Combined CO2 Cooling and Extinguishing System for Engine-Stop Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor vehicle cooling systems require an internal combustion engine to operate, limiting fuel efficiency due to the need for continuous engine operation to maintain cooling, especially during engine stop phases, and existing extinguishing systems using CO2 do not efficiently utilize CO2 for both cooling and fire suppression.
Innovation Solution
A combined cooling and extinguishing system that utilizes carbon dioxide as a coolant and extinguishing agent, with a control valve to manage CO2 flow between a cooling system and a pressure vessel, allowing CO2 to be supplied to the cooling system during engine stop phases for extended cooling and stored in the pressure vessel for fire suppression, decoupling when the engine is running to optimize thermal output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the internal combustion engine is continuously operated to drive the compressor for cooling, then the cooling capacity is maintained, but the fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools the CO2 in the pressure vessel before engine stoppage, storing cold energy in advance. This preliminary cooling action allows the evaporator to maintain cooling capacity during engine stop phases without requiring continuous compressor operation, thereby reducing fuel consumption while maintaining temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous cooling action by switching between two CO2 sources: the pressure vessel during engine operation and the evaporator during engine stop phases. The control valve ensures seamless transition between these sources, maintaining continuous cooling effectiveness without interruption, thus preserving useful cooling action while optimizing energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor is decoupled from the belt drive during engine stop phases, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the cooling capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the compressor-belt drive system during engine stop phases. By providing an alternative cooling path through the pressure vessel and evaporator that operates independently of the compressor, the system separates the cooling function from engine operation, enabling fuel efficiency improvement without sacrificing cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve acts as an intermediary that directs CO2 flow between different system components based on engine operation status. During engine stop phases, it mediates by routing CO2 from the pressure vessel to the evaporator, ensuring continuous cooling capacity is maintained even when the compressor is decoupled from the belt drive.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the control valve supplies CO2 from the pressure vessel to the cooling system during engine stop, then extended cooling is achieved, but the CO2 availability for fire suppression is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve operates periodically, switching between supplying CO2 to the cooling system during engine stop phases and preserving CO2 in the pressure vessel for fire suppression. This periodic action optimizes the balance between extending cooling duration and maintaining sufficient CO2 quantity for emergency fire suppression needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts CO2 distribution based on real-time conditions. The control valve responds to engine status and cooling demands, dynamically allocating CO2 between the cooling system and fire suppression reserve. This dynamic control ensures optimal cooling duration while preserving adequate CO2 quantity for fire suppression when needed.
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
Enables prolonged cooling of the vehicle interior without engine operation and ensures effective CO2 availability for fire suppression, maintaining cooling capacity and thermal output while optimizing fuel efficiency and extinguishing effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator (8), in which the carbon dioxide can absorb heat by evaporation, in particular heat from an interior of the motor vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a condenser (9), in which the carbon dioxide can condense and can release heat corresponding to a condensation temperature
Implementation Method 3
the carbon dioxide can be compressed by the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include a combined cooling and extinguishing system for a motor vehicle, the system comprising: a cooling system circulating carbon dioxide as a coolant, the cooling system including a compressor, an evaporator, an expansion valve; and a condenser; an extinguishing system including a pressure vessel storing compressed CO2; and a control valve connected to the pressure vessel and to the cooling system. The control valve includes a first setting to supply CO2 from the pressure vessel to the cooling system and a second setting to supply CO2 from the cooling system to the pressure vessel.