This magnetic refrigeration module includes a magnetic refrigeration operation unit which has a magnetic refrigeration material, and extends in a longitudinal direction, and a fixed magnetic field excitation unit and a variable magnetic field excitation unit which are disposed apart from each other in an outer peripheral direction of the magnetic refrigeration operation unit, in which the fixed magnetic field excitation unit applies a fixed magnetic field to the magnetic refrigeration operation unit, and the variable magnetic field excitation unit applies a variable magnetic field to the magnetic refrigeration operation unit when being in an ON state and does not apply the variable magnetic field to the magnetic refrigeration operation unit when being in an OFF state.

This magnetic refrigeration module includes a magnetic refrigeration operation unit which has a magnetic refrigeration material, and extends in a longitudinal direction, and a fixed magnetic field excitation unit and a variable magnetic field excitation unit which are disposed apart from each other in an outer peripheral direction of the magnetic refrigeration operation unit, in which the fixed magnetic field excitation unit applies a fixed magnetic field to the magnetic refrigeration operation unit, and the variable magnetic field excitation unit applies a variable magnetic field to the magnetic refrigeration operation unit when being in an ON state and does not apply the variable magnetic field to the magnetic refrigeration operation unit when being in an OFF state.

A building heating or cooling system is disclosed that includes an air handling system having an air delivery flow path in fluid communication with a conditioned space in the building. The building heating or cooling system also includes an electrocaloric heating or cooling system that includes first and second electrocaloric modules. A first inlet receives air from the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path and directs it through the first or second electrocaloric module to a first outlet to the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path, and a second inlet that receives air from the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path and directs it through the first or second electrocaloric module to a second outlet to outside the conditioned space.

A building heating or cooling system is disclosed that includes an air handling system having an air delivery flow path in fluid communication with a conditioned space in the building. The building heating or cooling system also includes an electrocaloric heating or cooling system that includes first and second electrocaloric modules. A first inlet receives air from the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path and directs it through the first or second electrocaloric module to a first outlet to the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path, and a second inlet that receives air from the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path and directs it through the first or second electrocaloric module to a second outlet to outside the conditioned space.

A piezoelectric cooling chamber and method for providing the cooling system are described. The cooling chamber includes a piezoelectric cooling element, an array of orifices and a valve. A vibrational motion of the piezoelectric cooling element causes an increase or decrease in a chamber volume as the piezoelectric cooling element is deformed. The array of orifices is distributed on at least one surface of the chamber. The orifices allow escape of fluid from within the chamber during the decrease in the chamber volume in response to the vibration of the piezoelectric element. The valve is configured to admit fluid into the chamber when the chamber volume increases and to substantially prevent fluid from exiting the chamber through the valve when the chamber volume decreases.

Various implementations of the invention correspond to an improved vortex flux generator. In some implementations of the invention, the improved vortex flux generator includes a magnetic circuit configured to produce a magnetic field; a quench controller configured to provide a variable current; a vortex material configured to form and subsequently dissipate a vortex in response to the variable current, wherein upon formation of the vortex, a magnetic field density surrounding the vortex is urged to decrease, and wherein upon subsequent dissipation of the vortex, the urging to decrease ceases and the magnetic field density increases prior to a reformation of the vortex, and wherein the decrease of the magnetic field density and the increase of the magnetic field density correspond to a modulation of the magnetic field; an inductor disposed in a vicinity of the vortex such that the modulation of the magnetic field induces an electrical current in the inductor; and a dissipation superconductor electrically disposed in parallel with the vortex material and configured to carry, without quenching, an entirety of the variable current during dissipation of the vortex in the vortex material.

An appliance includes an ice maker and a caloric heat pump system for cooling the ice maker. The caloric heat pump system includes a pump for circulating a heat transfer fluid between first and second heat exchangers and caloric material stages in order to cool the ice maker with the first heat exchanger. A related ice making appliance is also provided.

An appliance includes an ice maker and a caloric heat pump system for cooling the ice maker. The caloric heat pump system includes a pump for circulating a heat transfer fluid between first and second heat exchangers and caloric material stages in order to cool the ice maker with the first heat exchanger. A related ice making appliance is also provided.

Heat pump cycle provided with a fluidic loop connecting two heat exchangers. The fluidic loop is filled with an electro-caloric liquid as a heat transfer medium. Applying electric filed in one of the heat exchangers the temperature of the electro-caloric liquid is changed.

Heat pump cycle provided with a fluidic loop connecting two heat exchangers. The fluidic loop is filled with an electro-caloric liquid as a heat transfer medium. Applying electric filed in one of the heat exchangers the temperature of the electro-caloric liquid is changed.