Micro-Chiller Assembly With Ringed Duct for Compact Aircraft Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for aircraft compartments, such as galleys and in-seat compartments, are unable to efficiently provide chilled refreshments due to the inability to integrate compact refrigerator-type compartments in smaller enclosures, limiting premium passenger comfort and service.
Innovation Solution
A micro-chiller assembly with a housing, interior compartment, and a micro-chiller unit featuring a radially configured heat sink, thermo-electric elements, and a ringed duct with irregular topology for uniform airflow distribution, which allows for conductive cooling and thermal insulation, enabling efficient cooling and heating within compact spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a compact refrigerator-type compartment is installed in an aircraft mini-bar or galley, then chilled refreshments can be provided to premium passengers, but the device complexity and space requirements prevent integration in smaller enclosures
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into modular components: a micro-chiller unit with thermoelectric elements, a separate heat sink assembly with finned structure, and an integrated housing that forms the interior compartment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled in compact configurations suitable for aircraft galleys and in-seat compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-chiller unit is nested within the housing structure, with the heat sink positioned adjacent to the interior compartment wall. The thermoelectric elements are mounted between the housing wall and the interior compartment, creating a nested arrangement where multiple functional elements occupy overlapping spatial volumes, maximizing cooling efficiency in limited space.
2Volume of stationary object
If conventional cooling systems are used in aircraft compartments, then cooling function is provided, but the systems are too large and cannot be integrated in smaller enclosures like in-seat compartments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical compression-based refrigeration systems with a thermoelectric cooling system using Peltier elements. This substitution eliminates the need for compressors, condensers, and expansion devices, reducing the system volume by over 60% while maintaining effective cooling capability in compact aircraft enclosures.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink is designed with a radially extending finned structure that dissipates heat in three dimensions from the thermoelectric elements. This radial geometry allows efficient heat rejection from a compact central mounting point, maximizing surface area for heat dissipation while minimizing the volumetric footprint of the cooling system.
3Productivity
If thermoelectric elements are used for conductive cooling, then efficient cooling is achieved in compact spaces, but the system requires precise thermal management and heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink employs a radially symmetric finned structure with curved surfaces that optimize heat distribution and dissipation. The radial geometry creates uniform thermal gradients from the central thermoelectric mounting point outward through the fins, improving heat transfer efficiency and reducing thermal bottlenecks compared to linear or planar heat sink designs.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal interface material or conductive plate is positioned between the thermoelectric elements and the heat sink to facilitate efficient heat transfer. This intermediary component ensures optimal thermal contact and distributes heat uniformly across the heat sink base, maximizing the effectiveness of the thermoelectric cooling action while minimizing thermal losses.
4Device complexity
If the housing structure is used for both structural support and thermal insulation, then device complexity is reduced, but thermal insulation performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is constructed as a composite structure combining thermally insulating materials with structurally sound materials. The housing wall includes an outer structural shell, an intermediate insulating layer with air gaps or insulating foam, and an inner surface in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooling elements. This composite construction provides both mechanical strength and thermal insulation performance in a single integrated component.
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 micro-chiller assembly effectively cools and heats compact aircraft compartments, providing a high-efficiency, modular, and eco-friendly solution for storing chilled items and maintaining freshness, while being adaptable to various aircraft configurations and reducing maintenance downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a set of thermo-electric elements is configured to apply conductive cooling to the side of the interior compartment on which the micro-chiller unit is mounted
Implementation Method 2
a radially configured heat sink that receives the outside air and radially repels hotter air from the interior compartment to one or more exterior vents
Implementation Method 3
an insulative layer formed around one or more sides to thermally insulate the interior compartment from heat seepage through one or more walls of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-chiller assembly, apparatus and method of manufacture is provided. The micro-chiller assembly includes an exterior housing, an interior compartment with a plurality of sides within the exterior housing; a micro-chiller unit, and a ringed duct with an irregular topology; wherein the micro-chiller unit is mounted to a side of the interior compartment, wherein the ringed duct with the irregular topology is coupled on one end to the micro-chiller unit and coupled on another end to an exterior vent configured in the exterior housing to draw in outside air for channeling to the micro-chiller unit via the irregular topology enabling uniform distribution of airflow for cooling of the interior compartment by the micro-chiller unit.