Heating and cooling apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and cooling apparatus, such as Peltier devices and oil circulators, are inefficient, bulky, and lack precise temperature control, especially at sub-ambient temperatures, with slow response times and complex connections required.
Innovation Solution
A compact heating and cooling apparatus utilizing a vapor compression refrigeration system with a heater and evaporator in direct contact with a thermally conducting surface, controlled by temperature sensors and a controller to manage the heating element and refrigerant flow, allowing precise temperature control across a wide range, including sub-ambient temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If Peltier elements are used for heating and cooling, then temperature control is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical Peltier element system with a vapor compression refrigeration system that uses a compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator. This substitution achieves more efficient heat transfer and allows for a more compact overall design while maintaining temperature control capability across a wider range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the heating element and cooling system into a single integrated apparatus with a common thermal mass (the body). The heating element and evaporator are both coupled to the same body, allowing the system to efficiently switch between heating and cooling modes without requiring separate devices, thereby reducing overall size.
2Temperature
If Peltier elements are used for heating and cooling, then temperature control is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vapor compression refrigeration system replaces the electrically-intensive Peltier elements with a thermodynamic cycle that uses a compressor to circulate refrigerant. This system achieves more efficient heat transfer coefficients and better coefficient of performance (COP), reducing overall energy consumption for the same cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the refrigerant (evaporation and condensation) to transfer heat efficiently. The evaporator absorbs heat from the body as refrigerant evaporates, and the condenser rejects heat as refrigerant condenses. This phase change mechanism provides high heat transfer efficiency with lower energy input compared to resistive heating and direct Peltier cooling.
3Temperature
If oil circulators are used for heating and cooling, then temperature control is achieved, but response time becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the oil circulation loop entirely, extracting the fluid medium from the system. Instead of using oil to transfer heat between the heater/cooling element and the thermal mass, the system uses direct conduction through the body structure and direct evaporative cooling, dramatically reducing thermal inertia and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical oil circulation system with a vapor compression system using refrigerant phase changes. The evaporator provides direct evaporative cooling that responds instantly to temperature changes, eliminating the slow thermal response inherent in oil-based circulation systems.
4Temperature
If oil circulators are used for heating and cooling, then temperature control is achieved, but pipe connections are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all pipe connections and fluid circulation infrastructure by using direct evaporative cooling through the evaporator. The refrigerant circulates within a closed loop integrated into the apparatus, eliminating the need for external pipe connections to the object being cooled, thereby simplifying operation and setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element and evaporator are both directly coupled to the same body structure, merging the thermal interaction interface. This integration eliminates the need for separate connection systems for heating and cooling, allowing both functions to operate through a single contact interface with the object.
5Loss of time
If powerful refrigeration systems are used to improve response time, then response time improves, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of a standard vapor compression system, including the refrigerant type, evaporator surface area, and expansion device characteristics, to achieve fast response times without requiring oversized or expensive equipment. The system is tuned to operate efficiently at the specific cooling capacity needed, avoiding the cost penalty of over-engineered powerful refrigeration systems.
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
The apparatus provides fast thermal response and precise temperature control, enabling efficient heating and cooling from 250°C to -150°C, with improved compactness and ease of use, suitable for applications like chemical and medical processes.
Implementation Method 1
heater having a heating element to heat the surface
Implementation Method 2
evaporator through which a refrigerant flows to cool the surface
Implementation Method 3
the evaporator being in direct contact with the body
Implementation Method 4
at least one temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the surface and/or the object, and the temperature of at least one of the heating element and the evaporator
Implementation Method 5
a controller to receive the output signals and in response thereto to control operation of the heater and refrigeration system together in order to control the temperature of the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A heating/cooling plate device for heating and/or cooling an object through a range of operating temperatures extending both above and below ambient. The device having a heating element to heat the plate, and a vapor compression refrigeration system through which refrigerant flows to cool the plate. Greater control of the heating and cooling of the plate is achieved by positioning the heater element substantially at the exit of an expansion valve of the evaporation compression system as this provides thermal energy to the refrigerant as it enters the evaporator.