Turbo Compressor Cooling Duct with Airflow Splitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems using turbo compressors face challenges in maintaining efficient operation when the load of heat exchangers decreases, as they often operate near the surge region, making it difficult to individually adjust cooling capacity and avoid surge conditions.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device and method that includes a duct with a cooler and an adjusting mechanism, allowing for the discharge of cooled air into the room, which adjusts the air supply to the cooling target, thereby reducing the refrigerant flow rate and preventing turbo compressor operation in the surge region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the cooling capacity is reduced to match the decreased load, then the energy efficiency improves, but the turbo compressor operates in the surge region causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcompressor operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow from the exhaust port is divided into two separate paths: one path directs air to the cooler for cooling before returning to the cooling target, while the other path directly returns air to the cooling target without cooling. This segmentation allows independent control of cooling capacity and compressor operation, enabling the system to reduce cooling capacity to match decreased load while maintaining sufficient refrigerant flow through the compressor to avoid surge region operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the refrigerant flow rate is reduced to match the decreased heat load, then the cooling capacity adjusts to the load, but the turbo compressor operates near the surge region

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacity adjustmentVSAvoidcompressor operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the air flow distribution between the cooler path and direct return path based on the heat load conditions. When the load decreases, more air is directed through the direct return path while less goes through the cooler, maintaining adequate refrigerant circulation. This dynamic adjustment allows the cooling capacity to adapt to varying loads while keeping the compressor operating outside the surge region through sufficient refrigerant flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the cooling air flow is completely stopped to avoid surge, then the compressor operates stably, but the cooling target cannot be cooled when load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor operation stabilityVSAvoidcooling capacity adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow distribution is dynamically adjusted based on cooling demands. When the load increases, the system increases the proportion of air directed through the cooler path to provide adequate cooling capacity. When the load decreases, more air is directed through the direct return path to maintain compressor stability. This dynamic control enables the system to provide full cooling capacity when needed while maintaining compressor stability through adequate refrigerant flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution allows for flexible adjustment of cooling capacity, preventing turbo compressor surge and optimizing refrigerant flow, ensuring efficient operation across varying loads and temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a cooler that is provided in the duct and cools the air flowing inside the duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

an adjusting mechanism that is located on a downstream side of the cooler, adjusts an amount of the air discharged from the duct into a room where the cooling target is installed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow control:

Data Source

PatentUS11683912B2Cooling device, cooling system, and cooling method
Publication Date: 2023.06.20 NEC CORP
  • US11683912B2 patent drawing
  • US11683912B2 patent drawing
  • US11683912B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A cooling device includes: a duct that guides air that has absorbed heat generated inside a cooling target and has been discharged, to the cooling target; a cooler that is provided in the duct and cools the air flowing inside the duct; and an adjusting mechanism that is located on a downstream side of the cooler, adjusts an amount of the air discharged from the duct into a room where the cooling target is installed.