Boom-Integrated Engine Cooling with Phase Change Backup Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for vehicle engine units, particularly vertical thrust units (VTUs), struggle to provide sufficient cooling capacity during failures, leading to potential overheating and reduced operational time, especially in high-temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A closed cooling system with a coolant storage container and phase change material is integrated into the boom, enhancing cooling capacity and thermal energy absorption, allowing for extended operation time in case of VTU failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cooling system is used in the VTU, then the system structure remains simple, but the cooling capacity is insufficient during failures leading to overheating and reduced operational time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the coolant by introducing phase change material that transitions between solid and liquid phases. This parameter change enables the cooling system to absorb significantly more thermal energy during failures, increasing cooling capacity without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material by combining phase change material with coolant in the coolant storage container. This composite approach creates a cooling system that leverages both the thermal energy absorption of phase change material and the heat transfer properties of liquid coolant, achieving enhanced reliability while maintaining manageable structural complexity
2Temperature
If the cooling system operates under high-temperature conditions, then the operational demand increases, but the coolant temperature rises reducing cooling efficiency and operational time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the phase change material to below its phase change temperature before system operation. This preliminary preparation ensures that when high-temperature conditions occur during VTU operation, the phase change material is ready to immediately absorb thermal energy through phase transition, extending operational time under high-temperature conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits phase transitions of the phase change material (solid-liquid transition) to enhance cooling capacity under high-temperature conditions. The phase change process absorbs large amounts of latent heat, effectively maintaining cooling efficiency and extending operational time when the VTU operates under thermal stress
3Reliability
If air is not removed from the cooling system, then the filling process is simpler, but air pockets remain reducing heat transfer efficiency and cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the vent valve controllable rather than fixed. The vent valve can be dynamically opened during filling to allow air escape, then closed to maintain system pressure and prevent coolant loss. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between ensuring complete air removal for heat transfer efficiency and maintaining ease of manufacture
4Ease of operation
If the vent valve is always open, then air can escape during filling, but coolant leaks occur during operation reducing system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a controllable vent valve that dynamically changes state based on operational requirements. During filling, the valve is open to allow air escape; during normal operation, the valve closes to prevent coolant leakage. This dynamic control mechanism resolves the contradiction between ease of operation during filling and reliability during operation
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 increased cooling capacity, enabling safe landing of aviation vehicles by extending operational time under high-temperature conditions and protecting critical components from overheating.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling system for a vehicle engine unit and in particular an vertical thrust unit of an aviation vehicle. The cooling system includes a coolant container storing coolant therein. The coolant container with the coolant is configured to absorb thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
The coolant container with the coolant is configured to absorb thermal energy in order to increase the time of operation before a vertical thrust unit overheats
Implementation Method 3
The cooling system includes a heat exchanger, a coolant storage container, a device configured to move the coolant, coolant lines in a motor and coolant lines in a motor controller
Implementation Method 4
The heat exchanger is arranged in the air channel such that the heat exchanger is cooled by an airstream flowing through the air channel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
In an embodiment a vehicle includes a boom (2) having a first opening (6) at a first surface (4) and a second opening (7) at an opposite second surface (5), a channel (8) extending in a first direction between the first and second openings (6, 7) and connecting the first opening with the second opening and a heat exchanger (20) arranged in the channel (8), wherein the heat exchanger is tilted with respect to the first direction.