ROTATING MAGNET MAGNETIC REFRIGERATOR

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an active magnetic heat exchange refrigerator producing a variation of temperature of magnetocaloric material in a magnetic heat exchange compartment by generating periodical variation of magnetic field strength in the magnetic heat exchange compartment based on rotation of magnets. SOLUTION: This magnetic refrigeration apparatus 10 has an annular container 11 including a plurality of magnetic heat exchange compartments 13 containing magnetocaloric material 12, and magnets 40 mounted to rotate around the annular container 11, whereby the motion of the magnets 40 produces a variation of magnetic field strength in the magnetic heat exchange compartments, which in term leads to a variation in temperature of the magnetocaloric material 12 in the magnetic heat exchange compartments 13. Heat transfer fluid 17 is propelled by a pump 60, and directed to and from the heat exchange compartments and hot and cold heat exchangers by valves. Each valve includes an axial port and a plurality of radial ports. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT