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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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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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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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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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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