Semi-Closed Cooling Circuit With Pressure-Controlled Tank Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices face challenges with coolant loss through evaporation in open systems and complex, pressure-based operations in closed systems, along with the need for additional compensating devices and pumps.
Innovation Solution
A semi-closed cooling circuit design with a venting device that maintains a sealed storage tank connection to the atmosphere, using a submersible pump and pressure-controlled venting to compensate for volume changes, eliminating the need for separate compensating devices and simplifying filling and venting processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an open cooling system is used, then filling and venting are simple and automatic, but coolant loss through evaporation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is equipped with a pressure-regulated venting device that maintains different pressure conditions at different times: atmospheric pressure during filling/venting operations for simplicity, and slight positive pressure during operation to prevent evaporation. This local quality change in pressure state resolves the contradiction between operational simplicity and coolant conservation.
2Loss of substance
If a closed pressurized cooling system is used, then coolant loss through evaporation is prevented, but filling and venting become complex and require pressure procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The venting device dynamically adjusts the system pressure state based on operational requirements. During normal operation, it maintains a slight positive pressure (0.01-0.05 bar) to prevent evaporation. During filling or venting operations, it allows pressure equalization to atmospheric pressure, simplifying these operations. This dynamic pressure adjustment resolves the contradiction between evaporation prevention and operational simplicity.
3Loss of substance
If a closed cooling system is used, then coolant loss is reduced, but a hydraulic accumulator is required to compensate for volume changes
Solution Approach 1:
The venting device performs multiple functions: it compensates for volume changes caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the coolant, maintains pressure within acceptable ranges, and enables automatic venting when necessary. By integrating these functions into a single device, the patent eliminates the need for a separate hydraulic accumulator, reducing system complexity while maintaining coolant loss prevention.
4Reliability
If a submersible pump is used, then fluid leakage is reduced, but the pump must be installed inside the storage tank
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is nested within the storage tank as a submersible unit, with the motor positioned in the headspace above the coolant level and the pump inlet positioned below the coolant level. This nested configuration allows the pump to be immersed in the coolant for reliable operation while maintaining a compact integrated design that reduces leakage risks compared to external pump connections.
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 design prevents coolant loss while leveraging the simplicity of open systems and avoiding complex procedures, reducing maintenance and costs by integrating a submersible pump and automatic venting, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing fluid leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the venting device, which allows venting of the closed storage tank only when the pressure exceeds or falls below a range corresponding to normal operation, also serves as a compensating device for pressure changes caused by heating or cooling of the medium
Implementation Method 2
the cooling circuit includes a heat exchanger (20, 22) for cooling the cooling medium (19, 29)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 4
AI summary
2. A cooling device, comprising at least one cooling circuit to which at least one consumer (4) is connected, which in normal operation receives a coolant from a supply pump (14) driven by a motor (12) from a storage tank (6) and which returns the coolant to a heat exchanger (20; 22) which is connected to the outlet side of the storage tank (6), is characterized in that the cooling circuit is designed in the form of a semi-closed cooling circuit, in which the interior of the storage tank (6), which is otherwise closed to the atmosphere, can be connected to the atmosphere via a venting device (42), one of which is a venting or a venting device.The pressure limits allowing venting of the storage tank are specified in such a way that no exchange takes place between the interior of the storage tank (6) and the atmosphere during normal operation and that the supply pump is designed as a submersible pump (14) and is arranged immersed in the coolant level (10) in the storage tank (6).