Nanocomposite material for magnetic refrigeration and superparamagnetic systems using the same
US5381664A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 28, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/838
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A nanocomposite superparamagnetic material that includes nanosize particles of a magnetic component, preferably a rare earth and a transition element, dispersed finely within a bulk matrix component provides finely dispersed magnetic clusters, whereby a high magnetocaloric effect is obtained in using the nanocomposite material in a conventional magnetic refrigeration system. In one aspect of the present invention, an element formed of such a nanocomposite superparamagnetic material is reciprocated into and out of a heat exchanger within a controlled magnetic field and is in heat transfer communication with a second heat exchanger to facilitate the production of a refrigeration heat transfer effect thereby. In another aspect of the present invention, a generally disk-like element formed of the nanocomposite superparamagnetic material is rotated so that portions thereof move between a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger that is within a controlled magnetic field, to thereby perform refrigeration heat transfer between the two heat exchangers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.