Passive Shading Device Using Thermal Expansion Actuator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shading devices for buildings are costly to install and energy-consuming, and they often use hazardous materials that pose safety and environmental concerns due to direct heat transfer from blocking fluids to the building.
Innovation Solution
A self-sustaining, passive shading device using a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder actuator with a heat expandable medium that moves shading panels based on natural heat expansion, eliminating the need for external energy and hazardous materials by leveraging solar radiation to control shading without direct heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If blocking fluid is used to block sunlight, then sunlight blocking is achieved, but heat transfer to building and safety hazards occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heat transfer pathway from the shading system by removing the blocking fluid that was in direct contact with the building. Instead, a safe gas fills the space between the transparent panes, while the actual shading function is achieved by movable opaque panels that block sunlight without transferring heat to the building structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary transparent fluid filling the space between panes that replaces the hazardous blocking fluid. This intermediary substance allows for safe heat management while the shading function is performed by separate opaque panels controlled by the actuator mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If active control systems are used for shading, then shading control is achieved, but energy consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is designed to be self-powered, utilizing the thermal expansion and contraction of a gas-filled chamber in response to ambient temperature changes. This self-service mechanism automatically adjusts the shading panels without requiring external energy sources, controllers, or power consumption, thereby eliminating the trade-off between control capability and energy use.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hazardous displacement fluids are used, then shading function is achieved, but safety and environmental requirements are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces hazardous, expensive, and environmentally problematic displacement fluids with a simple, safe, and inexpensive gas filling the chamber between transparent panes. This gas serves the same thermal response function without posing fire, health, or environmental risks, effectively eliminating the contradiction between achieving shading function and meeting safety requirements.
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 device effectively blocks sunlight and heat, reducing building warming while being safe and energy-efficient, with a compact design that requires no active control, using filtered air or suitable fluids as the heat expandable medium.
Implementation Method 1
When the vessel is heated by for example sun radiation, the medium will try to expand. Because the vessel is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber of the actuator, the pressure increase due to the heating of the medium will also have its effect within the pressure chamber.
Implementation Method 2
When the sun radiation is reduced, for example because of a cloudy sky, the heat expandable medium will cool off and the pressure in the medium will drop. Due to the pressure drop, the movable piston will be moved back causing the shading means to move towards the non-active, non-shading position.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for providing shade, which device comprises: - a vessel filled with a heat expandable medium; - a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder barrel, a piston movable within the cylinder barrel and a piston rod connected to the movable piston, wherin the pressure chamber of the hydraulic cylinder is in fluid connection with the vessel; and - shading means operable between an active, shading position and a non-active, non-shading position, wherein the piston rod is coupled to the shading means for controlling the position of the shading means.