Hybrid Solar Panel Heat Exchanger With Integrated Flow Obstructions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid solar panels face challenges with complex and costly heat exchanger designs that do not provide uniform cooling and efficient heat extraction, leading to reduced efficiency and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid solar panel design featuring a heat exchanger with a lower plate that integrates disruption elements extending over the entire thickness of the coolant fluid flow, promoting efficient thermal transfer and simplifying manufacturing by eliminating the need for complex assembly processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disruption elements are assembled on the base plate using gluing, welding or screwing, then heat transfer is promoted, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the disruption elements directly into the base plate structure, merging two previously separate components (base plate and disruption elements) into a single monobloc piece. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps such as gluing, welding, or screwing, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural support for the photovoltaic elements, the coolant fluid channel, and the integration substrate for the disruption elements. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the heat exchanger system.
2Reliability
If disruption elements are assembled on the base plate using gluing, welding or screwing, then heat transfer is promoted, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the disruption elements and base plate into a single monobloc structure, the manufacturing process is simplified to involve forming or casting the integrated structure in one operation, eliminating multiple assembly steps. This significantly reduces manufacturing time and cost while preserving the heat transfer promotion function.
Solution Approach 2:
The disruption elements are pre-integrated into the base plate structure during its formation process, rather than being added as separate components afterward. This preliminary integration simplifies the overall manufacturing workflow and reduces the number of production steps required.
3Temperature
If conventional heat exchangers are used, then cooling function is provided, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger functions are integrated directly into the base plate structure, eliminating the need for separate cooling components. This consolidation reduces the overall weight of the solar panel while maintaining effective cooling capability through the monobloc design with embedded disruption elements.
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 design achieves uniform temperature distribution, optimal heat extraction, and reduced weight while lowering manufacturing costs and energy consumption, enhancing the efficiency and robustness of the solar panel.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant fluid circulating in the heat exchanger so as to cool the photovoltaic elements
Implementation Method 2
elements enabling disruption of the flow of the coolant fluid so as to facilitate thermal transfers in the transfer zone
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hybrid solar panel comprising: photovoltaic elements (1) having a front face and a rear face; a heat exchanger (E) arranged opposite the rear face of said photovoltaic elements (1); and a cooling fluid circulating in said exchanger (E) in such a way as to cool the photovoltaic elements (1), said exchanger (E) comprising a heat exchange region (ZE) through which said fluid flows, arranged beneath said photovoltaic elements (1), said exchange region comprising elements (20) that enable the flow of the fluid to be disrupted in such a way as to stimulate the heat exchanges in the exchange region (ZE). The invention is characterized in that said exchange region (ZE) is formed by a lower exchange plate (2) designed in such a way as to form built-in obstruction elements (20) extending over the entire thickness of the strand of cooling fluid flowing through the exchange region, and in that the upper end of the obstruction elements (20) is in contact with the rear face of the photovoltaic elements (1) in such a way that said photovoltaic elements are cooled mainly at these contact points.