Programmable ORIT Valve Control for Rapid Two-Phase Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern thermal control units (TCUs) face inefficiencies in temperature control due to energy losses and delays in stabilizing temperatures across a wide range, particularly in industrial applications, where precise temperature control is required, and existing systems rely on intermediate thermal transfer fluids and refrigerants with limited thermal transfer efficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The trapped ramp system employs a vapor cycle refrigeration system with enhanced post-condensation and a controllable ORIT valve to manage refrigerant flow, preventing liquid buildup and ensuring continuous refrigerant flow for rapid and precise temperature changes, using a capacitor to collect liquid refrigerant and a delta pressure valve to regulate flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional refrigeration systems use phase changes for cooling, then cooling capability is achieved, but liquid refrigerant accumulates in the load during rapid temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the refrigerant in a heating section before it enters the load, ensuring the refrigerant is in a vapor state during rapid temperature changes. This prevents liquid accumulation by proactively changing the refrigerant's thermal state before it reaches the load, allowing rapid temperature changes without liquid buildup issues
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature and pressure parameters of the refrigerant through controlled heating and expansion processes. By adjusting these parameters, the refrigerant transitions between vapor and liquid phases at controlled locations, preventing unwanted liquid accumulation in the load while enabling rapid temperature changes
2Loss of energy
If intermediate thermal transfer fluids are used, then temperature control is achieved, but heat transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the intermediate thermal transfer fluid from the system, allowing the refrigerant to directly cool the load. This removes the additional heat transfer interface that causes energy losses, improving overall heat transfer efficiency while the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle maintains the necessary temperature control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the refrigerant itself as the intermediary between the compressor and the load, rather than using a separate thermal transfer fluid. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the load during evaporation and releases heat in the condenser, serving as the direct heat transfer medium and eliminating the need for additional intermediate substances
3Productivity
If rapid temperature changes are implemented, then productivity is improved, but temperature stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic cycling of the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, with controlled heating phases followed by cooling phases. This periodic action allows the system to rapidly adjust temperatures by alternating between heating and cooling modes, while the thermal mass of the system and controlled cycle timing maintain overall temperature stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits phase transitions of the refrigerant (vaporization and condensation) to enable rapid heat transfer during temperature changes. During vaporization, the refrigerant absorbs large amounts of heat quickly, and during condensation, it releases heat rapidly, allowing fast temperature adjustments while the phase change process itself provides thermal buffering that maintains stability
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 enhances heat transfer efficiency, reduces energy losses, and allows for rapid and precise temperature control, maintaining stability and efficiency across a wide temperature range without accumulating liquid refrigerant, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional TCUs.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid refrigerant is then lowered in temperature by expansion through a valve to a selected pressure level. This expansion cools the refrigerant by evaporating some of the liquid
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant is first compressed to a hot gas at high pressure level, and then condensed to a pressurized liquid
Implementation Method 3
The refrigerant is first compressed to a hot gas at high pressure level, and then condensed to a pressurized liquid
Implementation Method 4
The liquid refrigerant is then lowered in temperature by expansion through a valve to a selected pressure level. This expansion cools the refrigerant by evaporating some of the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control system employing a two-phase refrigerant and a compressor/condenser loop is disclosed wherein a two phase refrigerant condenses within the load, the system including a thermo-expansion valve that simultaneously allows refrigerant flow through the thermo-expansion valve and regulates a temperature of the refrigerant in its two phase state ahead of the thermo-expansion valve, and wherein a flow through the thermo-expansion valve occurs only after a pressure and temperature upstream of the thermo-expansion valve reaches a final temperature and pressure.