Method for applying an upper transparent protective coating layer to a reflecting stratiform structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reflective structures for solar radiation concentration face challenges in achieving cost-effectiveness, high reflectivity, and durability while maintaining transparency, as they often result in rough surfaces due to machining processes, which hinder efficient radiation capture.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a cross-linking process using a transparent thermoplastic film, such as PET, to apply an upper transparent protective coating layer, allowing for smooth or patterned surfaces that replicate the film's characteristics, ensuring effective radiation reflection and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective coating layer is applied to withstand bad weather and humidity, then durability and reliability are improved, but transparency deteriorates, preventing incident radiation from reaching the reflective layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the coating material by using a polymerisable resin that undergoes cross-linking transformation. This transformation allows the coating to achieve both high transparency and weather resistance simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between durability and transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by cross-linking polymerisable resin molecules to form a three-dimensional network within the coating layer. This composite material structure provides both optical clarity and environmental resistance, eliminating the trade-off between transparency and durability.
2Ease of manufacture
If machining processes are used to create the protective coating layer, then the structure can be manufactured, but the surface becomes rough, reducing radiation capture efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical machining processes with a chemical cross-linking process. The polymerisable resin is applied and then cross-linked through chemical reactions initiated by energy transmission, eliminating mechanical contact that causes surface roughness while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of the polymerisable resin from a liquid or soft state (during application) to a cross-linked solid state (after curing). This phase transition allows the coating to be applied smoothly and then hardened without surface degradation, achieving both ease of manufacture and high surface precision.
3Reliability
If energy is transmitted through a transparent thermoplastic film to cross-link the polymerisable resin, then the coating achieves high transparency and durability, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent thermoplastic film as an intermediary medium that transmits energy (such as UV light or heat) to initiate and sustain the cross-linking process of the polymerisable resin. This intermediary enables the coating to achieve high transparency and durability while managing process complexity through a controlled transmission mechanism.
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 method enables the creation of cost-effective, highly reflective, and durable stratiform structures with controlled surface features, enhancing radiation capture and longevity by using a cross-linked polymerizable resin through a transparent thermoplastic film, ensuring efficient energy transmission and protection from external agents.
Implementation Method 1
cross-linking a polymerisable resin, which will form the upper transparent protective coating layer, by making energy pass through a transparent thermoplastic film, preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), so as to cross-link the polymerisable resin
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a method for making a reflecting stratiform structure (100), configured so as to reflect the incident radiation coming from an upper side with respect to the reflecting stratiform structure (100), comprising an upper transparent protective coating layer (101 ) configured in that the upper transparent protective coating layer (101 ) is applied to the reflecting stratiform structure (100) through a cross-linking process, which is carried out by cross-linking a polymerisable resin, which will form the upper transparent protective coating layer (101 ), making energy pass through a transparent thermoplastic film (102, 120), preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), so as to cross-link the polymerisable resin.