Solar Multipurpose Utility System with PCM Storage and IoT Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar energy systems lack the capability to perform multiple functions such as cooking, ice melting, room heating, food drying, and water heating, and do not have facilities for temperature control, power backup, or remote monitoring and control.
Innovation Solution
A solar-based multipurpose utility system incorporating a Fresnel lens and reflector arrangement, phase change material, blower, solar panel, IoT-enabled sensors, and devices that utilize solar energy for cooking, ice melting, room heating, and food drying, with energy storage and remote monitoring and control capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a solar energy system is designed to perform multiple functions (cooking, ice melting, heating, drying), then the system's versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single solar energy system that performs multiple functions including cooking, ice melting, room heating, water heating, and food drying through integrated components such as a solar cooker with adjustable reflectors, an ice melting chamber, PCM-based thermal storage units, and a drying chamber, allowing one system to replace multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functional components into a unified structure: the solar collector, thermal storage unit with phase change materials, cooking chamber, ice melting chamber, and drying chamber are integrated into a single system that shares common structural elements and energy storage mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If automatic temperature control and remote monitoring facilities are added to the solar system, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensors and moisture sensors that continuously monitor the system's operational parameters and provide feedback to a microcontroller, which automatically adjusts heating elements, fans, and valves to maintain optimal conditions for cooking, drying, and heating without user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes automatic control mechanisms where the microcontroller manages temperature regulation, moisture control, and operational sequencing based on sensor inputs, enabling the system to self-regulate and reduce the need for manual operation while maintaining ease of use through simple user interfaces
3Duration of action of moving object
If energy storage arrangement is incorporated to operate during night and cloudy weather, then the duration of action is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change materials (PCM) such as paraffin wax and stearic acid that store thermal energy during phase transition from solid to liquid during the day and release it during solidification at night, enabling continuous operation without additional active heating components
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-stores thermal energy in the phase change materials and battery during sunny periods and daytime operation, which is then utilized during nighttime or cloudy weather without requiring real-time energy generation, allowing seamless continuation of cooking, heating, and drying functions
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 performs multiple tasks using solar energy, including cooking, ice melting, room heating, and food drying, with temperature and moisture control, and continues operations during cloudy weather or absence of sunlight, providing self-sufficiency in energy-deficit areas.
Implementation Method 1
a cooking and ice melting unit based on a lens-reflector arrangement consisting of Fresnel lens and mirror reflector
Implementation Method 2
utilize solar energy for cooking, ice melting, room heating, and food drying
Implementation Method 3
a cooking and ice melting unit based on a lens-reflector arrangement consisting of Fresnel lens and mirror reflector
Implementation Method 4
room heating, water heating, and food drying units using a thermal storage unit based on phase change material and evacuated tubes
Implementation Method 5
a thermal storage unit based on phase change material and evacuated tubes
Implementation Method 6
phase change material and evacuated tubes
Implementation Method 7
a solar-based multipurpose utility system incorporating a Fresnel lens and reflector arrangement, phase change material, blower, solar panel, IoT-enabled sensors, and devices
Implementation Method 8
blower
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a solar-based multipurpose utility system which is an integrated appliance that uses solar energy to perform various utility functions such as cooking, ice melting, water heating, room heating, and food drying. The phase change material has been used in the system for enhancing the thermal storage capacity of the system. The invention supports the idea of providing wireless remote control for the overall system to the end-user using IoT-based sensors and devices. The system comprises Fresnel lens with cover (21), Fresnel lens (22), ice pot (23), water pipe (24), reflector (25), water storage tank (26), blower (13), phase change material (PCM) filled in evacuated tube arrangement (27), hot air sprayer (28), water filter (15), battery with electronic components (3), water tap (29), temperature and humidity sensor (16), exhaust fan (12), and solar panel (1).