Method for controlling a cooling system associated with an electrical cabinet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling installations for electrical enclosures are often oversized, leading to energy loss as they operate beyond the maximum thermal power required, resulting in inefficiency and wasted energy.
Innovation Solution
A method and installation with a primary and secondary cooling circuit, where the programmable controller determines the thermal power to be dissipated and switches between operating modes to utilize an undersized compressor and a secondary evaporator to manage thermal loads efficiently, using a three-way valve or pump to connect/disconnect the secondary circuit based on thermal demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cooling installation is sized for maximum thermal power, then the cooling capacity is sufficient for peak loads, but energy is wasted when operating below maximum capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling installation is divided into a primary cooling circuit with a first evaporator and a secondary cooling circuit with a second evaporator. The programmable controller selectively activates the secondary circuit when thermal power exceeds the first evaporator's capacity, avoiding continuous operation of an oversized primary system and reducing energy waste during partial load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its configuration by switching between different operating modes. The programmable controller monitors thermal power and connects or disconnects the secondary cooling circuit based on real-time demands, allowing the system to adapt its cooling capacity to match actual needs rather than operating at fixed maximum capacity.
2Device complexity
If a single cooling circuit is used, then the system is simple, but it cannot efficiently handle varying thermal loads
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent circuits: a primary circuit with a first evaporator sized for base cooling requirements, and a secondary circuit with a second evaporator for peak load handling. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity in each individual circuit while gaining the adaptability to efficiently manage varying thermal loads through selective activation.
3Power
If the compressor is oversized, then peak cooling demands are met, but the compressor operates inefficiently at partial load
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling power is segmented between two evaporators rather than relying on a single oversized compressor. The first evaporator handles base cooling demands with a appropriately-sized compressor, while the second evaporator is activated only when additional cooling power is needed, allowing the compressor to operate efficiently at partial load for the primary circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single compressor sized for maximum demand that operates partially all the time, the system uses partial action by activating the second evaporator only when its additional cooling capacity is actually needed. This allows the primary compressor to operate at optimal efficiency for the majority of operating conditions.
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 reduces energy wastage by using surplus energy to charge the secondary evaporator, handles peak loads, and provides redundancy by activating the secondary cooling circuit when the primary is inactive, thus enhancing efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The air inside the electrical cabinet 1 is drawn and cooled in the evaporator EV, in contact with the refrigerant FF made gaseous
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant FF continues its path in vapor form to the compressor COMP, which compresses it by heating it (high pressure)
Implementation Method 3
The latter extracts the calories due to the heating and evacuates them from the electrical cabinet
Implementation Method 4
the fluid, which has become liquid again (low pressure), is redirected to the evaporator EV via an expansion valve DET
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a cooling system for the internal volume of an electrical enclosure, said cooling system comprising: - A primary cooling circuit (C1) which includes a condenser (COND1), at least one compressor (COMP1) and a first evaporator (EV1), - A secondary cooling circuit (C2) which includes an enclosure (5), a second evaporator (EV2) housed in said enclosure (5), an air inlet (IN) and an air outlet (OUT), - A programmable logic controller (20) configured to select an operating mode of the cooling system from at least one first operating mode (MOD1) in which the primary cooling circuit (C1) is active,and the secondary cooling circuit (C2) is responsible for the cooling capacity of its second evaporator (EV2) and a second operating mode (MOD2) in which the primary cooling circuit (C1) and the secondary cooling circuit (C2) are active simultaneously to cool the air present in said internal volume.