The present invention relates generally to a magnetocaloric/magnetic or electromagnetic induction furnace/heater. More specifically, the present invention discloses a magnetic or electromagnet blower style assembly which provides either of heating or air circulation modes and, in a separate variant, provides in combination electrical generating (or cogeneration) capabilities. The present invention also discloses a variety of thermally conditioning or heating assemblies, not limited to any of the magnetic, electromagnet or induction variety, and utilizing either of internal or external mounted motors or other rotary inducing inputs, these in combination with other variants incorporating induction coils for transmitting a current flow into magnetic flux inducing eddy currents within a magnetically conductive material.
The phenomena of magnetocaloric/magnetic or electromagnetic induction heating is well known in the prior art by which heat is generated in an electrically conductive object by the generation of eddy currents, also called Joule heating. The typical induction heater includes an electronic oscillator which passes a high frequency alternating current through an electromagnet. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of a conductive material placed in proximity to the magnet/electromagnet in turn heat it. Put another way, the eddy currents result in a high-frequency oscillating magnetic field which causes the magnet's polarity to switch back and forth at a high-enough rate to produce heat as byproduct of friction.
One known example of a prior art induction heating system is taught by the electromagnetic induction air heater of Garza, US 2011/0215089, which includes a conductive element, a driver coupled to the conductive element, an induction element positioned close to the conductive element, and a power supply coupled to the induction element and the driver. Specifically, the driver applies an angular velocity to the rotate the conductive element around a rotational axis. The power supply provides electric current to the induction element to generate a magnetic field about the induction element such that the conductive element heats as it rotates within the magnetic field to transfer heat to warm the cold fluid flow streams. The fluid flow streams are circulated about the surface of the conductive element and directed by the moving conductive element to generate warm fluid flow streams from the conductive element.
Also referenced is the centrifugal magnetic heating device of Hsu 2013/0062340 which teaches a power receiving mechanism and a heat generator. The power receiving mechanism further includes a vane set and a transmission module. The heat generator connected with the transmission module further includes a centrifugal mechanism connected to the transmission module, a plurality of bases furnished on the centrifugal mechanism, a plurality of magnets furnished on the bases individually, and at least one conductive member corresponding in positions to the magnets. The vane set is driven by nature flows so as to drives the bases synchronically with the magnets through the transmission module, such that the magnets can rotate relative to the conductive member and thereby cause the conductive member to generate heat.
The phenomena of magnetocaloric/magnetic or electromagnetic induction heating is well known in the prior art by which heat is generated in an electrically conductive object by the generation of eddy currents, also called Joule heating. The typical induction heater includes an electronic oscillator which passes a high frequency alternating current through an electromagnet. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of a conductive material placed in proximity to the magnet/electromagnet in turn heat it. Put another way, the eddy currents result in a high-frequency oscillating magnetic field which causes the magnet's polarity to switch back and forth at a high-enough rate to produce heat as byproduct of friction.
One known example of a prior art induction heating system is taught by the electromagnetic induction air heater of Garza, US 2011/0215089, which includes a conductive element, a driver coupled to the conductive element, an induction element positioned close to the conductive element, and a power supply coupled to the induction element and the driver. Specifically, the driver applies an angular velocity to the rotate the conductive element around a rotational axis. The power supply provides electric current to the induction element to generate a magnetic field about the induction element such that the conductive element heats as it rotates within the magnetic field to transfer heat to warm the cold fluid flow streams. The fluid flow streams are circulated about the surface of the conductive element and directed by the moving conductive element to generate warm fluid flow streams from the conductive element.
Also referenced is the centrifugal magnetic heating device of Hsu 2013/0062340 which teaches a power receiving mechanism and a heat generator. The power receiving mechanism further includes a vane set and a transmission module. The heat generator connected with the transmission module further includes a centrifugal mechanism connected to the transmission module, a plurality of bases furnished on the centrifugal mechanism, a plurality of magnets furnished on the bases individually, and at least one conductive member corresponding in positions to the magnets. The vane set is driven by nature flows so as to drives the bases synchronically with the magnets through the transmission module, such that the magnets can rotate relative to the conductive member and thereby cause the conductive member to generate heat.
Additional references in the known art are applied to cooktop or other surface heating applications, among these the assembly of US 2020/0072472 to Kim having a case, a cover plate coupled to an upper end of the case and including an upper plate configured to seat an object on an upper surface of the upper plate. A working coil disposed in the case is configured to heat the object. A thin film is attached on the upper plate and a thermal insulating member is disposed vertically between a lower surface of the upper plate and the working coil.
Nam, US 2019/0289678 teaches a method of operating an induction cooktop appliance including supplying a power signal to an induction heating element of the appliance in response to a request received via a user input of the appliance. Other references of note include the induction stirring apparatus for a cooktop disclosed in US 2017/0202059 of Stoufer.
The present invention discloses, in a first embodiment, a fluid conditioning assembly having a body constructed of an insulating material. An inner housing is located within the body and defines a spiral passageway in communication with an inlet for redirecting a fluid flow through an outlet. The inner housing can include any suitable metal or alloy, ceramic or any metal-ceramic composite material or graphite or any combination of such materials.
A shaft extends within the body and rotatably supports a conductive and fluid redirecting plate or like component positioned within the inner housing. At least one magnet or electromagnet is positioned within the inner housing in proximity to the rotating conductive component, causing thermal conditioning of the fluid flow from creation of, at a given frequency, oscillating magnetic fields, the thermally conditioned fluid flow being redirected through the outlet.
The fluid redirecting component further includes a magnetocaloric or thermally conductive material. The fluid redirecting component further includes a disk-shaped element having a first inner plurality of circumferentially arrayed vanes and a second outer plurality of circumferentially arrayed vanes. The inlet further exhibits multiple inlet locations configured along at least one of a side or forward-facing surface of the body, with the outlet configured on a forward facing surface of the body.
Additional features include the magnet/electromagnet further exhibiting a plurality of magnets/electromagnets which are supported upon a plate located within the inner housing, with the plate being laterally displaceable along the shaft between an extended position in proximity to the rotating conductive plate for generating inductive heating and a retracted position spaced away from the rotating plate in an ambient air circulation mode. A motor or other rotary inducing input is provided for driving the shaft. The motor or other rotary inducing input is located at any interior or exterior position relative to the body.
Other features include thermal sink pins incorporated into each of opposite and outer facing sides of the inner housing and extending to inside wall surfaces of the body in order to draw outwardly emanating heat from the sides of the body interior, through the walls of the inside housing and toward its spiral extending interior. One or more conventional heating elements are integrated into the body surrounding the inner housing for assisting initial heat up of the conductive material. The conventional heating elements can include any of a resistor coil, electromagnetic induction component or electronic wave heating component. A controller is provided for deactivating the conventional element after a start-up period of time once the thermally conditioned air or fluid has reached a certain temperature threshold.
Rotational electric generating components surround the rotating shaft for generating electricity in a cogeneration application of the assembly. Alternatively, solid state thermoelectric generator devices are located upon the inner housing for converting temperature differences resulting from, at a given frequency, oscillating fields into electrical energy in a cogeneration application of the assembly.
In additional variants, the present invention discloses a variety of fluid conditioning assemblies, in each instance having a body constructed of an insulating material. In one non-limiting embodiment, the fluid conditioning assembly is provided in the form of a furnace/heater having an insulating body, within which is supported an inner housing defining a spiral passageway in communication with an inlet for redirecting a fluid flow through an outlet. The inner housing can again include any suitable metal or alloy, ceramic or any metal-ceramic composite material or graphite or combination of such conductive materials.
A sub-variant of the furnace/heater includes an externally supported motor or other rotary inducing input with a shaft extending within the body and rotatably supports a conductive and fluid redirecting plate or like component positioned within the inner housing. At least one magnet or electromagnet is positioned within the inner housing in proximity to the rotating conductive component, resulting in thermal conditioning of the fluid flow from the creation of oscillating magnetic fields at a given frequency range, the thermally conditioned fluid flow being redirected through the outlet. A further sub-variant teaches the magnets/electromagnets being substituted by an arrangement of induction coils and associated controllers for generating the necessary magnetocaloric effect.
The fluid redirecting component further includes a magnetocaloric or thermally conductive material and may further include a disk-shaped element having a first inner plurality of circumferentially arrayed vanes and a second outer plurality of circumferentially arrayed vanes. Baffles can be incorporated into an outer annular region of the inner housing for facilitating redirection of air movement for facilitating a more balanced air exhaust profile. The body can further exhibit multiple inlet locations configured along at least one of a side or forward-facing surface of the body, with the outlet configured on a forward facing surface of the body.
In a further variant, the external motor or other rotary inducing input is substituted by an internal motor or other rotary inducing input incorporated into the furnace/heater body. In alternating sub-variants, the internal motor or other rotary inducing input can be combined with either of an arrangement of induction coils or proximately located magnets/electromagnets which can be stationary positioned in proximity to the rotating conductive plate.
Any of the variants of furnace/heater can also include thermal sink pins incorporated into each of opposite and outer facing sides of the inner housing and extending to inside wall surfaces of the body in order to draw outwardly emanating heat from the sides of the body interior, through the walls of the inside housing and toward its spiral extending interior. One or more conventional heating elements are integrated into the body surrounding the inner housing for assisting initial heat up of the conductive material. The conventional heating elements can include any of a resistor coil, electromagnetic induction component or electronic wave heating component. A controller is provided for deactivating the conventional element after a start-up period of time once the thermally conditioned air or fluid has reached a certain temperature threshold.
Also provided are rotational spiral airflow redirecting and/or electric generating components for generating electricity in a cogeneration application of the assembly. Alternatively, solid state thermoelectric generator devices are located upon the inner housing for converting temperature differences resulting from the oscillation of magnetic fields at a given frequency range into electrical energy in a cogeneration application of the assembly. This can further include providing thermoelectric generators placed within the interior walls of the inner housing or any other locations, and with any electric power (wattage) produced by the thermoelectric generators or rotationally electric generating components being redirected to the motor or other rotary inducing input in order to reduce operating costs.
Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
With reference to the attached illustrations, the present invention discloses a magnetocaloric/magnetic or electromagnetic induction furnace/heater or magnetocaloric heat pump, this generally shown by three dimensional shaped body 10 in
Either body 10 (three tier stackable in
Referring to
With additional reference to
The rotating conductive component 24 is typically a conductive and fluid directing disk shaped plate or like component having inner 30 and outer 32 arcuate and segmented pluralities of fluid flow redirecting vanes extending from each of opposite surfaces of the component 24 (see as best shown in
As further best shown in
Additional variants of the present invention also contemplate the magnets/electromagnets 34 being reconfigured onto a separate plate and which are again either positioned stationary or rotatable relative to the conductive fan component 24. This can also include relocating (although not being shown) the magnets/electromagnets to a separate plate or like support which can be positioned about the shaft 22, and which is displaceable between each of an extended position in which the magnets/electromagnets are disposed in proximity to the rotating conductive plate or component and a retracted position in which the magnets/electromagnets are displaced laterally away from the rotating component in a further non-thermally conditioning air circulation mode.
Alternatively, or in combination to displacing laterally away from the magnets/electromagnets, magnetic shielding can be accomplished by sliding or rotating a spacer with one layer or multiple layers of one or multiple magnetic shielding materials with high magnetic permeability and with high magnetic saturation. Ferromagnetic metals such as steels or MuMetal, an industry reference material defined in Milspec 14411C. Also, and in the instance of electromagnets, these can be deactivated or turned off in a further non-thermally conditioning air circulation mode.
The present invention further contemplates other configurations for supporting any arrangement of magnets/electromagnets within either of the inner housing, the central interior rotating conductive component, or any position between, in order to provide the desired thermal conditioning properties. This can also include other ways of shielding the magnets and which can include turning off in the instance of using electromagnets. As further previously described, electromagnetic shielding is the practice of reducing the electromagnetic field in a space by blocking the field with barriers made of conductive or magnetic materials.
With reference again to
As best depicted in
Additional features include the provision of airflow redirecting elements (at 50 in
Additional features include conventional heating elements 54 (see as best shown in
Other features include the provision of coils or other thermal electric generating components surrounding a rotating shaft for generating electricity as a further cogeneration application of the assembly. This can include rotational electric generating components shown at 56 in
In this fashion, intake air 12 is pre-heated within the body interior, along passageways 60, 62 and 64 depicted in
Without limitation, the configuration and material selection for each of the plates 34/36 are such that they can be selected from any conductive materials which can include varying patterns of materials, bi-materials or multi-materials designs, such including any of metals or alloys, ceramics or any metal ceramic composite materials with ferromagnetic, ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic properties. As understood, the plates possess properties necessary to generate adequate oscillating magnetic fields for inducing magnetic heating, such again resulting from the ability to either maintain or switch the magnet polarity at a sufficiently high rate in order for the generated friction to create the desired heat/cold profile.
Without limitation, conductive material(s) incorporated into the assembly can include varying patterns of materials, bi-materials or multi-material designs, such including any of metals or alloys, ceramics or any metal ceramic composite materials with ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, antiferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic properties and, as understood, do not generate magnetic fields but are based on electromagnetic or magnetic induction such that they create eddy currents to allow for the frictional generation of heat in proximity to the interface between the rotating central component 24 and the surrounding plates 36/38 and end cap 48 defining the inner spiral extending passageway.
Proceeding now to
As with the initial embodiment 10, the body 100 includes one or more fluid inlet locations which can include (as depicted in
A fluid outlet is further located at 106 in the three-dimensional body depicted in
As is depicted in each of
With additional reference to
The rotating conductive and fluid redirecting plate or like component 112, similar to that previously depicted at 24, again includes a conductive-disk shaped component having inner 118 and outer 120 arcuate and segmented pluralities of fluid flow redirecting vanes extending from each of opposite surfaces of the component 112 and about both of inner and outer circumferences of the component 112. As further shown, the respective inner 118 and outer 120 radial spaced pluralities of vanes can, similar to that depicted at 30 and 32 in the rotating component 24 of the initial variant, be arranged so that their arcuate profiles are opposing one another, this assisting in baffling or slowing of the outwardly directed fluid flows in order to maximize their thermal conditioning profiles.
Similar to that previously depicted at 34 in
A magnetic plate 121 is located between the motor or other rotary inducing input 104 or other rotatable input and an opposing side wall location associated with a reinforced central region of a selected inner housing plate (see at 127 as below described) of the inner housing. Any plurality of magnets or electromagnets 122 are configured within the plate 121 and so that, upon rotation of the drum shaped component 112, thermal conditioning occurs. The heating created by the magnets 122 assists in cogeneration capabilities in reference to the elements 146 described below.
As previously stated, the magnets/electromagnets are stationary mounted in the instance of air heating variants. That said, the magnetic/electromagnetic plates can also be redesigned to rotate in other fluid or surface heating applications. In such additional variants, the magnet/electromagnetic plate 121 can be designed according to other non-limiting variants so as to be axially retracted or disconnected from the rotating shaft and rendered stationary in a non-thermal conditioning application of the fluid flow, such as in an ambient conditioning mode.
Additional magnets/electromagnets 123 are depicted mounted in an annular arrangement surrounding an end-proximate location of the drum shaped rotating component 112 and are typically fixed but can also be rotatable in other variants. A secondary support shaft 124 extends from an opposite end side wall of the insulated housing and provides bearing support to the rotating conductive component 112 via a further reinforced central aperture 125 which axial and spaced from the initial aperture 114 as shown in
Alternatively, or in combination to displacing laterally away from the magnets/electromagnets, it is further envisioned that magnetic shielding can be accomplished by sliding or rotating a spacer with one layer or multiple layers of one or multiple magnetic shielding materials with high magnetic permeability and with high magnetic saturation. Ferromagnetic metals such as steels or MuMetal, an industry reference material defined in Milspec 14411C. It is also envisioned that, in the instance of electromagnets, these can be deactivated or turned off in a further non-thermally conditioning air circulation mode. As previously described, the present invention further contemplates other configurations for supporting any arrangement of magnets/electromagnets within any of the insulating body or inner housing, the central interior rotating conductive component, or any position between, in order to provide the desired thermal conditioning properties.
The inner housing of the body for creating the spiral inner passageway further includes a pair of side plates 126 and 128 which are configured within a central open interior of the insulated body as shown in
A plurality of thermal sink pins 130 are incorporated into an annular array arranged in proximity to an inwardly facing and annular configured end surface 132 of the body. The thermal heat sink pin array further includes a pair of spaced apart rings 134 and 136 which support therebetween the array of heat sink pins 130, with the inner ring 134 located proximate the magnets/electromagnets 123 and the outer ring 136 seated against the annular mating and inwardly facing remote end-surface 132 of the body. In operation, the array of heat sink pins 130 draw outwardly emanating heat from the core interior toward far interior end of the body (opposite the illustrated mounting location of the motor or other rotary inducing input 104 or other rotatable input) back through the walls of the plates 126/128 of the interior housing and into the core located spiral interior passageway 116, this in order to optimize redirection of thermal flow by the inner 118 and outer 120 plurality of vanes through the outlet 106.
As best again depicted in
Additional features include the provision of airflow redirecting elements (at 140 in
Similar to the initial embodiment, conventional heating elements 144 are provided, these again including such as resistor coils, electromagnetic induction components or electronic wave heating components as shown in
Other features again include the provision of coils or other thermal electric generating components surrounding a rotating shaft for generating electricity as a further cogeneration application of the assembly. This can include rotational electric generating components shown at 146 in
In this fashion, the intake air 102 is pre-heated within the body interior, along passageways 150, 152 and 154 depicted in each of
With reference now to each of
As further shown, the body can be constructed of any suitable insulating material and can exhibit without limitation a three dimensional radial shape with the curved forward facing location incorporating any of the selected inlets and outlet. An externally mounted motor or other rotary inducing input 206 is situated in proximity to a circular shaped side opening 208 in the body 202 for receiving an inwardly projecting shaft 209. As will be described in further variants, the motor or other rotary inducing input can be internally or externally mounted with respect to the assembly.
A central rotatable conductive component 210 is depicted which is actuated by the motor or other rotary inducing input 206 in rotating fashion between opposing plates 208 and 210 which define spaced apart walls of the inner housing. As further shown in the sectional perspective cutaway of
The rotating/redirecting component 210 can be constructed of any conductive or magnetocaloric material and includes a central reinforced aperture support location 218 (see
Referencing again
Also depicted are an arrangement of baffles 224 placed in the outer annular fluid chamber of the inner housing which, in operation, redirect air/fluid movement to facilitate a more balanced exhaust pattern, as well as again showing the wind generators placed in any or all of the baffles or walls of the inner housing. The baffles further serve to warm the exhaust air through any of surface or air radiation. Also shown at 230 are wind channeling components integrated into selected baffles (see as shown at 228 in each of
Referring again to
Additional variants of the present invention also contemplate the magnets/electromagnets 232/234 being reconfigured onto a separate plate and again either positioned stationary or rotatable relative to the conductive fan component 210, and this can also include relocating (although not being shown) to a separate plate or like support which can be positioned about the shaft 209 and which is displaceable between each of an extended position in which the magnets/electromagnets are disposed in proximity to the rotating conductive plate or component and a retracted position in which the magnets/electromagnets are displaced laterally away from the rotating component in a further non-thermally conditioning air circulation mode.
Alternatively, or in combination to displacing laterally away from the magnets/electromagnets, magnetic shielding can be accomplished by sliding or rotating a spacer with one layer or multiple layers of one or multiple magnetic shielding materials with high magnetic permeability and with high magnetic saturation. Ferromagnetic metals such as steels or MuMetal, an industry reference material defined in Milspec 14411C. Also, and in the instance of electromagnets, these can be deactivated or turned off in a further non-thermally conditioning air circulation mode.
The present invention further contemplates other configurations for supporting any arrangement of magnets/electromagnets within either of the inner housing, the central interior rotating conductive component, or any position between, in order to provide the desired thermal conditioning properties. This can also include other ways of shielding the magnets and which can include turning off in the instance of using electromagnets. As further previously described, electromagnetic shielding is the practice of reducing the electromagnetic field in a space by blocking the field with barriers made of conductive or magnetic materials.
Pluralities of thermal sink pins, see at 236 and 238, respectively, are incorporated into each of opposite and outer facing sides (see plates 212 and 214) of the inner housing and respectively extend to inside wall surfaces (at 240 and 242) of the body 202, this in order to draw outwardly emanating heat from the sides of the body back through the walls of the plates 212/214 and into the spiral interior passageway 204 in order to optimize redirection of thermal flow by the inner 220 and outer 222 plurality of vanes through the forward directed outlet. As further best shown, the thermal sink pins can include different sizes or configurations depending upon their location on the exterior of the side plates.
The inner housing plates 212/214 and end cap 216 can, without limitation, be constructed of any suitable metal or alloy, ceramic or any metal-ceramic composite material or graphite or any combination of such materials which, in combination with the central rotating conductive component 210, provides any degree of thermal conductivity. The inside surfaces of the side plates can also include arcuate side passageway projection, see at 244 in the cutaway of
Additional features include conventional heating elements 246 (this also present in the related variants of each of
Other features can include the provision of coils or other thermal electric generating components, these without limitation capable of being integrated into the walls of the side plates 212/214 surrounding the rotating shaft 209 for generating electricity as a further cogeneration application of the assembly. The solid-state thermoelectric generator devices can also be located upon the inner housing at any other suitable location for converting temperature differences resulting from the oscillating magnetic fields at a given frequency range into electrical energy in a desired cogeneration application of the assembly, with the electric power (wattage) created also capable of being inputted to the motor or other rotary inducing input 206 for achieving decreased electrical operating costs.
In this fashion, intake air is pre-heated within the body interior before being directed in proximity to the interface between the rotating conductive component 210 and the proximate magnets/electromagnets 232/234 where the main inductive heating occurs, and with the thermal conditioned flow then being directed by the vanes 220/222 of the rotating plate 210 through the outlet.
Without limitation, the configuration and material selection for each of the plates 212/214 and end cap are such that they can be selected from any conductive materials which can include varying patterns of materials, bi-materials or multi-materials designs, such including any of metals or alloys, ceramics or any metal ceramic composite materials with ferromagnetic, ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic properties. As understood, the plates possess properties necessary to generate adequate oscillating magnetic fields for inducing magnetic heating, such again resulting from the ability to either maintain or switch the magnet polarity at a sufficiently high rate in order for the generated friction to create the desired heat/cold profile
Without limitation, conductive material(s) incorporated into the assembly can include varying patterns of materials, bi-materials or multi-material designs, such including any of metals or alloys, ceramics or any metal ceramic composite materials with ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, antiferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic properties and, as understood, do not generate magnetic fields but are based on electromagnetic or magnetic induction such that they create eddy currents to allow for the frictional generation of heat in proximity to the interface between the rotating central component and the surrounding plates and end cap defining the inner spiral extending passageway.
Referring now to
Finally,
As previously described, other and additional envisioned applications can include adapting the present technology for use in magnetocaloric heat pump (MHG) applications, such utilizing a magnetocaloric effect (MCE) provide either of heating or cooling properties resulting from the magnetization (heat) or demagnetization (cold) cycles. The goal in such applications is to achieve a coefficient of performance (defined as a ratio of useful heating or cooling provided to work required) which is greater than 1.0. In such an application, the system operates to convert work to heat as well as additionally pumping heat from a heat source to where the heat is required (and factoring in all power consuming auxiliaries). As is further known in the relevant technical art, increasing the COP (such as potentially to a range of 2.0-3.5 or upwards) further results in significantly reduced operating costs in relation to the relatively small input electrical cost required for rotating the conductive plate(s) relative to the magnetic plate(s). Such considerations were generally limited to unimplementable ideas related to cooling operations. Magnetic refrigeration techniques result in a cooling technology based on the magnetocaloric effect and which can be used to attain extremely low temperatures within ranges used in common refrigerators, such as without limitation in order to reconfigure the present system as a fluid chiller, air cooler, active magnetic regenerator or air conditioner.
As is further known in the relevant technical art, the magnetocaloric effect is a magneto-thermodynamic phenomenon in which a temperature change of a suitable material is again caused by exposing the material to a changing magnetic field, such being further known by low temperature physicists as adiabatic (defined as occurring without gain or loss of heat) demagnetization. In that part of the refrigeration process, a decrease in the strength of an externally applied magnetic field allows the magnetic domains of a magnetocaloric material to become disoriented from the magnetic field by the agitating action of the thermal energy (phonons) present in the material.
If the material is isolated so that no energy is allowed to (re)migrate into the material during this time, (i.e., again the adiabatic process) the temperature drops as the domains absorb the thermal energy to perform their reorientation. The randomization of the domains occurs in a similar fashion to the randomization at the Curie temperature of a ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, antiferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic material, except that magnetic dipoles overcome a decreasing external magnetic field while energy remains constant, instead of magnetic domains being disrupted from internal ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism, antiferromagnetism, (or either of paramagnetism/diamagnetism) as energy is added. Applications of this technology can include, in one non-limited application, the ability to heat a suitable alloy arranged inside of a magnetic field as is known in the relevant technical art, causing it to lose thermal energy to the surrounding environment which then exits the field cooler than when it entered.
Other envisioned applications include the ability to generate heat for conditioning any fluid (not limited to air or water) utilizing either individually or in combination rare earth magnets placed into an oscillating magnetic field at a given frequency range as well as static electromagnetic field source systems including such as energized electromagnet assemblies which, in specific instances, can be combined together within a suitable assembly not limited to that described and illustrated herein and for any type of electric induction, electromagnetic and magnetic induction or magnetocaloric application. It is further envisioned that the present assembly can be applied to any material which is magnetized, such including any of diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic or antiferromagnetic materials without exemption also referred to as magnetocaloric materials (MEMs).
Additional factors include the ability to reconfigure the assembly so that the frictionally heated fluid existing between the overlapping rotating magnetic and stationary fluid communicating conductive plates may also include the provision of additional fluid mediums (both gaseous and liquid state) for better converting the heat or cooling configurations disclosed herein. Other envisioned applications can include the provision of capacitive and resistance (ohmic power loss) designs applicable to all materials/different configurations as disclosed herein.
The present invention also envisions, in addition to the assembly as shown and described, the provision of any suitable programmable or software support mechanism, such as including a variety of operational modes. Such can include an Energy Efficiency Mode: step threshold function at highest COP (at established motor or other rotary inducing input rpm) vs Progressive Control Mode: ramp-up curve at different rpm/COPs).
Other heating/cooling adjustment variables can involve modifying the degree of magnetic friction created, such as by varying the distance between the conductive fluid circulating disk packages and alternating arranged magnetic/electromagnetic plates. A further variable can include limiting the exposure of the conductive fluid (gas, liquid, etc.,) to the conductive component/linearly spaced disk packages, such that a no flow condition may result in raising the temperature (and which can be controllable for certain periods of time).
As is further generally understood in the technical art, temperature is limited to Curie temperature, with magnetic properties associated with losses above this temperature. Accordingly, rare earth magnets, including such as neodymium magnets, can achieve temperature ranges upwards of 900° C. to 1000° C.
Ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, antiferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic materials, such as again which can be integrated into the conductive plates, can include any of Iron (Fe) having a Curie temperature of 1043K (degrees Kelvin), Cobalt (Co) having a Curie temperature of 1400K, Nickel (Ni) having a Curie temperatures of 627K and Gadolinium (Gd) having a Curie temperature of 292K.
According to these teachings, Curie point, also called Curie Temperature, defines a temperature at which certain magnetic materials undergo a sharp change in their magnetic properties. In the case of rocks and minerals, remanent magnetism appears below the Curie point—about 570° C. (1,060° F.) for the common magnetic mineral magnetite. Below the Curie point—by non-limiting example, 770° C. (1,418° F.) for iron—atoms that behave as tiny magnets spontaneously align themselves in certain magnetic materials.
In ferromagnetic materials, such as pure iron, the atomic magnets are oriented within each microscopic region (domain) in the same direction, so that their magnetic fields reinforce each other. In antiferromagnetic materials, atomic magnets alternate in opposite directions, so that their magnetic fields cancel each other. In ferrimagnetic materials, the spontaneous arrangement is a combination of both patterns, usually involving two different magnetic atoms, so that only partial reinforcement of magnetic fields occurs.
Given the above, raising the temperature to the Curie point for any of the materials in these three classes entirely disrupts the various spontaneous arrangements, and only a weak kind of more general magnetic behavior, called paramagnetism, remains. As is further known, one of the highest Curie points is 1,121° C. (2,050° F.) for cobalt. Temperature increases above the Curie point produce roughly similar patterns of decreasing paramagnetism in all three classes of materials such that, when these materials are cooled below their Curie points, magnetic atoms spontaneously realign so that the ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, or ferrimagnetism revives. As is further known, the antiferromagnetic Curie point is also referenced as the Neel temperature.
Other factors or variable controlling the temperature output can include the strength of the magnets/electromagnets which are incorporated into the magnet/electromagnet carrier or magnetic/electromagnetic plates, such as again by selected rare earth magnets having varying properties or, alternatively, by adjusting the factors associated with the use of electromagnets including an amount of current through the coils, adjusting the core ferromagnetic properties (again though material selection) or by adjusting the cold winding density around the associated core.
Other temperature adjustment variables can include modifying the size, number, location and orientation of the assemblies (elongated and plural magnet/electromagnet and alternative conductive plates). Multiple units or assemblies can also be stacked, tiered or otherwise ganged in order to multiply a given volume of conditioned fluid which is produced.
Additional variables can include varying the designing of the conductive disk packages, such as not limited varying a thickness, positioning or configuration of a blade or other fluid flow redirecting profile integrated into the conductive plates, as well as utilizing the varying material properties associated with different metals or alloys, such including ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, antiferromagnetic, paramagnetic and diamagnetic properties.
Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. The detailed description and drawings are further understood to be supportive of the disclosure, the scope of which being defined by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed teachings have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims.
The foregoing disclosure is further understood as not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.
In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, various embodiments disclosed herein can be modified or otherwise implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, this description is to be considered as illustrative and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of making and using various embodiments of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the forms of disclosure herein shown and described are to be taken as representative embodiments. Equivalent elements, materials, processes or steps may be substituted for those representatively illustrated and described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.
Further, various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, connected, and the like) are only used to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the systems and/or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, if any, are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each other.
Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. Additionally, any signal hatches in the drawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically specified.
The present application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 63/014,234 filed Apr. 23, 2020. The present application also claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 63/022,002 filed May 8, 2020.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63014234 | Apr 2020 | US | |
63022002 | May 2020 | US |