Cooling Path Flow Regulators for Uniform Component Temperatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for electrical devices in aircraft are complex and inefficient in distributing coolant flow to components emitting varying amounts of heat, leading to non-uniform temperature distribution.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with individually regulated cooling paths, utilizing flexible tubes and flow regulators that adjust the inner diameter based on temperature changes, allowing for a more uniform temperature distribution by varying coolant flow rates through each path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cooling system is designed to cool multiple electrical components, then all components can be cooled, but the construction becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system divides the cooling function into multiple independent cooling paths, each with its own flow regulator. This segmentation allows each path to be controlled independently, simplifying the overall construction while maintaining the ability to cool multiple components effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic flow regulators that can adjust coolant flow rates in real-time based on temperature conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to varying thermal loads of different components without requiring complex fixed infrastructure for each component.
2Ease of operation
If coolant flow is distributed uniformly to all cooling paths, then the system is simple to control, but components emitting different amounts of heat cannot be cooled uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
Each cooling path is equipped with its own flow regulator that can be adjusted according to the specific thermal requirements of the components in that path. This local quality adjustment ensures that components emitting different amounts of heat receive appropriate coolant flow rates, achieving uniform temperature distribution across all components while maintaining simple individual control mechanisms.
3Productivity
If flow regulators are added to each cooling path, then coolant flow can be optimized for each path, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow regulators are designed to automatically adjust coolant flow rates based on temperature conditions without requiring external control systems. This self-service capability optimizes cooling efficiency for each path while avoiding the complexity of centralized control mechanisms, as each regulator independently responds to thermal conditions in its respective cooling path.
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 achieves uniform temperature distribution across electrical components by dynamically adjusting coolant flow rates, optimizing cooling efficiency and reducing system complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The flow regulator may be configured to expand an inner diameter of the flexible tube when a temperature of the coolant flowing through the at least one of the cooling paths (and/or flow regulator) increases and/or to compress the inner diameter of the flexible tube when the temperature of the coolant flowing through the at least one of the cooling paths (and/or flow regulator) falls
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system includes an inlet for a coolant, an outlet for the coolant, and a plurality of cooling paths, via each of which the inlet is in fluid connection with the outlet, wherein at least one of the cooling paths is provided with a flow regulator configured for regulating a flow of the coolant through the cooling path.