Patent ID: 8209988
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: F25B,Y02B

Abstract:
1. A magnetic refrigeration device for transferring heat, the magnetic refrigeration device comprising: a shaft rotatable about an axis; an inner magnet disposed at one of the axis and a radial distance from the axis; an outer magnet disposed a radial distance from the axis outside of the inner magnet defining a magnetic gap between the inner and outer magnets; and magnetocaloric material disposed at a radial distance from the axis between the radial distances of the inner and outer magnets, wherein the magnetocaloric material is coupled to the shaft for rotation with the shaft about the axis such that during rotation of the shaft a portion of the magnetocaloric material alternates between a magnetized position disposed within the magnetic gap and a demagnetized position outside of the magnetic gap; wherein the magnetocaloric material is contained in an annular container; and wherein the annular container is divided into a plurality of channels extending axially, and wherein the annular container is coupled to the shaft for rotation with the shaft about the axis such that during rotation of the shaft at least a portion of each of the plurality of channels alternates between the magnetized position and the demagnetized position.