Methods and systems for cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cooling systems face limitations in maintaining goods at a desired temperature during transport, as eutectic plates require frequent re-cooling and have limited duration, and active refrigeration systems consume power, restricting travel time and delivery stops.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating eutectic plates cooled by a refrigeration system powered by a mains supply, with a variable displacement hydraulic pump and generator that uses engine power to maintain temperature control, allowing continuous power supply to the refrigeration system regardless of engine speed, extending the cooling duration and reducing the need for additional electrical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If additional eutectic plates are added to extend cooling duration, then the time over which goods can be maintained at temperature is improved, but vehicle weight increases and storage capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic pump enables continuous operation of the refrigeration system by providing a constant supply of hydraulic fluid to the motor regardless of engine speed fluctuations, allowing eutectic plates to be cooled continuously during vehicle operation and extending cooling duration without adding plates
Solution Approach 2:
The variable displacement hydraulic pump dynamically adjusts its fluid delivery based on engine speed, maintaining optimal motor speed for cooling operation across varying vehicle operating conditions, thereby extending effective cooling duration without additional hardware
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional eutectic plates are added to extend cooling duration, then the number of delivery stops is improved, but vehicle weight increases and storage capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system can operate continuously during vehicle movement due to the hydraulic pump providing constant power to the motor, enabling multiple cooling cycles during a single journey and increasing the number of possible delivery stops without adding weight
3Reliability
If the hydraulic pump supplies constant volume of hydraulic fluid regardless of engine speed, then the motor speed becomes unstable, but if the pump adjusts volume with engine speed, then motor speed remains constant and refrigeration efficiency is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic pump is designed with variable displacement capability that automatically adjusts fluid delivery volume in response to engine speed changes, maintaining constant motor speed and refrigeration efficiency across varying operating conditions through dynamic adaptation
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic pump system incorporates feedback mechanisms that respond to engine speed variations and adjust fluid delivery accordingly, ensuring stable motor operation and consistent refrigeration performance without requiring complex external control 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 system maintains the storage area at a consistent temperature for longer periods, reduces power consumption, and allows for more flexible delivery stops without the need for additional eutectic plates, enhancing transportation efficiency and reducing weight and cooling time.
Implementation Method 1
a generator configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump, generate electrical power in response thereto and supply the electrical power to the refrigeration system
Implementation Method 2
Phase change materials can be effective at providing a 'cold reservoir' as they may absorb latent heat at a phase transition whilst maintaining a substantially constant temperature until the phase transition is completed
Implementation Method 3
the eutectic mixture has absorbed enough heat to transition from a solid phase to a liquid phase
Implementation Method 4
a refrigeration system configured to cool the one or more eutectic plates
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A system for cooling a storage area (101) of a vehicle (100) is disclosed comprising: one or more eutectic plates (102) for cooling the storage area (101); a refrigeration system (103) configured to cool the one or more eutectic plates (102); an electrical system (106) configured to receive electrical power from a mains power supply and supply electrical power to the refrigeration system (103); a variable displacement hydraulic pump (113) having an input shaft for being driven by an engine (112) of the vehicle (100); and a generator (107) configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump (113), generate electrical power in response thereto and supply the electrical power to the refrigeration system (103); wherein the hydraulic pump (113) is configured to reduce the volume of hydraulic fluid that it supplies to the generator (107) for each rotation of the input shaft, as the rotational speed of the input shaft increases.