Fluid Circuit Bypass Control for Lower Heat Exchanger Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid systems in vehicles with constant displacement pumps experience high energy waste due to significant pressure losses, as they often require returning fluid to the tank even when it doesn't need to pass through the heat exchanger, leading to inefficient fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
The system diverts fluid back to the tank before it enters the heat exchanger based on temperature and pressure parameters, using a valve system to control fluid flow through a main line and bypass line, reducing pressure losses and energy consumption by ensuring only necessary fluid passes through the heat exchanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If part of the fluid is directed back to the fluid tank after the heat exchanger to control pressure, then the pressure is regulated, but significant pressure losses and energy waste occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by diverting fluid back to the tank before it enters the heat exchanger, rather than after. This is achieved through a recirculation line with a diversion valve that redirects fluid upstream, preventing unnecessary pressure losses and energy waste that would occur if fluid circulated through the heat exchanger when cooling is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fluid diversion function from the traditional post-heat-exchanger pressure control location and places it upstream before the heat exchanger. This allows the system to separate the pressure control function from the heat exchange function, enabling independent optimization of both operations and reducing energy waste.
2Speed
If a constant displacement pump is used to provide fluid flow, then the flow rate is stable, but fuel consumption increases when the fluid pressure required is lower than the pump output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through a pressure sensor that continuously monitors fluid pressure and a control unit that adjusts the diversion valve based on the difference between required and actual pressure. This feedback mechanism allows the system to dynamically adjust fluid circulation, diverting excess fluid back to the tank when pressure exceeds requirements, thereby reducing pump workload and fuel consumption while maintaining stable flow rate.
3Temperature
If fluid is directed through the heat exchanger to control temperature, then temperature management is achieved, but pressure losses increase when the full fluid flow is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the fluid circulation path adjustable rather than fixed. The diversion valve dynamically switches between directing fluid through the heat exchanger and diverting it back to the tank, allowing the system to adapt to varying temperature and pressure requirements. This dynamic control eliminates unnecessary pressure losses by preventing fluid from entering the heat exchanger when cooling is not needed, while maintaining effective temperature management when required.
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 approach significantly reduces energy consumption and allows for smaller, more efficient heat exchangers, improving overall fluid circuit efficiency by optimizing fluid flow and temperature management according to equipment needs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger (13), for example consisting in a cooler, for cooling the fluid
Implementation Method 2
a pump (4), preferably a constant displacement pump, for carrying the fluid from the fluid tank (2) to the supply line (5)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid circuit (3)comprising: - a supply line (5) for carrying a fluid from a pump (4) connected to a fluid tank (2) to an equipment (8), the supply line having a portion which is divided into a main line (10) including a heat exchanger (13), and a by-pass line (15) for by-passing said heat exchanger; - a first valve (31) for controlling the respective fluid flows in the main line (10) and in the by-pass line (15), and a first control device (33) for controlling the first valve (31) depending on a first parameter (T) of the fluid; - a pressure regulation circuit for carrying fluid from the supply line (5) towards the fluid tank (2), said pressure regulation circuit comprising a pressure regulation valve (23) for controlling the flow of fluid directed back to the fluid tank (2); wherein the pressure regulation circuit comprises: - a first recirculation line (21) branching from the supply line (5) downstream from the by-pass line outlet (17); - a second recirculation line (22) branching from the supply line (5) upstream from the by-pass line inlet (16); - a second valve (32) for controlling the respective fluid flows in the first recirculation line (21) and in the second recirculation line (22), and a second control device (33) for controlling the first valve (31) depending on a second parameter (T) of the fluid.