Temperature Control System with Segmented Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature control systems require excessive amounts of expensive heat transfer media and lack responsiveness in controlling the temperature of a control target due to inefficient circulation and storage designs.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control system comprising independent circulation circuits with adjustable heat transfer media, where a third circulation circuit with a wider temperature range circulates only through its own path without storage, and first and second circuits use less expensive media with narrower temperature ranges, allowing for efficient heat exchange and quick temperature adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a common heat exchange fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger, cooling side circulation circuit, and heating side circulation circuit, then the temperature control system can operate across a wide temperature range, but the amount of heat exchange fluid becomes excessively large and the temperature response becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circulation system into three independent circulation circuits (first, second, and third circulation circuits), each with its own heat transfer medium. This segmentation allows each circuit to use an optimal amount of fluid for its specific function, eliminating the need to circulate excessive amounts of a single fluid through all circuits. The third circulation circuit uses a small amount of expensive heat transfer medium only where needed for wide temperature range operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different heat transfer media with different properties to different circulation circuits based on their specific requirements. The third circulation circuit uses a heat transfer medium with wide usable temperature range only in the circuit where wide temperature operation is required, while other circuits use more economical fluids. This local optimization reduces overall fluid consumption while maintaining temperature control capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a common heat exchange fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger, cooling side circulation circuit, and heating side circulation circuit, then the system can maintain temperature stability, but the temperature of the heat exchange fluid cannot be changed quickly, reducing responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the circulation system into independent circuits, the patent enables each circuit to control its own fluid temperature independently. The third circulation circuit can quickly adjust its small volume of heat transfer medium temperature without being constrained by the thermal mass of a large common fluid system, thereby improving temperature response speed while maintaining stability through coordinated control of all circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic temperature control by allowing each circulation circuit to independently adjust its heat transfer medium temperature according to control target requirements. The independent circuits can dynamically respond to temperature changes without the inertia of a large common fluid system, achieving both speed and stability through coordinated operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a heat exchange fluid with wide usable temperature range is used, then the system can operate from low temperature to high temperature, but the cost of the heat exchange fluid becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the circulation system so that the expensive heat transfer medium with wide usable temperature range is used only in the third circulation circuit where wide temperature operation is required. The first and second circulation circuits use more economical heat transfer media, significantly reducing the total cost of heat transfer medium while maintaining the capability to operate across wide temperature ranges through coordinated operation of all three circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the expensive wide-range heat transfer medium locally only in the third circulation circuit where wide temperature adaptability is needed, rather than using it system-wide. This local application minimizes the quantity of expensive fluid required while preserving the temperature range capability where it is most needed.
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 reduces the use of expensive heat transfer media and enhances responsiveness in temperature control by optimizing media circulation and storage, allowing for precise temperature management with reduced media usage.
Implementation Method 1
a third flow-through section through which the third heat transfer medium flows and which exchanges heat with the first flow-through section
Implementation Method 2
a fourth flow-through section through which the third heat transfer medium flows and which exchanges heat with the second flow-through section
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control system is used for controlling a temperature of a control target. The system includes: a first circulation circuit through which a first heat transfer medium circulates; a second circulation circuit that is independent of the first circulation circuit and through which a second heat transfer medium circulates; and a third circulation circuit that is independent of the first circulation circuit and the second circulation circuit and through which a third heat transfer medium circulates. The third heat transfer medium has a usable temperature range wider than usable temperature ranges of the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium.