Hybrid Solar Collector and Heat Pump Coupling for Reliable Heating Cooling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solar thermal collectors are unable to be used directly with heat pumps for both heating and cooling due to their intermittent nature, making it difficult to harness solar energy for space heating and cooling effectively.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system that integrates commercially available photovoltaic panels with supplemental solar energy collectors and heat pumps, allowing for the conversion of incident radiation to electricity, collection of thermal energy, and amplification of heating and cooling of loads using thermally conductive surfaces and fluid-to-fluid heat pumps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional solar thermal collectors are used directly with heat pumps, then solar energy collection is achieved, but the intermittent nature of solar energy prevents effective heating and cooling operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar energy collectionVSAvoidheating and cooling operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces supplemental solar energy collectors as an intermediary component between conventional solar thermal collectors and heat pumps. These supplemental collectors include thermally conductive surfaces that can store thermal energy and release it when needed, bridging the gap between intermittent solar availability and continuous heating/cooling demands. The supplemental collectors act as a buffer, allowing the system to operate reliably even when solar energy is not available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If solar energy is used for space heating and cooling, then energy contribution increases, but the intermittent nature of the sun makes it difficult to harness effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy contributionVSAvoidsolar energy availability duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by using supplemental solar energy collectors to store thermal energy during periods when solar energy is abundant. The thermally conductive surfaces in these supplemental collectors accumulate heat during the day, preparing energy reserves before solar availability decreases. This allows the system to maintain high energy contribution even when the sun is not shining, effectively extending the duration of useful solar energy utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 efficiently amplifies heating and cooling capabilities, providing cost savings by increasing the contribution of solar radiant energy to hot water heating, space heating, and cooling, while reducing electrical load and enhancing energy efficiency through intelligent thermal management.

Implementation Method 1

one or more commercially available photovoltaic panels configured to convert incident radiation to electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

The one or more supplemental solar energy collectors are configured to collect thermal energy from the one or more photovoltaic panels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The one or more supplemental solar energy collectors may include one or more thermally conductive surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

One or more heat pumps coupled to the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors and the one or more loads are configured to amplify heating and/or cooling of the one or more loads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat pump thermal energy transformation: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 5

radiate thermal energy to space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11329603B2Hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system with one or more heat pumps

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 SUNDRUM SOLAR LLC

AI summary

A hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system with one or more heat pumps is featured. The system includes one or more commercially available photovoltaic panels configured to convert incident radiation to electricity. One or more supplemental solar energy collectors having a flow of fluid therein are selectively coupled to the one or more photovoltaic panels. The one or more supplemental solar energy collectors are configured to collect thermal energy from the one or more photovoltaic panels, radiate thermal energy to space, collect thermal energy from the environment and/or dissipate thermal energy to the environment to heat or cool one or more loads. One or more heat pumps are coupled to the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors and the one or more loads and are configured to amplify heating and/or cooling of the one or more loads.