Integrated Auxiliary Cooling Coil Within an Air-Cooled Condenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-cooled condenser systems face challenges in providing effective auxiliary cooling without compromising the efficiency of the main condenser, particularly in addressing heat buildup in electronic components and oil separators, which requires a solution that is cost-effective and can be integrated within existing mechanical footprints.
Innovation Solution
An independent auxiliary cooling coil is integrated within the air-cooled condenser, utilizing existing space and airflow from the condenser fan, allowing for dedicated cooling without reducing condenser efficiency or requiring significant redesign.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an auxiliary cooling system is added to cool electronic components and oil separators, then the cooling capability for specialized components is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the auxiliary cooling function with the existing air-cooled condenser by integrating an auxiliary cooling coil into the condenser assembly. Both the main condenser coil and auxiliary cooling coil share the same airflow path and cooling fan, merging two cooling functions into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate auxiliary cooling equipment while providing dedicated cooling for electronic components and oil separators.
Solution Approach 2:
The air-cooled condenser is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the primary condenser for the refrigeration cycle while simultaneously providing auxiliary cooling for electronic components and oil separators through the integrated auxiliary cooling coil. This multi-functional design allows a single device to fulfill multiple cooling needs without requiring additional specialized equipment.
2Temperature
If an auxiliary cooling system is added to cool electronic components and oil separators, then the cooling capability for specialized components is improved, but the installation space and mechanical footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary cooling coil is nested within or alongside the existing condenser coil structure, utilizing the available space within the condenser assembly. The auxiliary cooling components are integrated into the existing mechanical footprint of the air-cooled condenser, fitting within the same housing and utilizing the same spatial envelope rather than requiring additional external space.
3Temperature
If a separate auxiliary cooling system is installed, then dedicated cooling for electronic components is achieved, but the condenser efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is segmented into two independent but integrated coils: the main condenser coil for refrigeration cycle heat rejection and the auxiliary cooling coil for electronic component and oil separator cooling. Each coil operates independently with its own fluid circuit, allowing dedicated cooling for specific components while maintaining the primary condenser's efficiency through separate airflow paths or optimized coil positioning.
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 solution provides efficient auxiliary cooling that is cost-effective and does not decrease condenser performance, allowing for flexible capacity adjustments and independent cooling of various components, while using existing equipment and space.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer device in communication with a region requiring cooling, and a heat transfer loop that circulates a fluid from the chill plate, which absorbs heat from the region and transfers it to the fluid
Implementation Method 2
An independent auxiliary cooling coil is integrated within the air-cooled condenser, utilizing existing space and airflow from the condenser fan, allowing for dedicated cooling
Implementation Method 3
utilizing existing space and airflow from the condenser fan
Data Source
AI summary
Air cooled chillers having a condenser section (300) sized to match chiller capacity and auxiliary cooling requirements satisfied by use of an independent cooling coil (314) dedicated to providing auxiliary cooling. The independent cooling coil (314) is located within the current condenser (300), but utilizes available space within the existing condenser, as well as a small portion of the airflow driven by the existing condenser fan (320). Thus, the auxiliary cooling capacity is provided with a single dedicated coil design, but which otherwise uses existing equipment and space.