Vertical Multi-Stage Cooling for Armored Vehicle Condensate Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armored vehicle cooling systems are not optimized for efficient air cooling, particularly in contaminated environments, where outside air must be cleaned and cooled before recirculation, leading to inefficiencies in condensate management and distribution.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage cooling system with two counterflow cooling stages arranged vertically, where the first stage receives cleaned outside air and the second stage receives pre-cooled air from the first stage and recirculated interior air, with a deflection part and condensate separator to facilitate gravity-driven condensate collection and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single cooling stage is used in armored vehicles, then the device complexity is reduced, but the air cooling efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two separate cooling stages (first cooling stage and second cooling stage) arranged vertically. The first cooling stage cools outside air, while the second cooling stage cools the mixture of outside air and recirculated air. This segmentation allows each stage to perform a specific cooling function, improving overall cooling efficiency without creating a single overly complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The two cooling stages are arranged in a vertical configuration with the first cooling stage positioned above the second cooling stage. This vertical arrangement utilizes the gravitational field to facilitate condensate drainage from the first stage to the second stage, adding a spatial dimension to the system design that improves both cooling efficiency and condensate management.
2Ease of operation
If air flows upward through cooling stages, then the cooling process is simplified, but condensate separation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging cooling stages in the conventional upward flow configuration, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the first cooling stage above the second cooling stage, creating a downward flow path. This inversion allows condensate to naturally drain from the first stage to the second stage under gravity, significantly improving condensate separation and collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical arrangement of cooling stages creates a gravitational potential gradient that facilitates spontaneous condensate flow from the upper first cooling stage to the lower second cooling stage. This use of gravitational potential difference eliminates the need for additional condensate pumping systems and simplifies the overall condensate management.
3Productivity
If multiple cooling stages are arranged horizontally, then the cooling capacity is increased, but the condensate collection becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of cooling stages to a vertical arrangement, utilizing the vertical dimension to enable gravity-driven condensate drainage. The first cooling stage is positioned directly above the second cooling stage, allowing condensate to flow naturally downward through the deflection part into the collection space, simplifying condensate management while maintaining high cooling capacity.
4Device complexity
If outside air is cooled directly without pre-cooling, then the system is simpler, but the overall cooling efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The first cooling stage performs preliminary cooling of outside air before it enters the second cooling stage. This pre-cooling action reduces the thermal load on the second cooling stage, allowing it to more efficiently cool the mixed air (outside air plus recirculated air). This two-stage approach with preliminary cooling significantly improves overall system cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling process is segmented into two distinct stages: the first cooling stage handles outside air pre-cooling, while the second cooling stage handles the mixed air cooling. This functional segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific task, with the first stage removing the bulk of the thermal load from outside air and the second stage providing final cooling to the mixed air stream.
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 configuration enhances air cooling efficiency, improves condensate separation and collection, and ensures effective distribution of cooled air into the vehicle interior, addressing the inefficiencies of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
the first cooling stage receives cleaned outside air to be cooled and the second cooling stage with the outside air pre-cooled by the first cooling stage
Implementation Method 2
the second cooling stage with the outside air pre-cooled by the first cooling stage and the circulating air sucked out of the vehicle interior
Implementation Method 3
a deflection part for deflecting the cooled air flow being provided below the second cooling stage
Data Source
AI summary
The device (1) has a blower (11) for conveying cooled air into a vehicle interior over an air distribution system. Cleaned external air to be cooled is fed to one cooling stage (7). The external air precooled by the stage and circulating air sucked from the interior are fed to the other cooling stage (8). The stages are arranged behind each other such that an air flow flows via the former stage during usage of the device in a gravitational force direction according to regulations and via the latter stage. A deflection part (9) is present below the latter stage to deflect the cooled air flow.