Modular Chiller Unit with Dedicated Headers to Reduce System Footprint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional modular heating and cooling systems require inter-module isolation valves to achieve simultaneous heating and cooling, increasing system footprint and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The system employs dedicated heating and cooling headers within each modular unit, eliminating the need for inter-module valves by using valves in connecting pipes to heat exchangers, allowing for efficient switching between heating and cooling modes without cross-contamination of hot and cold water streams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If inter-module isolation valves are used to achieve simultaneous heating and cooling, then heating and cooling functionality is enabled, but system footprint and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous heating and cooling capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the heating and cooling functions into separate dedicated circuits within each modular unit. Each module has its own heating circuit and cooling circuit with independent headers, allowing simultaneous operation without requiring inter-module isolation valves. This segmentation enables each module to independently provide both heating and cooling, eliminating the need for complex valve systems to separate hot and cold streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each modular unit is designed with multi-functionality to provide both heating and cooling through dedicated circuits. The universal design allows any module in the bank to simultaneously contribute to both heating and cooling loads, eliminating the need for specialized valve arrangements to achieve simultaneous heating and cooling across the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If inter-module isolation valves are used to achieve simultaneous heating and cooling, then heating and cooling functionality is enabled, but system footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous heating and cooling capabilityVSAvoidsystem footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If valves are placed in connecting pipes to heat exchangers, then switching between heating and cooling modes is enabled, but valve failure risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidvalve failure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dedicated heating and cooling headers as intermediary components that receive fluid from the heat exchanger. Valves are positioned in the connecting pipes between the heat exchanger and these headers, allowing mode switching while isolating potential failure points. The dedicated headers act as intermediaries that distribute fluid to appropriate circuits, minimizing the impact of valve failures on overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design reduces the overall system footprint, simplifies design and installation, and maximizes heat transfer efficiency by maintaining cross counterflow configuration in both modes, while reducing the risk of valve failure-induced energy transfer issues.

Implementation Method 1

Each modular unit also includes a heat exchanger, and valved connecting pipes fluidly connect the heat exchanger to the headers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS9677778B2Modular chiller unit with dedicated cooling and heating fluid circuits and system comprising a plurality of such units

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 CLIMACOOL CORP

AI summary

A modular heating and cooling unit comprising an independent set of headers for each of the heating and cooling loads and the source. A bank of these modular units provides a system that is capable of incremental simultaneous heating and cooling and redundancy. Valves in the internal piping of the unit eliminate the need for valves in the headers between units. This substantially reduces the overall footprint of the unit. Because of the parallel flow between the heat exchangers and the heating and cooling load, the modules can be operated in cooling mode and heating mode in any order.