Multi mode heat transfer systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat transfer systems are inefficient as they do not direct heat specifically to heat-receiving structures based on the temperature of the heat source, leading to wastage and non-targeted heat distribution.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode heat transfer system featuring an emitter device with a composite material pattern and a surface coating that changes emissivity states based on temperature, allowing for either omni-directional or focused heat transfer to specific receiver devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional heat transfer systems use heat conduction and radiation principles with heat-receiving structures surrounding the heat source, then heat is transferred amongst objects near the heat source, but the system is inefficient and does not direct heat to specific heat receiving structures as a function of the temperature of the heat source
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter device incorporates a composite material pattern with spatially varying thermal conductivity, creating different thermal pathways in different regions. This allows heat to be directed preferentially toward specific receiver structures rather than distributing uniformly in all directions, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency and reducing energy wastage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes temperature-dependent emissivity changes in the surface coating pattern. As the emitter temperature changes, the emissivity of different regions changes accordingly, dynamically directing heat flow to appropriate receivers based on thermal conditions. This resolves the contradiction by making heat distribution efficient and targeted rather than uniform and wasteful.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surface coating pattern is changed between low and high emissivity states, then the emitter device can transmit focused or omni-directional radiation, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter device employs a composite material pattern consisting of multiple materials with different thermal conductivities arranged in a specific spatial configuration. This composite structure enables the surface coating to exhibit temperature-dependent emissivity switching between low and high states, providing adaptable radiation control without requiring complex mechanical or electronic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface coating pattern automatically adjusts its emissivity based on the emitter's temperature without external control. The material's inherent thermochromic properties cause it to switch between low and high emissivity states autonomously, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining high adaptability in radiation direction control.
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 effectively directs heat from a hot body to a targeted area, optimizing heat transfer efficiency by switching between low and high emissivity states, thereby enhancing thermal management and energy distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The surface coating pattern on the outer surface is changeable between a low emissivity state and a high emissivity state based on a surface temperature of the emitter device
Implementation Method 2
The outer core having materials that includes at least one high thermal conductivity material inlay and a low thermal conductivity material matrix
Implementation Method 3
In the low emissivity state, the emitter device transmits an omni-directional radiation and, in the high emissivity state, the emitter device transmits a focused radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein generally relate a multi-mode heat transfer system. The heat transfer system includes an emitter device. The emitter device includes an inner core, a composite material pattern, and a surface coating pattern. The inner core is surrounded by an outer core having a thickness and an outer surface. The composite material pattern extends through at least a portion of the outer surface and at least a portion of the thickness of the outer core and is thermally coupled to the inner core. The surface coating pattern is on the outer surface and is changeable between a low emissivity state and a high emissivity state based on a surface temperature of the emitter device. In the low emissivity state, the emitter device transmits an omni-directional radiation and, in the high emissivity state, the emitter device transmits a focused radiation via the composite material pattern.