Adjustable Heat-Insulating Device with Flow Control Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat-insulating devices are not adaptable to varying temperature conditions, making it difficult to adjust their insulating properties to meet changing requirements, leading to inefficient heat retention or loss during warm and cold periods.
Innovation Solution
A device with adjustable heat-insulating properties, comprising insulating units with hollow spaces, a heat-insulating core, and closing means that can vary the flow-through area between units, allowing for optimal heat transfer or insulation by controlling fluid flow, enabling the device to switch between heat-insulating and non-insulating modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heat-insulating devices are used to prevent heat loss during cold periods, then heat retention is improved, but heat dissipation is hindered during warm periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the heat-insulating device adjustable through closing means (valves or dampers) that can dynamically change the flow-through area of passages. This allows the device to transition between different operational states: fully open for maximum heat dissipation during warm periods, partially closed for balanced performance during transitional periods, and fully closed for maximum heat retention during cold periods. The dynamic adjustability resolves the contradiction by enabling the same device to optimize for either heat loss prevention or heat dissipation depending on external temperature conditions.
2Loss of energy
If heat-insulating devices are removed during warm periods to allow heat dissipation, then heat dissipation is improved, but the device must be repeatedly installed and removed
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than requiring physical removal and reinstallation of the heat-insulating device, the patent implements closing means (valves or dampers) integrated into the device structure that can be easily adjusted between open and closed positions. This dynamic control mechanism allows users to achieve the same effect as removal (maximum heat dissipation) by simply opening the valves fully, eliminating the labor-intensive process of physically removing and reinstallating the entire insulation device while maintaining identical thermal performance characteristics.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed heat-insulating structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to varying temperature conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates closing means (valves or dampers) directly into the heat-insulating device structure, creating a unified manufacturable unit. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity by treating the adjustable components as integral parts of the device rather than separate additions, while simultaneously enabling adaptability through the adjustable flow-through area. The closing means are positioned within the passage structure of the insulation device itself, allowing for streamlined manufacturing processes that produce both the insulating structure and the control mechanism in a coordinated manner.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively manages heat retention and loss by adjusting its insulating function based on temperature conditions, optimizing energy savings and comfort in buildings by allowing fluid flow when heat transfer is desired and preventing it when insulation is needed.
Implementation Method 1
the functioning of many heat-insulating devices is based on the use of still air as a heat-insulator, in view of the fact that a transfer process of heat through still air takes place at a much lower rate than a transfer process of heat through materials which are commonly used in walls and roofs
Implementation Method 2
closing means for varying an effective flow-through area of a passage between the portions of the insulating units which are located at opposite sides of the device, for realizing a condition of the device in which an optimal heat-insulating function of the device is obtained by keeping the insulating units in a condition in which a flow of fluid from one side of the device to another is prevented
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A device (1) has adjustable heat-insulating properties on the basis of the fact that the device (1) may be put in at least two different conditions, wherein in one of the conditions, a heat-insulating quantity of still fluid is present in the device (1), and wherein in another of the conditions, the quantity of still fluid is absent. In a specific embodiment, the device (1) comprises a heat-insulating core (15) and an assembly (14) of channels (13, 21) surrounding the core (15), wherein a passage (24) in the channels (13, 21), which is positioned between portions of the channels (13, 21) extending at opposite sides of the device (1), may be blocked or left open, depending on the desired functioning of the device (1). Furthermore, fluid may be supplied to the channels (13, 21), or there may be no fluid supply, or even a removal of fluid.