Self-powered air conditioning system including thermal storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems do not adequately address the varying costs associated with peak and minimum electrical demand, leading to higher costs during peak demand times and inefficiencies in power utilization.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system incorporating an energy storage device to store electrical energy and a thermal storage device to store thermal energy, allowing for independent or combined operation with the AC power grid, and utilizing auxiliary DC power sources for enhanced flexibility and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air conditioning systems operate during peak demand periods, then cooling needs are met, but electricity costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the thermal storage device during off-peak hours when electricity costs are low, storing thermal energy in advance. This allows the air conditioning system to meet cooling demands during peak periods by discharging stored thermal energy rather than operating at high cost, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining cooling availability and reducing electricity costs
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal storage device acts as an intermediary between the air conditioning system and the electrical grid. It decouples the timing of cooling production from cooling consumption, allowing the system to purchase electricity at low cost during off-peak periods and use that stored thermal energy during peak periods when grid electricity is expensive, thereby reducing overall electricity costs while maintaining reliable cooling
2Use of energy by moving object
If thermal storage devices are added to air conditioning systems, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the thermal storage device with the existing air conditioning system components, merging the storage function with the cooling delivery mechanism. The thermal storage device is connected to the same fluid circulation system and control architecture as the air conditioner, allowing both functions to share common infrastructure and reduce overall system complexity despite adding storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal storage device serves multiple functions: it stores cooling energy for later use, pre-cools fluid before it enters the air conditioner evaporator, and can provide supplemental cooling during high-demand periods. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single added component, improving energy efficiency through various operational modes
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 the air conditioning system to operate independently of the AC power grid during peak demand, reducing costs and improving energy efficiency by utilizing stored energy and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal storage device includes a phase change material
Implementation Method 2
the thermal storage device includes a fluid storing sensible heat
Implementation Method 3
the energy storage device configured to store electrical energy
Implementation Method 4
the thermal storage device provides thermal energy to the energy storage device to maintain the energy storage device at a desired temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A system (800) includes an air conditioning system (100) including a first unit (804) and a second unit (806) coupled to the first unit by a fluid path (807); an energy storage device (240) connected to at least one of the first unit (804) and the second unit (806), the energy storage device (240) being configured to store electrical energy; and a thermal storage device (810) connected to one of the first unit (804) and the second unit (806), the thermal storage device (810) being configured to store thermal energy.