Thermomagnetic cycle device

Abstract

A device comprises an element bed providing a plurality of unit channels each containing an NICE element. The heat transport device has a channel switching mechanism and a biasing mechanism. The channel switching mechanism forms an inlet valve for allowing the heat transport medium to flow into the unit channel and an outlet valve for allowing the heat transport medium to flow out of the unit channel. The biasing mechanism applies different biasing forces to the inlet valve and the outlet valve. The magnitude relationship of the biasing force is the same as the magnitude relationship between the pressure of the heat transport medium acting on the inlet valve and the pressure of the heat transport medium acting on the outlet valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermomagnetic cycle device comprising:
 an element bed which provides a plurality of unit channels each containing an MCE element demonstrating a magneto caloric effect;   a magnetic field modulation device which modulates a magnetic field applied to the element bed; and   a heat transport device for generating a reciprocating flow of a heat transport medium which exchanges heat with the MCE element   the heat transport device includes:   a unidirectional pump which flows the heat transport medium;   a channel switching mechanism which forms, at one end and/or the other end of the unit channel, an inlet valve which allows the heat transport medium to flow into the unit channel and an outlet valve which allows the heat transport medium to flow out of the unit channel; and   a biasing mechanism for applying different biasing forces to the inlet valve and the outlet valve, wherein   a magnitude relationship of the biasing forces is the same as the magnitude relationship between the pressure of the heat transport medium acting on the inlet valve and the pressure of the heat transport medium acting on the outlet valve.   
     
     
         2 . The thermomagnetic cycle device claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the channel switching mechanism is disposed to oppose the plurality of unit channels, includes a plurality of segments providing the inlet valve and the outlet valve, and comprises a valve element which rotates relative to the plurality of unit channels.   
     
     
         3 . The thermomagnetic cycle device claimed in  claim 2 , wherein
 the biasing mechanism generates a pressing force that presses the element bed and the segment.   
     
     
         4 . The thermomagnetic cycle device claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the channel switching mechanism includes a plurality of on-off valves each fixedly arranged in one unit channel and providing the inlet valve and the outlet valve.   
     
     
         5 . The thermomagnetic cycle device claimed in  claim 4 , wherein
 the biasing mechanism adjusts a compression amount of a seal member of the on-off valve.   
     
     
         6 . The thermomagnetic cycle device claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the biasing mechanism includes a variable element that varies the biasing force according to the pressure of the heat transport medium.   
     
     
         7 . The thermomagnetic cycle device claimed in  claim 6 , wherein
 the variable element is a pressure sensitive element whose dimension changes in accordance with the pressure of the heat transport medium.   
     
     
         8 . The thermomagnetic cycle device claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the biasing mechanism includes an invariable element that applies the biasing force independent of the pressure of the heat transport medium.   
     
     
         9 . The thermomagnetic cycle device claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the biasing mechanism includes an elastic member.   
     
     
         10 . The thermomagnetic cycle device claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the biasing mechanism includes an electromagnetic movable mechanism.