In-Transit Cooling Powertrain With Generator-Driven Compressor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for land vehicles and aircraft are not energy-efficient, as they rely on either internal combustion engines or electrical systems that consume excessive energy.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with an internal combustion engine driving a generator to power an electric compressor motor, along with a control unit to regulate the refrigeration output, utilizing a three-phase system and variable-frequency drives to optimize energy usage by matching power consumption with required refrigeration output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressor motor is powered by the vehicle's electrical system or formed as an internal combustion engine, then the cooling system can operate independently, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vehicle's internal combustion engine with a generator to create an integrated power generation system. The engine drives the generator, which produces electricity specifically for the compressor motor, merging the propulsion power source with the cooling system power supply to eliminate the need for separate high-power electrical systems in the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The generator acts as an intermediary component between the internal combustion engine and the compressor motor. It converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy suitable for driving the compressor, enabling efficient power transfer while allowing independent control of the cooling system operation.
2Power
If the internal combustion engine operates at high speed to deliver greater power, then sufficient electric power is available for the cooling system, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic speed control of the internal combustion engine through a control unit that adjusts the engine speed based on the actual cooling requirements. This allows the engine to operate at optimal speeds rather than constant high speed, matching power output to demand and improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining sufficient power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit modifies the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine, specifically the rotational speed, to optimize the balance between power output and energy efficiency. By changing these parameters dynamically according to cooling load requirements, the system achieves efficient operation across varying conditions.
3Device complexity
If the compressor motor speed is fixed, then the system structure is simpler, but the refrigeration output cannot be adapted to varying cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor motor is equipped with a variable-frequency drive that enables continuous adjustment of its rotational speed. This dynamic control capability allows the refrigeration output to be precisely adapted to varying cooling requirements while the control unit manages the speed variations, achieving versatility without excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the compressor motor, specifically its speed and frequency, to match the refrigeration output requirements. The variable-frequency drive enables stepless adjustment of these parameters, allowing the system to adapt efficiently to different cooling loads while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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
This configuration allows for energy-saving operation by adjusting the speed of the internal combustion engine and compressor motor proportionally, reducing energy consumption and enhancing efficiency in various refrigeration output ranges.
Implementation Method 1
an internal combustion engine (74) for driving the generator (76)
Implementation Method 2
a generator (76) coupled to the internal combustion engine (74) and feeding in electric power into an internal electrical supply system (80)
Implementation Method 3
an electric compressor motor (82) for driving the refrigerant compressor (24) and fed from the internal electrical supply system (80)
Implementation Method 4
a refrigeration circuit (22), in which a refrigerant compressor (24), a high-pressure-side heat exchanger (26), an expansion unit (30) and a low-pressure-side heat exchanger (32) are disposed
Data Source
AI summary
In order to improve a cooling system, in particular for in-transit cooling, comprising a refrigeration circuit, in which a refrigerant compressor, a high-side heat exchanger, an expansion unit and a low-side heat exchanger are disposed, an electric compressor motor for driving the refrigerant compressor and a control unit for controlling a refrigerating output of the refrigeration circuit, in such a way that it operates as far as possible in an energy-saving manner, it is proposed that the cooling system has a generator for feeding electric power into an internal electrical supply system of the cooling system, from which the compressor motor is fed, and in that an internal combustion engine is provided for driving the generator.