Mobile phase-change heat and cold storage device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile heating and cooling devices suffer from low energy storage density, slow heat energy conversion, and inefficient heat and cold recovery, leading to high costs and long charging and discharging times.
Innovation Solution
A mobile phase-change heat and cold storage device comprising a storage tank, main tube, heat transfer plates, phase-change working medium, bracket, casing, and insulation layer, utilizing the high energy storage density and isothermal phase-change characteristics of the medium to enable rapid and efficient thermal energy storage and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional thermal energy storage methods are used, then energy storage capacity is limited, but the device structure becomes simpler
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase-change materials (PCM) that undergo phase transitions between solid and liquid states to store and release thermal energy. The PCM is contained in storage tanks with heat transfer plates, allowing high-density energy storage during phase change while maintaining a manageable device structure through controlled containment and heat exchange mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested structure where heat transfer plates are positioned within storage tanks, and multiple storage tanks are arranged within a container body. This nesting approach maximizes energy storage capacity within a compact footprint while maintaining structural organization and ease of maintenance.
2Productivity
If heat transfer area is increased to improve conversion speed, then energy storage density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional heat transfer surfaces to three-dimensional heat transfer plates with extended surfaces and fin structures. This dimensional expansion dramatically increases the heat transfer area within the same volume, enabling fast heat energy conversion while maintaining high storage density through vertical space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage tanks are divided into multiple compartments with individual heat transfer plates, allowing heat exchange to occur simultaneously across multiple segmented surfaces. This segmentation increases total heat transfer area without proportionally increasing device volume, thus maintaining high energy storage density while improving conversion speed.
3Loss of time
If charging and discharging time is reduced, then heat recovery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables continuous heat charging and discharging operations through multiple storage tanks that can be cycled sequentially. While one tank is charging, another is discharging, ensuring continuous useful action without idle time. This continuous operation reduces total charging/discharging time while maintaining high heat recovery efficiency through optimized heat transfer pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase-change materials are pre-positioned in optimal phases (solid or liquid) in each storage tank before operation begins, allowing immediate heat absorption or release when needed. This preliminary preparation eliminates startup delays and ensures maximum heat recovery efficiency from the first moment of operation.
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 achieves high energy storage density, fast heat conversion, reduced storage and recovery times, and lower costs, with a compact and reliable structure that enhances energy utilization efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the device utilizes the characteristics of phase-change working medium such as the phase-change energy storage and energy release being approximately isothermal and high energy storage density
Implementation Method 2
the phase-change working medium stores heat by endothermic liquefaction
Implementation Method 3
The phase-change working medium releases heat by exothermic solidification
Implementation Method 4
Heat is transferred to the phase-change working medium via the heat transfer plates
Implementation Method 5
Heat is transferred from the phase-change working medium to the cold water via the heat transfer plates to obtain hot water
Implementation Method 6
An outer surface of the tank body is coated with the insulation layer
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile phase-change heat and cold storage device include heat transfer plates, a bracket, a casing, a main tube, a storage tank, and a phase-change working medium. Heat is stored and released by the phase-change working medium, and the main tube and casing provide an interface between the heat and cold storage device and the outside world. In the process of heat storage, vapor flows through the heat transfer plates via the main tube; heat is transferred to the phase-change working medium via the heat transfer plates, and is transported in a box body to a designated position; cold water flows through the heat transfer plates via the casing; heat is transferred from the phase-change working medium to the cold water via the heat transfer plates to obtain hot water; the phase-change working medium can release heat by exothermic solidification. The process of cold storage is similar thereto.