Multistage cooling of electronic components of an aircraft
The invention discloses the multistage cooling of an aircraft electronic system ( 2 ) with at least one electronic component which delivers heat. The multistage feature results from the use of a plurality of circuits for transferring the waste heat. An internal coolant ( 14 ) circulating in a closed circuit which is thermally coupled to the electronic component carries heat from the at least one electronic component to a heat exchanger ( 6 ) which delivers the heat to an external coolant which flows and/or circulates from a source outside of the aircraft electronic system ( 2 ) through the heat exchanger ( 6 ) to a sink outside of the aircraft electronic system ( 2 ). The internal coolant flows from the heat exchanger ( 6 ) in the direction of the at least one electronic component and/or circulates in a closed circuit.
1. A multistage cooling system for an aircraft electronic system including a plurality of electronic components, the multistate cooling system comprising,
a container containing the aircraft electronic system therein,
a heat exchanger, and
an inner circuit, partially defined by the container, in which a liquid or gas inner coolant in direct contact with at least one of the plurality of electronic components of the aircraft electronic system circulates through the heat exchanger, the inner circuit configured such that the inner coolant flows from the heat exchanger in the direction of the container,
an outer circuit in which a liquid outer coolant circulates through the heat exchanger,
a liquid cooling system, coupled to the outer circuit, to cool the liquid outer coolant, and
a valve, connectable between the outer circuit and a further water container, via which liquid outer coolant lost from the outer circuit is at least partially replaced by water from the further water container during operation of the aircraft electronic system,
wherein the heat exchanger is configured to deliver heat supplied thereto by the inner coolant to the liquid outer coolant supplied thereto from outside of the aircraft electronic system,
and wherein the liquid outer coolant is fresh water supplied from a fresh water container which flows through the outer circuit and to the further water container.
2. The multistage cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the inner circuit is thermally coupled to the plurality of electronic components so that the inner coolant cools the plurality of electronic components.
3. The multistage cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the inner coolant is gaseous.
4. The multistage cooling system of claim 3 , wherein the inner circuit is configured so that the inner coolant circulates through the inner circuit via natural convection.
5. The multistage cooling system of claim 3 , wherein the inner circuit is configured so that the inner coolant circulates through the inner circuit via forced convection.
6. The multistage cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the inner coolant is liquid.
7. The multistage cooling system of claim 6 , further comprising a valve, connectable between the inner circuit and a water system of the aircraft, via which liquid inner coolant lost from the inner circuit is at least partially replaceable by water from the water system during operation of the aircraft electronic system.
8. The multistage cooling system of claim 7 , wherein the water at least partially replacing the liquid inner coolant comprises additives admixed therewith.
9. The multistage cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising an adsorption cooling system, coupled to the heat exchanger, to cool outer coolant exiting the heat exchanger.
10. The multistage cooling system of claim 1 wherein the outer coolant further comprises additives admixed with the fresh water.
11. The multistage cooling system of claim 1 further comprising a first valve connecting the inner circuit to a feed line, wherein circulation of the inner coolant in the container is replaced by a stream of an additional coolant supplied from outside to the inner circuit when the first valve is opened.
12. The multistage cooling system of claim 11 , further comprising a second valve disposed in the inner circuit, wherein the inner coolant exits the inner circuit via the second valve when the second valve is opened.