Free fall simulator cooling system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current free fall simulators face issues with condensate droplets causing discomfort to users, uneven temperature distribution, and noise generation due to their cooling systems, which affect user experience and maintenance efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A closed pressure chamber with a heat exchanger inside, maintaining pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, captures condensate and ensures even mixing of cooled air, reducing noise and facilitating maintenance, while also allowing for waste heat recuperation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling system with a heat exchanger is used to cool circulating air in the wind tunnel system, then the air temperature is reduced, but condensate droplets are generated and carried into the flight chamber causing discomfort to users
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the heat exchanger and the flight chamber. The pressure chamber maintains positive pressure to prevent condensate droplets from being carried into the flight chamber, while still allowing cooled air to be supplied. This mediator resolves the contradiction by blocking the harmful condensate transport path without interfering with the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure parameter of the chamber housing the heat exchanger is changed and maintained at a level higher than the surrounding environment. This pressure parameter change creates a protective barrier that prevents condensate-laden air from entering the flight chamber, while permitting the beneficial cooled air to pass through controlled openings.
2Temperature
If the cooling system operates independently of the surrounding environment, then temperature control is improved, but noise is generated and maintenance access becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber housing the heat exchanger is merged with the building's existing structural elements, such as walls or floors. This integration allows the cooling system to maintain its independent temperature control capability while simultaneously improving maintenance access, as the chamber can be designed with accessible panels or located in easily reachable areas of the building structure.
3Productivity
If the cooling system is integrated into the wind tunnel system, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases and integration into building complexes becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the heat exchanger for cooling, maintains positive pressure to prevent condensate transport, and can be integrated with building structures for noise reduction and maintenance access. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high cooling efficiency.
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
Prevents condensate droplets from reaching users, achieves uniform temperature distribution, reduces noise, and enhances maintenance accessibility, improving user comfort and operational efficiency by effectively integrating waste heat into building systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one auxiliary fan configured to maintain pressure within the cooling area of the pressure chamber higher than the atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat exchanger comprising a coolant
Implementation Method 3
The air passing through the heat exchanger comes into contact with the cooling medium (e.g. water circulating in the heat exchanger), whereafter it travels back into the wind tunnel system
Implementation Method 4
it is mixed with the rest of the circulating air, thereby cooling it down
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A free fall simulator (1) comprising: a wind tunnel system (2); a flight chamber (3) connected to the wind tunnel system such that the wind tunnel system and the flight chamber allow for a continuous flow of circulating air, and a cooling system (11) for cooling of the air circulating in the wind tunnel system, wherein the cooling system comprises: (i) an air inlet (17) sucking in a part of the air circulating in the wind tunnel system; (ii) at least one heat exchanger (15) comprising a coolant; and (iii) at least one air outlet (16) adapted such that the cooled air leaves the cooling system through the at least one air outlet. The cooling system (11) further comprises: (iv) a closed pressure chamber (11A) comprising a cooling area (11B), wherein pressure in said cooling area (11B) is higher than atmospheric pressure, and (v) at least one auxiliary fan (14) configured to maintain pressure within the cooling area of the pressure chamber (11A) higher than the atmospheric pressure, wherein the at least one heat exchanger (15) is located inside of the closed pressure chamber (11A) so that the cooling of the circulating air takes place in the cooling area (11B).