Magnetic refrigerator

A magnetic refrigerator, comprising:

• a plurality of magnetic heat exchange units, each magnetic heat exchange unit comprising a case and a plurality of magnetocaloric material pieces for exchanging heat with a flow of a heat transfer fluid, wherein the magnetocaloric material pieces are spaced apart in the case such that each of the plurality of magnetocaloric material pieces and the case have a predetermined distance therebetween;
• a rotating plate, the plurality of magnetic heat exchange units being disposed along a circumference of the rotating plate and spaced apart at a predetermined distance, each of the magnetic heat exchange units being mounted in a manner that its case passes through the rotating plate in a vertical direction and a portion of its case extends from a lower surface the rotating plate;
• a magnet disposed below a bottom surface of the rotating plate and on opposite sides of the extending portion of the case of one of the magnetic heat exchange units, the magnet applying a magnetic field to increase a temperature of the magnetic heat exchange units when the plurality of magnetic heat exchange units pass;
• a hot heat exchange member disposed at a hot side of the plurality of magnetic heat exchange units;
• and
• a cold heat exchange member disposed at a cold side of the plurality of magnetic heat exchange units,
• wherein the heat transfer fluid is divided into a first heat transfer fluid circulating in the hot heat exchange member and a second heat transfer fluid circulating in the cold heat exchange member.

A magnetic refrigerator comprising:

• a first rotating plate in which is mounted a plurality of first magnetic heat exchange units configured to exchange heat with a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, disposed along a circumference thereof, each of the plurality of first magnetic heat exchange units including a case including an upper case and lower case and a first magnetocaloric material sealed in the case to prevent direct contact between the first magnetocaloric material and the first heat transfer fluid, a temperature of the first magnetocaloric material changing when a magnetic field is applied;
• a first magnet disposed along portions of an upper surface and a bottom surface of the first rotating plate, the first magnet applying a magnetic field to increase a temperature of the first magnetocaloric material of the first magnetic heat exchange units in the magnetic field;
• a hot heat exchange member disposed at a hot side of the plurality of first magnetic heat exchange units and configured to circulate the first heat transfer fluid;
• a second rotating plate in which is mounted a plurality of second magnetic heat exchange units configured to exchange heat with a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, disposed along a circumference thereof, each of the plurality of second magnetic heat exchange units including a second magnetocaloric material, a temperature of the second magnetocaloric material changing when a magnetic field is applied;
• a second magnet configured to apply a magnetic field to increase a temperature of the second magnetocaloric material of the second magnetic heat exchange units in the magnetic field;
• a cold heat exchange member disposed at a cold side of the plurality of first second magnetic heat exchange units and configured to circulate the second heat transfer fluid;
• and
• an intermediate circulation member for guiding an intermediate heat transfer fluid circulating between the cold side of the plurality of first magnetic heat exchange units and a hot side of the plurality of second magnetic heat exchange units.