Vibrating Blade Detector for Thermal Store Charge Rate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the state of charge in thermal storage systems using phase change materials are inefficient, prone to measurement errors, and require complex or intrusive setups, such as pressure measurement, flow rate integration, or additional fluids, which are costly and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A device with vibrating blade detectors that measure the separation front between the phase change material and the gas sky, providing a direct and precise determination of the charging rate without the need for additional fluids or complex calculations, applicable to both closed and open gas top systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure measurement is used to determine charge rate, then charge rate can be determined, but the tank is subjected to strong pressure increases impacting design and sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gas canopy as an intermediary medium between the PCM and the measurement system. The gas canopy transmits pressure variations caused by PCM volume changes during phase transition to pressure sensors, enabling indirect measurement without subjecting the tank to strong pressure increases. This resolves the contradiction by decoupling the measurement function from the structural integrity requirements.
2Measurement precision
If flow rate integration is used to determine charge rate, then charge rate can be calculated, but expensive and unreliable electronic elements for acquisition, memory and calculations are necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic integration systems with a simple mechanical/physical measurement approach. Instead of integrating flow rates over time using expensive electronic components, the system directly measures pressure variations that correspond to PCM volume changes during phase transition. This substitution eliminates the need for complex electronic acquisition, memory, and calculation systems while providing accurate charge rate determination.
3Measurement precision
If additional fluids are added to measure charge rate, then measurement can be performed, but system density is directly impacted and setup becomes intrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the thermal storage medium itself by utilizing the gas canopy that already exists in the system. The gas canopy serves dual purposes: maintaining system pressure and enabling charge rate measurement through pressure sensors. This eliminates the need to add additional measuring fluids to the PCM, avoiding impacts on system density and maintaining a non-intrusive setup.
4Measurement precision
If temperature detectors are used to quantify stored heat, then measurement can be performed, but it is difficult to quantify heat stored at constant temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from temperature to pressure. Since the PCM stores heat at constant temperature during phase transition, temperature detectors cannot quantify the stored heat. However, the PCM undergoes volume expansion during melting, which creates pressure variations in the gas canopy. By measuring pressure changes instead of temperature, the system can accurately determine the charge rate and stored heat quantity despite the constant temperature condition.
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 offers a precise, non-intrusive, and cost-effective method for determining the charging rate of thermal storage systems, reducing measurement drift and operational impact, and eliminating the need for theoretical calculations or additional fluids.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change material MCP receiving a heat transfer fluid in a heat exchanger, the SST being configured so that a portion of a separation front between the gas canopy and the MCP has, in the tank, a position representative of the loading rate of the SST
Implementation Method 2
the phase change material is substantially totally in a solid state defining a first height level of the separation front and in a completely charged state, when the phase change material is substantially totally in a liquid state defining a second height level of the separation front
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The invention relates to a latent heat SST comprising a tank (101), a solid/liquid PCM (103,104), a gas head (102), and a heat exchanger, the SST (100) being configured so that a portion of a separation front (110) between the gas head and the PCM has a position representative of the SST's charge rate, comprising a vibrating blade detector (200) intended to be arranged on a side wall (113) of the tank, at a predefined height, in a measuring zone (203) so as to be in contact alternately with the gas head or the liquid PCM depending on the volumetric variation of the PCM, and to provide a signal depending on its contact with the gas head or the liquid PCM, and an electronic card connected to at least one detector and intended to determine the SST's charge rate depending on the signal provided by the detector and its predefined height.