Stable pumped two-phase cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for aircraft, particularly those using composite materials, face challenges with high-temperature pressurized air and the need for refrigerants like R-134a, which have environmental concerns and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The proposed cooling system incorporates a cold sink with multiple heat load cooling paths, a pressure regulating element along each path to create a consistent and increased pressure drop, and the use of alternative refrigerants like R-1234yf to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air cycle cooling is used, then cooling capability is provided, but composite components cannot withstand the high temperatures of pressurized air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a two-phase cooling fluid system as an intermediary between the heat source and composite components. The cooling fluid absorbs heat through phase change (liquid to vapor) and transports it away, preventing direct thermal contact between hot air and temperature-sensitive composite materials. This mediator approach allows effective heat removal while protecting components from thermal damage.
2Temperature
If vapor compression cycle with R-134a is used to achieve sub-ambient cooling, then cooling capability is provided, but system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the cooling fluid (liquid to vapor and back) as the primary cooling mechanism. The fluid absorbs latent heat during evaporation and releases it during condensation, providing efficient sub-ambient cooling. This phase-change approach is more weight-efficient than conventional vapor compression cycles because it eliminates or reduces the need for heavy mechanical compression components.
3Ease of operation
If pressure regulating elements are added to each cooling path, then flow distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into multiple independent cooling paths, each with its own pressure regulating element. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of flow distribution in each path, ensuring uniform cooling across all heat loads. While this increases the number of components, it provides precise control over two-phase flow distribution, which is critical for system performance.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional refrigerants are replaced with alternative refrigerants, then environmental impact is reduced, but system efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the cooling system by using alternative refrigerants with different thermodynamic properties. These parameter changes include selecting refrigerants with lower global warming potential and adjusting system operating conditions (pressure, temperature, flow rates) to optimize performance with the new refrigerant. This allows environmental improvement while maintaining system efficiency through careful parameter optimization.
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 solution provides efficient cooling for aircraft components, reduces system weight and complexity, and minimizes environmental impact by using lighter and more environmentally friendly refrigerants.
Implementation Method 1
each pressure regulating element arranged between the inlet and the heat load along each heat load cooling path and configured to cause a pressure drop in the cooling fluid prior to passing the cooling fluid to each heat load
Implementation Method 2
a cold sink comprising a plurality of heat load cooling paths, a heat load associated with each heat load cooling path
Implementation Method 3
The pressure drop caused by each pressure regulating element is the same and is a pressure drop greater than a maximum pressure drop across each heat load of a system without such pressure regulating elements
Data Source
AI summary
Cooling systems include a cold sink having a number of heat load cooling paths and a heat load associated with each cooling path. An inlet is configured to supply a cooling fluid into the cold sink and an outlet is configured to receive the cooling fluid after passing through the plurality of heat load cooling paths of the cold sink. A pressure regulating element is arranged along each cooling path, each pressure regulating element arranged between the inlet and the heat load along each cooling path and configured to cause a pressure drop in the cooling fluid prior to passing the cooling fluid to each heat load. The pressure drop caused by each pressure regulating element is the same and is a pressure drop greater than a maximum pressure drop across each heat load of a system without such pressure regulating elements.