US20070125095A1 - Heat transporting apparatus - Google Patents
Heat transporting apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070125095A1 US20070125095A1 US11/533,163 US53316306A US2007125095A1 US 20070125095 A1 US20070125095 A1 US 20070125095A1 US 53316306 A US53316306 A US 53316306A US 2007125095 A1 US2007125095 A1 US 2007125095A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- magnetic field
- heat
- refrigerant
- magnetic
- increasing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000005291 magnetic effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 227
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 147
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 93
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 91
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- 239000000696 magnetic material Substances 0.000 claims description 87
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 51
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 claims description 33
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000005338 heat storage Methods 0.000 description 106
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 51
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 51
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 49
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 26
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 13
- 230000020169 heat generation Effects 0.000 description 13
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 7
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 230000005294 ferromagnetic effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 229910052734 helium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 239000001307 helium Substances 0.000 description 6
- SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N helium atom Chemical compound [He] SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000013590 bulk material Substances 0.000 description 3
- -1 for example Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910052688 Gadolinium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005298 paramagnetic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052692 Dysprosium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052691 Erbium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001106 Ho alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 241000282414 Homo sapiens Species 0.000 description 1
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005290 antiferromagnetic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000010287 polarization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B21/00—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2321/00—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
- F25B2321/002—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects by using magneto-caloric effects
- F25B2321/0022—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects by using magneto-caloric effects with a rotating or otherwise moving magnet
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a heat transporting apparatus for transporting heat with utilizing a refrigerating cycle having a refrigerant compressing and expanding processes.
- Refrigerators or heat pumps have been known as apparatuses that utilize a refrigerating cycle to transport heat.
- Stirling refrigerators are gathering much attention for their high energy efficiency.
- the Stirling refrigerator is essentially expected to offer a very high refrigerating efficiency.
- the Stirling refrigerator is actually used mainly to provide very low temperatures (which are almost equal to liquid helium temperature).
- the Stirling refrigerator can use helium as a refrigerant; helium is a natural refrigerant which is harmless to human beings and which is not involved in ozone layer destruction or global warming.
- the Stirling refrigerator operates in accordance with a Stirling refrigerating cycle including four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating.
- a high- and low-temperature cylinder sections are provided in which a refrigerant is sealed.
- a higher-temperature heat exchanger, a thermal accumulator or heat storage device, and a lower-temperature heat exchanger are disposed between the cylinder sections. Compression and expansion of the refrigerant are repeated in the cylinder sections to transport heat from the lower-temperature heat exchanger to the higher-temperature heat exchanger.
- the isovolumetric heating and cooling are mainly based on the heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the thermal accumulator.
- the heat radiation and absorption by the higher- and lower-temperature heat exchangers occur during the isothermal compression and expansion processes.
- a heat transfer apparatus comprising:
- an operation unit which compresses the refrigerant to produce heat and expands the refrigerant to absorb heat in the container, alternately;
- a generating unit configured to generate a magnetic field which is increased and decreased, alternately;
- a thermal accumulator received in the container, to which the magnetic field is applied, and which produces heat depending on one of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of compression of the refrigerant and absorbs heat depending on the other of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of expansion of the refrigerant;
- first and second heat transfer units the first heat transfer unit transferring the heat produced in the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator to the outside of the apparatus, and the second heat transfer unit transferring external heat to the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator.
- a heat transporting apparatus comprising:
- a cylindrical container provided with compression and expansion chambers communicating with each other and filled with a refrigerant
- a compression piston received in the cylindrical container, which compresses the refrigerant in the expansion chamber and an expansion piston which expands the refrigerant in the expansion chamber;
- a generating unit configured to generate a magnetic field which is increased and decreased, alternately;
- a thermal accumulator received in the cylindrical container, to which the magnetic field is applied, and which produces heat depending on one of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of compression of the refrigerant, and absorbs heat depending on the other of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of expansion of the refrigerant;
- first and second heat transfer units the first heat transfer unit transferring the heat produced in the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator to the outside of the apparatus, and the second heat transfer unit transferring external heat to the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator.
- a heat transporting apparatus comprising:
- pistons received in the cylindrical container, which compress and expand the refrigerant
- a generating unit configured to generate a magnetic field which is increased and decreased, alternately;
- a thermal accumulator received in the cylindrical container, to which the magnetic field is applied, and which produces heat depending on one of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of compression of the refrigerant and absorbs heat depending on the other of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of expansion of the refrigerant;
- first and second heat transfer units the first heat transfer unit transferring the heat produced in the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator to the outside of the apparatus, and the second heat transfer unit transferring external heat to the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator.
- FIGS. 1A to 1 D are schematic diagrams schematically showing a refrigerator that is applied to a first embodiment, to describe the basic operation and structure of the refrigerator;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram specifically and three-dimensionally showing a refrigerator that is applied to a second embodiment
- FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the general configuration of a magnetic material for a thermal accumulator in the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2 ;
- FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing the general configuration of a mechanism used in the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2 to increase or reduce the magnitude of a magnetic field;
- FIGS. 5A to 5 D are schematic diagrams illustrating operations of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2 ;
- FIGS. 6A to 6 D are schematic diagrams showing the general configuration of a refrigerator that is applied to a third embodiment
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram specifically and three-dimensionally showing a refrigerator that is applied to a fourth embodiment
- FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams illustrating operations of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 7 ;
- FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams showing the general configuration of a refrigerator that is applied to a fifth embodiment
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a refrigerator that is applied to a sixth embodiment.
- FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams illustrating operations of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 10 .
- FIGS. 1A to 1 D show a basic configuration of a heat transporting apparatus such as a refrigerator, which utilizes a Stirling refrigerating cycle.
- reference numeral 1 denotes a cylinder that is a cylindrical container.
- the cylinder 1 is open at its opposite ends and is filled with a gas refrigerant, for example, helium or nitrogen.
- the cylinder 1 has a heat storage device 2 in the center of its hollow portion; the heat storage device 2 serves as a thermal accumulator.
- the heat storage device 2 is composed of a magnetic material 3 having its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field.
- the magnetic material 3 is a positive one, for example, a GD-based material, which has its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field, while having its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- a higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 is placed in proximity to one end of the heat storage device 2 .
- a lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 is placed in proximity to the other end of the heat storage device 2 .
- the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 radiates heat from the refrigerant and heat storage device 2 to the exterior of the apparatus.
- the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 absorbs external heat on the basis of heat absorption by the refrigerant and heat storage device 2 .
- a compression piston 6 is provided in an opening of the cylinder 1 which is closer to the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 .
- An expansion piston 7 is provided in an opening of the cylinder 1 which is closer to the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 .
- the compression piston 6 and expansion piston 7 constitute an operation unit.
- the compression piston 6 moves in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1A to compress a refrigerant inside the cylinder 1 .
- the expansion piston 7 moves in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 1C to compress the refrigerant inside the cylinder
- a mechanism 8 for generating a magnetic field and increasing and reducing the magnetic field is placed outside the cylinder 1 around the periphery of the heat storage device 2 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 8 increases and reduces the magnitude of a magnetic field that is applied to the magnetic material 3 in the heat storage device 2 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 8 is not limited to a particular one shown in FIGS. 1A to 1 D.
- the mechanism may be modified or altered to various units or apparatuses that provide a function for increasing and reducing the magnitude of a magnetic field that is applied to the magnetic material 3 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 8 may be an electromagnet that can be turned on and off, or a magnetic field generating unit, for example, a permanent magnet.
- the compression piston 6 is moved in a direction A, that is, from the left to right of the figure, to compress the refrigerant in the cylinder 1 as shown in FIG. 1A .
- actuation of the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 radiates heat generated from the refrigerant by compression, in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 .
- An isothermal refrigerant compressing process is thus executed.
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 8 applies a magnetic field to the heat storage device 2 .
- the heat storage device 2 is composed of the magnetic material 3 having its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field.
- this embodiment uses a positive magnetic material which has its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field and which has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- the temperature of the heat storage device 2 thus rises.
- the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 is in operation even during the application of the magnetic field.
- heat generated from the heat storage device 2 is also radiated in the direction of arrow B to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 .
- not only heat from the refrigerant but also heat generated from the magnetic material 3 can be radiated to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 .
- the expansion piston 7 is moved in a C direction, that is, from the right to left of the figure, to expand the refrigerant in the cylinder 1 .
- actuation of the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 allows the refrigerant cooled by expansion to absorb external heat in the direction of arrow D.
- An isothermal refrigerant expansion process is thus executed.
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 8 removes the magnetic field applied to the heat storage device 2 .
- the heat storage device 2 is composed of a positive magnetic material that has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field.
- the temperature of the heat storage device 2 thus lowers.
- the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 is in operation even during the decrease in temperature. Consequently, external heat can further be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 .
- heat is absorbed not only by the refrigerant but also by the magnetic material 3 . Under these conditions, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 .
- the process shown in FIGS. 1A to 1 D is repeated as described above to repeatedly execute the four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating.
- the Stirling refrigerating cycle is thus implemented. Specifically, repetition of the compression and expansion processes allows the refrigerant to generate and absorb heat.
- the heat storage device 2 composed of the magnetic material 3 , is caused to repeat a heat generating and absorbing reactions by increasing and reducing the magnitude of the magnetic field simultaneously with the repeated compression and expansion processes. This allows the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 to radiate heat, while allowing the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 to absorb heat.
- the compression process not only allows the refrigerant to generate heat but also applies a magnetic field to the magnetic material 3 constituting the heat storage device 2 to allow the magnetic material 3 to make a heat generating reaction.
- the heat from the magnetic material 3 is radiated via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 . Consequently, this refrigerator can radiate more heat to the exterior of the apparatus.
- the expansion process not only expands the refrigerant to allow it to absorb heat but also removes the magnetic field to allow the magnetic material 3 to make a heat absorbing reaction. This enables more external heat to be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 .
- the heat storage device 2 composed of the magnetic material 3 is caused to make heat generating and absorbing reactions.
- the present refrigerating cycle having the compression and expansion processes offers a drastically increased heat exchanging efficiency. Therefore, a Stirling refrigerating cycle with a good heat transporting capability can be implemented.
- the above first embodiment repeats the four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating, to implement a Stirling refrigerating cycle.
- An Ericsson cycle can be implemented by substituting isobaric processes for the two isovolumetric processes in the Stirling refrigerating cycle.
- a Brayton cycle can be implemented by substituting adiabatic processes for the compression and expansion processes in the Stirling refrigerating cycle and substituting isobaric processes for the two isovolumetric processes.
- FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional cross sectional view showing a refrigerator of a second embodiment which is realized in accordance with the first embodiment.
- reference numeral 11 denotes a cylindrical casing.
- a compression cylinder 12 and an expansion cylinder 13 are arranged in parallel inside the casing 11 .
- Each of the compression cylinder 12 and expansion cylinder 13 is open at one end and is closed at the other end. The closed ends are connected together via a communication pipe 14 that allows the interior of the compression cylinder 12 to communicate with the interior of the expansion cylinder 13 .
- the compression cylinder 12 and expansion cylinder 13 are filled with a gas refrigerant, for example, helium or nitrogen.
- a heat storage device 15 is placed in the compression cylinder 12 .
- the heat storage device 15 is provided with a magnetic material 16 having its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field.
- the magnetic material 16 is a positive one, for example, a GD-based material, which has its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field, while having its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- As the magnetic material 16 generally spherical magnetic materials 16 a of diameter about 1 mm or less may be filled in to the heat storage device 15 to form a porous member containing a large number of voids as shown in FIG. 3A .
- a bulk material may be used which contains communication holes 16 b which consist of small holes and which communicate with the exterior as shown in FIG. 3B .
- a higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 is placed in proximity to the heat storage device 15 .
- the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 is placed opposite the communication pipe 14 across the heat storage device 15 .
- the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 radiates heat from the refrigerant and heat storage device 15 to the exterior of the apparatus.
- a compression piston 18 is provided in the compression cylinder 12 .
- the compression piston 18 is inserted into the compression cylinder 12 through its opening to compress the refrigerant in the compression cylinder 12 .
- a piston shaft 19 is connected to the compression piston 18 .
- a connecting bar 20 is connected to the piston shaft 19 and to a flywheel 21 at a position away from its rotating center.
- the connecting bar 20 thus constitutes a crank mechanism that converts a rotating motion of the flywheel 21 into a reciprocating motion to reciprocate the piston shaft 19 in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 2 .
- the flywheel 21 has its rotating center connected to a rotating shaft 221 of a driving motor 22 .
- the flywheel 21 is rotated at a predetermined speed.
- a lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 is placed inside the expansion cylinder 13 .
- the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 absorbs external heat on the basis of heat absorption by the refrigerant and heat storage device 15 .
- An expansion piston 24 is provided in the expansion cylinder 13 .
- the expansion piston 24 is inserted into the expansion cylinder 13 through its opening to compress the refrigerant in the expansion cylinder 13 .
- a piston shaft 25 is connected to the expansion piston 24 .
- a connecting bar 26 is connected to the piston shaft 25 and to a flywheel 27 at a position away from its rotating center.
- the connecting bar 26 thus constitutes a crank mechanism that converts a rotating motion of the flywheel 27 into a reciprocating motion to reciprocate the piston shaft 25 in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 2 .
- the flywheel 27 has its rotating center connected to the rotating shaft 221 of the driving motor 22 .
- the flywheel 27 is rotated at a predetermined speed.
- a disk-like support plate 28 is integrally provided on the piston shaft 19 .
- a mechanism 30 for generating a magnetic field and increasing and reducing the magnetic field is provided on the support plate 28 via a support arm 29 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 has a cylindrical shape with the compression cylinder located in its hollow portion.
- the piston shaft 19 reciprocates in the direction of arrow E to allow the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 to increase or reduce the magnitude of a magnetic field that is applied to the heat storage device 15 .
- the connecting bar 20 is attached to the flywheel 21 , located closer to the compression piston 18 , so as to rotate about 90° earlier in rotation phase than a connecting bar 26 attached to the flywheel 27 , located closer to the expansion piston 24 .
- the connecting bars 20 and 26 are arranged so as to meet the above relationship, and the piston shafts 19 and 25 reciprocate on the basis of this positional relationship. This serves to implement the four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating, described above and shown in FIGS. 1A to 1 D.
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 may be, for example, a double cylindrical magnet called a Halbach magnet, such as the one shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B .
- This double cylindrical magnet is composed of an outer cylindrical magnet 302 and an inner cylindrical magnet 301 placed in a hollow portion of the outer cylindrical magnet 302 at a predetermined spacing from the magnet 302 .
- the directions of magnetic anisotropy at different areas are denoted by reference numerals 303 and 304 . As shown in FIG.
- a weak magnetic field can be generated in the hollow portion of the inner cylindrical magnet 301 by making the direction of the magnetic field 305 generated in the hollow portion by the inner cylindrical magnet 301 , opposite to the direction of the magnetic field 306 generated in the hollow portion by the outer cylindrical magnet 302 so that the magnetic fields 305 and 306 cancel each other, as shown in FIG. 4B .
- the magnitude of the magnetic field for the heat storage device 15 can be increased or reduced by rotating one of the inner cylindrical magnet 301 and outer cylindrical magnet 302 in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of the piston shaft 19 to establish the conditions shown in FIG. 4A or 4 B.
- FIGS. 5A to 5 D are diagrams illustrating the operation of the refrigerator configured as described above.
- the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
- a cylinder main body 31 shown in FIGS. 5A to 5 D comprises the above compression cylinder 12 and expansion cylinder 13 .
- the cylinder main body 31 is filled with a refrigerant.
- the heat storage device 15 , higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 , and lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 are arranged inside the cylinder main body 31 ; the heat storage device 15 is provided with the magnetic material 16 , which has its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field.
- the compression piston 18 is placed in one of the openings of the cylinder main body 31 .
- the expansion cylinder 24 is placed in the other opening.
- the mechanism 30 is placed outside the cylinder main body 31 to increase and reduce the magnitude of a magnetic field that is applied to the periphery of the heat storage device 15 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 is connected to piston shaft 19 of the compression piston 18 via the support arm 29 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 8 can reciprocate in conjunction with the compression piston 18 .
- the compression piston 18 is moved in the direction A, that is, from the left to right in FIG. 5A , to compress the refrigerant in the cylinder main body 31 (compression cylinder 12 ).
- actuation of the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 radiates heat generated from the refrigerant by compression, in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 .
- An isothermal refrigerant compressing process is thus executed.
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 moves, as the compression piston 18 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to the heat storage device 15 .
- the heat storage device 15 has its temperature raised. This is because the heat storage device 15 is composed of the magnetic material 16 having its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 is in operation.
- heat generated from the heat storage device 15 can also be radiated in the direction of arrow B in FIG.
- the expansion piston 7 is moved in a direction C, i.e., from the right to left in FIG. 5C , to expand the refrigerant in the cylinder main body 31 (expansion cylinder 13 ).
- actuation of the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 allows the refrigerant cooled by expansion to absorb external heat in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 5C via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 .
- An isothermal refrigerant expansion process is thus executed.
- the compression piston 18 and expansion piston 24 are moved leftward to move the refrigerant leftward in the cylinder main body 31 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 connected to the piston shaft 19 , moves away from the heat storage device 15 as the compression piston 18 moves. This removes the magnetic field for the heat storage device 15 .
- the heat storage device 15 is composed of a positive magnetic material that has its temperature (heat absorption) lowered in response to a decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field. The temperature of the heat storage device 15 thus lowers. At this time, the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 is in operation.
- FIGS. 5A to 5 D The process shown in FIGS. 5A to 5 D is repeated as described above to repeatedly execute the four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating.
- the Stirling refrigerating cycle is thus implemented.
- the above embodiment can produce effects similar to those of the first embodiment.
- the compression piston 18 , expansion piston 24 , and magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 perform the series of operations using the driving motor 22 as a driving source. This enables the Stirling refrigerating cycle to be executed both automatically and stably. Furthermore, the rotation speed of the driving motor can be increased to achieve high-speed refrigeration.
- the magnetic material 16 constituting the heat storage device 15 is a porous member containing a large number of voids or a bulk material containing communication holes which consist of small holes and which communicate with the exterior.
- the refrigerant can thus pass through the interior of the magnetic material 16 . This makes it possible to increase the contact area between the magnetic material 16 and the refrigerant as well as the rate of heat transfer between the magnetic material 16 and the refrigerant.
- the magnetic material 16 and the refrigerant can thus efficiently exchange heat with each other to further improve the heat generating and absorbing effects of the heat storage device 15 .
- a strong magnetic field required to operate the magnetic material 16 can be easily obtained by using a cylindrical magnet called a Halbach magnet as the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 and composed of the outer cylindrical magnet 302 and the inner cylindrical magnet 301 , located in the hollow portion.
- FIGS. 6A to 6 D show the general structure of another example of a refrigerator using a Stirling refrigerating cycle according to the present invention.
- FIGS. 6A to 6 D the same components as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
- a cool storage section 32 , the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 , and the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 are arranged inside the cylinder main body 31 .
- the compression piston 18 is placed in one of the openings of the cylinder main body 31 .
- the expansion cylinder 24 is placed in the other opening.
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 is placed outside the cylinder main body 31 along the circumference of the heat storage device 32 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 is connected to piston shaft 19 of the compression piston 18 via the support arm 29 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 can reciprocate in conjunction with the compression piston 18 .
- the cool storage section 32 includes a heat storage device 321 composed of a positive magnetic material 331 which has its temperature raised in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field and which has its temperature lowered in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field, and a storage device 322 composed of a negative magnetic material 332 which has its temperature lowered in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field and which has its temperature raised in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- the positive magnetic material 331 is what is called a ferromagnetic substance or a meta-magnetic substance which is in a paramagnetic state (magnetic spins are disordered) with no magnetic field applied to the material and which is brought to a ferromagnetic state (magnetic spins are ordered) when a magnetic field is applied to the material (a substance that exhibits a order-disorder transition from the ferromagnetic state to paramagnetic state in response to application and removal of a magnetic field).
- the negative magnetic material 332 exhibits different ordered states depending on whether or not a magnetic field is applied and exhibits an order-order transition between the two ordered states in response to application and removal of a magnetic field; the degree of order is higher (the degree of freedom of the system is lower) when no magnetic field is applied to the segments.
- Specific examples of the positive magnetic material 331 include ferromagnetic substances such as Gd and Gd-based alloys, that is, Gd-Y, Gd-Dy, Gd-Er, and Gd-Ho alloys, and meta-magnetic substances and ferromagnetic substances based on La(Fe, Si) 13 or La(Fe, Al) 13 .
- the negative magnetic material 332 include substances such as a FeRH alloy which exhibit an order-order transition from the ferromagnetic state to an antiferromagnetic state in response to application and removal of a magnetic field. With the FeRh alloy, the magnitude of magnetic moment of Rh changes significantly between the two states owing to a difference in the polarization of Rh. This changes the entropy of an electron system.
- the compression piston 18 is moved in the direction A in this figure, that is, from the left to right of the figure, to compress the refrigerant in the cylinder main body 31 (compression cylinder 12 ).
- actuation of the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 radiates heat generated from the refrigerant by compression, in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 .
- An isothermal refrigerant compressing process is thus executed.
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 moves, as the compression piston 18 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to the heat storage device 321 .
- the heat storage device 321 has its temperature raised. This is because the heat storage device 321 is composed of the magnetic material 331 having its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. At this time, the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 is in operation. Thus, heat generated from the heat storage device 321 can also be radiated in the direction of arrow B in FIG.
- the expansion piston 7 is moved in the direction C in this figure, from the right to left of the figure, to expand the refrigerant in the cylinder main body 31 (expansion cylinder 13 ).
- actuation of the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 allows the refrigerant cooled by expansion to absorb external heat in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 6C via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 .
- An isothermal refrigerant expansion process is thus executed.
- the compression piston 18 and expansion piston 24 are moved leftward to move the refrigerant leftward in the cylinder main body 31 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 connected to the piston shaft 19 , moves 15 , as the compression piston 18 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to the heat storage device 322 .
- the heat storage device 321 is composed of the positive magnetic material 331 that has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- the temperature of the heat storage device 321 thus lowers.
- the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 is in operation. Consequently, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 .
- the heat storage device 322 to which the magnetic field is applied, is composed of the negative magnetic material 332 that has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to application of a magnetic field.
- the temperature of the heat storage device 322 thus lowers.
- the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 is in operation, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 .
- heat is absorbed not only by the refrigerant but also by the magnetic materials 331 and 332 . More heat can thus be absorbed.
- FIGS. 6A to 6 D The process shown in FIGS. 6A to 6 D is repeated as described above to repeatedly execute the four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating.
- the Stirling refrigerating cycle is thus implemented.
- the cool storage section 32 includes the heat storage device 321 composed of the positive magnetic material 331 which has its temperature raised in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and which has its temperature lowered in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field, and the storage device 322 composed of the negative magnetic material 332 which has its temperature lowered in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field and which has its temperature raised in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- heat When heat is radiated from the refrigerant, heat can also be radiated from the magnetic materials 331 and 332 .
- the magnetic materials 331 and 332 can also absorb heat. This enables more heat to be radiated and absorbed to further improve the heat exchanging efficiency of the refrigerating cycle.
- the refrigerator uses the Stirling refrigerating cycle having the four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating.
- the fourth embodiment shows a refrigerator to which a refrigerating cycle of two basic processes, isothermal compression and isothermal expansion is applied.
- FIG. 7 three-dimensionally shows an embodiment of this refrigerator.
- reference numeral 41 denotes a cylindrical casing in which a cylindrical cylinder main body 42 is placed.
- the cylinder main body 42 is open at one end and is closed at the other end.
- the cylinder main body 42 is filled with a gas refrigerant, for example, helium or nitrogen.
- a heat storage device 43 is placed inside the cylinder main body 42 closer to the closed end.
- the heat storage device 43 is composed of a magnetic material 44 having its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field.
- the magnetic material 44 is a positive one, for example, a GD-based material, which has its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field, while having its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- a porous member or a bulk material with a plurality of communication holes for external communication is used as described in FIGS. 3A and 3B .
- a higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 and a lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 are arranged on the respective sides of the heat storage device 43 .
- the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 is placed closer to the opening of the cylinder main body 42 .
- the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 radiates heat from a refrigerant and the heat storage device 43 .
- the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 is placed closer to the closed end of the cylinder main body 42 .
- the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 absorbs external heat on the basis of heat absorption by the refrigerant and heat storage device 43 .
- a piston 47 is provided in the cylinder main body 42 .
- the piston 47 is inserted into the cylinder main body 42 through its opening to compress the refrigerant inside the cylinder main body 42 .
- a piston shaft 48 is connected to the piston 42 .
- a connecting bar 49 is connected to the piston shaft 48 and to a flywheel 50 at a position away from its rotating center.
- the connecting bar 49 thus constitutes a crank mechanism that converts a rotating motion of the flywheel 50 into a reciprocating motion to reciprocate the piston shaft 48 in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 48 .
- the flywheel 50 has its rotating center connected to a rotating shaft 52 of a driving motor 51 .
- the flywheel 50 is rotated at a predetermined speed.
- a disk-like support plate 53 is integrally provided on the piston shaft 47 .
- a magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 is provided on the support plate 53 via a support arm 54 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 is cylindrical with the cylinder main body 42 located in its hollow portion.
- the piston shaft 48 reciprocates in the direction of arrow H to allow the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 to increase or reduce the magnitude of a magnetic field that is applied to the heat storage device 43 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 30 may be a double cylindrical magnet called a Halbach magnet, described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B .
- FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the refrigerator configured as described above.
- the same components as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
- the cylinder main body 42 is filled with a refrigerant.
- the heat storage device 43 , higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 , and lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 are arranged inside the cylinder main body 42 ; the heat storage device 43 is composed of the magnetic material 44 , which has its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field.
- the piston 47 is placed in the opening of the cylinder main body 42 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 is placed outside the cylinder main body 42 around the heat storage device 43 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 is connected to the piston shaft 48 of the piston 47 via the support arm 54 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 can reciprocate in conjunction with the piston 47 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 connected to the piston shaft 48 , moves, as the piston 47 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to the heat storage device 43 .
- the heat storage device 43 has its temperature raised. This is because the heat storage device 43 is composed of the positive magnetic material 44 having its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 is in operation.
- heat generated from the heat storage device 43 can also be radiated in the direction of arrow B in FIG.
- the piston 47 is moved in a direction C in this figure, that is, from the right to left of the figure, to expand the refrigerant in the cylinder main body 42 .
- actuation of the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 allows the refrigerant cooled by expansion to absorb external heat in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 8B via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 .
- An isothermal refrigerant expansion process is thus executed.
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 connected to the piston shaft 48 , moves, as the piston 47 moves, to a position where it removes the magnetic field from the heat storage device 43 .
- the heat storage device 43 has its temperature raised.
- the heat storage device 43 is composed of the positive magnetic material 44 having its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 is in operation. This enables external heat to be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 .
- the refrigerant expansion process shown in FIG. 8B excites not only heat absorption by the refrigerant but also heat absorption by the magnetic material 44 . In this state, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 .
- FIGS. 8A and 8B The process shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is similarly repeated to enable the implementation of a refrigerating cycle of two basic processes, isothermal compression and isothermal expansion; heat is radiated to the exterior via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 , and external heat is absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 .
- FIGS. 9A and 9B show the general configuration of another exemplary refrigerator that uses a refrigerating cycle of two basic processes, isothermal compression and isothermal expansion.
- FIGS. 9A and 9B the same components as those in FIGS. 8A and 8B are denoted by the same reference numerals.
- a cools storage section 56 and the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 and lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 are arranged inside the cylinder main body.
- the piston 47 is placed in the opening of the cylinder main body 42 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 is placed outside the cylinder main body 42 along the periphery of the heat storage device 56 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 is connected to the piston shaft 48 of the piston 47 via the support arm 54 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 can reciprocate in conjunction with the piston 47 .
- the cool storage section 56 has a heat storage device 431 and a heat storage device 432 arranged in parallel; the heat storage device 431 is composed of a positive magnetic material 441 having its temperature raised in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field, while having its temperature lowered in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field, and the heat storage device 432 is composed of a negative magnetic material 442 having its temperature lowered in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field, while having its temperature raised in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- the positive magnetic material 441 and negative magnetic material 442 are similar to those described in the third embodiment.
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 connected to the piston shaft 48 , moves, as the piston 47 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to the heat storage device 431 .
- the heat storage device 431 has its temperature raised. This is because the heat storage device 431 is composed of the positive magnetic material 441 having its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field.
- the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 is in operation.
- heat generated from the heat storage device 431 can also be radiated in the direction of arrow B in FIG.
- the heat storage device 432 has its temperature raised. This is because the heat storage device 432 is composed of the negative magnetic material 442 that has its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to removal of the magnetic field. Since the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 is in operation, heat from the heat storage device 432 can be radiated to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 . Thus, during the refrigerant compressing process shown in FIG. 9A , not only heat from the refrigerant but also heat generated from the magnetic materials 441 and 442 can be radiated to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 . Therefore, more heat can be radiated.
- the piston 47 is moved in a direction C, that is, from the right to left in FIG. 9B , to expand the refrigerant in the cylinder main body 42 .
- actuation of the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 allows the refrigerant cooled by expansion to absorb external heat in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 8B via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 .
- An isothermal refrigerant expansion process is thus executed.
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 55 connected to the piston shaft 48 , moves, as the piston 47 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to the heat storage device 432 .
- the heat storage device 431 has its temperature lowered. This is because the heat storage device 431 is composed of the positive magnetic material 441 that has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. However, since the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 is in operation, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 . At the same time, the heat storage device 432 has its temperature lowered. This is because the heat storage device 432 is composed of the negative magnetic material 442 that has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to application of a magnetic field.
- FIGS. 9A and 9B Similar repetition of the process shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B enables the implementation of a refrigerating cycle of two basic processes, isothermal compression and isothermal expansion; external heat is absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 , and heat is radiated to the exterior via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 .
- the magnetic materials 441 and 442 are also allowed to radiate heat.
- the magnetic materials 441 and 442 are also allowed to absorb heat. This enables more heat to be radiated and absorbed, further increasing the heat exchange efficiency of the refrigerating cycle.
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism is moved to enable an increase or reduction in the magnitude of a magnetic field for the heat storage device.
- a sixth embodiment keeps the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism stationary while enabling an increase or reduction in the magnitude of a magnetic field for the heat storage device.
- FIG. 10 shows the general configuration of the sixth embodiment.
- the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.
- the compression piston 6 , expansion piston 7 , heat storage device 2 , higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 , and lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 are arranged in the cylinder 1 filled with a refrigerant;
- the heat storage device 2 is composed of the magnetic material that has its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field.
- a magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 61 is placed outside the cylinder 1 in association with the heat storage device 2 .
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 61 is composed of a pair of permanent magnets 62 a and 62 b and a pair of yokes 63 a and 63 b .
- the permanent magnets 62 a and 52 b are arranged so that the cylinder 1 (heat storage device 2 ) is sandwiched between the magnets 62 a and 62 b .
- the yokes 63 a and 63 b can open and close a magnetic path between the permanent magnets 62 a and 62 b .
- FIG. 11A the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 61 is composed of a pair of permanent magnets 62 a and 62 b and a pair of yokes 63 a and 63 b .
- the permanent magnets 62 a and 52 b are arranged so that the cylinder 1 (heat storage device 2 )
- This refrigerator can increase or reduce the magnitude of a magnetic field for the heat storage device by moving the yokes 63 a and 63 b with the permanent magnets 62 a and 62 b remaining stationary to open or close the magnetic path between the permanent magnets 62 a and 62 b . Consequently, effects similar to those of the first embodiment can be produced by repeatedly increasing or reducing the magnitude of the magnetic field in association with the isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating processes, described in the first embodiment.
- the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism 61 configured as described above is also applicable to the above second to fifth embodiments.
- the magnetic material constituting the heat storage devices in the above embodiments consists of a uniform component with a fixed operating temperature.
- the heat storage devices may each be composed of different components such that the operating temperature sequentially decreases from the higher-temperature heat exchanger toward the lower-temperature heat exchanger.
- Such a magnetic material makes it possible to emphasize the different operations of the higher- and lower-temperature heat exchangers, that is, heat generation and heat absorption. This enables more efficient heat radiation and absorption.
- the higher-temperature heat exchanger and lower-temperature heat exchangers in the above embodiments may be composed of a magnetic material that has its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field.
- the above embodiments all relate to the refrigerator.
- the present invention is of course applicable to a heat pump that transfers heat from a lower temperature side to a higher temperature side.
- the present invention can provide a heat transporting apparatus which has good heat transporting capability and which enables an increase in heat exchange efficiency.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Hard Magnetic Materials (AREA)
- Compressors, Vaccum Pumps And Other Relevant Systems (AREA)
Abstract
In a heat transporting apparatus, a cylinder is filled with a refrigerant and pistons are arranged in the cylinder, which compress and expand the refrigerant in the cylinder. A magnet unit is movably provided around the cylinder to apply a magnetic field to the cylinder, which is alternately increased and decreased in accordance with a movement of the magnet unit. A thermal accumulator is received in the cylinder, which produces heat depending on one of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the compression of the refrigerant, and absorbs heat depending on the other of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the expansion of the refrigerant. Heat exchangers are located in the cylinder, which radiates the heat from the refrigerant and thermal accumulator to an exterior of the apparatus, and absorbs external heat and transfers the heat to the refrigerant and thermal accumulator.
Description
- This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-352242, filed Dec. 6, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a heat transporting apparatus for transporting heat with utilizing a refrigerating cycle having a refrigerant compressing and expanding processes.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Refrigerators or heat pumps have been known as apparatuses that utilize a refrigerating cycle to transport heat. Among the refrigerators serving as heat transporting apparatuses, Stirling refrigerators are gathering much attention for their high energy efficiency. The Stirling refrigerator is essentially expected to offer a very high refrigerating efficiency. However, the Stirling refrigerator is actually used mainly to provide very low temperatures (which are almost equal to liquid helium temperature). On the other hand, the Stirling refrigerator can use helium as a refrigerant; helium is a natural refrigerant which is harmless to human beings and which is not involved in ozone layer destruction or global warming.
- The Stirling refrigerator operates in accordance with a Stirling refrigerating cycle including four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating. To implement the Stirling refrigerating cycle, a high- and low-temperature cylinder sections are provided in which a refrigerant is sealed. A higher-temperature heat exchanger, a thermal accumulator or heat storage device, and a lower-temperature heat exchanger are disposed between the cylinder sections. Compression and expansion of the refrigerant are repeated in the cylinder sections to transport heat from the lower-temperature heat exchanger to the higher-temperature heat exchanger. Of the four basic processes of the Stirling refrigerating cycle, the isovolumetric heating and cooling are mainly based on the heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the thermal accumulator. The heat radiation and absorption by the higher- and lower-temperature heat exchangers occur during the isothermal compression and expansion processes.
- However, the efficiency of the Stirling refrigerating cycle used for the Stirling refrigerator is mainly limited by the heat conducting performance of the higher- and lower-temperature heat exchangers and thermal accumulator. Consequently, in spite of the theoretical high efficiency, actual apparatuses are disadvantageously inefficient and fail to achieve the desired performance.
- Thus, to improve the performance of the refrigerator, it is important to increase the heat exchanging efficiency during the Stirling refrigerating cycle. To increase the heat exchanging efficiency, it is necessary to improve the heat exchanging performance of the higher- and lower-temperature heat exchangers and thermal accumulator.
- According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat transfer apparatus comprising:
- a container filled with a refrigerant;
- an operation unit which compresses the refrigerant to produce heat and expands the refrigerant to absorb heat in the container, alternately;
- a generating unit configured to generate a magnetic field which is increased and decreased, alternately;
- a thermal accumulator received in the container, to which the magnetic field is applied, and which produces heat depending on one of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of compression of the refrigerant and absorbs heat depending on the other of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of expansion of the refrigerant; and
- first and second heat transfer units, the first heat transfer unit transferring the heat produced in the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator to the outside of the apparatus, and the second heat transfer unit transferring external heat to the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator.
- According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat transporting apparatus comprising:
- a cylindrical container provided with compression and expansion chambers communicating with each other and filled with a refrigerant;
- a compression piston received in the cylindrical container, which compresses the refrigerant in the expansion chamber and an expansion piston which expands the refrigerant in the expansion chamber;
- a generating unit configured to generate a magnetic field which is increased and decreased, alternately;
- a thermal accumulator received in the cylindrical container, to which the magnetic field is applied, and which produces heat depending on one of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of compression of the refrigerant, and absorbs heat depending on the other of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of expansion of the refrigerant; and
- first and second heat transfer units, the first heat transfer unit transferring the heat produced in the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator to the outside of the apparatus, and the second heat transfer unit transferring external heat to the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator.
- According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat transporting apparatus comprising:
- a cylindrical container filled with a refrigerant;
- pistons received in the cylindrical container, which compress and expand the refrigerant;
- a generating unit configured to generate a magnetic field which is increased and decreased, alternately;
- a thermal accumulator received in the cylindrical container, to which the magnetic field is applied, and which produces heat depending on one of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of compression of the refrigerant and absorbs heat depending on the other of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of expansion of the refrigerant; and
- first and second heat transfer units, the first heat transfer unit transferring the heat produced in the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator to the outside of the apparatus, and the second heat transfer unit transferring external heat to the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator.
-
FIGS. 1A to 1D are schematic diagrams schematically showing a refrigerator that is applied to a first embodiment, to describe the basic operation and structure of the refrigerator; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram specifically and three-dimensionally showing a refrigerator that is applied to a second embodiment; -
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the general configuration of a magnetic material for a thermal accumulator in the refrigerator shown inFIG. 2 ; -
FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing the general configuration of a mechanism used in the refrigerator shown inFIG. 2 to increase or reduce the magnitude of a magnetic field; -
FIGS. 5A to 5D are schematic diagrams illustrating operations of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 2 ; -
FIGS. 6A to 6D are schematic diagrams showing the general configuration of a refrigerator that is applied to a third embodiment; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram specifically and three-dimensionally showing a refrigerator that is applied to a fourth embodiment; -
FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams illustrating operations of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 7 ; -
FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams showing the general configuration of a refrigerator that is applied to a fifth embodiment; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a refrigerator that is applied to a sixth embodiment; and -
FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams illustrating operations of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 10 . - With reference to the drawings, description will be given of heat transporting apparatuses according to embodiments of the present invention.
-
FIGS. 1A to 1D show a basic configuration of a heat transporting apparatus such as a refrigerator, which utilizes a Stirling refrigerating cycle. - In
FIG. 1 ,reference numeral 1 denotes a cylinder that is a cylindrical container. Thecylinder 1 is open at its opposite ends and is filled with a gas refrigerant, for example, helium or nitrogen. Thecylinder 1 has aheat storage device 2 in the center of its hollow portion; theheat storage device 2 serves as a thermal accumulator. Theheat storage device 2 is composed of amagnetic material 3 having its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field. In this embodiment, themagnetic material 3 is a positive one, for example, a GD-based material, which has its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field, while having its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. - Inside the
cylinder 1, a higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 is placed in proximity to one end of theheat storage device 2. A lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 is placed in proximity to the other end of theheat storage device 2. The higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 radiates heat from the refrigerant andheat storage device 2 to the exterior of the apparatus. The lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 absorbs external heat on the basis of heat absorption by the refrigerant andheat storage device 2. - A
compression piston 6 is provided in an opening of thecylinder 1 which is closer to the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4. Anexpansion piston 7 is provided in an opening of thecylinder 1 which is closer to the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5. Thecompression piston 6 andexpansion piston 7 constitute an operation unit. Thecompression piston 6 moves in the direction of arrow A shown inFIG. 1A to compress a refrigerant inside thecylinder 1. Theexpansion piston 7 moves in the direction of arrow C shown inFIG. 1C to compress the refrigerant inside the cylinder - A
mechanism 8 for generating a magnetic field and increasing and reducing the magnetic field is placed outside thecylinder 1 around the periphery of theheat storage device 2. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 8 increases and reduces the magnitude of a magnetic field that is applied to themagnetic material 3 in theheat storage device 2. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 8 is not limited to a particular one shown inFIGS. 1A to 1D. The mechanism may be modified or altered to various units or apparatuses that provide a function for increasing and reducing the magnitude of a magnetic field that is applied to themagnetic material 3. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 8 may be an electromagnet that can be turned on and off, or a magnetic field generating unit, for example, a permanent magnet. - Now, description will be given of the operation of the refrigerator configured as described above.
- First, the
compression piston 6 is moved in a direction A, that is, from the left to right of the figure, to compress the refrigerant in thecylinder 1 as shown inFIG. 1A . During the compression process, actuation of the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 radiates heat generated from the refrigerant by compression, in the direction of arrow B inFIG. 1A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4. An isothermal refrigerant compressing process is thus executed. Simultaneously with the compression of the refrigerant, the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 8 applies a magnetic field to theheat storage device 2. Here, theheat storage device 2 is composed of themagnetic material 3 having its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field. However, this embodiment uses a positive magnetic material which has its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field and which has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. The temperature of theheat storage device 2 thus rises. The higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 is in operation even during the application of the magnetic field. Thus, heat generated from theheat storage device 2 is also radiated in the direction of arrow B to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4. In other words, during the refrigerant compressing process shown inFIG. 1A , not only heat from the refrigerant but also heat generated from themagnetic material 3 can be radiated to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4. - Then, as shown in
FIG. 1B , with the volume of thecylinder 1 between thecompression piston 6 and theexpansion piston 7 remaining fixed, thecompression piston 6 andexpansion piston 7 are simultaneously moved rightward to move the refrigerant rightward in thecylinder 1. - Then, as shown in
FIG. 1C , theexpansion piston 7 is moved in a C direction, that is, from the right to left of the figure, to expand the refrigerant in thecylinder 1. At this time, actuation of the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 allows the refrigerant cooled by expansion to absorb external heat in the direction of arrow D. An isothermal refrigerant expansion process is thus executed. Simultaneously with the expansion of the refrigerant, the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 8 removes the magnetic field applied to theheat storage device 2. Theheat storage device 2 is composed of a positive magnetic material that has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field. The temperature of theheat storage device 2 thus lowers. The lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 is in operation even during the decrease in temperature. Consequently, external heat can further be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5. In other words, during the refrigerant expansion process shown inFIG. 1C , heat is absorbed not only by the refrigerant but also by themagnetic material 3. Under these conditions, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5. - Then, as shown in
FIG. 1D , with the volume of thecylinder 1 between thecompression piston 6 and theexpansion piston 7 remaining fixed, thecompression piston 6 andexpansion piston 7 are moved leftward in the figure to move the refrigerant leftward in thecylinder 1. - The process shown in
FIGS. 1A to 1D is repeated as described above to repeatedly execute the four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating. The Stirling refrigerating cycle is thus implemented. Specifically, repetition of the compression and expansion processes allows the refrigerant to generate and absorb heat. Theheat storage device 2, composed of themagnetic material 3, is caused to repeat a heat generating and absorbing reactions by increasing and reducing the magnitude of the magnetic field simultaneously with the repeated compression and expansion processes. This allows the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4 to radiate heat, while allowing the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 to absorb heat. - Accordingly, in the refrigerating cycle having the refrigerant compression and expansion processes, the compression process not only allows the refrigerant to generate heat but also applies a magnetic field to the
magnetic material 3 constituting theheat storage device 2 to allow themagnetic material 3 to make a heat generating reaction. The heat from themagnetic material 3 is radiated via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 4. Consequently, this refrigerator can radiate more heat to the exterior of the apparatus. The expansion process not only expands the refrigerant to allow it to absorb heat but also removes the magnetic field to allow themagnetic material 3 to make a heat absorbing reaction. This enables more external heat to be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 5. Thus, simultaneously with the heat generation and absorption by the refrigerant, theheat storage device 2 composed of themagnetic material 3 is caused to make heat generating and absorbing reactions. The present refrigerating cycle having the compression and expansion processes offers a drastically increased heat exchanging efficiency. Therefore, a Stirling refrigerating cycle with a good heat transporting capability can be implemented. - The above first embodiment repeats the four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating, to implement a Stirling refrigerating cycle. An Ericsson cycle can be implemented by substituting isobaric processes for the two isovolumetric processes in the Stirling refrigerating cycle. A Brayton cycle can be implemented by substituting adiabatic processes for the compression and expansion processes in the Stirling refrigerating cycle and substituting isobaric processes for the two isovolumetric processes.
-
FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional cross sectional view showing a refrigerator of a second embodiment which is realized in accordance with the first embodiment. - In
FIG. 2 ,reference numeral 11 denotes a cylindrical casing. Acompression cylinder 12 and anexpansion cylinder 13 are arranged in parallel inside thecasing 11. Each of thecompression cylinder 12 andexpansion cylinder 13 is open at one end and is closed at the other end. The closed ends are connected together via acommunication pipe 14 that allows the interior of thecompression cylinder 12 to communicate with the interior of theexpansion cylinder 13. Thecompression cylinder 12 andexpansion cylinder 13 are filled with a gas refrigerant, for example, helium or nitrogen. - A
heat storage device 15 is placed in thecompression cylinder 12. Theheat storage device 15 is provided with amagnetic material 16 having its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field. In this embodiment, themagnetic material 16 is a positive one, for example, a GD-based material, which has its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field, while having its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. As themagnetic material 16, generally sphericalmagnetic materials 16 a of diameter about 1 mm or less may be filled in to theheat storage device 15 to form a porous member containing a large number of voids as shown inFIG. 3A . Alternatively, a bulk material may be used which contains communication holes 16 b which consist of small holes and which communicate with the exterior as shown inFIG. 3B . - A higher-
temperature heat exchanger 17 is placed in proximity to theheat storage device 15. The higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 is placed opposite thecommunication pipe 14 across theheat storage device 15. The higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 radiates heat from the refrigerant andheat storage device 15 to the exterior of the apparatus. - A
compression piston 18 is provided in thecompression cylinder 12. Thecompression piston 18 is inserted into thecompression cylinder 12 through its opening to compress the refrigerant in thecompression cylinder 12. Apiston shaft 19 is connected to thecompression piston 18. A connectingbar 20 is connected to thepiston shaft 19 and to aflywheel 21 at a position away from its rotating center. The connectingbar 20 thus constitutes a crank mechanism that converts a rotating motion of theflywheel 21 into a reciprocating motion to reciprocate thepiston shaft 19 in the direction of arrow E inFIG. 2 . Theflywheel 21 has its rotating center connected to arotating shaft 221 of a drivingmotor 22. Theflywheel 21 is rotated at a predetermined speed. - A lower-
temperature heat exchanger 23 is placed inside theexpansion cylinder 13. The lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 absorbs external heat on the basis of heat absorption by the refrigerant andheat storage device 15. Anexpansion piston 24 is provided in theexpansion cylinder 13. Theexpansion piston 24 is inserted into theexpansion cylinder 13 through its opening to compress the refrigerant in theexpansion cylinder 13. Apiston shaft 25 is connected to theexpansion piston 24. A connectingbar 26 is connected to thepiston shaft 25 and to aflywheel 27 at a position away from its rotating center. The connectingbar 26 thus constitutes a crank mechanism that converts a rotating motion of theflywheel 27 into a reciprocating motion to reciprocate thepiston shaft 25 in the direction of arrow F inFIG. 2 . Theflywheel 27 has its rotating center connected to therotating shaft 221 of the drivingmotor 22. Theflywheel 27 is rotated at a predetermined speed. - A disk-
like support plate 28 is integrally provided on thepiston shaft 19. Amechanism 30 for generating a magnetic field and increasing and reducing the magnetic field is provided on thesupport plate 28 via asupport arm 29. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30 has a cylindrical shape with the compression cylinder located in its hollow portion. Thepiston shaft 19 reciprocates in the direction of arrow E to allow the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30 to increase or reduce the magnitude of a magnetic field that is applied to theheat storage device 15. - In the refrigerator shown in
FIG. 2 , the connectingbar 20 is attached to theflywheel 21, located closer to thecompression piston 18, so as to rotate about 90° earlier in rotation phase than a connectingbar 26 attached to theflywheel 27, located closer to theexpansion piston 24. The connecting bars 20 and 26 are arranged so as to meet the above relationship, and thepiston shafts FIGS. 1A to 1D. - The magnetic field increasing and reducing
mechanism 30 may be, for example, a double cylindrical magnet called a Halbach magnet, such as the one shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B . This double cylindrical magnet is composed of an outercylindrical magnet 302 and an innercylindrical magnet 301 placed in a hollow portion of the outercylindrical magnet 302 at a predetermined spacing from themagnet 302. In thecylindrical magnets reference numerals FIG. 4A , when the direction of amagnetic field 305 generated in the hollow portion by the innercylindrical magnet 301 coincides with the direction of amagnetic field 306 generated in the hollow portion by the outercylindrical magnet 302, a strong magnetic field is generated in aspace 307 in the hollow portion of the innercylindrical magnet 301. In this state, the whole double cylindrical magnet is moved coaxially with thecompression piston 18 by thepiston shaft 19. This enables an increase or reduction in the magnitude of a magnetic field that is applied to theheat storage device 15. - Further, a weak magnetic field can be generated in the hollow portion of the inner
cylindrical magnet 301 by making the direction of themagnetic field 305 generated in the hollow portion by the innercylindrical magnet 301, opposite to the direction of themagnetic field 306 generated in the hollow portion by the outercylindrical magnet 302 so that themagnetic fields FIG. 4B . With this double cylindrical magnet, the magnitude of the magnetic field for theheat storage device 15 can be increased or reduced by rotating one of the innercylindrical magnet 301 and outercylindrical magnet 302 in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of thepiston shaft 19 to establish the conditions shown inFIG. 4A or 4B. -
FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating the operation of the refrigerator configured as described above. InFIGS. 5A to 5D, the same components as those inFIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. - A cylinder
main body 31 shown inFIGS. 5A to 5D comprises theabove compression cylinder 12 andexpansion cylinder 13. The cylindermain body 31 is filled with a refrigerant. Theheat storage device 15, higher-temperature heat exchanger 17, and lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 are arranged inside the cylindermain body 31; theheat storage device 15 is provided with themagnetic material 16, which has its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field. Thecompression piston 18 is placed in one of the openings of the cylindermain body 31. Theexpansion cylinder 24 is placed in the other opening. Themechanism 30 is placed outside the cylindermain body 31 to increase and reduce the magnitude of a magnetic field that is applied to the periphery of theheat storage device 15. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30 is connected topiston shaft 19 of thecompression piston 18 via thesupport arm 29. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 8 can reciprocate in conjunction with thecompression piston 18. - In this refrigerator, first, as shown in
FIG. 5A , thecompression piston 18 is moved in the direction A, that is, from the left to right inFIG. 5A , to compress the refrigerant in the cylinder main body 31 (compression cylinder 12). At this time, actuation of the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 radiates heat generated from the refrigerant by compression, in the direction of arrow B inFIG. 5A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17. An isothermal refrigerant compressing process is thus executed. Simultaneously with the compression of the refrigerant, the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30, connected to thepiston shaft 19, moves, as thecompression piston 18 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to theheat storage device 15. In this case, theheat storage device 15 has its temperature raised. This is because theheat storage device 15 is composed of themagnetic material 16 having its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. At this time, the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 is in operation. Thus, heat generated from theheat storage device 15 can also be radiated in the direction of arrow B inFIG. 5A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17. In other words, during the refrigerant compressing process shown inFIG. 5A , not only heat from the refrigerant but also heat generated from themagnetic material 16 can be radiated to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17. - Then, as shown in
FIG. 5B , with the volume of the cylindermain body 31 between thecompression piston 18 and theexpansion piston 24 remaining fixed, thecompression piston 18 andexpansion piston 24 are simultaneously moved rightward inFIG. 5B to move the refrigerant rightward in the cylindermain body 31. - Then, as shown in
FIG. 5C , theexpansion piston 7 is moved in a direction C, i.e., from the right to left inFIG. 5C , to expand the refrigerant in the cylinder main body 31 (expansion cylinder 13). At this time, actuation of the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 allows the refrigerant cooled by expansion to absorb external heat in the direction of arrow D inFIG. 5C via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23. An isothermal refrigerant expansion process is thus executed. - Then, as shown in
FIG. 5D , with the volume of the cylindermain body 31 between thecompression piston 18 and theexpansion piston 24 remaining fixed, thecompression piston 18 andexpansion piston 24 are moved leftward to move the refrigerant leftward in the cylindermain body 31. At this time, the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30, connected to thepiston shaft 19, moves away from theheat storage device 15 as thecompression piston 18 moves. This removes the magnetic field for theheat storage device 15. Theheat storage device 15 is composed of a positive magnetic material that has its temperature (heat absorption) lowered in response to a decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field. The temperature of theheat storage device 15 thus lowers. At this time, the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 is in operation. Consequently, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23. In other words, during the refrigerant expansion process shown inFIG. 5D , heat is absorbed not only by the refrigerant but also by themagnetic material 16. Under these conditions, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23. - The process shown in
FIGS. 5A to 5D is repeated as described above to repeatedly execute the four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating. The Stirling refrigerating cycle is thus implemented. - Therefore, the above embodiment can produce effects similar to those of the first embodiment. Moreover, the
compression piston 18,expansion piston 24, and magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30 perform the series of operations using the drivingmotor 22 as a driving source. This enables the Stirling refrigerating cycle to be executed both automatically and stably. Furthermore, the rotation speed of the driving motor can be increased to achieve high-speed refrigeration. - The
magnetic material 16 constituting theheat storage device 15 is a porous member containing a large number of voids or a bulk material containing communication holes which consist of small holes and which communicate with the exterior. The refrigerant can thus pass through the interior of themagnetic material 16. This makes it possible to increase the contact area between themagnetic material 16 and the refrigerant as well as the rate of heat transfer between themagnetic material 16 and the refrigerant. Themagnetic material 16 and the refrigerant can thus efficiently exchange heat with each other to further improve the heat generating and absorbing effects of theheat storage device 15. - Moreover, a strong magnetic field required to operate the
magnetic material 16 can be easily obtained by using a cylindrical magnet called a Halbach magnet as the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30 and composed of the outercylindrical magnet 302 and the innercylindrical magnet 301, located in the hollow portion. -
FIGS. 6A to 6D show the general structure of another example of a refrigerator using a Stirling refrigerating cycle according to the present invention. InFIGS. 6A to 6D, the same components as those inFIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals. - In the refrigerator shown in
FIGS. 6A to 6D, acool storage section 32, the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17, and the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 are arranged inside the cylindermain body 31. Thecompression piston 18 is placed in one of the openings of the cylindermain body 31. Theexpansion cylinder 24 is placed in the other opening. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30 is placed outside the cylindermain body 31 along the circumference of theheat storage device 32. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30 is connected topiston shaft 19 of thecompression piston 18 via thesupport arm 29. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30 can reciprocate in conjunction with thecompression piston 18. - The
cool storage section 32 includes aheat storage device 321 composed of a positivemagnetic material 331 which has its temperature raised in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field and which has its temperature lowered in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field, and astorage device 322 composed of a negativemagnetic material 332 which has its temperature lowered in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field and which has its temperature raised in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. The positivemagnetic material 331 is what is called a ferromagnetic substance or a meta-magnetic substance which is in a paramagnetic state (magnetic spins are disordered) with no magnetic field applied to the material and which is brought to a ferromagnetic state (magnetic spins are ordered) when a magnetic field is applied to the material (a substance that exhibits a order-disorder transition from the ferromagnetic state to paramagnetic state in response to application and removal of a magnetic field). The negativemagnetic material 332 exhibits different ordered states depending on whether or not a magnetic field is applied and exhibits an order-order transition between the two ordered states in response to application and removal of a magnetic field; the degree of order is higher (the degree of freedom of the system is lower) when no magnetic field is applied to the segments. Specific examples of the positivemagnetic material 331 include ferromagnetic substances such as Gd and Gd-based alloys, that is, Gd-Y, Gd-Dy, Gd-Er, and Gd-Ho alloys, and meta-magnetic substances and ferromagnetic substances based on La(Fe, Si) 13 or La(Fe, Al) 13. Specific examples of the negativemagnetic material 332 include substances such as a FeRH alloy which exhibit an order-order transition from the ferromagnetic state to an antiferromagnetic state in response to application and removal of a magnetic field. With the FeRh alloy, the magnitude of magnetic moment of Rh changes significantly between the two states owing to a difference in the polarization of Rh. This changes the entropy of an electron system. - In this refrigerator, first, as shown in
FIG. 6A , thecompression piston 18 is moved in the direction A in this figure, that is, from the left to right of the figure, to compress the refrigerant in the cylinder main body 31 (compression cylinder 12). At this time, actuation of the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 radiates heat generated from the refrigerant by compression, in the direction of arrow B inFIG. 6A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17. An isothermal refrigerant compressing process is thus executed. Simultaneously with the compression of the refrigerant, the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30, connected to thepiston shaft 19, moves, as thecompression piston 18 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to theheat storage device 321. Theheat storage device 321 has its temperature raised. This is because theheat storage device 321 is composed of themagnetic material 331 having its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. At this time, the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 is in operation. Thus, heat generated from theheat storage device 321 can also be radiated in the direction of arrow B inFIG. 6A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17. On the other hands, the magnetic field from the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30 is removed from the coolsstorage device 322. The coolsstorage device 322 thus has its temperature raised. This is because theheat storage device 322 is composed of the negativemagnetic material 332 having its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to removal of the magnetic field. Since the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17 is in operation, heat from theheat storage device 322 can also be radiated to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 17. Thus, during the refrigerant compressing process shown inFIG. 6A , not only heat from the refrigerant but also heat generated from themagnetic materials temperature heat exchanger 17. More heat can thus be radiated. - Then, in
FIG. 6B , with the volume of the cylindermain body 31 between thecompression piston 18 and theexpansion piston 24 remaining fixed, thecompression piston 18 andexpansion piston 24 are simultaneously moved rightward inFIG. 6B to move the refrigerant rightward in the cylindermain body 31. - Then, as shown in
FIG. 6C , theexpansion piston 7 is moved in the direction C in this figure, from the right to left of the figure, to expand the refrigerant in the cylinder main body 31 (expansion cylinder 13). At this time, actuation of the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 allows the refrigerant cooled by expansion to absorb external heat in the direction of arrow D inFIG. 6C via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23. An isothermal refrigerant expansion process is thus executed. - Then, as shown in
FIG. 6D , with the volume of the cylindermain body 31 between thecompression piston 18 and theexpansion piston 24 remaining fixed, thecompression piston 18 andexpansion piston 24 are moved leftward to move the refrigerant leftward in the cylindermain body 31. At this time, the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30, connected to thepiston shaft 19, moves 15, as thecompression piston 18 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to theheat storage device 322. This removes the magnetic field for theheat storage device 321 and now applies it to theheat storage device 322. Theheat storage device 321 is composed of the positivemagnetic material 331 that has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. The temperature of theheat storage device 321 thus lowers. However, at this time, the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 is in operation. Consequently, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23. Theheat storage device 322, to which the magnetic field is applied, is composed of the negativemagnetic material 332 that has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to application of a magnetic field. The temperature of theheat storage device 322 thus lowers. However, since the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23 is in operation, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 23. In other words, during the process shown inFIG. 6D , heat is absorbed not only by the refrigerant but also by themagnetic materials - The process shown in
FIGS. 6A to 6D is repeated as described above to repeatedly execute the four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating. The Stirling refrigerating cycle is thus implemented. - Therefore, the above embodiment can produce effects similar to those of the second embodiment. Moreover, the
cool storage section 32 includes theheat storage device 321 composed of the positivemagnetic material 331 which has its temperature raised in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and which has its temperature lowered in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field, and thestorage device 322 composed of the negativemagnetic material 332 which has its temperature lowered in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field and which has its temperature raised in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. When heat is radiated from the refrigerant, heat can also be radiated from themagnetic materials magnetic materials - In the description of the above embodiments, the refrigerator uses the Stirling refrigerating cycle having the four basic processes, isothermal compression, isovolumetric cooling, isothermal expansion, and isovolumetric heating. However, the fourth embodiment shows a refrigerator to which a refrigerating cycle of two basic processes, isothermal compression and isothermal expansion is applied.
-
FIG. 7 three-dimensionally shows an embodiment of this refrigerator. - In the figure,
reference numeral 41 denotes a cylindrical casing in which a cylindrical cylindermain body 42 is placed. The cylindermain body 42 is open at one end and is closed at the other end. The cylindermain body 42 is filled with a gas refrigerant, for example, helium or nitrogen. - A
heat storage device 43 is placed inside the cylindermain body 42 closer to the closed end. Theheat storage device 43 is composed of amagnetic material 44 having its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field. In this embodiment, themagnetic material 44 is a positive one, for example, a GD-based material, which has its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field, while having its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. As themagnetic material 44, a porous member or a bulk material with a plurality of communication holes for external communication is used as described inFIGS. 3A and 3B . - A higher-
temperature heat exchanger 45 and a lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 are arranged on the respective sides of theheat storage device 43. In this case, the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 is placed closer to the opening of the cylindermain body 42. The higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 radiates heat from a refrigerant and theheat storage device 43. The lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 is placed closer to the closed end of the cylindermain body 42. The lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 absorbs external heat on the basis of heat absorption by the refrigerant andheat storage device 43. - A
piston 47 is provided in the cylindermain body 42. Thepiston 47 is inserted into the cylindermain body 42 through its opening to compress the refrigerant inside the cylindermain body 42. Apiston shaft 48 is connected to thepiston 42. A connectingbar 49 is connected to thepiston shaft 48 and to aflywheel 50 at a position away from its rotating center. The connectingbar 49 thus constitutes a crank mechanism that converts a rotating motion of theflywheel 50 into a reciprocating motion to reciprocate thepiston shaft 48 in the direction of arrow H inFIG. 48 . Theflywheel 50 has its rotating center connected to arotating shaft 52 of a drivingmotor 51. Theflywheel 50 is rotated at a predetermined speed. - A disk-
like support plate 53 is integrally provided on thepiston shaft 47. A magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55 is provided on thesupport plate 53 via asupport arm 54. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55 is cylindrical with the cylindermain body 42 located in its hollow portion. Thepiston shaft 48 reciprocates in the direction of arrow H to allow the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30 to increase or reduce the magnitude of a magnetic field that is applied to theheat storage device 43. Also in this case, the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 30 may be a double cylindrical magnet called a Halbach magnet, described with reference toFIGS. 4A and 4B . -
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the refrigerator configured as described above. InFIGS. 8A and 8B , the same components as those inFIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. - In the refrigerator shown in
FIGS. 8A and 8B , the cylindermain body 42 is filled with a refrigerant. Theheat storage device 43, higher-temperature heat exchanger 45, and lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 are arranged inside the cylindermain body 42; theheat storage device 43 is composed of themagnetic material 44, which has its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field. Thepiston 47 is placed in the opening of the cylindermain body 42. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55 is placed outside the cylindermain body 42 around theheat storage device 43. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55 is connected to thepiston shaft 48 of thepiston 47 via thesupport arm 54. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55 can reciprocate in conjunction with thepiston 47. - In this refrigerator, first, as shown in
FIG. 8A , thepiston 47 is moved in direction A, that is, from the left to right inFIG. 8A , to compress the refrigerant in the cylindermain body 42. At this time, actuation of the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 radiates heat generated from the refrigerant by compression, in the direction of arrow B inFIG. 8A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45. An isothermal refrigerant compressing process is thus executed. Simultaneously with the compression of the refrigerant, the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55, connected to thepiston shaft 48, moves, as thepiston 47 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to theheat storage device 43. In this case, theheat storage device 43 has its temperature raised. This is because theheat storage device 43 is composed of the positivemagnetic material 44 having its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. At this time, the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 is in operation. Thus, heat generated from theheat storage device 43 can also be radiated in the direction of arrow B inFIG. 8A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45. In other words, during the refrigerant compressing process shown inFIG. 8A , not only heat from the refrigerant but also heat generated from themagnetic material 44 can be radiated to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45. - Then, as shown in
FIG. 8B , thepiston 47 is moved in a direction C in this figure, that is, from the right to left of the figure, to expand the refrigerant in the cylindermain body 42. At this time, actuation of the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 allows the refrigerant cooled by expansion to absorb external heat in the direction of arrow D inFIG. 8B via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46. An isothermal refrigerant expansion process is thus executed. At the same time, the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55, connected to thepiston shaft 48, moves, as thepiston 47 moves, to a position where it removes the magnetic field from theheat storage device 43. Theheat storage device 43 has its temperature raised. This is because theheat storage device 43 is composed of the positivemagnetic material 44 having its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. At this time, the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 is in operation. This enables external heat to be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46. In other words, the refrigerant expansion process shown inFIG. 8B excites not only heat absorption by the refrigerant but also heat absorption by themagnetic material 44. In this state, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46. - The process shown in
FIGS. 8A and 8B is similarly repeated to enable the implementation of a refrigerating cycle of two basic processes, isothermal compression and isothermal expansion; heat is radiated to the exterior via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45, and external heat is absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46. - Therefore, also with the refrigerating cycle of two basic processes, isothermal compression and isothermal expansion, when the refrigerant generates heat, the
magnetic material 44 is also allowed to radiate heat. Further, when the refrigerant absorbs heat, themagnetic material 44 is also allowed to absorb heat. This enables a refrigerating cycle with an increased heat exchange efficiency to be implemented. Such a refrigerating cycle can be implemented using the cylindermain body 42 andpiston 47. This makes it possible to simplify the entire configuration of the apparatus to reduce costs. -
FIGS. 9A and 9B show the general configuration of another exemplary refrigerator that uses a refrigerating cycle of two basic processes, isothermal compression and isothermal expansion. InFIGS. 9A and 9B , the same components as those inFIGS. 8A and 8B are denoted by the same reference numerals. - In the refrigerator shown in
FIGS. 9A and 9B , a coolsstorage section 56 and the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 and lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 are arranged inside the cylinder main body. Thepiston 47 is placed in the opening of the cylindermain body 42. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55 is placed outside the cylindermain body 42 along the periphery of theheat storage device 56. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55 is connected to thepiston shaft 48 of thepiston 47 via thesupport arm 54. The magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55 can reciprocate in conjunction with thepiston 47. - The
cool storage section 56 has aheat storage device 431 and aheat storage device 432 arranged in parallel; theheat storage device 431 is composed of a positivemagnetic material 441 having its temperature raised in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field, while having its temperature lowered in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field, and theheat storage device 432 is composed of a negativemagnetic material 442 having its temperature lowered in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field, while having its temperature raised in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. The positivemagnetic material 441 and negativemagnetic material 442 are similar to those described in the third embodiment. - In this configuration, first, as shown in
FIG. 9A , thepiston 47 is moved in a direction A, that is, from the left to right inFIG. 9A , to compress the refrigerant in the cylindermain body 42. At this time, actuation of the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 radiates heat generated from the refrigerant by compression, in the direction of arrow B inFIG. 9A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45. An isothermal refrigerant compressing process is thus executed. Simultaneously with the compression of the refrigerant, the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55, connected to thepiston shaft 48, moves, as thepiston 47 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to theheat storage device 431. In this case, theheat storage device 431 has its temperature raised. This is because theheat storage device 431 is composed of the positivemagnetic material 441 having its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to an increase in the magnitude of a magnetic field and lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. At this time, the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 is in operation. Thus, heat generated from theheat storage device 431 can also be radiated in the direction of arrow B inFIG. 8A to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45. On the other hand, the magnetic field from the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55 has been removed from theheat storage device 432. In this case, theheat storage device 432 has its temperature raised. This is because theheat storage device 432 is composed of the negativemagnetic material 442 that has its temperature raised (heat generation) in response to removal of the magnetic field. Since the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45 is in operation, heat from theheat storage device 432 can be radiated to the exterior of the apparatus via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45. Thus, during the refrigerant compressing process shown inFIG. 9A , not only heat from the refrigerant but also heat generated from themagnetic materials temperature heat exchanger 17. Therefore, more heat can be radiated. - Then, as shown in
FIG. 9B , thepiston 47 is moved in a direction C, that is, from the right to left inFIG. 9B , to expand the refrigerant in the cylindermain body 42. At this time, actuation of the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 allows the refrigerant cooled by expansion to absorb external heat in the direction of arrow D inFIG. 8B via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46. An isothermal refrigerant expansion process is thus executed. At the same time, the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 55, connected to thepiston shaft 48, moves, as thepiston 47 moves, to a position where it applies a magnetic field to theheat storage device 432. This removes the magnetic field from theheat storage device 431, while a magnetic field is applied to theheat storage device 432. Theheat storage device 431 has its temperature lowered. This is because theheat storage device 431 is composed of the positivemagnetic material 441 that has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field. However, since the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 is in operation, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46. At the same time, theheat storage device 432 has its temperature lowered. This is because theheat storage device 432 is composed of the negativemagnetic material 442 that has its temperature lowered (heat absorption) in response to application of a magnetic field. However, since the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 is in operation, external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46. During the refrigerant expanding process shown inFIG. 9B , external heat can be absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46 on the basis of not only heat absorption by the refrigerant but also heat absorption resulting from a decrease in the temperature of themagnetic materials - Similar repetition of the process shown in
FIGS. 9A and 9B enables the implementation of a refrigerating cycle of two basic processes, isothermal compression and isothermal expansion; external heat is absorbed via the lower-temperature heat exchanger 46, and heat is radiated to the exterior via the higher-temperature heat exchanger 45. - This also makes it possible to exert effects similar to those of the fourth embodiment. Further, when the refrigerant radiates heat, the
magnetic materials magnetic materials - In the above embodiments, the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism is moved to enable an increase or reduction in the magnitude of a magnetic field for the heat storage device. However, a sixth embodiment keeps the magnetic field increasing and reducing mechanism stationary while enabling an increase or reduction in the magnitude of a magnetic field for the heat storage device.
-
FIG. 10 shows the general configuration of the sixth embodiment. The same components as those inFIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted. - In this case, the
compression piston 6,expansion piston 7,heat storage device 2, higher-temperature heat exchanger 4, and lower-temperature heat exchanger 5 are arranged in thecylinder 1 filled with a refrigerant; theheat storage device 2 is composed of the magnetic material that has its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field. - A magnetic field increasing and reducing
mechanism 61 is placed outside thecylinder 1 in association with theheat storage device 2. As shown inFIG. 11A , the magnetic field increasing and reducingmechanism 61 is composed of a pair ofpermanent magnets yokes permanent magnets 62 a and 52 b are arranged so that the cylinder 1 (heat storage device 2) is sandwiched between themagnets yokes permanent magnets FIG. 11A , with the magnetic path between thepermanent magnets FIG. 11B , with the magnetic path between thepermanent magnets - This refrigerator can increase or reduce the magnitude of a magnetic field for the heat storage device by moving the
yokes permanent magnets permanent magnets - The magnetic field increasing and reducing
mechanism 61 configured as described above is also applicable to the above second to fifth embodiments. - In the above embodiments, the magnetic material constituting the heat storage devices in the above embodiments consists of a uniform component with a fixed operating temperature. However, for example, the heat storage devices may each be composed of different components such that the operating temperature sequentially decreases from the higher-temperature heat exchanger toward the lower-temperature heat exchanger. Such a magnetic material makes it possible to emphasize the different operations of the higher- and lower-temperature heat exchangers, that is, heat generation and heat absorption. This enables more efficient heat radiation and absorption. Further, the higher-temperature heat exchanger and lower-temperature heat exchangers in the above embodiments may be composed of a magnetic material that has its temperature changed in response to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a magnetic field. Moreover, the above embodiments all relate to the refrigerator. However, the present invention is of course applicable to a heat pump that transfers heat from a lower temperature side to a higher temperature side.
- As described above, the present invention can provide a heat transporting apparatus which has good heat transporting capability and which enables an increase in heat exchange efficiency.
- Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (23)
1. A heat transporting apparatus, comprising:
a container filled with a refrigerant;
an operation unit which compresses the refrigerant to produce heat and expands the refrigerant to absorb heat in the container, alternately;
a generating unit configured to generate a magnetic field which is increased and decreased, alternately;
a thermal accumulator received in the container, to which the magnetic field is applied from the generating unit, and which produces heat depending on one of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of compression of the refrigerant and absorbs heat depending on the other of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of expansion of the refrigerant; and
first and second heat transfer units, the first heat transfer unit transferring the heat produced in the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator to the outside of the apparatus, and the second heat transfer unit transferring external heat to the refrigerant and the magnetic unit.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the thermal accumulator includes a positive magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the thermal accumulator includes a negative magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the thermal accumulator includes first and second magnetic segments arranged in series with a gap in the container, the first magnetic segment includes a positive magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field, and the second magnetic segment includes a negative magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the generating unit includes a magnet for generating the magnetic field and a mechanism configured to move the magnet along the container to apply the magnetic field to the magnetic unit and remove the magnetic field from the magnetic unit, alternately, in accordance with the compression and expansion of the refrigerant.
6. A heat transporting apparatus comprising:
a cylindrical container provided with compression and expansion chambers communicating with each other and filled with a refrigerant;
a compression piston received in the cylindrical container, which compresses the refrigerant in the expansion chamber and an expansion piston which expands the refrigerant in the expansion chamber;
a generating unit configured to generate a magnetic field which is increased and decreased, alternately;
a thermal accumulator received in the cylindrical container, to which the magnetic field is applied, and which produces heat depending on one of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of compression of the refrigerant and absorbs heat depending on the other of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of expansion of the refrigerant; and
first and second heat transfer units, the first heat transfer unit transferring the heat produced in the refrigerant and the magnetic unit to the outside of the apparatus, and the second heat transfer unit transferring external heat to the refrigerant and the magnetic unit.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the thermal accumulator includes a positive magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the thermal accumulator includes a negative magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field.
9. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the thermal accumulator includes first and second magnetic segments arranged in series with a gap in the container, the first magnetic segment includes a positive magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field, and the second magnetic segment includes a negative magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field.
10. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the generating unit includes a magnet for generating the magnetic field and a mechanism configured to move the magnet along the container to apply the magnetic field to the thermal accumulator and remove the magnetic field from the thermal accumulator, alternately, in accordance with the compression and expansion of the refrigerant.
11. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the generating unit includes an electric magnet which is alternatively energized and de-energized to increase and decrease the magnetic field.
12. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the generating unit includes a Halbach magnet.
13. A heat transporting apparatus comprising:
a cylindrical container filled with a refrigerant;
pistons received in the cylindrical container, which compress and expand the refrigerant;
a generating unit configured to generate a magnetic field which is increased and decreased, alternately;
a thermal accumulator received in the cylindrical container, to which the magnetic field is applied, and which produces heat depending on one of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of compression of the refrigerant and absorbs heat depending on the other of the increasing and decreasing of the magnetic field at the time of expansion of the refrigerant; and
first and second heat transfer units, the first heat transfer unit transferring the heat produced in the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator to the outside of the apparatus, and the second heat transfer unit transferring external heat to the refrigerant and the thermal accumulator.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the thermal accumulator includes a positive magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field.
15. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the thermal accumulator includes a negative magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field.
16. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the thermal accumulator includes first and second magnetic segments arranged in series with a gap in the container, the first magnetic segment includes a positive magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field, and the second magnetic segment includes a negative magnetic material which produces the heat depending on the decreasing of the magnetic field and which absorbs the heat depending on the increasing of the magnetic field.
17. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the generating unit includes a magnet for generating the magnetic field and a mechanism configured to move the magnet along the container to apply the magnetic field to the magnetic unit and remove the magnetic field from the magnetic unit, alternately, in accordance with the compression and expansion of the refrigerant.
18. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the generating unit includes an electric magnet which is alternatively energized and de-energized to increase and decrease the magnetic field.
19. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the generating unit includes a Halbach magnet.
20. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the thermal accumulator includes a magnetic material magnetic unit is made of a porous member or a bulk having communication holes.
21. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the thermal accumulator comprises a magnetic material formed of different components such that operating temperature sequentially decreases from a higher temperature side toward a lower temperature side in the container.
22. A refrigerator provided with the heat transporting apparatus according to claim 1 .
23. A heat pump provided with the heat transporting apparatus according to claim 1.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2005-352242 | 2005-12-06 | ||
JP2005352242A JP4533838B2 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2005-12-06 | Heat transport device, refrigerator and heat pump |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070125095A1 true US20070125095A1 (en) | 2007-06-07 |
Family
ID=38117360
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/533,163 Abandoned US20070125095A1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2006-09-19 | Heat transporting apparatus |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070125095A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4533838B2 (en) |
Cited By (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2922999A1 (en) * | 2007-10-30 | 2009-05-01 | Cooltech Applic Soc Par Action | Heat generator for use in e.g. domestic application, has unit synchronized with field variation to move coolant in directions such that fraction of coolant circulates in direction of cold exchange chamber across elements at cooling cycle |
US20090217675A1 (en) * | 2008-03-03 | 2009-09-03 | Tadahiko Kobayashi | Magnetic refrigeration device and magnetic refrigeration system |
WO2009136868A1 (en) * | 2008-05-06 | 2009-11-12 | Boon Hou Tay | Electrical generator and electricity generation system |
US20090308080A1 (en) * | 2008-06-16 | 2009-12-17 | Hyundai Motor Company | Air Conditioning System |
FR2933172A1 (en) * | 2008-06-30 | 2010-01-01 | Cooltech Applications | MAGNETOCALORIC THERMAL GENERATOR |
FR2937182A1 (en) * | 2008-10-14 | 2010-04-16 | Cooltech Applications | THERMAL GENERATOR WITH MAGNETOCALORIC MATERIAL |
US20110192834A1 (en) * | 2008-10-24 | 2011-08-11 | Cooltech Applications | Magnetocaloric thermal generator |
US20110192833A1 (en) * | 2008-10-16 | 2011-08-11 | Cooltech Applications | Magnetocaloric thermal generator |
US20110289937A1 (en) * | 2009-02-17 | 2011-12-01 | Cooltech Applications S.A.S. | Magnetocaloric heat generator |
US20110315348A1 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2011-12-29 | Cooltech Applications S.A.S. | Magnetocaloric heat generator |
US20120036868A1 (en) * | 2010-08-16 | 2012-02-16 | Cooltech Applications S.A.S | Magnetocaloric thermal applicance |
US20130042632A1 (en) * | 2010-04-28 | 2013-02-21 | Cooltech Applications S.A.S. | Method for generating a thermal flow and magnetocaloric thermal generator |
CN103163177A (en) * | 2013-03-07 | 2013-06-19 | 包头稀土研究院 | Magnetothermal effect measurement system and method |
US20130199754A1 (en) * | 2012-02-07 | 2013-08-08 | Chi-Hsiang Kuo | Thermo-magnetic exchanging device |
US9239176B2 (en) | 2011-05-17 | 2016-01-19 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Magnetic heating and cooling device |
US20160356529A1 (en) * | 2015-06-08 | 2016-12-08 | Eberspächer Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KG | Temperature control unit, especially vehicle temperature control unit |
KR101730051B1 (en) * | 2011-06-30 | 2017-04-25 | 캠프리지 리미티드 | Multi-Material-Blade for active regenerative magneto-caloric or electro-caloric heat engines |
KR101812183B1 (en) | 2016-10-06 | 2017-12-26 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Magnetic cooling system |
EP3163223A4 (en) * | 2014-06-26 | 2018-10-03 | National Institute for Materials Science | Magnetic refrigerating device |
CN110177982A (en) * | 2017-01-17 | 2019-08-27 | 三电控股株式会社 | Magnetic heat pump assembly |
US10581355B1 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2020-03-03 | United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Double-fed induction linear oscillating alternator |
US20200200444A1 (en) * | 2018-12-20 | 2020-06-25 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives | Cooling device comprising a paramagnetic garnet ceramic |
US11313629B2 (en) * | 2017-12-26 | 2022-04-26 | Yazaki Energy System Corporation | Latent heat storage building element |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2924489B1 (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2015-09-04 | Cooltech Applications | MAGNETOCALORIC GENERATOR |
FR2942304B1 (en) * | 2009-02-17 | 2011-08-12 | Cooltech Applications | MAGNETOCALORIC THERMAL GENERATOR |
WO2012056585A1 (en) | 2010-10-29 | 2012-05-03 | 株式会社 東芝 | Heat exchanger and magnetic refrigeration system |
JP6184262B2 (en) * | 2013-09-06 | 2017-08-23 | 株式会社東芝 | refrigerator |
JP6350138B2 (en) * | 2014-09-03 | 2018-07-04 | 株式会社デンソー | Thermal equipment |
JP6594229B2 (en) * | 2016-02-29 | 2019-10-23 | 公益財団法人鉄道総合技術研究所 | Thermal storage type magnetic heat pump |
KR102440526B1 (en) * | 2018-03-05 | 2022-09-06 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Thermal management system using magnetic refrigerant and its control method |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3413814A (en) * | 1966-03-03 | 1968-12-03 | Philips Corp | Method and apparatus for producing cold |
US3841107A (en) * | 1973-06-20 | 1974-10-15 | Us Navy | Magnetic refrigeration |
US4332135A (en) * | 1981-01-27 | 1982-06-01 | The United States Of America As Respresented By The United States Department Of Energy | Active magnetic regenerator |
US4457135A (en) * | 1982-04-23 | 1984-07-03 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Magnetic refrigerating apparatus |
US4507928A (en) * | 1984-03-09 | 1985-04-02 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Reciprocating magnetic refrigerator employing tandem porous matrices within a reciprocating displacer |
US4735053A (en) * | 1985-02-10 | 1988-04-05 | Deutsche Forschungs- Und Versuchsanstalt Fur Luft- Und Raumfahrt E.V. | Method of removing heat from a refrigeration load and apparatus for performing this method |
US5091361A (en) * | 1990-07-03 | 1992-02-25 | Hed Aharon Z | Magnetic heat pumps using the inverse magnetocaloric effect |
US5447034A (en) * | 1991-04-11 | 1995-09-05 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Cryogenic refrigerator and regenerative heat exchange material |
US5463868A (en) * | 1992-12-17 | 1995-11-07 | Deutsche Forschungsanstalt Fuer Luft- Und Raumfahrt E.V | Heat pumping method as well as heat pump for generating cryogenic temperatures |
US5743095A (en) * | 1996-11-19 | 1998-04-28 | Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. | Active magnetic refrigerants based on Gd-Si-Ge material and refrigeration apparatus and process |
US6272866B1 (en) * | 1999-12-08 | 2001-08-14 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Micro cooling engine array system |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS6073267A (en) * | 1983-09-30 | 1985-04-25 | 株式会社東芝 | Refrigerator |
JP2941558B2 (en) * | 1992-04-30 | 1999-08-25 | 株式会社東芝 | Stirling refrigeration equipment |
JP2818099B2 (en) * | 1993-06-29 | 1998-10-30 | 巍洲 橋本 | Cryogenic refrigerator |
JP3766507B2 (en) * | 1997-04-21 | 2006-04-12 | 独立行政法人科学技術振興機構 | refrigerator |
JP2005090921A (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2005-04-07 | Canon Inc | Temperature controlling device using magnetic body |
-
2005
- 2005-12-06 JP JP2005352242A patent/JP4533838B2/en active Active
-
2006
- 2006-09-19 US US11/533,163 patent/US20070125095A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3413814A (en) * | 1966-03-03 | 1968-12-03 | Philips Corp | Method and apparatus for producing cold |
US3841107A (en) * | 1973-06-20 | 1974-10-15 | Us Navy | Magnetic refrigeration |
US4332135A (en) * | 1981-01-27 | 1982-06-01 | The United States Of America As Respresented By The United States Department Of Energy | Active magnetic regenerator |
US4457135A (en) * | 1982-04-23 | 1984-07-03 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Magnetic refrigerating apparatus |
US4507928A (en) * | 1984-03-09 | 1985-04-02 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Reciprocating magnetic refrigerator employing tandem porous matrices within a reciprocating displacer |
US4735053A (en) * | 1985-02-10 | 1988-04-05 | Deutsche Forschungs- Und Versuchsanstalt Fur Luft- Und Raumfahrt E.V. | Method of removing heat from a refrigeration load and apparatus for performing this method |
US5091361A (en) * | 1990-07-03 | 1992-02-25 | Hed Aharon Z | Magnetic heat pumps using the inverse magnetocaloric effect |
US5447034A (en) * | 1991-04-11 | 1995-09-05 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Cryogenic refrigerator and regenerative heat exchange material |
US5463868A (en) * | 1992-12-17 | 1995-11-07 | Deutsche Forschungsanstalt Fuer Luft- Und Raumfahrt E.V | Heat pumping method as well as heat pump for generating cryogenic temperatures |
US5743095A (en) * | 1996-11-19 | 1998-04-28 | Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. | Active magnetic refrigerants based on Gd-Si-Ge material and refrigeration apparatus and process |
US6272866B1 (en) * | 1999-12-08 | 2001-08-14 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Micro cooling engine array system |
Cited By (41)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100236258A1 (en) * | 2007-10-30 | 2010-09-23 | Cooltech Applications S.A.S. | Thermal generator with magneto-caloric material |
WO2009087310A2 (en) * | 2007-10-30 | 2009-07-16 | Cooltech Applications | Thermal generator with magneto-caloric material |
WO2009087310A3 (en) * | 2007-10-30 | 2009-09-17 | Cooltech Applications | Thermal generator with magneto-caloric material |
US8869541B2 (en) | 2007-10-30 | 2014-10-28 | Cooltech Applications Societe Par Actions Simplifiee | Thermal generator with magnetocaloric material and incorporated heat transfer fluid circulation means |
FR2922999A1 (en) * | 2007-10-30 | 2009-05-01 | Cooltech Applic Soc Par Action | Heat generator for use in e.g. domestic application, has unit synchronized with field variation to move coolant in directions such that fraction of coolant circulates in direction of cold exchange chamber across elements at cooling cycle |
US20090217675A1 (en) * | 2008-03-03 | 2009-09-03 | Tadahiko Kobayashi | Magnetic refrigeration device and magnetic refrigeration system |
US8312730B2 (en) | 2008-03-03 | 2012-11-20 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Magnetic refrigeration device and magnetic refrigeration system |
WO2009136868A1 (en) * | 2008-05-06 | 2009-11-12 | Boon Hou Tay | Electrical generator and electricity generation system |
US20090308080A1 (en) * | 2008-06-16 | 2009-12-17 | Hyundai Motor Company | Air Conditioning System |
WO2010004186A3 (en) * | 2008-06-30 | 2010-03-25 | Cooltech Applications | Magnetocaloric thermal generator |
WO2010004186A2 (en) * | 2008-06-30 | 2010-01-14 | Cooltech Applications | Magnetocaloric thermal generator |
FR2933172A1 (en) * | 2008-06-30 | 2010-01-01 | Cooltech Applications | MAGNETOCALORIC THERMAL GENERATOR |
FR2937182A1 (en) * | 2008-10-14 | 2010-04-16 | Cooltech Applications | THERMAL GENERATOR WITH MAGNETOCALORIC MATERIAL |
WO2010043781A1 (en) * | 2008-10-14 | 2010-04-22 | Cooltech Applications S.A.S. | Thermal generator with magnetocaloric material |
US8937269B2 (en) * | 2008-10-14 | 2015-01-20 | Cooltech Applications Societe par Actions Simplifee | Thermal generator with magnetocaloric material |
US20110192836A1 (en) * | 2008-10-14 | 2011-08-11 | Cooltech Applications | Thermal generator with magnetocaloric material |
US9476616B2 (en) | 2008-10-16 | 2016-10-25 | Cooltech Applications Societe Par Actions Simplifiee | Magnetocaloric thermal generator |
US20110192833A1 (en) * | 2008-10-16 | 2011-08-11 | Cooltech Applications | Magnetocaloric thermal generator |
US20110192834A1 (en) * | 2008-10-24 | 2011-08-11 | Cooltech Applications | Magnetocaloric thermal generator |
US8881537B2 (en) * | 2008-10-24 | 2014-11-11 | Cooltech Applications Societe Par Actions Simplifiee | Magnetocaloric thermal generator |
US8820093B2 (en) * | 2009-02-17 | 2014-09-02 | Cooltech Applications Sociétépar actions simplifée | Magnetocaloric heat generator |
US20110289937A1 (en) * | 2009-02-17 | 2011-12-01 | Cooltech Applications S.A.S. | Magnetocaloric heat generator |
US20110315348A1 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2011-12-29 | Cooltech Applications S.A.S. | Magnetocaloric heat generator |
US9091465B2 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2015-07-28 | Cooltech Applications Societe Par Actions Simplifiee | Magnetocaloric heat generator |
US8978391B2 (en) * | 2010-04-28 | 2015-03-17 | Cooltech Applications Sas | Method for generating a thermal flow and magnetocaloric thermal generator |
US20130042632A1 (en) * | 2010-04-28 | 2013-02-21 | Cooltech Applications S.A.S. | Method for generating a thermal flow and magnetocaloric thermal generator |
US9435570B2 (en) * | 2010-08-16 | 2016-09-06 | Cooltech Applications S.A.S. | Magnetocaloric thermal appliance |
US20120036868A1 (en) * | 2010-08-16 | 2012-02-16 | Cooltech Applications S.A.S | Magnetocaloric thermal applicance |
US9239176B2 (en) | 2011-05-17 | 2016-01-19 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Magnetic heating and cooling device |
KR101730051B1 (en) * | 2011-06-30 | 2017-04-25 | 캠프리지 리미티드 | Multi-Material-Blade for active regenerative magneto-caloric or electro-caloric heat engines |
US20130199754A1 (en) * | 2012-02-07 | 2013-08-08 | Chi-Hsiang Kuo | Thermo-magnetic exchanging device |
CN103163177A (en) * | 2013-03-07 | 2013-06-19 | 包头稀土研究院 | Magnetothermal effect measurement system and method |
EP3163223A4 (en) * | 2014-06-26 | 2018-10-03 | National Institute for Materials Science | Magnetic refrigerating device |
US10598411B2 (en) | 2014-06-26 | 2020-03-24 | National Institute For Materials Science | Magnetic refrigerating device |
US20160356529A1 (en) * | 2015-06-08 | 2016-12-08 | Eberspächer Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KG | Temperature control unit, especially vehicle temperature control unit |
US10119731B2 (en) * | 2015-06-08 | 2018-11-06 | Eberspächer Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KG | Temperature control unit, especially vehicle temperature control unit |
US10581355B1 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2020-03-03 | United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Double-fed induction linear oscillating alternator |
KR101812183B1 (en) | 2016-10-06 | 2017-12-26 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Magnetic cooling system |
CN110177982A (en) * | 2017-01-17 | 2019-08-27 | 三电控股株式会社 | Magnetic heat pump assembly |
US11313629B2 (en) * | 2017-12-26 | 2022-04-26 | Yazaki Energy System Corporation | Latent heat storage building element |
US20200200444A1 (en) * | 2018-12-20 | 2020-06-25 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives | Cooling device comprising a paramagnetic garnet ceramic |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2007155237A (en) | 2007-06-21 |
JP4533838B2 (en) | 2010-09-01 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20070125095A1 (en) | Heat transporting apparatus | |
EP2813785B1 (en) | Magnetic cooling apparatus and method of controlling the same | |
US7552592B2 (en) | Magnetic refrigerator | |
US8312730B2 (en) | Magnetic refrigeration device and magnetic refrigeration system | |
EP2420761B1 (en) | Magnetic refrigerating device and magnetic refrigerating system | |
JP6381150B2 (en) | Magnetic refrigeration equipment | |
US20080236171A1 (en) | Magnetic refrigerating device and magnetic refrigerating method | |
US20070186560A1 (en) | Hybrid heat pump / refrigerator with magnetic cooling stage | |
JP2005090921A (en) | Temperature controlling device using magnetic body | |
JP2007147136A (en) | Magnetic refrigerating machine | |
US20200003461A1 (en) | Magnetic Heat Pump Apparatus | |
US6779349B2 (en) | Sterling refrigerating system and cooling device | |
JP2004361061A (en) | Magnetic refrigeration method, and its magnetic refrigerator | |
JP6071917B2 (en) | Stirling refrigerator | |
JP2004353967A (en) | Pulse tube refrigerator | |
JP2005042571A (en) | Stirling engine | |
KR101812183B1 (en) | Magnetic cooling system | |
JP2884884B2 (en) | Refrigerator and method for removing impurities from working gas | |
JP7030658B2 (en) | Magnetic refrigerator | |
KR101814399B1 (en) | Magnetic cooling system | |
JP3363697B2 (en) | Refrigeration equipment | |
JP2018080854A (en) | Magnetic heat pump device | |
JPS608672A (en) | Cascade type magnetic refrigerator | |
JPH11101521A (en) | Gas compressing/expanding machine | |
CN101614453A (en) | Heat pipe adiabatic vent refrigerator |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:IWASAKI, HIDEO;KASAHARA, AKIHIRO;HISANO, KATSUMI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:018472/0273;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060925 TO 20060929 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |