Rotatable Selective Roof Surface for Seasonal Radiant Heating

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building surfaces struggle to efficiently manage radiant heating and cooling, often requiring external energy sources and failing to adapt to seasonal needs, leading to inefficient energy use and increased fossil fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

An insulating selective surface system comprising rotatable plates with different radiant properties, housed in vacuum or gas-filled chambers, that can switch between heating and cooling modes by rotating to optimize solar absorption and infrared emission based on seasonal demands, thereby minimizing conductive heat transfer and utilizing natural energy sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a surface uses the first type of selective surface (high solar absorption, low infrared emission), then solar radiation capture is improved, but building cooling capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar radiation captureVSAvoidbuilding cooling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the surface properties changeable over time through rotation. The roof system rotates between two orientations: one exposing the high solar absorption surface during winter for heating, and another exposing the high infrared emission surface during summer for cooling. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same physical structure to adapt its thermal characteristics to seasonal requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a surface uses the second type of selective surface (high solar reflection, high infrared emission), then building cooling capability is improved, but building heating capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuilding cooling capabilityVSAvoidbuilding heating capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the surface properties changeable over time through rotation. The roof system rotates between two orientations: one exposing the high solar absorption surface during winter for heating, and another exposing the high infrared emission surface during summer for cooling. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same physical structure to adapt its thermal characteristics to seasonal requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If conventional insulation materials are used, then conductive heat transfer is reduced, but radiant heat transfer management capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconductive heat transfer lossVSAvoidradiant heat transfer management

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating both insulation and radiant heat transfer management into a single roof system. The vacuum insulated panels provide thermal insulation while the rotatable selective surfaces provide adaptive radiant heat transfer control. This unified system simultaneously achieves energy conservation through reduced conduction and active thermal management through radiant exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If radiant cooling roofs are used to cool buildings, then building cooling efficiency is improved, but fossil fuel consumption for heating increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuilding cooling efficiencyVSAvoidfossil fuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating both insulation and radiant heat transfer management into a single roof system. The vacuum insulated panels provide thermal insulation while the rotatable selective surfaces provide adaptive radiant heat transfer control. This unified system simultaneously achieves energy conservation through reduced conduction and active thermal management through radiant exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 net beneficial heat transfer, reducing the need for external energy sources and maintaining a desired temperature range within buildings without HVAC devices, while minimizing energy costs and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

housed in vacuum or gas-filled chambers, that can switch between heating and cooling modes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

A first type is a surface that has high absorption in the visible light region to absorb solar radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

A second type of selective surface is one that is highly reflective to solar radiation (sunlight), but highly emissive to infrared radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 4

surfaces generally transfer heat energy through conduction, convection, and radiant energy exchange

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiant energy exchange: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20220136737A1Insulating roof with radiant heating and cooling

Publication Date: 2022.05.05 TEMPLE WILL JOHN

AI summary

A roof or wall comprising an insulating selective surface (1) for the use of transferring net heat energy into or out of an enclosure, such as a building. The insulating selective surface comprises at least one transparent cover (2) that comprises a chamber (9), and in the chamber is a moveable plate (4) comprising a plurality of surfaces (5, 6). At least one of the surfaces is a selective surface which can be moved to substantially face the sky, or moved to face away from the sky. The device insulates the enclosure from conductive losses, while using the sun to heat the enclosure, or the cold of deep space to cool the enclosure depending on how the plate is moved.