Refrigerant hammer arrestor and refrigerant loop incorporating that refrigerant hammer arrestor

[0027] Reference now figure 1 , Which schematically shows a new and improved refrigerant hammer eliminator 10. The refrigerant hammer eliminator 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 includes an internal compartment 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal compartment 14 communicates with a refrigerant line L located upstream of the shutoff valve V through an open end 15. The piston 16 is received in the housing 12. The piston 16 divides the internal compartment 14 into a first chamber 18 and a second chamber 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the piston 16 includes a hemispherical surface 21 for providing a smooth sliding motion along the inner wall of the housing 12 and two piston rings 22.

[0028] A damping mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral 24 is provided to slow the displacement of the piston 16 within the housing 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the damping mechanism 24 is provided in the second chamber 20.

[0029] The damping mechanism 24 is preferably a variable damping mechanism, which may be electric, mechanical, magnetic or hydrodynamic in nature. Thus, for example, the damping mechanism 24 may include an electromechanical damping mechanism, a fluid damping mechanism, a mechanical damping mechanism, and combinations thereof. More specifically, the damping mechanism may include, but is not necessarily limited to, any one or more of the following items: piezoelectric material, magnetic fluid, variable magnetic repulsion device, air damping fluid, liquid damping fluid (such as refrigerant), gaseous damping fluid (Such as nitrogen), springs, rubber damping elements and foam damping elements.

[0030] figure 1 The refrigerant hammer eliminator 10 shown is particularly suitable and suitable for dissipating fluid hammers or pressure fluctuations or pressure waves or eliminating fluid hammers or pressure fluctuations or pressure waves that are in response to It is caused when the refrigerant moving in the refrigerant line L is suddenly stopped or changed direction due to the operation of the shut-off valve V. Actually, the refrigerant hammer eliminator 10 is a pressure vessel that slows down the surge/change of refrigerant pressure caused by the operation of the refrigerant flow control device in the refrigerant circuit or refrigerant line L. Therefore, for example, when the shutoff valve V is closed, the refrigerant R in the refrigerant line L generates a shock wave W 1. Piston 16 responds to shock wave W 1 , In order to absorb shock waves due to the operation of the damping mechanism 24, so as to make W 2 The shock wave shown at is effectively dissipated.

[0031] The refrigerant hammer eliminator 10 can be incorporated into basically any refrigerant circuit in order to reduce noise, increase service life and extend the durability of the refrigerant circuit of the climate control system. This includes refrigerant circuits and climate control systems incorporated into motor vehicles.

[0032] Reference now Figure 2 to Figure 6 , Which is shown to include a refrigerant hammer eliminator (such as figure 1 Various embodiments of the refrigerant circuit of the refrigerant hammer eliminator 10) are shown.

[0033] figure 2 The first embodiment of the refrigerant circuit 26 is shown. The refrigerant circuit 26 includes a compressor 28, a condenser 30 located downstream of the compressor, a first expansion device 32 located downstream of the condenser, and a first expansion device 32 located between the first expansion device and the compressor. One evaporator 34. The first shut-off valve 36 is provided between the condenser 30 and the first evaporator 34. The first refrigerant hammer eliminator 38 is provided between the first shut-off valve 36 and the condenser 30. The first refrigerant hammer eliminator 38 may correspond to figure 1 The refrigerant hammer eliminator 10 is shown.

[0034] Such as figure 2 As further shown in, the refrigerant circuit 26 may also include an internal heat exchanger 40 located between the first refrigerant hammer eliminator 38 and the condenser 30 and between the first evaporator 34 and the compressor 28. The internal heat exchanger 40 helps to promote the supercooling of the condenser 30 and the superheating of the first evaporator 34 so that no refrigerant liquid enters the compressor 28.

[0035] The refrigerant circuit 26 may also include a pressure sensor 42 for monitoring the pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit. Furthermore, the refrigerant circuit 26 may include a second evaporator 44, a second expansion device 46, and a second shut-off valve 48, which are located between the condenser 30 and the compressor 28 and are connected to the first evaporator 34 and the first evaporator. The expansion device 32 and the first shut-off valve 36 are connected in parallel.

[0036] go a step further, figure 2 The shown refrigerant circuit 26 includes a battery cooler 50, a battery cooler expansion device 52, and a battery cooler shut-off valve 54, which are located between the condenser 30 and the compressor 28 and are connected to the first evaporator 34 and the first expansion device. The device 32 is connected in parallel with the first shut-off valve 36 and the second evaporator 44, the second expansion device 46 and the second shut-off valve 48.

[0037] in figure 2 In the refrigerant circuit 26 shown, the first refrigerant hammer eliminator 38 is located in the refrigerant inlet from the common refrigerant feed line 58 to the first shut-off valve 36, the first expansion device 32, and the first evaporator 34. In the feed line 56, the common refrigerant feed line 58 leads from the condenser 30 to (a) the first shut-off valve 36, the first expansion device 32, the first evaporator 34, and (b) the second shut-off valve 48. The second expansion device 46 and the second evaporator 44.

[0038] When the first shut-off valve 36 is opened and closed to control the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 26 to the first expansion device 32 and the first evaporator 34, the refrigerant hammer eliminator 38 is ideally positioned to pass this action Dissipate or weaken any shock wave or fluid hammer generated in the refrigerant.

[0039] image 3 Shows a second embodiment of the refrigerant circuit 60, which has the same figure 2 The refrigerant circuit 26 shown has a very similar architecture. For the purpose of brevity and conciseness of the description, the same structure includes the same reference numerals.

[0040] image 3 The shown refrigerant circuit 60 differs in one respect from figure 2 Shown refrigerant circuit 26: that is, a battery cooler refrigeration is provided in the refrigerant feed line 64 leading from the condenser 30 to the battery cooler shutoff valve 54, the battery cooler expansion device 52, and the battery cooler 50 Agent hammer eliminator 62. The battery cooler refrigerant hammer eliminator 62 may include figure 1 A refrigerant hammer eliminator 10 of the type shown.

[0041] It should be understood that the battery cooler refrigerant hammer eliminator 62 is ideally positioned in the refrigerant feed line 64 adjacent to the battery cooler shut-off valve 54 for cooling when the battery cooler shut-off valve 54 is opened or closed. Any fluid hammer, pressure fluctuation or pressure wave caused in the agent dissipates or eliminates any fluid hammer, pressure fluctuation or pressure wave.

[0042] Reference now Figure 4 , Which shows yet another refrigerant circuit 66. For the sake of brevity, likewise, the same structures are identified by the same reference numerals. The refrigerant circuit 66 and image 3 The difference in the refrigerant circuit 60 shown is that the refrigerant hammer eliminator 38 is eliminated. Therefore, the refrigerant circuit 66 includes only one refrigerant hammer eliminator, the battery cooler refrigerant hammer eliminator 62, which is used to eliminate the opening or closing of the battery cooler shut-off valve 54 to control the expansion of the refrigerant to the battery cooler. The fluid hammer, pressure fluctuation or pressure wave caused by the flow of the device 52 and the battery cooler 50 or causes the fluid hammer, pressure fluctuation or pressure wave to dissipate.

[0043] Figure 5 A further possible embodiment of the refrigerant circuit 68 is shown. Likewise, the same structures with exactly the same functions are identified by the same reference numerals, and for the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail. In this embodiment, the refrigerant hammer eliminator 70 is provided in the common refrigerant feed line 58 upstream of (a) the first shut-off valve 36 and (b) the second shut-off valve 48. The shutoff valve 36 is used to control the flow of refrigerant to the first expansion device 32 and the first evaporator 34, and the second shutoff valve 48 controls the flow of refrigerant to the second expansion device 46 and the second evaporator 44. In this position, a single refrigerant hammer eliminator 70 is ideally positioned to eliminate the opening or closing of either the first shut-off valve 36 or the second shut-off valve 48 to control the refrigerant to the corresponding Any fluid hammer or pressure fluctuation or pressure wave generated during the flow of one evaporator 34 and the second evaporator 44 or causes any fluid hammer or pressure fluctuation or pressure wave to be dissipated. It should be understood here that the refrigerant hammer eliminator 70 may be structurally corresponding to figure 1 The refrigerant hammer eliminator 10 is shown.

[0044] Image 6 A further possible embodiment of the refrigerant circuit 72 is shown. The refrigerant circuit 72 and Figure 5 The refrigerant circuit 68 shown is exactly the same, with one exception: a battery cooler is provided in the refrigerant feed line 64 leading to the battery cooler shutoff valve 54, the battery cooler expansion device 52, and the battery cooler 50 Refrigerant hammer eliminator 74. Therefore, the battery cooler refrigerant hammer eliminator 74 is provided downstream of the condenser 30 and upstream of the battery cooler shut-off valve 54, wherein the battery cooler refrigerant hammer eliminator 74 is ideally positioned for eliminating Any fluid hammer, pressure fluctuation or pressure wave generated when the battery cooler shut-off valve 54 is opened or closed to control the flow of refrigerant to the battery cooler expansion device 52 and the battery cooler 50 or causes any fluid hammer, pressure Dissipation of fluctuations or pressure waves.

[0045] At the same time, the refrigerant hammer eliminator 70 provided in the common refrigerant feed line 58 leading from the condenser 30 to the first evaporator 34 and the second evaporator 44 is ideally positioned for causing any fluid hammer , Pressure fluctuations or pressure wave dissipation, said any fluid hammer, pressure fluctuations or pressure waves are when the first shut-off valve 36 is opened or closed to control the flow of refrigerant to the first expansion device 32 and the first evaporator 34 Or it is generated in the refrigerant when the second shutoff valve 48 is opened or closed to control the flow of the refrigerant to the second expansion device 46 and the second evaporator 44.

[0046] The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. According to the above teachings, obvious modifications and changes can be made. All these modifications and changes are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted according to the extent to which they are granted fairly, legally and impartially.

[0047] According to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerant hammer eliminator having: a housing including an internal compartment communicating with a refrigerant pipeline; a piston, the piston being received in the housing and The internal compartment is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber; and a damping mechanism for slowing the displacement of the piston in the housing.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the damping mechanism is selected from the group of damping mechanisms consisting of: electromechanical damping mechanism, fluid damping mechanism, mechanical damping mechanism, and combinations thereof.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the damping mechanism is selected from the group of damping mechanisms consisting of piezoelectric materials, magnetic fluids, variable magnetic repulsion devices, air damping fluids, liquid damping fluids, gaseous damping fluids, springs, rubber damping elements, Foam damping elements and their combinations.

[0050] According to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerant circuit having: a compressor; a condenser, the condenser located downstream of the compressor; a first expansion device, the first expansion device located downstream of the condenser A first evaporator, the first evaporator is located between the first expansion device and the compressor; a first shut-off valve, the first shut-off valve is located between the condenser and the first Between the evaporators; and a first refrigerant hammer eliminator, the first refrigerant hammer eliminator is located between the first shut-off valve and the condenser.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the first refrigerant hammer eliminator includes: a housing, the housing including an internal compartment communicating with a refrigerant line; a piston, the piston being received in the housing and The internal compartment is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber; and a damping mechanism for slowing down the displacement of the piston in the housing.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the damping mechanism is selected from the group of damping mechanisms consisting of: electromechanical damping mechanism, fluid damping mechanism, mechanical damping mechanism, and combinations thereof.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the damping mechanism is selected from the group of damping mechanisms consisting of piezoelectric materials, magnetic fluids, variable magnetic repulsion devices, air damping fluids, liquid damping fluids, gaseous damping fluids, springs, rubber damping elements, Foam damping elements and their combinations.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the above-mentioned invention is further characterized in that it includes an internal heat exchanger located between the first refrigerant hammer eliminator and the condenser and located in the first evaporator And the compressor.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the above-mentioned invention is further characterized in that it comprises a second evaporator, a second expansion device and a second shut-off valve, which are located between the condenser and the compressor and are connected to the first evaporator. The device, the first expansion device and the first shut-off valve are connected in parallel.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the first refrigerant hammer eliminator is also located between the second shut-off valve and the condenser.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the above-mentioned invention is further characterized in that it includes a battery cooler, a battery cooler expansion device, and a battery cooler shut-off valve, which are located between the condenser and the compressor and are connected to the first The evaporator, the first expansion device and the first shut-off valve are connected in parallel.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the above-mentioned invention is further characterized in that it includes a second refrigerant hammer eliminator, the second refrigerant hammer eliminator being located between the battery cooler shut-off valve and the condenser.

[0059] According to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerant circuit having: a compressor; a condenser, the condenser is located downstream of the compressor; a battery cooler expansion device, the battery cooler expansion device is located in the condenser Downstream of the battery cooler, the battery cooler is located between the battery cooler expansion device and the compressor; the battery cooler shut-off valve, the battery cooler shut-off valve is located in the condenser and the Between the battery coolers; and the battery cooler refrigerant hammer eliminator, the battery cooler refrigerant hammer eliminator is located between the battery cooler shut-off valve and the condenser.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the above-mentioned invention is further characterized in that the battery cooler refrigerant hammer eliminator includes: a housing including an internal compartment communicating with a refrigerant pipeline; a piston, the piston being received in the The housing and the internal compartment are divided into a first chamber and a second chamber; and a damping mechanism for slowing down the displacement of the piston in the housing.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the damping mechanism is selected from the group of damping mechanisms consisting of: electromechanical damping mechanism, fluid damping mechanism, mechanical damping mechanism, and combinations thereof.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the damping mechanism is selected from the group of damping mechanisms consisting of piezoelectric materials, magnetic fluids, variable magnetic repulsion devices, air damping fluids, liquid damping fluids, gaseous damping fluids, springs, rubber damping elements, Foam damping elements and their combinations.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the above-mentioned invention is further characterized in that it includes a first shut-off valve, a first expansion device and a first evaporator, which are located between the condenser and the compressor.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the above-mentioned invention is further characterized in that it includes a second shut-off valve, a second expansion device, and a second evaporator, which are located between the condenser and the compressor and are connected to the first shutoff valve. The shutoff valve, the first expansion device and the first evaporator are connected in parallel.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the above-mentioned invention is further characterized in that it includes a first refrigerant hammer eliminator, the first refrigerant hammer eliminator located in (a) the condenser and (b) the first shut-off valve And the second shut-off valve.

[0066] According to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerant circuit having the refrigerant hammer eliminator as described above.