Internally heated phase change material heat batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PCM heat battery technologies face inefficiencies and complexity in charging, particularly when using internal heating devices, as they require complex hydronic circuits that are unreliable, expensive, and difficult to maintain, and struggle with connecting multiple charging heat sources and charging with externally located primary heat sources.
Innovation Solution
A PCM heat battery design featuring integrally and internally located heating devices, such as electrical heating elements, within the PCM enclosure, along with thermal conductors and an electronic control system that allows for direct heating and precise temperature control without the need for complex hydronic circuits, enabling charging with both internal and external heat sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex hydronic circuits are used to charge PCM with internal heating devices, then heating control is achieved, but system reliability decreases and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex hydronic circuits from the system, replacing them with direct electrical heating elements that are简单地 inserted into the PCM container. This removes the problematic intermediate fluid circulation system while maintaining heating control functionality through direct electrical resistance heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hydronic circuit system (pumps, pipes, fluid circulation) with an electrical heating system. Electrical heating elements directly convert electrical energy to thermal energy within the PCM, eliminating the need for mechanical fluid circulation components that reduce reliability.
2Ease of operation
If complex hydronic circuits are used for internal heating, then heating function is provided, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive hydronic circuit components (pumps, pipes, valves, fluid) and replaces them with simple, inexpensive electrical heating elements. This dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the heating function through direct electrical resistance heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive electrical heating elements that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. These replace the expensive, complex hydronic system components, accepting that simpler components may have shorter lifetimes but at much lower cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If externally located primary heat source is used to charge PCM, then charging capability is provided, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the PCM container with a universal interface that can accept both external heat sources and internal electrical heating elements. The container includes both an external heating surface for external heat sources and internal electrical heating elements, allowing the same system to function with multiple charging methods without increasing complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heating devices are located within PCM enclosure, then charging flexibility improves, but connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating function into multiple independent electrical heating elements that can be individually controlled. Each heating element is a separate, simple component that can be independently switched on or off, providing charging flexibility without requiring complex interconnections between 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
This design enhances technical efficiencies and flexibility by eliminating the need for complex hydronic circuits, allowing for precise control and efficient charging with multiple heat sources, reducing costs and improving reliability, while enabling direct heating of PCM for improved thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
at least one or a plurality of heating devices located in the PCM heat battery; wherein the at least one or plurality of heating devices are capable of heating and/or charging the PCM
Implementation Method 2
at least one or a plurality of thermal conductors substantially vertically inserted into the heat battery and which are immersed or partially immersed into the PCM
Implementation Method 3
PCM located in the PCM enclosure; wherein the electronic control system controls the physical characteristics and/or temperature of the PCM
Data Source
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AI summary
There is herein defined phase change material (PCM) battery designs which are heated. More particularly, there is described integrally and/or internally located heating devices (e.g. electrical heating devices) in a range of heat batteries containing PCM. In particular, there is described a PCM heat battery comprising: a PCM enclosure capable of holding PCM; PCM located in the enclosure; an electronic control system for the PCM heat battery; a heating device located in the PCM heat battery; wherein the heating device is capable of heating and/or charging the PCM.