Metallic Rail Heat Store with Web Cross-Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat storage systems face challenges in achieving high thermal capacity, rapid heat exchange, and mechanical stability while maintaining efficiency and durability, especially when subjected to high temperatures and multiple heating cycles.
Innovation Solution
The use of metallic rails with an elongated shape featuring a web between wider ends, providing a large contact surface for heat exchange and high mechanical stability, allows for efficient thermal storage and rapid charging/discharging without complex configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If concrete blocks are used as heat-storage bodies, then the structure is simple and damages are avoided at moderate temperatures, but the contact surface is small leading to slow heat transfer and the structure cannot withstand high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from concrete to metallic rail, which fundamentally alters the thermal and mechanical properties. The metallic rail can withstand high temperatures and provides high thermal conductivity, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and heat transfer rate.
2Productivity
If stones or granular material are used as heat-storage bodies, then the contact surface is large for rapid heat exchange, but high temperatures or numerous heating cycles cause fractures and cave-in
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from granular material to metallic rail, transforming the structural properties. The metallic rail maintains structural integrity under high temperatures and cyclic loading while providing sufficient contact surface area for heat exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic rail can be considered as a composite structure with the housing and insulation materials, creating a unified heat storage system that combines the advantages of different materials for structural stability and thermal performance.
3Reliability
If metallic heat-storage bodies such as steel plates are used, then higher temperatures and high long-term stability are achieved, but thermal expansion causes problems when heat-exchanging pipes are in direct contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the housing as an intermediary structure between the metallic rail and the environment. The housing accommodates the thermal expansion of the metallic rail without transmitting harmful stresses, resolving the contradiction between long-term stability and thermal expansion damage.
4Reliability
If metal bars are arranged vertically or horizontally with supports, then high temperatures and stability are achieved, but the design complexity increases and storage capacity per volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat storage function and structural support function into a single metallic rail element. The rail itself provides both thermal storage capacity and structural stability, eliminating the need for separate support structures and reducing overall design complexity.
5Quantity of substance
If a large number of heat-storage bodies are packed to increase storage capacity, then thermal capacity increases, but the contact surface per unit volume decreases and heat transfer becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the heat storage body from compact shapes (blocks, spheres) to elongated rail shapes. This geometric transformation increases the surface area to volume ratio, allowing high storage capacity while maintaining efficient heat transfer surfaces.
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
This design achieves a large thermal storage capacity with a large surface area and high stability, enabling efficient heat transfer and operation at high temperatures while preventing material fatigue and cave-in issues.
Implementation Method 1
heat-storage bodies for storing thermal energy... thermal energy is conducted to and/or away from the heat-storage bodies
Implementation Method 2
at least one conduit for a heat-transfer fluid in order to conduct thermal energy to and/or away from the heat-storage bodies
Implementation Method 3
thermal energy is conducted to and/or away from the heat-storage bodies with a heat-transfer fluid
Implementation Method 4
If the heat store is operated over a large temperature range, however, thermal expansion can lead to problems
Data Source
AI summary
A heat store comprises heat-storage bodies for storing thermal energy, a housing, in which the heat-storage bodies are accommodated; and at least one line for a heat-transfer fluid, in order to feed thermal energy to the heat-storage bodies and/or carry it away from the heat-storage bodies. Each of the heat-storage bodies comprises a metal rail of an elongated form, the cross-section of which has a web between widened ends.