Multi-Compressor Vapor Compression System for Rapid DEW Laser Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vapor compression systems are inefficient in providing rapid cooling for mobile and smaller Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) systems, as they take too long to reach full capacity and are bulky, making them unsuitable for portable platforms with size, weight, and power (SWAP) constraints.
Innovation Solution
A vapor compression system with multiple variable speed compressors and a control system that activates additional compressors and increases speed to boost cooling capacity when the laser system is activated, using a heat transfer fluid and thermal energy storage to manage temperature across the DEW platform, including hotel loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional vapor compression system is used to cool the DEW system, then the system can maintain stable temperatures during operation, but the system takes too long to reach full cooling capacity (up to a minute or more), which is insufficient for rapid burst cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools the heat transfer fluid and thermal energy storage medium before high-power laser operation begins. This preliminary cooling action ensures that when the laser fires at full power, the cooling system is already prepared and can immediately absorb the rapid heat generation, eliminating the delay associated with conventional systems that must ramp up from cold standby.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses variable speed compressors that can dynamically adjust their cooling capacity based on real-time thermal demands. During burst firing, the compressors operate at maximum speed to provide rapid cooling, then reduce speed during lower-demand periods. This dynamic operation allows the system to respond quickly to changing thermal loads while maintaining temperature stability across different operating conditions.
2Power
If a large cooling system is deployed to provide sufficient cooling capacity for high energy lasers, then the cooling capacity is adequate, but the system becomes bulky and heavy, making it unsuitable for mobile and portable DEW platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into modular components including multiple compressors of different sizes, thermal energy storage units, and distributed heat exchangers. This segmentation allows the system to be configured with only the necessary cooling capacity for each specific application, rather than deploying a single oversized system. Mobile platforms can use smaller modular units while still achieving adequate cooling through coordinated operation of multiple segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the heat transfer fluid, specifically using a phase change material that transitions from liquid to solid at a predetermined temperature. This phase change enables the storage of large amounts of thermal energy in a compact volume, dramatically increasing the cooling capacity per unit weight and volume of the thermal storage system, thereby reducing the overall size and weight of the cooling infrastructure needed.
3Speed
If the cooling system operates at full capacity continuously, then it can handle rapid burst cooling demands, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously at full capacity. During low-demand periods, the compressors run at reduced capacity or are cycled off entirely. The thermal energy storage system maintains cooling during these low-power periods by releasing stored cold energy. When high-demand burst firing occurs, the compressors activate at full capacity to recharge the thermal storage and handle the peak load, then reduce capacity again. This periodic operation pattern maintains rapid cooling response capability while dramatically reducing average energy consumption.
4Power
If multiple compressors are used to provide rapid cooling capacity, then the cooling power is sufficient for high-energy lasers, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple compressors are merged into a single integrated vapor compression system that shares common components including the condenser, expansion device, and control electronics. The compressors operate in parallel but are managed by a unified control system that coordinates their operation based on thermal demand. This merging approach provides the cooling power of multiple units while reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate independent cooling systems, as shared components eliminate redundancy and reduce the total number of parts.
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 system achieves rapid and efficient cooling of the laser system and hotel loads, maintaining operational temperatures during burst firing periods, extending the platform's operational time and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a vapor compression system comprising a plurality of compressors configured to compress a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
compress a refrigerant... to cool a heat transfer fluid circulated in a cooling loop
Implementation Method 3
cool a heat transfer fluid circulated in a cooling loop to the laser system and hotel loads
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods of heating and cooling a laser system by providing a vapor compression system having a plurality of compressors. A control system controls the activity of each compressor and activates and manages the speed of each compressor to efficiently provide cooling and heating of the laser system.