Aircraft Galley Liquid Cooling Loop for Uniform Compartment Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft galley refrigeration systems face inefficiencies due to duplication of vapor cycle components, leading to increased weight and space utilization, and the need for multiple spare units for different liquid cooling system arrangements, which complicates maintenance and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A centralized liquid cooling system that circulates chilled liquid coolant through a network of storage compartment cooling apparatuses, allowing for flexible flow direction reversal to maintain consistent temperatures across multiple units, reducing the need for duplicate vapor cycle systems and simplifying maintenance by using a single type of storage compartment cooling apparatus compatible with both parallel and series arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple independent vapor cycle systems are installed for each storage compartment cooling apparatus, then each unit can operate independently as a line replaceable unit, but the weight and space utilization increase due to duplication of components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple storage compartment cooling apparatuses share a common liquid coolant distribution system with centralized compressor and condenser components. The liquid coolant circulation system serves multiple evaporators simultaneously, consolidating previously duplicated vapor cycle components into shared infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system weight while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid coolant distribution system is designed to serve multiple storage compartment cooling apparatuses with a single centralized cooling plant. The system can dynamically allocate coolant flow to different evaporators based on demand, allowing one cooling system to perform the function of multiple independent systems, reducing component duplication and weight
2Reliability
If multiple independent vapor cycle systems are installed for each storage compartment cooling apparatus, then each unit can operate independently, but the space utilization increases due to duplication of components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple storage compartment cooling apparatuses share a common liquid coolant distribution system with centralized compressor and condenser components. The liquid coolant circulation system serves multiple evaporators simultaneously, consolidating previously duplicated vapor cycle components into shared infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system volume while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid coolant distribution system is designed to serve multiple storage compartment cooling apparatuses with a single centralized cooling plant. The system can dynamically allocate coolant flow to different evaporators based on demand, allowing one cooling system to perform the function of multiple independent systems, reducing component duplication and space requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If different types of storage compartment cooling apparatuses are used for parallel and series liquid cooling system arrangements, then the system can accommodate different configurations, but the complexity of maintenance increases and multiple spare units are required
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartment cooling apparatus is designed with universal ports and standardized interfaces that can accommodate both parallel and series liquid cooling system arrangements. The apparatus includes configurable valve assemblies and flow distribution mechanisms that allow the same hardware to function in different system topologies, eliminating the need for multiple specialized unit types and simplifying maintenance inventory requirements
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 weight and space requirements, enhances temperature consistency across multiple units, and simplifies maintenance by allowing a single storage compartment cooling apparatus to function in various system configurations, thereby improving efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger disposed in the liquid circulation system between the first port and the second port and through which the liquid coolant flows to cool an interior of a storage compartment by transferring heat from the interior of the storage compartment into the liquid coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A storage compartment cooling apparatus includes a liquid circulation system that circulates a liquid coolant, a heat exchanger that cools an interior of a storage compartment using the liquid coolant, a bypass line through which the liquid coolant selectively bypasses the heat exchanger, one or more valves that controllably increase and decrease the flow of the liquid coolant through the heat exchanger and the bypass line, and a controller that controls the one or more valves. A storage compartment cooling system includes a liquid coolant distribution loop that distributes a chilled liquid coolant to a plurality of the storage compartment cooling apparatuses coupled in series and a recirculation cooling device that includes a chiller that chills the liquid coolant to have a temperature lower than an ambient temperature and a circulation unit that circulates the chilled liquid coolant through the liquid coolant distribution loop. A method of controlling the storage compartment cooling system includes reversing a direction of flow of the liquid coolant in the liquid coolant distribution loop.