Multilayer Latent-Heat Store for Electrical Conductor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latent-heat storage devices have limitations in heat storage capacity and thermal conductivity, particularly in electrical conductors, which can lead to overheating and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A latent-heat storage device with multiple layers of phase-change materials and heat transport means, where latent-heat storage elements are layered with heat transport means to enhance thermal energy storage and dissipation, using materials like paraffin and graphite to improve conductivity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single latent-heat storage element is used, then the device structure is simple, but the heat storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The latent-heat storage device is divided into multiple storage elements (at least two) that are arranged in layers and electrically connected in series. Each element contains phase-change material surrounded by heat transport means, allowing the total heat storage capacity to be the sum of individual elements while maintaining a modular, manageable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-element configuration to a multi-layered three-dimensional arrangement of storage elements. The elements are stacked in layers with heat transport means positioned between and around them, utilizing vertical and horizontal spatial dimensions to increase storage capacity without proportionally increasing device footprint.
2Temperature
If phase-change material is used alone, then the latent heat storage is achieved, but the thermal conductivity is insufficient for efficient heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures where phase-change material is combined with heat transport means having high thermal conductivity. The heat transport means may include metal plates, heat pipes, or other thermally conductive materials that form a composite system with the phase-change material, enabling efficient heat transfer from the electrical conductor through multiple interfaces to the latent-heat storage elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat transport means serve as intermediary components between the electrical conductor and the latent-heat storage elements. These intermediaries facilitate thermal energy transfer across the interface, conducting heat from the conductor through the heat transport means and into the phase-change material, thereby overcoming the inherent thermal conductivity limitations of the phase-change material alone.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple latent-heat storage elements are layered, then the heat storage capacity increases, but the thermal contact between elements and heat transport means becomes critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes thin-film heat transport means that can conform to the surfaces of latent-heat storage elements, ensuring intimate thermal contact. These thin films or plates are positioned between and around the storage elements, maintaining reliable thermal interfaces even as the multi-layered structure is assembled and subjected to thermal expansion and contraction during 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 solution effectively doubles the thermal capacity and ensures efficient heat dissipation, preventing overheating by storing thermal energy as latent heat, thereby enhancing the operational stability and efficiency of electrical conductors.
Implementation Method 1
A latent-heat storage device (also known as phase-change memory or PCM) is a heat storage device which stores most of the thermal energy supplied to it in the form of latent heat (for example for a phase change from solid to liquid)
Implementation Method 2
stores most of the thermal energy supplied to it in the form of latent heat (for example for a phase change from solid to liquid)
Implementation Method 3
heat from the heat transport means is conducted into a contacting latent-heat storage element
Implementation Method 4
graphite in paraffin improves the transport of heat in a phase-change material with a graphite-paraffin mixture
Implementation Method 5
The latent-heat storage device may accordingly be inserted into a housing of a higher-level component
Data Source
AI summary
Latent-heat store for an electrical conductor for fitting in a housing, with at least two latent-heat storage elements, at least one heat-transporting means, in particular at least two heat-transporting means, which are electrically conductively connected to one another, wherein the latent-heat storage elements and the heat-transporting means are arranged in layers in such a way that the latent heat-storage elements are contacted by the heat-transporting means on at least one surface side in each case, and so heat is conducted from the heat-transporting means into a latent-heat storage element with which it is in contact in such a way that heat can be removed from the electrical conductor into the latent-heat store.