MXPA06004454A - Device for generating a thermal flux with magneto-caloric material - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns an efficient and reliable device of simple design and use for generating a thermal flux with non-polluting magneto-caloric material, as well as economical and compact and capable of being used in large-scale industrial plants as well as for domestic applications. The device (3) for generating a thermal flux with magneto-caloric material comprises two thermal flux generating units (30) arranged adjacent to each other and provided each with thermal members (31) containing a magneto-caloric element and arranged in line along two rows borne by rectilinear frames (306). The thermal members (31) are alternately subjected to magnetic fields emitted by staggered U-shaped magnetic means (303), arranged on either side of two bars (304) mobile in alternating rectilinear translation. The thermal members (31) are traversed by a conduit containing a heating medium and connected to one or more heating medium circuits. In the presence or in the absence of the magnetic field, the temperature of the thermal members (31) rises or drops to a temperature below the initial temperature. The calories and frigories emitted by the thermal members (31) are recuperated by the heating medium to be evacuated via exchangers. The invention is useful for tempering, cooling, heating, preserving, drying, air conditioning.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THERMAL FLOW GENERATION WITH TECHNICAL FIELD Technical Field: The present invention relates to a device for generating a thermal flux with a magneto-caloric material carrying at least one thermal flow generation unit provided with at least two organs. thermal elements that each contain at least one magnetocaloric element, magnetic elements arranged to emit at least one magnetic field, displacement elements coupled to the magnetic elements to displace them in relation to the magnetocaloric elements in order to subject them to a variation or cancellation of the magnetic field to vary its temperature as well as elements of recovery of calories and / or frigories emitted by these magnetocaloric elements. Prior art: Conventional devices for cold generation usually carry a compressor to compress a cooling fluid to raise its temperature and distension elements to decompress this cooling fluid in order to cool it adiabatically. These conventional devices engender multiple disadvantages. In effect, gases such as CFC (chlorofluorocarbon), which are usually used as coolant, are extremely polluting and their use implies significant risks of atmospheric pollution and destruction of the ozone layer. Thus it can be established that such gases no longer meet the current requirements or the standards of many countries in the field of environment. In addition, such conventional devices that work under pressure require that they be installed and maintained by qualified and certified personnel, who must follow cumbersome procedures whose development requires long and repetitive intervention times. Finally, it can be said that these conventional devices are noisy, generate numerous vibrations, occupy a lot of space, are complicated and large consumers of electrical energy. Therefore, these conventional devices are not satisfactory. The research work has allowed to identify magnetocaloric materials that can be used in temperature adjustment and / or cooling installations. The magnetocaloric effect is the property that possesses certain materials to be heated under the effect in the magnetic field and cooled to a temperature below its initial level after the magnetic field disappears or subsequently to a variation in this field. A first technology, based on the use of magnetic supraconductor assemblies of large size, is being used in laboratories as well as in the field of nuclear research to reach temperatures close to absolute zero. In particular, US-A-4,674,288 describes a helium liquefaction device comprising a magnetizable substance movable in a magnetic field generated by a supraconducting coil and a deposit containing helium and in thermal conduction with said coil supraconductor The movement of translation of the magnetizable substance generates cold that is transmitted to helium by means of conductive elements. The use of a supraconducting material requires cooling installations with liquid nitrogen, which are bulky, expensive, and require delicate maintenance operations. These devices are complicated and can only be used for certain limited applications. Therefore, this solution is not satisfactory. The publication FR-A-2 525 748 has as its object a magnetic cooling device comprising a magnetizable material, a variable magnetic field generation system and heat and cold transfer elements carried by a chamber filled with a saturated liquid refrigerant . In a first position, the magnetizable material generates cold and the cold transfer elements extract the cold from the magnetizable material by condensing a coolant. In a second position, the magnetizable material generates heat and the heat transfer elements extract the heat of the magnetizable material by boiling or by heating another refrigerant. The overall efficiency of such systems is extremely weak and can not rival current cooling systems in terms of performance. Therefore it can be said that this solution is not economically satisfactory. Studies conducted in the United States of America have allowed to perfect a new process of generation of thermal flux through the use of a magnetocaloric material. Passing in front of the magnetic field, the magnetic moments of the magnetocaloric material are aligned, which causes a rearrangement of the atoms to generate the heating of the magnetocaloric material. Outside the magnetic field, the process is inverted and the magnetocaloric material is cooled until it reaches a temperature below its initial temperature. A first gadolinium-based material was developed. This material, effective at room temperature, has the drawback of being expensive and difficult to obtain for such an application. The less expensive and easier to obtain alloys are currently under study. A team of American researchers has developed and perfected a prototype that allows to validate the theoretical results of gadolinium investigations. This prototype has a disc formed by sectors containing a gadolinium alloy. The disk is guided in continuous rotation around its axis to parade its sectors within a magnetic field created by a fixed permanent magnet. This permanent magnet is placed above certain sectors of the disk. In front of the permanent magnet, the disk passes inside a thermal transfer block that carries a circuit of heat transfer fluid destined to transport the calories and / or the frigories generated by the gadolinium subjected to the presence and absence of the magnetic field. The heat transfer block can be designed in two ways. According to a first embodiment, the heat transfer block carries the nickname of block "blind" and the circuit passes through it without the heat transfer fluid being in direct contact with the disk. In this first case, the performance of the thermal exchanges is very weak and the device is not energetically profitable. According to a second embodiment, the heat transfer block carries inlet and outlet orifices that open into the rotating disk thus allowing the heat transfer fluid to be in contact with the disk. In this second case, it is still very difficult to use rotating joints, to ensure the hermetic condition, that is, the tightness between the disc and the thermal transfer block without affecting the overall performance of the device. Therefore, this solution is not satisfactory either. The publication WO-A-03/050456 also describes a magnetic cooling device with similar magnetocaloric material using two permanent magnets. This device has a ring enclosure "monoblock" that delimits twelve magnetocaloric compartments separated by joints and each receiving gadolinium in porous form. Each compartment is provided with a minimum of four holes of which one inlet and one outlet hole are joined to a hot circuit and another inlet and outlet hole are joined to a cold circuit. The two permanent magnets are excited with a continuous rotation movement so as to successively sweep the different fixed magnetocaloric compartments by successively submitting them to a different magnetic field. The calories and / or frigories emitted by the gadolinium from the different compartments are guided to heat exchangers by the hot and cold circuits of the heat transfer fluid to which they are joined successively by means of rotary joints, whose rotation is coupled by one or more belts with the drive shaft in continuous rotation of the two magnets. Thus, the conduit of the heat transfer fluid that passes through the fixed magnetocaloric compartments is joined successively to the hot and cold circuits by means of rotary joints. This device, which thus simulates the operation of a ring or collar of liquid, requires a precise synchronized continuous rotation of the different rotary joints and permanent magnets, which makes the device technically difficult and expensive to perform. Its principle of continuous operation limits its perspectives of technical evolution to a high degree. In addition, the construction of this device does not allow the use of a higher number of magnetocaloric compartments without economically affecting its performance and thus its technical effect is of little confidence. Finally, the use of rotary joints does not guarantee a good seal and reduces the life of that device. FR-A-2-601 440 discloses a magnetic cooling apparatus and method using a magnetocaloric substance that is in the form of a magnetocaloric disk, movable in rotation relative to a fixed magnetic ring that generates the magnetic field. In view of the fact that the magnetocaloric disc moves in rotation, it is difficult to guarantee the airtightness between the conduits that transport the heat transfer fluid and the external hot and cold thermal circuits that are fixed.

The publication XP 002047554 entitled "Rotary recuperative magnetic heat pump" (Magnetic, recuperative, rotary heat pump) describes a heat pump that carries a fixed magnetic rotor as well as mobile magnetocaloric discs of little thickness that carry a magnetocaloric material such as gadolinium. The variation of the magnetic field is achieved by continuous or alternative rotation of magnetocaloric discs. In this case, the operation is similar to the previous case and the apparatus has the same drawbacks. Description of the present invention: The present invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks by offering a device for generating a non-polluting, efficient, reliable thermal flow, of simple design and which can accept a considerable amount of thermal organs, with its evolutionary, flexible, modular nature, little burdensome, whose operation of installation and maintenance can be carried out by personnel without specialized qualification, and also indicates that the system consumes little electrical energy, the device has an optimized volume with a good performance and requires only a limited amount of magnetocaloric material and it can also be used in large-scale industrial installations as well as in domestic applications.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a thermal flow generating device with magnetocaloric material of the type indicated in the preamble and characterized in that the displacement elements are of an alternative character and are arranged to displace the magnetic elements referring to the magnetocaloric elements. according to an alternative movement that can be selected with the group consisting of at least one pivot, a pivot combined with a translation, a helical movement, a rectilinear, circular, sinusoidal translation or in accordance with any other adapted trajectory. According to a preferred embodiment, the recovery elements have at least one heat transfer fluid circuit, elements for the circulation of this heat transfer fluid in the circuit or, where appropriate, in the circuits, as well as evacuation elements of the calories and / or of the frigories recovered by the fluid or the heat transfer fluids, in which the circuit carries at least two transfer zones, each located in the immediate environment of one of the magnetocaloric elements and arranged so that the heat transfer fluid recovers the less in part the calories and / or the frigories emitted by the corresponding magnetocaloric element. The recovery elements can contain elements of reversal of the direction of heat transfer within their corresponding circuit. The recovery elements, preferably, have at least two circuits of heat transfer fluid, ie at least one "hot circuit" for the calories and at least one "cold circuit" for the frigories as well as switching elements arranged to join alternatively each transfer zone to any of the circuits for the heat transfer fluid. Advantageously, the device carries synchronization elements arranged to synchronize the elements of alternative displacements to the switching elements so that, according to the magnetic field to which it is subjected, each magnetocaloric element, the transfer zone corresponding to any of the the circuits for the heat transfer fluid. The magnetocaloric element advantageously leads, and at least, to one of the magnetocaloric materials selected from the group consisting of at least gadolinium (Gd), a gadolinium alloy that carries at least one of the materials selected from the group comprised of at least silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), while the magnetocaloric material can be presented in any of the selected forms of the group composed of a block, a pill, powder, or an agglomerate of pieces. The use of magnetocaloric materials has different temperature fields and thus it is possible to obtain a wide range of powers and temperatures. Each thermal element is sold, at least in part, from a conductive material selected on the basis of its good thermal conduction and which is chosen from the group consisting of at least copper, copper alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, steels , alloys of steel, stainless and alloys of stainless material. Preferably, at least one of the thermal elements carries at least one transverse conduit which has at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice, which are connected to the circuit for the heat transfer fluid, while the transversal duct defines the corresponding transfer zone. In a particularly advantageous manner, at least one of the thermal organs carries a single transverse conduit carrying a single inlet and a single outlet orifice, which are joined to the circuit, while the transverse conduit defines the corresponding transfer zone. . The magnetic elements preferably have at least one magnetic element that is at least provided with a permanent magnet. This magnetic element can have at least one magnetizable material arranged to concentrate and direct the lines of the field of the permanent magnet, selecting this magnetizable material from the group consisting of at least iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), sweet iron, vanadium ( V), or an assembly of these materials. The magnetic element preferably has a U or C shape arranged to receive between its branches and alternatively, the magnetocaloric element. Depending on the magnetic field that must be generated, it can be different and of course the shape of the magnetic element can be optimized. Advantageously, the thermal elements are independent and are separated by at least one thermally insulating element chosen from the group which is integrated by at least one space or an insulating material. It can also carry several magnetic elements held with a support coupled to the alternative movement elements. According to a first embodiment, the support is basically circular and is defined at least with a ring mounted in a pivoting manner and alternately on its axis, carrying this ring radially to the magnetic elements, while the thermal organs define circular sectors arranged substantially in a circle and consecutively to be covered, in a forked system, freely, by the magnetic elements.

In this configuration the magnetic elements can be oriented so that the grooves of the U-shaped or C-shaped shapes are basically parallel or perpendicular to the pivoting axis of the ring and then the thermal elements can be orientated respectively in a fundamental way in a parallel or perpendicular direction to the pivot axis of the support. According to a second embodiment, the support is substantially rectilinear and defines at least one bar, mobile in alternative rectilinear translation, bar carrying magnetic elements, while the thermal organs are supported by at least one surrounding frame to the bar and that are placed substantially in line to be covered, in a forked manner, and in free form, by the magnetic elements. In this configuration, the magnetic elements can be arranged in a system called staggered on both sides of the bar to define two rows and the frame can carry two sets of thermal organs each corresponding to the magnetic elements of one of the rows. A part of the thermal elements is advantageously supported by at least one plate in which communication holes have been made for the passage of the heat transfer fluid to the corresponding circuit. The circulation elements are advantageously chosen from the group consisting of a pump such as a circulator and a thermosiphon circulation, at least. The evacuation elements preferably have at least two heat exchangers in which at least one heat exchanger is connected to the "hot circuit" and a heat exchanger to the "cold circuit". The alternative drive or drive elements can be selected from the group comprising at least one motor, a jack, a spring mechanism, a wind turbine, an electromagnet or a hydrogenerator. The device advantageously carries several thermal flow generation units linked in series, in parallel or in a combination of series and parallel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: The present invention and its advantages will be more adequately expressed in the following description that refers to various embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the attached drawings, in which : Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a device according to the invention and according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a sectional view, sideways, of a thermal organ of the heat transfer fluid of the device of Figure 1; Figures 3A-B are perspective views, respectively from below and from above of the device of Figure 1; - Figures 4A-C are respectively perspective views, exploded, from above and from below, of a device according to the invention, according to a second mode of execution; Figures 5A-C are perspective views, respectively exploded and not exploded, of a device according to the invention according to two stages of operation of a third embodiment; and Figures 6A-B are diagrams illustrating in a simplified manner the mode of operation and a device according to the invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION: With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3A-B and according to a first embodiment of the invention, the device 1 for the generation of thermal flux with magnetocaloric material, referred to in the rest of the description: "the device" carries a thermal flow generating unit 10 comprising twelve thermal elements 11, each defining a circular sector. Each thermal element 11 forms an independent mechanical element, adaptable, according to the needs. These thermal elements 11 are arranged in a consecutive manner to form a circle basically and they are separated two by two by means of one or several thermally insulating elements such as, for example, a space J, an insulating material or any other equivalent means. The thermal organs 11 contain a magnetocaloric element 12 made of a magnetocaloric material such as gadolinium (Gd), a gadolinium alloy containing, for example, silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), arsenic (As) or any other material or equivalent magnetizable alloy. The choice between the magnetocaloric materials is based on the desired caloric and refrigeration power and the necessary temperature ranges. Likewise, the quantity of magnetocaloric material used in the thermal organ 11 depends on the installed cooling calorific powers, the field of operating temperatures, the installed power of the magnetic field and the nature of the magnetocaloric material itself. For information it is indicated that for example it is possible to obtain 160 watts of refrigerators with 1 kg of gadolinium, a magnetic field of 1.5 Tesla, a field of temperature of 33 ° C a cycle of 4 seconds, cycle that takes the successive phases of exposure to the field magnetic and non-exposure.

In this example, the magnetocaloric element 12 is presented in the form of a circular sector and each thermal element 11 leads to a thermally conductive element 13 that laterally extends the magnetocaloric element 12. The thermally conductive element 13 is made of a conductive material selected for its good thermal conduction such as copper, copper alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, steels, steel alloys, stainless, stainless alloys or any other equivalent material. So, when the magnetocaloric element 12 is heated or cooled under the effect of variation in the magnetic field, transmits a part of its calories or frigories to the thermally conductive element 13 that is heated or cooled rapidly, thus proportionally increasing the thermal absorption capacity of the thermal organ 11 The geometry of the thermal elements 11 thus promotes a large contact surface with the magnetic elements 103 described below. In a general manner, the magnetocaloric material may be in the form of a block, a tablet, powder, a chipboard or any other adapted form. The magnetocaloric element 12 can carry various magnetocaloric materials, for example various plates arranged side by side. Each thermal organ 11 leads to a transfer zone 14 traversed by the heat transfer fluid that must be heated or cooled. This transfer zone 14, illustrated by Figure 2, is formed by a transverse conduit leaving the same side, in this example, in a substantially flat wall 15 of the thermal member 11 through an inlet 16 and through an outlet orifice. 17. Obviously it is possible to foresee that for all or part of the thermal organs 11, the inlet and outlet orifices 17 and even a larger number of walls 15 are divided between two, walls 15 which can all be planar or not. The thermal organs 11 are fixed, resting on their wall 15, with the inlet and outlet orifices 17, on a platen or carrier 18 made of some mechanically rigid material. In front of the plate 18, the thermal elements 11 are provided with shoulders or projections 11 'that increase their section to facilitate their assembly on the plate 18 and thus improve the thermal exchanges with the heat transfer fluid. The plate 18 and the thermal elements 11 are separated by a thermal joint 19. This thermal joint 19 and the plate 18 have communication holes 100 that allow the passage of the heat transfer fluid. The communication holes 100 are provided with joints (not shown) for linking the inlet 16 and outlet orifices 17 of the transfer zones 14 of the different thermal elements 11 to one or more external circuits provided with heat exchangers, which do not they are represented in these figures. These external circuits are formed, for example, by rigid or flexible conduits each filled with some identical or different heat transfer fluid. The circuit or the external circuits and the transfer zones 14 define the circuit or circuits for the heat transfer fluid. Each heat transfer fluid circuit carries forced or free circulation elements thereof, which are not represented in the figures but which may be for example a pump or any other equivalent auxiliary. The chemical composition of the heat transfer fluid is adapted to the desired temperature range and selected to obtain maximum heat exchange. For example, pure water will be used for the positive temperatures and water with additive in the form of an antigel, for example a glycolated product, for the negative temperatures. This device 1 thus allows to free itself from the use of any fluid corrosive or harmful to man and / or his environment. Each circuit of heat transfer fluid is also equipped with evacuation elements, which are not represented in these figures, such as exchangers or any other equivalent element that allows the diffusion of calories and frigories. The magnetic elements 102 of the device 1 carry magnetic elements 103 each provided with one or several solid permanent magnets, fritted or laminated, associated with one or more magnetizable materials that concentrate and direct the magnetic field lines of the permanent magnet. The magnetizable materials may contain iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), vanadium (V), sweet iron, an assembly of these materials or also any equivalent material. It is also obvious that any other type of equivalent magnet, such as an electromagnet or a superconductor, can be used. However, the permanent magnet has certain advantages in terms of sizing, simplicity of use, low electricity consumption and moderate cost. The magnetic elements 103 are supported by a mobile support 104. In this example the device 1 carries six magnetic elements 103 arranged basically in a circle, consecutively, spaced two by two with an interval I. These magnetic elements 103 have a shape in U or C in which the separation of the branches allows the free passage of the thermal organs 11. The magnetic elements 103 are fixed radially in a basically circular support defining a ring or collar 104. This ring 104 is pivotably mounted on its axis between two positions and is coupled to alternative actuating elements not shown which allow the ring 104 to pass alternately from one position to the other. The alternative drive elements are for example a motor, a jack, a spring mechanism, a wind turbine, an electromagnet, a hydro generator or any other equivalent auxiliary. With regard to continuous or step-by-step movements, the reciprocating pivoting movement has the advantage that it can be obtained by simple and inexpensive alternative driving elements. In addition, this alternative movement only needs two positions, and from there a simplified operation is achieved, with a limited travel stroke and easily mastered. The magnetic elements 103 are applied above a part of the thermal elements 11 so that the latter are placed above them in a forked manner and framed at both ends by the branches of the magnetic elements 103. The number of thermal elements 11 is equal or the double aguel of the magnetic elements 103, and thus, during the alternate pivoting of the magnetic elements 103 relative to the thermal organs 11, these thermal organs 11 lie successively opposite or not opposite a magnetic element 103. In this example, the thermal elements 11 are oriented substantially parallel to the pivoting axis of the ring 104 and the magnetic elements 103 are oriented in such a way that their groove is basically parallel to this same axis of pivoting. As described in this last text with reference to Figures 6A-B, the device 1 carries switching elements and synchronization elements. Thus, in a first stage the heat transfer fluid heated by a thermal element 11 subjected to a magnetic field circulates in a "hot circuit" to a calorie exchanger. In a second step, the heat transfer fluid cooled by the thermal element 11 subjected to the absence of the magnetic field or the presence thereof, which is different, circulates in a "cold circuit" towards a heat exchanger of frigories. This heat flow generation unit 10 can be coupled to other similar units or not with which it can be connected in series and / or in parallel and / or also by a combination of system and in parallel. The device 2, according to a second embodiment, as shown in Figures 4A-C is basically similar to the previous one. It is differentiated therefrom by the fact that the thermal organs 21 are oriented basically perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the ring 204 and by the orientation of the magnetic elements 203 whose groove or slit is basically perpendicular to this same axis of pivoting. In accordance with a third embodiment represented by Figures 5A-C, the device 3 carries two thermal flow generating units 30, which are arranged on both sides and each carry twelve thermal elements 31 and six magnetic elements 303. This device is shown in FIGS. 5B and C, in two different positions which correspond to two different operating stages. The thermal organs 31 are rectilinear and are arranged basically in line according to two overlapping rows. Its constitution is fundamentally similar to that of the previous ones. They are separated two by two by a space J. Each pair of rows of thermal organs 31 is supported by a frame 306 basically rectilinear while the rows are distributed at both ends of this frame on a crosspiece 305. The frame 306 is made of some thermally insulating and mechanically rigid material. The frames 306 are fixed to each other for example by bolting, by means of studs, staples, welding systems or any other equivalent means. They can be separated, between them and / or in relation to the thermal organs, by a thermal joint not represented. The lines of thermal organs 31 are coated respectively on the top and bottom by connecting plates basically similar to the previous ones and are not shown here. The magnetic elements 303 are basically similar to the previous ones and also have a U or C shape. They are placed in a system called staggered at both ends of two rods 304 essentially rectilinear, each provided between two sleepers 305 of the corresponding frame 306 Thus, the magnetic elements 303 define two rows of U or C, which cover in a forked manner, each one, a part of the thermal elements 31. The bars 304 are mounted in a mobile condition in an alternative rectilinear translation system over the frames 306 and they are coupled to the alternative drive elements not shown. For this purpose, the bars 304 have at their ends so-called guide fingers 307 that slide alternately in guide pairs 308 mounted on the frames 306. As in the case of the previous embodiments, these generation units of heat flow 30 can be coupled to other similar units or not, with which they can be linked or joined in series and / or in parallel and / or in a combined series and parallel system. In this way, differentiated temperature stages can be conceived. In accordance with other variant embodiments not shown, the reciprocating movement generated by the alternative displacement elements for displacing the magnetic elements may be a pivoting combined with a translation, a helical movement, a circular translation, a sinusoidal translation or a translation of according to any other adapted trajectory. The operation of the aforementioned devices 1 to 3 is described with reference to Figures 6A-B which schematically reproduce three stages of the operating cycle. Referring to these figures, the device 4 carries two thermal organs, 41a, 41b, a magnetic element 403 and two heat transfer fluid circuits 410a, 410b in which a "hot circuit" 410a coupled to a calorie exchanger 413a and "a circuit cold "410b are coupled to a heat exchanger 413b. The circulation of the heat transfer fluid is ensured by means of pumps 411a, 411b, for example a double pump, with several chambers or different stages. The switching elements 412 that allow each heating element 41a, 41b to be connected to any of the heat transfer fluid circuits 410a, 410b, which for example carry valves or gates, control levers, electric, pneumatic, hydraulic or any other adapted auxiliary. In the described example, the operation of the device 4 can be decomposed in three stages between which the switching elements 412 are operated while the magnetic field is modified. In another embodiment variant not shown, the circulation of the gueda heat transfer fluid ensured by a circulator, by means of a thermosiphon or by any adapted auxiliary. During the first stage of cycle start (figure 6A is partially confessed), the thermal member 41a is joined to "hot circuit" 410a by means of the switching elements 412. It is subjected to the magnetic field of the magnetic element 403, heated and transmits its calories to the heat transfer fluid of the "hot circuit" 410a passing through it. The calories are transported by the "hot circuit" 410a and they are evacuated by the calorie exchanger 413a. In order to pass from the first stage to the second, the switching elements 412 are oscillating or tilting so that the thermal organs 41a, 41b respectively join the "cold circuit" 410b and the "hot circuit" 410a. In addition, the magnetic element 403 is displaced so that the thermal element 41a is no longer subjected to its magnetic field and the thermal element 41b is subjected instead. During the second stage of the cycle (see Figure 6B), the thermal element 41a, which is no longer subject to the magnetic field of the magnetic element 403, cools down to reach a temperature below its initial temperature and transmits its frigories or heat transfer fluid from the " cold circuit ", 410b that goes through it. The frigorías are transported by the "cold circuit" 410b and evacuated by the heat exchanger frigorías 413b, same that can be arranged in a tria camera 414. In addition the thermal organ 41b is subject to the magnetic field the magnetic element 403, is heated and transmits its calories to the heat-carrying fluid of the "hot circuit" 410a passing through it. The calories are transported by the "hot circuit" 410a and evacuated by the calorie exchanger 413a. In order to pass from the second stage to the third stage, the switching elements 412 oscillate so that the thermal elements 41 a, 41 b, respectively, join the "hot circuit" 410 a and the "cold circuit" 410 b. In addition, the magnetic element 403 is moved so that the thermal element 41b is no longer subjected to its magnetic field and instead the thermal element is effectively subjected to it. 41a. During the third stage of the cycle (cf Fig. 6A), therefore, the thermal element 41a is connected to the "hot circuit" 410a and the thermal element 41b to the "cold circuit" 410b by means of the switching elements 412. The 41a is subjected to the magnetic field of the magnetic element 403, heated and transmits its calories to the "hot circuit" 410a passing through it. The calories are transported by the "hot circuit" 410a and evacuated by the calorie exchanger 413a. The thermal element 41b, which is no longer subjected to the magnetic field of the magnetic element 403, cools down to reach a temperature lower than its starting temperature and transmits its frigories to the "cold circuit" 410b that passes through it. The frigorías are transported by the "cold circuit" 410b and evacuated by the heat exchanger frigorías 413b that can be arranged in a cold room 414. The switching elements 412 tilt or oscillate and refer the device 4 to the configuration of the second stage , the heating / cooling cycle can be repeated in this way without limit. In each cycle the magnetocaloric material of the thermal organ 41a, 41b is successively subjected to magnetic fields and then separated from these magnetic fields. The frequency of the cycle depends on the elements used and the thermal results that you want to obtain. The oscillation of the thermal organs 41a, 41b and of the "cold" 410b and "hot" 410a circuits can be synchronized with the reciprocal displacement of the magnetic field, for example by the pivoting of a constant angle or the linear displacement of a constant pitch. The operating cycle can be linked to a temperature probe installed in the cold room 414 or for example in the vicinity of the products subject to cooling. In a variant embodiment not shown, the device 4 does not carry switching elements and the passage from one stage to another is accompanied by the reversal of the flow direction of the heat transfer fluid within a single heat transfer fluid circulation circuit. This variant allows to overcome any leakage problem by suppressing the valves. Possibilities of industrial application: This device 4 therefore allows to heat, cool or temper a room, an agri-food tunnel, the interior of a refrigerator and also serves as a pump to create heat or for any other similar application, in industry or character domestic. Finally, this device 4 can be used to thermally regulate storage, drying or acclimatization rooms. In general, according to the invention, the alternative displacement elements are coupled to magnetic elements 103, 203, 303, 403 to displace them alternatively with respect to the thermal element 11, 21, 31, 41a, 41b. Thus the set of circuits of the heat transfer fluid remains in a fixed position and the variation in the magnetic field is achieved by the alternative displacement of the magnetic elements 103, 203, 303, 403. This typical construction thus allows to overcome the problems of tightness which are numerous when a part of the circuits 410a, 410b of the heat transfer fluid is in motion relative to the rest of these circuits 410a, 410b.

This description emphasizes the fact that the device 1-4 according to the invention allows not only to reduce the energy consumption but also to generate at the same time and without contamination the important thermal flows that can be used for any type of application. This simple device can be put in place and reviewed by staff without specific technical qualifications. It also produces an extremely low level of noise during its operation. This device 1-4 also has the advantage of not requiring more than two operating positions, which simplifies its conception, operation and service. Therefore it is less expensive to manufacture and use than traditional devices. The alternative displacements also make it possible to obtain architectures of the device 1-4 which will make possible an easy and economically profitable increase of the number of thermal elements 11, 21, 31, 41a, 41b and / or of the magnetic elements 103, 203, 303, 403 and / or of the thermal flow generation units, 10, 30. They also allow, by combining several units of thermal flow generation with alternative displacements, to increase the thermal capacities of the device 1-4, in a reliable manner, with a moderate cost and without unduly complicating the operation or architecture of the device 1-4.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variant evident to the person skilled in the art, remaining otherwise within the scope of the protection defined in the appended claims.

Claims (25)

1. CLAIMS 1. A device for the generation of thermal flux with a magnetocaloric material (1-4) containing at least one thermal flow generation unit (10.30) provided with at least two thermal elements (11, 21, 31 , 41a, 41b) each containing at least one magnetocaloric element (12, 22, 32), magnetic elements (103, 203, 303, 403) arranged to emit at least one magnetic field, displacement elements coupled to those indicated magnetic elements (103, 203, 303, 403) to move them in relation to the aforementioned magnetocaloric elements (12, 22, 32) to subject them to a variation of the magnetic field to thereby vary their temperature, with elements of recovery of calories and / or of the frigorías emitted by the magnetocaloric elements (12, 22, 32), characterized in that the displacement elements are of alternative operation and are arranged to displace the magnetic elements mentioned (103, 203, 303, 403) in relation to said magnetocaloric elements (12, 22, 32) according to an alternative movement. The device (1-4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reciprocating movement is selected from the group comprising at least one pivoting, a pivoting combined with a translation or a translation. 3. The device (1-4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the recovery elements carry at least one circuit (410a, 410b) of heat transfer fluid, circulation elements (411a, 411b) of the heat transfer fluid within said circuit (410a) , 410b) and evacuation elements (413a, 413b) of the calories and / or frigories recovered by the heat transfer fluid, with said circuit (410a, 410b) carrying at least two transfer zones (14) each located in an environment immediately of the magnetocaloric elements (12, 22, 32) and arranged so that the heat transfer fluid recovers, at least in part, the calories and / or frigories emitted by the corresponding magnetocaloric element (12, 22, 32). The device (1-4) according to claim 3, characterized in that the recovery elements carry elements for reversing the circulation direction of the heat transfer fluid inside the circuit (410a, 410b) of the heat transfer fluid. The device (1-4) according to claim 3, characterized in that the recovery elements carry at least two circuits (410a, 410b) in which at least one "hot circuit" (410a) for the calories and so less a "cold circuit" (410b) for the frigories and switching elements (412) are practiced to alternately join each transfer zone (14) to any of the circuits (410a, 410b). The device (1-4) according to claim 5, characterized in that it carries synchronization elements arranged to synchronize the elements of alternative displacements to the switching elements (412) so that, according to the magnetic field to which each element is subjected magnetocaloric (12, 22, 32) joins the transfer zone (14) corresponding to any of the circuits mentioned (410a, 410b). 7. The device (1-4) according to the claim 1, characterized in that the magnetocaloric element (12, 22, 32) carries at least one of the magnetocaloric materials selected from the group consisting of at least gadolinium (Gd), a gadolinium alloy carrying at least one of the materials selected from the group that includes at least silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and arsenic (As), the magnetocaloric material being presented under one of the selected forms of the group that includes a block, a tablet, powder or an agglomerate of pieces. The device (1-4) according to claim 1, characterized in that each thermal element (11, 21, 31, 41a, 41b) is manufactured at least in part from a conductive material chosen for its good thermal conduction and selected from the group Which includes at least copper, copper alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, steels and steel alloys, stainless and alloys of stainless. The device (1-4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermal element (11, 21, 31, 41a, 41b) carries at least one passageway provided with at least one inlet (16) and at least one outlet hole (17) joining the said circuit (410a, 410b), while the through passage defines said corresponding transfer zone (14). 10. The device (1-4) according to the claim 1, characterized in that the thermal organ (11, 21, 31, 41a, 41b) carries a single through passage provided with a single inlet (16) and a single outlet (17) attached to the circuit (410a, 410b) , in which the transverse or transverse passage defines the corresponding transfer zone (14). The device (1-4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic elements carry at least one magnetic element (103, 203, 303, 403) which carries at least one permanent magnet or an electromagnet or a superconductor . The device (1-4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic element (103, 203, 303, 403) carries at least one magnetizable material arranged to concentrate and direct the field lines of the permanent magnet and which is selected from the group consisting of at least iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), vanadium (V), sweet iron or an assembly of these materials. The device (1-4) according to claim 11, characterized in that the magnetic element (103, 203, 303, 403) has a U or C shape arranged to receive between its branches and alternatively to said magnetocaloric element (12, 22, 32). The device (1-4) according to claim 11, characterized in that the term bodies (11, 21, 31, 41a, 41b) are independent and are separated by at least one thermally insulating element selected from the group consisting of at least one space or an insulating material. The device (1-4) according to claim 1, characterized in that it carries several magnetic elements (103, 203, 303, 403) supported at least by a support (104, 304) coupled to said alternative displacement elements. The device (1,2) according to claim 15, characterized in that the support is substantially circular and defines at least one ring (104) mounted in alternate pivoting on its axis, this ring radially carrying the magnetic elements (103, 203 ) and because the thermal organs (11, 21) define circular sectors, basically arranged in a circle in a consecutive manner to be covered in a forked and free way by the magnetic elements (103, 203). The device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the magnetic elements (103) are oriented in such a way that the grooves of the U-shaped or C-shaped shapes are substantially parallel to the pivoting axis of the ring (104) and because the thermal organs (11) are oriented, basically in a direction parallel to the pivoting axis of the ring (104). The device (2) according to claim 16, characterized in that the magnetic elements (203) are oriented in such a way that the grooves of the U or C shapes are basically perpendicular to the axis of pivoting of the ring (204) and because the thermal organs (21) are oriented basically perpendicular to the pivoting axis of the ring (204). 19. The device (3) according to claim 15, characterized in that the support remains virtual rectilinear and defines at least one bar (304) moving in alternate rectilinear translation, carrying this bar (304) to the magnetic elements (303) and because the thermal organs (31) are supported by at least one frame (306) that surrounds the bar (304) with an arrangement virtually in line to be covered freely and in a forked shape by the magnetic elements (303). 20. The device (3) according to claim 19, characterized in that the magnetic elements (303) are arranged in a staggered system on both sides of the bar (304) to define two rows and because the frame (306) carries two sets of organs thermal elements (31) each corresponding to the magnetic elements (303) of one of said rows. The device (1-4) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of the thermal elements (11, 21, 31, 41a, 41b) is supported by at least one plate (18, 28) carrying holes of communication (100) for the passage of the heat transfer fluid to the circuit (410a410b). The device (1-4) according to claim 3, characterized in that the circulation elements are selected from the group consisting of at least one pump (411a, 411b), a circulator and a thermosiphon. The device (1-4) according to claim 4, characterized in that the evacuation elements carry at least two exchangers of which at least one calorie exchanger (413a) is connected to the "hot circuit" (410a) and at least one heat exchanger (413b) is connected to the "cold circuit" (410b). The device (1-4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the alternative drive elements are selected from the group comprising at least one motor, a jack, a spring mechanism, a wind turbine, an electromagnet or a hydro generator. 25. The device (1-4) according to claim 1, characterized in that it carries several thermal flow generation units, connected in series, in parallel or in accordance with a combination of series and parallel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for the generation of thermal flux with non-polluting, effective, reliable magnetocaloric material, of simple design and use, inexpensive, not very bulky and that can be used in large-scale industrial installations as well as domestic applications. The device (3) for generating thermal flux with magnetocaloric material has two heat flow generation units (30) arranged side by side and which are each provided with thermal elements (31) that contain a magnetocaloric element and which are arranged in line according to two rows supported by rectilinear frames (306). The thermal organs (31) are subjected, alternatively, to magnetic fields emitted by magnetic elements (303) in a U-shape, arranged in a staggered pattern on both sides of two mobile bars (304) in alternative rectilinear translation. The thermal organs (31) are crossed by a conduit that contains a heat transfer fluid and that is joined to one or several circuits of heat transfer fluid. In the presence and in the absence of magnetic field, the temperature of the thermal organs (31) is raised and lowered to a temperature lower than the initial temperature. The calories and frigorías emitted by the thermal organs (31) are recovered by the heat transfer fluid to be evacuated by means of exchangers. Application: tempering, cooling, heating, conservation, drying, air conditioning. Figure 5A.