INTEGRATED THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

Disclosed herein, is an integrated thermal management system that efficiently manages the heat or cold flows while minimizing the energy loss and the space requirements with lower operational costs. The system herein comprises a distributed network of heat exchanging means with a flowing heat collector, the heat collector adapted to collect the waste heat from a plurality of sources through a thermal connection between each of the sources and the heat collector and the consumers. A centralized control unit is embedded in the system to control the extraction and absorption of heat between the heat collector and the sources and a centralized dissipation unit for releasing the extracted waste heat to the ambient air.

Claims

1. An integrated thermal management system comprising: a distributed network of heat-exchanging means; a heat collector flowing in said heat exchanging means and adapted to collect waste heat emanating from a plurality of sources (108) including multiple heat/cold generators and consumers, wherein said heat exchanging means are thermally coupled to each of said sources (108) for exchange of heat therebetween; a centralized control unit (120) configured to control/regulate extraction/absorption of heat between said heat collector and said sources (108); and a centralized dissipation unit (102) to release said extracted waste heat to the ambient air.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat collector is a liquid-based working fluid.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said centralized control unit comprises a processing module, a plurality of control valves, and a central supply pump collaboratively regulating the total mass flow of said heat collector and partial mass flow in the parallel connected heat exchangers within said distributed network of heat exchanging means.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat exchanging means comprises a plurality of heat exchangers and connecting pipes configured in a parallel and series configuration, forming a heat exchanging circuit.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said centralized dissipation unit comprises a liquid-to-air heat exchanger for releasing said extracted waste heat to said ambient air.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a refrigeration unit with input and output disposed within said network to exchange cold flows with a plurality of refrigeration consumers.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said plurality of refrigeration consumers includes food refrigeration, gas separation, and liquefaction.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a heat pump with its inputs and outputs disposed within said network to exchange heat with said heat collector, to utilize an additional heat output in various heat consumers.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plurality of heat consumers includes room air heating, engine preheating, and supply of process heat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram explaining the working of an integrated thermal management system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words comprising, having, containing, and including, and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0023] In an embodiment, it must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.

[0024] In an embodiment, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters outlined in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximationsthat can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.

[0025] In an embodiment, the term or is generally employed in its sense including and/or unless the content dictates otherwise.

[0026] Spatially relative terms, such as inner, outer, beneath, below, lower, above, upper and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as below or beneath other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the example term below can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0027] The present disclosure relates to an integrated thermal management system specifically designed to efficiently integrate various sources of heat/cold generation and sinks of heat and cold consumption, thereby combining the waste heat dissipation, reducing space consumption, and ensuring a seamless flow of heat/cold (Q) from the sources. Such optimizations collectively enhance the overall operational efficiency of the system.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an integrated thermal management system 100. The thermal management system 100 comprises a distributed network of heat-exchanging means flows with a heat collector. The heat collector is adapted to collect waste heat from a plurality of sources 108 all configured within a thermal connection to the network of heat-exchanging means. A centralized control unit 120 is seamlessly integrated with the system and configured to control the absorption/extraction of heat between the heat collector and the sources 108 by regulating the total mass flow and the distribution of the heat collector therefore, minimizing the energy expenditure through pumps, heat pumps and chillers A centralized dissipation unit 102 is disposed within the network of heat-exchanging means to effectively release the waste heat absorbed by the heat collector, to the ambient air.

[0029] The distributed network of heat exchanging means comprises a plurality of heat exchangers 112 and connecting pipes 114. The heat exchanger 112 and the connecting pipes 114 are arranged in a parallel and series configuration to form a heat-exchanging circuit within the system. The distributed network of heat-exchanging means is coupled to each of the sources 108, such that each of the sources 108 is in thermal connection with a specific heat exchanger 112.

[0030] The above-mentioned configuration, of heat exchangers 112 and sources 108 facilitates the convective exchange of heat between the various sources 108 and the heat collector, which flows within the heat exchanging circuit. The heat collector is preferably a liquid-based working coolant that is adapted to collect waste heat from the heat generators and transfer the collected heat to the plurality of sources 108. The plurality of source 108 includes various heat/cold generators and consumers, wherein the heat consumers may include a heat pump, heating rod, and heating processes and the cold generators may include e.g., refrigeration units, and air-conditioning units.

[0031] In an embodiment, the heat collector may include, but is not limited to ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, mineral oil, dielectric fluids, and water.

[0032] In another embodiment, the heat exchangers 112 could be liquid-liquid heat exchangers, arranged in an energy-optimized manner and compactly incorporated in a space-efficient manner within the distributed network of heat exchanging means, so that entropy production or energy loss or the need for additional energy generation is minimized.

[0033] Further, a central pump 116 is installed in the distributed network of the heat exchanging means. The central pump 116 is operated by the centralized control unit 120 configured to facilitate the circulation of the heat collector within the heat exchanging circuit for extraction/absorption of heat between the heat collector and the sources 108.

[0034] In another embodiment, the centralized control unit 120 comprises a processing module configured to activate the central pump 116 to regulate the overall mass flow rate of the heat collector within the heat-exchanging circuit.

[0035] In an alternate embodiment, the centralized control unit 120 further comprises multiple control valves 106 strategically positioned within the heat exchanging circuit to collaboratively work with the central pump 116, to regulate the total mass flow rate of the heat collector in the system, The cooperative operation of the central pump 116 and the control valves 106 ensures a consistent circulation of the heat collector at the desired flow rate.

[0036] In another embodiment, the total mass flow of the heat collector is distributed throughout the system using the central pump 116 in conjunction with control valves 106, to ensure the optimal thermal performance of the system.

[0037] In a further embodiment, the control valves 106 along with the central pump 116 regulate the flow of the heat collector to absorb or release heat/cold flow (Q) at different temperature and output levels. The controlled flow of the heat collector allows the system to dynamically respond to the varying thermal requirements, thereby enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in heat management.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the centralized control unit 120 continuously monitors the temperatures of the heat collector while entering or exiting the distributed network of heat-exchanging means.

[0039] After the collection of waste heat from all sources, the central pump 116 redirects the heat collector to the centralized dissipation unit 102 disposed into the distributed network of heat exchanging means. The centralized dissipation unit 102 releases the extracted waste heat to the ambient environment. The centralized dissipation unit 116 may comprise a liquid-to-air heat exchanger, which is configured to convectively exchange the absorbed heat of the heat collector with the ambient air, thereby releasing the extracted waste heat to the ambient air.

[0040] In an alternate embodiment, the thermal management system further comprises a refrigeration unit 104 having an inlet and an outlet disposed within the distributed network of heat-exchanging means. The refrigeration unit (KM) 104 is configured to exchange cold flows within the system, such that the cold flows are utilized by a plurality of refrigeration consumers. In particular, the refrigeration machine may not dissipate waste heat into the distributed network of the system and may transfer waste heat directly to the ambient air. The plurality of refrigeration consumers includes food refrigeration, gas separation, and liquefaction which absorb the cold flows from the refrigeration unit for the required cooling purposes.

[0041] In another alternate embodiment, the proposed system further comprises a heat pump (WP) 110 with its inlet and outlets integrated within the distributed network of heat-exchanging means. Such that, the heat collector absorbs additional heat output from the heat pump (WP) 110, to utilize the additional heat as a useful heat in different heat consumers. The heat consumer refers to room air heating, hot water, engine preheating, and general process heat.

[0042] In accordance with the above embodiments, the heat or cold flows provided by heat pumps 110 or chillers respectively, are incorporated into the heat exchanging circuit of the thermal management system. These flows are introduced on both the cold and hot sides of the heat-exchanging circuit. This integration enables the utilization of combined chillers, which can efficiently transfer heat or cold between the fluid streams. The heat pump and chillers are liquid-liquid heat exchangers that deliver high efficiency while requiring minimum possible space. By incorporating heat pumps or chillers, the thermal management system gains versatility in utilizing various heat sources or sinks. Additionally, it allows for the utilization of electrical drive power as a heat source, enhancing the overall energy efficiency of the system.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure extends beyond its primary role of heat and cold transfer through an integrated heat exchanger and may also support material extraction, which allows for the transfer of heat and cold to occur at a spatial distance from the thermal management system itself. Material extraction involves the removal of a substance, such as the heat collector fluid carrying heat or cold, from the thermal management system (TMS) and transporting it to another location where heat or cold transfer is desired. This process enables the TMS to be utilized in places where direct physical proximity to the heat or cold source is not feasible or practical.

[0044] The material extraction may enhance the flexibility and adaptability of the thermal management system and also allow for retrofitting or modification of the system to accommodate new purposes or applications thereby, ensuring its effectiveness in diverse applications and environments.

[0045] Further, in a thermal management system, material extraction is useful in managing heat load fluctuations and enhancing thermal energy storage. Additionally, removing material can expose more surface area, improving heat dissipation and reducing hotspots.

[0046] In an embodiment, the thermal management system can be integrated into stationary energy supply systems such as micro gas turbines, local heating/cooling networks, and e-charging stations. By efficiently managing heat and cold flows, the TMS enhances the overall performance and efficiency of these energy supply systems.

[0047] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the illustrated methodologies are shown and described as a series of blocks/steps, it is to be appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks can occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from that shown and described. Moreover, less than all the illustrated blocks may be required to implement an example methodology. Blocks may be combined or separated into multiple components. Furthermore, additional and/or alternative methodologies can employ additional, not illustrated blocks.

[0048] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific details, the representative embodiments, and the illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0049] The methodology and techniques described for the exemplary embodiments can be performed using a machine or other computing device within which a set of instructions when executed may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client-user machine in a server-client-user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

[0050] The invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that moreover, although the present various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, and composition of matter, means, methods, and steps described in the specification. As one will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

[0051] The preceding description has been presented with reference to various embodiments. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this application pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principle, spirit, and scope.