PCM Floor Pavement Structure for Outdoor Overheating Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor sport surfaces, such as tennis courts made of asphalt or concrete, suffer from rapid overheating during sunny days, and existing phase change material (PCM) solutions have not gained wide market acceptance for effective temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer floor pavement structure incorporating a top layer of phase change material (PCM) with a heat conductive sub-layer, utilizing multiple PCM layers with varying PCM amounts and melting points, and a heat conductive material like graphite or graphene to manage temperature effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a phase change material (PCM) is added to cool the floor pavement structure, then the temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCM is integrated directly into the top layer of the floor pavement structure, merging the cooling function with the surface layer itself rather than adding a separate cooling system. This combination approach provides temperature control while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials by combining PCM with the floor pavement structure materials (asphalt or concrete), creating a multifunctional composite that provides both structural support and passive cooling through phase change.
2Temperature
If multiple PCM layers with varying PCM amounts and melting points are used, then the temperature regulation effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different PCM layers are designed with varying PCM amounts and melting points tailored to specific depth positions and temperature requirements. The top layer contains PCM optimized for surface temperature control, while lower layers contain PCM optimized for deeper heat absorption, creating localized quality variations that improve overall temperature regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCM system is segmented into multiple layers with distinct compositions and melting points, allowing each layer to address specific temperature ranges and depths. This segmentation enables more effective temperature control across different conditions while maintaining modular manufacturing approaches.
3Reliability
If heat conductive materials like graphite or graphene are added to improve heat transfer, then the heat conductivity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Heat conductive materials such as graphite or graphene are incorporated as additives within the floor pavement structure matrix, creating composite materials that enhance thermal conductivity. This approach improves heat transfer efficiency while utilizing established composite material manufacturing techniques.
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 structure provides effective cooling and temperature regulation, preventing overheating and maintaining a desirable surface temperature range, even in varying weather conditions, with improved heat transfer and shock absorption characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change material is mixed into the floor pavement structure to cool the floor pavement structure when exposed to intensive sunshine during a game
Implementation Method 2
The combination of the heat conductive sub-layer and the PCM on the outermost top layer of the floor structure has been found to be particularly advantageous in preventing the surface of the pavement structure from overheating
Implementation Method 3
at least one heat conductive sub-layer disposed between the top layer and a substrate. The heat conductive materials includes graphite, or graphene or a combination thereof for improved heat conductivity between the substrate and the top layer
Implementation Method 4
The ground serves as a heat sink such that the phase transition is reversed for another usage cycle
Data Source
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AI summary
A floor pavement structure (400) exhibiting resistance to overheating, the floor pavement structure comprising at least one heat conductive sub-layer (108) including graphite, graphene or combinations thereof, the heat conductive sub-layer being disposed between a top layer (101, 102) and a substrate (110). The top layer (101, 102) includes a phase change material.