Vacuum-Enclosure Vehicle AC with Phase-Change Thermal Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressor-driven air-conditioning systems in motor vehicles consume excessive energy, reducing fuel economy and driver comfort, and lack the ability to provide immediate cooling before engine start.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning system utilizing a vacuum enclosure with a single adsorption bed and phase change material, employing a dual-mode operation to circulate heat exchange fluids through a radiator, evaporator/condenser, and phase change material vessel, with a heat recovery circuit to capture and store heat, allowing for efficient cooling and heating without the need for multiple adsorber sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional compressor-driven AC system is used, then cooling function is provided, but energy consumption increases and fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compressor-driven AC system with a vacuum-based adsorption system. The vacuum enclosure creates a pressure differential that drives refrigerant vapor from the evaporator/condenser to the adsorption bed without mechanical compression, eliminating the need for a compressor motor and reducing energy consumption while maintaining cooling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transitions of the refrigerant (evaporation, condensation, adsorption, and desorption) to provide cooling. The refrigerant evaporates in the evaporator/condenser absorbing heat, condenses on the cold plates, and the cycle is driven by pressure differential created by vacuum, replacing mechanical compression with phase change-driven transport.
2Reliability
If multiple adsorber sections are used, then cooling capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the evaporator/condenser and adsorption bed into a single vacuum enclosure, merging multiple functions into one integrated system. The cold plates serve dual purposes as both heat exchange surfaces and structural components, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum enclosure serves multiple functions: it provides the vacuum environment for pressure differential-driven refrigerant transport, contains the evaporator/condenser and adsorption bed, and the cold plates serve as both heat exchange surfaces and structural support, eliminating the need for separate insulation and support structures.
3Ease of operation
If AC system operates only after engine start, then system simplicity is maintained, but driver comfort deteriorates due to lack of preconditioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preconditioning by allowing the vacuum pump to operate before engine start and create vacuum in the enclosure, storing cold refrigerant in the evaporator/condenser. When the engine starts, the pre-cooled system immediately provides cooling without delay, improving driver comfort while using the same basic components.
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 system enhances fuel economy, reduces AC accessory loads, and provides instant cooling or heating by leveraging phase change materials and heat recovery, improving cabin comfort while minimizing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The first section includes an adsorption bed for adsorbing refrigerant vapor
Implementation Method 2
a vessel, including a phase change material, downstream from the core
Implementation Method 3
a first heat exchange fluid is circulated through the radiator and the first section and a second heat exchange fluid is circulated through the second section, the core and the vessel
Implementation Method 4
an exhaust gas heat exchanger, a third heat exchange fluid pump and a third heat exchange fluid circulated through the exhaust gas heat exchanger to capture heat
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning system is provided for a motor vehicle. That system includes a vacuum enclosure having a refrigerant, a first section and a second section. The system further includes a radiator, a core and a phase change material vessel downstream from the core. A conduit and valve system operate the air-conditioning system in two modes of operation.