Device for determining the charge status of a segmented thermal storage device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack an effective method to determine the state of charge of thermal storage devices, particularly in walk-in rooms, where multiple storage cells with varying transition temperatures complicate the assessment of cooling capacity and energy storage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device with temperature measuring units in each storage cell, connected to a controller, determines the state of charge by comparing recorded temperatures to known transition temperatures, allowing for precise assessment of cooling capacity and controlling coolant supply to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple storage cells with different transition temperatures are used to increase cooling capacity, then the thermal storage efficiency is improved, but the complexity of determining state of charge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal storage device is divided into multiple storage cells, each containing storage medium with a specific transition temperature. Each storage cell is equipped with its own temperature measuring device. The control unit independently evaluates the charge status of each cell based on its temperature relative to its transition temperature, then combines these individual assessments to determine the overall state of charge. This segmentation allows efficient thermal storage while maintaining manageable complexity through modular monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If temperature measuring devices are installed in each storage cell to improve measurement precision, then the state of charge determination accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex measurement system, the patent divides the measurement function across multiple simple temperature measuring devices, one per storage cell. Each device independently measures the temperature of its specific storage cell, providing precise local data without requiring complex inter-device coordination or centralized measurement infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each storage cell essentially monitors its own state through its dedicated temperature measuring device. The control unit simply collects these self-generated temperature readings and compares them against the known transition temperatures of the respective storage media, enabling autonomous state determination without complex external intervention.
3Use of energy by moving object
If phase change materials with different transition temperatures are used to optimize energy storage, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the difficulty of monitoring and control increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different storage cells contain phase change materials with specifically selected transition temperatures tailored to their function. The control unit applies the appropriate transition temperature threshold for each cell when evaluating its charge status. This localized optimization of material properties enables efficient energy storage across different temperature ranges while simplifying control through rule-based comparison of each cell's temperature against its specific threshold.
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
Enables accurate determination of the thermal storage device's state of charge and predicts available cooling capacity, optimizing energy use and reducing the size of storage cells through phase change materials, suitable for large-scale thermal storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature measuring device is arranged in each case for the individual storage cells, which records the temperature of the storage medium in the respective storage cell
Implementation Method 2
the storage media accommodated in the storage cells having different transition temperatures/phase change temperatures
Implementation Method 3
DE 27 26 954 A1 discloses a deep-freeze device with an electrically driven refrigerating machine and a cold accumulator, the cold accumulator being a latent heat accumulator
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for determining the state of charge of a thermal store for a walk-in room to be cooled, having any number of storage cells (12a-e) in which a storage medium is accommodated, the storage cells (12a-e) recorded storage media can have different envelope temperatures / phase change temperatures and temperature measuring devices are arranged in / on the individual storage cells (12a-e), which record the temperature of the storage media and thus the state of charge and transmit it to the device.