Vehicle Cab Evaporative Cooling Using Engine Waste Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle cooling systems face inefficiencies when vehicles are not connected to utility power, as they rely on primary mover engines for cooling, leading to substantial energy draw and inefficient operation, especially in stationary vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cooling system utilizing an evaporative cooling method that employs a heat source, such as a generator or engine, to evaporate water and produce cool air for cab cooling, optimizing energy use by leveraging waste heat for cooling and potentially heating or ventilating purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the primary mover engine is used for cooling, then cooling function is provided, but energy consumption increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts waste heat from the generator or primary mover engine into a useful resource for evaporative cooling. The waste heat, which would otherwise be discarded, is directed to evaporate water in the cooling system, producing cool air for the cab. This resolves the contradiction by transforming a harmful factor (waste heat) into a beneficial effect (cooling) without additional energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system uses the vehicle's own waste heat resources to provide cooling, making the system self-sufficient. The generator or engine serves dual purposes: generating power and providing heat for cooling. This eliminates the need for separate cooling energy input, resolving the energy consumption contradiction.
2Temperature
If the primary mover engine is used for cooling when the vehicle is stationary, then cooling is provided, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
When the vehicle is stationary, the system captures waste heat from the generator or engine that would otherwise be wasted. This waste heat drives the evaporative cooling process, enabling cooling without requiring the primary mover engine to run continuously. This resolves the contradiction by converting waste heat into useful cooling, maintaining operational efficiency while providing temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the generator or engine to serve multiple functions: power generation and waste heat utilization for cooling. This multi-functionality allows the vehicle to maintain cooling capability during stationary periods without sacrificing operational efficiency, as the same components serve dual purposes.
3Use of energy by moving object
If evaporative cooling is used with waste heat, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system requires access to waste heat from a heat source
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to accept waste heat from multiple potential sources including the generator and primary mover engine. This multi-source capability provides adaptability, allowing the system to function with whichever heat source is available. The universal design resolves the contradiction by enabling energy-efficient cooling while accommodating variations in heat source availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to the availability of different heat sources. When the generator is running, it can provide waste heat; when the primary mover engine is operating, it can serve as the heat source. This dynamic flexibility allows the system to maintain energy-efficient operation across different operational scenarios, resolving the adaptability concern.
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 significantly reduces energy consumption by utilizing waste heat for cooling, enabling efficient temperature regulation in vehicles without access to utility power, improving comfort and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The evaporative cooling system is configured to evaporate water using heat from the heat source to form a supply of cool air for cooling the cab
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle cooling system for a vehicle defining a cab comprises a heat source and an evaporative cooling system. The heat source is supported by the vehicle. The evaporative cooling system is configured to evaporate water using heat from the heat source to form a supply of cool air for cooling the cab.