Methods and functional elements for enhanced thermal management of predominantly enclosed spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Buildings face challenges in managing energy consumption and temperature regulation due to high energy costs and environmental concerns, particularly in regions with high solar radiation, where conventional air conditioning is costly and inefficient, and existing passive ventilation methods are suboptimal.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of spatially adjustable functional elements with high reflectivity in the VIS and NIR ranges and adjustable thermal carrier medium panels to modulate electromagnetic irradiance and thermal energy distribution within enclosed spaces, reducing energy absorption and enhancing thermal management by dynamically altering the exposure of surfaces to radiation sources and sinks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air conditioning is used for cooling buildings, then indoor temperature control is achieved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts harmful solar radiation into beneficial effects by using selective surface coatings that reflect infrared radiation while allowing visible light transmission. This transforms the harmful thermal radiation into a non-absorbed energy form, reducing cooling loads without compromising natural lighting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements such as selective coatings and radiation shields between the solar radiation and the building interior. These intermediaries selectively interact with different wavelengths, allowing visible light to pass through while blocking infrared radiation, thus mediating the energy transfer
2Use of energy by moving object
If passive ventilation methods are used for thermal management, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling effectiveness is insufficient in high solar radiation regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of building surfaces by applying selective coatings with specific reflectivity and transmissivity characteristics. These parameter changes enable the surfaces to reflect infrared radiation while transmitting visible light, enhancing passive thermal management effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining multiple layers with different optical properties, such as selective coating layers applied to glass or metal substrates. These composite materials provide both structural integrity and optimized thermal-radiative performance
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 approach effectively reduces energy input and stabilizes indoor temperatures, minimizing energy expenditure and enhancing thermal comfort by dynamically adjusting the thermal energy budget and spatial distribution within buildings, thereby reducing the need for external energy for heating and cooling.
Implementation Method 1
The predominantly outside facing surfaces of said functional elements have predominantly relatively high reflectivity at least at the VIS and NIR wavelength range whereby the relative amount of incoming radiative power is reduced, which is absorbed by said functional elements
Implementation Method 2
The predominantly inside facing surfaces of said functional elements has predominantly relatively high reflectivity at least in the NIR and MIR wavelength range, whereby the radiative thermal emissivity of said functional elements is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
A method of modulating the impact of electromagnetic irradiance on the thermal energy budget of a predominantly enclosed space includes providing at least an inner shell of the predominantly enclosed space, and placing a plurality of functional elements in an exterior position relative to an outside facing side of the inner shell. The outside facing surfaces of the functional elements have higher reflectivity in the visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) wavelength range relative to the (MIR) wavelength range. The inside facing surfaces of the functional elements have higher reflectivity in the NIR and mid-infrared (MIR) wavelength range relative to the (VIS) wavelength range. A thickness of the functional elements is equal to or smaller than a thickness of the inner shell.