HVAC Condenser-to-Control Partition Cooling for VFD Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems face overheating issues due to heat generation by electrical components like VFDs, which can lead to inefficient operation, and require separate dedicated cooling systems that are costly to manufacture, assemble, and maintain.
Innovation Solution
The HVAC unit is designed with a partition separating the condenser and control sections, allowing air flow from the condenser section to be directed through the control section to cool electrical components, and then returned to the condenser section, eliminating the need for a separate cooling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate dedicated cooling system is used for VFDs, then the VFDs are effectively cooled to prevent overheating, but the manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function for VFDs with the existing condenser cooling system by integrating a plenum chamber that receives cooled air from the condenser and directs it to the VFDs. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated cooling system, reducing device complexity and costs while maintaining effective VFD cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser cooling system is made multi-functional by adding the plenum chamber configuration that allows the same air flow to serve both the condenser and the VFDs. The system now performs dual functions: cooling the condenser and cooling the electrical components, thereby eliminating the need for separate cooling systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical components are enclosed in a control section, then they are protected from environmental factors, but heat dissipation is reduced leading to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plenum chamber as an intermediary structure between the condenser section and the control section. This plenum chamber receives cooled air from the condenser and acts as a mediator to deliver the cooled air to the electrical components, enabling heat dissipation while maintaining environmental protection through the enclosed control section.
Solution Approach 2:
The control section is segmented with openings or passages that allow controlled air flow through the electrical component enclosure. This segmentation enables heat dissipation while maintaining the protective enclosure, resolving the contradiction between environmental protection and heat dissipation.
3Device complexity
If air flow is directed through the control section to cool electrical components, then cooling is achieved without dedicated system, but air flow path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plenum chamber is positioned to receive cooled air from the condenser before it is distributed to the electrical components. This preliminary configuration of the air flow path ensures efficient cooling delivery without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms, maintaining productivity while achieving cooling without dedicated 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
This configuration effectively cools the electrical components without a dedicated cooling system, reducing manufacturing, operating, and maintenance costs while ensuring proper operation of the HVAC unit.
Implementation Method 1
a first air passage and a second air passage formed therein, where the first air passage is configured to enable a portion of the air flow to flow from the condenser section into the control section, and the second air passage is configured to enable the portion of the air flow to flow from the control section to the condenser section
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are therefore directed toward a condenser section that is configured to draw an air flow into the condenser section, a control section configured to enclose electrical components, and a partition extending between the condenser section and the control section. The partition may include a first air passage and a second air passage formed therein, where the first air passage is configured to enable a portion of the air flow to flow from the condenser section into the control section to cool the electrical components and the second air passage enables the portion of air flow to from the control section to the condenser section.