Coiled Heat Transfer Element for Compact Ground Energy Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat transfer elements, such as flat and coiled absorber mats, require large installation areas and suffer from reduced heat transfer efficiency, especially when installed in the ground.

Innovation Solution

A compact energy storage system featuring coiled heat transfer elements with plug-in boards and flexible, spiral-shaped heat transfer elements that maximize surface area while minimizing space requirements, utilizing plastic materials for durability and efficiency, and incorporating capillary flow channels for enhanced heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If flat, flexible absorber mats are installed in the ground, then heat transfer surface area is increased, but installation area projected onto the earth's surface becomes very large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer surface areaVSAvoidinstallation area projected onto earth's surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat absorber mat layout to a three-dimensional coiled configuration. The heat transfer element is arranged in a coiled form with multiple loops stacked vertically within a confined ground area, thereby increasing the heat transfer surface area while minimizing the projected installation area onto the earth's surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The coiled heat transfer element is nested within a vertical borehole or confined space in the ground. Multiple loops of the coil are stacked one inside another, similar to nested dolls, allowing the heat transfer surface to be packed into a small footprint area while maintaining extensive surface area for heat exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If heat transfer elements are coiled to reduce installation area, then space requirement is reduced, but heat transfer efficiency is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation areaVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The coiled heat transfer element is divided into multiple separate loops or segments. Each loop acts as an independent heat transfer zone, ensuring that heat transfer occurs at multiple discrete locations rather than along a continuous path. This segmentation maintains heat transfer efficiency by reducing thermal interference between adjacent sections of the coil.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat transfer element is formed into a coiled or spiral curved configuration rather than a straight line. This curvature allows the element to pack efficiently into a small ground area while maintaining sufficient surface area exposure to the surrounding ground for effective heat exchange, optimizing both space utilization and heat transfer performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If plastic hoses are woven into knitted fabric for heat transfer, then flexibility and installation ease are improved, but large surface area is required when flat

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidsurface area required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible plastic hose is transformed from a flat linear arrangement into a three-dimensional coiled structure. The flexibility of the plastic hose enables it to be bent and coiled without damage, and this coiled configuration allows the same length of hose to occupy much less projected area on the ground surface while maintaining its heat transfer functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 system achieves optimal heat transfer with a small surface area requirement, preventing damage from pressure loads and facilitating installation, while reducing production costs and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

Heat transfer elements for generating energy, such as, for example, flat, flexible absorber mats or the like

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

hoses for transporting the heat transfer medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

incorporating capillary flow channels for enhanced heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3156740B1Energy storage device
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 MEFA BEFESTIGUNGS & MONTAGESYST
  • EP3156740B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3156740B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3156740B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An arrangement of a heat transfer element for producing an energy store is proposed, the arrangement comprising an energy store with at least one container (15) in which the heat transfer element (1) is arranged, the heat transfer element (1) having at least one flexible element (4). , on which at least one distributor (2) and at least one collector (3) are arranged, wherein the flexible element (4) has at least one flow channel (7) and at least one curvature, wherein on the flexible element (4) by means of at least one recess (18) at least one plug-in board (17) is arranged, with a profile (19) being arranged on at least one plug-in board (17), as a result of which an effective energy store can be produced simply, very stably and with little effort when assembling.