Transient Cooling With Dual Phase Change Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machinery components, such as those in aircraft engines, face reduced operational lifetimes due to transient heat loads during phases like takeoff and climb, which bring them close to temperature thresholds, necessitating effective cooling solutions to manage these high heat events.
Innovation Solution
A transient cooling system utilizing multiple phase change material (PCM) elements with varying specific heat capacities and thermal conductivities, arranged in configurations like series, parallel, or matrix arrangements, to absorb and release heat during different operational phases, effectively managing transient heat loads without requiring additional cooling components or maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional cooling systems are used to manage transient heat loads, then components can maintain temperature within thresholds, but the system increases complexity and requires additional cooling components and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change materials (PCMs) that absorb and release thermal energy during phase transitions (solid-liquid). The first PCM element with melting point near the component's maximum operating temperature absorbs heat during transient loads, while the second PCM element with lower melting point releases heat during steady-state operation, eliminating the need for complex active cooling systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite cooling system consisting of two different PCM materials with complementary thermal properties. The first PCM (e.g., gallic acid) has high latent heat of fusion and melting point near the component threshold, while the second PCM (e.g., lauric acid) has lower melting point and provides heat release capability, creating a synergistic composite thermal management system
2Duration of action of moving object
If active cooling systems are implemented to handle transient heat loads, then component lifetime is extended, but maintenance requirements and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PCM-based cooling system operates autonomously without external control or maintenance. During transient heat loads, the first PCM automatically absorbs excess heat through phase change. During steady-state operation, the second PCM automatically releases stored heat to the surrounding environment, creating a self-regulating thermal management system that requires no maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the active cooling components (pumps, fans, controllers) from the system and replaces them with passive PCM elements. This extraction eliminates maintenance requirements while preserving the essential cooling function, as the PCMs naturally respond to temperature changes through phase transitions
3Device complexity
If single PCM systems are used for heat management, then system simplicity is maintained, but the ability to manage both transient and steady-state heat loads effectively is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different thermal properties to different PCM elements based on their specific functions. The first PCM element is positioned adjacent to the heat-generating component with high latent heat and melting point near the component threshold, while the second PCM element is positioned externally with lower melting point for heat release, optimizing each element's performance for its specific role
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 PCM-based cooling system extends the operational lifetime of machinery components by efficiently managing transient heat loads, reducing the risk of overheating and maintaining performance across varying flight phases with minimal maintenance and cost.
Implementation Method 1
transferring heat from a heat generating component to a first phase change material (PCM)
Implementation Method 2
storing at least a portion of the transferred heat during a first phase of operation
Implementation Method 3
releasing at least a portion of the stored heat to an ambient environment surrounding the second PCM during a second phase of operation
Implementation Method 4
releasing at least a portion of the stored heat to an ambient environment surrounding the second PCM
Implementation Method 5
transferring heat from the first PCM to a second PCM, the second PCM having a second specific heat capacity and a second coefficient of thermal conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A transient cooling system includes a first phase change material (PCM) element and a second PCM element. The first PCM element includes a first PCM, a first surface, and a second surface, the first surface complementary to a surface to be cooled. The second PCM element includes a second PCM and a third surface in thermal contact with the second surface. The first PCM and the second PCM may have different thermal characteristics.