Degassing Vessel Heating Element for Cooling Circuit Boiling Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The boiling of a heat transfer fluid in fluid heat exchange circuits leads to premature erosion of conduits, increasing the risk of liquid leakage and requiring higher coolant flow rates, which in turn increases energy and fuel consumption, particularly in high-thermal-energy components like EGR systems.

Innovation Solution

A heat exchange circuit with a degassing tank and a heating element that allows for rapid pressurization of the cooling circuit, using a liquid pressure sensor and electronic control unit to detect boiling and activate the heating element to prevent cavitation and delay boiling, thereby reducing the need for coolant flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If coolant flow rate is increased to prevent boiling in high-thermal-energy components, then boiling risk is reduced, but energy consumption and fuel consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboiling preventionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the pressure parameter of the coolant to delay boiling. By increasing system pressure through the pressurization device, the boiling point of the coolant is elevated, allowing the system to maintain reliable boiling prevention without increasing flow rate, thus avoiding additional energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pressurization device performs preliminary pressurization of the coolant before it reaches high-thermal-energy components. This advance action elevates the boiling point in advance, preventing boiling from occurring in the first place, thereby eliminating the need for compensatory flow rate increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If coolant flow rate is increased to prevent boiling, then erosion risk is reduced, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconduit protectionVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the pressure parameter to delay boiling and reduce cavitation erosion. By maintaining higher pressure through the pressurization device, the coolant remains in liquid phase longer, reducing vapor bubble formation and collapse that cause erosion, without requiring increased flow rates that would increase fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If system pressure is increased to delay boiling, then boiling point is elevated, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboiling pointVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressurization device is integrated with the existing degassing jar and thermostat housing, merging multiple functions into a single component. This integration approach elevates the boiling point through pressurization while minimizing the increase in system complexity by utilizing existing structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element and pressurization mechanism serve multiple functions: they heat the gas volume to increase pressure, delay boiling, and can potentially serve as a backup heating source. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively delays boiling, reducing the risk of conduit erosion and lowering energy and fuel consumption by maintaining a higher temperature tolerance for the heat transfer liquid, thus optimizing the thermal regulation process.

Implementation Method 1

The degassing jar is equipped with a heating element, the heating element being positioned so as to remain out of the liquid under the intended conditions of use, and being configured to allow the gas above the liquid to be heated directly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the invention proposes rapid pressurization of the entire cooling circuit to limit the risk of boiling in the cooling circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurization: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP3746647B1Degassing vessel for motor vehicle cooling circuit
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 RENAULT SA
  • EP3746647B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a heat-exchange circuit (1) comprising: a circuit of pipes (2) through which a liquid (8) circulates for transporting calories for temperature control; and a degassing vessel (3) connected to the circuit of pipes (2) and designed to reserve an expansion volume in which said liquid is surmounted by a volume of gas (9). The degassing vessel (3) is advantageously provided with a heating element (5, 6), said heating element being positioned so as to remain outside the liquid (8) in the planned conditions of use and being designed so as to allow the gas (9) surmounting the liquid (8) to be heated directly.