Direct Solar Radiation Heating with Secondary Source Supplementation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy harnessing systems rely on voltaic conversion, which can be inefficient and require chemicals, not suitable for all energy-intensive processes like heating and curing that do not necessitate electricity.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a housing with a window to transmit solar radiation, supplemented by a secondary radiation source, controlled by computer-readable instructions and a processor to emit additional radiation, directly applying combined radiation for heating or curing applications without the need for electric conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If voltaic conversion is used to convert solar radiation to electricity, then solar energy can be harnessed and stored, but the process requires chemicals and is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary voltaic conversion step from the solar energy harnessing system. By directly transmitting solar radiation through the window to the article without converting to electricity first, the system eliminates the chemical processes and inefficiencies associated with photo-voltaic conversion, while still achieving the desired heating or curing effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a secondary radiation source as an intermediary to supplement the solar radiation that passes through the window. This mediator ensures consistent energy delivery for heating or curing processes even when solar radiation varies, without requiring voltaic conversion and its associated chemical processes
2Reliability
If voltaic conversion is used to convert solar radiation to electricity, then solar energy can be stored, but the conversion process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inefficient voltaic conversion step entirely. By directly using solar radiation for heating and curing applications without converting to electricity, the system achieves both reliability for energy-intensive processes and avoids the conversion efficiency losses inherent in photo-voltaic systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures the solar radiation amount before it enters the housing and uses this information to pre-activate the secondary radiation source if needed. This preliminary measurement and preparation ensures consistent energy delivery for heating or curing without relying on inefficient voltaic conversion and storage
3Productivity
If solar radiation alone is used for heating and curing, then direct solar energy is utilized, but consistent energy cannot be provided when solar radiation is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges direct solar radiation with a secondary radiation source in a unified system. The solar radiation transmitted through the window is combined with supplementation from the secondary radiation source, achieving both the efficiency of direct solar energy use and the reliability of consistent energy delivery even when solar radiation is unavailable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system measures the amount of solar radiation and uses this information to control the secondary radiation source. When solar radiation is insufficient, the secondary source is activated to maintain consistent energy levels for heating or curing processes, while still prioritizing direct solar energy utilization
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
Enables efficient direct use of solar energy for heating and curing processes, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and chemical usage, with the ability to provide consistent energy even when solar radiation is unavailable.
Implementation Method 1
The window is configured to transmit solar radiation into the housing
Implementation Method 2
The absorptive material is positioned to receive that radiation and emit a first amount heat of within the housing
Implementation Method 3
The secondary radiation source is configured to emit a second radiation which may supplement the first radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for using direct solar radiation. The apparatus may include a housing defining a window configured to transmit solar radiation and a secondary radiation source for transmitting a second radiation in response to the solar radiation via a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon and configured to be executed by a processor to measure the solar radiation and actuate the secondary radiation source.