Two-Phase Home Heating Radiator for Quiet Startup and Even Heat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing two-phase heat transfer fluid radiators for domestic heating face challenges such as uneven temperature distribution, hot spots, noise during startup, and difficulty in regulating the heat source, leading to inefficiencies and discomfort in heated environments.

Innovation Solution

A radiator design utilizing an electrical resistor as a sealed heat source with a specific channel-to-reservoir connection section ratio and a filling coefficient greater than 0.0142, which reduces noise and fluid droplets, allowing for easier regulation and improved heat transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a two-phase heat transfer fluid radiator is used to improve heat transfer efficiency and temperature homogeneity, then thermal efficiency is improved, but noise during startup increases due to pressure waves from vapor bubble collapse

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidnoise during startup
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pre-heating channel that allows the heat transfer fluid to be pre-heated before entering the main vaporization zone. This preliminary heating action reduces the temperature difference between the fluid and heating surface during startup, preventing violent vapor bubble formation and collapse that causes noise, while still maintaining the high efficiency two-phase heat transfer in the main body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an expansion tank as an intermediary component that absorbs pressure waves and provides a buffer zone for vapor bubbles. This expansion tank acts as a mediator between the vaporization chamber and the return channel, reducing the impact of pressure waves and preventing noise during startup while maintaining efficient two-phase operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the heat source is made more powerful to improve heating capacity, then productivity is improved, but regulation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capacityVSAvoidregulation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an electric heating element that can be dynamically controlled through PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) regulation. This allows the heating power to be adjusted in real-time, enabling precise control of the vaporization rate and heat output, thus maintaining high heating capacity while improving regulation ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the heat source by using an electric heating element with variable power output. By adjusting electrical parameters (voltage, current, duty cycle), the system can operate at different power levels, enabling both high heating capacity when needed and easy regulation during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the vaporization rate is increased to improve heating efficiency, then productivity is improved, but fluid droplet formation increases which disturbs radiator operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidoperation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates different local conditions within the radiator by designing separate zones: a vaporization zone with high heat flux for efficient vapor generation, and a condensation/separator zone with lower heat flux where vapor bubbles can stabilize and condense. This local differentiation allows high vaporization rates without compromising operational stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a pre-heating channel to gradually heat the fluid before it reaches the main vaporization zone. This preliminary action ensures smooth phase transition and prevents sudden vaporization that would cause fluid droplet formation, thereby maintaining both high efficiency and stable operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If a single-phase heat transfer fluid radiator is used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature distribution becomes uneven and hot spots form

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidtemperature distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transitions (liquid to vapor and vapor to liquid) of the heat transfer fluid to enhance heat transfer efficiency. During vaporization, the fluid absorbs large amounts of latent heat, and during condensation, it releases heat uniformly across the heating surfaces, eliminating hot spots and ensuring even temperature distribution while maintaining relatively simple system design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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 provides a more efficient, quiet, and easily regulatable heating system with reduced noise and fluid droplets, enhancing both thermal efficiency and user comfort.

Implementation Method 1

the heat source of the heat transfer fluid is constituted by an electrical resistor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

Under the effect of the heat, the heat transfer fluid is vaporized, said vapor then rising in the internal structure of the radiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

due to the temperature of the walls of said heating body, which is lower than that of the steam, the latter condenses. The condensate thus formed is in liquid form

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

the heat transfer fluid heats up on contact with an electric heating element, becomes lighter and rises inside the heating body. During its upward progression, the heat transfer fluid gives up part of the heat to the ambient air through the wall of the heating body, and as a corollary cools. The fluid thus cooled, becoming denser, and therefore heavier, descends by gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNatural convection: Free Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2023055B1Radiator for home heating with a two-phase heat transfer fluid
Publication Date: 2015.10.07 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP2023055B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2023055B1 patent drawingFigure 2~6
  • EP2023055B1 patent drawing

AI summary

This domestic heating radiator with heat transfer fluid operating in two-phase mode comprises: ■ a reservoir (3) of said heat transfer fluid; ■ a hot source (6) consisting of an electrical resistance, intended to raise the temperature of said heat transfer fluid to a temperature such that it causes a phase change of said fluid; ■ a heating element at the level of which the heat transfer with the ambient air takes place, comprising a number n of channels (4), in communication in the lower zone with the reservoir (3), n being able to be equal to 1.