Phase Change Cooling for Enclosed Solar Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
High temperatures in desert regions disrupt solar energy collection processes, causing equipment malfunctions and failures due to heat trapping and electronic component overheating, which existing cooling methods like air conditioning are inefficient or impractical to implement.
Innovation Solution
A system using a phase change material, such as paraffin wax, within an electronics enclosure that directs warm air to liquefy the material, cooling the air and electronic components via conduction and convection, and reverses airflow at night to solidify the material, regulating temperature effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air conditioning systems are used to cool equipment in high ambient temperature environments, then equipment temperature can be maintained, but power consumption increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using phase change materials to pre-cool equipment during nighttime or low-temperature periods. The PCM absorbs and stores thermal energy when temperatures are low, then releases this stored cooling capacity during high-temperature periods, eliminating the need for continuous active cooling and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical air conditioning system with a passive thermal management system using phase change materials. Instead of using mechanical compressors and refrigeration cycles, the system utilizes the natural phase transition of PCM between solid and liquid states to absorb and release heat, thereby cooling equipment without mechanical intervention.
2Temperature
If air conditioning systems are installed in remote locations, then equipment can be cooled, but installation and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a passive cooling system that requires no external power supply, control systems, or mechanical components. The phase change material automatically absorbs and releases heat based on temperature conditions, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for installation of complex infrastructure or ongoing maintenance in remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cooling function from complex mechanical air conditioning systems and implements it through simple phase change material containers. This extraction simplifies the system to basic thermal storage units that can be easily installed and maintained even in remote desert locations without specialized infrastructure.
3Temperature
If additional cooling power is provided to equipment, then equipment temperature can be maintained, but the purpose of solar energy collection is defeated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of high ambient temperatures into a beneficial thermal storage opportunity. By using phase change materials that absorb heat during phase transition, the system transforms the environmental thermal energy that would otherwise harm equipment into a stored cooling resource, eliminating the need for additional cooling power and maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by utilizing the natural diurnal temperature cycle in desert environments. The PCM charges (absorbs heat) during nighttime or low-temperature periods and discharges (releases cooling) during daytime high-temperature periods, synchronizing with environmental cycles to provide cooling without additional energy input.
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 reduces electronic component temperatures, preventing failures and maintaining efficiency while being less expensive and more maintainable than traditional cooling methods, with the phase change material absorbing and releasing heat efficiently over multiple cycles.
Implementation Method 1
directs warm air to liquefy the material, cooling the air and electronic components via conduction and convection
Implementation Method 2
cooling the air and electronic components via conduction and convection
Implementation Method 3
cooling the air and electronic components via conduction and convection
Implementation Method 4
reverses airflow at night to solidify the material, regulating temperature effectively
Implementation Method 5
the phase change material absorbing and releasing heat efficiently over multiple cycles
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology is directed generally to phase change materials for cooling enclosed electronic components, including for solar energy collection, and associated systems and methods. In particular embodiments, a system directs warm air through an airflow path in thermal communication with a phase change material to liquefy the phase change material and cool the air. The system also directs the cool air into thermal communication with electronic components to cool the electronic components via conduction and/or convection.