Refrigerant flow regulating device and system using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerant flow regulation device and a system using the same, the device and the system comprising refrigerant supplied to a heat exchanger at a quantitative flow rate such that the occurrence of liquid refrigerant at the outlet end of an evaporator is reduced. The refrigerant flow regulation device and system prevent liquid refrigerant from appearing at the outlet end of the heat exchanger, prevent load increase, and prevent lubrication defects of the compressor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerant flow rate regulating device and a system using the refrigerant flow rate regulating device, which can prevent load increase and lubrication defect of a compressor. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a heat pump air conditioner may include a compressor, an internal heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an external heat exchanger. In addition, the heat pump air conditioner includes an accumulator and a switching valve configured to switch the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0003] The compressor compresses the refrigerant and discharges high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant.

[0004] The internal heat exchanger receives the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the air. In the cooling operation mode, the internal heat exchanger acts as an evaporator that evaporates the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant. In the heating operation mode, the internal heat exchanger acts as a condenser that condenses the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a room-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The internal heat exchanger is used to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the ambient air while coping with the enthalpy change of the refrigerant.

[0005] The expansion valve is connected to the internal heat exchanger or the external heat exchanger and decompresses the received refrigerant.

[0006] The external heat exchanger is located outdoors. The external heat exchanger acts as a condenser in the cooling operating mode and as an evaporator exchanging heat with the ambient air in the heating operating mode.

[0007] As described above, the heat pump system using phase change utilizes the heat absorption and heat release process of the refrigerant changing from liquid refrigerant to gas refrigerant and vice versa. This process enables the system to reach the desired ambient temperature.

[0008] In this way, in order to make a phase change from liquid refrigerant to gaseous refrigerant, the refrigerant is supplied to the heat exchanger (evaporator), and heat is absorbed. The expansion valve controls the supply flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the heat exchanger. The expansion valve adjusts the flow rate by adjusting the cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe using a mechanical or electric phase adjustment device.

[0009] In particular, the optimum state is a state in which all liquid refrigerant is evaporated and liquid refrigerant does not exist on the outlet side of the heat exchanger.

[0010] Specifically, in a cooling or heat pump system that performs heat exchange using an isothermal and isobaric process of a refrigerant phase change, the amount of heat transfer is determined by the operating capacity of the compressor and the opening degree of the expansion valve.

[0011] In this case, the maximum heat transfer performance is achieved when the internal pressure of the evaporator is reduced, and the maximum heat transfer amount is achieved when the expansion valve is in the maximum open state in the maximum working area of ​​the compressor.

[0012] When the desired heat transfer is minimum, the compressor output is reduced and the opening of the expansion valve is reduced, so that the mass flow rate of the refrigerant is reduced.

[0013] In this case, the reduction in the output of the compressor may increase the pressure in the evaporator. In addition, a smaller heat transfer amount can be achieved. However, when the refrigerant is not supplied at an accurate flow rate, liquid refrigerant may remain at the outlet side of the evaporator. The expansion valve in the related art performs control to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path, thereby increasing the mass flow rate, for example. However, since the mass flow rate is supplied in a nonlinear manner, liquid refrigerant may remain at the outlet end of the evaporator.

[0014] Thus, the expansion valve controls the flow of the refrigerant, and the mechanical or electric phase adjustment device controls the mass flow of the liquid refrigerant by controlling the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid flow path and utilizing the orifice flow characteristics.

[0015] However, it is difficult to accurately control the mass flow rate due to complex factors depending on the orifice flow characteristics. For this reason, liquid refrigerant may end up remaining at the outlet end of the heat exchanger, which may increase the load on the refrigerant compression pump and cause wear on the lubrication surface due to lubrication defects.

[0016] The above contents explained as background technology are only intended to help understand the background technology of the present invention. Therefore, the above contents do not mean that these disclosures fall within the scope of the related technologies known to ordinary technicians in the field. Summary of the invention

[0017] The present invention is used to solve the above problems and aims to provide a refrigerant flow rate regulating device and a system using the refrigerant flow rate regulating device. The refrigerant flow rate regulating device and the system can prevent the load increase and lubrication defect of the compressor by reducing the appearance of liquid refrigerant at the outlet end of the evaporator. This is achieved by controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator.

[0018] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a refrigerant flow regulating device according to the present invention is provided. The refrigerant flow regulating device includes a cylindrical component and a switch valve, the cylindrical component has an internal space and has an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the switch valve is arranged in the inlet portion of the cylindrical component, and is configured to open or close the inlet portion. The refrigerant flow regulating device also includes a flow regulator, which is configured to move linearly in the internal space of the cylindrical component. The flow regulator includes a piston part and a valve part, the piston part is configured to move in the internal space, and the valve part is configured to open or close the outlet portion. The fluid is stored in the volume of the internal space of the cylindrical component, and then quantitatively discharged through the outlet portion by the opening / closing operation of the switch valve and the movement of the flow regulator.

[0019] The inlet portion and the outlet portion of the cylindrical member may be arranged in orthogonal directions to each other. The inlet portion may be arranged adjacent to the outlet portion in the inner space.

[0020] The outlet portion of the cylindrical member may be formed such that an inlet adjacent to the internal space and an outlet opposite to the inlet have cross-sectional areas gradually increasing in a direction opposite to a direction in which the inlet and the outlet face each other.

[0021] The valve portion of the flow regulator may be provided at a side adjacent to the outlet of the outlet portion and formed to match the shape of the outlet. The valve portion may be formed to have a diameter smaller than a diameter of a portion of the outlet portion.

[0022] The piston portion and the valve portion of the flow regulator may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other. The valve portion may be configured to close the outlet portion when the piston portion is positioned at a maximum distance from the outlet portion in the inner space. The valve portion may be configured to open the outlet portion when the piston portion moves toward the outlet portion.

[0023] The refrigerant flow regulating device may further include a controller configured to control the switch valve and the flow regulator. The controller may be configured to control the flow regulator to close the outlet portion of the cylindrical component when the switch valve is controlled to be open, so that the internal space is filled with fluid. The controller may also be configured to control the flow regulator to pressurize the fluid with the piston portion of the flow regulator and to open the outlet portion of the flow regulator when the switch valve is controlled to be closed. This achieves quantitative discharge of the fluid in the internal space.

[0024] The controller may also be configured to control the flow regulator so that the flow regulator repeatedly operates in the same cycle according to the movement of the opening / closing timing of the switching valve.

[0025] A refrigerant flow regulating system according to the present invention comprises: a heat exchanger, a refrigerant flow regulating device and a controller, wherein the heat exchanger has a refrigerant inflow pipeline and a refrigerant outflow pipeline; the refrigerant flow regulating device is installed in the refrigerant inflow pipeline and is configured to quantitatively supply refrigerant to the heat exchanger; and the controller is configured to control the flow regulating device. The refrigerant flow regulating device comprises a cylindrical component, wherein the cylindrical component has an internal space, an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The device further comprises a switch valve, which is arranged in the inlet portion and is configured to open or close the inlet portion. The device further comprises a flow regulator, which is configured to move linearly in the internal space of the cylindrical component. The flow regulator further comprises a piston portion and a valve portion, wherein the piston portion is configured to move in the internal space, and the valve portion is configured to open or close the outlet portion according to the movement of the flow regulator.

[0026] The controller may be configured to store the process in which the switch valve is opened and the flow regulator closes the outlet portion of the cylindrical component so that the internal space is filled with fluid as one control cycle. In addition, the control cycle may include a process in which the switch valve is closed, the piston portion of the flow regulator pressurizes the fluid, and the valve portion opens the outlet portion.

[0027] The controller may be configured to receive information about the temperature of the heat exchanger and the output of the compressor. The controller may also be configured to pre-store an expected temperature based on the output of the compressor and the specifications of the heat exchanger. The controller may also be configured to derive an optimal value for the refrigerant flow rate by determining and comparing the expected temperature and the temperature of the heat exchanger under the current operating conditions of the compressor.

[0028] The controller may be configured to adjust the output of the compressor or a control cycle of the flow regulating device based on the optimal value of the refrigerant flow rate.

[0029] The accumulator may be provided in the refrigerant inflow pipeline and arranged at the front end of the refrigerant flow regulating device.

[0030] According to the refrigerant flow rate regulating device and the system using the same structure as described above, the refrigerant is supplied to the heat exchanger at a quantitative flow rate. Therefore, the appearance of liquid refrigerant at the outlet end of the evaporator is reduced. Thus, the refrigerant flow rate regulating device and the system prevent the appearance of liquid refrigerant at the outlet end of the heat exchanger, prevent the load from increasing, and prevent the lubrication defect of the compressor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a view showing a refrigerant flow rate regulating system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2is a view showing a refrigerant flow rate regulating device according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 is a view showing a state in which the refrigerant flow regulating device according to the present invention is connected to a heat exchanger.

[0034] Figure 4 is shown as the fluid being introduced into Figure 2 A view showing the state of the refrigerant flow regulating device.

[0035] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 2 A view showing a state in which a refrigerant flow regulating device pressurizes a fluid.

[0036] Figure 6 It shows that the fluid Figure 2 A view showing the state of the refrigerant flow regulating device being discharged.

[0037] Figure 7 is a view showing a refrigerant flow regulating system according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the figure numbers, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0039] For convenience of description, the suffixes “module,” “unit,” “part,” and “part” used to describe constituent elements in the following description are used together or interchangeably, but the suffixes themselves have no distinguishable meanings or functions.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments disclosed in the present invention, the specific description of the known related art is omitted when it has been determined that the specific description may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that the drawings are provided only to make it easy for those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed in the present invention. In addition, the technical spirit disclosed in the present invention is not limited by the drawings, and includes all variations, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0041] Terms including serial numbers such as "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various constituent elements, but these constituent elements are not limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one constituent element from another constituent element.

[0042] When a constituent element is described as being “coupled” or “connected” to another constituent element, it should be understood that the constituent element may be directly coupled or connected to the other constituent element, or an intermediate constituent element may exist between the constituent elements. When a constituent element is described as being “directly coupled to” or “directly connected to” another constituent element, it should be understood that there is no intermediate constituent element between the constituent elements.

[0043] A singular expression includes a plural expression unless clearly described as having a different meaning in the context.

[0044] In the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "comprise", "comprising", "including", "containing", "having", "having" or other variations thereof are inclusive, thus specifying the presence of stated features, values, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof. However, these terms do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0045] The controller may include a communication device, a memory, and one or more processors, wherein the communication device is configured to communicate with another control unit or sensor to control the corresponding function, the memory is configured to store an operating system, logic instructions and input / output information, and the one or more processors are configured to perform determinations, calculations, decisions, etc. required to control the corresponding function.

[0046] When the controller, component, device, element, part, unit, module, etc. of the present invention is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the controller, component, device, element, part, unit or module should be considered as "configured to" meet the purpose or perform the operation or function. Each controller, component, device, element, part, unit, module, etc. can be implemented alone or together with a processor and a memory (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) as part of a device.

[0047] Hereinafter, a refrigerant flow regulating device and a system using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, the refrigerant flow regulating device (i.e., the device) according to the present invention includes a cylindrical component 10 having an internal space. The cylindrical component 10 includes an inlet portion 11 and an outlet portion 12. The device also includes a switch valve 20 disposed in the inlet portion 11 of the cylindrical component 10. The switch valve is configured to open or close the inlet portion 11. The device also includes a flow regulator 30, which is configured to move linearly (e.g., straight or unidirectionally) in the internal space of the cylindrical component 10. The flow regulator 30 includes a piston portion 31 configured to move in the internal space and a valve portion 32 configured to open or close the outlet portion 12. The cylindrical component 10 is filled with a fluid in the volume of the internal space, and then the fluid is quantitatively discharged through the outlet portion 12 by the opening / closing operation of the switch valve 20 and the movement of the flow regulator 30.

[0049] The cylindrical member 10 may be disposed at the front end of the evaporator, ie, the heat exchanger 50. The fluid passing through the cylindrical member 10 may be a refrigerant.

[0050] The switching valve 20 may be disposed in the inlet portion 11 of the cylindrical member 10, or may be spaced apart from the inlet portion 11 and installed in the refrigerant line. However, the switching valve 20 may be installed in the inlet portion 11 of the cylindrical member 10 such that a predetermined amount of fluid is introduced into the inner space of the cylindrical member 10 when the switching valve 20 is opened.

[0051] The switch valve 20 may be configured as an electronic valve, and is opened or closed under the control of the controller 40. The switch valve 20 may be configured so that its opening degree is adjusted, and an open or closed state is selectively switched.

[0052] The flow regulator 30 is configured to move linearly in the internal space of the cylindrical member 10. The flow regulator 30 may be configured as a solenoid, and configured to move linearly (i.e., perform motion) in the internal space of the cylindrical member 10 under the control of the controller 40. Alternatively, the flow regulator 30 may be configured as a piezoelectric element, and move linearly (e.g., in one direction) in the internal space according to the pressure of the fluid stored in the internal space.

[0053] The flow regulator 30 includes a piston portion 31 and a valve portion 32. The piston portion 31 and the valve portion 32 may be integrally manufactured. Alternatively, the piston portion 31 and the valve portion 32 may be separately manufactured and then coupled to each other.

[0054] The piston portion 31 can move in the internal space of the cylindrical component 10, so that the piston portion 31 can be arranged so that the internal space is filled with fluid. Alternatively, the piston portion 31 can move in the internal space of the cylindrical component 10, so that the piston portion 31 can be arranged so that the fluid stored in the internal space is pressurized and discharged to the outside.

[0055] The valve portion 32 moves together with the piston portion 31. The outlet portion 12 of the cylindrical member 10 is opened or closed according to the movement position of the valve portion 32. In this case, the fluid can be adiabatically expanded and atomized in a low temperature and low pressure state by a throttling operation, and injected (e.g., provided) to the evaporator (i.e., the heat exchanger 50).

[0056] Therefore, in the present invention, as the on-off valve 20 is opened, the internal space of the cylindrical member 10 is filled with fluid. As the flow regulator 30 moves, the cylindrical member 10 pressurizes the fluid in the internal space. At the same time, the valve portion 32 is opened, so that the fluid in the internal space is discharged through the outlet portion 12 of the cylindrical member 10.

[0057] Therefore, in the present invention, the fluid stored in the volume of the inner space of the cylindrical member 10 is quantitatively discharged. Thus, the fluid is accurately supplied at a quantitative flow rate, which reduces the appearance of the fluid (i.e., liquid refrigerant) at the outlet end of the heat exchanger 50. Therefore, the load increase of the compressor 70 and the wear caused by the lubrication defect are prevented.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, the inlet portion 11 and the outlet portion 12 of the cylindrical member 10 are arranged in orthogonal directions to each other. The inlet portion 11 may be arranged in the inner space and adjacent to the outlet portion 12.

[0059] As described above, since the cylindrical component 10 is configured so that the inlet portion 11 for introducing the fluid and the outlet portion 12 for discharging the fluid are arranged orthogonally in the internal space, the fluid (i.e., refrigerant) introduced through the inlet portion 11 can flow toward the outlet portion 12 in the internal space without interfering with the piston portion 31 of the flow regulator 30.

[0060] In addition, since the inlet portion 11 and the outlet portion 12 are arranged adjacent to each other in the internal space, it is easy to ensure the amount of fluid that fills the internal space when the piston portion 31 moves.

[0061] The outlet portion 12 of the cylindrical member 10 may be formed such that an inlet 12a adjacent to the internal space and an outlet 12b opposite to the inlet 12a have cross-sectional areas gradually increasing in a direction opposite to a direction in which the inlet 12a and the outlet 12b face each other.

[0062] Therefore, the flow of the fluid discharged from the inner space of the cylindrical member 10 to the outside through the outlet portion 12 is accelerated by the shape of the inlet 12a of the outlet portion 12. In addition, due to the shape of the outlet 12b of the outlet portion 12, the fluid is atomized and sprayed so that the fluid can be discharged in a droplet state.

[0063] In this case, the flow regulator 30 has a connection portion 33 provided between the piston portion 31 and the valve portion 32. The connection portion 33 passes through the outlet portion 12 of the cylindrical member 10. The diameter of the connection portion 33 is smaller than that of the outlet portion 12 so that the fluid can flow through the outlet portion 12.

[0064] In addition, the valve portion 32 of the flow regulator 30 is provided at a side adjacent to the outlet 12b of the outlet portion 12 and is formed to match the shape of the outlet 12b. The valve portion 32 may be formed to have a smaller diameter than a portion of the outlet portion 12.

[0065] As described above, when the valve portion 32 of the flow regulator 30 is provided on a side adjacent to the outlet 12b of the outlet portion 12, the valve portion 32 closes the outlet portion 12 by contacting the outlet portion 12. Alternatively, the valve portion 32 opens the outlet portion 12 by moving away from the outlet portion 12 according to the movement of the flow regulator 30.

[0066] The valve portion 32 may be formed to match the shape of the outlet 12b of the outlet portion 12. In other words, in the present invention, since the outlet 12b of the outlet portion 12 is formed such that its cross-sectional area gradually increases, the valve portion 32 may be formed such that its cross-sectional area gradually decreases relative to the outlet portion 12. Therefore, when the valve portion 32 of the flow regulator 30 contacts the outlet 12b of the outlet portion 12, sealing performance may be ensured by the matching or mating shapes of the valve portion 32 and the outlet 12b.

[0067] The piston portion 31 and the valve portion 32 of the flow regulator 30 may be formed to be spaced apart from each other. Therefore, when the piston portion 31 is positioned at the maximum distance from the outlet portion 12 in the internal space, the valve portion 32 may close the outlet portion 12. In addition, when the piston portion 31 moves toward the outlet portion 12, the valve portion 32 may open the outlet portion 12.

[0068] like Figure 4 As shown, the piston portion 31 and the valve portion 32 of the flow regulator 30 are connected by a connecting portion 33 and are formed to be spaced apart from each other.

[0069] In this case, the distance between the piston portion 31 and the valve portion 32 may be set based on the valve portion 32 being positioned to close the outlet portion 12 when the piston portion 31 is positioned at a maximum distance from the outlet portion 12 in the inner space.

[0070] Therefore, when the piston portion 31 is arranged in the inner space to be maximally spaced apart from the outlet portion 12 according to the movement of the flow regulator 30, the valve portion 32 closes the outlet portion 12 of the cylindrical member 10. Thus, the inner space of the cylindrical member 10 may be filled with fluid.

[0071] In this case, when the flow regulator 30 moves toward the outlet portion 12, the piston portion 31 pressurizes the fluid stored in the inner space. Therefore, the valve portion 32 moves away from the outlet portion 12 and opens the outlet portion 12. Thus, the fluid can be discharged through the outlet portion 12.

[0072] The switch valve 20 and the flow regulator 30 are controlled by a controller 40 .

[0073] In other words, when the controller 40 controls and opens the switch valve 20, the flow regulator 30 closes the outlet portion 12 of the cylindrical member 10 so that the internal space is filled with fluid. When the controller 40 controls and closes the switch valve 20, the piston portion 31 of the flow regulator 30 pressurizes the fluid, and the valve portion 32 opens the outlet portion 12 so that the fluid in the internal space can be quantitatively discharged.

[0074] Specifically, Figure 4 As shown, the flow regulator 30 moves in a direction in which the volume of the inner space of the cylindrical member 10 increases, and the switch valve 20 is opened. Thus, the fluid (ie, refrigerant) is introduced into the inner space through the inlet portion 11 of the cylindrical member 10.

[0075] When the inner space of the cylindrical member 10 is filled with fluid, the switch valve 20 is closed. Figure 5 shown.

[0076] Then, if Figure 6 As shown, the flow regulator 30 moves in a direction in which the volume of the inner space of the cylindrical member 10 decreases. Therefore, the piston portion 31 of the flow regulator 30 pressurizes the fluid in the inner space, and the valve portion 32 opens the outlet portion 12. Thus, the fluid is discharged through the outlet portion 12.

[0077] In this case, the movement of the flow regulator 30 may be changed under the control of the controller 40. When the flow regulator 30 has a piezoelectric structure, the movement of the flow regulator 30 may be changed by the pressure in the internal space.

[0078] The controller 40 may store the movement of the flow regulator 30 according to the opening / closing timing of the switching valve 20 as one cycle and repeat the corresponding cycle in the same manner so that the fluid stored in the internal space is supplied by the flow regulator 30 at a quantitative flow rate.

[0079] like Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, the refrigerant flow regulating system according to the present invention includes a heat exchanger 50 and a refrigerant flow regulating device 100, the heat exchanger 50 has a refrigerant inflow pipeline 51 and a refrigerant outflow pipeline 52, and the refrigerant flow regulating device 100 is installed in the refrigerant inflow pipeline 51. The refrigerant flow regulating device 100 is configured to quantitatively supply refrigerant to the heat exchanger 50. The refrigerant flow regulating system further includes a controller 40, which is configured to control the flow regulating device 100.

[0080] The heat exchanger 50 may be configured as an evaporator, and the refrigerant may circulate through the refrigerant inflow line 51 and the refrigerant outflow line 52 .

[0081] The refrigerant flow regulating device 100 is installed in the refrigerant inflow line 51 and provides the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 50 at a quantitative flow rate.

[0082] The refrigerant flow regulating device 100 may include a cylindrical component 10 having an internal space and including an inlet portion 11 and an outlet portion 12. The device may also include a switching valve 20 disposed in the inlet portion 11 of the cylindrical component and configured to open or close the inlet portion 11. The device may also include a flow regulator 30 configured to move linearly in the internal space of the cylindrical component 10. The flow regulator includes a piston portion 31 configured to move in the internal space and a valve portion 32 configured to open or close the outlet portion 12 according to a moving position.

[0083] As described above, the refrigerant flow regulating device 100 may include the cylindrical member 10, the on-off valve 20, and the flow regulator 30. The on-off valve 20 may be disposed in the inlet portion 11 of the cylindrical member 10, and the valve portion 32 of the flow regulator 30 may be disposed in the outlet portion 12.

[0084] In particular, the flow regulator 30 is configured to move linearly in the internal space of the cylindrical member 10. The flow regulator 30 may be configured as a solenoid, and move under the control of the controller 40. Alternatively, the flow regulator 30 may be configured as a piezoelectric element, and move in the internal space according to the pressure of the fluid stored in the internal space.

[0085] The flow regulator 30 includes a piston portion 31 and a valve portion 32. The piston portion 31 can move in the internal space of the cylindrical member 10. Thus, the piston portion 31 can be positioned so that the internal space is filled with fluid, or positioned so that the fluid stored in the internal space is pressurized and discharged to the outside.

[0086] The valve portion 32 moves together with the piston portion 31. The outlet portion 12 of the cylindrical member 10 is opened or closed according to the movement and position of the valve portion 32. In this case, the refrigerant can be adiabatically expanded and atomized in a low temperature and low pressure state by a throttling operation, and injected (i.e., provided) to the heat exchanger 50.

[0087] The refrigerant flow regulating device 100 is controlled by the controller 40 so that the opening / closing of the switching valve 20 and the position and movement of the flow regulator 30 are regulated.

[0088] The controller 40 can store the process that the switch valve 20 is opened and the flow regulator 30 closes the outlet portion 12 of the cylindrical member 10 so that the internal space is filled with fluid as one control cycle. In addition, the cycle may include a process that the switch valve 20 is closed and the piston portion 31 of the flow regulator 30 pressurizes the fluid and the valve portion 32 opens the outlet portion 12.

[0089] Therefore, the fluid stored in the volume of the inner space of the cylindrical member 10 is quantitatively supplied to the heat exchanger 50, so that the refrigerant is accurately supplied at a flow rate, which reduces the occurrence of liquid refrigerant at the outlet end of the heat exchanger 50. Therefore, the load increase of the compressor 70 and the wear caused by the lubrication defect are prevented.

[0090] Specifically, the controller 40 moves the flow regulator 30 in a direction in which the volume of the inner space of the cylindrical member 10 increases, and the switching valve 20 opens so that the refrigerant is introduced into the inner space through the inlet portion 11 of the cylindrical member 10 .

[0091] When the inner space of the cylindrical member 10 is filled with the fluid as described above, the switch valve 20 is closed, and the flow regulator 30 moves in a direction in which the volume of the inner space of the cylindrical member 10 decreases. Therefore, the piston portion 31 of the flow regulator 30 pressurizes the fluid in the inner space, and the valve portion 32 opens the outlet portion 12 so that the fluid is discharged through the outlet portion 12.

[0092] In this case, the discharged fluid (ie, liquid refrigerant) is atomized and sprayed, supplied to the heat exchanger 50 in a droplet state, and phase-changed into a gaseous state.

[0093] As described above, since the controller 40 repeatedly controls the switching valve 20 and the flow regulator 30, the fluid (i.e., liquid refrigerant) can be quantitatively supplied by a volume determined when the piston portion 31 moves in the inner space of the cylindrical member 10. Therefore, the fluid (i.e., liquid refrigerant) is not generated at the far end of the heat exchanger 50 (i.e., evaporator), which can optimize the circulation of the fluid.

[0094] The controller 40 receives information about the temperature of the heat exchanger 50 and the output of the compressor 70, and pre-stores an expected temperature according to the output of the compressor 70 and the specifications of the heat exchanger 50. The controller 40 can derive an optimal value of the refrigerant flow rate by determining and comparing the temperature of the heat exchanger 50 under the current operating conditions of the compressor 70 and the expected temperature.

[0095] The heat exchanger 50 may have a temperature sensor A. The controller 40 may receive information about the temperature of the heat exchanger 50 from the temperature sensor A.

[0096] In addition, the controller 40 may confirm information on the output of the compressor 70 by controlling the compressor.

[0097] In particular, the controller 40 pre-stores the expected temperature according to the output of the compressor 70 and the specifications of the heat exchanger 50. The expected temperature is data determined by experimenting on the temperature of the heat exchanger 50 according to the specifications such as the output conditions of the compressor 70 and the capacity of the heat exchanger 50. The expected temperature is pre-stored in the controller 40.

[0098] Therefore, the controller 40 derives the refrigerant flow rate required to supply the refrigerant to the heat exchanger 50 by determining and comparing the expected temperature and the current temperature of the heat exchanger 50 input by the temperature sensor A under the current operating condition of the compressor 70. The refrigerant flow rate derived by the controller 40 as described above may be an optimal value of the refrigerant flow rate (i.e., a control value of the refrigerant flow rate regulating device 100). In other words, the controller 40 adjusts the opening / closing timing of the switching valve 20 and the moving speed of the flow regulator 30 based on the optimal value of the refrigerant flow rate.

[0099] Therefore, the controller 40 may adjust the output of the compressor or the control cycle of the flow regulating device based on the optimal value of the refrigerant flow rate.

[0100] In other words, when the optimal value of the refrigerant flow rate is derived, the controller 40 can adjust the circulation amount of the refrigerant by adjusting the output of the compressor, or control the operation of the switch valve 20 and the flow regulator 30 of the refrigerant flow regulating device 100. Therefore, when the refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator according to the optimal value of the refrigerant flow rate, the quantitatively optimized refrigerant can be supplied.

[0101] The accumulator 60 may be further provided in the refrigerant inflow line 51 and arranged at a front end of the refrigerant flow regulating device 100 .

[0102] The refrigerant flow regulating system includes the accumulator 60 as described above, so that the surge pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant flow regulating device 100 can be prevented. Thus, the refrigerant having a predetermined pressure can be provided. Therefore, the accumulator 60 of the refrigerant flow regulating system receives a predetermined amount of refrigerant having a predetermined pressure, thereby supplying the optimal quantitative refrigerant to the heat exchanger 50.

[0103] According to the refrigerant flow rate regulating device and the system using the same structure as described above, the refrigerant is supplied to the heat exchanger 50 at a quantitative flow rate so that the appearance of liquid refrigerant at the outlet end of the evaporator is reduced. Thus, the refrigerant flow rate regulating device and the system prevent the appearance of liquid refrigerant at the outlet end of the heat exchanger 50, prevent the load from increasing, and prevent the lubrication defect of the compressor.

[0104] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerant flow regulating device, comprising: a cylindrical member having an interior space, an inlet portion, and an outlet portion; an on-off valve disposed in an inlet portion of the cylindrical member and configured to open or close the inlet portion; as well as a flow regulator configured to move linearly in an inner space of the cylindrical member, the flow regulator comprising a piston portion configured to move in the inner space and a valve portion configured to open or close an outlet portion of the cylindrical member; Therein, the fluid is stored in the volume of the inner space of the cylindrical member and then quantitatively discharged through the outlet portion by the opening / closing operation of the switching valve and the movement of the flow regulator.

2. The refrigerant flow rate regulating device according to claim 1, wherein: The inlet portion and the outlet portion of the cylindrical member are arranged in orthogonal directions relative to each other, and the inlet portion is arranged adjacent to the outlet portion in the internal space.

3. The refrigerant flow regulating device according to claim 1, wherein: The outlet portion of the cylindrical member is configured such that an inlet adjacent to the internal space and an outlet opposite to the inlet have cross-sectional areas that gradually increase in a direction opposite to a direction in which the inlet and the outlet face each other.

4. The refrigerant flow regulating device according to claim 3, wherein: The valve portion of the flow regulator is provided at a side adjacent to an outlet of the outlet portion and has a shape matching a shape of the outlet, and a diameter of the valve portion is smaller than a diameter of a portion of the outlet portion.

5. The refrigerant flow regulating device according to claim 1, wherein: The piston portion and the valve portion of the flow regulator are arranged to be spaced apart from each other; the valve portion being configured to close the outlet portion when the piston portion is positioned in the interior space at a maximum distance from the outlet portion; The valve portion is configured to open the outlet portion when the piston portion moves toward the outlet portion.

6. The refrigerant flow regulating device according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller configured to control the switch valve and the flow regulator; wherein the controller is configured to control the flow regulator to close the outlet portion of the cylindrical component when the switch valve is controlled to be open, so that the internal space is filled with fluid; Wherein, the controller is configured to control the flow regulator so that the piston part of the flow regulator pressurizes the fluid and the valve part of the flow regulator opens the outlet part when the switch valve is controlled to be closed, so that the fluid in the internal space is discharged quantitatively.

7. The refrigerant flow regulating device according to claim 6, wherein: The controller is configured to control the flow regulator so that the flow regulator repeatedly operates in the same cycle according to the opening / closing timing of the switching valve.

8. A refrigerant flow regulating system, comprising: a heat exchanger having a refrigerant inlet line and a refrigerant outlet line; a refrigerant flow regulating device installed in the refrigerant inflow pipeline and configured to quantitatively supply refrigerant to the heat exchanger; as well as a controller configured to control the flow regulating device; Wherein, the refrigerant flow regulating device comprises: a cylindrical member having an interior space, an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a switching valve provided in an inlet portion of the cylindrical member and configured to open or close the inlet portion, and A flow regulator configured to move linearly in an inner space of a cylindrical member, the flow regulator comprising a piston portion configured to move in the inner space and a valve portion configured to open or close an outlet portion according to the movement of the flow regulator.

9. The refrigerant flow regulating system according to claim 8, wherein: The controller stores the following process as a control loop: The on-off valve is opened and the flow regulator closes the outlet portion of the cylindrical member so that the inner space is filled with fluid; The switching valve is closed, the piston part of the flow regulator pressurizes the fluid, and the valve part opens the outlet part.

10. The refrigerant flow regulating system according to claim 8, wherein: The controller is configured to receive information regarding a temperature of the heat exchanger and an output of the compressor; The controller is configured to pre-store the expected temperature according to the output of the compressor and the specifications of the heat exchanger; The controller is configured to derive an optimal value for the refrigerant flow rate by determining and comparing an expected temperature with a temperature of the heat exchanger under current operating conditions of the compressor.

11. The refrigerant flow rate regulating system according to claim 10, wherein: The controller is configured to adjust the output of the compressor or a control cycle of the flow regulating device based on the optimal value of the refrigerant flow rate. 12 . The refrigerant flow regulating system according to claim 8 , further comprising an accumulator configured to prevent surge pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant flow regulating device.

13. The refrigerant flow regulating system according to claim 12, wherein: The accumulator is disposed in the refrigerant inflow pipeline and arranged at the front end of the refrigerant flow regulating device.

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