Phase-Change Material Thermal Management for Fuel and Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine heat engines face issues with fuel freezing due to water impurities, leading to potential blockages, and existing solutions like using heat exchangers to prevent freezing can cause fuel vaporization, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a phase-change material (PCM) in the electronic module and heat exchanger system that absorbs and distributes heat to prevent temperature peaks, ensuring the fuel's vaporization temperature is not reached, while also protecting the electronic module from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat exchanger is used to prevent fuel freezing, then fuel temperature is maintained above freezing point, but fuel may reach vaporisation temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the phase transition properties of PCM material which changes from solid to liquid at a specific temperature (between -10°C and +10°C). This phase transition absorbs excess heat energy, preventing fuel temperature from rising to vaporisation point while maintaining temperature above freezing point, thus resolving the contradiction between preventing freezing and avoiding vaporisation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter control approach by introducing PCM material with a specific phase change temperature range. This creates a thermal buffer zone that automatically regulates fuel temperature within the safe operating window, preventing both freezing and vaporisation without requiring complex active control systems
2Temperature
If additional electric radiator is added to heat fuel, then fuel heating capability is improved, but GCU is stressed more and generates more heat
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the GCU to serve dual purposes: its normal operation provides necessary heat for fuel temperature maintenance, and its housing structure itself becomes the heat transfer path. The PCM material integrated into the GCU housing automatically absorbs excess heat through phase transition, eliminating the need for additional heating devices and reducing overall system energy loss
3Power
If electronic module generates high energy for short periods, then power conversion capability is improved, but temperature peaks are generated that can damage electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates PCM material in advance within the electronic module housing, positioned to absorb heat during high-power operation. This pre-positioned thermal buffer acts as a cushion against temperature peaks generated during high-power conversion periods, protecting sensitive electronic components from thermal damage
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 PCM system effectively manages heat transfer, preventing fuel vaporization and protecting the electronic module, thereby ensuring stable operation and preventing blockages in the fuel circuit.
Implementation Method 1
A phase-change material (PCM), configured to change state when its temperature reaches a predetermined phase change temperature
Implementation Method 2
the PCM material, configured to change state when its temperature reaches a predetermined phase change temperature
Implementation Method 3
A heat exchanger positioned to allow heat flow from the electronic module to the fuel supply circuit
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns an assembly comprising: a fuel supply circuit (15, 15a, 15b) configured to supply fuel to a turbine heat engine, an electronic module (14, 14a, 14b), a power source (13, 13a, 13b) for supplying power to the electronic module (14, 14a, 14b), and a heat exchanger (16, 16a, 16b) positioned to allow a flow of heat from the electronic module (14, 14a, 14b) to the fuel supply circuit (15, 15a, 15b), the assembly being characterised in that the electronic module (14, 14a, 14b) comprises a phase-change material (PCM), configured to change state when the temperature of same reaches a predetermined phase-change temperature (Tf).