Magnetic refrigeration device and magnetic refrigeration system

Abstract

In a magnetic refrigeration device, magnetic bodies having a magnetocaloric effect and solid heat accumulation members having heat accumulation effect are arranged alternately with gaps therebetween. Magnetic field apply units start and stop application of magnetic fields to the magnetic bodies. A contact mechanism brings each of the magnetic bodies into contact with one of the solid heat accumulation members adjacent to the each magnetic body. Alternatively, the contact mechanism brings each of the solid heat accumulation members into contact with one of the magnetic bodies adjacent to the each solid heat accumulation members.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A magnetic refrigeration device comprising:
 a plurality of stationary members arranged in parallel with each other, with gaps defined between adjacent ones of the stationary members, each of the stationary members being formed of one of a magnetic body having a magnetocaloric effect, and a solid heat accumulation member having a heat accumulation effect, the adjacent ones of the stationary members opposing each other;   a plurality of movable members arranged in parallel with each other, and permitted to be brought into contact with the adjacent stationary members within the respective gaps and thermally connected to the adjacent stationary members, each of the movable members being formed of the other of the magnetic body and the solid heat accumulation member;   a magnetic field apply unit configured to start and stop application of a magnetic field to the magnetic body; and   a moving mechanism configured to selectively bring the movable members to the corresponding stationary members in synchronism with the start and stop of the application of the magnetic field of the magnetic field apply unit.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the moving mechanism comprises a driving unit configured to drive the movable members using an external magnetic attraction force. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the moving mechanism comprises a driving unit configured to drive the movable members using an electrostatic force. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein an insulating layer is formed on at least one of the stationary member and the movable member opposing each other with the corresponding gap. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising sealing means for maintaining each of the gaps at a reduced pressure. 
     
     
         6 . A magnetic refrigeration system comprising the magnetic refrigeration device recited in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A magnetic refrigeration system comprising
 a plurality of magnetic refrigeration devices arranged substantially along a circle and each including:
 a stationary members arranged in parallel with each other, with gaps defined between adjacent ones of the stationary members, each of the stationary members being formed of one of a magnetic body having a magnetocaloric effect, and a solid heat accumulation member having a heat accumulation effect, the adjacent ones of the stationary members opposing each other; and 
 a plurality of movable members arranged in parallel with each other, and permitted to be brought into contact with the adjacent stationary members within the respective gaps and thermally connected to the adjacent stationary members, each of the movable members being formed of the other of the magnetic body and the solid heat accumulation member; 
   at least one magnetic field apply unit provided along the circle over or below the plurality of magnetic refrigeration devices and configured to start and stop application of a magnetic field to the magnetic body; and   a moving mechanism configured to selectively bring the movable members to the corresponding stationary members in synchronism with the start and stop of the application of the magnetic field of the magnetic field apply unit.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of magnetic refrigeration devices are thermally connected to each other in series or in parallel.