Regenerator including magneto caloric material with channels for the flow of heat transfer fluid
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.
1. A regenerator, comprising:
a plurality of working units extending along a longitudinal direction between a first end of the regenerator and a second end of the regenerator, each working unit comprising a plurality of discrete, elongate elements extending along the longitudinal direction and forming, at locations between the elongate elements, a plurality of flow channels that extend along the longitudinal direction between the elongate elements and are configured for the flow of a heat transfer fluid therethrough, wherein each elongate element is formed from magneto caloric material;
wherein each elongate element is positioned adjacent to, and in contact with, at least one other elongate element in a manner that defines at least one of the plurality of flow channels between the elongate elements.
2. The regenerator of claim 1 , wherein the magneto caloric material of the working unit has a Curie temperature that continuously decreases along the longitudinal direction.
3. The regenerator of claim 1 , wherein the magneto caloric material of the working unit has a Curie temperature that continuously decreases in a linear manner along the longitudinal direction.
4. The regenerator of claim 1 , wherein the magneto caloric material of the working unit comprises a plurality of stages of magneto caloric material with each stage having a different Curie temperature or Curie temperate range than an adjacent stage.
5. The regenerator of claim 1 , wherein the magneto caloric material of the working unit comprises a plurality of stages of magneto caloric material with each stage having a different Curie temperature such that the Curie temperatures of the stages decreases along the longitudinal direction.
6. The regenerator of claim 1 , wherein the elongate elements have a circular cross-sectional shape, and wherein the cross-sectional shape of the elongate elements and the location of the elongate elements relative to each other defines the cross-sectional shape and of the flow channels.
7. The regenerator of claim 1 , wherein the elongate elements have a tubular cross-sectional shape.
8. A heat pump, comprising:
a regenerator defining a circumferential direction along which the regenerator is rotatable, the regenerator extending along longitudinal_direction between a first end and a second end, the regenerator comprising
a plurality of working units arranged adjacent to each along the circumferential direction and extending along the longitudinal direction between the first end of the regenerator and the second end of the regenerator, each working unit comprising a plurality of discrete, elongate elements formed from magneto caloric material and extending along the longitudinal direction, the elongate elements forming a plurality of flow channels between the elongate elements within each working unit, the flow channels extending along the longitudinal direction and configured for the flow of a heat transfer fluid therethrough while in contact with the magneto caloric material; and
a magnetic device positioned proximate to the working units and extending along the longitudinal direction, the magnetic device creating a field of magnetic flux, the magnetic device positioned so that one or more of the plurality of working units are moved in and out of the magnetic field as the working units are rotated along the circumferential direction;
wherein each elongate element is positioned adjacent to, and in contact with, at least one other elongate element in a manner that defines at least one of the plurality of flow channels between the elongate elements.
9. The heat pump of claim 8 , wherein the regenerator defines a radial direction and further comprises a cavity positioned radially-inward of the plurality of working units, wherein the magnetic device is positioned within the cavity.
10. The heat pump of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic device comprises a plurality of magnets arranged in the shape of an arc and configured to project a magnetic field substantially along a radially-outward direction.
11. The heat pump of claim 8 , wherein the magneto caloric material of each working unit has a Curie temperature that continuously decreases along the longitudinal direction.
12. The heat pump of claim 8 , wherein the magneto caloric material of each working unit has a Curie temperature that continuously decreases in a linear manner along the longitudinal direction.
13. The heat pump of claim 8 , wherein the magneto caloric material of each working unit comprises a plurality of stages of magneto caloric material with each stage having a different Curie temperature or Curie temperate range than an adjacent stage.
14. The heat pump of claim 8 , wherein the magneto caloric material of each working unit comprises a plurality of stages of magneto caloric material with each stage having a different Curie temperature such that the Curie temperatures of the stages decreases along the longitudinal direction.
15. The heat pump of claim 8 , wherein the elongate elements have a circular cross-sectional shape.
16. The heat pump of claim 8 , wherein the elongate elements have a tubular cross-sectional shape.
17. The heat pump of claim 8 , wherein the elongate elements have beveled ends.
18. A refrigerator appliance comprising the heat pump of claim 8 .
19. A regenerator, comprising:
a plurality of working units extending along a longitudinal direction between a first end of the regenerator and a second end of the regenerator, each working unit comprising a plurality of discrete, elongate elements extending along the longitudinal direction and forming, at locations between the elongate elements, a plurality of flow channels that extend along the longitudinal direction between the elongate elements and are configured for the flow of a heat transfer fluid therethrough, wherein each elongate element is formed from magneto caloric material; wherein the elongate elements have a circular cross-sectional shape, and wherein the cross-sectional shape of the elongate elements and the location of the elongate elements relative to each other defines the cross-sectional shape and of the flow channels.