Passive organic rankine cycle and integrated pressure module provide cooling

Abstract

A passive system for providing cooling to a device is disclosed. The system includes an evaporator, an integrated pressure control module, and a condenser. The evaporator contains a working liquid (e.g., refrigerant) to absorb heat from the device. When the liquid reaches a boiling point, it is converted to a vapor. The condenser cools the vapor with ambient air until the vapor reaches a condensation point and condenses into a liquid. The integrated pressure control module is located between the evaporator and the condenser and provides a mechanical means (e.g., self-powered) to control the pressure within the system to maintain a desired amount of liquid within the evaporator. The integrated pressure control module includes two mechanical devices connected in series. The first mechanical device captures energy as the vapor passes through and transfers the energy to the second mechanical device to push the liquid through at a desired pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of equipment cooling, specifically to a passive organic Rankine cycle (ORC) and integrated pressure module that provide a cooling device. Background Technology

[0002] Various devices generate heat during operation. This includes both mechanical and electrical equipment. Excessive heat can be harmful to equipment and the environment. Therefore, equipment cooling is frequently required. Various methods have been developed to cool equipment, including blowing air onto the equipment and / or running water cooling. Additionally, radiators are commonly used to extract heat from the equipment. These radiators can dissipate the heat or transfer it to a better location for cooling. The operation of the device may also result in byproducts (e.g., fluids, vapors) having high temperatures that require cooling. Various cooling systems require energy to cool the equipment and / or byproducts (e.g., the energy required to run fans blowing cool air, the energy required to run hydraulic pumps).

[0003] The cooling capacity that air or water can provide is limited by its relevant parameters. Some cooling systems utilize other working fluids that convert to vapor at lower temperatures. This allows the working fluid to absorb additional heat from the equipment or byproducts generated by the equipment and convert that heat into vapor. Such systems are called thermodynamic cycle systems, including Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems. These systems can use the heat extracted from the equipment to generate mechanical or electrical energy.

[0004] What is needed is a thermodynamic cycle system that provides cooling that is much simpler to maintain. Furthermore, a system that does not require a power pump would be beneficial. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application proposes a system for providing cooling for equipment and an integrated pressure control module for a cooling system that does not require power.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application proposes a system for providing cooling for a device, the system comprising an evaporator containing a working liquid, wherein the evaporator is configured to receive heat from the device, wherein the working liquid absorbs heat until it reaches its boiling point and becomes working vapor; a condenser receives the working vapor and cools it until it reaches its condensation point and becomes working liquid; and an integrated pressure control module is located between the evaporator and the condenser, through which the working vapor of the evaporator enters the condenser, and through which the working liquid of the condenser enters the evaporator, the integrated pressure control module acquiring energy as the working vapor passes through the module and using the energy to push the required amount of working liquid into the evaporator.

[0007] Secondly, this application proposes an integrated pressure control module for a power-free cooling system. The module includes: a first inlet point for receiving working steam from an evaporator; a first mechanical device for capturing energy as the working steam passes through; a first outlet point for delivering the working steam to a condenser; a second inlet point for receiving working fluid from the condenser; a second mechanical device for using the energy to push the working fluid into the condenser and increase the pressure of the working fluid; a connection between the first and second mechanical devices for transferring energy from the first mechanical device to the second mechanical device; and a second outlet point for delivering working fluid to the evaporator. The module is used to maintain a substantially equivalent pressure between the working steam exiting the evaporator and the working fluid entering the evaporator to keep the amount of working fluid within the evaporator stable. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The features and advantages of various embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein:

[0009] Figure 1 A block diagram of an example thermodynamic cycle (e.g., ORC) system for providing cooling to a device is shown.

[0010] Figure 2 A block diagram of an example passive thermal cycle (e.g., ORC) system for providing cooling to a device according to one embodiment is shown.

[0011] Figure 3 An example is shown according to one embodiment. Figure 2 The following is a block diagram of an example integrated pressure control module used in an example passive ORC system.

[0012] Figure 4 The following is illustrated according to one embodiment: Figure 3 The example is a perspective view of the components of an integrated pressure control module.

[0013] Figure 5 An embodiment is shown. Figure 2 A block diagram of the example integrated pressure control module used in the example passive ORC system. Detailed Implementation

[0014] Figure 1A block diagram of an existing system 100 for an example thermodynamic cycle (e.g., ORC) that provides cooling for device 10 is shown. Device 10 may be an electronic or mechanical device, and system 100 may provide cooling directly to device 10 or byproducts generated by device 10. System 100 includes an evaporator 110, an expander 120, a generator 130, a condenser 140, and a pump 150. The evaporator 110 contains a working fluid therein and absorbs heat from the device 10 or the liquid being processed in order to provide cooling. As the working fluid absorbs heat from device 10, the temperature and pressure of the working fluid increase until the working fluid is eventually converted into steam. The steam flows from the evaporator 110 to the expander 120, where the steam provides mechanical motion. The generator 130 utilizes the mechanical motion to generate electricity.

[0015] After passing through expander 120, the steam is cooled in condenser 140. Condenser 140 cools the steam by blowing ambient air into it. As the temperature and pressure of the steam decrease, it is converted back into working fluid. Pump 150 then pumps the working fluid back to evaporator 110. For the system to function properly, the temperature and pressure of the working fluid need to be maintained within evaporator 110. This requires a controller (not specified) to operate pump 150 at a sufficient rate to obtain enough fluid from condenser 140 to replace the steam leaving evaporator 110. The operation of this controller can be quite complex.

[0016] Conversely, passive thermodynamic cycle (ORC) systems can be used to cool equipment without utilizing the absorbed heat to generate mechanical and / or electrical energy. Passive systems can utilize integrated pressure control modules to maintain the pressure of the working medium within the system. Integrated pressure modules can provide fairly simple mechanical means (e.g., self-driving) to maintain pressure within the system and may not require power to operate.

[0017] Figure 2 An example block diagram of a passive thermodynamic cycle (e.g., ORC) system 200 for providing cooling to a device may be an electronic device, a mechanical device, or a battery (e.g., a battery for an electric vehicle). System 200 includes an evaporator 210, an integrated pressure control module 220, and a condenser 230. Pipe 215 connects the evaporator 210 to the integrated pressure control module 220, pipe 225 connects the integrated pressure control module 220 to the condenser 230, pipe 235 connects the condenser 230 to the integrated pressure control module 220, and pipe 245 connects the integrated pressure control module 220 to the evaporator 210. Pipes 215 and 225 transport working material as steam (working steam), while pipes 235 and 245 transport working material as liquid (working liquid).

[0018] Evaporator 210 includes a chamber for holding a working fluid therein. The working fluid absorbs heat from the equipment, thereby providing cooling. The working fluid can be a refrigerant such as a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) with a low boiling point. The low boiling point allows the working fluid to turn into vapor while absorbing heat and providing cooling. According to one embodiment, the working fluid can be R245fa with a heat load cycle of 1 kW and a flow rate of 5.3 g / s. Evaporator 210 can include a smooth plane to directly receive heat from the equipment in contact with it. The smooth plane of evaporator 210 can be angled to provide an effective temperature and pressure distribution for the working fluid therein. Evaporator 210 is configured as a steam boiler, wherein the working fluid absorbs heat from the equipment and accordingly increases the temperature and pressure of the working fluid. When the liquid temperature and pressure reach the boiling point, the working fluid turns into gas (vapor). According to one embodiment, when the average ambient temperature (temperature around system 200) is approximately 20°C, the working fluid turns into vapor at a temperature of approximately 60°C and a pressure of approximately 0.46 MPa. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the parameters can change with variations in ambient temperature.

[0019] Condenser 230 may include a plurality of small conduits and / or pipes (not individually labeled) through which steam flows. As steam passes through the conduits of condenser 230, it is cooled by ambient air. According to one embodiment, the pipes may be made of copper. Condenser 230 may include a fan (not shown) to assist airflow through the small conduits containing the steam flow. When the steam is cooled, it returns to a liquid form (condensate). According to one embodiment, when the average ambient temperature of the system is approximately 20°C, the working steam condenses and becomes liquid at a temperature of approximately 45°C and a pressure of approximately 0.29 MPa. As those skilled in the art will recognize, these parameters can vary with changes in ambient temperature.

[0020] An integrated pressure control module 220 is located between the evaporator 210 and the condenser 230. Steam from the evaporator 210 passes through the integrated pressure control module 220 on its path to the condenser 230, while fluid from the condenser 230 is pushed through the integrated pressure control module 220 as it returns to the evaporator 210. The integrated pressure control module 220 is configured to control the pressure of the fluid returning to the evaporator 210 based on the steam pressure leaving the evaporator 210, so that the amount of working liquid in the evaporator 210 is substantially the same as when the system 200 is operating. The amount of liquid supplied to the evaporator 210 by the integrated pressure control module 220 is approximately equivalent to the amount of steam leaving the evaporator 210 (the liquid supplied to the evaporator 210 from the condenser 230 essentially replaces the liquid that becomes steam and flows out of the evaporator 210).

[0021] The integrated pressure control module 220 includes two connected mechanical devices for maintaining substantially equal pressure in each direction. The pressure of steam from the evaporator 210 causes the first mechanical device to rotate at a certain speed and torque as steam passes through. The second mechanical device is connected to the first mechanical device and rotates based on the rotation of the first mechanical device. The speed and torque of the second mechanical device are controlled by the speed and torque of the first mechanical device and the linkage between them. The speed and torque of the second mechanical device correspondingly control the pressure of the working liquid returning from the condenser 230 to the evaporator 210.

[0022] The configuration of the first and second mechanical devices and the linkage between them ensures that the pressure between the evaporator 210 and the integrated pressure control module 220 is greater than the pressure between the condenser 230 and the integrated pressure control module 220. That is, a high-pressure zone is maintained in the evaporator 210, and a low-pressure zone is maintained in the condenser 230. The steam pressure decreases as it passes through the integrated pressure control module 220, resulting in a higher pressure of steam in pipe 215 than in pipe 225. The exact pressure drop as the steam passes through the integrated pressure control module 220 depends on its efficiency. The liquid pressure increases as it passes through the integrated pressure control module 220, resulting in a higher pressure of liquid in pipe 245 than in pipe 235. For example, the pressure of the condensate (liquid) in pipe 235 may be 0.29 MPa, while the pressure of the liquid leaving the integrated pressure control module 220 in pipe 245 may be 0.5 MPa (slightly higher than the pressure of the steam leaving the evaporator 210). As the liquid passes through pipe 245, its pressure may decrease slightly, so the liquid pressure entering evaporator 210 is approximately equal to the vapor pressure leaving evaporator 210.

[0023] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 The example passive ORC system 200 uses an example integrated pressure control module 300. (See the block diagram above regarding...) Figure 2 The integrated pressure control module 300 discussed includes a first mechanical device 310, a second mechanical device 320, and a connecting rod 330 between them. The first mechanical device 310 is a geared motor including a pair of gears 312 and 314. The second mechanical device 320 is a gear pump including a pair of gears 322 and 324. The connecting rod 330 is a shared shaft between gear 314 of the geared motor 310 and gear 322 of the gear pump 320. Gears 314 and 322 with the shared shaft 330 can be considered as master gears and will rotate in the same direction. The other gears 312 and 324 can be considered as slave gears and will rotate in the opposite direction to the master gears 314 and 322.

[0024] Steam generated in evaporator 210 is guided through pipe 215 to gear motor 310 of integrated pressure control module 300. As steam passes through gear motor 310, it causes gears 312 and 314 to rotate in the direction of the steam (gear 314 clockwise and gear 312 counterclockwise). The steam then enters condenser 230 through pipe 225. Fluid from condenser 230 is guided through pipe 235 to gear pump 320 of integrated pressure control module 300. Shared shaft 230 causes gears 322 and 324 to rotate in the direction of the liquid (gear 322 clockwise and gear 324 counterclockwise). The rotation of gears 322 and 324 in the direction of the liquid increases the pressure as the liquid passes through. The increased pressure is provided by the dimensional control of gears 322 and 324 relative to gears 312 and 314. The gear size is chosen to increase the pressure of the working fluid from the condensing pressure (e.g., about 0.29 MPa) when it leaves the condenser 230 to a pressure approximately the same as the steam pressure (e.g., about 0.5 MPa) when it leaves the evaporator 210.

[0025] Figure 4 An example of an integrated pressure control module 400 is shown (e.g.) Figure 3 The image shows a perspective view of the components of the integrated pressure control module 400. The integrated pressure control module 400 may include a first plate 410, a second plate 420, and a third plate 430, which are secured together by a plurality of bolts 440 (only one is marked for clarity). The first plate 410 may have openings formed therein for receiving gears 312, 314 of a geared motor. Furthermore, the first plate 410 may include a pipe 415 passing through it and connected to the gears 312, 314 to allow steam to pass through it (indicated by short dashed arrows) to drive the gears 312, 314. The third plate 430 may have openings formed therein for receiving gears 322, 324 of a geared pump. Furthermore, the third plate 430 may include a pipe 435 passing through it and connected to the gears 322, 324 to allow liquid to pass through it (indicated by long dashed arrows) so that the gears 322, 324 increase the pressure of the liquid. A second plate 420 is located between the first plate and the third plates 410 and 430 to seal gears 312 and 314 in the first plate 410 and gears 322 and 324 in the third plate 430. The second plate 420 includes holes (not marked) therein to allow shaft 330 to connect (link) gears 314 and 322.

[0026] Figure 5 It shows Figure 2 The block diagram above shows the example integrated pressure control module 500 used in the example passive ORC system 200. Figure 2The integrated pressure control module 500 discussed includes a first mechanical device 510, a second mechanical device 520, and a linkage 530 between them. The first mechanical device 510 is a turbine (e.g., a gas turbine). The second mechanical device 520 is a liquid pump. The liquid pump 520 may be a gear pump (similar to...) Figure 3 (320 in the middle), centrifugal pump or any other type of liquid pump. Connecting rod 530 is the shaft connecting turbine 510 and liquid pump 520.

[0027] Steam generated in evaporator 210 is conveyed via pipe 215 to turbine 510 of integrated pressure control module 500. As steam passes through turbine 510, it causes the turbine to rotate in the direction of the steam. The steam then enters condenser 230 via pipe 225. Liquid from condenser 230 is conveyed via pipe 235 to liquid pump 520 of integrated pressure control module 500. Shaft 530 causes liquid pump 520 to pump in the direction of the fluid. Liquid pump 520, operating in the direction of the liquid, increases the pressure on the liquid as it passes through. Pump 520 is designed to increase the pressure of the working liquid from the condensing pressure (e.g., about 0.29 MPa) exiting condenser 230 to approximately the same pressure as the steam exiting evaporator 210 (e.g., about 0.5 MPa).

[0028] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is obvious that the invention is not limited thereto, as various changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope described. The reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described therein is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, the appearance of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in one embodiment" in different places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0029] Various embodiments are intended to be broadly protected within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An integrated pressure control module for a passive cooling system, used to provide cooling for equipment without the need for electrical drive and electrical control, comprising: The first inlet point is configured to receive working steam from the evaporator; A first mechanical device is configured to capture energy when the working steam passes through it; The first outlet point is configured to deliver the working steam to the condenser; The second inlet point is configured to receive working liquid from the condenser; A second mechanical device is configured to use the energy to push the working fluid into it and increase the pressure of the working fluid. The first mechanical device and the second mechanical device are connected by a shared shaft, which is configured to transfer energy from the first mechanical device to the second mechanical device, wherein the second mechanical device rotates based on the rotation of the first mechanical device, such that the liquid pressure entering the evaporator is equal to the vapor pressure leaving the evaporator, thus forming a pressure balance state. as well as A second outlet point is configured to deliver the working liquid to the evaporator, wherein the module is configured to maintain equal pressures of the working steam flowing out of the evaporator and the working liquid entering the evaporator to keep the amount of working liquid in the evaporator stable.

2. The module according to claim 1, wherein the first mechanical device is a gear motor and the second mechanical device is a gear pump.

3. The module according to claim 2, wherein the gear motor includes a first set of gears, the gear pump includes a second set of gears, and the shared shaft is located between a gear of the first set of gears and a gear of the second set of gears.

4. The module according to claim 2, wherein the ratio of the size of the gear in the gear motor to the size of the gear in the gear pump is selected according to the pressure required for the working fluid to return to the evaporator.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein the first mechanical device is a turbine and the second mechanical device is a liquid pump, and they are connected by a shared shaft.

6. The module according to claim 5, wherein the liquid pump is a gear pump or a centrifugal pump.

7. The module according to claim 1, wherein the working fluid is a refrigerant.

8. The module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the passive cooling system is used for cooling electronic equipment, mechanical equipment or batteries.

9. A passive cooling system for providing cooling to equipment, comprising: An evaporator containing a working liquid is configured to receive heat from the device, wherein the working liquid absorbs heat until it reaches its boiling point and becomes working vapor; A condenser is configured to receive working steam and cool the working steam until the working steam reaches its condensation point and becomes the working liquid; and An integrated pressure control module is located between the evaporator and the condenser, wherein working steam from the evaporator enters the condenser through the integrated pressure control module, and working liquid from the condenser enters the evaporator through the integrated pressure control module, wherein the integrated pressure control module is configured to acquire energy as the working steam passes through the integrated pressure control module, and use the energy to push a required amount of the working liquid into the evaporator; The integrated pressure control module is the integrated pressure control module as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The passive cooling system according to claim 9, wherein, The evaporator includes a smooth plane set at an angle to receive heat directly from the device in contact with it, providing an effective temperature and pressure distribution for the working liquid therein.

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