Wet dry integrated circulation cooling system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wet-dry integrated circulation cooling systems lack efficient control mechanisms for conditional temperature-dependent operation, leading to suboptimal performance and energy inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed system integrates an air cooling sub-system and a wet surface cooling sub-system with a control mechanism that selectively operates these sub-systems based on temperature sensors in the water circulation and ambient temperature, ensuring optimal cooling performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wet surface cooling sub-system and air cooling sub-system operate continuously, then cooling performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the operation of wet surface cooling and air cooling sub-systems based on real-time temperature sensor data. The control selectively operates sub-systems based on sensed water circulation temperature and ambient temperature, transitioning between different cooling modes (wet-only, air-only, or combined) to optimize energy consumption while maintaining adequate cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If wet surface cooling sub-system operates, then cooling efficiency increases, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control system changes operational parameters by selectively activating or deactivating the wet surface cooling sub-system based on temperature conditions. When ambient temperature and water circulation temperature indicate sufficient cooling can be achieved through air cooling alone, the control reduces water consumption by operating the air cooling sub-system exclusively, thereby adjusting the water consumption parameter in response to environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If control mechanism is added to selectively operate sub-systems, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control mechanism utilizes feedback from temperature sensors positioned in the water circulation system and ambient environment to automatically determine the optimal cooling configuration. This feedback-based control selectively operates wet surface cooling and air cooling sub-systems based on sensed temperature conditions, improving energy efficiency through automated decision-making without requiring complex manual intervention systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 enables efficient and flexible operation of the cooling system, optimizing energy use and extending the life of turbomachinery components by maintaining higher operating temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a wet surface cooling sub-system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporative cooling: Evaporative Cooler

Implementation Method 2

an air cooling sub-system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3926279B1Wet dry integrated circulation cooling system
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP3926279B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

An integrated circulating water cooling system includes at least one load (20); an air cooling sub-system (30); a wet surface cooling sub-system (50); at least one temperature sensor (92); a control (70); and a coolant circulation sub-system for fluidly circulating coolant from the at least one load (20) to the air cooling sub-system (30) to the wet surface cooling sub-system (50) and back to the at least one load (20). The control (70) selectively operates the wet surface cooling sub-system (50) and the air cooling sub-system (30) based on at least one of temperature sensed in the water circulation sub-system (80); or sensed ambient temperature.