De-aeration Tank for Closed Coolant Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Closed coolant systems without a reservoir or settling tank face challenges in removing entrained air, leading to inefficient heat transfer and noise issues due to trapped air.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a de-aeration tank connected to the coolant system via service inlet and outlet lines, where coolant is circulated through the tank to separate and settle out air, using the existing pump and without a permanent reservoir, allowing air to be removed effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a reservoir/settling tank is equipped in the closed coolant system, then air entrained in the coolant can settle out, but the device complexity increases due to additional plumbing and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the de-aeration function from a permanent reservoir/settling tank by using a portable de-aeration tank that can be connected temporarily. This allows the harmful air removal function to be separated from the main coolant system, eliminating the need for permanent plumbing while still achieving effective air removal through the portable tank connected via service inlet and outlet lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a portable de-aeration tank as an intermediary component between the coolant system and the air removal process. This intermediary tank receives coolant from the system, allows air to settle out, and returns de-aerated coolant to the system, thereby mediating the air removal function without requiring permanent integration into the coolant system architecture.
2Device complexity
If no reservoir/settling tank is included in the closed coolant system, then device complexity is reduced, but air entrained in the coolant cannot settle out and heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by circulating coolant through the portable de-aeration tank before the coolant returns to the main system. This preliminary de-aeration step removes air from the coolant proactively, preventing air-related efficiency losses in heat transfer components. The service pump circulates coolant through the tank, allowing air to settle out beforehand, so that when coolant re-enters the system, it is already de-aerated and ready for efficient heat transfer.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a portable de-aeration tank is connected to remove air, then air removal effectiveness improves, but the process requires additional service inlet and outlet lines and temporary connection devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable or temporary connection devices (such as quick-connect couplings) that can be easily attached and detached without permanent modification to the coolant system. These inexpensive, removable connection elements allow the portable de-aeration tank to be connected and disconnected as needed, providing effective air removal while avoiding the permanent complexity of integrated reservoir plumbing. The service inlet and outlet lines with temporary connections serve their purpose and can be removed after use.
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 method enables efficient removal of entrained air from the coolant, improving heat transfer and eliminating noise issues, while eliminating the need for a permanent reservoir and associated plumbing.
Implementation Method 1
The second tank elevation is lower than the first tank elevation, thereby allowing any entrained air in the coolant to settle out of the coolant before the coolant is circulated back to the closed coolant system
Data Source
AI summary
A method of removing entrained air from a coolant in a coolant system that may not include a fluid reservoir, includes connecting a de-aeration tank to the coolant system. The de-aeration tank is connected in fluid communication to the coolant system in parallel with a heat exchanger, such that a first connection device connects the de-aeration tank to the coolant system upstream of the heat exchanger, and a second connection device connects the de-aeration tank to the coolant system downstream of the heat exchanger. The coolant is circulated from the coolant system, through the de-aeration tank, and back to the coolant system, with a pump, until substantially all entrained air is removed from the coolant. The de-aeration tank may then be disconnected from the coolant system.