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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

A novel solar-thermal conversion member that enables efficient heat transfer between concentrated sunlight and thermal energy storage. The member comprises β-FeSi2, a phase material with enhanced thermal conductivity and optical properties, which is deposited onto a substrate at elevated temperatures. This β-FeSi2 layer serves as a thermal interface between concentrated sunlight concentrators and thermal energy storage containers, enabling direct heat transfer while minimizing thermal losses through radiation. The system comprises a solar-thermal conversion device with a β-FeSi2 layer, where the β-FeSi2 material is deposited onto a substrate at elevated temperatures.

Source

A photovoltaic hybrid panel that enables simultaneous power generation and heat collection from a conventional solar panel. The panel is installed on the back surface of the solar panel opposite to the light receiving surface, and a heat collecting tube is positioned close to the back surface. The tube is designed with a bent section to facilitate heat transfer between the solar panel and the heat medium. The panel's structure is integrated with a heat insulation system to maintain thermal balance, while the heat collection mechanism enables efficient heat transfer from the solar panel.

Source

Thermal storage devices incorporating phase-change materials (PCMs) infused into fabric substrates. The devices employ a composite architecture where phase-change material is integrated into the fabric base, enabling rapid temperature response. The PCM layers absorb and release heat as the substrate is heated, allowing sensors to detect temperature fluctuations before the material reaches its peak thermal response. This design enables controlled temperature regulation while preventing localized sensor degradation.

Source

Heat exchange device utilizing phase change material in a heat transfer medium. The device comprises a fluid flow channel with a heat conductive foam receptacle, wherein phase change material is integrated into the foam. This phase change material is used to enhance heat transfer efficiency in the heat exchanger.

Source

Systems and devices for absorbing and transferring thermal energy stored in phase change materials to thermoelectric components for conversion into electrical energy. The system comprises an enclosure defining a cavity, a phase change material disposed within the cavity, a thermoelectric component that converts thermal energy into electrical energy, and a thermally conductive material thermally coupled to the phase change material and the thermoelectric component.

Source

Latent heat storage medium with high volume-specific enthalpy for temperature range from 60°C to 20°C, enabling efficient energy storage in applications requiring high-temperature applications. The medium comprises a mixture of polyethylene glycols and additives that can be precisely controlled in their melting points, allowing for optimized phase transitions. The storage medium exhibits excellent chemical resistance, biodegradability, and thermal stability, making it suitable for various thermal energy applications including low-temperature heating, solar thermal systems, and process water treatment.

Source

Phase change material (PCM) composites with vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on a substrate for improved thermal management in heat generating devices. The composites have PCM dispersed between CNT arrays or sheets that are attached to a substrate. The CNTs provide high thermal conductivity to the PCM, enabling better heat transfer and preventing melting front stagnation. The CNTs are vertically aligned on the substrate to maximize contact with the PCM. The PCM can be infiltrated into the CNT arrays or sheets or coated onto them. This provides composite materials with enhanced thermal properties for thermal control applications.

Source

A photovoltaic thermal collector assembly that achieves improved efficiency through a novel thermal management system. The assembly incorporates an air circulation channel within the glass cover, where air flows through the collector and passes over the photovoltaic panel. This dual-temperature management strategy enables the panel's surface temperature to be reduced through absorption, while simultaneously utilizing the air to enhance the panel's performance through convective heating. The assembly's design enables both thermal energy harvesting and electrical generation, making it a promising solution for building-integrated photovoltaics applications.

Source

A low melting point heat transfer and heat storage material with enhanced phase change properties, enabling efficient heat collection and utilization. The material has a lower melting point compared to conventional phase change materials, while its decomposition temperature is higher than that of typical phase change materials. This dual property allows for effective heat transfer at lower temperatures and controlled release of heat at elevated temperatures. The material is particularly suitable for applications requiring both low-temperature heat transfer and high-temperature heat storage, such as industrial heat recovery and solar thermal systems.

Source

A multilayer solar panel material with enhanced thermal performance through selective layer design. The material comprises a multilayer structure comprising a selective layer with a critical temperature above 80°C, where the selective layer exhibits lower infrared reflectance compared to a pure VO2 layer. The selective layer is engineered to have a specific optical index profile, with a lower extinction coefficient for wavelengths between 6-10 μm, resulting in enhanced infrared absorption. This selective layer enables the material to maintain lower temperatures during thermal equilibrium, while maintaining high thermal performance at lower temperatures. The selective layer can be composed of a combination of VO2, VnO2n+/−1, and metal oxides, with controlled dopant concentrations.

Source

A waterless tank solar phase change material for solar water heating systems that enhances temperature stability and rapid heat transfer. The material comprises an outer layer of phase change material, an intermediate layer, and a nano-zinc sulfide inner cladding. The rapid exothermic layer is integrated within the nano-zinc sulfide layer. The material achieves high thermal conversion rates by utilizing a phase change material with a wide temperature platform, enabling rapid heat transfer from the phase change material to the surrounding environment.

Source

Solar power generation system that enhances thermal energy conversion efficiency through optimized heat transfer architecture. The system comprises a concentrator, an absorption module with heat transfer cavity, and a heat conversion device. The absorption module is designed with a cavity to collect concentrated solar radiation, while the heat conversion device employs a heat pipe system to transfer absorbed thermal energy to the conversion device. The heat pipe design enables efficient heat transfer between the absorption module and conversion device, thereby improving overall system efficiency compared to conventional configurations.

Source

A hybrid solar system that integrates photovoltaic cells with a thermal collector to achieve higher efficiency through spectral selective absorption. The system employs a parabolic trough as the primary solar concentrator, with a GaAs-based photovoltaic topping element that captures a broader spectrum of solar radiation. A secondary reflector containing high-temperature thermal media (e.g., carbon-based particles) is positioned to receive the concentrated solar radiation. The thermal media, which can operate at temperatures up to 1000°C, enhances the system's thermal efficiency while maintaining the desired spectral selectivity. This integrated approach enables the system to achieve exergy efficiency above 40% through optimized spectral absorption and thermal management.

Source

A light-and-heat hybrid panel that combines solar energy harvesting with thermal energy storage. The panel features a heat-collecting plate that absorbs thermal energy from a solar cell module, while a refrigerant pipe connects it to a heat exchanger. The plate is designed with strategically arranged convective structures that maximize heat absorption while minimizing thermal losses. This architecture enables efficient energy conversion from solar radiation to thermal energy, which is then stored in the refrigerant for later use. The plate's heat collection surface is optimized for optimal thermal absorption from the solar cell module, while the refrigerant pipe ensures efficient energy transfer.

Source

A heat management material for semiconductor packages in electronic devices that enhances thermal performance by selectively absorbing or dissipating heat through controlled thermal conductivity pathways. The material is integrated into a substrate layer that serves as both a thermal interface and heat spreader, featuring a phase-changeable matrix that transitions from solid to liquid state at specific temperatures. This dual-function material enables efficient heat transfer between the semiconductor package and heat sinks while maintaining thermal stability within the device.

Source

A heat storage system that enables efficient use of latent heat storage materials by exploiting a unique solid-liquid phase transition. The system incorporates a mixed salt with a non-eutectic composition that maintains a solid-liquid coexistence state across a broad temperature range, from below freezing to above boiling point. This phase transition enables the storage material to maintain its latent heat capacity even at lower temperatures, where conventional eutectic materials would solidify and lose their capacity. The system achieves this through the precise control of the phase transition temperature and composition, allowing the storage material to operate effectively at temperatures below its eutectic point.

Source

An unpowered solar panel cooling system that eliminates the need for external power sources and conventional cooling mechanisms. The system employs a novel thermal management approach that utilizes a thermally conductive phase change material (PCM) to absorb and dissipate heat from the solar panel surface. The PCM material is integrated into the panel's structural components and is activated by ambient temperature changes, enabling continuous heat transfer without the need for electrical power. This approach enables efficient and reliable solar panel cooling without the complexity of conventional cooling systems.

Source

Concentrating solar power (CSP) systems featuring receivers with flow control mechanisms that enable precise management of heat transfer fluid flow rates through the receiver's open or partially open heat transfer circuit. The flow control apparatus incorporates a pressure equalization system that maintains equalized inlet and outlet flow rates of the heat transfer fluid, even in open circuits. This enables the flow of heat transfer material from the receiver's upper portion to other receiver tubes without affecting the fluid level in the receiver tubes. The system incorporates a vent in the pressure equalization pipe to provide supplemental pressure equalization. The flow control apparatus is specifically designed to manage the flow rates of phase change materials in CSP systems, enabling precise control of the heat transfer fluid flow rates while maintaining the operational integrity of the phase change material.

Source

A passive cooling system that employs phase-change materials to maintain ambient temperature while energy is released. The system comprises a phase-change material (PCM) rod that transitions between two stable phases when energy is absorbed or released. A locking mechanism selectively holds the rod in the desired phase, enabling controlled release of heat to ambient air. The system integrates with a chassis that can be mechanically moved between two preselected locations: one where ambient temperature is below 60°F and the other above 75°F. This reversible phase-change architecture enables continuous energy management without external power sources.

Source

Heat storage device with enhanced thermal performance through optimized heat conduction and phase transition management. The device features a reversible phase transition material that absorbs or releases latent heat, with a heat conduction member having a thermal conductivity higher than the material. The conduction member's contact surface exhibits superior wettability in the downstream region compared to the upstream region, ensuring efficient heat transfer. The device's design incorporates a partitioning plate to separate the phase transition material from the surrounding environment, while maintaining optimal contact conditions in both the downstream and upstream regions. This configuration enables enhanced heat transfer characteristics through both phase change and conduction processes.

Source

A heat storage material comprising solid particles and carbon nanofibers chemically bonded to the particles, with the carbon nanofibers interposed between the solid particles. This material exhibits superior thermal conductivity compared to conventional heat storage materials, particularly when used in solar thermal energy storage systems.

Source

Enhanced phase change materials (PCMs) with improved thermal energy storage capabilities through the dispersion of nanoparticles. The resulting materials exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity compared to conventional phase change materials due to the increased thermal conductivity of the liquid phase. The phase change materials are composed of natural or synthetic nanoparticles with diameters less than 50 nm, and the phase change materials are selected from water, cyclohexane, dodecane, and gel oil. The nanoparticles facilitate faster and more efficient phase transition between the liquid and solid phases, enabling higher heat release rates compared to conventional phase change materials. The enhanced phase change materials can be used in various applications, including thermal energy storage systems, batteries, and phase change materials for thermal management systems.

Source

Photovoltaic module with integrated thermal management system that prevents excessive cell temperature rise while maintaining high conversion efficiency. The module incorporates a phase change material (PCM) within its backsheet and encapsulant layers, which absorbs heat from the solar cells before it reaches the cell. This PCM operates as a natural thermal buffer, regulating cell temperature without the need for external cooling systems. The PCM is strategically positioned adjacent to the solar cells, allowing it to effectively absorb heat while maintaining cell performance. The integrated PCM system enables controlled cell temperature management while maintaining photovoltaic efficiency.

Source

Solar water heating system with evacuated tube collectors incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) that store thermal energy during periods of low solar radiation. The system utilizes evacuated tube collectors with a heat pipe supported by metallic fins to facilitate delayed release of stored heat. The PCMs are integrated into the collector's inner space, where they are thermally connected to the heat pipe via fins or other media. The system operates in a "stagnated mode" during periods of low solar radiation, where the PCMs absorb and store thermal energy, and then releases it through controlled water flow after sunset. This approach enables efficient energy storage and accumulation in evacuated tube collectors, while maintaining high thermal performance and safety.

Source

Latent heat storage material with enhanced thermal conductivity for rapid heat transfer applications. The material comprises phase change materials (PCMs) encapsulated within thermally conductive structures, where the structures are designed to maximize thermal conductivity. The structures can be formed through various methods, including metal, carbon, and ceramic fibers, and can be integrated into a composite material. This material enables fast heat storage and release through the combined thermal conductivity of the conductive structures and the phase change material.

Source