Cooling System Temperature Estimation via Heat Medium Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for multiple units face complexity in monitoring the temperature of the heat medium as it flows through each unit, leading to increased temperatures downstream, necessitating a simpler configuration to control operations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a temperature sensor detecting the heat medium's temperature at the first unit and a control device estimating the temperature at the second unit by calculating the temperature increase based on heat generation and cooling indices, eliminating the need for sensors at both units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are provided to each unit to detect the temperature of the heat medium flowing into each unit, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the temperature sensor by using a temperature estimation model that replicates the sensing function through calculation. Instead of physically installing sensors at multiple locations, the system estimates temperatures at downstream units by calculating temperature increases based on heat generation amounts and heat medium flow rates, thereby achieving multiple temperature measurements with a single physical sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate parameters (heat generation amount and heat medium flow rate) as mediators to indirectly obtain temperature information. By measuring these intermediate quantities and using them in temperature estimation calculations, the system derives temperature data without direct physical contact with the heat medium at each measurement point
2Reliability
If multiple temperature sensors are installed to monitor temperatures at different units, then the temperature monitoring reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual temperature sensor copies through estimation models that calculate temperatures at multiple units using a single physical sensor's data combined with heat generation and flow rate information, thereby achieving reliable multi-point temperature monitoring without the cost of multiple physical sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single temperature sensor serve multiple functions by using its measurement data as the basis for estimating temperatures at multiple downstream units. The same sensor input is universally applied to monitor temperatures across the entire cooling system through calculation, replacing the need for dedicated sensors at each location
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 configuration allows for accurate temperature monitoring of the heat medium at both units with a simplified setup, reducing computational load and operational complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the heat medium flowing into the first unit
Implementation Method 2
the temperature of the heat medium increases each time the heat medium passes through each unit
Implementation Method 3
a process of calculating a temperature increase amount of the heat medium in the first unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A cooling system (10) includes a cooling path (12) through which a heat medium flows in an order of the first unit (112) and the second unit (114), a temperature sensor (18) detecting a temperature of the heat medium flowing into the first unit (112), and a control device (20) controlling operations of the first unit (112) and the second unit (114). The control device (20) is configured to execute a temperature estimation process for estimating a temperature of the heat medium flowing into the second unit (114). The temperature estimation process includes a process of acquiring the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (18), a process of calculating a temperature increase amount of the heat medium in the first unit (112), and a process of determining an estimated value of the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the second unit (114) by adding the calculated temperature increase amount to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (18).