Passive Solar Wire Screen Geometry for Seasonal Heat Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire screens do not effectively manage solar energy reflection and collection based on seasonal changes, leading to inefficient heating and cooling costs for buildings.
Innovation Solution
Passive solar wire screens with vertically arranged rods and horizontally attached asymmetrical wires, angled to reflect solar energy away in summer and direct it towards the building in winter, utilizing concave surfaces to enhance thermal energy reflection and collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wire screens with parallel wires and rods are used, then the screen provides basic filtration and decorative features, but it cannot effectively manage solar energy reflection and collection based on seasonal changes
Solution Approach 1:
The wire screen employs asymmetrical wire configurations where wires are angled relative to the rods, creating non-uniform reflection surfaces. This asymmetry enables the screen to differentially reflect solar energy based on the sun's seasonal position, achieving seasonal adaptability without complex mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curved and angled wire surfaces that act as reflective surfaces. The curvature and angling of wires create specific reflection angles that direct solar energy either away from or toward the building depending on the sun's elevation, enabling passive seasonal solar management
2Loss of energy
If wire screens focus on reflectivity and orientation for aesthetic purposes, then the appearance is enhanced, but heating and cooling costs are not reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the wire screen have wires configured with specific angles and orientations tailored to their local function. Wires in different sections are angled to optimize reflection for their specific orientation on the building, creating localized energy management zones that collectively reduce overall heating and cooling costs
Solution Approach 2:
The wire configuration parameters (angle, orientation, spacing) are specifically designed and adjusted to optimize solar energy reflection. By changing these geometric parameters during manufacturing, the screen achieves energy management functionality while maintaining manufacturability through standardized wire and rod components
3Productivity
If passive solar wire screens with asymmetrical wires are used, then solar energy is seasonally adjusted, but the installation and operational costs should be minimized without movable parts or electronic controls
Solution Approach 1:
The wire screen is designed as a fully passive system where the asymmetrical wire configurations automatically adjust solar energy reflection based on the sun's seasonal position. The fixed geometric structure serves itself by utilizing the natural movement of the sun to achieve energy management without requiring any movable parts, actuators, or electronic controls
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active mechanical or electronic solar management systems with a fixed passive optical system. Instead of using movable mirrors, adjustable louvers, or electronic controls, the invention uses carefully designed wire angles and orientations to achieve seasonal solar energy adjustment, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components
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 passive solar wire screens reduce heating and cooling costs by seasonally adjusting solar energy reflection and collection, functioning as a decorative feature without movable parts or electronic controls, thus lowering installation and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto away from the screens, thereby reflecting the solar energy away from the edifice
Implementation Method 2
the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto toward the second surfaces
Implementation Method 3
which in turn passively reflect the solar energy toward the edifice
Implementation Method 4
A concave surface on the inner edges of the wires can also reflect thermal energy back to the edifice
Data Source
AI summary
Passive solar wire screens mount vertically on an edifice. The screens have rods vertically arranged parallel to one another and have wires horizontally arranged parallel to one another. The wires attach to the rods and have first surfaces facing away from the edifice in an upward direction from vertical. The wires also have second surfaces facing toward the edifice in a downward direction from vertical. When the sun has a summer elevation on the horizon, the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto away from the wire screens. When the sun has a winter elevation on the horizon, however, the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto toward the second surfaces, which in turn passively reflect the solar energy toward the edifice. A concave surface on the wires can also reflect thermal energy back to the edifice.