Flexible Composite Material for Water-Tight Heat Storage Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal energy storage solutions, such as metal and rigid plastic containers, are bulky, prone to corrosion, and insufficient for large-scale solar energy storage, while flexible elastomer containers face issues with water diffusion and damage.
Innovation Solution
A composite material with a layered structure of non-polar elastomer layers, high-melting-point plastic layers, and metal foils, which provides excellent water vapor impermeability and damage resistance, allowing for flexible and efficient heat storage containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible elastomer containers are used instead of solid plastic or metal containers, then adaptability to tight installation spaces is improved, but water vapor diffusion through the container walls occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a multi-layer structure consisting of an elastomer layer (for flexibility), a metal foil layer (for water vapor impermeability), and plastic layers (for bonding and protection). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining the advantages of each material: the elastomer provides adaptability to tight spaces, while the metal foil prevents water vapor diffusion, and the plastic layers ensure good bonding between components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible foil bags are used to access tight installation rooms, then adaptability is improved, but the foil bag material becomes prone to injury and develops cracks and holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to create a multi-layer structure where the elastomer layer provides flexibility for accessing tight spaces, while the metal foil layer and plastic layers provide mechanical strength and damage resistance. The metal foil acts as a reinforcement that prevents the formation of cracks and holes, significantly improving the reliability of the container while maintaining its flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using an elastomer layer as the outer flexible shell that can deform to access tight installation rooms. This elastomer shell is combined with metal foil and plastic layers to create a composite structure that maintains flexibility while improving resistance to mechanical damage, preventing the foil bag from developing cracks and holes.
3Quantity of substance
If metal containers are used for heat storage, then storage capacity is improved, but weight and susceptibility to corrosion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a multi-layer structure where the metal foil layer provides water vapor impermeability and structural integrity, while the elastomer and plastic layers provide protection and flexibility. This composite structure achieves high storage capacity without the full weight and corrosion susceptibility of traditional metal containers, as only a thin metal foil layer is used rather than solid metal construction.
4Weight of stationary object
If plastic containers are used instead of metal containers, then weight is reduced, but bulkiness and limited sizes remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using an elastomer layer as the outer shell that can deform to access tight installation rooms. This flexible shell structure eliminates the bulkiness of rigid plastic containers while maintaining low weight, allowing the container to be installed in spaces where rigid containers cannot fit.
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 material enables the creation of flexible, high-capacity heat storage containers that can be easily installed in tight spaces, withstand heavy loads, and maintain integrity, making them suitable for large-scale solar energy storage without the need for structural changes.
Implementation Method 1
The integration of the metal foil into the composite material prevents water from diffusing through the composite material
Implementation Method 2
The use of a metal foil, which is provided on both sides with plastic layers based on a plastic with a melting point of 80 to 180 °C, causes a good bond between all layers of the composite material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composite material (1) for flexible, water-diffusion-tight containers, comprising at least the following layer structure in the specified order: - a first elastomer layer (4) based on a non-polar rubber, - a first plastic layer (3) based on a plastic with a melting point of 80 to 180 °C, - optionally a first adhesive layer, - a metal foil (2), - optionally a second adhesive layer, - a second plastic layer (3') based on a plastic with a melting point of 80 to 180 °C, - a second elastomer layer (4') based on a non-polar rubber.