Adsorption type refrigerator that automatically determines switchover point

Abstract

The present invention discloses an adsorption type refrigerator that automatically determines the switchover point. The adsorption type refrigerator includes a first vacuum chamber, a second vacuum chamber, a third vacuum chamber and a waterway structure. The waterway structure is connected to a first adsorption bed in the first vacuum chamber and a second adsorption bed in the second vacuum chamber. The waterway structure simultaneously conveys hot water into the first adsorption bed and cold water into the second adsorption bed, or simultaneously conveys cold water into the first adsorption bed and hot water into the second adsorption bed so as to allow the first and the second adsorption beds to conduct adsorption and desorption alternatively. This alternation creates pressure variation in the three vacuum chambers, which is then utilized to automatically determine the switchover point at which the refrigerator can provide and maintain a cold, stable environment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The present invention relates to adsorption type refrigerators, and more particularly, to an adsorption type refrigerator that automatically determines the switchover point so as to provide and maintain a cold, stable environment.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]An adsorption type refrigerator is composed of adsorption beds, condensers, and evaporators. The adsorption type refrigerator works by importing cold water to cool down the adsorption beds so that porous matter (e.g. silica gel, zeolite or active carbon) in the adsorption beds adsorbs a refrigerant, which is typically a gaseous heat-transferring medium (e.g. water, methanol, ethanol or ammonia). When the heat-transferring medium evaporates and adsorbs a huge amount of latent heat of evaporation from the ambient environment, the adsorption type refrigerator effects refrigeration.[0005]When saturated and no more capable of adsorption, the adsorption beds must be ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is an adsorption type refrigerator that automatically determines the switchover point. This is done by detecting pressure gradients inside each vacuum chamber to identify the preferred switchover point and improve the refrigeration stability of the refrigerator. The refrigerator comprises multiple vacuum chambers and a waterway structure with valves that switch between conveying hot and cold water to the adsorption beds. The invention allows for accurate and automatic identification of the preferred switchover point for the adsorption beds, resulting in improved refrigeration efficiency."

Problems solved by technology

However, when any of the adsorption beds performs adsorption or desorption at the limit of its adsorption or desorption capacity, the adsorption type refrigerator is actually incapable of refrigeration, even though there is still circulation between cold water and hot water.

As a result, not only is the overall refrigeration efficiency of the adsorption type refrigerator lowered, but also the excessively introduced cold water may over cool the adsorption beds and freeze the refrigerant, which in turn shortens the service life of the adsorption type refrigerator.

Because of that, the optimal refrigeration efficiency of the adsorption type refrigerator cannot be ensured even by setting parameters that lead to automatic switchover between the adsorption beds.

Hence, a major challenge facing adsorption type refrigerators is to effectively and accurately determine the switchover point of adsorption and desorption between the two adsorption beds.

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