Multi-Zone Aircraft Cooling Loops Without Large Air Ducting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environmental control systems in vehicles, such as aircraft, face limitations in the number and spatial distribution of zones due to the size and complexity of ducting required for temperature control, and inefficiencies in cooling air to specific temperature targets.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a refrigerant circuit with a pump segment and an evaporator, along with a coolant circuit that has parallel segments for heat transfer between zones, using a controller to throttle coolant flow independently to each zone, and utilizes heat recovery from other vehicle systems to improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If air is cooled to the temperature required for the zone with the lowest temperature requirement and then mixed with warmer air for other zones, then temperature control for multiple zones is achieved, but ducting size and pressure drop increase, limiting the number and spatial distribution of zones
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant circuit is divided into multiple independent loops, with each loop serving a specific zone. Each loop includes its own pump, heat exchanger, and flow control valve, allowing independent temperature control for each zone without requiring large ducting systems to distribute conditioned air.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from air-based thermal management to liquid coolant-based systems. Liquid coolant circuits with pumps and heat exchangers replace traditional air ducting, enabling more efficient heat transfer and eliminating the need for large-volume air distribution ducts throughout the vehicle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If air is cooled to the temperature required for the zone with the lowest temperature requirement, then all zones can be served, but efficiency losses occur due to over-cooling and subsequent mixing with warmer air
Solution Approach 1:
Each zone has its own dedicated coolant loop with independent flow control, allowing each zone to receive coolant at the specific temperature and flow rate required for its local thermal conditions. This eliminates the need to over-cool air for the coldest zone and then mix it with warmer air for other zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically controllable flow rates and temperatures in each coolant loop through electronic control of pumps and flow control valves. This allows real-time adjustment of cooling parameters for each zone based on actual thermal demands, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining adaptability.
3Temperature
If traditional environmental control systems are used with ducting, then temperature control is provided, but the spatial distribution and number of controllable zones are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Liquid coolant circuits with flexible hoses and compact heat exchangers replace rigid air ducting systems. This hydraulic approach enables coolant delivery to multiple zones throughout the vehicle interior without the spatial constraints of air duct routing, significantly improving the spatial distribution capability and number of controllable zones.
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
This approach allows for temperature control in multiple zones without the need for ducts, reduces efficiency losses by throttling coolant flow, and powers the refrigeration segment using waste heat, enhancing overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator arranged along the evaporator segment and in fluid communication with of the refrigerant circuit, and a coolant circuit. The coolant circuit extends through the evaporator and is thermally coupled to refrigerant circuit by the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant is in a liquid state in a first portion of the refrigerant circuit, and that the refrigerant is in a vapor state in a second portion of the refrigerant circuit
Implementation Method 3
the coolant circuit including a first segment and a second segment arranged in parallel with one another to transfer heat from a first zone to a first portion of liquid coolant traversing the coolant circuit, and transfer additional heat from a second zone to a second portion of coolant traversing the coolant circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An environmental control system includes a refrigerant circuit with a pump segment and an evaporator segment, an evaporator arranged along the evaporator segment and in fluid communication with of the refrigerant circuit, and a coolant circuit. The coolant circuit extends through the evaporator and is thermally coupled to refrigerant circuit by the evaporator, the coolant circuit including a first segment and a second segment arranged in parallel with one another to transfer heat from a first zone to a first portion of liquid coolant traversing the coolant circuit and transfer additional heat from a second zone to a second portion of coolant traversing the coolant circuit. Aircraft and environmental control systems are also described.