Porous Membrane Cooling Assembly for Passive Indoor Heat and Humidity Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Current building cooling systems consume high energy and emit harmful greenhouse gases, leading to increased energy consumption and environmental impact, while also being susceptible to mold and moisture damage due to inadequate temperature and humidity regulation.

Innovation Solution

A membrane assembly with a porous matrix coating is used to passively cool interior areas by redistributing fluid through capillary action, creating evaporation and heat flow, while also regulating humidity and rectifying diffusive water vapor transport, using materials like PTFE-coated fiberglass and titanium dioxide or silica gel to form pores that vary in size and permeability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional air conditioning systems are used for cooling interior areas, then cooling effect is achieved, but energy consumption increases and harmful greenhouse gas emissions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterior area temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane assembly performs cooling through passive evaporative mechanisms without requiring external energy input. The porous structure naturally redistributes water through capillary action, and evaporation occurs spontaneously at the membrane surface, enabling self-powered temperature regulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through evaporation at the membrane surface. This phase change absorbs latent heat from the interior area, providing cooling effect without mechanical compression or electrical energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Temperature

If traditional air conditioning systems are used for cooling interior areas, then cooling effect is achieved, but harmful greenhouse gas emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterior area temperatureVSAvoidgreenhouse gas emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane assembly performs cooling through passive evaporative mechanisms without requiring external energy input. The porous structure naturally redistributes water through capillary action, and evaporation occurs spontaneously at the membrane surface, enabling self-powered temperature regulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through evaporation at the membrane surface. This phase change absorbs latent heat from the interior area, providing cooling effect without mechanical compression or electrical energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Strength

If conventional wall assemblies are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but mold and moisture damage occurs due to inadequate humidity regulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidresistance to mold and moisture damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane assembly incorporates a porous matrix coating with controlled pore sizes that enable selective water vapor transmission. The porous structure allows moisture regulation through capillary action and evaporation while maintaining the underlying structural integrity of the wall assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane assembly dynamically adjusts its moisture transmission properties by changing the evaporation rate based on environmental conditions. The porous structure modifies water vapor permeability in response to humidity and temperature variations, providing adaptive moisture control to prevent mold growth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 energy consumption and environmental impact by providing efficient cooling while minimizing mold and moisture damage through passive temperature regulation and humidity control, effectively acting as a one-way moisture valve to maintain a healthy indoor environment.

Implementation Method 1

capillary action of the pores redistributes the fluid to create evaporation and, in turn, the desired heat flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

capillary action of the pores redistributes the fluid to create evaporation and, in turn, the desired heat flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11747029B2Apparatus and method for passively cooling an inferior

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 BROWN UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A system passively cools, regulates humidity and/or rectifies diffusive transport of water vapor in an interior area within a structure. The system includes a membrane assembly covering a portion of the structure, wherein the membrane has an interior side facing the interior area and an exterior side. The membrane assembly defines a plurality of pores. When cooling, a supply of fluid is provided to the membrane assembly so that capillary action of the pores redistributes the fluid to create evaporation and, in turn, the desired heat flow. The membrane assembly can include an architectural membrane coated with a porous matrix coating to form the pores. A pump can provide the fluid to the interior side of the membrane assembly. Preferably, the architectural membrane is woven PTFE-coated fiberglass and the porous matrix coating is titanium dioxide, zeolites and/or silica gel.