Air conditioning system

Abstract

We propose a new air conditioning system. [Solution] The air conditioning system comprises an outer pipe, an inner pipe coaxially arranged within the outer pipe, and a rotor coaxially arranged within the inner pipe. The inner pipe forms an outer air passage between the outer pipe and the inner pipe. The rotor forms an inner air passage between the inner pipe and the rotor. The air conditioning system further comprises a compression stage located at a first position in the central axis direction of the outer pipe, an expansion stage located at a second position different from the first position in the central axis direction, and a heat exchanger located between the compression stage and the expansion stage in the central axis direction. The compression stage includes a first rotor blade connected to the rotor. The expansion stage includes a second rotor blade connected to the rotor. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of partitions separating a first channel and a second channel from each other. The first channel is inserted into the inner air passage. The second channel is inserted into the outer air passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system.

Background Art

[0002] A general air conditioning system utilizes a refrigeration cycle that cools a refrigerant by repeating a series of operations including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a new air conditioning system that utilizes a principle different from that of a conventional refrigeration cycle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The air conditioning system includes an outer tube, an inner tube coaxially disposed within the outer tube, and a rotor coaxially disposed within the inner tube. The inner tube forms an outer ventilation passage between the outer tube and the inner tube. The rotor forms an inner ventilation passage between the inner tube and the rotor. The air conditioning system further includes a compression stage disposed at a first position in the central axis direction of the outer tube, an expansion stage disposed at a second position different from the first position in the central axis direction, and a heat exchanger disposed between the compression stage and the expansion stage in the central axis direction. The compression stage includes a first rotor blade connected to the rotor. The expansion stage includes a second rotor blade connected to the rotor. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of partition walls that isolate a first channel and a second channel from each other. The first channel is inserted into the inner ventilation passage. The second channel is inserted into the outer ventilation passage.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides a novel air conditioning system that utilizes a principle different from conventional refrigeration cycles. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing section A in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing section B in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing section C in Figures 2 and 3, and Figure 4(b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing section D in Figures 2 and 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5(a) is a top perspective view of the first inner closing member, and Figure 5(b) is a bottom perspective view of the first inner closing member. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a top perspective view of the first outer closing member, and Figure 6(b) is a bottom perspective view of the first outer closing member. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the partition wall. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the first and second rotor blades. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Figure 1 shows the air conditioning system 1. Because the air conditioning system 1 is axially symmetric, the lower half of the air conditioning system 1 is omitted in Figure 1. The air conditioning system 1 is embedded in a wall separating, for example, a first space 57 and a second space 59. The first space 57 is, for example, outdoors. The second space 59 is, for example, indoors.

[0009] The air conditioning system 1 comprises an outer pipe 3, an inner pipe 5 coaxially arranged inside the outer pipe 3, a rotor 9 coaxially arranged inside the inner pipe 5, and a motor 13 connected to the rotor 9. An outer air passage 7 is formed between the outer pipe 3 and the inner pipe 5. An inner air passage 11 is formed between the inner pipe 5 and the rotor 9. The motor 13 rotates the rotor 9.

[0010] The air conditioning system 1 further includes a compression stage 15 positioned at a first location in the central axis direction 2 of the outer tube 3. The compression stage 15 may include one or more rotating blades connected to the rotor 9 and one or more stationary blades connected to the outer tube 3. In this embodiment, the compression stage 15 includes two first stationary blades 17, 21 and one first rotating blade 19 positioned between them.

[0011] The air conditioning system 1 further includes an expansion stage 23 positioned at a second position different from the first position in the central axis direction 2. The expansion stage 23 may include one or more rotating blades connected to the rotor 9 and one or more fixed blades connected to the outer tube 3. In this embodiment, the expansion stage 23 includes two second fixed blades 25, 29 and one second rotating blade 27 positioned between them.

[0012] The air conditioning system 1 further includes a heat exchanger 31 positioned between the compression stage 15 and the expansion stage 23 in the central axis direction 2. The motor 13 rotates the rotor 9 to form an inner airflow in the inner air passage 11 from the first space 57 to the second space 59, and an outer airflow in the outer air passage 7 from the second space 59 to the first space 57. The heat exchanger 31 facilitates heat exchange between the air in the inner air passage 11 and the air in the outer air passage 7.

[0013] The inner vent 11 includes an inner intake port 41 located in the first space 57 and an inner outlet port 43 located in the second space 59. The outer vent 7 includes an outer intake port 45 located in the second space 59 and an outer outlet port 47 located in the first space 57. The compression stage 15 receives ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure air from the first space 57 through the inner vent 11 and makes this air high temperature and high pressure. On the other hand, the expansion stage 23 receives ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure air from the second space 59 through the outer vent 7 and makes this air low temperature and low pressure. The heat exchanger 31 promotes heat exchange between the high temperature and high pressure air and the low temperature and low pressure air, generating ambient temperature and high pressure air and ambient temperature and low pressure air. The expansion stage 23 receives ambient temperature and high pressure air from the heat exchanger 31 through the inner vent 11, makes this air low temperature and atmospheric pressure, and discharges the low temperature and atmospheric pressure air into the second space 59. Meanwhile, the compression stage 15 receives ambient temperature, low-pressure air from the heat exchanger 31 through the outer ventilation passage 7, raises this air to high temperature and atmospheric pressure, and discharges the high-temperature, atmospheric-pressure air into the first space 57. In this way, the air conditioning system 1 creates a temperature difference between the first space 57 and the second space 59 while ventilating between them.

[0014] The heat exchanger 31 may have any suitable structure that enables heat exchange between the air in the outer vent 7 and the air in the inner vent 11. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the heat exchanger 31 includes a plurality of partition walls 61 that separate the first channel 63 and the second channel 65 from each other. The first channel 63 is inserted into the inner vent 11. The second channel 65 is inserted into the outer vent 7. The partition walls 61 are made of metal or nonmetal. To increase heat exchange efficiency, the partition walls 61 may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity.

[0015] Channel 1 63 includes a plurality (18 in this embodiment) of first sub-channels 63a, 63b, ···. Channel 2 65 includes a plurality (18 in this embodiment) of second sub-channels 65a, 65b, 65c, ···. The first sub-channels 63a, 63b, ··· and the second sub-channels 65a, 65b, 65c, ··· are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the outer tube 3. The first sub-channels 63a, 63b, ··· extend from near the rotor 9 to the outer tube 3 in the radial direction of the outer tube 3. The second sub-channels 65a, 65b, 65c, ··· extend from the rotor 9 to near the outer tube 3 in the radial direction of the outer tube 3. Such an arrangement of the first sub-channels 63a, 63b, ··· and the second sub-channels 65a, 65b, 65c, ··· increases the total area of the plurality of partition walls 61 and enhances the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 31.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 1 further includes a first inner blocking member 33 and a second inner blocking member 37 such that the inner ventilation path 11 is connected to Channel 1 63 while not connected to Channel 2 65. The air conditioning system 1 further includes a first outer blocking member 35 and a second outer blocking member 39 such that the outer ventilation path 7 is connected to Channel 2 65 while not connected to Channel 1 63.

[0017] The first inner blocking member 33 is disposed in the inner ventilation path 11 and between the compression stage 15 and the heat exchanger 31. The second inner blocking member 37 is disposed in the inner ventilation path 11 and between the expansion stage 23 and the heat exchanger 31. The first outer blocking member 35 is disposed in the outer ventilation path 7 and between the compression stage 15 and the heat exchanger 31. The second outer blocking member 39 is disposed in the outer ventilation path 7 and between the expansion stage 23 and the heat exchanger 31.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the first inner closing member 33 includes a plurality (18 in this embodiment) of first inner lid portions 33a, 33b, 33c... that respectively close a plurality (18 in this embodiment) of second sub-channels 65a, 65b, 65c... The first inner lid portions 33a, 33b, 33c... prevent air from flowing from the inner ventilation passage 11 into the second sub-channels 65a, 65b, 65c... The first outer closing member 35 includes a plurality (18 in this embodiment) of first outer lid portions 35a, 35b... that respectively close a plurality (18 in this embodiment) of first sub-channels 63a, 63b... The first outer lid portions 35a, 35b... prevent air from flowing from the first sub-channels 63a, 63b... into the outer ventilation passage 7.

[0019] Similar to the first inner closing member 33, the second inner closing member 37 includes a plurality of second inner lid portions that respectively close the plurality of second sub-channels 65a, 65b, 65c... The second inner lid portions prevent air from flowing from the second sub-channels 65a, 65b, 65c into the inner ventilation passage 11. Similar to the first outer closing member 35, the second outer closing member 39 includes a plurality of second outer lid portions that respectively close the plurality of first sub-channels 63a, 63b... The second outer lid portions prevent air from flowing from the outer ventilation passage 7 into the first sub-channels 63a, 63b...

[0020] The first inner covers 33a, 33b, 33c... and the second inner covers 37a, 37b, 37c... may have any suitable structure capable of blocking the second subchannels 65a, 65b, 65c... In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4(a), the first inner cover 33b includes a vertical surface 67 facing the compression stage 15 and an inclined surface 69 facing the inside of the second subchannel 65b. The vertical surface 67 is perpendicular to the central axis direction 2. The inclined surface 69 is inclined with respect to the vertical surface 67. The vertical surface 67 is suitable for stopping the airflow. The inclined surface 69 is suitable for directing air radially outward in the outer tube 3. The second inner cover 37b includes a vertical surface 71 facing the expansion stage 23 and an inclined surface 73 facing the inside of the second subchannel 65b. The vertical surface 71 is perpendicular to the central axis direction 2. The inclined surface 73 is inclined with respect to the vertical surface 71. The vertical surface 71 is suitable for stopping the airflow. The inclined surface 73 is suitable for directing the air radially inward into the outer tube 3.

[0021] The first outer covers 35a, 35b... and the second outer covers 39a, 39b... may have any suitable structure capable of blocking the first subchannels 63a, 63b... In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4(b), the first outer cover 35b includes a vertical surface 75 facing the compression stage 15 and an inclined surface 77 facing the inside of the first subchannel 63b. The vertical surface 75 is perpendicular to the central axis direction 2. The inclined surface 77 is inclined with respect to the vertical surface 75. The vertical surface 75 is suitable for stopping air. The inclined surface 77 is suitable for directing air radially outward of the outer tube 3. The second outer cover 39b includes a vertical surface 79 facing the expansion stage 23 and an inclined surface 81 facing the inside of the first subchannel 63b. The vertical surface 79 is suitable for stopping airflow. The inclined surface 81 is suitable for directing air radially inward.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4(a), the outer vent 7 has a first length L1 in the radial direction of the outer pipe 3. The second subchannel 65b has a second length L2 in the radial direction of the outer pipe 3. The second length L2 may be greater than the first length L1.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4(b), the inner air passage 11 has a third length L3 in the radial direction of the outer pipe 3. The first subchannel 63a has a fourth length L4 in the radial direction of the outer pipe 3. The fourth length L4 may be greater than the third length L3.

[0024] Figure 4(a) shows a representative example of the first inner cover portion 33b. As shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), the first inner closing member 33 may be axially symmetric, and therefore, multiple first inner cover portions 33a, 33b, 33c, etc. may be the same as one another. The same applies to the second inner closing member 37. Figure 4(b) shows a representative example of the first outer cover portion 35b. As shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), the first outer closing member 35 may be axially symmetric, and therefore, multiple first outer cover portions 35a, 35b, etc. may be the same as one another. The same applies to the second outer closing member 39.

[0025] As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, the multiple partition walls 61 are each arranged parallel to the central axis direction 2. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the multiple partition walls 61 may have a skew that is inclined with respect to the central axis direction 2.

[0026] In this embodiment, each of the partition walls 61 is a flat plate. The partition walls 61 may be embossed to increase their strength or heat exchange efficiency. The embossing may be dimples, grooves, or other shapes.

[0027] As shown in Figure 8, the first rotor blade 19 may include a first inner ring 83, a first outer ring 85, and a first intermediate ring 87 between the first inner ring 83 and the first outer ring 85. The first inner ring 83 may have an inner diameter the same as the outer diameter of the rotor 9 so as to fit onto the rotor 9. The first outer ring 85 may have an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube 3 so as to be spaced apart from the outer tube 3. The first intermediate ring 87 may have an inner diameter the same as the inner diameter of the inner tube 5 and an outer diameter the same as the outer diameter of the inner tube 5.

[0028] The first rotor blade 19 may further include a plurality of first inner blades 89 connected between the first inner ring 83 and the first intermediate ring 87, and a plurality of first outer blades 91 connected between the first outer ring 85 and the first intermediate ring 87. The plurality of first inner blades 89 are arranged in the inner air passage 11. The plurality of first outer blades 91 are arranged in the outer air passage 7.

[0029] Each of the multiple first inner blades 89 may have a first angle with respect to the central axis direction 2 of the outer tube 3. Each of the multiple first outer blades 91 may have a second angle different from the first angle with respect to the central axis direction 2 of the outer tube 3. The first angle may be such that when the rotor 9 rotates, it forms an inner airflow in the inner air passage 11 from the first space 57 to the second space 59. The second angle may be such that when the rotor 9 rotates, it forms an outer airflow in the outer air passage 7 from the second space 59 to the first space 57.

[0030] The second rotor blade 27, like the first rotor blade 19, may include a second inner ring 93, a second outer ring 95, and a second intermediate ring 97 between the second inner ring 93 and the second outer ring 95. The second inner ring 93 may have an inner diameter the same as the outer diameter of the rotor 9 so as to fit onto the rotor 9. The second outer ring 95 may have an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube 3 so as to be spaced apart from the outer tube 3. The second intermediate ring 97 may have an inner diameter the same as the inner diameter of the inner tube 5 and an outer diameter the same as the outer diameter of the inner tube 5.

[0031] The second rotor blade 27 may further include a plurality of second inner blades 99 connected between the second inner ring 93 and the second intermediate ring 97, and a plurality of second outer blades 101 connected between the second outer ring 95 and the second intermediate ring 97. The plurality of second inner blades 99 are arranged in the inner air passage 11. The plurality of second outer blades 101 are arranged in the outer air passage 7.

[0032] Each of the multiple second inner blades 99 may have a third angle with respect to the central axis direction 2 of the outer tube 3. Each of the multiple second outer blades 101 may have a fourth angle different from the third angle with respect to the central axis direction 2 of the outer tube 3. The third angle may be such that when the rotor 9 rotates, it forms an inner airflow in the inner air passage 11 from the first space 57 to the second space 59. The fourth angle may be such that when the rotor 9 rotates, it forms an outer airflow in the outer air passage 7 from the second space 59 to the first space 57.

[0033] Returning to Figure 1, the first fixed wings 17 and 21 may have a structure similar to the first rotor wing 19. However, since the first fixed wings 17 and 21 are connected to the outer tube 3 and are separated from the rotor 9, the inner diameter of the first inner ring 83 and the outer diameter of the first outer ring 85 differ from those of the first rotor wing 19. The second fixed wings 25 and 29 are similar to the first fixed wings 17 and 21.

[0034] As described above, the inner air passage 11 has an inner intake port 41 and an inner outlet port 43. The outer air passage 7 has an outer intake port 45 and an outer outlet port 47. The inner intake port 41 may open in the direction of the central axis 2 of the outer pipe 3. The inner outlet port 43 may open in the direction of the central axis 2 of the outer pipe 3. The outer intake port 45 may open in the radial direction of the outer pipe 3. The outer outlet port 47 may open in the radial direction of the outer pipe 3. The difference in the orientation of the openings of the inner outlet port 43 and the outer intake port 45 helps to reduce air circulation between the inner outlet port 43 and the outer intake port 45. Similarly, the difference in the orientation of the openings of the outer outlet port 47 and the inner intake port 41 helps to reduce air circulation between the outer outlet port 47 and the inner intake port 41.

[0035] The air conditioning system 1 may further include diffusers 49 and 53 in the inner air passage 11. The air conditioning system 1 may further include diffusers 51 and 55 in the outer air passage 7. The diffusers 49, 51, 53, and 55 are suitable for adjusting the direction of airflow.

[0036] Although embodiments have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, the various modifications described herein can be combined as needed.

[0037] For example, to simplify the structure, the expansion stage 23 in the outer ventilation passage 7 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1: Air conditioning system, 3: Outer pipe, 5: Inner pipe, 7: Outer vent, 9: Rotor, 11: Inner vent, 15: Compression stage, 23: Expansion stage, 31: Heat exchanger, 61: Partition, 63: First channel, 65: Second channel

Claims

1. Outer tube and, An inner tube coaxially arranged within the outer tube, forming an outer ventilation passage between the outer tube and the inner tube, A rotor coaxially arranged within the inner tube, forming an inner air passage between the inner tube and the rotor, A compression stage positioned at a first position in the central axis direction of the outer tube, comprising a first rotating blade connected to the rotor, An expansion stage positioned at a second position different from the first position in the central axis direction, the expansion stage includes a second rotor blade connected to the rotor, A heat exchanger disposed between the compression stage and the expansion stage in the central axis direction, comprising a plurality of partitions separating a first channel and a second channel from each other, wherein the first channel is inserted into the inner air passage and the second channel is inserted into the outer air passage, An air conditioning system equipped with [specific features / features].

2. The first channel includes a plurality of first subchannels, The aforementioned second channel includes a plurality of second subchannels, The plurality of first subchannels and the plurality of second subchannels are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the outer tube. The air conditioning system according to claim 1.

3. A first inner closing member disposed within the inner ventilation passage and positioned between the compression stage and the heat exchanger, the first inner closing member includes a plurality of first inner cover portions that each close off a plurality of second subchannels, A first outer closing member disposed within the outer ventilation passage and between the compression stage and the heat exchanger, the first outer closing member includes a plurality of first outer cover portions that each close off the plurality of first subchannels, A second inner closing member, disposed within the inner ventilation passage and positioned between the expansion stage and the heat exchanger, comprising a plurality of second inner cover portions that each close off the plurality of second subchannels, A second outer closing member, disposed within the outer ventilation passage and between the expansion stage and the heat exchanger, comprising a plurality of second outer cover portions that each close off the plurality of first subchannels, The air conditioning system according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. Each of the plurality of first inner lids includes a vertical surface facing the compression stage and an inclined surface facing one corresponding inner side of each of the plurality of second subchannels, Each of the plurality of second outer cover portions includes a vertical surface facing the expansion step and an inclined surface facing one corresponding inward side of each of the plurality of first subchannels. The air conditioning system according to claim 3.

5. Each of the plurality of first outer cover portions includes a vertical surface facing the compression stage and an inclined surface facing one corresponding inward side of each of the plurality of first subchannels, Each of the plurality of second inner lid portions includes a vertical surface facing the expansion step and an inclined surface facing one corresponding inner side of each of the plurality of second subchannels. The air conditioning system according to claim 4.

6. The first rotor blade is The first inner ring, The first outer ring, The first intermediate ring between the first inner ring and the first outer ring, A plurality of first inner wings connected between the first inner ring and the first intermediate ring, It includes a plurality of first outer wings connected between the first outer ring and the first intermediate ring, Each of the plurality of first inner wings has a first angle with respect to the central axis direction, Each of the plurality of first outer wings has a second angle different from the first angle with respect to the central axis direction. The air conditioning system according to claim 1.

7. The second rotor blade is The second inner ring, The second outer ring, A second intermediate ring between the second inner ring and the second outer ring, A plurality of second inner wings connected between the second inner ring and the second intermediate ring, The system includes a plurality of second outer wings connected between the second outer ring and the second intermediate ring, Each of the aforementioned plurality of second inner wings has a third angle with respect to the central axis direction, Each of the plurality of second outer wings has a fourth angle different from the third angle with respect to the central axis direction. The air conditioning system according to claim 6.

8. The inner ventilation passage has an inner intake port and an inner outlet, the inner intake port opens in the direction of the central axis, and the inner outlet opens in the direction of the central axis. The outer vent has an outer intake port and an outer outlet port, the outer intake port opens in the radial direction of the outer pipe, and the outer outlet port opens in the radial direction of the outer pipe. The air conditioning system according to claim 1.

9. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, further comprising a motor connected to the rotor.

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