Thermal Battery with Molten Heat Conductor and Solid Heat Sink
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for thermal batteries that are low maintenance, reliable, energy efficient, and cost-effective for storing energy from intermittent sources like renewables and quickly deploying it at remote locations, such as mining operations, while efficiently managing thermal energy storage and transfer across varying operating temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A thermal battery system utilizing a solid heat sink material and a heat conductive material with a melting point below that of the heat sink, allowing for efficient thermal energy transfer and storage across different operating modes, including Charge, Discharge, Combined, Passive, and Service modes, using a control system to manage energy input and output based on availability and cost of energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a thermal battery uses a heat conductive material that is solid at operating temperatures, then structural stability is improved, but thermal energy transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting a heat conductive material whose physical state changes from solid to liquid within the operating temperature range. This phase transition enables the material to achieve optimal thermal conductivity when liquid, while the system maintains structural stability through proper engineering of the battery container and solid components that remain stable throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal battery employs a composite structure combining a heat conductive material (which becomes liquid at operating temperatures) with a battery container and other solid components. This composite approach allows the liquid heat conductive material to maximize thermal energy transfer while the solid container and structural elements maintain overall system stability.
2Loss of energy
If the heat conductive material is kept in liquid state during operation, then thermal energy transfer efficiency is improved, but material stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by designing the system to operate within a specific temperature range where the heat conductive material remains in liquid state for optimal thermal conductivity, while carefully selecting materials and designing the system to maintain stability despite the liquid state of the heat conductive material.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery container acts as an intermediary between the liquid heat conductive material and the external environment, providing structural support and containment. This allows the liquid material to freely move and transfer heat efficiently while the container maintains system integrity and stability.
3Quantity of substance
If the thermal battery operates at high temperatures (600-2000°C), then energy storage capacity is improved, but material selection and system complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating the thermal battery at elevated temperatures (600-2000°C) to significantly increase the energy storage capacity of the heat conductive material. This high-temperature operation allows greater thermal energy to be stored in the same volume of material, improving energy density while the system manages material selection challenges through careful engineering.
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 system enables efficient thermal energy storage and transfer, maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing maintenance and costs, allowing for quick deployment and operation at remote locations, such as mining operations, by using a heat conductive material that remains fluid within the operating temperature range of the battery.
Implementation Method 1
the heat conductive material transfers thermal energy to the heat sink material and heats the heat sink material
Implementation Method 2
the heat conductive material has a melting point below that of the heat sink material so that in use the heat conductive material is a fluid, for example molten
Implementation Method 3
the heat sink material that, in use of the thermal battery, remains as a solid across an operating temperature range of the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal battery includes a heat sink material that remains solid across an operating temperature range (i.e., for all operating modes) of the battery, and a heat conductive material in direct heat transfer relationship with the solid heat sink material. The heat conductive material has a melting point below that of the heat sink material so that in use the heat conductive material is a fluid, for example molten when the heat conductive material is a metal, in the operating temperature range of the battery.