Cooling system with a distribution system and a cooling unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems face inefficiencies and refrigerant loss due to inadequate cooling during power outages, leading to increased refrigerant pressure and subsequent release, requiring frequent recharging and resulting in downtime and costs.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system comprising a distribution system and a cooling unit that independently circulate refrigerants, with the distribution system using a main cooler and auxiliary cooler, along with control valves to manage refrigerant flow and pressure, and the cooling unit employing sensors and controllers to mitigate pressure increases and maintain refrigerant retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cooling system operates during power outages, then refrigerant pressure increases and refrigerant is lost, but the system requires frequent recharging and incurs downtime and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent refrigerant circulation systems: a first refrigerant system with a first compressor and a second refrigerant system with a second compressor. This segmentation allows the second refrigerant system to independently cool the first refrigerant system during power outages, maintaining refrigerant pressure and preventing refrigerant loss without requiring frequent recharging
Solution Approach 2:
The second refrigerant system is configured to cool the first refrigerant system in advance during normal operation, pre-cooling the refrigerant and system components. During power outages, this pre-cooled state and the second system's capability provide immediate protection against pressure increases and refrigerant loss, extending the time before recharging is needed
2Productivity
If the distribution system cools the cooling unit, then cooling efficiency is enhanced, but the system complexity increases with multiple refrigerant circulation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The two refrigerant systems are merged through a heat exchanger connection where the second refrigerant system cools the first refrigerant system. This merging allows the distribution system to cool the cooling unit, enhancing cooling efficiency while using a standardized heat exchanger component that minimizes the increase in system complexity
3Loss of substance
If control valves and sensors are added to manage refrigerant flow and pressure, then refrigerant loss is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are installed to detect refrigerant pressure and temperature conditions in real-time, and control valves are configured to respond to these sensor signals by adjusting refrigerant flow. This feedback mechanism automatically manages refrigerant pressure and flow, reducing refrigerant loss while using standard sensor and valve components that minimize the increase in device complexity
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 enhances cooling efficiency, reduces refrigerant loss, and extends the time before refrigerant needs to be recharged, minimizing downtime and costs by effectively managing refrigerant pressure and flow.
Implementation Method 1
The main cooler is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the distribution system pump and to cool the distribution system refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
The condenser is configured to receive the cooling unit refrigerant from the upstream receiver and to condense the cooling unit refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
The condenser includes cooling unit heat exchange conduit that is configured to be coupled to the distribution system input conduit and the distribution system output conduit
Implementation Method 4
The evaporator is configured to receive the cooling unit refrigerant from the downstream receiver and to evaporate the cooling unit refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
The evaporator is configured to provide the evaporated cooling unit refrigerant to the transfer system upstream control valve
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system includes a distribution system and a cooling unit. The distribution system is configured to circulate a distribution system refrigerant. The distribution system includes a distribution system pump, a main cooler, a distribution system input conduit, and a distribution system output conduit. The main cooler is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the distribution system pump. The distribution system input conduit is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the main cooler. The distribution system output conduit is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the distribution system input conduit and to provide the distribution system refrigerant to the distribution system pump. The cooling unit is configured to circulate a cooling unit refrigerant. The cooling unit includes a cooling unit pump, an upstream receiver, a condenser, a downstream receiver, and an evaporator. The upstream receiver is configured to receive the cooling unit refrigerant.