Folded Radiant Cooling Panel with 3D Geometry for Enhanced Convection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiant cooling systems, particularly water-based systems, face limitations in energy efficiency and surface geometry impact on heat transfer rates, leading to suboptimal cooling performance and stagnant adoption in architectural applications.
Innovation Solution
A laminate radiant cooling device with micro-channel liquid-circuits and structural layers forming a three-dimensional surface geometry through folding, creating increased surface area and convective heat transfer rates, allowing for more efficient heat exchange and reduced water temperature-lift requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional flat radiant cooling panels are used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the surface area for heat transfer is limited and cooling capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the flat two-dimensional panel into a three-dimensional structure with folds and inclined surfaces. This dimensional change increases the surface area available for heat transfer without significantly increasing the device footprint, thereby enhancing cooling capacity while maintaining a relatively simple folded panel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curved and inclined surfaces through folding the panel at various angles. These curved geometries increase the surface area and improve convective heat transfer by disrupting boundary layers, enhancing the overall cooling performance of the radiant panel.
2Power
If water temperature is reduced to increase cooling capacity, then more cooling power is available, but the risk of condensation and freezing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface geometry parameters by introducing folds and inclined surfaces. This geometric modification enhances convective heat transfer coefficients, allowing the system to achieve higher cooling capacity with higher water temperatures, thereby reducing condensation and freezing risks while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The enhanced convective heat transfer from the folded surfaces allows the system to rapidly transfer heat from the water to the surrounding air, efficiently achieving cooling objectives before condensation or freezing can occur, thus skipping the problematic temperature range.
3Use of energy by moving object
If all-air HVAC systems are used, then the system design is straightforward, but energy efficiency is reduced due to treating entire air volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling approach by using folded panels with micro-channel liquid circuits that deliver cooling directly to specific zones and surfaces. This segmented radiant cooling approach is more energy-efficient than treating the entire air volume, as it targets cooling where needed while requiring a manageable system design.
4Productivity
If chilled sails with forced convection are used, then cooling capacity is increased, but the balance shifts too far toward convection and reduces radiant cooling benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic balance between radiant and convective cooling through its folded surface geometry. The inclined surfaces enhance natural convection through buoyancy-driven flows while maintaining large radiant surfaces, achieving an optimal balance that preserves radiant cooling benefits while providing sufficient convective enhancement for high cooling capacity.
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 3D surface geometry enhances cooling capacity, reduces energy demand, and increases the coefficient of performance (COP) for chiller systems, while enabling the use of non-standard materials for thermal control, thus improving energy efficiency and adaptability in building thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
Hydronic systems are designed to balance sensible cooling and heating loads. These systems typically deliver heating and cooling through water-based products
Implementation Method 2
Chilled sails (CSs), on the other hand, include freestanding profiles (or fins) intended to provide convective heat exchange
Implementation Method 3
Radiant panels add energy to—or remove energy from—a room through radiant heat exchange with surfaces in the room, directly with occupants
Data Source
AI summary
A radiant cooling device comprises at least one fluidic layer including one or more micro-channel liquid-circuits and at least one structural layer coupled to the at least one fluidic layer. The device further includes a plurality of folds such that the device has a three-dimensional surface geometry having a plurality of inclined surfaces.