Systems and methods for capacity modulation through eutectic plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigeration systems in vehicles face inefficiencies and potential damage due to short cycling of compressors when refrigerated spaces reach setpoint temperatures quickly, leading to overcooling and excessive wear.

Innovation Solution

The refrigeration system includes eutectic plates and evaporators with control valves and a control module that manages fluid flow and compressor operation to maintain a minimum runtime and prevent overcooling, ensuring efficient allocation of system capacity and preventing short cycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the refrigeration system cools the refrigerated space quickly to reach setpoint temperature, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the compressor experiences short cycling and excessive wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling speedVSAvoidcompressor durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The eutectic plates are pre-cooled during compressor operation to store thermal energy. When the compressor shuts off, these pre-cooled plates continue the cooling process, allowing the compressor to avoid frequent short cycling while maintaining rapid cooling capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The eutectic plates provide continuous cooling action even when the compressor is not running. The phase change material maintains a constant temperature during phase transition, ensuring uninterrupted cooling effect and preventing compressor short cycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If the compressor runs continuously to prevent short cycling, then compressor durability is improved, but the refrigerated space may become overcooled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor durabilityVSAvoidrefrigerated space temperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The eutectic plates utilize phase change (solid-liquid transition) at a specific temperature to provide passive cooling. This phase transition occurs at constant temperature, automatically regulating the refrigerated space temperature and preventing overcooling while allowing the compressor to maintain minimum runtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The eutectic plates act as an intermediary thermal storage device between the compressor and the refrigerated space. They absorb and release thermal energy during phase change, mediating the temperature control and allowing the compressor to operate independently of immediate cooling demands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the system uses only active compressor cooling, then temperature control precision is improved, but energy consumption increases due to frequent cycling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidcompressor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from continuous compressor operation to periodic operation, where the compressor runs for extended periods to charge the eutectic plates, then shuts off while plates provide cooling. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption while maintaining temperature control precision through the phase change mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The eutectic plates change their thermal properties during phase transition, maintaining constant temperature despite heat input. This parameter change (phase state) provides precise temperature control without continuous compressor operation, reducing energy consumption while maintaining control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 prevents compressor damage and excessive wear while maintaining efficient cooling, avoiding overcooling and optimizing system capacity allocation.

Implementation Method 1

one or more eutectic plates and a plate control valve that is movable between a first position allowing fluid flow through the one or more eutectic plates and a second position restricting fluid flow through the eutectic plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

an evaporator and an evaporator control valve that is movable between a first position allowing fluid flow through the evaporator and a second position restricting fluid flow through the evaporator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS11014427B2Systems and methods for capacity modulation through eutectic plates

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 COPELAND LP

AI summary

A system may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a first working fluid flow path, and a second working fluid flow path. The first heat exchanger receives working fluid discharged from the compressor. The first working fluid flow path may receive working fluid from the first heat exchanger and may include a second heat exchanger and a first control valve that is movable between a first position allowing fluid flow through the second heat exchanger and a second position restricting fluid flow through the second heat exchanger. The second working fluid flow path may receive working fluid from the first heat exchanger and may include a third heat exchanger and a second control valve that is movable between a first position allowing fluid flow through the third heat exchanger and a second position restricting fluid flow through the third heat exchanger.