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.

I/we claim: 
     
         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.