Combination Thermo-Electric and Magnetic Refrigeration System

Abstract

A refrigeration system has a compartment and a first cooling device. The first cooling device cools the compartment and generates a magnetic field. The refrigeration system also has a second device. The second device uses the generated magnetic field for additional cooling to the compartment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a temperature control for a compartment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a magnetic refrigeration system that uses a magnetic field generated from a number of thermoelectric elements that are wound in a configuration.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Temperature control systems for heating and cooling devices are known in the art. Such known systems use a vapor compression cycle to provide cooling. Typically the refrigerant in vapor phase is pumped from the evaporator by a compressor. The refrigerant is then compressed to a superheated vapor. The high-pressure gaseous refrigerant that absorbs the heat is sent to a condenser. The refrigerant vapor is condensed to high-pressure liquid by transferring heat from the refrigerant to a heat sink that has lower temperature. The condensed refrigerant liquid is circulated to a throttling valve. The throttling valve r...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for refrigeration.

[0002]The present invention relates to a temperature control for a compartment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a magnetic refrigeration system that uses a magnetic field generated from a number of thermoelectric elements that are wound in a configuration.

[0011]It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system for refrigeration that uses a number of thermoelectric devices wound in a tubular or cylindrical manner and that uses a magnetic field that is generated from the number of thermoelectric devices by periodically passing a magnet in the magnetic field to complete an appropriate thermodynamic cycle such as a Carnot cycle or a Stirling cycle.

[0012]It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system for refrigeration with the system using a magnetic field for cooling with the magnetic field being generated from a number of thermoelectric devices. The system periodically passes a magnetic material in the magnetic field and uses a change in the magnetic entropy of the magnet when the magnetic field is applied to or removed from the magnetic material.

[0013]It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a system for refrigeration that does not use any ozone destroying refrigerants.

[0014]It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system that uses a number of thermoelectric elements that are wound in a cylindrical manner and a second magnetic refrigeration system. The second system uses a working fluid having fine magnetic particles therein.

[0015]It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system that uses a number of thermoelectric elements and a generator that recaptures energy and converts it to electricity from the magnetic field applied to a magnetic cooling system. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a system for refrigeration of the present invention. The refrigeration system has a compartment, and a first cooling device with the first cooling device cooling the compartment and generating a magnetic field. The refrigeration system also has a second magnetic refrigerator. The second magnetic refrigerator has a magnetic material and the magnetic material is periodically introduced in the generated magnetic field for additional cooling or an external magnetic field that is applied to a magnetic material.

Problems solved by technology

Due to the complex mechanical operations associated with the vapor compression cycle, the system response to varied demand is typically slow.

However, a known problem in the art is that the one or more thermoelectric devices generate a magnetic field.

This magnetic field is known in the art as being harmful to electronic components.

This magnetic field is also harmful for other reasons and generally is disfavored.

This magnetic field may disrupt the operation of electrical systems and is typically shielded against contacting an individual and / or components.

Images