Dual-Radiator Thermal Circuit for Cooling Fluid Flow Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management circuits using radiators are inefficient in cooling equipment, particularly in maintaining high flow rates and temperatures of cooling fluids to enhance heat exchange with refrigerants.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management circuit with a dual radiator configuration, where the cooling fluid bypasses the downstream radiator, allowing direct flow to the condensing portion, and includes a series connection of upstream and downstream radiators with branching paths to optimize flow rates and temperatures for enhanced heat exchange in the condensing and supercooling portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling fluid passes through both upstream-side radiator and downstream-side radiator in series, then the cooling fluid temperature is reduced, but the flow rate decreases due to resistance from passing through both radiators
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two flow paths using a control valve: Path 1 (through both radiators) for maximum cooling when temperature is high, and Path 2 (bypassing downstream radiator) for maintaining high flow rate when cooling demand is lower. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between temperature reduction and flow rate maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow path parameters by introducing a bypass route that allows the cooling fluid to skip the downstream radiator. This parameter change enables flexible adjustment between cooling intensity and flow rate, resolving the contradiction by providing multiple operational states.
2Productivity
If the cooling fluid flow rate is increased to improve heat exchange efficiency, then heat exchange amount increases, but the temperature of cooling fluid decreases which reduces heat exchange effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the balance between flow rate and temperature by switching flow paths. When high heat exchange efficiency is needed, it selects Path 1 for maximum cooling. When maintaining high flow rate is prioritized, it selects Path 2. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between productivity and temperature.
3Productivity
If a single radiator is used for cooling, then the device complexity is low, but the heat exchange efficiency and cooling performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two functional radiators (upstream-side for primary cooling, downstream-side for secondary cooling) with independent flow path control. This segmentation allows each radiator to perform specialized functions, improving overall heat exchange efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual radiator configuration provides multi-functionality: the upstream radiator handles primary heat rejection, the downstream radiator provides secondary cooling or fine-tuning, and the bypass path enables flow rate optimization. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by delivering superior cooling performance across different operating conditions.
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 configuration increases the heat exchange efficiency by maintaining high flow rates and temperatures of the cooling fluid, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the cooling object equipment.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange is performed with the refrigerant even when the cooling fluid has a relatively high temperature
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant changes from gas to liquid in the condensing portion
Implementation Method 3
heat exchange with the refrigerant is performed in the supercooling portion
Implementation Method 4
the refrigerant remains in the liquid state in the supercooling portion, and accordingly the temperature of the refrigerant decreases
Implementation Method 5
the cooling fluid that has passed through the upstream-side radiator and the downstream-side radiator
Data Source
AI summary
The thermal management circuit includes a battery circuit (first circuit), a refrigeration cycle, and a heat dissipation circuit (second circuit). The heat dissipation circuit includes a flow path (first flow path), a flow path (second flow path), and a flow path (third flow path). The flow path connects the port (outlet port) of the condensing portion and the upstream-side HT radiator (upstream-side radiator). The flow path branches from a flow path connecting the upstream-side HT radiator and the downstream-side HT radiator (downstream-side radiator), and is connected to a port (inlet port) of the condensing portion. The flow path connects a port (inlet port) of the subcooling unit (supercooling portion) to the downstream-side HT radiator.