Vehicle AC Heat Exchanger Using Expanded Fluid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning systems in vehicles face inefficiencies in removing waste heat from refrigerant, particularly in alternative fuel vehicles that utilize compressed fluids, where the temperature drop of expanding fluids is not harnessed for cooling.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the vapor compression refrigeration loop and the outlet of a compressed fluid tank, which transfers heat from refrigerant to the expanded fluid, leveraging the cooling capacity of the expanded fluid to enhance waste heat removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional condenser is used to cool refrigerant, then the refrigeration cycle can operate, but the system requires additional components and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel tank outlet with the refrigeration cycle heat exchanger, merging two separate systems (fuel delivery and refrigerant cooling) into a single integrated thermal management system. The expanded fluid from the fuel tank directly cools the refrigerant in the heat exchanger, eliminating the need for a separate condenser and reducing overall system complexity and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger serves multiple functions: it acts as both the outlet for expanded compressed fluid from the fuel tank and the condenser for cooling refrigerant in the vapor compression cycle. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and improves overall system efficiency by utilizing the cooling potential of expanded fluid that would otherwise be wasted.
2Loss of energy
If the cooling capacity of expanded fluid is not utilized, then the system is simpler, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously wasted cooling effect of expanded compressed fluid into a useful resource. By directing the expanded fluid through a heat exchanger where it cools the refrigerant, the system transforms what was previously a discarded thermal effect into a beneficial cooling source, reducing waste heat and improving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own expanded compressed fluid to provide cooling for the refrigeration cycle, making the system self-sufficient. The fuel tank's own expanded fluid serves the dual purpose of fuel delivery and refrigerant cooling, eliminating the need for external cooling sources and reducing overall energy requirements.
3Productivity
If a larger condenser is used to improve heat removal, then cooling effectiveness increases, but component size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by introducing cold expanded fluid from the fuel tank into the heat exchanger. This parameter change (introducing a cold source) allows for more effective heat removal from the refrigerant without requiring a larger condenser, thereby maintaining high cooling effectiveness while reducing component size and weight.
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 approach increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the air conditioning system by utilizing the cooling capacity of expanded fluids, potentially reducing the need for a condenser and allowing for smaller, less costly components, while also benefiting the engine or fuel cell operation.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the first vapor compression refrigeration loop and to the outlet, where the heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from refrigerant carried by the first vapor compression refrigeration loop to the expanding or expanded fluid
Implementation Method 2
When compressed fluids expand rapidly, such as when a compressed fluid leaves a high pressure storage tank, the temperature of the fluid decreases
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A vehicle air conditioning system is provided. The vehicle air conditioning system includes a first vapor compression refrigeration loop 202. The first vapor compression refrigeration loop includes a first refrigerant compressor 204 and a first evaporator 206. The vehicle air conditioning system further includes a tank 210 for holding a compressed fluid, an outlet 214 configured to carry expanded fluid from the tank, and a heat exchanger 216 thermally coupled to the first vapor compression refrigeration loop and to the outlet. The heat exchanger 216 is configured to transfer heat from refrigerant carried by the first vapor compression refrigeration loop to fluid carried by the outlet, where the temperature of the fluid carried by the outlet has been reduced as a result of expansion of the fluid upon exiting the tank.