US 12,442,568 B2
Magnetic refrigerator with a plurality of magneto-thermal containers
Atsushi Ogasahara, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Appl. No. 18/863,642
Filed by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
PCT Filed May 18, 2022, PCT No. PCT/JP2022/020681
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 7, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/223462, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 23, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0164159 A1, May 22, 2025
Int. Cl. F25B 21/00 (2006.01); F25B 41/20 (2021.01); F25B 49/02 (2006.01)
CPC F25B 21/00 (2013.01) [F25B 41/20 (2021.01); F25B 49/02 (2013.01); F25B 2321/002 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A magnetic refrigerator comprising:
a high-temperature-side heat exchanger;
a low-temperature-side heat exchanger;
a high-temperature end from which heat on a high temperature-side is supplied to the high-temperature-side heat exchanger;
a low-temperature end is connected to the low-temperature-side heat exchanger on a low temperature-side;
a plurality of magneto-thermal containers each filled with a magnetocaloric material;
a plurality of magnetic field application devices each including a permanent magnet or an electromagnet to apply a magnetic field to a corresponding one of the plurality of magneto-thermal containers;
at least one pipe through which a heat transport medium is transported through the plurality of magneto-thermal containers between the high-temperature end and the low-temperature end;
a pump to transport the heat transport medium through the at least one pipe between the high-temperature end and the low-temperature end;
at least one valve to switch the at least one pipe between an opened state and a closed state; and
a controller to control the at least one valve to switch a transport path of the heat transport medium, wherein
the controller is configured to control the at least one valve to switch the transport path between a first mode and a second mode,
in the first mode, the plurality of magneto-thermal containers are connected in series between the high-temperature end and the low-temperature end to allow transport of the heat transport medium, and
in the second mode, the plurality of magneto-thermal containers are connected in parallel between the high-temperature end and the low-temperature end to allow transport of the heat transport medium.