Abstract:
The invention relates to a heat exchanger permitting, in an efficient, simple and reliable manner and for a moderate cost, the connection in series, in parallel or according to a mixed configuration of thermal elements to one another and to an external circuit while limiting the risks of leakage and the number of connections. The heat exchanger ( 1   a ) comprises calorie-emitting and negative calorie-emitting thermal elements ( 2   a   1, 2   a   2 ) each of which being passed through by a conduit whose inlet orifices ( 21 ) and outlet orifices ( 22 ) are connected to one another and to at least one thermal fluid circuit by an interface plate ( 3   a ) situated above a closing plate ( 5   a ) and defining two interface circuits ( 4   a   1, 4   a   2 ). The interface plate ( 3   a ) also comprises two supply orifices ( 31 ) and two discharge orifices ( 32 ) for connecting the interface circuits to two external circuits hot and cold suited for using the calories and the negative calories recovered from the thermal fluid. The inventive heat exchanger is to be used for cooling, heating, air-conditioning, and regulating temperature in any type of installation.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a national stage completion of PCT/FR2004/003332 filed Dec. 22, 2004 which claims priority from French Application Serial No. 03/15257 filed Dec. 23, 2003. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention concerns a heat exchanger comprising at least one group of at least two calorie- and/or frigorie-emitting thermal elements, each equipped with at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice joined through at least one conduit traversing the thermal element, capable of receiving a thermal fluid for recovering the calories and/or frigories, said heat exchanger comprising means for interconnecting the conduits and at least one circuit external to the heat exchanger to utilize the calories and/or frigories recovered by said thermal fluid.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In the conventional manner, traditional heat exchangers comprise thermal elements connected to one another and to one or more external thermal fluid circuits using pipes, connectors, and seals. The connectors are preferably removable to facilitate installation and maintenance operations. This connection technique takes a long time to perform, requires a large number of parts, and makes achieving a tight seal on this type of heat exchanger difficult.  
         [0004]     One example is illustrated in Publication WO-A-03/050456 which describes a magneto-caloric heat exchanger comprising twelve gadolinium based thermal elements alternately subjected to a magnetic field generated by a rotating permanent magnet. Each thermal element is provided with a minimum of four orifices, two inlet orifices and two outlet orifices, connected in pairs by conduits and joined to the external “hot” and “cold” circuits by turning seals. Each turning seal comprises seven connections selectively joining the conduits, depending upon the position of the permanent magnet, to the “hot” and “cold” external circuits. Thus, this heat exchanger comprises four turning seals per thermal element, either 48 connectors to which seven connections are added for each of the four turning seals, or 28 additional connectors, for a total of 76 connections. This large number of connectors proportionately increases the number of mechanical parts as well as increasing the risk of thermal fluid leaks. Moreover, it imposes considerable technical limitations on the heat exchanger that make it economically impractical. This is, therefore, not a very satisfactory solution.  
         [0005]     Another connection technique is illustrated in Publications U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,385 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,468, which provide for the pipes to be replaced by rigid plates integrating the circulation channels for cooling fluid in electronic radiator circuits. In this type of application, the radiator comprises for each electronic circuit an individual plate for absorbing the dissipated calories, connected to a collector plate coupled with a heat exchanger. However, the connection between the different plates and the heat exchanger requires specific rigid or flexible connectors which may or may not include a valve. Thus, this solution does not eliminate the need for connecting parts with their associated disadvantages. Moreover, in this type of application, the cooling circuit is fixed rather than evolving, with its objective being simply the dissipation of calories.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention attempts to overcome these disadvantages by proposing a thermal exchanger which simply, efficiently, reliably, and at moderate cost allows the thermal elements to be connected to one another and to one or more external circuits while simultaneously minimizing the risk of leakage, the number of parts, and facilitating maintenance operations. The invention proposes a thermal exchanger allowing the use of a large number of thermal elements and/or several groups of thermal elements that may be connected in a series, parallel or mixed configuration, with the number of elements and the connection configuration being easily modified.  
         [0007]     For this purpose, the invention concerns a heat exchanger characterized in that the connection means comprises at least one interface plate placed flat against the thermal elements, comprising at least one channel equipped with connecting orifices located opposite the inlet and outlet orifices of the thermal elements and defining at least one interface circuit to allow thermal fluid to circulate between said thermal elements and the interface plate in a series, parallel, or mixed connection, said interface plate also being equipped with at least one supply orifice and at least one discharge orifice to connect the interface circuit with the exterior circuit.  
         [0008]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thermal elements alternately emit calories and frigories and the interface plate comprises at least two channels, each equipped with at least one supply orifice, one evacuation orifice, and connecting orifices, and disposed so as to define two distinct interface circuits connected to two external circuits.  
         [0009]     Advantageously, the heat exchanger comprises at least two groups of thermal elements, each provided with at least one interface plate, and complementary connection elements designed to connect the interface plates to each other and to the interface circuits in said corresponding groups in a series, parallel or mixed connection.  
         [0010]     According to a variation, the connection elements comprise at least two interface plates superimposed back to back, each comprising at least one channel, one supply orifice, one discharge orifice, and connecting orifices joined to a unit of thermal elements. These interface plates may comprise traversing orifices located opposite each other defining a common interface circuit.  
         [0011]     The channel may be at least partially formed of a network of perforations through the interface plate and selectively blocked by plugs depending upon the interface circuit desired.  
         [0012]     The channel may also be at least partially formed of one or more grooves on at least one surface of the interface plate, formed by machining, engraving, or casting. In this case, the connection elements advantageously comprise at least one closing plate superimposed on the interface plate on the side with the groove to form the channel.  
         [0013]     The closing plate may be located between two interface plates in order to form a channel with each one. This closing plate may comprise traversing orifices opening into said channels and designed to connect them in a series, parallel, or mixed connection.  
         [0014]     Preferably, the connecting means are made of a thermally insulating material and comprise seals located at least between the thermal elements and the interface plates, said seals possibly consisting of a coating or a sheet of “Teflon®,” a liquid seal, or the like.  
         [0015]     According to a preferred embodiment, the closing plate comprises a switch movable between at least two positions in order to modify the mode of connection between said interface circuits. This switch may be chosen from the group comprising at least a slide block , a core, or a sliding unit regulated by a control means. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description of several embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, provided by way of non-limiting examples, wherein:  
         [0017]     FIGS.  1 A-C are respectively views from above, from the side, and a transparent overhead view of a first embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 1D  is a view similar to  FIG. 1C  in which the hot and cold thermal circuits are shown schematically;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 1E and 1F  are cross-sections along lines AA and BB of the single interface plate of the heat exchanger of  FIG. 1D ;  
         [0020]      FIGS. 1G and 1H  are cross-sections of the heat exchanger in the preceding drawings in which the hot and cold thermal circuits are shown schematically;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 1I and 1J  are exploded perspective views, from above and below, of the heat exchanger in the preceding drawings;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 2A, 2B  and  2 D are exploded perspective views from below, from above, and a side view, respectively, of a second embodiment of the heat exchanger according to the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2C  is a view similar to  FIG. 1D  of the heat exchanger of  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0024]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are views from above and from the side, respectively, of a third embodiment of the heat exchanger of the invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3C  illustrates assembly by superimposing the interface plates and the closing plate to form the connection means for the heat exchanger of  FIGS. 3A , B;  
         [0026]      FIGS. 3D and 3E  are exploded perspective views from above and below the heat exchanger of FIGS.  3 A-C;  
         [0027]     FIGS.  4 A-D are cross-sectional side views of several embodiments of the connection means for the heat exchanger according to the invention;  
         [0028]      FIGS. 5A, 6A ,  7 A are overhead views of three other embodiments of heat exchangers according to the invention;  
         [0029]      FIGS. 5B, 6B ,  7 B are views similar to  FIGS. 5A, 6A ,  7 A with their hot and cold thermal circuits shown schematically;  
         [0030]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are overhead views of another embodiment of a heat exchanger, according to the invention, with a portion of the hot and cold thermal circuits shown schematically on each one;  
         [0031]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are partially exploded and unexploded complete perspective views, respectively, of another embodiment of the heat exchanger of the invention; and  
         [0032]      FIGS. 10 and 11 A-C are perspective views of other embodiments of the heat exchanger according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]     With reference to the drawings, and in known manner, the heat exchanger  1   a - o  comprises one or several groups  200   a - o  of calorie- and/or frigorie-emitting thermal elements  2   a - o  on a support to which they are attached by a permanent or temporary attachment means (not shown), such as, for example, gluing, soldering, bolting, setting, or casting.  
         [0034]     In the examples shown, thermal elements  2   a - o  are the magneto-calorie type. It is obvious that they could be any other type functioning according to any other adapted principle. Each thermal element  2   a - o  contains a magneto-calorie material such as gadolinium (Gd), for example, or any other equivalent material. Thus, when thermal element  2   a - o  is subjected to the presence of a magnetic field, it heats up and when the magnetic field disappears, it cools to a temperature lower than its initial temperature. The operating principle of heat exchangers  1   a - o , given by way of example, consists, therefore, of alternately subjecting thermal elements  2   a - o  to the presence and absence of a magnetic field and recovering the calories and/or frigories successively emitted by each thermal element  2   a - o  using a circulating thermal fluid. In order to do this, the magnetic field is designed to be movable relative to the thermal elements and/or variable, and each thermal element  2   a - o  is traversed by at least one conduit  20  with its inlet orifices  21  and outlet orifices  22  connected by connecting means  3   a - o  to one or more external circuits (not shown) through which the thermal fluid is caused to circulate and the calories and/or frigories are used in a piece of equipment to heat, cool, air condition, or regulate the temperature of the atmosphere.  
         [0035]     The number of thermal elements  2   a - o  provided in each group  200   a - o  can be adapted to need and to the type of operation desired.  
         [0036]     In the examples shown, conduit  20  traversing thermal elements  2   a - o  is U-shaped. Obviously, it could have any other adapted shape. According to a variation that is not shown, conduit  20  may comprise, for example, an internal chamber to receive magneto-caloric material which may consist of pellets.  
         [0037]     The magnetic field may be generated by permanent magnets, for example, or by magnetic assemblies (not shown) spanning elements  2   a - o  and grouped by fives to exert force on every other thermal element  2   a - o . The magnetic field may also be generated by adjacent permanent magnets (not shown) alternately and simultaneously exerting force on all the thermal elements  2   a - o . The permanent magnets are fixed or coupled with displacement means (not shown) to make them movable relative to thermal elements  2   a - o . These displacement means may be alternating, stepping, or continuous and they may generate rotating, pivoting, translational, or any combination of movement on the part of the permanent magnets; the trajectory may follow a helical, circular, sinusoidal translational path or any other adapted translational trajectory. The displacement means may comprise, for example, a motor, a cylinder, a spring mechanism, an aerogenerator, an electromagnet, a hydrogenerator, or any other equivalent means. The electromagnets may also be aligned side by side to attract all the thermal elements in a single series.  
         [0038]     According to the invention, the connection elements for the heat exchanger  2   a - o  comprise at least one interface plate  3   a - o  provided with one or more channels  34 . These channels  34  comprise connecting orifices  30  joined directly to inlet orifice  21  and outlet orifice  22  allowing communication between conduits  20  in the different thermal elements  2   a - o  and defining one or more interface circuits  4   a - o  so as to allow thermal fluid to circulate between thermal elements  2   a - o . This interface plate  3   a - o  is also equipped with one or more supply orifices  31  and discharge orifices  32  for connecting the interface circuit or circuits  4   a - o  with one or more external circuits, for example, a “hot” external circuit and a “cold” external circuit.  
         [0039]     In the examples shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , thermal heat exchangers  1   a -j each comprise a single group  200   a - j  of thermal elements  1   a - j , whereas with reference to  FIGS. 9-11 , heat exchangers  1   k - o  each comprise several groups  200   k - o  of thermal elements  1   k - o . The purpose of these different examples is to show the multiple combinations that are possible with the present invention.  
         [0040]     With reference to FIGS.  1 A-J and according to a first embodiment, heat exchanger  1   a  comprises a group  200   a  of two rows of six alternating thermal elements  2   a   1 ,  2   a   2  joined to an interface plate  3   a  forming a rectilinear frame. Thermal elements  2   a   1 ,  2   a   2  are simultaneously subjected to the presence and absence of a magnetic field and are joined to interface plate  3   a  so as to define two distinct interface circuits  4   a   1 ,  4   a   2 . This heat exchanger  1   a  therefore allows simultaneous recovery of the calories emitted by thermal elements  2   a   1  in a first unit by means on the first interface circuit  4   a   1  and of the frigories emitted by thermal elements  2   a   2  on the second unit by means of the second interface circuit  4   a   2 , and vice versa.  
         [0041]     Interface plate  3   a  may be made of a thermally insulating, mechanically rigid material such as, for example, a composite or synthetic material or other equivalent material. It may also be made of a thermally conductive material such as a metal alloy or porcelain and it may be thermally insulated at the exterior walls, for example, using some type of adapted covering. This interface plate  3   a  comprises four orifices, of which two supply orifices  31  and two discharge orifices  32  are connected by conventional connection means (not shown) to two external circuits (not shown), one being a “hot” exterior circuit and one a “cold” external circuit.  
         [0042]     A switching means (not shown) may be interposed for toggling between one exterior circuit and the other, and vice versa. The switching means allows each interface circuit  4   a   1 ,  4   a   2  to be connected alternately to the exterior “hot” circuit and then the exterior “cold” circuit. It may comprise valves, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically controlled slide mechanisms, or any other adapted means. The exterior circuits comprise free or forced thermal fluid circulation means (not shown) such as for example a pump or other equivalent means. Each “hot” or “cold” external circuit is additionally equipped with one or more heat exchangers for calories or frigories, respectively, or other equivalent means allowing diffusion and utilization of these calories and frigories. Depending upon the application, the external circuits may also comprise a means for reversing the direction in which the thermal fluid circulates.  
         [0043]     Interface plate  3   a  is designed to lie flat against thermal elements  2   a  and to ensure connection by means of simple contact without any additional mechanical connector. For this purpose, it comprises connecting orifices  30  joined in pairs by grooves formed on the surface of interface plate  3   a  opposite thermal elements  2   a   1 ,  2   a   2  opposite inlet orifices  21  and outlet orifices  22  on each thermal element  2   a   1 ,  2   a   2 . Interface plate  3   a  is superimposed on a closing plate  5   a  by the grooves to form channel  34 . Interface plate  3   a , closing plate  5   a , and thermal elements  2   a   1 ,  2   a   2  are assembled with seals (not shown) such as, for example, a sheet of “Teflon®,” a liquid seal, or a specific coating. These sealing elements, when provided between interface plate  3   a  and thermal elements  2   a   1 ,  2   a   2 , comprise orifices for the passage of thermal fluid opposite connecting orifices  30 .  
         [0044]     The grooves are arranged so as to connect inlet orifice  21  of the first thermal element  2   a   1 ,  2   a   2  of each unit to a supply orifice  31  and a discharge orifice  22  of the last thermal element  2   a   1 ,  2   a   2  of each unit to a discharge orifice  32 . Excluding the already connected inlet orifices  21  and outlet orifices  22 , on each unit the grooves connect the outlet orifice  22  of one thermal element  2   a   1 ,  2   a   2  to the inlet orifice  21  on the next thermal element  2   a   1 ,  2   a   2 . Thermal elements  2   a   1  and  2   a   2  in the same unit are thus respectively connected in series. In order to avoid any crossover between interface circuits  4   a , the grooves follow a semi-crenellated trajectory on the perimeter. The grooves may be formed by machining, stamping, or casting.  
         [0045]     Interface plate  3   a , such as the one shown, may easily be adapted to a larger number of thermal elements  2   a  in order to increase the thermal capacity of heat exchanger  1   a.    
         [0046]     The operation of heat exchanger  1   a  can be broken down into two stages, between which the switching means are toggled and the magnetic field is modified. Thus, as each stage changes, the first unit of thermal elements  2   a   1  previously subjected to the magnetic field is subjected to the absence of magnetic field, and conversely for the second unit of thermal elements  2   a   2 . Moreover, the first interface circuit  4   a   1  previously connected to the exterior “hot” circuit is connected to the exterior “cold” circuit, and conversely for the second interface circuit  4   a   2 .  
         [0047]     In a first stage of operation, thermal elements  2   a   1  on the first unit subjected to the magnetic field heat up and heat the thermal fluid present in first interface circuit  4   a   1 . In parallel, thermal elements  2   a   2  on the second unit, which are no longer subjected to the magnetic field, cool down, reaching a temperature that is lower than their initial temperature and cooling the thermal fluid present in second interface circuit  4   a   2 .  
         [0048]     In this series configuration, thermal fluid enters interface plate  3   a  through one of the supply orifices  31 . The thermal fluid in the first interface circuit  4   a   1  is heated to a temperature +t 1  by first thermal element  2   a   1  on the first unit subjected to the magnetic field. It is then guided by channel  34  toward second thermal element  2   a   1  which heats it to a temperature +t 2 , higher than +t 1 , and so forth, until reaching the last thermal element  2   a   1 . Next, the heated thermal fluid exits interface plate  3   a  through one of the discharge orifices  32 , guided toward the external “hot” circuit where the calories are evacuated, recovered, and utilized, using one or more calorie exchangers, for example.  
         [0049]     Simultaneously, the thermal fluid in second interface circuit  4   a   2  is cooled down to a temperature −t 1  by first thermal element  2   a   2  on the second unit not subjected to the magnetic field. It is then guided by channel  34  toward second thermal element  2   a   2  which cools it to temperature −t 2 , lower than −t 1 , and so forth, until reaching the last thermal element  2   a   2 . Next, the cooled thermal fluid exits interface plate  3   a  through the other the evacuation orifice  32 , guided toward the external “cold” circuit where the frigories are evacuated, recovered, and utilized, using one or more frigorie exchangers, for example.  
         [0050]     The second stage is essentially similar to the first stage, with “heating” thermal elements  2   a   1  becoming “cooling” and “cooling” thermal elements  2   a   2  becoming “heating.” The operation continues by alternating between the first and second stages.  
         [0051]     Heat exchanger  1   a  in this first embodiment may be connected to another similar or dissimilar heat exchanger  1   a  in series, in parallel or a mixture of series/parallel. This connection may be done conventionally using pipes or using an interface connecting plate (not shown) allowing interface plates  3   a  of each heat exchanger  1   a  to communicate, or even using multiple interface plates to replace the two interface plates  3   a  and the connecting plate.  
         [0052]     With reference to FIGS.  2 A-D and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, heat exchanger  1   b , essentially similar to the preceding one, is differentiated by its circular configuration, which allows activation of the magnetic elements in a continuous circular movement instead of the rectilinear, alternating movement in the case of the linear configuration. It comprises a group  200   b  of twelve thermal elements  2   b   1 ,  2   b   2  in the form of circular sections supported by an interface plate  3   b  forming a ring and provided with four openings, two of which are supply orifices  31  and two of which are discharge orifices  32 . Connecting orifices  30  and channels  34  provided in interface plate  3   b  are essentially similar to the preceding elements. Interface plate  3   b  is attached to a closing plate  5   b  comprising traversing orifices  40  opposite supply orifices  31  and discharge orifices  32  on interface plate  3   b . Thermal elements  2   b   1 ,  2   b   2  and interface plate  3   b  define two interface circuits  4   b   1 ,  4   b   2 . The operation of this heat exchanger  1   b  is essentially similar to the preceding one. Heat exchanger  1   b  of this second embodiment can also be connected to another similar or dissimilar heat exchanger  1   b  in series, in parallel or a series/parallel mixture.  
         [0053]     According to another embodiment shown by FIGS.  3 A-E, heat exchanger  1   c  comprises a group  200   c  consisting of two superimposed and combined heat exchangers essentially similar to those of FIGS.  1 A-J . This heat exchanger  1   c  therefore comprises four rows of six thermal elements  2   c   1 ,  2   c   2 , two rows being supported by a first interface plate  3   c   1  and two other rows being supported by a second interface plate  3   c   2  superimposed on first plate  3   c   1 . Each interface plate  3   c   1 ,  3   c   2  is similar to interface plate  3   a . It comprises four orifices, two supply orifices  31  and two discharge orifices  32 , with connecting orifices  30  and channels  34  identically organized. Interface plates  3   c   1 ,  3   c   2  are separated by a closing plate  5   c  comprising traversing orifices  50  located opposite supply orifices  31  and discharge orifices  32  on the two interface plates  3   c   1 ,  3   c   2  to connect their interface circuits (not shown) in parallel. Interface plates  3   c   1  and  3   c   2  and closing plate  5   c  are assembled using permanent or temporary attachment means such as, for example, gluing, soldering, screwing, setting, casting The operation of this heat exchanger  1   c  is essentially similar to that of FIGS.  1 A-J. Interface plates  3   c   1 ,  3   c   2  may be made differently, one connecting thermal elements  2   c   1 ,  2   c   2 , which it supports in series, and the other connecting thermal elements  2   c   1 ,  2   c   2  which it supports in parallel as described below. In the example described, entry orifices  31  and evacuation orifices  32  on the two interface plates  3   c   1 ,  3   c   2  are superimposed and connected in parallel by orifices  50  traversing closing plate  5  and then connected to the external circuits.  
         [0054]     According to a first variation which is not shown, it is possible to join interface plates  3   c   1 ,  3   c   2  in series, for example, by providing that closing plate  5   c  comprises:  
         [0055]     a supply orifice connected to the supply orifice on a first interface plate  3   c   1 ;  
         [0056]     a channel connecting the discharge orifice on said first interface plate  3   c   1  to a supply orifice on second interface plate  3   c   2 ;  
         [0057]     a discharge orifice connected to the discharge orifice of second interface plate  3   c   2 , with the channel possibly being formed by a groove or by a perforation.  
         [0058]     According to a second variant shown in  FIG. 4A , heat exchanger  1   d , only the connecting elements of which are shown, comprises interface plates  3   d   1 ,  3   d   2  separated by a closing plate  5   d  preventing any passage of thermal fluid between the two.  
         [0059]     According to a third variant shown in  FIG. 4B , heat exchanger  1   e , only the connecting elements of which are shown, comprises interface plates  3   e   1 ,  3   e   2  separated by a closing plate  5   e  equipped with traversing orifices  50  allowing thermal fluid to pass through them to define a common interface circuit.  
         [0060]     According to a fourth variant not shown, the heat exchanger may comprise superimposed interface plates without any closing plate. In this case the channels in these interface plates may comprise one or more traversing orifices  20  allowing thermal fluid to pass from one to the other to define a common interface circuit.  
         [0061]     According to a fifth variation not shown, the thermal exchanger comprises interface plates having channels without any traversing orifice, with the interface circuits remaining independent.  
         [0062]      FIGS. 4C and 4D  show a sixth variant wherein closing plate  5   f  comprises a switch  6  movable between an open position (cf.  FIG. 4C ) and a closed position (cf.  FIG. 4D ). In the open position switch  6  allows passage of thermal fluid into one portion of closing plate  5   f  from one interface plate  3   f   1  to the other interface plate  3   f   2 , and defines a portion of the interface circuit. In the closed position (cf.  FIG. 4D ) switch  6  prevents the passage of thermal fluid through a portion of closing plate  5   f . In this example, switch  6  is a circular core with circular grooves  60 . In the open position, circular grooves  60  are aligned with traversing orifices  50  on closing plate  5   f  allowing them to communicate. In the closed position circular grooves  60  are offset to prevent communication.  
         [0063]     According to other embodiments not shown, switch  6  may be a slide block or a sliding element with its translational or rotational movement regulated by a control means associated with the elements driving the permanent magnets. It is also possible for switch  6  to move between a larger number of positions. Switch  6 , depending on its position, its design, and that of the traversing orifices, effects the connection of the interface circuits on interface plates  3   f   1 ,  3   f   2  in series, in parallel, or a series/parallel mixture.  
         [0064]     According to a fourth embodiment illustrated by  FIGS. 5A and 5B , heat exchanger  1   g  comprises a group  200   g  of two rows of four interface elements  2   g   1 ,  2   g   2  supported by an interface plate  3   g  forming a rectilinear frame. This interface plate  3   g  comprises two channels  34  designed so as to connect in parallel:  
         [0065]     all the inlet orifices  21  of thermal elements  2   g   1  in a first unit with a first supply orifice  31 ;  
         [0066]     all the outlet orifices  22  of thermal elements  2   g   1  in the first unit with a first discharge orifice  32  and similarly,  
         [0067]     all the inlet and outlet orifices  21  and  22  on thermal elements  2   g   2  of second unit  2 , respectively, with second supply orifices  31  and discharge orifices  32 .  
         [0068]     This configuration thereby allows the definition of two interface circuits  4   g   1  and  4   g   2 , within each of which the interface elements  2   g   1  and  2   g   2  are respectively connected in parallel. As in the preceding examples, supply orifices  31  and discharge orifices  32  on interface plate  3   g  are connected to external circuits.  
         [0069]     The operation of this heat exchanger  1   g  can be broken down into two stages:  
         [0070]     a first stage in which thermal elements  2   g   1  on the first unit, which are subject to the magnetic field are heated and simultaneously heat the thermal fluid present in first interface circuit  4   g   1  and wherein, simultaneously, thermal elements  2   g   2  on the second unit, which are not subjected to the magnetic field are cooled and simultaneously cool the thermal fluid present in second interface circuit  4   g   2 ; and  
         [0071]     a second step in which the situation is reversed, with thermal elements  2   g   1  of the first unit, which are no longer subjected to the magnetic field cooling down, and thermal elements  2   g   2  of the second unit, which are subjected to the magnetic field heating up.  
         [0072]     The passage from one stage to the other takes place through the switching elements and by displacing the magnetic field.  
         [0073]     In this parallel configuration the thermal fluids simultaneously enter interface plate  3   g  through two supply orifices  31 . The thermal fluid in first interface circuit  4   g   1  is simultaneously reheated to a temperature +t by the unit of thermal elements  2   g   1  in the first unit subjected to the magnetic field. It is then guided toward the exterior of interface plate  3   g  by a first discharge orifice  32  toward the external “hot” circuit where the calories are evacuated, recovered, and utilized, for example, by means of one or more calorie exchangers. At the same time, the thermal fluid in second circuit  4   g   2  is simultaneously cooled to a temperature −t by the unit of thermal elements  2   g   2  on the second unit not subjected to the magnetic field. It is then guided toward the exterior of interface plate  3   g  by second evacuation orifice  32  toward the external “cold” circuit where the frigories are evacuated, for example, by means or one or more frigorie exchangers.  
         [0074]     With reference to  FIGS. 6A and 6B  and according to a fifth embodiment, heat exchanger  1   h , essentially similar to the preceding one, is differentiated by its channels  34  formed of a network of perforations traversing interface plate  3   h . This traversing perforations, which may be formed by casting, machining, or any other adapted technique, are equipped with stoppers (not shown) permitting selective blockage to form interface circuits  4   h   1 ,  4   h   2 . According to the configuration chosen, these traversing perforations may be located on a single level within interface plate  3   h  or on different levels, thereby preventing crossover. This solution offers the advantage of not requiring any closing plate. The operation of this heat exchanger  1   h  is essentially similar to the preceding one, with thermal elements  2   h   1 ,  2   h   2  in each unit being connected in parallel to define two interface circuits  4   h   1 ,  4   h   2 .  
         [0075]     With reference to  FIGS. 7A and 7B  and according to a sixth embodiment, heat exchanger  1   i , essentially similar to the one in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , is differentiated by the fact that each of its thermal elements  2   i  is traversed by two conduits and thus comprises four orifices, two of which are inlet orifices  21  and two of which are outlet orifices  22 . Channels  34  on interface plate  3   i  simultaneously connect all the thermal elements  2   i  to a first interface circuit  4   i   1  and these same thermal elements  2   i  to a second interface circuit  4   i   2 , said interface circuits  4   i   1  and  4   i   2  being independent. The operation of this heat exchanger  1   i  can be broken down into two stages represented schematically and superimposed in  FIG. 7B :  
         [0076]     a first stage in which all the thermal elements  2   i  are subjected to the magnetic field, heating up and heating the thermal fluid present in the first interface circuit  4   i   1 ; and  
         [0077]     a second step in which all the thermal elements  2   i  are no longer subjected to the magnetic field, cooling down and cooling the thermal fluid present in the second interface circuit  4   i   2 .  
         [0078]     The passage from one stage to the other is obtained by alternately supplying the fixed electromagnets located opposite thermal elements  2   i . This heat exchanger  1   i  can obviously be combined with another similar or dissimilar thermal exchanger  1   i , diagonally from the connecting interface plate, or any other adapted means.  
         [0079]      FIG. 8A  shows a heat exchanger  1   j  essentially similar to the preceding one.  
         [0080]     Thermal elements  2   j   1  and  2   j   2  supported by interface plate  3   j  are traversed by two conduits connected in series. The operation of this thermal heat exchanger  1   j  can be broken down into two stages, shown separately by  FIGS. 8A and 8B , essentially similar to the two stages of heat exchanger  1   a  in FIGS.  1 A-J. This configuration is special because conduits  20  of thermal elements  2   j   1 ,  2   j   2  and channels  34  define four interface circuits  4   j   1 ,  4   j   2 ,  4   j   3 , and  4   j   4 . In effect, this heat exchanger  1   j  eliminates the need for switching means necessary to alternately connect thermal elements  1   j  to the external “hot” and “cold” circuits. This thermal heat exchanger  1   j  may obviously be combined with another similar or dissimilar thermal exchanger  1   j , diagonally from a connecting interface plate, or any other adapted means.  
         [0081]     With reference to  FIGS. 9-11 , heat exchangers  1   k - o  comprise several groups  200   k - o  of thermal elements  2   k - o  and complementary connection means  300   k - o  allowing them to communicate. In these examples, the complementary connection means are joined to interface plates  3   k - o  and comprise one or more complementary channels  340  connecting channels  34  (not shown in these drawings) in each group  200   k - o.    
         [0082]     In the example shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , heat exchanger  1   k  comprises two groups  200   k ,  200   k ′ of thermal elements  2   k ,  2   k ′ each equipped with an interface plate  3   k    3   k ′ essentially similar to that of FIGS.  2 A-C. Interface plates  3   k ,  3   k ′ comprise lateral extensions  300   k ,  300   k ′ extending axially, comprising a complementary channel  340  and defining the complementary connection means. Complementary channel  340  in each lateral extension  300   k ,  300   k ′ comprises two conduits  341 ,  342  and two orifices  343  for connection to an exterior circuit or to another interface plate. Groups  200   k ,  200   k ′ are superimposed such that conduits  341 ,  342  are each located in the extension of the other. Conduits  341 ,  342  are therefore provided to define a complementary connecting circuit joining the interface circuits in each group  200   k ,  200   k ′ in series, in parallel, or in a mixed series/parallel combination.  
         [0083]     Heat exchanger  11  shown in  FIG. 10  is constructed in a manner essentially similar to the preceding one. It comprises four groups  200   l ,  200   l ′,  200   l ″ of thermal elements  21 ,  21 ′,  21 ″ (only three of which are represented), supported by two pairs of interface plates  31 ,  31 ′ allowing the groups  200   l ,  200   l ′,  200   l ″ to be arranged side by side in pairs and stacked. Each pair of interface plates  31 ,  31 ′ comprises a lateral extension  300   l ,  300   l ′ equipped with conduits  341 ,  342  and connecting orifices (not shown) provided to define a complementary connecting circuit joining the interface circuits of groups  200   l ,  200   l ′,  200   l ” in series, in parallel, or in a mixed series/parallel combination. It is obviously possible to provide triple interface plates or other numbers in order to have multiple groups of thermal elements.  
         [0084]     Heat exchangers  1   m - o  shown in FIGS.  11 A-C are constructed in a manner essentially similar to those in FIGS.  3 A-E.  
         [0085]     Heat exchanger  1   m  in  FIG. 11A  comprises three groups  200   m ,  200   m ′,  200   m ″ of thermal elements  2   m ,  2   m ′,  2   m ″ superimposed by interface plates  3   m ,  3   m ′,  3   m ″. Two of the interface plates  3   m ,  3   m ′,  3   m ″ comprise two lateral extensions  300   m ,  300   m ′ equipped with conduits  341 ,  342  and with connecting orifices to define a complementary connecting circuit joining the interface circuits of the different groups in series, in parallel, or in a series/parallel combination.  
         [0086]     Heat exchanger  1   n  in  FIG. 1B  comprises two groups  200   n ,  200   n ′ of thermal elements  2   n ,  2   n ′ supported by a single interface plate  3   n  allowing groups  200   n ,  200   n ′ to be aligned side by side. Said interface plate  3   n  comprises complementary a channel (not shown) for connecting the interface circuits of groups  200   n ,  200   n ′ in series, in parallel, or in a series/parallel combination. In addition, it comprises connecting orifices  343  to allow connection to an external circuit or to another interface plate.  
         [0087]     Heat exchanger  10  in  FIG. 11C  combines the two preceding examples by allowing the superimposition combined with the side-by-side alignment of three groups  200   o ,  200   o ′,  200 ″ of thermal elements  2   o ,  2   o ′,  2   o ″ and connecting them through a complementary circuit using two interface plates  30 ,  30 ′.  
         [0088]     These last embodiments allow the configuration and operation of the heat exchangers of the invention to be modified at will in order to produce stronger thermal power or higher thermal intensity.  
         [0089]     In these examples, the magnetic fields are generated by permanent magnets, movable magnetic assemblies, or fixed alternately supplied electromagnets. Obviously, they could be generated by any other equivalent means.  
         [0090]     This description clearly shows that heat exchanger  1   a - o  of the invention responds to the stated objectives. More specifically, it provides a simple, reliable means of connecting a significant number of thermal elements  2   a - o  by replacing pipes and conventional connections with an interface plate  3   a - o  integrating channels  34  in the form of grooves and/or perforations, and connectors in the form of connecting orifices  30  and traversing orifices  40 ,  50 . This interface allows the simultaneous connection of thermal elements  2   a - o  in a single group  200   a - o  and/or several distinct groups  200   a - o  and/or several heat exchangers  1   a - o  in a series, parallel, or a mixed connection, configurations that are currently difficult or impossible to achieve. The significantly smaller number of mechanical parts leads to increased reliability in use, limits leakage, and reduces both the manufacturing and maintenance costs of heat exchanger  1   a - o.    
         [0091]     This type of heat exchanger  1   a - o  can be used in any industrial or domestic application that requires cooling, heating, air conditioning, or temperature regulation.  
         [0092]     The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described, but extends to any modification or variation obvious to a person skilled in the art which remains within the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.