Pumped liquid cooling system using a phase change fluid with additional subambient cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for power electronic devices require energy-intensive vapor compression circuits to maintain sub-ambient temperatures, which can be inefficient when ambient temperatures fluctuate, especially when the outside temperature is lower than the device's environment.
Innovation Solution
A pumped liquid cooling system incorporating a refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger in series with a condenser, allowing for efficient cooling without activating the vapor compression circuit when outside temperatures are below the device's environment, and utilizing a compressor and condenser when outside temperatures are higher, thereby optimizing energy usage based on ambient conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a vapor compression circuit is used to cool power electronic devices, then sub-ambient temperatures can be maintained, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the cooling circuit by using a pumped liquid cooling system with phase change fluid instead of traditional vapor compression, allowing efficient cooling without energy-intensive compression when ambient temperatures are favorable
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential cooling function from the energy-intensive vapor compression circuit and implements it through a simpler pumped liquid system with heat exchangers, eliminating the need for compressors and expansion valves in many operating conditions
2Temperature
If a vapor compression circuit is activated to cool devices, then cooling capacity is provided, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex vapor compression components (compressor, expansion valve) and replaces them with a simpler pumped liquid system using heat exchangers, maintaining cooling capacity while reducing mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a pumped liquid cooling circuit as an intermediary between the power electronic devices and the ambient environment, using heat exchangers to transfer heat efficiently without requiring complex compression and expansion mechanisms
3Productivity
If refrigerant is circulated through a pumped liquid cooling system, then cooling efficiency improves, but refrigerant trapping may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system designs the refrigerant circulation path with proper elevation changes and pressure gradients to ensure refrigerant returns to the pump by gravity and pressure differential, preventing trapping in high points of the circulation loop
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms to monitor refrigerant flow and system conditions, detecting potential trapping situations and adjusting pump operation or valve positions to prevent refrigerant accumulation
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 effectively cools power electronic devices by reducing energy consumption and preventing refrigerant trapping, ensuring efficient operation across varying ambient temperature conditions without the need for additional refrigerant storage, thus enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger having first and second flow passages in heat exchange relationship
Implementation Method 2
a first two-phase refrigerant can be circulated by the pump through the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
at least one evaporator located in a first environment having a first ambient temperature
Implementation Method 4
a first condenser located in a second environment having a second ambient temperature
Implementation Method 5
from the at least one evaporator to the first condenser where the refrigerant is condensed and cooled
Implementation Method 6
a vapor compression circuit including an expansion valve, a second condenser, and a compressor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a cooling system wherein a first two-phase refrigerant can be circulated by a pump through an evaporator, to a first condenser, to a refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and back to the pump. By providing the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger in series with the condenser, a first environment can be cooled without having to operate a vapor compression circuit when an ambient temperature outside the first environment is a predetermined amount below an ambient temperature in the first environment.