Magnetocaloric materials with near-room-temperature tuneable Curie temperatures have been utilized to develop a novel magnetic valve technology. The temperature dependent attractive force between the materials and a permanent magnet assembly is used to actuate valves as a response to temperature changes. This is made possible by the strong temperature dependence of the magnetization close to the Curie temperature of the magnetocaloric materials. Different compositions of both La0.67(Ca,Sr)0.33MnO3 and La(Fe,Co,Si)13 have been considered for use in prototype valves. Based on measured magnetization data a 3D finite element model has been set up to calculate the magnetic force between (graded) blocks of these materials and a permanent magnet assembly. The results have been used to calculate equilibrium points for actuation systems where the magnetic force is balanced by a spring force. On the basis of these calculations two temperature adjustable valve prototypes have been designed, built and tested. Possible applications of near-room-temperature valve actuation based on these materials originally developed for magnetic refrigeration are discussed on the background of the present investigation.
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