Ceramic Heat Storage Structure for Low-Loss Phase Change Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat storage devices suffer from significant energy losses during the heating process, whether using electric power or heated air, particularly when utilizing Al—Si alloys as phase change materials.
Innovation Solution
A heat storage device design incorporating a ceramic part with a closed space, latent heat storage, an electric heater, and a heat insulating member, along with a power supply, to minimize energy loss by directly heating the latent heat storage with electric power and using a thermocouple to monitor phase change completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If electric power is used to heat the latent heat storage directly, then energy loss is reduced, but device complexity increases due to the need for ceramic parts and heat insulating members
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into distinct functional components: an electric heater element, a ceramic protective layer, and a heat insulating member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while reducing overall energy loss through targeted thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
A ceramic part is introduced as an intermediary between the electric heater and the latent heat storage. This ceramic layer protects the heater while allowing efficient heat transfer to the storage material, reducing energy loss without requiring direct contact between heating elements and storage medium.
2Loss of energy
If a heat insulating member is added to cover the ceramic part, then energy loss is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat insulating member is designed to self-align and fit over the ceramic part through its geometric configuration. The insulating structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: thermal insulation, mechanical support, and protective enclosure, reducing the need for additional manufacturing steps.
3Loss of energy
If the ceramic part is designed with a closed space to contain the latent heat storage, then energy loss is reduced, but the volume of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latent heat storage is nested within the closed space of the ceramic part, which itself is nested within the heat insulating member. This nested configuration maximizes space utilization and minimizes the overall device volume while maintaining effective thermal isolation between components.
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
Reduces energy loss during heat storage and utilization, enhances energy storage density, and allows for efficient energy management by detecting phase change completion, thereby preventing wasted energy input.
Implementation Method 1
an electric heater provided inside the ceramic part and configured to heat the latent heat storage
Implementation Method 2
a latent heat storage provided inside the closed space
Implementation Method 3
a heat insulating member covering the ceramic part
Data Source
AI summary
A heat storage device includes a ceramic part having a closed space therein, a latent heat storage provided inside the closed space, an electric heater provided inside the ceramic part and configured to heat the latent heat storage, a heat insulating member covering the ceramic part, and a power supply part configured to supply electric power to the electric heater.