Pumped Refrigerant Equalization for Variable Heat Load Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional direct expansion cooling systems for high-density heat loads require sophisticated controls and excessive floor space, and are not responsive to varying heat loads, necessitating a more efficient and compact cooling solution.
Innovation Solution
A pumped refrigerant system with a refrigerant loop, including a pump, evaporator heat exchanger, condensing heat exchanger, and an equalization conduit with a flow regulating valve, which uses a volatile working fluid to manage heat loads without the need for complex control systems and reduces the size and energy consumption of the cooling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional direct expansion cooling system is used for high-density heat loads, then the system can provide cooling capacity, but it requires sophisticated controls and excessive floor space
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the cooling function into multiple evaporators that can be independently controlled, with each evaporator serving specific heat loads. This segmentation allows the system to provide cooling capacity while reducing the need for centralized complex control and minimizing floor space requirements through distributed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump-driven refrigerant distribution system serves multiple evaporators simultaneously, providing universal cooling capability across different zones and heat loads. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate cooling systems for different areas, thereby reducing overall floor space and control complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional direct expansion cooling system is used, then cooling capacity can be provided, but the system is not responsive to varying heat loads
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control of refrigerant flow to each evaporator based on real-time heat load conditions. The pump adjusts refrigerant distribution dynamically, allowing the system to respond adaptively to varying heat loads without requiring overly complex control systems. Each evaporator can independently modulate its refrigerant flow to match local thermal demands.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional computer room air conditioning systems are used, then cooling can be provided, but excessive floor space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from horizontal floor-mounted equipment to vertical wall-mounted evaporators and distributed refrigerant distribution. By utilizing vertical space and wall surfaces rather than floor space, the system maintains high cooling capacity while significantly reducing the footprint on the floor, thereby increasing cooling efficiency per unit area.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump-driven hydraulic refrigerant distribution system enables precise delivery of refrigerant to multiple evaporators through controlled fluid flow. This hydraulic approach allows compact system architecture with efficient heat transfer, achieving high cooling productivity in a minimal space footprint compared to conventional air-based systems.
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 high-density heat loads with reduced energy consumption and space requirements, eliminating the need for water above sensitive equipment and avoiding latent cooling to ensure reliable operation and efficient use of cooling capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant loop having a pump
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator heat exchanger thermally coupled to a heat source
Implementation Method 3
a condensing heat exchanger and a receiver plumbed in the loop
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system is provided that comprises: a refrigerant loop having a pump; an evaporator heat exchanger thermally coupled to a heat source, the evaporator plumbed in the loop; a condensing heat exchanger and a receiver plumbed in the loop; and an equalizing conduit plumbed between an inlet to the condenser and the receiver and comprising a flow regulating valve.