US3154139A - One-way heat flow panel - Google Patents

One-way heat flow panel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3154139A
US3154139A US201458A US20145862A US3154139A US 3154139 A US3154139 A US 3154139A US 201458 A US201458 A US 201458A US 20145862 A US20145862 A US 20145862A US 3154139 A US3154139 A US 3154139A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
panel
heat flow
emissivity
heat
sheets
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US201458A
Inventor
Jr Nathaniel E Hager
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Armstrong World Industries Inc
Original Assignee
Armstrong Cork Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Armstrong Cork Co filed Critical Armstrong Cork Co
Priority to US201458A priority Critical patent/US3154139A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3154139A publication Critical patent/US3154139A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/62—Insulation or other protection; Elements or use of specified material therefor
    • E04B1/74—Heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection; Other building methods affording favourable thermal or acoustical conditions, e.g. accumulating of heat within walls
    • E04B1/76—Heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection; Other building methods affording favourable thermal or acoustical conditions, e.g. accumulating of heat within walls specifically with respect to heat only
    • E04B1/78—Heat insulating elements
    • E04B1/80—Heat insulating elements slab-shaped
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F5/00—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater
    • F24F5/0046—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater using natural energy, e.g. solar energy, energy from the ground
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D15/00—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies
    • F28D15/02—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes
    • F28D15/0233—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes the conduits having a particular shape, e.g. non-circular cross-section, annular
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B23/00—Machines, plants or systems, with a single mode of operation not covered by groups F25B1/00 - F25B21/00, e.g. using selective radiation effect
    • F25B23/003—Machines, plants or systems, with a single mode of operation not covered by groups F25B1/00 - F25B21/00, e.g. using selective radiation effect using selective radiation effect
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S126/00—Stoves and furnaces
    • Y10S126/907—Absorber coating
    • Y10S126/908—Particular chemical
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S165/00—Heat exchange
    • Y10S165/904—Radiation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S62/00—Refrigeration
    • Y10S62/01—Radiant cooling

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a one-way heat flow panel, and more particularly to a panel adapted to prevent heat from entering a room or other enclosure during the heat of the day, while allowing heat to leave the room or enclosure during the cool of the evening.
  • the invention contemplates a one-way heat flow panel comprising in combination a supporting edge structure and two opposing sheets mounted on the edge structure to form a sealed enclosure.
  • the first of the sheets has a highly polished metallic inner surface and, preferably, a white outer surface.
  • the second of the sheets preferably has a black surface on both the inner and outer surfaces of the sheet.
  • the sealed enclosure contains a small amount of an inert liquid, such as water, which is capable of changing reversibly between the gaseous and liquid phases at ordinary ambient temperatures, the liquid boiling in the range of about 80120 C.
  • the evaporation and subsequent condensation of the inert liquid on the highly polished metallic inner surface of the first opposing sheet causes a drastic increase in the emissivity of that surface. Re-evaporation from that surface as it warms re-establishes the very low emissivity of the highly polished surface.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified isometric view of a panel of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional stylized view of the present panel in operation when the exterior environment is hot
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional sytlized view of a panel of the present invention in operation when the exterior environment is cool, and
  • FIG. 4 is a graph showing the heat flux in an operating panel of the present invention.
  • the supporting edge structure may be made of suitable edge members 1 arranged to form the edge in the shape of a flat rectangle.
  • edge members 1 may be made of wood, plywood, metal sheets, plastic laminates, or the like, generally having a width in the range of about 1-6 inches.
  • the edge members 1 should be generally impermeable to water and other vapors, as are the joints 2 where the edge members 1 meet. If wood is used, it may be foil-lined or otherwise treated to render it impermeable to the inert liquid or its vapor.
  • Opposing sheets 3 and 4 are positioned over the opposite edges of the edge members 1 in order to form a sealed enclosure bounded by the four edge members 1 and the opposing sheets 3 and 4.
  • the opposing sheets 3 and 4 are preferably formed of thin metal, a foil being suitable, although suitably pigmented and treated sheets of plastic may be used.
  • the first opposing sheet 3 will preferably have an exterior surface of a white color. A white surface reflects sunlight, yet emits infra-red radiation almost as well as a black surface.
  • the inner or under surface of the first opposing sheet 3 has a highly polished surface of metallic luster in order that the highly polished surface will have a low emissivity less than about 0.5, and preferably less than about 0.1.
  • the second opposing sheet 4 may have a normal metallic luster or other normal color but preferably has a black-colored outer or bottom surface and also a black-colored top or interior surface. The emissivity of such black surfaces is high, generally greater than 0.9, and on the order of 0.95.
  • the heat panel of the present invention is completed by having a small amount of an inert liquid boiling in the range of -l20 C. in the interior of the sealed enclosure.
  • inert liquid is meant a liquid which does not cause deterioration of any part of the enclosure.
  • a refilling opening 5 may be provided in one of the edge members 1.
  • the opening 5 must be equipped with a stopper or valve or other device for sealing the opening when the one-way heat flow panel is in use.
  • the amount of liquid to be provided in the interior of the sealed enclosure will be small, less than 1% by volume of the interior, and usually less than 0.1% of the interior.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the heat panel of the present invention when the outside environment is hot on the side of the heat panel beyond the white surface, while the inside environment on the other side of the exterior of the black surface is cooler.
  • the panel or a series of panels may be placed in the walls, ceilings, or floors of rooms or chambers or buildings wherein it is desirable to minimize the heat flow into the chamber while optimizing heat flow out of the chamher when the exterior environment has cooled.
  • the panel functions best, however, in a horizontal position.
  • the low emissivity, polished, metallic under surface of the exterior sheet is a large contributing factor in preventing thermal radiation from penetrating the heat panel from the outside. To the extent that some heat does penetrate the one-way heat flow panel, the liquid remains at the lowermost portion of the heat panel or distributed on the black, cooler surface. Such conditions will remain in a reasonably steady state as long as the exterior environment is hotter than the interior environment separated by the heat panel. The temperature of the exterior sheet is higher than the dew point.
  • FIGURE 3 illustrates the operation of the heat panel when the outside environment is cooler than the inside environment.
  • the sheet having the two blackened surfaces now becomes the warmer surface while the sheet having the outer white surface and the interior polished metallic surface becomes the cooler surface at a temperature lower than the dew point existing inside the panel.
  • the liquid condenses and forms a light mist or film of condensate over the polished metallic surface.
  • This condensed film of liquid changes the emissivity of the highly polished metallic surface from a value in the neighborhood of 0.08 to one in the neighborhood of 0.90, I
  • the panel may be used in a reverse manner, although it does not work as efiiciently.
  • the panel By installing the panel in a position in which the white surface faces into the interior of a chamber and the black surfaces face outwardly, the panel will tend to concentrate heat inside the chamber. Such an arrangement might be desirable in colder climates.
  • Example A test panel was made wherein the edge members were fabricated from 0.25 plywood 24" long, and 4" wide.
  • the plywood frame was lined with aluminum foil to minimize water permeability.
  • the two opposing sheets were made of aluminum foil stretched over the frame.
  • the outer surface of one sheet was painted white, While both surfaces of the opposing sheet were painted black.
  • the panel was tested in a horizontal position.
  • Resistance heaters were used to supply the heat source on both sides of the panel alternately. External insulation was applied to the sides of the panel around the edge members to minimize heat flow laterally outward through the edges. Heat flow rates were measured at hot and cold surfaces with heat meters. Thermocouples were positioned at critical points throughout the panel. All heat meters and thermocouples were electrically insulated from the metal faces of the test panel with layers of polyethylene film.
  • FIG. 4 gives the hot and cold surface heat flux values plotted as a function of the temperature difference across the center of the panel.
  • the lowermost dashed curve in FIG. 4 shows that the presence of the water inside the test panel produces no significant effect when the top surface of the panel is heated. however, the two solid topmost curves in FIG. 4 show that the presence of the Water in the panel makes a sizable difference when it is the .bottom surface of the panel which is heated.
  • the curves in FIG. 4 make it abundantly clear that the one-way heat flow panel functions to allow heat to flow readily in one a direction through the panel, while inhibiting the flow of heat through the panel in the other direction. In the test involving downward heat flow, the heat was applied directly to the white surface; the ability of this surface to reflect sunlight was not used. Hence the observed effect was less dramatic than it would be in actual use.
  • a one-way heat flow panel in which heat flow is controlled by a variation of the emissivity of an inner surface, said panel comprising in combination a supporting edge structure and two opposing sheets mounted on the edge structure to form a sealed enclosure, the first of said sheets having a highly-polished metallic inner surface having an emissivity lower than about 0.5, the second of said sheets having an inner surface having an emissivity higher than that of the inner surface of said first sheet, said enclosure containing a small amount less than 1% by volume of said enclosure of inert liquid boiling in the range of -120 0, whereby said liquid deposits on said polished metallic inner surface when said surface is cooler than the surface on the opposing sheet, thus increasing the emissivity thereof.
  • a one-way heat flow panel according to claim 1 wherein the second of said sheets has black inner and outer surfaces.
  • a one-way heat flow panel in which heat flow is controlled by a variation of the emissivity of an inner surface, said panel comprising in combination a supporting edge structure and two opposing sheets mounted on the edge structure to form a sealed enclosure, the first of said sheets having a white outer surface and a highly polished metallic inner surface having an emissivity less than about 0.5, the second of said sheets having black inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface having an emissivity greater than 0.9, said enclosure containing a small amount of water less than 1% by volume of said enclosure, whereby said water deposits on said metallic inner surface when said surface is cooler than said black surface thus increasing the emissivity thereof.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)

Description

Oct. 27, 1964 N. E. HAGER, JR
ONE-WAY HEAT FLOW PANEL Filed June 11, 1962 ,Jiyij WHITE SOLAR RADIATION WHITE TRADIATION TO NIGHT SKY $URFACE\ WARM SURFACE SURFACE 0001. SURFACE I v j T 11....) -A w f l VOL'ATILE MOISTURE ON WARM SURFACE MOISTURE 0N LIQUID METALLIC MOIST OR METALLIC BLACK COOL SURFACE BLACK BLACK AT HOT SURFACE NCTION 0F TEM RATURE DIFFERENCE HOT RFAC BELOW HOT SURFACE AT TOP 0 IO 20 30 4o 50 O u DRY PANEL AT F) INVENTOR. o WET PANEL NATHANIEL E. HAGER, JR-
3,154,,l39 Fatentecl Oct. 27, 1964 ice 3,154,139 ONE-WAY EEAT FLUW PANEL Nathaniel E. Hager, In, Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pa, assignor to Armstrong Girl; Company, Lancaster, Pin, a corporation of Pennsyivania Filed June 11, 1962, Ser. No. 201,458 8 Claims. (@l. 165105) This invention relates generally to a one-way heat flow panel, and more particularly to a panel adapted to prevent heat from entering a room or other enclosure during the heat of the day, while allowing heat to leave the room or enclosure during the cool of the evening.
There has long been a need for a one-way heat flow panel by means of which the interior of a chamber may be maintained at a more or less constant temperature, or even cooled, by a device which limits the rate at which heat enters the chamber when the environment of the chamber is hot, and yet allows heat to leave the chamber relatively freely when the environment of the chamber is cooler. It is the primary object of the present invention to supply such a panel.
The invention contemplates a one-way heat flow panel comprising in combination a supporting edge structure and two opposing sheets mounted on the edge structure to form a sealed enclosure. The first of the sheets has a highly polished metallic inner surface and, preferably, a white outer surface. The second of the sheets preferably has a black surface on both the inner and outer surfaces of the sheet. The sealed enclosure contains a small amount of an inert liquid, such as water, which is capable of changing reversibly between the gaseous and liquid phases at ordinary ambient temperatures, the liquid boiling in the range of about 80120 C. The evaporation and subsequent condensation of the inert liquid on the highly polished metallic inner surface of the first opposing sheet causes a drastic increase in the emissivity of that surface. Re-evaporation from that surface as it warms re-establishes the very low emissivity of the highly polished surface.
The invention may be better understood by reference to the drawings in which FIG. 1 is a simplified isometric view of a panel of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional stylized view of the present panel in operation when the exterior environment is hot,
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional sytlized view of a panel of the present invention in operation when the exterior environment is cool, and
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the heat flux in an operating panel of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, the supporting edge structure may be made of suitable edge members 1 arranged to form the edge in the shape of a flat rectangle. These edge members 1 may be made of wood, plywood, metal sheets, plastic laminates, or the like, generally having a width in the range of about 1-6 inches. The edge members 1 should be generally impermeable to water and other vapors, as are the joints 2 where the edge members 1 meet. If wood is used, it may be foil-lined or otherwise treated to render it impermeable to the inert liquid or its vapor. Opposing sheets 3 and 4 are positioned over the opposite edges of the edge members 1 in order to form a sealed enclosure bounded by the four edge members 1 and the opposing sheets 3 and 4. These opposing sheets 3 and 4 are preferably formed of thin metal, a foil being suitable, although suitably pigmented and treated sheets of plastic may be used. The first opposing sheet 3 will preferably have an exterior surface of a white color. A white surface reflects sunlight, yet emits infra-red radiation almost as well as a black surface. The inner or under surface of the first opposing sheet 3 has a highly polished surface of metallic luster in order that the highly polished surface will have a low emissivity less than about 0.5, and preferably less than about 0.1. The second opposing sheet 4 may have a normal metallic luster or other normal color but preferably has a black-colored outer or bottom surface and also a black-colored top or interior surface. The emissivity of such black surfaces is high, generally greater than 0.9, and on the order of 0.95.
The heat panel of the present invention is completed by having a small amount of an inert liquid boiling in the range of -l20 C. in the interior of the sealed enclosure. By inert liquid is meant a liquid which does not cause deterioration of any part of the enclosure. To replenish any liquid loss, a refilling opening 5 may be provided in one of the edge members 1. The opening 5 must be equipped with a stopper or valve or other device for sealing the opening when the one-way heat flow panel is in use. The amount of liquid to be provided in the interior of the sealed enclosure will be small, less than 1% by volume of the interior, and usually less than 0.1% of the interior. Sufficient liquid is needed to form a thin layer of condensate over the polished metallic interior surface of sheet 3 when the temperature of that surface falls below the dew point existing inside the panel. Any liquid beyond this necessary amount is merely excess. Therefore it will be appreciated that only very small amounts of liquid are needed for the functioning of the one-way heat flow panel. Tests have shown that a negligible amount of heat is transferred by change-of-phase heat transfer brought about by the liquid. The liquids sole significant function is that of changing emissivity. The emissivity of the polished metallic surface changes as the inert liquid condenses on it and then evaporates from it. It is this change in emissivity, which depends on the relative amounts of heat on each side of the panel, which renders the panel more permeable to heat flow in one direction than another.
FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the heat panel of the present invention when the outside environment is hot on the side of the heat panel beyond the white surface, while the inside environment on the other side of the exterior of the black surface is cooler.
The panel or a series of panels may be placed in the walls, ceilings, or floors of rooms or chambers or buildings wherein it is desirable to minimize the heat flow into the chamber while optimizing heat flow out of the chamher when the exterior environment has cooled. The panel functions best, however, in a horizontal position.
Solar radiation strikes the outermost white surface and is largely reflected. Additionally, the low emissivity, polished, metallic under surface of the exterior sheet is a large contributing factor in preventing thermal radiation from penetrating the heat panel from the outside. To the extent that some heat does penetrate the one-way heat flow panel, the liquid remains at the lowermost portion of the heat panel or distributed on the black, cooler surface. Such conditions will remain in a reasonably steady state as long as the exterior environment is hotter than the interior environment separated by the heat panel. The temperature of the exterior sheet is higher than the dew point.
FIGURE 3 illustrates the operation of the heat panel when the outside environment is cooler than the inside environment. The sheet having the two blackened surfaces now becomes the warmer surface while the sheet having the outer white surface and the interior polished metallic surface becomes the cooler surface at a temperature lower than the dew point existing inside the panel. As a result, the liquid condenses and forms a light mist or film of condensate over the polished metallic surface. This condensed film of liquid changes the emissivity of the highly polished metallic surface from a value in the neighborhood of 0.08 to one in the neighborhood of 0.90, I
approximately a tenfold change where water is used. This emissivity change of the highly polished metallic surface changes the characteristics of the entire heat panel and will now allow heat to flow easily from the interior of the chamber to the exterior of the chamber where the environment is cooler. The panel interior may be evacuated or pressurized as an aid in achieving dew point control.
It is apparent that the panel may be used in a reverse manner, although it does not work as efiiciently. By installing the panel in a position in which the white surface faces into the interior of a chamber and the black surfaces face outwardly, the panel will tend to concentrate heat inside the chamber. Such an arrangement might be desirable in colder climates.
Example A test panel was made wherein the edge members were fabricated from 0.25 plywood 24" long, and 4" wide. The plywood frame was lined with aluminum foil to minimize water permeability. The two opposing sheets were made of aluminum foil stretched over the frame. The outer surface of one sheet was painted white, While both surfaces of the opposing sheet were painted black. The panel was tested in a horizontal position.
Resistance heaters were used to supply the heat source on both sides of the panel alternately. External insulation was applied to the sides of the panel around the edge members to minimize heat flow laterally outward through the edges. Heat flow rates were measured at hot and cold surfaces with heat meters. Thermocouples were positioned at critical points throughout the panel. All heat meters and thermocouples were electrically insulated from the metal faces of the test panel with layers of polyethylene film.
FIG. 4 gives the hot and cold surface heat flux values plotted as a function of the temperature difference across the center of the panel. The lowermost dashed curve in FIG. 4 shows that the presence of the water inside the test panel produces no significant effect when the top surface of the panel is heated. however, the two solid topmost curves in FIG. 4 show that the presence of the Water in the panel makes a sizable difference when it is the .bottom surface of the panel which is heated. The curves in FIG. 4 make it abundantly clear that the one-way heat flow panel functions to allow heat to flow readily in one a direction through the panel, while inhibiting the flow of heat through the panel in the other direction. In the test involving downward heat flow, the heat was applied directly to the white surface; the ability of this surface to reflect sunlight was not used. Hence the observed effect was less dramatic than it would be in actual use.
I claim:
1. A one-way heat flow panel in which heat flow is controlled by a variation of the emissivity of an inner surface, said panel comprising in combination a supporting edge structure and two opposing sheets mounted on the edge structure to form a sealed enclosure, the first of said sheets having a highly-polished metallic inner surface having an emissivity lower than about 0.5, the second of said sheets having an inner surface having an emissivity higher than that of the inner surface of said first sheet, said enclosure containing a small amount less than 1% by volume of said enclosure of inert liquid boiling in the range of -120 0, whereby said liquid deposits on said polished metallic inner surface when said surface is cooler than the surface on the opposing sheet, thus increasing the emissivity thereof.
2. A one-way heat flow panel according to claim 1 wherein the second of said sheets has black inner and outer surfaces.
3. A one-way heat flow panel according to claim 1 wherein said inert liquid comprises water.
4. One one-Way heat flow panel according to claim 1 wherein said two opposing sheets are made of metallic foil.
5. A one-way heat flow panel according to claim 4 wherein said metallic foil comprises aluminum foil.
6. A one-way heat fiow panel according to claim 1 wherein said supporting edge structure is wood and said opposing sheets are aluminum foil.
'7. A oneway heat flow panel according to claim 1 wherein said highly polished metallic inner surface has an emissivity less than 0.1.
8. A one-way heat flow panel in which heat flow is controlled by a variation of the emissivity of an inner surface, said panel comprising in combination a supporting edge structure and two opposing sheets mounted on the edge structure to form a sealed enclosure, the first of said sheets having a white outer surface and a highly polished metallic inner surface having an emissivity less than about 0.5, the second of said sheets having black inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface having an emissivity greater than 0.9, said enclosure containing a small amount of water less than 1% by volume of said enclosure, whereby said water deposits on said metallic inner surface when said surface is cooler than said black surface thus increasing the emissivity thereof.
References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,018,087 Steele Jan. 23, 1962

Claims (1)

1. A ONE-WAY HEAT FLOW PANEL IN WHICH HEAT FLOW IS CONTROLLED BY A VARIATION OF THE EMISSIVITY OF AN INNER SURFACE, SAID PANEL COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A SUPPORTING EDGE STRUCTURE AND TWO OPPOSING SHEETS MOUNTED ON THE EDGE STRUCTURE TO FORM A SEALED ENCLOSURE, THE FIRST OF SAID SHEETS HAVING A HIGHLY-POLISHED METALLIC INNER SURFACE HAVING AN EMISSIVITY LOWER THAN ABOUT 0.5, THE SECOND OF SAID SHEETS HAVING AN INNER SURFACE HAVING AN EMISSIVITY HIGHER THAN THAT OF THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID FIRST SHEET, SAID ENCLOSURE CONTAINING A SMALL AMOUNT LESS THAN 1% BY VOLUME OF SAID ENCLOSURE OF INERT LIQUID BOILING IN THE RANGE OF 80*-120*C., WHEREBY SAID LIQUID DEPOSITS ON SAID POLISHED METALLIC INNER SURFACE WHEN SAID SURFACE IS COOLER THAN THE SURFACE ON THE OPPOSING SHEET, THUS INCREASING THE EMISSIVITY THEREOF.
US201458A 1962-06-11 1962-06-11 One-way heat flow panel Expired - Lifetime US3154139A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201458A US3154139A (en) 1962-06-11 1962-06-11 One-way heat flow panel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201458A US3154139A (en) 1962-06-11 1962-06-11 One-way heat flow panel

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3154139A true US3154139A (en) 1964-10-27

Family

ID=22745900

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US201458A Expired - Lifetime US3154139A (en) 1962-06-11 1962-06-11 One-way heat flow panel

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3154139A (en)

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3331432A (en) * 1964-10-06 1967-07-18 Eugene S Cotton Asymmetrical heat conductor
US3613774A (en) * 1969-10-08 1971-10-19 Sanders Associates Inc Unilateral heat transfer apparatus
US3735806A (en) * 1970-12-07 1973-05-29 Trw Inc Unidirectional thermal transfer means
US3785365A (en) * 1969-01-08 1974-01-15 Laing Ingeborg Temperature conditioning means
FR2237143A1 (en) * 1972-06-23 1975-02-07 Laing Nikolaus
US3893443A (en) * 1973-01-11 1975-07-08 Richard H Smith Floating solar pool heater
FR2300860A1 (en) * 1975-02-11 1976-09-10 Sulzer Ag Boundary wall element - for a room consisting of heat-arresting and heat-storage components opt transparent
US4046193A (en) * 1976-02-18 1977-09-06 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Closed electrical apparatus cabinet embodying a vaporization chamber and cabinet top thereof
FR2377646A1 (en) * 1977-01-17 1978-08-11 Montedison Spa COVERING ELEMENT PROTECTING SOLAR RADIATION USED IN RADIATION REFRIGERATION
US4293785A (en) * 1978-09-05 1981-10-06 Jackson Research, Inc. Rotating electric machines with enhanced radiation cooling
FR2483564A1 (en) * 1980-06-03 1981-12-04 Bourdel Jacques Double-skinned panels for glazing or storage systems - has the inner space maintained under vacuum
FR2597571A1 (en) * 1986-03-18 1987-10-23 Caubet Jacques Jean Thermal insulation device and its applications
AU628369B2 (en) * 1988-08-22 1992-09-17 Robert Kenneth Prudhoe Passive heat transfer building panel
WO2004003309A1 (en) * 2002-07-01 2004-01-08 Ingenieurbüro Dr. Armin Schwab Space element for improving the heat accumulation capacity of spaces
US20140131023A1 (en) * 2012-11-15 2014-05-15 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University Structures for radiative cooling
US11215407B2 (en) * 2014-05-21 2022-01-04 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University Radiative cooling with solar spectrum reflection
US11359841B2 (en) 2019-04-17 2022-06-14 SkyCool Systems, Inc. Radiative cooling systems
US11835255B2 (en) 2018-12-27 2023-12-05 SkyCool Systems, Inc. Cooling panel system

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3018087A (en) * 1958-04-11 1962-01-23 Hexcel Products Inc Heat transfer panel

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3018087A (en) * 1958-04-11 1962-01-23 Hexcel Products Inc Heat transfer panel

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3331432A (en) * 1964-10-06 1967-07-18 Eugene S Cotton Asymmetrical heat conductor
US3785365A (en) * 1969-01-08 1974-01-15 Laing Ingeborg Temperature conditioning means
US3613774A (en) * 1969-10-08 1971-10-19 Sanders Associates Inc Unilateral heat transfer apparatus
US3735806A (en) * 1970-12-07 1973-05-29 Trw Inc Unidirectional thermal transfer means
FR2237143A1 (en) * 1972-06-23 1975-02-07 Laing Nikolaus
US3893443A (en) * 1973-01-11 1975-07-08 Richard H Smith Floating solar pool heater
FR2300860A1 (en) * 1975-02-11 1976-09-10 Sulzer Ag Boundary wall element - for a room consisting of heat-arresting and heat-storage components opt transparent
US4046193A (en) * 1976-02-18 1977-09-06 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Closed electrical apparatus cabinet embodying a vaporization chamber and cabinet top thereof
US4323619A (en) * 1977-01-17 1982-04-06 Montedison S.P.A. Covering element screening off the solar radiation for the applications in the refrigeration by radiation
FR2377646A1 (en) * 1977-01-17 1978-08-11 Montedison Spa COVERING ELEMENT PROTECTING SOLAR RADIATION USED IN RADIATION REFRIGERATION
US4293785A (en) * 1978-09-05 1981-10-06 Jackson Research, Inc. Rotating electric machines with enhanced radiation cooling
FR2483564A1 (en) * 1980-06-03 1981-12-04 Bourdel Jacques Double-skinned panels for glazing or storage systems - has the inner space maintained under vacuum
FR2597571A1 (en) * 1986-03-18 1987-10-23 Caubet Jacques Jean Thermal insulation device and its applications
AU628369B2 (en) * 1988-08-22 1992-09-17 Robert Kenneth Prudhoe Passive heat transfer building panel
WO2004003309A1 (en) * 2002-07-01 2004-01-08 Ingenieurbüro Dr. Armin Schwab Space element for improving the heat accumulation capacity of spaces
US20140131023A1 (en) * 2012-11-15 2014-05-15 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University Structures for radiative cooling
US9709349B2 (en) * 2012-11-15 2017-07-18 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University Structures for radiative cooling
US11215407B2 (en) * 2014-05-21 2022-01-04 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University Radiative cooling with solar spectrum reflection
US20220178628A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2022-06-09 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University Radiative cooling with solar spectrum reflection
US12061056B2 (en) * 2014-05-21 2024-08-13 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University Radiative cooling with solar spectrum reflection
US11835255B2 (en) 2018-12-27 2023-12-05 SkyCool Systems, Inc. Cooling panel system
US11359841B2 (en) 2019-04-17 2022-06-14 SkyCool Systems, Inc. Radiative cooling systems

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3154139A (en) One-way heat flow panel
US3018087A (en) Heat transfer panel
US4073284A (en) Process and device for utilizing meteorological radiations
US4468423A (en) Insulating cell element and structures composed thereof
Catalanotti et al. The radiative cooling of selective surfaces
US4122828A (en) Solar energy collector for direct air heating
US2595905A (en) Radiant energy heat transfer device
US4162701A (en) Thermal control canister
US6248433B1 (en) Low emissivity, high reflectivity insulation
US4064868A (en) Solar heat collector
GB1302840A (en)
US4308882A (en) Tents for military use and providing protection against modern sight and IR-optical search methods
US3043112A (en) Method and means for producing refrigeration by selective radiation
CA2211549C (en) Low emissivity, high reflectivity insulation
US2671441A (en) Variable heat insulating apparatus and solar heating system comprising same
US4290419A (en) Multi systems solar collector
FR2383280A1 (en) Roof covering with air conditioning - has channels between insulation and sealing layer for air conditioning, with solar heating
US3332620A (en) Relative humidity control for buildings
US4437456A (en) Heat collector
Johnson Radiation cooling of structures with infrared transparent wind screens
Nilsson et al. Infrared-transparent convection shields for radiative cooling: Initial results on corrugated polyethylene foils
FR2266863A1 (en) External wall element solar heat storage unit - with heat-absorption element, insulating layer and heat-exchanger device
US4121568A (en) Solar panel flat plate collector
EP1528215A1 (en) Transparent exterior wall for reducing solar radiation
NO823706L (en) WALL CONSTRUCTION FOR USING SOLAR ENERGY FOR HEATING BUILDINGS.