Outdoor energy-storage device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems for buildings require significant space inside the building for energy storage and heat exchanger components, and are sensitive to cold temperatures, necessitating heating and affecting operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
An outdoor energy-storage device with a partially sunken design, featuring an energy store with both water and air heat exchangers, a heat pump, and an exhaust-air connection that adjusts the temperature of the heat pump and other functional modules using exhaust air, allowing for compact installation and operation without the need for internal space or heating, even at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If building services components are arranged inside the building, then they are easily accessible and protected, but they require significant space inside the building
Solution Approach 1:
The energy store with water heat exchanger and the building services components are extracted from the indoor space and relocated to an outdoor installation. The outdoor unit is at least partially sunken in the ground, removing the bulk of the equipment from the building interior while maintaining functionality through connected piping and ductwork.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a primarily indoor three-dimensional space occupation to an outdoor installation that utilizes the ground level and subsurface space. By sinking the outdoor unit into the ground, the system effectively uses the vertical dimension and ground plane rather than consuming valuable indoor floor space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If functional modules operate at low outside temperatures, then they can function in winter conditions, but cold-sensitive electrical circuits fail and require heating
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust air, which is typically a waste product discharged from the building, is repurposed as a heating source for the functional modules. The thermal energy in the exhaust air is used to maintain the temperature of the heat pump and electrical circuits during cold weather, converting what would be wasted heat into a useful heating resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own exhaust air to heat its own components, creating a self-sustaining thermal management system. The functional modules are heated by the exhaust air they help generate, reducing the need for separate heating systems or external energy sources.
3Loss of energy
If exhaust air is used directly in the energy store, then energy recovery is efficient, but the functional modules are not protected from cold temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust air flow path is segmented into two distinct routes: one stream directs exhaust air to the energy store for thermal energy recovery, while another stream directs exhaust air through or around the functional modules for temperature adjustment. This segmentation allows both functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust air acts as an intermediary medium that transfers thermal energy to both the energy store and the functional modules. By using the exhaust air as a thermal mediator, the system efficiently recovers energy while simultaneously protecting temperature-sensitive components.
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 provides a space-saving, reliable, and energy-efficient air conditioning system that operates effectively at low temperatures without the need for internal heating, using exhaust air for temperature adjustment and waste heat for additional heating support, enhancing the operational reliability of cold-sensitive electrical circuits.
Implementation Method 1
the exhaust air entering through the exhaust-air connection adjusts the temperature of the heat pump, at least in certain regions, before the exhaust air enters the energy store
Implementation Method 2
The heat pump is designed so that the exhaust air flows past it and/or flows through it to allow energy transfer between the exhaust air and the heat pump
Implementation Method 3
an energy store for energy transmission and energy storage with a water heat exchanger in a liquid reservoir
Implementation Method 4
an air heat exchanger above the liquid reservoir
Implementation Method 5
a heat pump, which is coupled to the water heat exchanger and the air heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor energy-storage device of a system for air conditioning interior rooms of a building, wherein the outdoor energy-storage device can be arranged outside the building, can be partially sunken in the ground and includes an energy store for energy transmission and energy storage with a liquid reservoir, a water heat exchanger in the liquid reservoir and an air heat exchanger above the liquid reservoir, a heat pump, which is coupled to the water heat exchanger and the air heat exchanger, and an exhaust-air connection, which is intended for exhaust air from the building and is coupled to the energy store and the heat pump so that the exhaust air entering through the exhaust-air connection adjusts the temperature of the heat pump, at least in certain regions, before the exhaust air enters the energy store.