Temperature control apparatus for a gaseous medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature control devices for gaseous media, particularly those used in fuel measurement systems, face issues with sluggish heat exchangers that hinder rapid temperature changes and are prone to hairline cracks, which can lead to hydrogen penetration into the coolant, posing safety risks due to flammability.

Innovation Solution

A temperature control device with a diffusion layer between heat exchanger layers, using pyrolytic graphite foil to allow gas diffusion while preventing penetration into the coolant, combined with thermoelectric elements for precise temperature control and a counter-flow heat exchanger design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If heat exchanger layers are placed close together to improve heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer performance is improved, but the risk of gas penetration into coolant increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidgas penetration risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A diffusion layer made of pyrolytic graphite is introduced as an intermediary between the first heat exchanger layer (gas side) and the second heat exchanger layer (coolant side). This diffusion layer serves as a mediator that allows thermal energy to pass through while blocking the penetration of hydrogen gas into the coolant, thus resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and gas penetration risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If rapid temperature changes are implemented to improve temperature control speed, then temperature control responsiveness is improved, but thermal stress and hairline cracks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control speedVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The diffusion layer is made of pyrolytic graphite, which has a low coefficient of thermal expansion. This property allows the diffusion layer to accommodate rapid temperature changes without generating excessive thermal stress, thereby preventing hairline cracks and maintaining structural integrity while enabling fast temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

3Reliability

If diffusion layer is added to prevent gas penetration, then safety is improved, but heat transfer efficiency may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The diffusion layer utilizes the porous structure of pyrolytic graphite, which allows thermal energy to pass through efficiently while the pore structure and material properties prevent hydrogen gas penetration. This resolves the contradiction by providing a material that simultaneously ensures safety and maintains heat transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

Pyrolytic graphite is a composite material with unique properties combining high thermal conductivity with gas barrier properties. Using this composite material allows the diffusion layer to function both as a thermal conductor for efficient heat transfer and as a gas barrier for safety, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and heat transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Ensures rapid and accurate temperature control with enhanced safety by preventing gas penetration into the coolant, minimizing heat transfer degradation, and maintaining high thermal conductivity.

Implementation Method 1

A temperature control device with a diffusion layer between the heat exchanger layers, made of pyrolytic graphite, which allows the gas to escape and prevents its penetration into the coolant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

made of pyrolytic graphite, which allows the gas to escape and prevents its penetration into the coolant, while maintaining high thermal conductivity and compensating for thermal expansion differences

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

maintaining high thermal conductivity and compensating for thermal expansion differences

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS12590766B2Temperature control apparatus for a gaseous medium

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 AVL LIST GMBH

AI summary

A temperature control device for a gaseous media. The temperature control device includes a first heat exchanger layer in which a medium channel for a gas to be temperature-controlled is formed, a second heat exchanger layer which extracts heat from and/or supplies heat to the first heat exchanger layer, and a diffusion layer which is arranged between the first heat exchanger layer and the second heat exchanger layer. The diffusion layer is open to the gas to be temperature-controlled.