Thermal Transport Bus With Bypass Valves for Aircraft Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal management systems in aircraft inefficiently utilize heat exchangers, leading to operational inefficiencies and accelerated degradation due to pressure fluctuations of the heat exchange fluid, as some heat exchangers operate at maximum capacity while others are underutilized or not used at all, and pressure deviations from desired ranges affect system efficiency and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system with a thermal transport bus, heat source and sink heat exchangers, bypass conduits, and valves that control fluid flow based on pressure to maintain the heat exchange fluid within a specified pressure range, and a heat transfer fluid mass control device to adjust fluid mass according to pressure, ensuring efficient heat transfer and pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heat exchangers are dedicated to specific accessory systems, then each system can be designed for maximum heat addition/removal capacity, but the heat exchangers operate inefficiently with some at maximum capacity while others are underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal thermal management system where heat exchangers can serve multiple accessory systems. The thermal transport bus allows any heat exchanger to handle thermal loads from any accessory system, enabling one heat exchanger to perform multiple functions and serve different systems at different times, thereby improving overall capacity utilization and reducing energy waste.
2Loss of energy
If heat exchangers are fluidly coupled together to share thermal loads, then thermal management efficiency improves, but pressure of heat exchange fluid may fall outside desired range causing reduced efficiency and accelerated degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pressure sensors that continuously monitor the pressure of heat exchange fluid in the thermal transport bus. This feedback is sent to a controller that adjusts the operation of heat exchangers and pumps to maintain pressure within desired ranges. When pressure deviates from the optimal range, the system automatically adjusts thermal load distribution or fluid flow rates to restore proper pressure levels, ensuring both efficiency and reliability.
3Productivity
If heat is added or removed from the thermal management system, then thermal loads are managed, but pressure deviations occur that affect system efficiency and longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives pressure feedback from sensors and adjusts heat addition/removal operations to maintain pressure within ranges that ensure system longevity. When pressure approaches limits that would cause degradation, the controller modulates heat exchanger operation or fluid flow to keep pressure in the optimal range, thereby extending system life while maintaining thermal management productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the thermal management system, where operating parameters such as heat exchanger capacity and fluid flow rates are continuously adjusted based on real-time pressure conditions. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt to changing thermal loads while maintaining pressure within safe ranges, preventing accelerated degradation and extending component life.
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 maintains the heat exchange fluid pressure within optimal ranges, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing wear by dynamically adjusting heat transfer based on thermal load variations, thereby improving the overall performance and longevity of the thermal management system.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source heat exchanger arranged along the thermal transport bus such that heat is added to the heat exchange fluid flowing through the heat source heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of heat sink heat exchangers arranged along the thermal transport bus such that heat is removed from the heat exchange fluid flowing through the plurality of heat sink heat exchangers
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management system for transferring heat between fluids includes a thermal transport bus through which a heat exchange fluid flows. Additionally, the system includes a heat source heat exchanger arranged along the bus such that heat is added to the fluid flowing through the heat source heat exchanger. Moreover, the system includes a plurality of heat sink heat exchangers arranged along the bus such that heat is removed from the fluid flowing through the plurality of heat sink heat exchangers. Furthermore, the system includes a bypass conduit fluidly coupled to the bus such that the bypass conduit allows the fluid to bypass one of the heat source heat exchanger or one of the heat sink heat exchangers. In addition, the system includes a valve configured to control a flow of the fluid through the bypass conduit based on a pressure of the fluid within the bus.