Distributed Heat Exchanger Temperature Control for Multiple Test Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature control systems for multiple test sites are inefficient and costly due to the need for individual temperature control at each site, leading to thermal loss, inflexible and expensive piping, and difficulty in achieving precise temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control system that generates a chilled fluid stream and dry air stream from a central location, using a fluid chiller and air dryer, which are then combined at each test site via a heat exchanger to produce a cooled air stream, allowing for centralized control and distribution to multiple test sites with optional heating and flow rate adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a central cold air source is used to deliver cooled air to remote test stations, then space requirements at test sites are reduced, but thermal loss increases and precise temperature control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary device at each test station that transfers thermal energy from a chilled fluid stream to the process air stream without direct mixing. This mediator enables precise temperature control at the point of use while minimizing thermal loss in the distribution system, as the chilled fluid remains contained and does not suffer from the same thermal losses as directly distributed cold air.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the chilling function from the air distribution system by separating the cooling process (chilled fluid stream) from the air delivery system. The chilled fluid stream is generated centrally and distributed through efficient piping, while the actual cooling of process air occurs at each test station through heat exchangers, eliminating the need to transport pre-cooled air over long distances.
2Measurement precision
If individual temperature control systems are installed at each test site, then precise temperature control is achieved, but space requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the central chilling function with distributed temperature control needs by implementing a centralized chilled fluid generation system that delivers cooling capacity to multiple test stations. Each station combines this central cooling resource with local control elements (heat exchangers and thermostats) to achieve precise temperature control without requiring full independent temperature control systems at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The chilled fluid distribution system serves multiple test stations simultaneously, providing a universal cooling resource that can be allocated to various locations as needed. The system accommodates different temperature requirements at different test sites through individual heat exchangers and control mechanisms, making the central system universally applicable to multiple functions and locations.
3Reliability
If expensive specialized piping is used to transfer chilled air from central source, then temperature control is enabled, but system cost and inflexibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using a liquid chilled fluid stream (typically water or water-glycol mixture) instead of gaseous chilled air for distribution. This hydraulic approach allows the use of standard, flexible, and cost-effective piping materials that can easily accommodate various routing requirements and are much less prone to thermal loss than insulated air ducts or vacuum jacketed hoses would require.
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 reduces space requirements, minimizes thermal loss, eliminates the need for expensive piping, and allows for precise temperature control at each test site, improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness while enabling flexible operation across a range of temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger is configured to selectively cool the dry air stream with the chilled fluid stream to generate an output stream
Implementation Method 2
The fluid chiller is configured to generate a chilled fluid stream
Implementation Method 3
The air dryer is configured to generate a dry air stream
Implementation Method 4
the thermal control unit further includes a heater configured to selectively heat the cooled air stream of said thermal control unit to a desired temperature for distribution
Data Source
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AI summary
A temperature control system includes a fluid chiller, an air dryer, and a plurality of test stations positioned at remote locations from the fluid chiller and the air dryer. The fluid chiller is configured to generate a chilled fluid stream. The air dryer is configured to generate a dry air stream. Each local test station includes a heat exchanger and thermal control unit. The heat exchanger is configured to selectively cool the dry air stream with the chilled fluid stream to generate an output stream. The thermal control unit is configured to control distribution of the output stream to a local test site.