Radiative Cooling Panel System for Energy-Efficient Heat Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems are inefficient and costly in terms of energy consumption, particularly in applications such as air conditioning, vehicles, industrial processes, and refrigeration systems, where more efficient techniques are needed to reduce energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system comprising cooling panels with radiative properties, fluid paths, and a control system that manages fluid flow and panel orientation, including features like actuated mechanisms, control valves, and sensors to optimize cooling performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling function is provided, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermodynamic parameters of the cooling system by using a two-stage vapor compression cycle with different refrigerant states in evaporators of different sizes, optimizing the refrigeration effect while reducing energy consumption through parameter optimization rather than fundamental system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of refrigerant (evaporation and condensation) in a two-stage compression cycle, where refrigerant changes phase between liquid and vapor states in evaporators and condensers to transfer heat efficiently, improving cooling reliability while managing energy consumption through controlled phase change processes
2Power
If cooling system capacity is increased, then cooling performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into multiple evaporators of different sizes and two compression stages, allowing the system to meet high cooling capacity requirements through distributed heat exchange surfaces while reducing the energy consumption per unit of cooling capacity delivered
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the cooling process by using a two-stage compression cycle with intermediate cooling, effectively distributing the compression work over two stages rather than one, which improves overall system efficiency while maintaining high cooling capacity
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 system achieves significant energy savings, with performance metrics showing up to 60% savings in some applications by effectively managing fluid flow and panel orientation to enhance cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The film has a first set of radiative properties that allow the film to achieve a first temperature that is less than a second temperature associated with the environment
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchanger includes a first port and a second port, and is coupled to the fluid paths of the plurality of cooling panels. The fluid enters the first port of the heat exchanger at a first temperature, and the fluid exits the second port at a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system includes one or more cooling panels for affecting a cooling load in an environment. The cooling system also includes a heat exchanger coupled to the one or more cooling panels. Each cooling panel includes a film, a panel body, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a fluid path. The film's radiative properties allow it to achieve a temperature less than an environment temperature. The heat exchanger includes ports that are coupled to the fluid paths of the one or more cooling panels. A control system is used to control flow rates, flow paths, fluid temperatures, component temperatures, cooling rates, component operation, or other aspects of a cooling system. For example, the control system controls or monitors pumps, compressors, fans, valves, sensors, actuators, or a combination thereof.