Self-Supporting Heat Exchanger for Horticultural Substrate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchanger systems for controlling substrate temperature in horticultural cultivation suffer from poor controllability and suboptimal energy efficiency due to the carrier structure acting as a heat sink or source, affecting the overall heat transfer properties and horticultural yield.
Innovation Solution
A self-supporting heat exchanger structure that directly contacts the substrate, minimizing thermal mass and thermal losses, with a design that includes extendible sections to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction, and optionally integrated with an energy recovery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the substrate is supported on a conventional carrier structure with certain thickness for strength and stiffness, then the structural strength and stiffness are sufficient to support the substrate and horticultural products, but the carrier structure acts as a heat sink or heat source, reducing temperature controllability and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the carrier structure and heat exchanger into a single integrated unit. The heat exchanger channels are formed directly within the carrier plate structure, merging the mechanical support function with the thermal control function. This eliminates the thermal interference that would occur with separate components, as the heat exchange surfaces are in direct contact with the substrate without being mediated by thick carrier structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier plate is designed with locally optimized thermal properties. The top surface in contact with the substrate has high thermal conductivity for efficient heat transfer, while the bottom surface can have different properties. The internal structure includes heat exchange channels positioned to maximize thermal contact with the substrate while maintaining structural integrity. This local differentiation allows the structure to provide both mechanical strength and thermal control without compromise.
2Strength
If the carrier structure has sufficient thickness for strength and stiffness, then the structure can support the substrate and horticultural products without damage or excessive deformation, but the thermal mass of the carrier structure increases, causing thermal losses and slowing down heating and cooling processes
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier structure and heat exchanger are merged into a single integrated component. The heat exchange channels are formed within the carrier plate itself, eliminating the need for separate thick carrier structures that would act as thermal mass. This integration reduces the thermal mass between the heat exchanger and substrate, minimizing thermal losses while maintaining structural strength through the optimized internal channel design.
3Ease of operation
If conventional heat exchanger systems are used with separate carrier structures, then the system can provide mechanical support and thermal control, but the controllability of substrate temperature is poor and energy efficiency is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier structure and heat exchanger are integrated into a single unit with heat exchange channels formed directly within the carrier plate. This merger eliminates thermal interference between separate components and enables precise temperature control directly at the substrate interface, improving both controllability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated carrier plate features localized heat exchange surfaces in direct contact with the substrate, allowing precise thermal control where needed. The structure can have different thermal properties in different regions - high thermal conductivity at the substrate interface for controllable heat transfer, while maintaining overall structural integrity. This local optimization enables superior temperature controllability and energy efficiency compared to conventional separate-component systems.
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
Improves temperature controllability and energy efficiency by reducing thermal mass and thermal losses, leading to significant energy savings and enhanced horticultural yield.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange surface (111) arranged for heating or cooling the substrate (200)
Implementation Method 2
the structure (110) comprises an extendible section (115) configured to extend or shorten in plane P of the carrier plate for compensating thermally induced contraction or expansion of the heat exchanger (100)
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger for temperature control of a substrate for cultivating horticultural products. The heat exchanger has a structure comprising a heat exchange surface arranged for heating or cooling the substrate. The structure is arranged for supporting the substrate for thereby forming a carrier plate with a carrier surface such that the heat exchange surface forms the carrier surface. The heat exchanger comprises or is configured for cooperating with one or more mounts arranged for suspending the heat exchanger to a rack. The structure of the heat exchanger is constructed such as to be self-supporting for supporting the substrate at least between the one or more mounts, such that a bottom surface of the structure opposite the heat exchange surface faces an ambient environment.