Integrated Chiller Cooling Circuit for Free and Mechanical Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVACR systems face high initial costs, reduced efficiency, and increased complexity due to the inclusion of additional components like dry liquid coolers or cooling towers, which also occupy significant space and limit the feasibility of combined cooling modes.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates a refrigerant circuit with multiple condensers and expansion valves arranged in parallel or series, along with a liquid cooler and evaporator, allowing for selective fluid flow direction and thermal energy exchange, enabling mechanical, free, and combined cooling modes within a compact footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional components such as dry liquid coolers or cooling towers are added to achieve free cooling, then free cooling capability is improved, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the free cooling components (dry liquid cooler) and traditional cooling components (cooling tower) into a single integrated chiller unit with a common refrigerant circuit. The dry liquid cooler and cooling tower are merged as parallel condensing paths sharing the same refrigerant loop, eliminating the need for separate standalone units and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant circuit is designed to serve multiple cooling modes through a universal configuration. The same refrigerant circuit can operate in traditional cooling mode (using cooling tower), free cooling mode (using dry liquid cooler), or combined mode (using both simultaneously), making the system multi-functional without requiring separate dedicated systems for each mode.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional components such as dry liquid coolers or cooling towers are added to achieve free cooling, then free cooling capability is improved, but initial cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the free cooling components (dry liquid cooler) and traditional cooling components (cooling tower) into a single integrated chiller unit with a common refrigerant circuit. The dry liquid cooler and cooling tower are merged as parallel condensing paths sharing the same refrigerant loop, eliminating the need for separate standalone units and reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cooling towers are added to achieve free cooling, then free cooling capability is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the free cooling components (dry liquid cooler) and traditional cooling components (cooling tower) into a single integrated chiller unit with a common refrigerant circuit. The dry liquid cooler and cooling tower are merged as parallel condensing paths sharing the same refrigerant loop, eliminating the need for separate standalone units and reducing overall system complexity.
4Device complexity
If traditional separate component configuration is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but combined cooling operation is not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation modes that allow the system to switch between different cooling configurations. The control system can dynamically activate or deactivate the dry liquid cooler, cooling tower, or both simultaneously based on ambient conditions and cooling demands, enabling traditional cooling mode, free cooling mode, and combined mode operation within a single integrated system.
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 enhances system efficiency and reduces costs and space requirements while enabling simultaneous operation of mechanical and free cooling, improving overall cooling capacity and reducing refrigerant coil size.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator configured to remove thermal energy from a fluid flow through the evaporator via the refrigerant flow through the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a liquid cooler in selectable fluid communication with the second condenser and/or the evaporator and through which the fluid flow is directed for thermal energy exchange with the refrigerant flow
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant circuit having a compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation, air conditioning or refrigeration system includes a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, a first condenser, and a second condenser arranged in parallel or in series with the first condenser. A first expansion valve is in fluid communication with the first condenser to selectably direct a refrigerant flow through the first condenser, and a second expansion valve is in fluid communication with the second condenser to selectably direct the refrigerant flow through the second compressor. An evaporator is configured to remove thermal energy from a fluid flow through the evaporator via the refrigerant flow through the evaporator. A fluid flow circuit includes a liquid cooler in selectable fluid communication with the second condenser and/or the evaporator and the evaporator, through which the fluid flow is directed for thermal energy exchange with the refrigerant flow.