Ceramic-Plastic Cladding Panel for Low-Loss Thermal Energy Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy collector and emitter panels face issues such as high thermal losses, high cost, weight, architectural integration difficulties, and inefficiency due to the use of metal and glass components, which also require additional insulation and coatings, leading to increased energy consumption and environmental emissions.
Innovation Solution
A cladding panel design using laminated ceramic and insulating plastic materials, with a low relief channel for heat transfer fluid, providing a hermetic seal and direct contact for enhanced thermal transfer, while allowing for easy installation and architectural integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If metal pipes with circular cross-section are used for heat transfer, then bending flexibility is improved, but thermal contact surface with panel is reduced and thermal losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is divided into modular sections with integrated heat transfer channels, eliminating the need for separate circular pipes. The channels are segmented into rectangular sections that maintain thermal contact while allowing system modularity and easy installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional shape of heat transfer channels is changed from circular to rectangular. This parameter change increases the perimeter-to-area ratio, maximizing thermal contact surface between the panel and heat transfer fluid while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.
2Loss of energy
If glass is used to cover the front of metal panel, then infrared trapping is improved, but weight increases and architectural integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The panel uses a composite structure combining metal substrate with integrated ceramic or enamel coatings. This composite approach maintains infrared trapping properties while reducing overall weight and enabling architectural integration without requiring separate glass coverings.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared trapping function is merged directly into the panel material through ceramic or enamel coatings applied to the metal surface. This eliminates the need for separate glass coverings, reducing weight while maintaining thermal energy collection efficiency.
3Weight of stationary object
If thin metal panel is used without glass, then weight is reduced, but heat radiation loss to front side increases
Solution Approach 1:
A composite structure with metal substrate and ceramic or enamel coating is used. The thin metal panel provides structural support while the coating layer prevents heat radiation loss to the front side, maintaining thermal efficiency without requiring glass coverings.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful heat radiation is skipped by introducing a coating layer that blocks infrared transmission. This allows the thin panel design to proceed without the thermal penalties that would otherwise result from direct radiation from the metal surface.
4Temperature
If metallic materials are used for panel, then thermal conductivity is improved, but oxidation resistance decreases and reflectivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The panel uses a composite structure with metal substrate providing thermal conductivity and ceramic or enamel coating providing oxidation resistance. This combination maintains the thermal performance of metal while eliminating oxidation and reflectivity issues.
Solution Approach 2:
A ceramic or enamel coating layer acts as an intermediary between the metal substrate and the environment. This intermediate layer protects the metal from oxidation while allowing thermal energy to be effectively collected and transferred.
5Adaptability or versatility
If decorative coating is added to cover first panel, then architectural integration is improved, but thermal energy transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The panel uses ceramic or enamel coatings that serve dual functions: providing architectural aesthetics and maintaining thermal energy transfer efficiency. These specialized coatings are designed to be thermally transparent while providing decorative properties, eliminating the need for separate decorative layers.
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 solution reduces thermal losses, lowers production and installation costs, and facilitates architectural integration by using lightweight, easily customizable ceramic panels with improved thermal efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a low relief channel (40) defined in the upper surface of the second panel (20), with the channel (40) attached to the lower surface of the first panel (10) forming a duct for the channelling of a heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
a panel intended for cladding other constructive elements, such as walls, floors, and roofs, which also enables incident thermal energy, e.g. solar energy, to be collected for storage and/or use
Implementation Method 3
which also enables the thermal energy supplied to said cladding panel to be emitted, e.g. for climate control in an enclosed space
Data Source
AI summary
A cladding panel that collects and/or emits thermal energy, which includes: a first panel; a second panel with an extrados adhered to an intrados of the first panel, forming a leaktight seal, with a low-relief channel, the channel being attached to the intrados of the first panel to form a conduit; an inlet connector for heat-conducting fluid, connected to a first end of the channel; and an outlet connector for heat-conducting fluid, connected to a second end of the channel, wherein the first panel is made of calibrated laminated ceramic with a flat, smooth intrados and a flat, smooth extrados and has a uniform thickness of 3-6 mm, and the second panel is made of waterproof heat-insulating plastic that is stable up to 120° C.