Testbed Mixing Unit for Rapid Operating Medium Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conditioning systems for test stands face challenges in rapidly and precisely controlling the temperature of operating media in test specimen circuits due to high thermal inertia, leading to inadequate control of rapid temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A conditioning unit with a mixing unit that divides the main power line into partial flow lines, allowing for adjustable mixing ratios of preconditioned and unconditioned operating media to achieve the target temperature quickly, while minimizing pressure loss and ensuring a homogeneous mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional conditioning system is used to control temperature of operating medium, then temperature stability is maintained, but rapid temperature changes cannot be achieved quickly due to high thermal inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The main flow line is divided into multiple partial flow lines, allowing the operating medium to be split into separate streams that can be independently conditioned. This segmentation enables parallel temperature adjustment paths, significantly increasing the system's response speed to temperature changes while maintaining overall temperature stability through coordinated control of all streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the flow distribution among partial flow lines based on real-time temperature requirements. By varying the flow rates in different partial streams independently, the system can rapidly respond to temperature change demands while maintaining precise control over the final mixed temperature, resolving the contradiction between speed and stability.
2Speed
If the main flow line is divided into partial flow lines for rapid temperature adjustment, then temperature control speed improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow line is segmented into multiple partial streams that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows parallel temperature adjustment operations, dramatically improving response speed. The modular nature of segmented flow lines also makes the system more manageable and controllable despite the increased number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The partial flow lines serve multiple functions: they enable rapid temperature adjustment, provide independent control paths for different temperature zones, and can be selectively activated based on operational requirements. This multi-functionality justifies the increased structural complexity by delivering superior temperature control capabilities.
3Productivity
If mixing unit is integrated into test specimen circuit, then temperature conditioning efficiency improves, but pressure loss in circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flow into multiple partial streams, the mixing process is distributed across several parallel paths rather than a single congested path. This reduces flow resistance and pressure loss at the mixing point while maintaining high temperature conditioning efficiency through the combined effect of all partial streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing unit acts as an intermediary component that efficiently couples the conditioning system with the test specimen circuit. Its design minimizes pressure loss by optimizing the mixing geometry and flow distribution, allowing high productivity in temperature conditioning without excessive pressure penalties.
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
Enables rapid and precise temperature control in test specimen circuits by adjusting the flow of preconditioned and unconditioned media, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems in achieving desired temperature profiles.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing area is provided within the mixing unit, in which operating medium of the test specimen circuit to be conditioned is mixed with preconditioned operating medium from a conditioning circuit
Implementation Method 2
operating medium in one partial flow line can be conditioned to a predetermined conditioning temperature
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2~3
AI summary
To condition an operating medium in a test object circuit (PK) of a test object (P) on a test bench to a desired temperature as quickly as possible, the invention proposes providing a mixing unit (3), there being provided, in the mixing unit (3), a mixing region (28) in which operating medium of the test object circuit (PK) can be mixed with preconditioned operating medium from a conditioning circuit (KK) in order to condition the operating medium in the test object circuit (PK) to the predefined setpoint temperature (T_SOLL), there being provided, on the mixing unit (3), for the fluidic integration of the mixing unit (3) in the test object circuit (PK), at least one test object circuit supply connection (26a) and at least one test object circuit return connection (26b) which are fluidically connected to one another via the mixing region (28) in order to form a part of the test object circuit (PK), there being provided, on the mixing unit (3), for connection of the mixing unit (3) to a conditioning unit (2) of the conditioning system (1), at least one conditioning unit supply connection (27a) and at least one conditioning unit return connection (27b) which are fluidically connected to one another via the mixing region (28) in order to form a part of the conditioning circuit (KK) for the operating medium.