Combination Thermo-Electric and Magnetic Refrigeration System

Abstract

A refrigeration system has a compartment and a first cooling device. The first cooling device cools the compartment and generates a magnetic field. The refrigeration system also has a second device. The second device uses the generated magnetic field for additional cooling to the compartment.

1 . A refrigeration system comprising:
 a compartment;   a first cooling device, said first cooling device cooling said compartment and generating an magnetic field; and   a second device, wherein said second device uses said generated magnetic field for additional cooling.   
   
   
       2 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein said first cooling device has at least one thermoelectric element connected to a power source. 
   
   
       3 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein said first cooling device has a plurality of thermoelectric elements connected in series to a power source. 
   
   
       4 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein said first cooling device has a plurality of thermoelectric elements connected in series to a power source, said plurality of thermoelectric elements being wound in a cylindrical configuration. 
   
   
       5 . The refrigeration system of  claim 4 , wherein said second device comprises a rotating member, said rotating member having a channel, said channel having a working fluid therein, said rotating member having at least a portion being made from a material selected from the group consisting of a paramagnetic material, a ferromagnetic material, and any combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The refrigeration system of  claim 5 , wherein said magnetic field has a first intensity at a first area and has a second intensity at a second different area, wherein second device has said rotating member rotates from said first area to said second area, wherein said rotating member is disposed periodically in said magnetic field for heat exchanging with said working fluid. 
   
   
       7 . The refrigeration system of  claim 4 , wherein said second device comprises a movable member, said movable member having a channel therein, said channel having a working fluid therein, said moving member having at least a portion being made from a material selected from the group consisting of a paramagnetic material, a ferromagnetic material, and any combinations thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The refrigeration system of  claim 7 , wherein said magnetic field has a first intensity at a first area and has a second intensity at a second different area, wherein second device has said movable member or said magnetic field moving relative to the other, wherein said movable member is disposed periodically in said magnetic field for communicating heat with said working fluid therein. 
   
   
       9 . The refrigeration system of  claim 4 , wherein said second device comprises a coil, said being disposed in said magnetic field, said magnetic field inducing a current in said coil, said current for powering at least said first device. 
   
   
       10 . The refrigeration system of  claim 4 , wherein said first device has a working fluid through a conduit, wherein said second device comprises a plurality of fine magnetic particles, said plurality of fine magnetic particles being disposed in said working fluid. 
   
   
       11 . The refrigeration system of  claim 10 , wherein said first cooling device has said plurality of thermoelectric elements connected in series to said power source, said plurality of thermoelectric elements being wound in said cylindrical configuration and forming an interior path therethrough, and wherein said working fluid in said conduit is disposed through said interior path with said fine magnetic particles therein. 
   
   
       12 . The refrigeration system of  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of fine magnetic particles are suspended in said working fluid. 
   
   
       13 . The refrigeration system of  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of fine magnetic particles suspended in said working fluid, said plurality of fine magnetic particles suitable to substantially not adversely affect a flow rate of said working fluid. 
   
   
       14 . The refrigeration system of  claim 12 , wherein said working fluid comprises ethylene glycol. 
   
   
       15 . A temperature control system comprising:
 a compartment;   a first cooling and heating device, said first cooling and heating device cooling and/or heating said compartment and generating an magnetic field as a waste energy; and   a second magnetic device, wherein said second magnetic device comprises a magnetic material, said magnetic material periodically being introduced in a generated magnetic field for recapturing said waste energy from said magnetic field and using said waste energy to power the temperature control system.   
   
   
       16 . A refrigeration system comprising:
 a compartment;   a first cooling device, said first cooling device cooling said compartment and generating an magnetic field; and   a second magnetic refrigerator, wherein said second magnetic refrigerator comprises a magnetic material, said magnetic material periodically being introduced in said generated magnetic field, wherein said second magnetic refrigerator has a working fluid being thermally connected to said second magnetic refrigerator, wherein said working fluid is connected to said compartment for additional cooling.   
   
   
       17 - 18 . (canceled)