Thermal management systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closed-cycle refrigeration systems are heavy and power-intensive, making them unsuitable for mobile platforms and applications requiring precise temperature control of high heat flux, highly temperature-sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system integrating open-circuit and closed-circuit refrigeration systems, utilizing an ejector and back-pressure regulator to efficiently manage refrigerant flow and vapor quality, reducing the need for large compressors and condensers, and allowing for precise temperature control of high heat flux loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional closed-circuit refrigeration system is used to handle large amounts of absorbed thermal energy, then the cooling capacity is sufficient, but the system weight and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system is divided into two separate circuits: a closed-circuit system for continuous cooling and an open-circuit system for handling high heat flux loads. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently, reducing the overall size and weight compared to a single large closed-circuit system.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system integrates both closed-circuit and open-circuit refrigeration capabilities into a single unified system that can handle diverse cooling requirements. The system can switch between or combine both circuit modes to address different thermal loads, making it universally applicable to various cooling scenarios.
2Quantity of substance
If a conventional closed-circuit refrigeration system is used to handle large amounts of absorbed thermal energy, then the cooling capacity is sufficient, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the refrigeration system into closed-circuit and open-circuit configurations, the system can selectively activate only the necessary circuit based on cooling demands. The open-circuit system handles high heat flux loads more efficiently with lower power consumption, while the closed-circuit system manages baseline cooling requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between closed-circuit and open-circuit modes depending on thermal load characteristics. This parameter change allows optimization of power consumption by using the more energy-efficient open-circuit configuration for high heat flux applications.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a conventional closed-circuit refrigeration system is used, then the system provides continuous cooling, but it is unsuitable for mobile platforms due to weight and power constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated thermal management system provides both continuous cooling through the closed-circuit system and on-demand high heat flux cooling through the open-circuit system. This multi-functionality makes the system adaptable to both stationary and mobile applications while maintaining continuous cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between closed-circuit and open-circuit modes based on real-time thermal demands. This dynamic operation allows the system to optimize performance for different应用场景, making it suitable for mobile platforms where cooling requirements vary over time.
4Quantity of substance
If a conventional closed-circuit refrigeration system is used, then the system handles thermal loads, but it cannot provide precise temperature control for highly temperature-sensitive components
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments temperature control into two specialized circuits: the closed-circuit system for general thermal load handling and the open-circuit system for precise temperature control of sensitive components. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the thermal management system have different functional qualities: the closed-circuit portion provides robust thermal handling, while the open-circuit portion provides precise temperature control. This local quality differentiation enables the system to address both general and specific temperature control requirements effectively.
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 effectively cools large and high heat flux loads with reduced size, weight, and power consumption, enabling precise temperature control suitable for mobile and space-based applications.
Implementation Method 1
an ejector having a primary flow inlet coupled to the refrigerant receiver outlet, the ejector configured to receive the refrigerant fluid
Implementation Method 2
a liquid separator having an inlet, a vapor side outlet, and a liquid side outlet
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator arrangement configured to extract heat from a heat load that is proximate or in contact with the evaporator arrangement
Implementation Method 4
extract heat from a heat load... converting at least a portion of the refrigerant fluid to a refrigerant vapor
Implementation Method 5
A thermal management system integrating open-circuit and closed-circuit refrigeration systems, utilizing an ejector and back-pressure regulator to efficiently manage refrigerant flow and vapor quality
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management system includes a refrigerant receiver having a refrigerant receiver outlet and a refrigerant receiver inlet, with the refrigerant receiver configured to store a refrigerant fluid, an ejector having a primary flow inlet coupled to receive the refrigerant fluid from the receiver, a secondary flow inlet and an outlet. The system also includes a liquid separator having an inlet, a vapor side outlet, and a liquid side outlet, an evaporator arrangement to extract heat from a heat load proximate or in contact with the evaporator arrangement, with the evaporator arrangement coupled to the ejector and the liquid separator, a closed-circuit refrigeration system having a closed-circuit fluid path including the refrigerant receiver, the evaporator arrangement, and the liquid separator, the closed-circuit refrigeration system configured to receive refrigerant fluid from the refrigerant receiver, and an open-circuit refrigeration system having an open-circuit fluid path that includes the receiver, the evaporator arrangement, and the liquid separator, that is configured to receive refrigerant fluid from the refrigerant receiver.