Method of control of thermal energy module background of the invention
US7832217B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/14
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control system measures the pressure/temperature of the refrigerant within a Thermal Energy Module having a heat exchanger and calculates the thickness of ice within the Thermal Energy Module. A controller calculates an integral starting from the moment when ice accumulation begins: I(t)=∫Tr(τ)*dτ where Tr is the refrigerant saturation temperature changing with time t. The thickness of the ice on one side of the heat exchanger can be calculated using the following formula: X=√(2*I*K*Ui/ρi/ci) where Ui is the thermal conductance of ice ρi is the density of the ice Ci is the latent heat of the ice K is a correction coefficient associated with the type of the heat exchanger.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.