Two-Phase Thermal Loop with Rotary Separator for Reduced Liquid Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-phase liquid heat exchangers require large volumes of liquid for thermal management, leading to increased operating costs and inefficiencies in heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A dual-mode thermal management loop system incorporating a rotary separator, accumulator, evaporator, and condenser, which can operate in either powered-pump or passive-capillary modes, allowing for efficient fluid circulation and heat transfer by recirculating gas and liquid, and utilizing capillary pressure to manage varying heat loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If single-phase liquid heat exchangers are used, then heat transfer can be achieved, but large volumes of liquid are required leading to increased operating costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transitions by utilizing an evaporator to convert liquid refrigerant to vapor and a condenser to convert vapor back to liquid. This phase change mechanism enables efficient heat transfer with minimal liquid volume, directly resolving the contradiction between heat transfer effectiveness and liquid volume requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotary separator as an intermediary device that separates liquid and vapor phases after condensation. This mediator enables efficient phase separation and recirculation, allowing the system to achieve effective heat transfer while minimizing the total liquid volume required in the circuit
2Productivity
If single-phase liquid heat exchangers are used, then heat transfer is possible, but efficiency is reduced due to large liquid volume requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transitions in the evaporator and condenser to achieve high heat transfer efficiency. The latent heat of vaporization and condensation provides superior heat transfer coefficients compared to single-phase liquid heat exchangers, improving productivity while reducing liquid volume
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary separator dynamically separates liquid and vapor phases based on rotational motion and centrifugal forces. This dynamic separation mechanism efficiently manages phase distribution, enabling high heat transfer efficiency with minimal liquid inventory in the system
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 reduces operating costs and improves efficiency by optimizing fluid circulation and heat transfer, enabling effective management of heat loads through adaptive operation modes and minimizing liquid volume requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The rotary separator may be configured to recirculate gas to the condenser and to provide liquid to the accumulator
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator in fluid receiving communication with the accumulator
Implementation Method 3
identifying, by the processor, a heat transfer load on the dual-mode thermal management loop system
Implementation Method 4
a condenser in fluid receiving communication with the evaporator
Implementation Method 5
The evaporator is a porous media evaporator. Capillary pressure in the porous media evaporator may drive fluid circulation
Implementation Method 6
a pump that drives fluid circulation, wherein the pump pumps liquid from the accumulator to the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management loop system may include an accumulator, an evaporator in fluid receiving communication with the accumulator, a condenser in fluid receiving communication with the evaporator, and a rotary separator in fluid receiving communication with the condenser. Gas exiting the rotary separator may recirculate back to the condenser and liquid exiting the rotary separator may flow to the accumulator. The thermal management loop system may be a dual-mode system and thus may be operable in a powered-pump mode or a passive-capillary mode.