Solar Module Temperature Control Using Composite Heat-Conducting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar module temperature control arrangements, particularly for solar thermal modules, face challenges in achieving effective heat conduction while being cost-effective and stable, often using copper sheeting that is expensive and prone to high thermal stresses.
Innovation Solution
A solar module temperature control arrangement utilizing a heat-conducting element made of composite material with a receiving area, where a fluid-conducting element is connected via a thermally conductive filling and/or adhesive compound, reducing insulating air pockets and enhancing heat transfer, and using materials like aluminum and graphite for high thermal conductivity and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If copper sheeting is used for heat conduction, then thermal conductivity is improved, but cost and susceptibility to thermal stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials consisting of a metal matrix (aluminum or aluminum alloy) reinforced with thermally conductive particles (graphite, metal powder, or ceramic). This composite structure achieves high thermal conductivity while reducing susceptibility to thermal stress compared to pure copper, thereby resolving the contradiction between heat conduction efficiency and resistance to thermal stress.
2Temperature
If copper sheeting is used for heat conduction, then thermal conductivity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with aluminum or aluminum alloy as the base matrix, which is inherently less expensive than copper. The addition of thermally conductive particles (graphite, metal powder, or ceramic) enhances thermal conductivity to levels sufficient for solar module applications, thereby achieving cost-effective heat conduction without requiring expensive copper sheeting.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material structure inherently contains a porous or particulate reinforcement architecture that provides high surface area and thermal pathways. This structure achieves effective heat conduction through the distributed thermal pathways created by the particulate reinforcement, reducing the need for expensive solid copper while maintaining thermal performance.
3Weight of stationary object
If thin copper sheets are used to save mass and cost, then material usage is reduced, but structural stability and heat conduction effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials with aluminum matrix and thermally conductive particle reinforcement that provide high structural stability and heat conduction effectiveness even at reduced thicknesses. The particulate reinforcement structure creates a rigid, stable composite that maintains its mechanical integrity and thermal performance without requiring the mass and thickness of traditional copper sheets.
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 solution achieves efficient heat transfer and reduces thermal stresses, enabling effective temperature control for solar modules while being cost-effective and suitable for various applications beyond solar modules.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-conducting element (6a-h), a fluid-conducting element (8a-h) and a heat-conducting filling and/or adhesive compound (10a-h)... the heat-conducting element consists of a composite material... With a corresponding composition of the composite material, a comparatively high thermal conductivity can be achieved
Implementation Method 2
the filling and/or adhesive mass at least partially fills a radial gap (16) between the fluid conducting element (8a-h) and the receiving area (14)... the formation of insulating air pockets can be reduced, in particular avoided, and an increase in the heat transfer surface between the components and thus a good heat transfer between the components can be achieved
Implementation Method 3
Solar modules for photoelectric energy generation are often referred to as photovoltaic modules and include multiple solar cells
Implementation Method 4
The solar modules used to generate thermal energy, on the other hand, are often referred to as solar thermal modules
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a solar module temperature control arrangement (4a, 4b) comprising a heat-conducting element (6a-h), a fluid-conducting element (8a-h), and a heat-conducting filler and/or adhesive (10a-h). A solar module temperature control arrangement (4a, 4b) with particularly advantageous heat-conducting properties is achieved when the heat-conducting element (6a-h) consists of a composite material (12) and has a receiving area (14), the fluid-conducting element (8a-h) is arranged at least partially in its longitudinal direction on the receiving area (14), and is connected to the heat-conducting element (6a-h) via the filler and/or adhesive (10a-h), wherein the filler and/or adhesive (10a-h) at least partially fills a radial gap (16) between the fluid-conducting element (8a-h) and the receiving area (14).