A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a magneto-caloric cylinder with a plurality of magneto-caloric stages. A length of one of the plurality of magneto-caloric stages is different than a length of another of the plurality of magneto-caloric stages. Each of a plurality of thermal stages includes a plurality of magnets and a non-magnetic ring. The plurality of magnets is distributed along a circumferential direction within the non-magnetic ring in each of the plurality of thermal stages. The length of each of the plurality of thermal stages corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of magneto-caloric stages.

A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a plurality of thermal stages stacked along an axial direction between a cold side and a hot side. A plurality of magnets is distributed along a circumferential direction within a non-magnetic ring in each of the plurality of thermal stages. Each of the plurality of thermal stages between a cold side thermal stage and a hot side thermal stage is positioned between a respective pair of the plurality of thermal stages along the axial direction. The plurality of magnets of each of the plurality of thermal stages between the cold side thermal stage and the hot side thermal stage is spaced from the non-magnetic ring of one of the respective pair of the plurality of thermal stages along the axial direction and is in conductive thermal contact with the non-magnetic ring of the other of the respective pair of the plurality of thermal stages.

Devices in which a toroidal mass rotates within a pressurized housing vessel, such as rotary wheel Active Magnetic Regenerative Refrigerators (AMRR) and Active Magnetic Regenerative Liquefiers (AMRL), are disclosed. Mechanical gap-type seal designs (e.g., labyrinth seal designs) for controlling (e.g., minimizing) and/or directing fluid flows in the space between a rotating torus and a stationary housing are disclosed. Additional features, such as the use of low friction surface coatings, the generation of low pressure gradients in high pressure heat transfer fluid transiting porous regenerative beds, and the use of pressure bladders to apply adjustable spring pressure to sealing surfaces are also disclosed and contribute to improved device efficiency and desired fluid flows.

Magnetic refrigerating device improves refrigerating capacity and efficiency by improving the heat exchanging method between a magnetic material and a heat exchanging fluid and devising a magnetic field applying method. The magnetic refrigerating device comprises: a cylindrical active magnetic regenerator (AMR) bed accommodating refrigerant therein; two magnetic materials disposed in the AMR bed in the axial direction, configured to be movable in the axial direction of the AMR bed, and made of material having a magnetocaloric effect; at least two permanent magnets positioned to face the two magnetic materials; a rotary shaft positioned between the two magnetic materials in the AMR bed and positioned between the at least two permanent magnets; and a magnetic rotary movement unit that rotationally moves the permanent magnets about the rotary shaft and that repeatedly moves the permanent magnets and the two magnetic materials closer together and farther apart in association with the rotational movement.

An air vent for thermally controlling the temperature in the cabin of a vehicle. The air vent includes an air mover and a plurality of thermal control channels. Each thermal control channel of the plurality of thermal control channels includes a magnetocaloric material. Further, the air vent includes a magnet for inducing a changing magnetic field in the magnetocaloric material, as well as a vent damper downstream of the plurality of thermal control channels. The vent damper is configured to selectively direct airflow from the air mover and divert air from at least one thermal control channel to a vent space and air from at least one other thermal control channel to a regulated temperature space.

A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a magneto-caloric cylinder with a plurality of magneto-caloric stages. Each of the plurality of magneto-caloric stages has a respective Currie temperature. The magneto-caloric cylinder has a length along an axial direction. The plurality of magneto-caloric stages is distributed along the length of the magneto-caloric cylinder. A plurality of thermal stages also has a length along the axial direction. The length of the plurality of thermal stages is less than the length of the magneto-caloric cylinder. The magneto-caloric cylinder is received within the plurality of thermal stages such that the magneto-caloric cylinder is movable along the axial direction relative to the plurality of thermal stages.

A thermomagnetic cycle device has a plurality of element beds including a magneto-caloric effect element that demonstrates a magneto-caloric effect. A magnetic field modulation device modulates a magnetic field applied to the magneto-caloric effect element. A heat transport device generates a reciprocating flow of a heat transport medium which performs heat-exchange with the magneto-caloric effect element. A variable flow path mechanism activates a part of the plurality of element beds and deactivates a remaining part. A controller determines an active bed number according to a required capacity. The active element bed is arranged to suppress torque fluctuations.

A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a plurality of elongated magneto-caloric members. Each of a plurality of thermal stages includes a plurality of magnets and a plurality of non-magnetic blocks distributed in a sequence of magnet then non-magnetic block along a transverse direction. The plurality of thermal stages and the plurality of elongated magneto-caloric members are configured for relative motion along the transverse direction. The plurality of magnets and the plurality of non-magnetic blocks are spaced along the transverse direction within each of the plurality of thermal stages. Each of the plurality of magnets in the plurality of thermal stages is spaced from a respective non-magnetic block in an adjacent thermal stage towards a cold side thermal stage along the lateral direction and is in conductive thermal contact with a respective non-magnetic block in an adjacent thermal stage towards a hot side thermal stage along the lateral direction.

An electromagnetic induction system for providing either heating or cooling. A sleeve shaped component extends within the housing and supports a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending electro-magnetic plates. An elongated conductive component is rotatably supported about the sleeve support and incorporates a plurality of linearly spaced apart and radially projecting conductive plates which alternate with the electro-magnetic plates. A motor rotates the conductive component such that rotation of the conductive plates results in the creation of an oscillating magnetic field for conditioning of the fluid by either heating or cooling of the fluid. A controller adjusts an intensity of the magnetic fields to adjust a level of conditioning of the fluid flow which is communicated via the conductive component through an outlet of the housing.

The invention is for an apparatus and method for a refrigerator and a heat pump based on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) offering a simpler, lighter, robust, more compact, environmentally compatible, and energy efficient alternative to traditional vapor-compression devices. The subject magnetocaloric apparatus alternately exposes a magnetocaloric material to strong and weak magnetic field while switching heat to and from the material. Action of the heat switches is coordinated with the magnetic field strength to move heat up the thermal gradient. The invention may be practiced with multiple magnetocaloric stages to attain large differences in temperature. Key applications include thermal management of electronics, as well as industrial and home refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning. The invention offers a simpler, lighter, compact, and robust apparatus compared to magnetocaloric devices of prior art. Furthermore, the invention may be run in reverse as a thermodynamic engine, receiving low-level heat and producing mechanical energy.