Passive Airflow Accelerator for Uniform Heat Exchanger Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concentrating photovoltaic systems face inefficiencies and reliability issues due to temperature gradients across solar cells caused by uneven airflow, leading to mismatched operating points and increased failure rates, which complicates system design and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of passive airflow accelerators coupled to optoelectronic devices to guide airflow towards heat exchangers, ensuring uniform airflow and temperature distribution across the array, thereby reducing temperature gradients and improving system reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat sinks are attached to the backside of solar cell packaging to transfer heat to ambient air, then heat transfer capability is improved, but airflow uniformity deteriorates due to deflection by optical components
Solution Approach 1:
A flow accelerator plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical components and the heat sink. This plate redirects the airflow that would otherwise be deflected by the optical components, channeling it uniformly across the heat sink surface. The plate acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between heat transfer efficiency and airflow uniformity by modifying the flow path without interfering with the optical concentration function.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow accelerator plate utilizes the existing wind flow to generate a low-pressure region that automatically draws additional air through the heat sink. This self-regulating mechanism requires no external power or control systems - the plate's geometry itself creates the suction effect that enhances and equalizes airflow across the entire heat sink surface, including edge regions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If different cooling devices are used at different locations to address temperature gradients, then temperature uniformity is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow accelerator plate performs multiple functions with a single component: it redirects airflow to improve uniformity, creates suction to enhance overall flow rate, and equalizes cooling across edge and center regions. This universal solution replaces the need for multiple different cooling devices that would be required to achieve the same temperature uniformity, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining temperature control.
3Reliability
If heat sinks are designed for hot regions to ensure adequate cooling, then reliability is improved, but cost increases due to overdesign of cooler regions
Solution Approach 1:
The flow accelerator plate creates locally optimized airflow conditions at each position on the heat sink surface. By generating uniform airflow distribution, it ensures that edge regions receive adequate cooling without requiring the entire heat sink to be oversized. This allows the heat sink to be designed with appropriate local characteristics rather than uniform overdesign, reducing material costs while maintaining reliability across all regions.
4Use of energy by moving object
If optical components are used to concentrate solar radiation, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but airflow distribution deteriorates due to wind deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the optical components handle light concentration while the flow accelerator plate handles airflow management. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without interfering with the other. The plate is positioned to work in conjunction with the optical components, redirecting airflow in the spaces between and around them, thereby maintaining both high energy conversion efficiency and uniform airflow distribution.
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
This solution enhances airflow uniformity and reduces temperature gradients, leading to improved electrical efficiency, reduced component costs, and increased reliability by maintaining consistent operating conditions across the photovoltaic array.
Implementation Method 1
the flow accelerator has a surface extending from the respective receiver to guide the airflow towards the heat exchanger... configured to increase a speed of the airflow into the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses to increase a speed of airflow through a heat exchanger are described. An optoelectronic device comprising a heat exchanger is coupled to an airflow accelerator. The airflow accelerator comprises a surface to guide the airflow towards the heat exchanger. An optical element is coupled to concentrate light onto the optoelectronic device. The size of the surface, position of the airflow accelerator relative to the heat exchanger, or both can determine increase in speed of the airflow. A photovoltaic (“PV”) system comprises rows of receivers; rows of optical elements to concentrate light onto the receivers, and rows of airflow accelerators coupled to the receivers to increase the speed of airflow through heat exchangers. The airflow can be deflected by an airflow accelerator towards a heat exchanger. A wind load can be reduced by the airflow accelerator.