Radiative Ventilation Panel for Seasonal Building Air Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ventilation systems in buildings lack control over the amount and temperature of ventilation air, leading to inefficient heating and cooling requirements, particularly during seasonal changes.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a radiating panel with an emissive surface to cool ventilation air by heat transfer and radiation, combined with a fan to direct cooled air into the building, and a secondary passageway for heated air during heating months, allowing for controlled temperature ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional ventilation systems allow air flow through leaks around doors and joints, then ventilation air is provided to the building, but the amount and temperature of ventilation air is not controlled
Solution Approach 1:
A radiating panel is introduced as an intermediary component between the ambient air and the building interior. The panel serves as a heat exchange medium that transfers heat from ventilation air to the night sky through thermal radiation, thereby cooling the air before it enters the building. This intermediary device enables controlled temperature ventilation without requiring additional active cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical cooling systems (air conditioners, fans) with a passive radiative cooling mechanism. Instead of using energy-consuming mechanical devices to cool ventilation air, the system utilizes the natural thermal radiation properties of the panel to the night sky, substituting mechanical action with a fundamental physical phenomenon.
2Temperature
If additional cooling is provided by air conditioning and fans during the warm season, then ventilation air temperature is controlled, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiating panel performs self-service cooling by utilizing the temperature difference between the panel and the night sky. The panel automatically absorbs heat from the ventilation air and radiates it to the cooler sky without requiring external energy input, control systems, or mechanical components. The system serves itself through the natural thermodynamic gradient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the ventilation air by utilizing radiative heat transfer. The panel's surface temperature is maintained lower than the ambient air temperature through radiation to the night sky, creating a temperature gradient that drives passive cooling of the air passing over or through the panel.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If solar panels are used to heat ventilation air, then heating efficiency is improved, but cooling capability is not provided during warm season
Solution Approach 1:
The radiating panel is designed with multi-functionality to serve both heating and cooling purposes. During the day, the panel can absorb solar radiation to heat ventilation air, while at night, it radiates heat to the sky to cool air. This universal design allows a single device to adapt to different seasonal requirements without requiring separate systems for heating and cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by alternating between heating and cooling modes based on the time of day and season. The panel's function cycles between absorbing solar energy during the day and radiating heat to the night sky during evening and nighttime hours, providing adaptive thermal control throughout the day and across seasons.
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
Provides controlled ventilation air temperature, reducing the need for additional heating and cooling by leveraging natural radiation cooling and solar heating, thereby optimizing energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
air that is drawn into the air collection space between the panel and the building, is cooled by heat transfer to the panel
Implementation Method 2
radiation of heat from the panel to the sky
Implementation Method 3
ambient air heated by solar radiation is directed into the building during the heating months
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for cooling ventilation air for a building, includes a radiating panel having an emissive surface for use on the building such that the emissive surface of the panel is directed skyward and exposed to ambient air. The radiating panel defines an air collection space between itself and the building and has a plurality of air openings for the ambient air to pass through the openings to the air collection space. A passageway extends between the air collection space and an interior of the building and is located for passage of cooled ambient air from the air collection space into the interior of the building. A fan is located for moving the cooled ambient air from the air collection space through the passageway to the interior of the building.