Passive Radiative Cooling Panels for Low-Energy Interior Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling techniques for non-climate-controlled environments, such as warehouses and delivery vehicles, are inefficient and energy-intensive, leading to potential damage to stored goods and health risks due to extreme temperatures and humidity.
Innovation Solution
A heat-dissipating system using radiative cooling materials and heat transfer elements, such as radiative cooling paints and heat transfer fins, is integrated into or coupled with objects to passively cool interiors by emitting thermal radiation and convective transfer, leveraging the 'cold sink' of outer space and ambient airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling techniques are used to cool interior spaces, then cooling effect is achieved, but energy consumption increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiative cooling material enables the system to cool itself and the interior space without external energy input. The material passively emits thermal radiation to outer space through its high emissivity in the atmospheric window region (8-13 μm), creating a self-cooling effect that reduces interior temperatures without consuming electricity or requiring active cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical cooling systems (compressors, fans, refrigerants) with a passive radiative cooling material that operates on thermodynamic principles. The material's selective optical properties (high solar reflectivity and high thermal emissivity) substitute for mechanical cooling mechanisms, eliminating the need for energy-consuming equipment while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Temperature
If conventional cooling techniques are used to cool interior spaces, then cooling effect is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiative cooling material functions autonomously to maintain cooling without requiring complex control systems, sensors, or active components. The material's inherent optical properties enable it to automatically reflect solar radiation and emit thermal radiation to space, providing self-regulating cooling that simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures with specific optical properties - combining high solar reflectivity and high thermal emissivity characteristics. These composite radiative cooling materials integrate multiple functional properties into a single material system, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing system complexity while achieving effective interior temperature control.
3Productivity
If radiative cooling materials are applied to heat-dissipating system, then cooling efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiative cooling material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it reflects solar radiation, emits thermal radiation to space, and provides the cooling effect for the heat-dissipating system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling components, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining high cooling efficiency. The material can be applied as a coating or integrated into existing structures, reducing manufacturing complexity.
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 provides efficient, low-energy cooling of interior spaces, maintaining temperatures below ambient levels, reducing the risk of damage and heat-related illnesses, and improving working conditions.
Implementation Method 1
radiative cooling materials can passively cool their substrates through various mechanisms, including mid-infrared-spectrum radiation of heat into the void of space
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer elements having some type of geometry that provides beneficial properties, such as exposed surface area, turbulence generation, and/or the like, to increase the rate of heat transfer from working fluid into the heat-dissipating panel's bulk
Implementation Method 3
heat transfer elements having some type of geometry that provides beneficial properties, such as exposed surface area, turbulence generation, and/or the like, to increase the rate of heat transfer from working fluid into the heat-dissipating panel's bulk
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure involve providing radiative cooling through various configurations of a heat-dissipating system on which a radiative cooling material may be applied. Particular embodiments involve the use of heat-dissipating panels interlocked to form a heat-dissipating system. Particular embodiments involve the use of a heat transfer element with a heat-dissipating system. Particular embodiments involve the use of a heat-dissipating system to dissipate heat away from an interior space of an object (e.g., vehicle, facility) via a sheet that is applied to or integrated with a top surface (e.g., roofing) of the object. Particular embodiments involve the use of heat-dissipating panels in forming a heat-dissipating system that include front openings allowing airflow to pass through the panels to assist in dissipating heat away from the object.