Thermal Management of Solar Cells Using Phase Change Materials

A heat storage transfer pipe using phase change materials for efficient temperature regulation. The pipe incorporates a phase change material within its structure, where the material undergoes a phase transition from solid to liquid or vice versa as heat is absorbed or released. This phase change capability enables the pipe to store and release thermal energy without significant temperature changes, allowing precise temperature control in both heating and cooling applications. The phase change material is integrated into the pipe's inner structure, where it is accessible for controlled phase transitions. The pipe's outer layers contain conventional insulation to minimize heat loss during transfer.

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Phase change material (PCM) heat sinks with unique thermal management features. The heat sink comprises a matrix of carbon and graphite with strategically designed removals and channels. The matrix contains a phase change material (PCM) encapsulated within the matrix and graphite interstitials. The removals and channels provide thermal pathways while maintaining the PCM's thermal isolation. The design enables efficient energy transfer between the PCM and surrounding environment while maintaining the PCM's phase change properties. The heat sink can be manufactured using various techniques, including machining, machining with removals, or vacuum intercalation.

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A heat exchanger design that utilizes modular components to manage heat transfer between elements. The system employs actuators to control the movement of heat transfer elements between the elements themselves, while maintaining temperature gradients across the system. This modular approach enables precise control over heat flow direction and magnitude, eliminating unintended heat transfer paths. The system incorporates elements for heat transfer in fluids, heat transfer on surfaces, radiant heat transfer, phase change heat storage, and electrical heating, all integrated into a single, modular design.

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Generator comprising multiple batteries and a phase change material heat sink to prevent thermal runaway. The heat sink contains a phase change material positioned over each battery, with the material's melting point between the battery operating temperature and the critical temperature of the battery. This phase change material traps heat generated by one battery and absorbs it as latent heat, preventing excessive thermal transfer between adjacent batteries. The phase change material's temperature range is controlled to maintain safe operating conditions while preventing thermal runaway. The heat sink's material properties ensure efficient heat absorption without compromising battery performance.

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A multifunctional panel combining photovoltaic cells and air energy heat collectors, where the photovoltaic cells generate waste heat that is utilized by the air energy heat pump system. The panel comprises photovoltaic cells and heat collectors integrated together through a sealed gap, with a heat-conducting oil filling the gap. This design enables the photovoltaic cells to generate heat while the air energy heat pump system absorbs the waste heat, achieving both energy generation and heat recovery simultaneously.

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A solar thermal absorption component with improved heat absorption efficiency through a novel internal cavity design. The component comprises a panel, back plate, adhesive strip, and heat-absorbing cavity. The adhesive strip is strategically arranged between the panel and back plate to form a closed internal cavity. The cavity is further enhanced by vertical adhesive strips distributed between the panel and back plate, creating a closed, interconnected space. A heat-absorbing film is integrated between the panel and adhesive strip to further enhance heat transfer. This design creates a self-sustaining heat absorption mechanism through convective and conductive heat transfer pathways within the cavity.

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A multifunctional solar panel and heat collector system that combines photovoltaic generation with air heating. The system comprises a photovoltaic panel and a heat collector plate that are integrated into a single panel, with thermal oil stored between them. The photovoltaic panel generates electricity while the heat collector absorbs heat from the photovoltaic array, with the heat being used to pre-heat the air in the heat collector. This integrated system enables both photovoltaic power generation and air heating, thereby achieving improved efficiency in both systems.

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Solar water heater with enhanced phase change material (PCM) thermal storage that addresses conventional limitations of solar water heating systems. The system incorporates a phase change material (PCM) with copper nano particles (Cu) in its cavity, which significantly improves thermal performance by enhancing heat transfer between the collector and storage vessel. The PCM material absorbs solar radiation during the day, releasing heat as it undergoes phase transition, while the copper nano particles further enhance this process. The integrated collector and storage vessel design enables continuous heat transfer during both active and passive solar heating modes, enabling higher solar fraction utilization and improved water temperature.

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Solar energy collection system for direct heating of phase change materials using concentrated solar radiation. The system employs a collimated beam that focuses solar radiation onto a specially designed heating element, which transfers thermal energy to the storage medium through direct contact. The concentrated beam eliminates radiation losses and achieves high absorption efficiency, enabling direct heating of phase change materials like nitrate and antifreeze compounds. The system's design enables efficient energy conversion to thermal energy, with the heating element able to withstand concentrated solar radiation without damage.

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Solar energy harvesting system that is reliable, maximized and efficient throughout long operational periods (including a summer and winter period). The system includes a heat reservoir configured for storing heat; a low temperature reservoir for holding a liquid cooling medium, a heat pump configured for transferring heat from the low temperature reservoir to the heat reservoir; and a cooling medium transfer circuit for circulating liquid cooling medium between the at least one heat collector and the low temperature reservoir.

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Solar energy converter combining photovoltaic and heat generation capabilities. The device integrates a photovoltaic element with a heat transfer element and a secondary heat exchanger. The photovoltaic element generates electrical power, while the heat transfer element absorbs and transfers heat energy to the secondary heat exchanger. The heat exchanger then transfers the heat energy to a secondary fluid, which is used to generate hot water. This configuration enables simultaneous solar-to-heat conversion, with the heat exchanger serving as a thermal interface between the photovoltaic element and the secondary fluid.

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Thermal phase change heat storage module for electronic devices that addresses localized overheating issues. The module comprises a fiber substrate, a thermally conductive outer layer, and a phase change material. The fiber substrate provides thermal insulation, while the outer layer enables efficient heat dissipation. The phase change material is used to absorb and release heat, effectively storing thermal energy in specific areas of the device. This design enables targeted temperature management while maintaining device performance and preventing component damage.

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Modular energy storage device for renewable energy applications that integrates advanced temperature management. The device comprises a housing with multiple thermal structures, including passive and active components, that work together to regulate temperature while maintaining energy storage performance. The thermal management system utilizes phase change materials (PCMs) to absorb and dissipate heat, while also providing thermal insulation. The device's design enables efficient temperature management while accommodating various energy storage components, including batteries, and can be integrated with renewable energy systems such as solar panels. The device can be remotely controlled through a data network.

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A liquid medium for photothermal conversion that enables long-term operation of heat management systems through the use of photothermal conversion particles. The medium comprises fine particles that absorb solar radiation and convert it into heat, with these particles having infrared absorption characteristics. The particles are dispersed in a liquid medium, such as organic solvents, fats, or petroleum-derived media, which enables their long-term operation in heat management systems. The particles are tungsten oxide fine particles or composite tungsten oxide fine particles with oxygen deficiency, which exhibit enhanced infrared absorption properties compared to conventional tungsten oxide.

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Cooling solar panels without external pumps or water using phase change materials (PCMs) that absorb and release heat without melting. The PCMs are sealed on the back of the solar panel to directly contact the hot backside. This allows the PCMs to quickly absorb and release heat from the panel, preventing overheating and improving efficiency. The PCMs have high specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity to effectively transfer heat without pumping.

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A thermal phase change heat storage module that utilizes phase change materials (PCMs) to absorb and store heat. The module comprises a fiber substrate comprising a non-woven fabric, polyester fiber, glass fiber, metal fiber, or carbon fiber, and a thermally conductive outer layer comprising copper, aluminum, polyethylene terephthalate, or polyimide. The module integrates the phase change material into the substrate and outer layer, enabling efficient heat absorption and release through phase change phase change material (PCMP) that can be triggered by temperature changes.

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A photovoltaic solar panel system that enables efficient cooling of photovoltaic (PV) systems through phase-change heat pipes. The system uses a heat transfer fluid that can change phase between two or three phases, such as solid particles or liquid, to rapidly transport heat from the PV panel. Unlike traditional cooling systems that require water circulation, this system eliminates the need for pumping and vacuuming, enabling continuous operation while maintaining high efficiency. The phase-change fluid maintains its phase transition characteristics even at elevated temperatures, ensuring reliable heat transfer across the PV panel.

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Microparticle-based heat transfer mediums that enable efficient and continuous heat transfer through phase change cycles. The mediums comprise microparticles containing phase change materials (PCMs) with specific boiling points, suspended in a bulk material. When exposed to a surface, the microparticles transition from liquid to gas, then from gas to liquid, creating a continuous heat transfer cycle. This phase change cycle enables the microparticles to maintain their heat transfer properties while minimizing energy losses through phase change. The bulk material can be designed to maintain a temperature below the PCM's boiling point, allowing continuous operation.

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Solar thermal system comprising a light-collecting chamber, a reflector, and a heat exchanger within a single component. The system integrates a solar cell module with a solar collector into a single, optimized component that achieves both efficient solar energy conversion and heat management. The component features a back plate, a reflector, and a heat exchanger, where the back plate serves as the solar cell module, the reflector provides optimal light absorption, and the heat exchanger enables efficient heat transfer between the solar cell and the surrounding environment.

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A solar power system with advanced thermal energy storage that enables low thermal energy loss reflux boiling in full spectrum solar energy systems. The system comprises a photovoltaic module, a reflux boiling chamber with temperature-staged phase change materials, and a thermodynamic heat engine. The reflux boiling chamber contains a working fluid, and the system transfers thermal energy from the photovoltaic module to the thermodynamic heat engine through the working fluid. The temperature-staged phase change materials in the reflux boiling chamber absorb thermal energy during isothermal phase change, minimizing temperature increases during TES heat absorption.

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