Patent ID: 8427030
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A thermomagnetic generator, which comprises a series of at least three different metal-comprising thermomagnetic materials whose magnetocaloric effect occurs at different temperatures, such that conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy can exploit an enlarged temperature range, wherein the at least three materials are selected from the group consisting of (1) a compound of formula (I) wherein A is Mn or Co, B is Fe, Cr or Ni, C, D, and E have a non-vanishing concentration and are selected from the group consisting of P, B, Se, Ge, Ga, Si, Sn, N, As, and Sb, whereby at least two of C, D, and E are different, and at least one of C, D, and E is Ge or Si, δ is a number in a range from −0.1 to 0.1, and w, x, y, z are numbers in a range from 0 to 1, where w+x+z=1; (2a) an La- and Fe-comprising compound of formula (II) wherein x is a number from 0.7 to 0.95, and y is a number from 0 to 3; (2b) an La- and Fe-comprising compound of formula (III) wherein x is a number from 0.7 to 0.95, Y is a number from 0.05 to 1−x, and z is a number from 0.005 to 0.5; (2c) an La- and Fe-comprising compound of formula (IV) wherein x is a number from 1.7 to 1.95; (3) a Heusler alloy of MnTP composition where T is a transition metal and P is a p-doping metal having an electron count per atom e/a in a range from 7 to 8.5; (4) a Gd- and Si-comprising compound of formula (V) wherein x is a number from 0.2 to 1; (5) an Fe (6) a perovskite manganite; (7a) a compound comprising at least one rare earth element and having formula (VI) wherein x=0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, (7b) a compound comprising at least one rare earth element and having formula (VII) wherein X=Dy, Ho, and/or Tm; (8a) an Mn- and Sb- or As-comprising compound of formula (VIII) wherein Z is Cr, Cu, Zn, Co, V, As, or Ge, x is from 0.01 to 0.5, and wherein Sb may be replaced by As when Z is not As; and (8b) an Ma- and Sb- or As-comprising compound of formula (IX) wherein Z is Cr, Cu, Zn, Co, V, As, or Ge, x is from 0.01 to 0.5, and wherein Sb may be replaced by As when Z is not As.