Economizer assembly and air conditioning system

Abstract

The utility model discloses an economizer assembly and an air conditioning system. The economizer assembly comprises a heat exchanger, a main path inlet pipeline, a main path outlet pipeline, an auxiliary path inlet pipeline, an auxiliary path outlet pipeline and a throttling device, and a first flow channel and a second flow channel which are independent of each other are arranged in the heat exchanger; the main path inlet pipeline and the main path outlet pipeline are connected to a first liquid inlet and a liquid outlet of the heat exchanger respectively, one end of the auxiliary path inlet pipeline is communicated with the main path inlet pipeline, the other end of the auxiliary path inlet pipeline is connected with a second liquid inlet of the heat exchanger through the throttling device, and the auxiliary path outlet pipeline is connected with an air outlet of the heat exchanger. Based on the economizer assembly, the performance and reliability of the economizer are effectively improved, and the stability of the air conditioning system is enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of heat exchange of air-conditioning systems, in particular to an economizer assembly and an air-conditioning system. Background Art

[0002] An economizer, also known as an economic pressure controller, is commonly used in air-cooled screw air-conditioning units. The main body of the economizer is a heat exchanger. After the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the condenser enters the economizer, it is divided into two branches: the main branch and the auxiliary branch. The refrigerant in the auxiliary branch enters the throttling device in the economizer, is throttled and expanded to be further cooled, so as to reduce the temperature of the refrigerant in the main branch, making the refrigerant in the main branch subcooled. After the liquid refrigerant in the main branch is subcooled, it then enters the evaporator through an expansion valve to complete the refrigeration of the air-conditioning system. In the auxiliary branch, the part of the refrigerant used to subcool the main branch absorbs heat and becomes gaseous, and then re-enters the compressor through the connecting pipeline between the economizer and the compressor to continue compression, entering the next refrigeration cycle. The economizer effectively improves the heat exchange performance and heat exchange efficiency of the air-conditioning unit, and has a positive effect on improving the refrigeration efficiency.

[0003] The throttling device in the economizer is installed on the auxiliary branch. The opening degree of the throttling device affects the flow rate of the refrigerant in the auxiliary branch, thereby affecting the subcooling degree of the main branch and the superheat degree at the outlet of the auxiliary branch, and further affecting the performance and safety of the economizer. Conversely, the subcooling degree of the main branch and the superheat degree at the outlet of the auxiliary branch also affect the opening degree of the throttling device. When the above subcooling degree and superheat degree do not reach the preset condition values, it is necessary to adjust the opening degree of the throttling device to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant to adjust the corresponding subcooling degree and superheat degree.

[0004] In the existing economizer usage scheme, the auxiliary branch takes liquid from the outlet of the heat exchanger where the main branch flows out to subcool the refrigerant in the main branch in the next stage. The drawback of this design is that: the subcooling degree at the outlet of the main branch will be more affected by the opening degree of the throttling device because it is close to the throttling device, and thus the subcooling degree at the outlet will also affect the opening degree of the throttling device. Under this feedback cycle, the operating state of the economizer will become difficult to predict and control, thus seriously affecting the overall performance of the economizer and the stability of the air-conditioning system. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide an economizer assembly and an air-conditioning system that can weaken the negative impact of the feedback cycle on the premise of ensuring the heat exchange performance to enhance the stability of the air-conditioning system.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present utility model provides an economizer assembly and an air-conditioning system. The economizer assembly is used for the air-conditioning system. The economizer assembly includes a heat exchanger, a main path inlet pipeline, a main path outlet pipeline, a secondary path inlet pipeline, a secondary path outlet pipeline, and a throttling device. There are two mutually independent first flow channels and second flow channels in the heat exchanger; a first liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, a second liquid inlet, and a gas outlet are arranged on the heat exchanger. The first liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are respectively located at both ends of the first flow channel, and the second liquid inlet and the gas outlet are respectively located at both ends of the second flow channel;

[0007] The main path inlet pipeline and the main path outlet pipeline are respectively connected to the first liquid inlet and the liquid outlet of the heat exchanger. One end of the secondary path inlet pipeline communicates with the main path inlet pipeline, and the other end of the secondary path inlet pipeline is connected to the second liquid inlet of the heat exchanger through the throttling device. The throttling device is used to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the secondary path inlet pipeline. The secondary path outlet pipeline is connected to the gas outlet of the heat exchanger.

[0008] Optionally, a first temperature sensor is arranged on the main path inlet pipeline, a second temperature sensor is arranged on the main path outlet pipeline, and a third temperature sensor is arranged on the secondary path outlet pipeline. The working state of the throttling device is adjusted based on the detection results of the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the third temperature sensor.

[0009] Optionally, a pressure sensor is further arranged on the secondary path outlet pipeline. The working state of the throttling device is adjusted based on the detection results of the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the third temperature sensor, and the pressure sensor.

[0010] Optionally, the throttling device includes a plurality of electronic expansion valves arranged in parallel.

[0011] Optionally, the heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger.

[0012] The present utility model also discloses an air-conditioning system including the economizer assembly as described above.

[0013] Optionally, the air-conditioning system further includes an expansion valve, an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. The condenser is connected to the economizer assembly through the main path inlet pipeline. The economizer assembly is connected to the expansion valve through the main path outlet pipeline. The expansion valve is connected to the evaporator. The economizer assembly is connected to the compressor through the secondary path outlet pipeline.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, in the utility model, the auxiliary inlet pipeline takes liquid from the main inlet pipeline, and the refrigerant shunted from the main inlet pipeline is throttled and expanded by the throttling device on the auxiliary inlet pipeline and used to subcool the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger from the main inlet pipeline. By changing the liquid-taking position of the auxiliary inlet pipeline, the negative impact brought by the feedback cycle in the economizer can be weakened without changing the existing combined structure and working mode of the economizer, the performance and reliability of the economizer can be significantly improved, and further the stability of the air-conditioning system can be enhanced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the principle structure of the economizer assembly in the embodiment of the utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the air-conditioning system in the embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] In order to describe in detail the technical content, structural features, achieved objectives and effects of the utility model, the following is described in detail in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the drawings.

[0018] This embodiment discloses an economizer assembly 1 for an air-conditioning system to weaken the negative impact of the feedback cycle, thereby enhancing the stability of the air-conditioning system. Refer to Figure 1 As shown, the economizer assembly 1 in this embodiment includes a heat exchanger 11, a main inlet pipeline 121, a main outlet pipeline 122, an auxiliary inlet pipeline 131, an auxiliary outlet pipeline 132, and a throttling device 14. The heat exchanger 11 has two independent first flow channels 11a and second flow channels 11b. The heat exchanger 11 is provided with a first liquid inlet 111, a liquid outlet 112, a second liquid inlet 113, and a gas outlet 114. The first liquid inlet 111 and the liquid outlet 112 are respectively located at both ends of the first flow channel 11a, and the second liquid inlet 113 and the gas outlet 114 are respectively located at both ends of the second flow channel 11b.

[0019] It should be noted that the first flow channel 11a and the second flow channel 11b provide a heat exchange effect for the flowing refrigerant, and the refrigerant in the second flow channel 11b also exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the first flow channel 11a to absorb the heat of the refrigerant in the first flow channel 11a, so that the temperature of the refrigerant in the first flow channel 11a is lower and an ideal subcooling effect is achieved.

[0020] Among them, the main inlet pipeline 121 and the main outlet pipeline 122 are respectively connected to the first liquid inlet 111 and the liquid outlet 112 of the heat exchanger 11. One end of the auxiliary inlet pipeline 131 is communicated with the main inlet pipeline 121, and the other end of the auxiliary inlet pipeline 131 is connected to the second liquid inlet 113 of the heat exchanger 11 through a throttling device 14. The throttling device 14 is used to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the auxiliary inlet pipeline 131. The auxiliary outlet pipeline 132 is connected to the gas outlet 114 of the heat exchanger 11.

[0021] In the normal operation state of the economizer assembly 1, the refrigerant that needs to be subcooled enters the first flow channel 11a in the heat exchanger 11 through the main inlet pipeline 121. After the refrigerant in the first flow channel 11a reaches subcooling through heat exchange, it is then output from the liquid outlet 112 through the main outlet pipeline 122. Among the refrigerants input from the main inlet pipeline 121, some refrigerants are diverted and flow into the second flow channel 11b through the auxiliary inlet pipeline 131, so as to be used to subcool the refrigerant in the first flow channel 11a. This part of the refrigerant flows through the throttling device 14 provided on the auxiliary inlet pipeline 131 and is throttled and expanded, so the pressure is reduced and the temperature drops. This part of the refrigerant evaporates in the heat exchanger 11, absorbs heat, thereby forming gaseous refrigerant, and enters the next stage along the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132 through the gas outlet 114 to be recooled into liquid refrigerant for use. In this process, the flow path of the refrigerant is a, b, c, d, e. The refrigerant flows between the main inlet pipeline 121 and the main outlet pipeline 122 to form a main branch, and the refrigerant flows between the auxiliary inlet pipeline 131 and the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132 to form an auxiliary branch.

[0022] In this process, compared with the prior art, the auxiliary inlet pipeline 131 is changed from taking liquid from the main outlet pipeline 122 to taking liquid from the main inlet pipeline 121, avoiding affecting the subcooling degree of the main outlet pipeline 122 due to the liquid taking position being close to the throttling device 14, and thus in turn affecting the opening degree of the throttling device 14 itself. The change of the liquid taking position can weaken the negative effect of the feedback cycle between the throttling device 14 and the subcooling degree of the main outlet pipeline 122 as much as possible without changing the existing combined structure and working mode of the economizer assembly 1, improve the performance and reliability of the economizer assembly 1, and further enhance the operation stability of the air conditioning system where the economizer assembly 1 is located.

[0023] Refer to again Figure 1As shown, in some embodiments, a first temperature sensor 151 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant in the main inlet pipeline 121 is provided on the main inlet pipeline 121, a second temperature sensor 152 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant in the main outlet pipeline 122 is provided on the main outlet pipeline 122, a third sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant in the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132 and a pressure sensor 16 for detecting the air pressure of the refrigerant in the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132 are provided on the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132.

[0024] During the operation of the economizer assembly 1, based on the state parameters of the refrigerant input into the input heat exchanger 11, the state of the throttling device 14 (i.e., the opening degree of the throttling device 14) can be adjusted through the control system of the air conditioning system. The state parameters of the refrigerant include the subcooling degrees of the main inlet pipeline 121 and the main outlet pipeline 122 and the superheat degree at the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132.

[0025] The calculation method of the subcooling degrees of the main inlet pipeline 121 and the main outlet pipeline 122 includes: obtaining the corresponding first temperature value and second temperature value in the first temperature sensor 151 and the second temperature sensor 152; calculating the difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value, and the subcooling degrees of the main inlet pipeline 121 and the main outlet pipeline 122 can be obtained.

[0026] The calculation method of the superheat degree at the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132 includes: obtaining the corresponding third temperature value and pressure value in the third temperature sensor 153 and the pressure sensor 16; based on the pressure value, obtaining the saturation temperature of the refrigerant corresponding to the pressure value through the saturation temperature conversion method; calculating the difference between the third temperature value and the saturation temperature, and the superheat degree of the auxiliary outlet can be obtained. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the saturation temperature conversion method includes any one of the refrigerant thermodynamic property table, the pressure-temperature diagram, and the saturation temperature calculation formula. Common saturation temperature calculation formulas include the Antoine equation, the state equation, etc. By the saturation temperature calculation formula, combined with the specific refrigerant type, the saturation temperature of the refrigerant corresponding to the pressure value can be calculated, which will not be elaborated here.

[0027] By means of the first temperature sensor 151 disposed on the main inlet pipeline 121, the second temperature sensor 152 disposed on the main outlet pipeline 122, the third temperature sensor 153 and the pressure sensor 16 disposed on the auxiliary inlet pipeline 131, the corresponding subcooling degree and superheat degree can be obtained. By controlling the subcooling degree of the main inlet pipeline 121 and the main outlet pipeline 122 and the superheat degree at the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132, the opening degree of the throttling device 14 can be adjusted and set. The subcooling degree of the main inlet pipeline 121 and the main outlet pipeline 122 represents the subcooling degree of the refrigerant in the first flow channel 11a, and further represents the performance of the economizer assembly 1. At the same time, the superheat degree at the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132 also represents the heat exchange and gasification degree of the refrigerant input from the auxiliary inlet pipeline 131 into the heat exchanger 11. When the superheat degree of the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132 is too low, the gasification degree of the refrigerant is poor, and the gaseous refrigerant output from the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132 carries refrigerant liquid beads, and these refrigerant liquid beads are output through the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132, which may cause damage to the equipment connected to the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132. Monitoring the superheat degree of the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132 can avoid this situation and ensure the safety of the air-conditioning system.

[0028] In some embodiments, the throttling device 14 includes a plurality of electronic expansion valves arranged in parallel. In this embodiment, taking three electronic expansion valves as an example, the throttling device 14 of the economizer assembly 1 of the present invention includes a first electronic expansion valve 141, a second electronic expansion valve 142 and a third electronic expansion valve 143. Compared with the design that often combines a thermal expansion valve and an electronic valve in the prior art, the electronic expansion valve used in the present invention has significant advantages in terms of reaction sensitivity, action speed, adjustment accuracy and stability. More importantly, the thermal expansion valve adjusts itself in a thermal manner, while the electronic expansion valve adjusts in an electronic manner, can receive the instructions of the control system of the air-conditioning system to perform switching actions, and can generate adjustment actions according to more state parameters of the air-conditioning system in addition to the state parameters of the refrigerant, so as to realize more extensive control functions.

[0029] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 11 is a plate heat exchanger. It should be noted that the specific structure of the heat exchanger 11 belongs to the conventional technology in the field and will not be elaborated here.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 2 As shown, the present utility model also discloses an air-conditioning system, which includes an expansion valve 2, an evaporator 3, a compressor 4, a condenser 5 and the economizer assembly 1 as above. The condenser 5 is connected to the economizer assembly 1 through the main inlet pipeline 121. The economizer assembly 1 is connected to the expansion valve 2 through the main outlet pipeline 122. The expansion valve 2 is connected to the evaporator 3. The economizer assembly 1 is connected to the compressor 4 through the auxiliary outlet pipeline 132.

[0031] The following briefly introduces the operation process of the air conditioning system in the embodiments of the present utility model for easy understanding of the present utility model, and it should not be regarded as a limitation to the present utility model.

[0032] First, the compressor 4 sucks in the low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant and compresses it into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. This part of the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is transmitted to the condenser 5 and then cooled and condensed into a liquid refrigerant by the condenser 5.

[0033] Next, this part of the liquid refrigerant is transmitted to the economizer assembly 1 and input into the heat exchanger 11 in the economizer assembly 1 through the main path inlet pipeline 121. At the main path inlet pipeline 121 of the heat exchanger 11, a part is divided into the main path branch and input into the first flow channel 11a of the heat exchanger 11 through the first liquid inlet 111, and the other part is divided into the auxiliary path branch and input into the second flow channel 11b of the heat exchanger 11 along the auxiliary path inlet pipeline 131 from the second liquid inlet 113. The refrigerant in the second flow channel 11b is used to subcool the liquid refrigerant in the first flow channel 11a. After heat exchange and subcooling, the refrigerant in the first flow channel 11a flows out along the main path outlet pipeline 122 from the liquid outlet 112 and flows to the expansion valve 2. The refrigerant in the second flow channel 11b absorbs heat and turns into a gaseous refrigerant and is discharged along the auxiliary path outlet pipeline 132 from the gas outlet 114 and enters the compressor 4 to carry out the next refrigeration cycle.

[0034] Then, the liquid refrigerant flowing to the expansion valve 2 is depressurized by the expansion valve 2 and is transported from the expansion valve 2 to the evaporator 3 for evaporation. The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant absorbs heat, thereby realizing the refrigeration and cooling of the air.

[0035] Finally, the refrigerant that turns into a gaseous state under the evaporation action of the evaporator 3 is input into the compressor 4, and is compressed together with the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the auxiliary path outlet pipeline 132 to form a new refrigeration cycle, realizing the recycling of the refrigerant.

[0036] For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present utility model is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present utility model. Therefore, from any point of view, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting. The scope of the present utility model is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description. Therefore, all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims are intended to be included in the present utility model. Any reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as limiting the claimed rights.

[0037] The above-disclosed are only the preferred embodiments of the present utility model. Of course, the scope of rights of the present utility model cannot be limited thereby. Therefore, equivalent changes made according to the scope of the patent application of the present utility model still fall within the scope covered by the present utility model.

Claims

1. An economizer component for an air conditioning system, characterized in that, The economizer assembly includes a heat exchanger, a main path inlet pipeline, a main path outlet pipeline, a secondary path inlet pipeline, a secondary path outlet pipeline, and a throttling device. The heat exchanger has two independent first flow channels and second flow channels; the heat exchanger is provided with a first liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, a second liquid inlet, and a gas outlet. The first liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are respectively located at two ends of the first flow channel, and the second liquid inlet and the gas outlet are respectively located at two ends of the second flow channel. The main path inlet pipeline and the main path outlet pipeline are respectively connected to the first liquid inlet and the liquid outlet of the heat exchanger. One end of the secondary path inlet pipeline communicates with the main path inlet pipeline, and the other end of the secondary path inlet pipeline is connected to the second liquid inlet of the heat exchanger through the throttling device. The throttling device is used to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the secondary path inlet pipeline. The secondary path outlet pipeline is connected to the gas outlet of the heat exchanger.

2. The economizer component according to claim 1, wherein A first temperature sensor is provided on the main path inlet pipeline, a second temperature sensor is provided on the main path outlet pipeline, a third temperature sensor is provided on the secondary path outlet pipeline, and the working state of the throttling device is adjusted based on the detection results of the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the third temperature sensor.

3. The economizer assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The secondary path outlet pipeline is further provided with a pressure sensor, and the working state of the throttling device is adjusted based on the detection results of the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the third temperature sensor, and the pressure sensor.

4. The economizer component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The throttling device includes a plurality of electronic expansion valves arranged in parallel.

5. The economizer component according to claim 1, characterized in that The heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger.

6. An air conditioning system, characterized in that, It includes the economizer assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The air conditioning system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The air conditioning system further includes an expansion valve, an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. The condenser is connected to the economizer assembly through the main path inlet pipeline. The economizer assembly is connected to the expansion valve through the main path outlet pipeline. The expansion valve is connected to the evaporator. The economizer assembly is connected to the compressor through the secondary path outlet pipeline.

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