System and method for operating plurality of evaporator units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The operation of multiple evaporator units generates high noise due to high-speed fans, making it difficult to maintain both cooling efficiency and noise levels within desirable ranges, especially in densely populated areas.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that adjusts the fan speeds of evaporator units between different operational modes, such as cooling and defrost modes, to optimize cooling efficiency and reduce noise levels by varying fan speeds, including stopping fans during defrost mode and adjusting speeds by factors of 10% to 60% relative to default speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fans operate at high speeds to facilitate high volume of air through evaporator units, then cooling efficiency is improved, but noise levels increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic fan speed adjustment based on operational requirements. The controller varies fan speeds between different operational modes (cooling, defrost, pre-cooling) rather than maintaining constant high speed, thereby achieving adequate cooling efficiency while significantly reducing noise levels during non-peak operational periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of fan speed to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting fan speed as a variable parameter based on operational mode and cooling load requirements, the system achieves optimal balance between cooling efficiency and noise reduction, placing evaporator units in densely populated regions without disturbing human activity
2Power
If multiple evaporator units are used to extract heat from large capacity pump, then heat extraction capability is improved, but collective noise from all units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the operation of multiple evaporator units through independent control of each unit's fan speed. The controller manages each evaporator unit separately, allowing some units to operate at reduced speeds or in different modes while others maintain higher performance, thereby distributing the heat extraction load while reducing collective noise output
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of individual evaporator units based on real-time conditions. By varying fan speeds and operational modes across different units rather than running all at maximum capacity, the system maintains adequate heat extraction capability while significantly reducing the collective noise footprint
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 maintains cooling efficiency while significantly reducing noise levels, allowing evaporator units to operate within desired ranges, thus enabling their placement in densely populated regions without disturbing human activity.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of evaporator units may include an array of evaporator units coupled to a heat exchanger, which may be configured to facilitate heat exchange between the pump and circulating cooling fluid
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange between the pump and circulating cooling fluid
Implementation Method 3
heat exchange between the pump and circulating cooling fluid
Implementation Method 4
The fans may be operated at high speeds in order to facilitate a high volume of air through a cross-section of the fans to effect optimum cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for operating a plurality of evaporator units is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a controller communicably coupled to each evaporator unit, a current state of operation of the respective evaporator unit. A state of operation of each evaporator unit includes first and second modes of operation. The method includes receiving, by the controller, a current speed of a fan of the respective evaporator unit. Responsive to the state of operation of the plurality of evaporator units, the method further includes operating, by the controller, each of the plurality of evaporator units, to change the speed of the respective fans from a first speed to a speed different from the first speed. Operation of the fans of the plurality of evaporator units at the speed different from the first speed enables the plurality of evaporator units to operate within a desirable range of cooling efficiency.