Heat Pipe Air Conditioning With Caloric Materials for Low-Resistance Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems face inefficiencies in heat transfer and require hazardous refrigerants, while alternative compressor-free systems using thermoelectric or magnetocaloric materials have limited cooling capacity due to thermal resistance and low efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Integration of electrocaloric or magnetocaloric materials within heat pipes, specifically designed for unidirectional heat transport, enhances heat transfer efficiency by exploiting latent heat and using magnetic or electric fields to manage heat exchange in a cascaded arrangement, increasing cooling capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional compressor-based refrigeration systems are used, then cooling capacity is achieved, but the systems require hazardous refrigerants and have poor heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by replacing conventional refrigerants with water as the working medium and using electrocaloric/magnetocaloric materials to achieve temperature changes through electric/magnetic field application, eliminating hazardous substances while maintaining cooling capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical compressor-based refrigeration cycle with a heat pipe system utilizing electrocaloric or magnetocaloric materials that respond to electric or magnetic fields, eliminating the need for mechanical compression and hazardous refrigerants
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermoelectric generators or Peltier elements are used instead of compressors, then the system avoids hazardous refrigerants, but the cooling efficiency and temperature rise are relatively small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heat pipe technology with electrocaloric or magnetocaloric materials to create a composite system that leverages both the efficient heat transfer properties of heat pipes and the high temperature change capability of caloric materials, achieving superior cooling efficiency compared to standalone thermoelectric elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the working medium within the heat pipe (evaporation and condensation) to enhance heat transfer, combining this with the phase-like transitions of electrocaloric/magnetocaloric materials under field application to achieve high cooling efficiency
3Loss of energy
If magnetocaloric material is placed in contact with the outer circumference of heat pipes, then heat exchange occurs, but thermal resistance limits the heat transfer characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the magnetocaloric material directly with the heat pipe structure, integrating the two components into a unified system where the caloric material forms part of the heat pipe wall or is in direct thermal contact, eliminating the thermal resistance of external coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the magnetocaloric material within the heat pipe structure, placing it in the evaporator or condenser sections where it directly interacts with the working medium, allowing the caloric effect to occur within the heat transfer pathway rather than externally
4Adaptability or versatility
If heat pipe conducts heat in both directions, then heat transfer is flexible, but unidirectional heat transport is needed to exploit latent heat effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat pipe into distinct functional zones (evaporator section with electrocaloric/magnetocaloric material, adiabatic section, condenser section) that work together in a unidirectional heat flow pattern, enabling effective exploitation of latent heat while maintaining system versatility
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 achieves improved cooling and heating efficiency by leveraging the latent heat of the working medium within the heat pipes, allowing for higher cooling capacities and reduced thermal resistance, thereby enhancing the overall performance of air conditioning devices.
Implementation Method 1
By applying an electrical and/or magnetic field to an electrocaloric or magnetocaloric material, this changes its temperature due to the alignment of the electrical or magnetic moments and the associated reduction in entropy
Implementation Method 2
By applying an electrical and/or magnetic field to an electrocaloric or magnetocaloric material, this changes its temperature due to the alignment of the electrical or magnetic moments
Implementation Method 3
a liquid working medium is vaporized at a first thermal contact end, also referred to as the evaporator
Implementation Method 4
the working medium vapor condenses at the other thermal contact end, also referred to as a condenser, of the heat pipe
Implementation Method 5
heat transfer by phase change releasing the latent heat of vaporization or condensation of the working medium
Implementation Method 6
The liquid working medium can be transported back either by capillary forces ('heat pipe')
Implementation Method 7
or gravity ('(Two-phase) thermosiphon') happen
Implementation Method 8
particular care being taken to ensure that the heat pipe conducts heat well in one direction, but practically none in the other, opposite direction Noticeable heat transport takes place ('thermal diode')
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an air conditioning device having at least one heat pipe (100), in particular thermosiphon, comprising at least one electro- or magnetocaloric material (4) under at least temporary influence of an electrical and/or magnet field, and comprising a heat transfer oriented from one first end to another second end of the heat pipe. A plurality of these heat pipes, having electro- or magnetocaloric materials integrated or arranged therein, are preferably contained, connected in series in a cascade-like manner and optionally connected to one another via heat exchangers or switchable heat flow regulators.