Adsorption Air Conditioning for Continuous Engine-Off Vehicle Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning systems for vehicles, such as truck sleeper compartments and military vehicles, rely on engine power, leading to fuel consumption, pollution, mechanical fatigue, and reduced driver health, while adsorption cooling systems are large and slow to recharge.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop, continuously rechargeable solid adsorption air conditioning system using desiccant compartments, heat exchangers, a blower, refrigerant, and coolant reservoirs, which operates independently of a vehicle engine by transferring thermal energy to vaporize refrigerant, adsorbing it onto desiccant, and separating with an energy source, allowing for continuous cooling without toxic components and reduced carbon emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If engine power is used to drive air conditioner, then cooling function is provided, but fuel consumption increases and pollutant exposure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression system with a chemical adsorption system. Instead of using an engine-driven compressor to circulate refrigerant, the system uses desiccant material that passively adsorbs refrigerant vapor at low temperatures and releases it when heated, eliminating the need for mechanical compression and engine power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the refrigerant (evaporation and condensation) combined with adsorption/desorption cycles of the desiccant. The refrigerant evaporates at low temperature to provide cooling, then the desiccant adsorbs the vapor, and heating causes desorption and condensation, creating a continuous cooling cycle without mechanical compression.
2Temperature
If engine power is used to drive air conditioner, then cooling function is provided, but engine life decreases due to continual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression system with a chemical adsorption system. Instead of using an engine-driven compressor to circulate refrigerant, the system uses desiccant material that passively adsorbs refrigerant vapor at low temperatures and releases it when heated, eliminating the need for mechanical compression and engine power.
3Temperature
If engine power is used to drive air conditioner, then cooling function is provided, but mechanical fatigue increases due to continuous vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression system with a chemical adsorption system. Instead of using an engine-driven compressor to circulate refrigerant, the system uses desiccant material that passively adsorbs refrigerant vapor at low temperatures and releases it when heated, eliminating the need for mechanical compression and engine power.
4Adaptability or versatility
If zeolite adsorption cooling system is used, then engine independence is achieved, but system size becomes too large for vehicle use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the refrigerant from traditional high-boiling-point refrigerants to ammonia or other low-boiling-point refrigerants. This allows the adsorption process to occur at lower temperatures and pressures, enabling a more compact system design that can be integrated into vehicle spaces while maintaining engine independence.
5Adaptability or versatility
If zeolite adsorption cooling system is used, then engine independence is achieved, but recharge time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the adsorption system into multiple separate desiccant chambers that operate in alternating cycles. While one chamber is adsorbing refrigerant vapor to provide cooling, another chamber is being heated for desorption and recharge. This segmentation allows continuous operation and reduces the effective recharge time perceived by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic alternating operation between multiple desiccant chambers. The system cycles between adsorption and desorption phases in different chambers, ensuring that cooling is continuously provided while recharge occurs in the background without interrupting the cooling function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides efficient, eco-friendly, and extended continuous cooling for vehicles, reducing fuel consumption, pollutant exposure, and infrared signature, while extending engine life and minimizing fluorocarbon release.
Implementation Method 1
the heat exchanger is warmed such that thermal energy increases and is transferred from the air to the refrigerant causing the refrigerant to turn into vapor
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant to turn into vapor
Implementation Method 3
the vapor is diffused to one of the desiccant compartments such that the vapor is adsorbed onto the desiccant creating a mixture
Implementation Method 4
An energy source is applied to the mixture such that the vapor and desiccant are separated
Implementation Method 5
The coolant is for cooling the desiccant after the vapor and desiccant are separated
Implementation Method 6
The blower is for blowing ambient air by the heat exchanger such that the blown air is cooled
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system that includes desiccant compartments for holding a desiccant; a heat exchanger, a blower and a vessel. The heat exchanger can be filled with a heat transfer medium, while the blower blows ambient air by the heat exchanger such that the blown air is cooled and the heat exchanger is warmed such that thermal energy increases and is transferred from the air to the heat transfer medium causing the heat transfer medium to turn into vapor. The vapor is then diffused to one of the desiccant compartments such that the vapor is adsorbed onto the desiccant creating a mixture. Then an energy source is applied to the mixture such that the vapor and desiccant are separated. The separated vapor is transported to the vessel where it is condensed and then sent back to the heat exchanger, such that the system is able to be continuously operating.