Solid-State Thermal Switch Panel With Switchable Thermal Bridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional active insulation systems for building envelopes have slow switch speed, small ON/OFF ratio, leak concerns, high energy consumption, fragility, and high cost, limiting their practical application and commercialization for effectively controlling thermal energy storage and HVAC load management.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state thermal switch (STS) panel with a filler of thermally resistive material and layers of thermally conductive material, featuring a switchable thermal connector that can tilt, rotate, or move to create a thermal bridge or gap, allowing for rapid and energy-efficient switching between low and high thermal conductivity states, integrated with a control circuit to manage heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional active insulation systems use gas pressure changes, liquid or air convection, multi-layer structures, or thermal diodes to achieve tunable thermal conductivity, then thermal switching capability is provided, but switch speed is slow, ON/OFF ratio is small, and system fragility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or fluid-based switching mechanisms (gas pressure changes, liquid convection, moving multi-layer structures) with a solid-state phase change material that switches thermal conductivity through phase transition. This eliminates moving parts and mechanical complexity, achieving fast switching speeds without the fragility of mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of a phase change material (PCM) to achieve tunable thermal conductivity. The PCM transitions between solid and liquid phases, with each phase having distinct thermal conductivity properties. This allows the system to switch between high and low thermal conductivity states rapidly and reliably without mechanical movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional active insulation systems use complex multi-layer structures or thermal diodes to achieve thermal switching, then thermal conductivity control is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermal switching function from complex multi-layer structures and thermal diodes, concentrating it in a single phase change material layer. This simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining the essential thermal switching capability, reducing both device complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the insulation system by altering the phase state of the PCM rather than changing physical structures. This allows thermal switching through a simple phase transition parameter change, eliminating the need for complex mechanical or structural modifications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional active insulation systems use moving parts or fluid convection to achieve thermal switching, then thermal conductivity adjustment is possible, but leak concerns and fragility arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluid convection and mechanical moving parts with a solid-state phase change mechanism. The PCM remains contained within a fixed structure, eliminating leak risks associated with fluid systems and mechanical failures associated with moving parts. The phase transition occurs in-place without requiring physical movement or fluid flow.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional active insulation systems use continuous energy input to maintain thermal switching state, then thermal conductivity control is sustained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic or pulsed energy input to trigger phase transitions in the PCM rather than continuous energy input. Once the phase transition is initiated, the PCM maintains its new state without requiring continuous energy supply. This reduces energy consumption from continuous to periodic, significantly lowering overall energy usage while maintaining thermal switching capability.
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 STS panel achieves a large switching ratio with low energy input, maintaining state without continuous energy use, enabling efficient thermal energy storage and HVAC load management, potentially reducing annual HVAC energy use by up to 70%.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change material (PCM) when conditions are favorable
Implementation Method 2
first and second layers of thermally conductive material that are spaced apart from each other, extend parallel to each other, and sandwich the filler
Implementation Method 3
The first thermal connector may include, but is not limited to, a ferromagnetic material, a diamagnetic material or a paramagnetic material configured to facilitate switching of the first thermal connector using at least one electromagnet
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method for operating an STS panel comprising: a filler with a thermally resistive/insulating material and a first open area (FOA); first and second layers of thermally conductive material (TCM) that are spaced apart, extend parallel, and sandwich the filler such that FOA extends from the first layer of TCM to the second layer of TCM; and a first thermal connector (FTC) disposed in FOA (a) so as to reside between and be spaced apart from the filler, and (b) so as to reside between and be in contact with the first and second layers of TCM. FTC is switchable between a first position in which a thermal bridge is created to allow heat transfer between the first and second layers of TCM and a second position in which the thermal bridge is broken and a thermal gap is created to prevent the heat transfer.