Gain-scheduling control of vapor compression cycle for transient heat-flux removal. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Zehao; Pollock, Daniel T.; Wen, John T.
• Is Part Of: Control engineering practice. Volume 39(2015)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Vapor compression cycle (VCC) -- Critical heat-flux (CHF) -- Robust control -- Thermal management -- Gain-scheduling -- Electronics cooling; Automatic control -- Periodicals; 629.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conengprac.2015.02.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-0661

Abstract

Abstract: Two-phase cooling is attractive for high heat-flux applications arising in high-power electronics such as LEDs, all-electric vehicles, and radar systems. A key challenge is critical heat-flux that could cause device damage due to dryout. This paper discusses a systematic design of robust and gain-scheduled controls for dryout avoidance in vapor compression cycles. Linear models from various operating points (OP) are clustered to reduce model nonlinearity. H ∞ controllers are synthesized to reach local robust stability. The gain-scheduled controller combining local controllers and OP switching shows excellent disturbance rejection performance in experimental comparison with the open-loop operation. Abstract : Highlights: The key objective of control for transient/electronics cooling is dryout avoidance. Nonlinearity is better divided with endogenous signals than evaporator heat-load. A gain-scheduled controller was designed by blending local robust controllers. Static optimization guarantees optimal and safe operations of VCC at steady state. Combining control and operating point switching enhances disturbance rejection.