Thermal Battery Shut-Off Valve Float Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal batteries in motor vehicle thermal management circuits face challenges in maintaining stored heat energy due to thermal losses through conduction and thermo-syphon effects, despite insulation measures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of automatic shut-off valves with a float mechanism in the thermal battery to isolate the fluid, limiting heat exchanges between the storage vessel and the circulation circuit, thereby enhancing thermal insulation and maintaining heat energy storage duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the circulation circuit is continuously operational, then heat can be transferred when needed, but heat energy dissipates during storage periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between operational and storage modes using the shut-off valve. During charging/discharging, the valve opens to allow fluid circulation and heat transfer. During storage periods, the valve closes to isolate the thermal battery, extending heat storage duration. This dynamic control optimizes both productivity and storage duration based on system needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The shut-off valve is positioned to automatically isolate the thermal battery when the circulation pump stops, performing the insulation action in advance before significant heat loss can occur. This preliminary isolation action ensures that heat storage duration is maximized as soon as the system transitions to storage mode.
2Loss of energy
If manual shut-off valves are used, then heat loss is reduced, but external intervention is required to operate them
Solution Approach 1:
The float valve is designed to automatically open or close based on the fluid level in the thermal battery, eliminating the need for external intervention. When the circulation pump operates, the fluid level rises and opens the valve; when the pump stops, the fluid level drops and the float automatically closes the valve. This self-service mechanism maintains ease of operation while achieving the desired heat loss reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The float mechanism provides continuous feedback on the fluid level in the thermal battery. When the fluid level changes, the float moves accordingly and automatically adjusts the valve position, creating a feedback loop that maintains optimal operation without external control. This feedback mechanism ensures the valve responds automatically to system conditions.
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 automatic shut-off valves effectively reduce heat losses, extending the duration that thermal batteries can store heat energy by minimizing fluid flow when the circulation circuit is shut off, ensuring efficient thermal insulation without external intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a float placed inside said enclosure that is moveable between: an upper position in which the float floats and obstructs at least the fluid outlet
Implementation Method 2
said thermal battery also comprising a layer of thermal insulation (5) arranged about the storage vessel (3)
Implementation Method 3
The fluid contained in the storage vessel 3 is then insulated from the fluid contained in the circulation circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal battery including a storage vessel as well as an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe for a fluid that are connected to a circulation circuit is disclosed. The thermal battery also has at least two shut-off valves placed on the inlet pipe and the fluid outlet pipe, respectively, to isolate the fluid contained in the storage vessel when the circulation circuit of the fluid is shut off. The shut-off valves are automatic and include an enclosure containing the fluid and including an inlet and an outlet for the fluid, and a float that is moveable between: an upper position in which the float floats and obstructs at least the outlet when the circulation circuit is shut off, and a lower position in which the float is submerged and allows the fluid to flow between the inlet and the outlet when the circulation circuit is operational.