Cooling system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During the staged installation of a new cooling system, the new system operates at low efficiency due to handling a small number of loads, leading to continuous compressor cycling and increased energy consumption and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the refrigerant of the old system to the new system, allowing the new system to operate under a larger load and increasing its efficiency, with optional use of an intermediary fluid for controlled heat transfer or a heater to provide additional thermal load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the new cooling system is installed in stages to replace the old system, then the installation complexity is reduced and cooling continuity is maintained, but the new system operates at low efficiency due to handling a small number of loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the old and new cooling systems through a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the old system's refrigerant to the new system's refrigerant. This allows the new system to operate efficiently during staged installation by receiving additional thermal load from the old system, reducing energy consumption while maintaining installation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger acts as an intermediary device between the old and new cooling systems. It facilitates heat transfer from the old system's refrigerant to the new system's refrigerant, enabling the new system to handle a larger effective load during staged installation without increasing energy consumption.
2Device complexity
If the new cooling system handles only a small number of loads during staged installation, then the installation process is simplified, but compressor cycling increases and maintenance costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the thermal loads of both systems through the heat exchanger, the new system's compressor operates more continuously and efficiently, reducing cycling frequency and improving reliability during the staged installation period.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger mediates between the two systems by transferring heat from the old system to the new system, ensuring the new compressor operates at optimal load levels, thereby reducing cycling and improving reliability without increasing system complexity.
3Productivity
If the new cooling system operates with a small load during staged installation, then the installation timeline is extended to maintain cooling capacity, but operating efficiency and performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger serves as an intermediary that transfers thermal energy from the old system to the new system, allowing the new system to operate at full efficiency even when handling fewer loads during staged installation, thus maintaining both productivity and operating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the thermal output of the old system with the new system through the heat exchanger, enabling the new system to maintain high operating efficiency and performance during staged installation by effectively handling a combined thermal load.
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 enhances the operating efficiency of the new cooling system during installation stages, reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs by simulating a larger load, thereby improving its performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger receives the first refrigerant from the first compressor and receives the second refrigerant from the second compressor. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the first refrigerant to the second refrigerant.
Implementation Method 2
The first compressor compresses a first refrigerant. The second compressor compresses a second refrigerant.
Implementation Method 3
The first load uses the first refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the first load. The second load uses the second refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the second load.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus (100) includes a compressor (110), a load (130), a heat exchanger (120), and a heater. The compressor (110) compresses a refrigerant. The load (130) uses the refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the load. The load (130) sends the refrigerant to the compressor (110). The heat exchanger (120) receives the refrigerant from the compressor (110). The heat exchanger (120) transfers heat from a fluid to the refrigerant. The heat exchanger (120) discharges the refrigerant to the compressor (110). The heater adds heat to the fluid.