow shape each having a magnetic field application unit that applies a magnetic field to the magneto-caloric material, the heat generation disks and the magnetic field application disks being alternately stacked. At least either of the heat generation disks and the magnetic field application disks is made to relatively rotate so as to transport heat in a direction intersecting the rotating direction. The magnetic air conditioner also includes an outer-rotor motor that causes at least one of the heat generation disks and the magnetic field application disks to rotate, and a clutch that transmits a driving force collectively to the plurality of heat generation disks or to the plurality of magnetic field application disks, or separately.

Abstract: An alloy made of heat treated material represented by Gd5(SixGe1?x)4 where 0.47?x?0.56 that exhibits a magnetic entropy change (??Sm) of at least 16 J/kg K, a magnetostriction of at least 2000 parts per million, and a magnetoresistance of at least 5 percent at a temperature of about 300K and below, and method of heat treating the material between 800 to 1600 degrees C. for a time to this end.

Abstract: Method of maintaining a superconducting cryolink at low temperature by a flow of liquid nitrogen produced by a liquefier feeding one end of a link section, wherein the section is fed by a single liquefier and nitrogen is drawn off from at least one intermediate point of the link section.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining a superconducting magnet which is refrigerated within a cryostat at or near its operating temperature in the event of the cryostatic refrigerator ceasing to operate comprising a heat sink within the cryostat and in thermal communication with the magnet and means automatically to transfer heat from the heat sink out of the cryostat.