Method for thermal separation between a conditioned environment and at least one external environment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal separation methods for conditioned environments are inefficient in maintaining a stable temperature difference between the interior and exterior, particularly in using waste energy sources effectively.
Innovation Solution
A thermal separation device with a transparent or translucent wall structure comprising multiple active and insulating layers, along with channels for heat transfer fluids, and an absorbent screen that can modulate its opacity to enhance heat exchange, allowing for countercurrent heat flow and effective thermal stratification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single layer with fluid ducts is used for thermal separation, then the structure is simple, but the thermal separation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structure is divided into multiple functional layers: transparent wall layer, first active layer with first fluid ducts, first insulating layer, second active layer with second fluid ducts, and second insulating layer. Each layer performs a specific thermal function, allowing independent optimization of heat transfer and insulation pathways to achieve superior thermal separation efficiency compared to single-layer structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where active layers with fluid ducts are positioned between insulating layers, which are themselves between transparent wall layers. This nested arrangement creates multiple thermal barriers and heat transfer pathways within a compact structure, maximizing thermal separation while maintaining structural integrity.
2Loss of energy
If waste energy sources are utilized for heat exchange, then energy efficiency improves, but the system requires more complex heat transfer mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces heat transfer fluids circulating through dedicated fluid ducts embedded in the active layers as intermediaries between the waste heat sources and the wall structure. These fluids act as thermal mediators, efficiently transferring waste energy to or from the conditioned space while maintaining thermal isolation between the heat source and the building envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic circulation of heat transfer fluids through the fluid ducts to achieve thermal energy transfer. This hydraulic approach enables efficient heat exchange with waste energy sources by circulating fluid through the active layers, providing a reliable and scalable method for waste energy utilization.
3Reliability
If multiple active and insulating layers are implemented, then thermal separation efficiency increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different layers are assigned specific thermal properties: transparent wall layers for light transmission and external interface, active layers with fluid ducts for active heat transfer, and insulating layers for thermal isolation. This local differentiation of functional qualities allows each layer to optimize its specific role, achieving high overall thermal separation efficiency while maintaining clear functional separation that simplifies design and maintenance.
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 device effectively maintains a selected temperature range within the conditioned environment by utilizing waste energy sources, enhancing thermal separation and energy accumulation through the synergistic effect of fluid flow and absorbent screen modulation.
Implementation Method 1
heat transfer fluids 19 and 20 have, during the operation of the thermal separation device 10, temperatures that on average are different across the thickness of the wall 13
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent screen that can modulate its opacity to enhance heat exchange
Implementation Method 3
a first insulating layer-like region 16, which is interposed between the active layer-like regions 14 and 15
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A device (10, 100) for thermal separation between a conditioned environment (11, 111) and at least one external environment (12, 112), which comprises a wall (13, 113, 213) that has at least - a first active layer-like region (14, 1 14) toward the conditioned environment (11, 111), - a second active layer-like region (15, 115) toward the external environment (12, 112) with respect to the first active layer-like region (14, 114), - a first insulating layer-like region (16, 116), which is interposed between the active layer-like regions (14, 114, 15, 115), - a second insulating layer-like region (17, 117), which is interposed between the second active layer-like region (15, 115) and the external environment ( 12, 112). The active layer-like regions (14, 114, 15, 115) accommodate channels (18a, 18b, 118a, 118b) for the outflow of heat transfer fluids (19, 20, 119, 120), which have, during the operation of the thermal separation device (10, 100), temperatures that on average are different through the thickness of the wall (13, 113, 213).