Expansion valve and heat exchange system

Abstract

The application provides an expansion valve and a heat exchange system. The expansion valve comprises a valve body, a valve plate, a second outlet located on one side of the valve plate, and a part of the second outlet being communicated with the inlet section and the rest of the second outlet being communicated with the outlet section. The expansion valve has a working state of closing the second outlet and a flushing state of opening the second outlet. The expansion valve and the heat exchange system provided by the application set the second outlet on one side of the valve plate, short-circuit the valve plate in the valve body, so that the high-pressure refrigerant directly flows out of the valve body without flowing through the throttling hole and the valve core on the valve plate. In this process, the high-pressure refrigerant will impact the system impurities on the valve plate and the throttling hole, and finally discharge the system impurities through the second outlet, so as to realize the self-cleaning of the expansion valve, and solve the problem that the system impurities block or jam the expansion valve, so that the heat exchange system cannot work normally.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of throttling structure technology, and in particular to an expansion valve and heat exchange system. Background Technology

[0002] Expansion valves are commonly used throttling mechanisms in air conditioning systems. Common types include electronic expansion valves and thermostatic expansion valves. To reduce costs, there are also tubular throttling components such as capillary tubes and orifice plates. These throttling mechanisms function to reduce pressure and throttle the refrigerant in the refrigeration system. Electronic expansion valves can automatically adjust the refrigerant flow rate based on changes in evaporator load or suction temperature, controlling the superheat of the refrigerant at the evaporator outlet and regulating the exhaust temperature.

[0003] Electronic expansion valves, due to their high-precision superheat regulation, have been widely used in the air conditioning field. Traditional electronic expansion valves are divided into electromagnetic and electric types. Electromagnetic electronic expansion valves use the magnetic force of an electromagnetic coil to drive the valve core and change the valve opening; electric electronic expansion valves use a stepper motor to drive the valve core and change the valve opening. Regardless of whether it's electromagnetic or electric, the core of both types of electronic expansion valves is to use an electromagnetic or motor-driven valve needle to adjust the valve opening, ultimately achieving a throttling effect. However, when impurities flow into the expansion valve, they can jam or block the valve core, causing the expansion valve to seize up, severely affecting the normal operation of the heat exchange system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the technical problem that system impurities in the prior art can cause the expansion valve to jam and fail to work properly, an expansion valve and heat exchange system with a second outlet and switchable flushing state to flush system impurities are provided.

[0005] An expansion valve, comprising:

[0006] The valve body has a fluid channel formed inside it, and the valve body is provided with a first inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, all of which are connected to the fluid channel.

[0007] A valve plate is disposed within the fluid channel, and the valve plate divides the fluid channel into an inlet section and an outlet section, wherein the first inlet is connected to the inlet section and the first outlet is connected to the outlet section;

[0008] The second outlet is located on one side of the valve plate, and part of the second outlet is connected to the inlet section, while the remaining part of the second outlet is connected to the outlet section. The expansion valve has a working state with the second outlet closed and a flushing state with the second outlet open.

[0009] The expansion valve further includes a first on / off mechanism, which is located at the second outlet.

[0010] The expansion valve also includes a connecting pipe, which is disposed at the second outlet, and when the expansion valve is in the flushing state, the second outlet is connected to the connecting pipe.

[0011] The expansion valve further includes a second on / off mechanism, which is disposed on the connecting pipe and has a gap between it and the second outlet.

[0012] The central axis of the second outlet lies on the plane of the valve plate.

[0013] The expansion valve also includes a valve core, and a throttling orifice is provided on the valve plate. The valve core is movably disposed at the throttling orifice, and when the expansion valve is in the flushing state, the valve core fully opens the throttling orifice.

[0014] The expansion valve further includes a mechanical throttling mechanism. The valve body is provided with a second inlet, which is connected to the outlet section, and the mechanical throttling mechanism is disposed between the second inlet and the outlet section.

[0015] The expansion valve also includes a third on / off mechanism, which is located at the second inlet.

[0016] The expansion valve has a main inlet, and both the first inlet and the second inlet are connected to the main inlet, and a fourth on / off mechanism is provided between the first inlet and the main inlet.

[0017] The expansion valve has a total outlet, and both the first outlet and the second outlet are connected to the total outlet, and a second on / off mechanism is provided between the second outlet and the total outlet.

[0018] A heat exchange system comprising the expansion valve described above.

[0019] The expansion valve and heat exchange system provided by this invention have a second outlet on one side of the valve plate, short-circuiting the valve plate within the valve body. This allows high-pressure refrigerant to flow directly out of the valve body without passing through the throttling orifice on the valve plate or the valve core. During this process, the high-pressure refrigerant impacts system impurities on the valve plate and at the throttling orifice, ultimately discharging these impurities through the second outlet. This achieves self-cleaning of the expansion valve, solving the problem in existing technologies where system impurities clog or jam the expansion valve, causing the heat exchange system to malfunction. The expansion valve opens the second outlet via a pulse mechanism. During this pulsed operation, the expansion valve quickly switches between operating and flushing states. The amount of high-pressure refrigerant discharged through the second outlet during the flushing state is minimal and does not affect the normal operation of the heat exchange system, thus ensuring its reliable operation. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the expansion valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of point A;

[0022] Figure 3 This is another structural schematic diagram of the expansion valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial schematic diagram of point B;

[0024] Figure 5 This is another structural schematic diagram of the expansion valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the heat exchange system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] In the picture:

[0027] 1. Valve body; 11. First inlet; 12. First outlet; 13. Second outlet; 2. Valve plate; 14. Inlet section; 15. Outlet section; 3. First on / off mechanism; 4. Connecting pipe; 5. Second on / off mechanism; 6. Valve core; 16. Second inlet; 101. Mechanical throttling mechanism; 7. Third on / off mechanism; 17. Main inlet; 8. Fourth on / off mechanism; 18. Main outlet; 91. Compressor; 92. Condenser; 93. Dryer filter; 94. Evaporator. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0029] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate for the embodiments of the invention described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0031] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," indicating directional or positional relationships, are based on the directional or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are merely for ease of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "setting," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] During the production of heat exchange systems, there may be machining burrs, oxidation products generated on the pipe surface during welding, and wear impurities generated during operation (especially wear impurities generated by the meshing rotor of the compressor during operation). These substances constitute system impurities. Since the throttling orifice on the valve plate of the electronic expansion valve is the smallest part of the entire system, impurities are more likely to accumulate there. When system impurities flow to the throttling orifice, they can become stuck at the mating position between the orifice and the valve core, causing orifice blockage and preventing the valve core from adjusting properly. Therefore, this application provides a method... Figures 1 to 6 The expansion valve shown includes: a valve body 1, in which a fluid channel is formed, and a first inlet 11, a first outlet 12, and a second outlet 13 are provided on the valve body 1, all of which are connected to the fluid channel; a valve plate 2, disposed within the fluid channel, which divides the fluid channel into an inflow section 14 and an outflow section 15, wherein the first inlet 11 is connected to the inflow section 14, and the first outlet 12 is connected to the outflow section 15; the second outlet 13 is located on one side of the valve plate 2, with a portion of the second outlet 13 connected to the inflow section 14 and the remaining portion connected to the outflow section 15, and the expansion valve has a working state with the second outlet 13 closed and a flushing state with the second outlet 13 open. By providing a second outlet 13 on one side of the valve plate 2, the valve plate 2 is short-circuited within the valve body 1. This allows high-pressure refrigerant to flow directly out of the valve body 1 without passing through the throttling orifice and valve core on the valve plate 2. During this process, the high-pressure refrigerant impacts system impurities on the valve plate 2 and at the throttling orifice, ultimately discharging these impurities through the second outlet 13. This achieves self-cleaning of the expansion valve, solving the problem in existing technologies where system impurities clog or jam the expansion valve, causing the heat exchange system to malfunction. The expansion valve opens the second outlet 13 via a pulse mechanism. During this pulsed operation, the expansion valve quickly switches between the working state and the flushing state. The amount of high-pressure refrigerant discharged through the second outlet 13 during the flushing state is very small and does not affect the normal operation of the heat exchange system, thus ensuring its reliable operation.

[0034] When the expansion valve is in normal working condition, the second outlet 13 is closed, and the high-pressure refrigerant flows into the inlet section 14 through the first inlet 11. Under the action of the throttling orifice on the valve plate 2 and the valve core, it is throttled, then enters the outlet section 15 and finally exits the valve core through the first outlet 12, thus completing the throttling action.

[0035] When impurities clog or jam the expansion valve, they generally accumulate on the side of valve plate 2 facing the inlet section 14. Therefore, when the expansion valve is in the flushing state, the second outlet 13 is open, and the high-pressure refrigerant flowing into the inlet section 14 from the first inlet 11 will directly impact valve plate 2 and the throttling orifice on valve plate 2, and flow along the plane where valve plate 2 is located, thereby flushing the impurities on valve plate 2 and at the throttling orifice directly out from the second outlet 13, thus cleaning valve plate 2 and the throttling orifice.

[0036] The valve plate 2 is provided with a throttling orifice, and the expansion valve also includes a valve core (as shown in the figure, the valve core is a valve needle). The valve core is located at the throttling orifice, and the expansion valve also includes a control mechanism. The control mechanism is connected to the valve core and can drive the valve core to move so as to realize the electric adjustment of the opening degree of the expansion valve.

[0037] To ensure reliable switching between the operating state and the flushing state of the expansion valve, the expansion valve further includes a first on / off mechanism 3, which is located at the second outlet 13. The first on / off mechanism 3 controls the opening and closing of the second outlet 13. When the expansion valve is in the operating state, the first on / off mechanism 3 switches to the off state, ensuring the second outlet 13 is closed; when the expansion valve is in the flushing state, the first on / off mechanism 3 switches to the on state, opening the second outlet 13.

[0038] The expansion valve also includes a connecting pipe 4, which is located at the second outlet 13. When the expansion valve is in the flushing state, the second outlet 13 is connected to the connecting pipe 4. The connecting pipe 4 is used to discharge the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the second outlet 13, ensuring a reliable connection between the second outlet 13 and other related pipelines. Moreover, when the expansion valve switches to the flushing state, after the high-pressure refrigerant impacts the valve plate 2 and flows along the valve plate 2 into the connecting pipe 4, some of the high-pressure refrigerant will flow back into the outlet section 15 through the second outlet 13, thereby flushing the side of the valve plate 2 facing the outlet section 15 as well, further increasing the cleaning effect on the valve plate 2.

[0039] To further improve the cleaning effect on the side of valve plate 2 facing the outlet section 15, the expansion valve also includes a second on / off mechanism 5. The second on / off mechanism 5 is disposed on the connecting pipe 4, and there is a gap between the second on / off mechanism 5 and the second outlet 13. When the second on / off mechanism 5 is switched to the off state, the high-pressure refrigerant, after flowing into the connecting pipe 4, will turn within this gap and be forced to flow into the inlet section 14 again through the second outlet 13, thereby increasing the refrigerant flow rate on the side of valve plate 2 facing the outlet section 15 and further enhancing the cleaning effect on valve plate 2.

[0040] Preferably, the central axis of the second outlet 13 is located on the plane of the valve plate 2. This ensures that a portion of the second outlet 13 is connected to the inlet section 14, allowing the high-pressure refrigerant to flow smoothly along the plane of the valve plate 2 into the connecting pipe 4, guaranteeing the cleanliness of the side of the valve plate 2 facing the inlet section 14. Simultaneously, the remaining portion of the second outlet 13 allows refrigerant to flow into the outlet section 15, during which the high-pressure refrigerant cleans the side of the valve plate 2 facing the outlet section 15. Since the plane of the valve plate 2 is horizontal, the high-pressure refrigerant flows horizontally across this plane, forcing system impurities to move horizontally as well. These impurities are not affected by gravity and will not roll back onto the valve plate 2, ensuring effective cleaning of system impurities.

[0041] In another embodiment, the expansion valve further includes a valve core 6. A throttling orifice is provided on the valve plate 2, and the valve core 6 is movably disposed at the throttling orifice. When the expansion valve is in the flushing state, the valve core 6 fully opens the throttling orifice. When the valve core 6 fully opens the throttling orifice, the high-pressure refrigerant in the inlet section 14 is divided into two parts. One part of the high-pressure refrigerant flows along the plane of the valve plate 2 and flows into the connecting pipe 4 through the second outlet 13, and is discharged from the valve body 1. The other part of the high-pressure refrigerant passes through the throttling orifice. Because the valve core 6 fully opens the throttling orifice, system impurities stuck between the throttling orifice and the valve core 6 are loosened. At this time, the high-pressure refrigerant passing through the throttling orifice carries these system impurities out and discharges from the valve body 1 through the outlet section 15, thereby effectively improving the self-cleaning effect of the expansion valve.

[0042] Because the expansion valve suffers from the aforementioned problems of valve core 6 jamming and throttling orifice blockage, a mechanical throttling mechanism 101 is added to the expansion valve to ensure the normal operation of the heat exchange system in which the expansion valve is located. A second inlet 16 is provided on the valve body 1, which communicates with the outlet section 15, and the mechanical throttling mechanism 101 is located between the second inlet 16 and the outlet section 15. High-pressure refrigerant is introduced through the second inlet 16 and throttled by the mechanical throttling mechanism 101. This ensures that even when the valve core 6 cannot function properly, the mechanical throttling mechanism 101 can still perform throttling, guaranteeing the throttling effect of the expansion valve. Furthermore, when the expansion valve encounters high-load conditions and the throttling flow rate on the valve plate 2 cannot meet the demand, high-pressure refrigerant can simultaneously enter the second inlet 16, and the mechanical throttling mechanism 101 can compensate for the pressure on the valve plate 2, assisting in pressure relief and ensuring the safety of the heat exchange system.

[0043] The expansion valve also includes a third on / off mechanism 7, which is located at the second inlet 16. The third on / off mechanism 7 controls the on / off state of the second inlet 16, thereby controlling whether high-pressure refrigerant flows through the mechanical throttling mechanism 101. When the throttling section where the valve plate 2 is located is stuck or blocked, or when the heat exchange system where the expansion valve is located is under high load, when the third on / off mechanism 7 switches to the connected state, the high-pressure refrigerant flows through the second inlet 16 to the mechanical throttling mechanism 101 for throttling, and then flows into the outlet section 15. When the third on / off mechanism 7 switches to the disconnected state, the high-pressure refrigerant does not flow through the second inlet 16, and the refrigerant in the outlet section 15 also cannot pass through the mechanical throttling mechanism 101, so that the mechanical throttling mechanism 101 does not perform throttling operation.

[0044] When the heat exchange system where the expansion valve is located is under high load, the third on / off mechanism 7 performs pulse switching between the connected and disconnected states. This ensures reliable pressure relief of the heat exchange system while preventing abnormal flow of refrigerant within the expansion valve, which could cause the expansion valve to malfunction and ensure the reliable operation of the heat exchange system where the expansion valve is located.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the first switching mechanism 3 and the second switching mechanism 5 are in the open state. Figure 2 The arrows in the diagram indicate the path of the flushing fluid on the valve plate 2 when the first switching mechanism 3 and the second switching mechanism 5 are in the open state.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the first switching mechanism 3 is in the open state and the second switching mechanism 5 is in the open state. Figure 4 The arrow in the diagram indicates the flushing fluid path of the valve plate 2 when the first on / off mechanism 3 is in the open state and the second on / off mechanism 5 is in the off state.

[0047] To facilitate the connection between the expansion valve and the heat exchange system, the expansion valve has a total inlet 17. Both the first inlet 11 and the second inlet 16 are connected to the total inlet 17, and a fourth on / off mechanism 8 connects the first inlet 11 and the total inlet 17. The heat exchange system is directly connected to the total inlet 17, and the controllable connection between the first inlet 11 and the total inlet 17 is achieved through the fourth on / off mechanism 8. When the throttling section where the valve plate 2 is located cannot function properly, the fourth on / off mechanism 8 can be switched to the off state, and the third on / off mechanism 7 can be opened, allowing the high-pressure refrigerant to be throttled through the mechanical throttling mechanism 101. This ensures that the expansion valve still meets some throttling requirements, preventing the expansion valve from directly stopping operation and causing damage to the heat exchange system. When the throttling section where the valve plate 2 is located is functioning properly, the fourth on / off mechanism 8 is switched to the connected state, and the third on / off mechanism 7 is switched to the off state. At this time, the high-pressure refrigerant flows through the first inlet 11 to the valve plate 2 for throttling, achieving a normal throttling process.

[0048] Similarly, the expansion valve has a total outlet 18, and both the first outlet 12 and the second outlet 13 are connected to the total outlet 18. A second on / off mechanism 5 is provided between the second outlet 13 and the total outlet 18. After flushing the valve plate 2, the high-pressure refrigerant can flow through the second outlet 13 to the total outlet 18 and eventually flow into the heat exchange system where the expansion valve is located. When the throttling section where the valve plate 2 is located is working normally, the high-pressure refrigerant flows through the outlet section 15 from the first outlet 12 to the total outlet 18 after being throttled by the valve plate 2. When the throttling section where the valve plate 2 is located cannot work normally and the mechanical throttling mechanism 101 is required to throttle, the high-pressure refrigerant flows through the outlet section 15 from the first outlet 12 to the total outlet 18 after being throttled by the mechanical throttling mechanism 101, thus realizing the throttling process of the high-pressure refrigerant.

[0049] A heat exchange system includes the aforementioned expansion valve. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the heat exchange system also includes a compressor 91, a condenser 92, a dryer filter 93, and an evaporator 94. The compressor 91, condenser 92, expansion valve, dryer filter 93, and evaporator 94 are connected end to end to form a heat exchange loop. The outlet of the condenser 92 is connected to the total inlet 17 of the expansion valve, and the total outlet 18 of the expansion valve is connected to the evaporator 94 through the dryer filter 93.

[0050] When the expansion valve needs to be cleaned in the heat exchange system, or when the valve plate 2 of the expansion valve is faulty and needs to be cleaned, the fourth on / off mechanism 8 is kept connected, the first on / off mechanism 3 is opened, and the second on / off mechanism 5 is controlled to pulse switch between the connected state and the disconnected state, so that the high-pressure refrigerant can complete the flushing and cleaning of the valve plate 2 in an extremely short time. During this process, the third on / off mechanism 7 can switch to the connected state or remain in the disconnected state as needed.

[0051] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An expansion valve, characterized in that: include: A valve body (1) has a fluid channel formed inside it, and a first inlet (11), a first outlet (12) and a second outlet (13) are provided on the valve body (1). The first inlet (11), the first outlet (12) and the second outlet (13) are all connected to the fluid channel. Valve plate (2), the valve plate (2) is disposed in the fluid channel, and the valve plate (2) divides the fluid channel into an inlet section (14) and an outlet section (15). The first inlet (11) is connected to the inlet section (14), and the first outlet (12) is connected to the outlet section (15). The second outlet (13) is located on one side of the valve plate (2), and part of the second outlet (13) is connected to the inlet section (14), and the remaining part of the second outlet (13) is connected to the outlet section (15). The expansion valve has a working state of closing the second outlet (13) and a flushing state of opening the second outlet (13). The expansion valve also includes a valve core (6), and a throttling orifice is provided on the valve plate (2). The valve core (6) is movably disposed at the throttling orifice, and when the expansion valve is in the flushing state, the valve core (6) fully opens the throttling orifice.

2. The expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The expansion valve also includes a first on / off mechanism (3), which is located at the second outlet (13).

3. The expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The expansion valve also includes a connecting pipe (4), which is disposed at the second outlet (13), and when the expansion valve is in the flushing state, the second outlet (13) is connected to the connecting pipe (4).

4. The expansion valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The expansion valve also includes a second on / off mechanism (5), which is disposed on the connecting pipe (4) and has a gap between the second on / off mechanism (5) and the second outlet (13).

5. The expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central axis of the second outlet (13) is located on the plane of the valve plate (2).

6. The expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The expansion valve further includes a mechanical throttling mechanism (101), and the valve body (1) is provided with a second inlet (16), which is connected to the outlet section (15), and the mechanical throttling mechanism (101) is disposed between the second inlet (16) and the outlet section (15).

7. The expansion valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: The expansion valve also includes a third on / off mechanism (7), which is located at the second inlet (16).

8. The expansion valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: The expansion valve has a main inlet (17), the first inlet (11) and the second inlet (16) are both connected to the main inlet (17), and there is a fourth on / off mechanism (8) between the first inlet (11) and the main inlet (17).

9. The expansion valve according to claim 4, characterized in that: The expansion valve has a total outlet (18), the first outlet (12) and the second outlet (13) are both connected to the total outlet (18), and a second on / off mechanism (5) is provided between the second outlet (13) and the total outlet (18).

10. A heat exchange system, characterized in that: The expansion valve includes any one of claims 1 to 9.

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