Metal Hydride Heat Pump Air Changeover With Rotating Reactor Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air changeover systems in metal hydride heat pumps suffer from high thermal inertia, increased pressure drop, non-uniform air distribution, and a bulky design, which reduces performance and is unsuitable for mobile applications due to increased drag forces.
Innovation Solution
An air changeover system with disc-type reactor modules that can be rotated between absorption and desorption modes, housed in a compartmentalized shell with minimal ducting and no dampers, reducing thermal inertia and pressure drop while ensuring uniform air distribution and a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dampers and interconnecting ducting are used for air changeover, then the system can control air flow between reactors, but the thermal inertia increases and system performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes dampers and interconnecting ducting from the system entirely. Instead of using these separate components for air flow control, the reactor casing itself is designed with integrated air inlet and outlet openings that directly face the reactors, eliminating the need for thermal mass-heavy dampers and ducts while maintaining air flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The air changeover function is merged into the reactor casing structure. The casing incorporates air inlet and outlet openings with deflectors that can rotate to control air flow direction, combining the functions of air distribution, flow control, and structural housing into a single integrated component, thereby reducing thermal inertia.
2Ease of operation
If multiple dampers and interconnecting ducting are used, then air flow control is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the heavy dampers and interconnecting ducting components from the system. The air flow control function is achieved through a lighter rotor assembly with deflectors integrated into the reactor casing, significantly reducing the overall system weight while maintaining operational control.
3Ease of operation
If interconnecting ducting is used for air changeover, then the system can direct air streams, but the system height increases and drag force on vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air stream direction control is merged into the reactor casing with integrated deflectors. The rotor assembly with air inlet/outlet openings can rotate to direct air streams without requiring external ducting, thereby minimizing system height and reducing aerodynamic drag for mobile applications.
4Ease of operation
If conventional air conduits and dampers are used, then air flow control is possible, but pressure drop increases and fan power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the restrictive dampers and complex air conduit network that cause pressure drops. The direct air inlet/outlet openings in the reactor casing allow air to flow directly to the reactors with minimal resistance, significantly reducing the power required by fans while maintaining flow control through the rotor deflector mechanism.
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 reduced thermal inertia, lower energy consumption, uniform air distribution, and a compact, lightweight design, enhancing performance and reducing drag forces on vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the metal hydrides reversibly release hydrogen gas endothermically
Implementation Method 2
Metals or alloys react with hydrogen exothermically to produce metal hydrides
Data Source
AI summary
An air changeover system for a metal hydride heat pump is disclosed. The system includes metal hydride reactor modules aligned and separated by a partition; a shell containing the reactor modules, the shell is compartmentalized to define separate insulated chambers for each of the reactor modules; and a bearing assembly supporting the modules at a location about the partition, wherein the bearing assembly rotates said modules about an axis during the absorption and the desorption mode. The system reduces thermal inertia and pressure drop in the heat transfer medium while flowing through the heat pump, to enhance the performance and conserve energy.