Heat Storage System With Rotating Composite Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat storage materials with electron phase transitions suffer from insufficient thermal conductivity, leading to inefficient heat storage and transfer from heat transport media.

Innovation Solution

A heat storage system comprising a heat storage unit with a strongly correlated electron system material in contact with a higher thermal conductivity material, where the system includes a rotating unit that alternates the placement of heat storage units between two spaces to optimize heat transfer and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a heat storage material made of strongly correlated electron system material is used, then heat storage capacity is improved through electron phase transition, but thermal conductivity is insufficient leading to inefficient heat transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat storage capacityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines strongly correlated electron system material (for heat storage) with high thermal conductivity material (for heat transfer) to form a composite heat storage unit. This composite structure allows the system to simultaneously achieve high heat storage capacity through electron phase transition and efficient heat transfer through the high conductivity material, resolving the contradiction between heat storage capacity and heat transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If heat storage material with electron phase transition is used, then latent heat storage is improved, but thermal conductivity remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelatent heat storageVSAvoidthermal conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure where strongly correlated electron system material provides latent heat storage through electron phase transition, while high thermal conductivity material ensures reliable heat transfer. The composite material approach allows both properties to coexist and function simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The high thermal conductivity material acts as an intermediary between the heat transport medium and the electron phase transition material, facilitating efficient heat transfer to and from the heat storage material without interfering with the phase transition mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If heat storage units are stationary, then system simplicity is maintained, but heat transfer efficiency decreases due to temperature difference variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rotating unit that dynamically switches the positions of heat storage units between different temperature zones. This dynamic configuration allows the system to maintain optimal temperature differences for heat transfer while managing the complexity through a relatively simple rotational mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating unit performs periodic switching of heat storage unit positions, creating a cyclic pattern of heat absorption and release. This periodic action ensures continuous efficient heat transfer by regularly renewing the temperature difference between the heat storage units and the heat transport medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 system efficiently stores and transfers heat by maintaining high thermal conductivity between the heat storage units and the heat transport medium, effectively managing temperature differences and heat flow through the use of a rotating unit and heat insulating materials.

Implementation Method 1

a heat storage material made of material that undergoes an electron phase transition has been known... The heat storage material utilizes an enthalpy change associated with the electron phase transition for heat storage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron phase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a heat conduction portion including a second material that is higher in thermal conductivity than the first material... can transfer the heat of the heat transport medium to the heat storage portion through the heat conduction portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3203172B1Heat storage system
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 DENSO CORP
  • EP3203172B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3203172B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3203172B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A heat storage unit or a heat storage system is a heat storage unit (5) including: a heat storage portion (1) having a first material with a strongly correlated electron system material; and a heat conduction portion (3) having a second material higher in a thermal conductivity than the first material and being in contact with the heat storage portion. The heat storage unit may have a laminated structure in which the heat storage portion and the heat conduction portion are alternately laminated on each other. As the strongly correlated electron system material, for example, a metal-insulator phase transition material or a transition metal oxide may be used. The second material may be metal or ceramics. As a result, the heat of the heat transport medium can be efficiently stored.