Saturated Refrigerant Cooling for Uniform Low-Temperature Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling methods for structures like FLIR turrets fail to achieve uniform and low temperatures, especially when the desired temperature is below ambient air temperature, and vapor cycle systems are inefficient for transient heat loads.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the flow of saturated refrigerant through passageways at constant pressure, evaporating it to maintain a uniform temperature, using thermoelectric heat exchangers and refrigerants like R404A for efficient cooling without complex high-pressure lines or expensive vapor cycle systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is blown over the optical element to cool it, then cooling is achieved, but uniform temperature distribution cannot be maintained and the temperature cannot go below ambient air temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transition of refrigerant (liquid to vapor) within the optical element's passageways. The refrigerant evaporates at a constant saturation temperature, absorbing heat uniformly from the optical element material. This phase change mechanism enables cooling below ambient temperature while maintaining uniform temperature distribution, directly resolving the limitations of air cooling.
2Temperature
If vapor cycle cooling systems are used to achieve low temperatures, then cooling capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase due to high pressure lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent operates the refrigerant at low pressure conditions, utilizing the saturation properties of the refrigerant at reduced pressures. This eliminates the need for complex high-pressure lines and components associated with conventional vapor cycle systems. The low-pressure operation simplifies the system while achieving the same cooling effect through controlled evaporation of the refrigerant.
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 allows rapid, uniform cooling to very low temperatures, reducing deformation risks and energy consumption, and is cost-effective for transient load conditions using small flow rates and liquid lines.
Implementation Method 1
evaporating at least a portion of the refrigerant at a substantially constant temperature throughout the passageways in the structure
Implementation Method 2
evaporating at least a portion of the refrigerant at a substantially constant temperature throughout the passageways in the structure
Implementation Method 3
evaporating at least a portion of the refrigerant at a substantially constant temperature throughout the passageways in the structure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cooling a structure includes flowing a saturated refrigerant through one or more passageways in the structure while maintaining the refrigerant at a substantially constant pressure. The method also includes evaporating at least a portion of the refrigerant at a substantially constant temperature throughout the passageways in the structure.