Heat accumulator apparatus and method for storing and/or transferring heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat storage devices face limitations in achieving high power density and flexibility, particularly at elevated temperatures, due to inefficiencies in heating mechanisms and material constraints.
Innovation Solution
A heat storage device with an inductor device surrounding the storage space, featuring inductor elements with varying material thickness and a concave design, allowing for inductive heating of electrically conductive storage materials to high temperatures without direct contact, utilizing alternating voltages within specific frequency ranges to achieve efficient heat transfer and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional contact heating methods are used, then the heating mechanism is simple, but the power density is limited and cannot achieve high temperatures efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical contact heating systems with an inductive heating system that uses electromagnetic fields to heat the storage material. The inductor device generates an alternating magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the electrically conductive storage material, producing heat without physical contact. This substitution enables significantly higher power densities and temperatures while reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the electrical conductivity parameter of the storage material to enable inductive heating. By selecting materials with appropriate electrical conductivity properties, the system can efficiently convert electromagnetic energy into thermal energy, achieving high power density operation that would be impossible with conventional contact heating methods.
2Reliability
If direct contact heating is used, then the heating mechanism is straightforward, but the service life is limited due to overheating risks and material degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact heating with non-contact inductive heating. The inductor device generates an alternating magnetic field that penetrates the housing and heats the storage material internally through induced eddy currents. This eliminates thermal contact stresses, overheating risks, and material degradation associated with conventional contact heating, significantly extending service life and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an alternating magnetic field as an intermediary between the heating source and the storage material. The magnetic field serves as the energy transfer medium, allowing heat to be generated within the storage material itself rather than being transferred from an external contact surface. This intermediary mechanism eliminates direct thermal contact and its associated reliability issues.
3Quantity of substance
If high temperatures exceeding 1000°C are achieved, then the storage capacity increases, but the risk of overheating and material failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensing and control mechanisms that continuously monitor the thermal state of the storage material and provide feedback to the inductor device. This feedback control allows the system to operate at high temperatures for maximum storage capacity while automatically adjusting parameters to prevent overheating and material failure, enabling safe operation at temperatures exceeding 1000°C.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the temperature-dependent electrical conductivity properties of the storage material to enable controlled heating. By monitoring and adjusting the alternating voltage frequency and amplitude based on material properties, the system can achieve high temperatures for increased storage capacity while maintaining control to prevent dangerous overheating conditions.
4Productivity
If inductor elements with uniform material thickness are used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the heating uniformity and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inductor elements with non-uniform material thickness distribution, where different regions of the inductor have different thicknesses optimized for their specific functional requirements. This local quality variation allows for improved heating efficiency and uniformity in critical areas while maintaining manufacturability through standardized production techniques for the varied thickness profiles.
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 enables increased power densities and operational flexibility, allowing for efficient heat storage and transfer at temperatures exceeding 1000°C, with reduced risk of overheating and extended service life compared to conventional resistance heaters.
Implementation Method 1
The storage material can be heated inductively by means of the inductor device. In particular, the storage material is electrically conductive.
Implementation Method 2
The inductor device preferably comprises one or more inductor elements which have a varying material thickness in a direction arranged parallel to the inductor axis.
Implementation Method 3
Fluid guided through the storage space can preferably be heated and/or is heated by the heated storage material to temperatures of 1000° C. or more, in particular 1200° C. or more.
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to provide a heat accumulator apparatus which has an increased storage density and/or power density and can be used flexibly, the invention relates to a heat accumulator apparatus which comprises an inductor apparatus which surrounds a storage chamber for receiving a storage material, wherein the inductor apparatus comprises one or more inductor elements, the one or more inductor elements having a varying material thickness in a direction arranged parallel to an inductor axis, the material thickness being taken in particular perpendicular to the inductor axis in each case, wherein a center region of the one or more inductor elements has a reduced material thickness in comparison to regions which are arranged on both sides of the center region.