Magnetocaloric module for magnetic refrigeration apparatus

Abstract

A magnetocaloric module for a magnetic refrigeration apparatus includes: a bed having an inner surface; a magnetocaloric material filled in the bed; and an insulating layer formed over the inner surface, isolating the magnetocaloric material from the bed. With the use of the insulating layer, thermal conduction between the magnetocaloric material and the bed can be reduced and Galvanic corrosion which may occur to the bed can be prevented. Also, a temperature gradient of the magnetocaloric module may be further extended.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magnetocaloric module for a magnetic refrigeration apparatus, comprising:
 a bed having an inner surface;   a magnetocaloric material filled in the bed; and   an insulating layer formed over the inner surface, isolating the magnetocaloric material from the bed.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insulating layer entirely covers the inner surface of the bed and the magnetocaloric material fails to contact the inner surface of the bed. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the insulating layer is a single layer. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the insulating layer is a composite layer comprising a first insulating sub-layer and a second insulating sub-layer, and the first insulating sub-layer and the second insulating sub-layer respectively covers a different portion of the inner surface of the bed. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the insulating layer is a composite layer comprising a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, and the first insulating layer entirely covers the inner surface of the bed and the second insulating layer entirely covers a surface of the first insulating layer. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insulating layer covers most of the inner surface of the bed and a portion of about 0-50% of the inner surface of the bed is exposed such that the magnetocaloric material partially contacts the inner surface of the bed. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insulating layer covers most of the inner surface of the bed and a portion of about 10-45% of the inner surface of the bed is exposed such that the magnetocaloric material partially contacts the inner surface of the bed. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the insulating layer is a single layer. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the insulating layer is a composite layer comprising a first insulating sub-layer and a second insulating sub-layer, and one of the first insulating sub-layer and the second insulating sub-layer exposes the portion of the inner surface of the bed. 
     
     
         10 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the insulating layer is a composite layer comprising a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, and the first insulating layer partially covers the inner surface of the bed and the second insulating layer entirely covers a surface of the first insulating layer. 
     
     
         11 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bed comprises magnetic permeable materials. 
     
     
         12 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic permeable materials comprise steels or irons. 
     
     
         13 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bed is formed with a shape selected from a group consisting of a rectangular shape, cylindrical shape, and polygonal shape. 
     
     
         14 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insulating layer comprise foamed materials, silica gel, rubber, or gas-filled foamed materials, or latexes. 
     
     
         15 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the magnetocaloric material comprises FeRh, Gd 5 Si 2 Ge 2 , Gd 5 (Si 1-x Ge x ) 4 , RCo 2 , La(Fe 13-x Si x ), MnAs 1-x Sb x , MnFe(P, As), MnFe(P, Si), Co(S 1-x Se x ) 2 , NiMnSn, MnCoGeB, or R 1-x M x MnO 3 , (where R=lanthanide, M=Ca, Sr and Ba). 
     
     
         16 . The magnetocaloric module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the magnetocaloric material is formed in a configuration selected from a group consisting of a particle-like, mesh-like, flake-like, tube-like, rod-like, sheet-like and honeycomb-like configuration.