Composite Heating Panel With Tortuous Tubing for Fast Low-Temp Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air source heat pumps with underfloor or radiator systems face inefficiencies in heating delivery, leading to high energy costs and long start-up times, as they require high water temperatures similar to traditional fossil fuel boilers, resulting in limited control and economic inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A composite heating panel design featuring a front panel, an insulated panel, and a heat dissipation panel with a tortuous pipework layer that maximizes heat transfer and radiation efficiency, allowing for lower fluid temperatures and reduced heat loss, while being adaptable for integration into existing building construction methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If underfloor pipework is embedded in high mass construction material, then heat storage capacity is improved, but start-up time becomes excessive and system control becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into modular panels that can be independently controlled and installed in different locations. Each panel contains its own tubing circuit, allowing localized heating without requiring the entire floor mass to be heated, thus reducing start-up time while maintaining heat storage benefits where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermally conductive but electrically insulating panel is introduced as an intermediary between the tubing and the front panel. This mediator optimizes heat transfer from the fluid-carrying tubing to the radiating surface while maintaining electrical isolation, improving overall heat transfer efficiency and reducing the time to reach effective heating temperature.
2Power
If water temperature in radiator is increased to match fossil fuel boiler temperatures, then heating output is improved, but energy cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating temperature parameter by using lower temperature fluid (compatible with air source heat pumps) while maintaining effective heating output through improved heat transfer design. The tortuous tubing path and thermally conductive panel increase heat exchange efficiency, allowing lower temperature fluid to deliver sufficient heating power.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel assembly uses composite construction combining the thermally conductive but electrically insulating material with the front panel and tubing. This composite structure optimizes thermal transfer pathways while enabling operation at lower, more energy-efficient temperatures suitable for heat pump systems.
3Loss of energy
If tubing follows a tortuous flow path, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tortuous tubing path is pre-formed and integrated into the panel assembly during manufacturing. The tubing is configured to follow an optimized serpentine or loop pattern that maximizes heat transfer surface area and efficiency, with all connections and bends established beforehand to simplify the overall manufacturing process.
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 composite heating panel enhances energy efficiency by delivering maximum heat output with minimal input, reducing energy costs and improving heating control, while being suitable for retrofitting and new construction projects.
Implementation Method 1
an elongate length of tubing for receiving a flow of fluid therethrough, the fluid being at above ambient temperature, wherein the length of tubing is disposed between the insulated panel and the heat dissipation panel
Implementation Method 2
a heat dissipation panel in contact with the rear surface of the front panel
Implementation Method 3
an insulated panel; wherein the length of tubing is disposed between the insulated panel and the heat dissipation panel
Data Source
AI summary
A composite heating panel comprises a front panel having opposite front and rear surfaces; a heat dissipation panel in contact with the rear surface of the front panel; an insulated panel; and an elongate length of tubing for receiving a flow of fluid therethrough, the fluid being at above ambient temperature. The length of tubing is disposed between the insulated panel and the heat dissipation panel, and the length of tubing follows a tortuous flow path including at least one loop.