Energy efficient heating/cooling module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating and cooling systems in buildings face challenges in transitioning to lower temperature regimes, requiring costly and inefficient upgrades to maintain comfort levels, especially when integrating with district heating systems or renewable energy sources.

Innovation Solution

A solid-state energy conversion module that connects with existing heating/cooling systems and units, using thermodynamic phenomena like magnetocaloric or Peltier effects to adjust fluid temperatures, allowing for efficient operation across different temperature regimes without full system replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If existing heating/cooling systems are upgraded to lower temperature regimes, then energy efficiency is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (heat exchanger or temperature adjustment unit) between the low-temperature heating system and the high-temperature cooling unit. This intermediary enables temperature transformation without requiring complete system replacement, thus improving energy efficiency while avoiding excessive system complexity. The intermediary component specifically bridges the temperature gap between district heating systems (5-60°C) and conventional radiators requiring higher temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting operating temperatures and flow rates to match between different system components. By dynamically modifying temperature parameters and flow characteristics, the system achieves efficient operation across different temperature regimes without requiring complex mechanical modifications to existing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If existing heating units are replaced to accommodate lower temperature sources, then energy efficiency is improved, but renovation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidrenovation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the temperature transformation function from the heating units themselves and places it in a separate, dedicated temperature adjustment device. This allows existing heating units to be retained and reused, avoiding replacement costs while still achieving the necessary temperature adaptation for efficient operation with low-temperature heat sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs a universal temperature adjustment device that can serve multiple functions: heating, cooling, and temperature transformation. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to replace multiple specialized components, reducing overall renovation costs while maintaining energy efficiency across different operating modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If thermal standards are applied to older buildings, then energy efficiency is improved, but implementation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidimplementation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the temperature transformation function into modular components that can be independently installed and controlled. This segmentation allows progressive implementation in older buildings without requiring complete system overhauls, reducing implementation difficulty while achieving energy efficiency targets. Each module can be independently optimized and maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 energy-efficient and cost-effective adaptation of existing heating/cooling systems to lower temperature sources, maintaining comfort levels while reducing energy consumption and system size, without harmful refrigerants or vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

using thermodynamic phenomena like magnetocaloric or Peltier effects to adjust fluid temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetocaloric effect: Magnetocaloric Effect

Implementation Method 2

using thermodynamic phenomena like magnetocaloric or Peltier effects to adjust fluid temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250244056A1Energy efficient heating/cooling module

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 UNIVERSITY OF LJUBLJANA

AI summary

A heating/cooling module for interconnecting a heating/cooling system with a heating/cooling unit. The heating/cooling module including a solid-state energy conversion device, having a first side configured to receive a fluid flow preheated/precooled by the heating/cooling system to heat/cool the fluid flow to a higher/lower temperature while it flows through the first side of the solid-state energy conversion device, and to use the fluid flow with the higher/lower temperature for providing heat/cold to the heating/cooling unit. The solid-state energy conversion device having a second side that receives the fluid flow after being used for providing heat/cold to the heating/cooling unit to cool/heat the fluid flow to a lower/higher temperature and to reuse the fluid flow with the lower or higher temperature for preheating/precooling by the heating/cooling system.