Bimodal cooling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems face inefficiencies and increased component size due to the need for a single operational mode, which is inadequate for varying environmental conditions and cooling demands, particularly in high-altitude or high-capacity scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A bimodal cooling system that seamlessly switches between a two-phase pumped loop and a vapor cycle system, allowing the cooling fluid to flow through either loop based on check valve configurations, enabling efficient operation in different modes to match varying cooling demands and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-mode cooling system is used, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying cooling demands and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed with two operational modes (two-phase pumped loop mode and vapor cycle system mode) that share common components including receiver, pump, compressor, heat exchanger, and check valves. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to varying cooling demands and environmental conditions without requiring entirely separate systems, thereby improving versatility while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic switching capability between two operational modes through check valve configurations. The control system can dynamically select the appropriate mode based on real-time cooling demands and environmental conditions, enabling the system to adapt flexibly to changing requirements while maintaining a relatively fixed physical structure.
2Productivity
If a vapor cycle system is used for high cooling capacity, then cooling performance is sufficient, but component size and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by using the two-phase pumped loop mode for low to moderate cooling demands, which consumes less energy. The vapor cycle system mode is activated only when high cooling capacity is required, avoiding the excessive energy consumption that would occur if the vapor cycle system operated continuously at all cooling levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between two distinct modes with different thermodynamic cycles. The two-phase pumped loop operates with lower pressure and temperature differentials, while the vapor cycle system operates with higher differentials for maximum cooling capacity, allowing energy consumption to be optimized according to the required cooling level.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a two-phase pumped loop is used for low cooling demand, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling capacity is insufficient for high-demand scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two operational modes with different capacity ranges. The two-phase pumped loop handles the lower segment of cooling demand spectrum efficiently with low energy consumption, while the vapor cycle system handles the upper segment requiring high cooling capacity. This segmentation allows the system to optimize energy consumption for each demand level without compromising the ability to meet peak cooling requirements.
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 bimodal system achieves greater efficiency and reduced component size by adapting to changing cooling needs, using the two-phase pumped loop for low-demand situations and the vapor cycle system for high-demand scenarios, thereby optimizing energy usage and reducing drag, especially in aircraft applications.
Implementation Method 1
a two-phase pumped loop (TPPL), the two-phase pumped loop including a receiver (104), a pump (106) downstream from the receiver (104), a heat load (102) downstream from the pump (106)
Implementation Method 2
The vapor cycle system loop (138) may include the receiver (104), a compressor (122) downstream from a vapor outlet (146) the receiver (104)
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger downstream from the TPPL check valve (114) and upstream from the receiver (104)
Data Source
AI summary
Cooling systems and methods of operation are provided. The cooling system may include a two-phase pumped loop (TPPL). The two-phase pumped loop may include, a receiver, a pump downstream from the receiver, a heat load downstream from the pump, a TPPL tee downstream from the heat load, a TPPL check valve downstream from the TPPL tee, and a heat exchanger downstream from the TPPL check valve and upstream from the receiver. The cooling system may further include a vapor cycle system (VCS) loop. The vapor cycle system loop may include the receiver, a compressor downstream from a vapor outlet of the receiver, a compressor check valve downstream from the compressor and upstream of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger, and the heat load downstream from a liquid outlet of the receiver.