Elastic Nucleation Device for Heat Storage Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat storage devices face issues with low nucleation reliability and complex configurations, particularly when repeatedly used, and require separate containers for the heat storage material and activator with controlled on/off valves.
Innovation Solution
A nucleation device featuring an elastic member with annular portions that are elastically displaceable, allowing for phase change of the heat storage material from liquid to solid, housed within a container, which increases nucleation reliability and simplifies the configuration by using a helical extension spring with a spring constant of 0.8 or greater to enhance close contact conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal strip is used as a nucleation trigger and activated by snap displacement, then the heat storage material can phase change from liquid to solid, but the nucleation reliability becomes low when used repeatedly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic elastic member (spring) that can be repeatedly compressed and released to activate nucleation. The spring's elastic deformation provides a reliable mechanical trigger for phase change that maintains consistent performance across multiple cycles, resolving the reliability issue with repeated use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the elastic member from a rigid metal strip to a flexible spring that undergoes elastic deformation. This parameter change allows the nucleation trigger to be activated through compression and release cycles, significantly improving reliability for repeated use while maintaining the phase change function.
2Reliability
If the heat storage material and activator are housed in separate containers with an on/off valve, then the nucleation can be controlled, but the device becomes complicated and large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat storage material and the elastic member activator into a single container, eliminating the need for separate containers and complex valve mechanisms. The spring is housed within the same container as the heat storage material, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining controllable nucleation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single container serves multiple functions: it houses both the heat storage material and the elastic member activator, and provides the sealing environment for phase change. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate containers and complex valve systems, reducing device complexity.
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 effectively increases nucleation reliability and allows for reliable release of solidification heat with a simple configuration, enabling remote activation and repeated use without the need for separate containers or complex valve control.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member including a plurality of annular portions with a ring shape wound in substantially close contact with one another, the elastic member being elastically displaceable
Implementation Method 2
the heat storage material is caused to phase change by the elastic member elastically displacing
Implementation Method 3
the heat storage material phase changes from a liquid to a solid, thereby releasing the solidification heat of the heat storage material
Implementation Method 4
using a helical extension spring with a spring constant of 0.8 or greater to enhance close contact conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A nucleation device for causing phase change in a heat storage material from a liquid state to a solid state, the nucleation device including:an elastic member including a plurality of annular portions with a ring shape wound in substantially close contact with one another, the elastic member being elastically displaceable such that adjacent pairs of the plurality of annular portions in substantially close contact with one another separate from one another; whereinthe heat storage material is caused to phase change by the elastic member elastically displacing while disposed in the heat storage material.