Systems and methods for a non-pressurized closed loop water sub-system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems face efficiency reductions due to contaminant entry in open hot and cold water sub-systems, which are non-pressurized, leading to compromised heat transfer performance.
Innovation Solution
A closed loop water sub-system with a heat exchanger and expansion tank configuration, where the expansion tank's fluid level is positioned below the heat exchanger's inlet, maintaining the membrane in a collapsed configuration to prevent contamination and enhance heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open non-pressurized water sub-systems are used, then the membrane can be maintained in a collapsed configuration for heat transfer, but contaminants may enter the sub-systems reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a closed loop water sub-system as an intermediary between the open environment and the heat exchanger membrane. This closed loop system acts as a mediator that allows heat transfer functionality while preventing direct exposure to environmental contaminants, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining collapsed membrane configuration and preventing contaminant entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed loop water sub-system creates a controlled, isolated environment that protects the internal components (membrane and heat exchange fluids) from external contamination. By establishing this inert/protected environment, the system maintains reliability and heat transfer efficiency without being affected by external harmful factors.
2Reliability
If the expansion tank fluid level is positioned below the heat exchanger inlet, then the membrane is maintained in a collapsed configuration, but this requires specific vertical positioning constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by positioning the expansion tank below the heat exchanger inlet, allowing gravity and fluid pressure to naturally maintain the membrane in a collapsed configuration. This hydraulic arrangement eliminates the need for complex mechanical support structures or active control mechanisms, achieving reliability through passive fluid pressure management.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a closed loop configuration is used, then contaminant entry is prevented, but the system requires an expansion tank with specific positioning relative to the heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the expansion tank and heat exchanger into an integrated closed loop water sub-system where the positioning relationship between components serves dual purposes: preventing contaminant entry through closed loop configuration and maintaining membrane collapse through gravitational/hydraulic positioning. This merging reduces the need for separate control mechanisms.
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 closed loop configuration prevents contaminant entry, maintains the membrane in a collapsed state for increased heat transfer efficiency, and ensures the HVAC system operates at optimal performance by maintaining the membrane in a collapsed configuration, enhancing the heat transfer coefficient and overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The expansion tank is positioned relative to the heat exchanger such that the inlet height is greater than the level height and the membrane is maintained in a collapsed configuration
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchanger enables the HVAC system to exchange heat between multiple heat exchange fluids simultaneous
Implementation Method 3
The closed loop sub-system transfers heat from the heat exchanger to the refrigerant sub-system and includes an expansion tank containing the first fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system includes first and second fluids, a heat exchanger, a refrigerant sub-system, and at least one closed loop sub-system. The heat exchanger includes a membrane for channeling the first fluid through the heat exchanger and is disposed for heat transfer between the first fluid and the second fluid. The membrane defines an inlet having an inlet height relative to grade. The closed loop sub-system transfers heat from the heat exchanger to the refrigerant sub-system and includes an expansion tank containing the first fluid. A level of the first fluid within the expansion tank has a level height relative to grade. The expansion tank is positioned relative to the heat exchanger such that the inlet height is greater than the level height and the membrane is maintained in a collapsed configuration.