Hydronic Building Partition with Dual-Loop Thermal Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating and cooling systems in buildings are inefficient as they fail to effectively utilize available hot sources and cold sinks, leading to significant energy consumption and carbon emissions, particularly due to the static nature of building envelopes which do not adapt to changing thermal demands and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A hydronic system with dynamic insulation capabilities, incorporating a double-sided microcapillary heating and cooling layer embedded in composite structural insulation panels, which actively manages thermal resistance and stores energy, utilizing ambient renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal energy, and intelligently distributes heat through a cyber-physical system integrated into opaque building elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional heating and cooling systems are used with static building envelopes, then the building structure is simple and easy to construct, but energy consumption is high and thermal demands cannot be met efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The building envelope transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system with variable insulation properties. The insulation panels can actively adjust their thermal resistance in response to changing thermal demands and environmental conditions, allowing the system to optimize energy efficiency while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating and cooling system is integrated directly into the building envelope structure, combining multiple functions into a unified system. The envelope serves both as structural support and as the active thermal management system, eliminating the need for separate conventional HVAC infrastructure.
2Loss of energy
If conventional heating and cooling systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but available hot sources and cold sinks are not effectively utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that continuously monitor thermal conditions and adjust insulation properties in real-time. This feedback loop enables the building envelope to respond dynamically to changing environmental conditions and thermal demands, optimizing energy efficiency by effectively utilizing available hot sources and cold sinks.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation panels can change their thermal parameters (insulation value) dynamically based on environmental conditions and thermal demands. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize heat transfer efficiency, capturing available thermal energy from the environment rather than losing it.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the building envelope maximizes insulation to minimize heating and cooling energy use, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to fluctuating weather conditions and interior space usage
Solution Approach 1:
The building envelope transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system with variable insulation properties. The insulation panels can actively adjust their thermal resistance in response to changing thermal demands and environmental conditions, allowing the system to optimize energy efficiency while maintaining structural integrity.
4Productivity
If a dynamic hydronic system with embedded conduits is integrated into building panels, then thermal energy management is optimized and adaptability improves, but manufacturing complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydronic heating and cooling conduits are integrated directly into the building panel structure during manufacturing, merging the structural and thermal management functions into a single unified component. This integration eliminates the need for separate installation steps and reduces overall system complexity despite the advanced functionality.
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 dynamically adjusts insulation values and efficiently utilizes renewable energy to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by optimizing heat exchange and storage within building envelopes, enhancing energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a first conduit embedded in a first side of the partition, a second conduit embedded in a second side of the partition... When the hydronic system is operating in a heat exchange mode, the fluid flows between the first conduit and the second conduit in a third closed loop
Implementation Method 2
The partition includes an insulation core, and an effective insulation value of the insulation core changes depending on whether the hydronic system is operating in the isolating mode or the heat exchange mode
Data Source
AI summary
A hydronic system includes a partition, a first conduit embedded in a first side of the partition, a second conduit embedded in a second side of the partition, a first sheet of finishing material covering the first conduit, a second sheet of finishing material covering the second conduit, and at least one valve and at least one pump. The at least one valve and at least one pump are configured to control a flow of a fluid inside the first conduit and the second conduit. When the hydronic system is operating in an isolating mode, the fluid flows in a first closed loop through the first conduit and the fluid flows in a second closed loop through the second conduit. When the hydronic system is operating in a heat exchange mode, the fluid flows between the first conduit and the second conduit in a third closed loop.