Thermal energy storage assembly with phase change materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration systems for vehicles rely on eutectic plates with mineral salt solutions, which have limitations in efficiently maintaining temperature and require complex configurations with multiple heat exchangers, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system utilizing a thermal energy storage assembly with a phase change material filling the space between two pipes, where a heat transfer fluid flows through one pipe and exchanges heat with the phase change material to maintain a desired temperature, allowing for efficient thermal energy storage and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If eutectic plates with mineral salt solutions are used for thermal energy storage, then temperature maintenance is achieved, but device complexity increases due to multiple heat exchangers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal energy storage function and heat exchange function into a single integrated assembly. The phase change material is contained within a housing that includes heat exchange surfaces, eliminating the need for separate heat exchangers and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining temperature control reliability
2Productivity
If conventional thermal energy storage systems are used, then refrigeration is provided, but thermodynamic efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change materials that undergo phase transitions (solid-liquid) at specific temperatures to store and release thermal energy. This phase transition mechanism enables more efficient thermal energy storage and release compared to conventional sensible heat storage, improving thermodynamic efficiency while maintaining refrigeration capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the thermal energy storage system by using phase change materials with specific melting points matched to the required storage temperature. This allows the system to operate at optimal temperature differentials, improving heat transfer efficiency and overall thermodynamic performance
3Temperature
If multiple heat exchangers are used for thermal energy storage, then temperature control is achieved, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat exchange functions into a single integrated heat exchanger assembly within the thermal energy storage unit. This reduces the total number of components, simplifies manufacturing processes, and lowers overall system cost while maintaining effective temperature control through the integrated heat exchange surfaces
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
This configuration enhances thermodynamic efficiency, reduces costs by eliminating the need for multiple heat exchangers, and provides effective temperature control with embedded phase change materials acting as dynamic insulation, increasing the refrigeration capacity and reducing peak heat flux.
Implementation Method 1
A phase change material fills the space between the first pipe and the second pipe, the phase change material storing thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
the phase change material storing thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 3
a heat transfer fluid flows through a bore of the first pipe and exchanges heat with the phase change material
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A thermal energy storage assembly includes a first pipe configured to have a heat transfer fluid flow through a bore of the first pipe and a second pipe surrounding the first pipe. A phase change material fills the space between the first pipe and the second pipe, the phase change material storing cold thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid.