Two-phase thermal pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems face inefficiencies due to the need for mechanical pumps, which consume energy and are costly to maintain, and open systems waste cooling fluid by releasing vaporized nitrogen, while closed systems cannot utilize the cooling fluid as fuel.

Innovation Solution

A thermal system that uses a fluid storage tank with a first heat exchanger to heat the cooling fluid, which then passes through a second heat exchanger to exchange heat with a heat load, utilizing thermal energy to create a pumping effect without mechanical pumps and allowing the cooling fluid to be combusted for energy recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a mechanical pump is used to cycle cooling fluid in a closed system, then the cooling fluid can be preserved and reused, but energy is consumed and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pump with a thermal pump mechanism that uses heat exchange to drive fluid circulation. The cooling fluid is heated in the evaporator, creating density differences that naturally drive flow through the system without mechanical components, thereby eliminating energy consumption and maintenance needs while maintaining system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transitions of the cooling fluid (liquid to vapor in evaporator, vapor to liquid in condenser) to create the pumping effect. The phase change creates pressure and density differences that naturally circulate the fluid through the system, replacing the need for mechanical pumps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Loss of substance

If vaporized liquid nitrogen is released through a relief valve to maintain saturation conditions, then the nitrogen remains in liquid state, but the vaporized nitrogen is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitrogen lossVSAvoidsaturation temperature maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers the vaporized nitrogen that would otherwise be wasted through the relief valve. The vapor is redirected to a combustion chamber where it is burned to generate power, and the resulting hot gas then heats the liquid nitrogen in the storage tank, creating a useful cycle that eliminates nitrogen loss while maintaining saturation conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful waste (vaporized nitrogen release) into a beneficial resource (combustion fuel). The vaporized nitrogen is combusted to generate power and heat, transforming what was previously a loss into a useful energy source that supports the cooling system operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If pure nitrogen is used as cooling fluid, then it is inert and safe, but it cannot be combusted as fuel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel utilization capabilityVSAvoidinertness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the cooling fluid by introducing a hydrocarbon component to the nitrogen. This creates a combustible mixture that can be burned in the combustion chamber to generate power, while still maintaining the cooling properties needed for the system to function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 eliminates the need for mechanical pumps, reduces energy consumption, and enables the cooling fluid to be used as a fuel, enhancing efficiency and reducing waste, while maintaining the cooling system's effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a first heat exchanger configured to release heat into the stored cooling fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a second heat exchanger disposed fluidly downstream of the fluid storage tank and configured to exchange heat between the cooling fluid and a heat load

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

utilizing thermal energy to create a pumping effect without mechanical pumps

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal pumping: Thermosyphon

Implementation Method 4

heating cooling fluid stored in a fluid vessel with combusted cooling fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS11619146B2Two-phase thermal pump

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 ROLLS ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A fluid storage tank can be configured to store a cooling fluid in a liquid state and a gas state. A first heat exchanger can be configured to release heat into the fluid storage tank. A second heat exchanger can be disposed fluidly downstream of the fluid storage tank and configured to exchange heat between the cooling fluid and a heat load. A pressure control device can be disposed fluidly downstream of the second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger can be fluidly downstream of the second heat exchanger such that cooling fluid, after being heated in the second heat exchanger, passes through the first heat exchanger and thereby heats upstream cooling fluid resident in the fluid storage tank.