Adjustable chamber for air cooling system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a cooling system featuring a mixing chamber with an outlet tube at one end and an inlet tube at the other end. A flow outlet within the mixing chamber is connected to the inlet tube and comprises adjustable orifices along with a main flow outlet. The cooling system allows for precise control over the flow of a cooling medium, enhancing efficiency and flexibility in various cooling applications. The adjustable orifices enable customization of the cooling process to suit specific requirements, while the main flow outlet ensures a continuous and regulated flow of the cooling medium through the system.

Description

202403301ADJUSTABLE CHAMBER FOR AIR COOLING SYSTEMFIELD

[0001] The field to which the disclosure relates is heating and cooling systems and more particularly to vehicle air conditioning systems.BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicle air conditioning (AC) systems serve to moderate interior temperature by removing heat and humidity from air.

[0003] Such systems generally involve a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, increasing its pressure and temperature. The refrigerant then flows to a condenser, where the refrigerant releases its heat to outside air and condenses into a high-pressure liquid. The high-pressure liquid typically moves through an expansion valve where it expands and cools into a low-pressure liquid.

[0004] The performance of AC systems can be limited resulting in insufficient interior cooling. What is needed are one or more techniques to improve air cooling performance.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 is a system 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a more detailed cooling chamber system100, 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0007] Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 of arranging a mixing chamber for a cooling system in accordance with one or more aspects.DETAILED DESCRIPTION202403301

[0008] The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, its application, or uses. The description is presented herein solely for the purpose of illustrating the various embodiments of the disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation to the scope and applicability of the disclosure. In the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, each numerical value should be read once as modified by the term “about” (unless already expressly so modified), and then read again as not so modified unless otherwise indicated in context. Also, in the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, with the understanding that a value range listed or described as being useful, suitable, or the like, is intended that any and every value within the range, including the end points, is to be considered as having been stated. For example, “a range of from 1 to 10” is to be read as indicating each and every possible number along the continuum between about 1 and about 10. Thus, even if specific data points within the range, or even no data points within the range, are explicitly identified or refer to only a few specific data points, it is to be understood that inventors appreciate and understand that any and all data points within the range are to be considered to have been specified, and that inventors had possession of the entire range and all points within the range.

[0009] Unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0010] In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of concepts according to the disclosure. This description should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural unless otherwise stated.

[0011] The terminology and phraseology used herein is for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including",202403301"comprising", "having", "containing", or "involving", and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited.

[0012] Also, as used herein, any references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

[0013] Vehicle air conditioning (AC) or cooling systems serve to moderate interior temperature by removing heat and humidity from air. Cooling systems are used in vehicles and other applications to regulate temperature of the engine and regulate cabin or interior temperature.

[0014] Such systems generally involve a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, increasing its pressure and temperature. The refrigerant then flows to a condenser, where the refrigerant releases its heat to outside air and condenses into a high-pressure liquid. The high-pressure liquid typically moves through an expansion valve where it expands and cools into a low-pressure liquid.

[0015] One technique to improve performance of cooling systems is to use a counterflow heat exchanger to facilitate liquid subcooling.

[0016] However, these heat exchangers are complex, costly, can have weld leaks, difficulty packaging in vehicles, and the like.

[0017] What is needed are one or more techniques to improve air cooling performance.

[0018] One or more embodiments are provided that facilitate cooling by utilizing an adjustable chamber having an adjustable or tunable inlet tube. The inlet tube includes adjustable orifices about its diameter to restrict flow of refrigerant causing a portion of refrigerant to state change from a high-pressure liquid to a low gas mixture.202403301The inlet tube also includes larger orifices with reduced flow restriction that maintains a portion of the refrigerant in a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid state. The resulting refrigerant mixture has a decreased overall temperature of the high-pressure refrigerant liquid before flowing to a thermal expansion valve (TXV). The resulting refrigerant mixture improves AC efficiency and reduces incoming noise from the compressor.

[0019] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cooling system (100) including: a mixing chamber (106); an outlet tube (108) at a second end of the mixing chamber and provides a refrigerant liquid-gas mixture; an inlet tube (102) at a first end of the mixing chamber that receives a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid refrigerant, the inlet tube having one or more adjustable orifices (104) and a flow outlet (210); wherein the one or more orifices cause a state change of at least a first portion of received refrigerant into a reduced temperature gas refrigerant and the flow outlet passes at least a second portion of the received refrigerant as a second liquid refrigerant, and the mixing chamber mixes reduced temperature gas refrigerant and the second liquid refrigerant into the refrigerant liquid-gas mixture.

[0020] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the flow outlet has an opening with a larger diameter than the adjustable orifices.

[0021] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the refrigerant liquid-gas mixture has a reduced temperature of at least 4 degrees Celsius.

[0022] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the one or more orifices at least partially vaporize the at least first portion of the received refrigerant.

[0023] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein outlet tube provides the refrigerant liquid-gas mixture to a thermal expansion valve of a vehicle air conditioning system.202403301

[0024] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the received refrigerant is from a condenser of a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0025] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the one or more orifices have a diameter to mitigate noise from the condenser by operating as a noise filter to mitigate the noise.

[0026] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the received refrigerant includes one or more from the group including R-12 (Dichlorodifluoromethane), R-134a (Tetrafluoroethane), and R-1234yf (Tetrafluoropropene).

[0027] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the received refrigerant has a temperature in a range of 40 to 60 Celsius based on an efficiency of an evaporator.

[0028] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the inlet tube includes an outer portion positioned outside the mixing chamber and an inner portion positioned within the mixing chamber, and the one or more orifices and the flow outlet are located on the inner portion.

[0029] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the one or more orifices are dimensioned to create a pressure drop and / or have sizes in a range of 1 to 5 millimeters.

[0030] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, the one or more orifices arranged as 4 to 6 and a plurality of rows about the inlet tube.

[0031] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, the flow outlet is configured in a plurality of holes about the inlet tube and / or having an opening size is a range of 8 to 20 millimeters.202403301

[0032] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the flow outlet has an opening size in a range of 8 ~ 20mm .

[0033] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of operating a cooling system (100), the method including: inserting an inlet tube (102) into a mixing chamber (106) in a direction of flow to a length to form an inner region of the inlet tube (102) inside the mixing chamber at a first end of the mixing chamber; attaching an outlet tube (108) to a second end of the mixing chamber(106); receiving a refrigerant from an evaporator and / or condenser; configuring one or more adjustable orifices (104) of the inlet tube to cause a state change and reduce temperature; causing a state change of at least a first portion the received refrigerant by the one or more orifices (104) to create a gas refrigerant; passing at least a second portion of the received refrigerant by the flow outlet as a liquid refrigerant; mixing the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant in the mixing chamber (106) to form a refrigerant gas-liquid mixture; providing the refrigerant gas-liquid mixture at the outlet tube (108); and providing the refrigerant gas-liquid mixture to a thermal expansion valve (TXV).

[0034] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a cooling chamber system 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments. The system is provided for illustrative purposes and suitable variations are contemplated.

[0035] The system 100 includes a mixing chamber 106, an inlet tube 102 and an outlet tube 108. The system 100 typically receives refrigerant from a condenser and provides a resulting refrigerant mixture having a decreased temperature. The resulting refrigerant mixture is typically provided to a thermal expansion valve (TXV).

[0036] The inlet tube 102 receives the refrigerant, which is typically an air conditioning system refrigerant. Some examples of suitable refrigerant types include R- 12 (Dichlorodifluoromethane), R-134a (Tetrafluoroethane), and R-1234yf (Tetrafluoropropene).202403301

[0037] The received refrigerant is at a high-pressure, high temperature liquid state, such as at a temperature range of 40 to 60°C and the like, depending on the efficiency of the evaporator.

[0038] The inlet tube 102 includes an inner portion that fits within the mixing chamber 106. The inlet tube 102 has one or more orifices 104 located on the inner portion, when the refrigerant flow through the constricted area of the orifices the velocity locally increases due to the pressure drop. The adjustable orifices 104 are dimensioned to create a sufficient pressure drop to vaporize at least a portion of the refrigerant.

[0039] The inlet tube 102 also includes one or more larger orifices as a flow outlet 210. These pass at least a portion of the refrigerant as a liquid. As a result, the outlet 210 and the orifices 104 provide a refrigerant liquid and gas mixture into the mixing chamber 106.

[0040] The mixing chamber 106 can be an expansion chamber, muffler and / or the like. The mixing chamber 106 and the orifices 106 reduce the temperature of the refrigerant. In one example, the temperature of the refrigerant is reduced by 4°C. The amount of temperature reduction is based on the dimensions and numbers of the orifices 104 and larger orifices (outlet 210).

[0041] The outlet tube 108 is connected to an output end of the mixing chamber and conveys cooled refrigerant from the mixing chamber 106.

[0042] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a more detailed cooling chamber system 100, 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments. The system is provided for illustrative purposes and suitable variations are contemplated.

[0043] The system 200 includes the inlet tube 102, the mixing chamber 106 and the outlet tube 108.

[0044] The inlet tube 102 includes one or more orifices 104 that includes one or more adjustable orifices 212. The inlet tube 102 also includes a flow outlet 210 and a sealed tube end 214.202403301

[0045] The one or more adjustable orifices 212, the main flow outlet 210 and the inner region length are configured to restrict flow of the refrigerant creating a change in state from a liquid to a liquid gas mixture.

[0046] The orifices are arranged as 4 ~ 6 holes around the perimeter of the tube in one or more rows before the main flow orifices and one or more rows after it. The main flow orifices (outlet 210) are configured in one row of 2 ~ 6 holes around the perimeter of the tube.

[0047] The refrigerant temperature is lower due to the state change of the one or more adjustable orifices.

[0048] The reduced temperature refrigerant is expelled from the mixing chamber 106 by the outlet tube 108.

[0049] The refrigerant can be provided to a thermal expansion valve (TXV) to facilitate efficiency.

[0050] The TXV can regulate flow of refrigerant entering an evaporator based on cooling demand.

[0051] Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 of arranging a mixing chamber for a cooling system in accordance with one or more aspects.

[0052] The method 300 can be performed with the systems 100, 200 and suitable variations thereof.

[0053] It is appreciated that suitable variations of the method 300 are contemplated.

[0054] The method 300 comprises:

[0055] At step 310, inserting an inlet tube 102 into a mixing chamber 106 in a direction of flow to a length to form an inner region of the inlet tube 102 inside the mixing chamber at a first end of the mixing chamber 106.202403301

[0056] At step 312, attaching an outlet tube 108 to a second end of the mixing chamber.

[0057] At step 314, configuring one or more adjustable orifices 104, 212 and a main flow outlet 210 and a sealed end 214 to cause a state change of at least a portion of a refrigerant and reduce temperature of a refrigerant received and the inlet tube. The state change causes change from the high-pressure, high temperature liquid to gas.

[0058] At step 316, providing the cooled refrigerant mixture at the outlet tube 108.

[0059] At step 318, providing the cooled refrigerant mixture to a thermal expansion valve and / or an evaporator.

[0060] The inner tube 102 is sealed or welded to the mixing chamber 106. Also, the outlet tube 108 is also sealed or welded to the second end of the mixing chamber 106.

[0061] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be sufficiently thorough and will convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure but are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. It will be appreciated that it is within the scope of the disclosure that individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0062] Also, in some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Further, it will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that in the design, manufacture, and operation of apparatus to achieve that described in the disclosure, variations in202403301 apparatus design, construction, condition, erosion of components, gaps between components may present, for example.

[0063] Examples can include subject matter such as a method, means for performing acts or blocks of the method, at least one machine-readable medium including instructions that, when performed by a machine cause the machine to perform acts of the method or of an apparatus or system for concurrent communication using multiple communication technologies according to embodiments and examples described herein.

[0064] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first", "second", and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0065] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner", “adjacent”, "outer", "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.202403301

[0066] Clause 1. A cooling system (100) comprising: a mixing chamber (106); an outlet tube (108) at a second end of the mixing chamber and provides a refrigerant liquidgas mixture; an inlet tube (102) at a first end of the mixing chamber that receives a high- pressure, high-temperature liquid refrigerant, the inlet tube having one or more adjustable orifices (104) and a flow outlet (210); wherein the one or more orifices cause a state change of at least a first portion of received refrigerant into a reduced temperature gas refrigerant and the flow outlet passes at least a second portion of the received refrigerant as a second liquid refrigerant, and the mixing chamber mixes reduced temperature gas refrigerant and the second liquid refrigerant into the refrigerant liquid-gas mixture.

[0067] Clause 2. The system of clause 1 , wherein the flow outlet has an opening with a larger diameter than the adjustable orifices.

[0068] Clause 3. The system of any one of clauses 1-2, wherein the refrigerant liquid-gas mixture has a reduced temperature of at least 4 degrees Celsius.

[0069] Clause 4. The system of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the one or more orifices at least partially vaporize the at least first portion of the received refrigerant.

[0070] Clause 5. The system of any one of clauses 1-4, wherein outlet tube provides the refrigerant liquid-gas mixture to a thermal expansion valve of a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0071] Clause 6. The system of any one of clauses 1-5, wherein the received refrigerant is from a condenser of a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0072] Clause 7. The system of any one of clauses 1-6, wherein the one or more orifices have a diameter to mitigate noise from the condenser by operating as a noise filter to mitigate the noise.

[0073] Clause 8. The system of any one of clauses 1-7, wherein the received refrigerant comprises one or more from the group comprising R-12(Dichlorodifluoromethane), R-134a (Tetrafluoroethane), and R-1234yf (Tetrafluoropropene).202403301

[0074] Clause 9. The system of any one of clauses 1-8, wherein the received refrigerant has a temperature in a range of 40 to 60 Celsius based on an efficiency of an evaporator.

[0075] Clause 10. The system of any one of clauses 1-9, wherein the system comprises an outer portion positioned outside the mixing chamber and an inner portion positioned within the mixing chamber, and the one or more orifices and the flow outlet are located on the inner portion.

[0076] Clause 11 . The system of any one of clauses 1 -10, wherein the one or more orifices are dimensioned to create a pressure drop and / or have sizes in a range of 1 to 5 millimeters.

[0077] Clause 12. The system of any one of clauses 1-11 , the one or more orifices arranged as 4 to 6 and a plurality of rows about the inlet tube.

[0078] Clause 13. The system of any one of clauses 1 -12, the flow outlet is configured in a plurality of holes about the inlet tube and / or having an opening size is a range of 8 to 20 millimeters.

[0079] Clause 14. The system of clause 1 , wherein the flow outlet has an opening size in a range of 8 ~ 20mm .

[0080] Clause 15. A method of operating a cooling system (100), the method comprising: inserting an inlet tube (102) into a mixing chamber (106) in a direction of flow to a length to form an inner region of the inlet tube (102) inside the mixing chamber at a first end of the mixing chamber; attaching an outlet tube (108) to a second end of the mixing chamber(106); receiving a refrigerant from an evaporator and / or condenser; configuring one or more adjustable orifices (104) of the inlet tube to cause a state change and reduce temperature; causing a state change of at least a first portion the received refrigerant by the one or more orifices (104) to create a gas refrigerant; passing at least a second portion of the received refrigerant by the flow outlet as a liquid refrigerant; mixing the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant in the mixing chamber (106) to form a refrigerant gas-liquid mixture; providing the refrigerant gas-liquid mixture at the outlet tube (108); and providing the refrigerant gas-liquid mixture to a thermal expansion valve (TXV).202403301

[0081] Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.

Claims

202403301CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A cooling system (100) comprising: a mixing chamber (106); an outlet tube (108) at a second end of the mixing chamber and provides a refrigerant liquid-gas mixture; an inlet tube (102) at a first end of the mixing chamber that receives a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid refrigerant, the inlet tube having one or more adjustable orifices (104) and a flow outlet (210); wherein the one or more orifices cause a state change of at least a first portion of received refrigerant into a reduced temperature gas refrigerant and the flow outlet passes at least a second portion of the received refrigerant as a second liquid refrigerant, and the mixing chamber mixes reduced temperature gas refrigerant and the second liquid refrigerant into the refrigerant liquid-gas mixture.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow outlet has an opening with a larger diameter than the adjustable orifices.

3. The system of any one of claims 1 -2, wherein the refrigerant liquid-gas mixture has a reduced temperature of at least 4 degrees Celsius.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 -3, wherein the one or more orifices at least partially vaporize the at least first portion of the received refrigerant.

5. The system of any one of claims 1 -4, wherein outlet tube provides the refrigerant liquid-gas mixture to a thermal expansion valve of a vehicle air conditioning system.2024033016. The system of any one of claims 1 -5, wherein the received refrigerant is from a condenser of a vehicle air conditioning system.

7. The system of any one of claims 1 -6, wherein the one or more orifices have a diameter to mitigate noise from the condenser by operating as a noise filter to mitigate the noise.

8. The system of any one of claims 1 -7, wherein the received refrigerant comprises one or more from the group comprising R-12 (Dichlorodifluoromethane), R-134a (Tetrafluoroethane), and R-1234yf (Tetrafluoropropene).

9. The system of any one of claims 1 -8, wherein the received refrigerant has a temperature in a range of 40 to 60 Celsius based on an efficiency of an evaporator.

10. The system of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the system comprises an outer portion positioned outside the mixing chamber and an inner portion positioned within the mixing chamber, and the one or more orifices and the flow outlet are located on the inner portion.11 . The system of any one of claims 1 -10, wherein the one or more orifices are dimensioned to create a pressure drop and / or have sizes in a range of 1 to 5 millimeters.

12. The system of any one of claims 1-11 , the one or more orifices arranged as 4 to 6 and a plurality of rows about the inlet tube.

13. The system of any one of claims 1-12, the flow outlet is configured in a plurality of holes about the inlet tube and / or having an opening size is a range of 8 to 20 millimeters.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow outlet has an opening size in a range of 8 ~20240330115. A method of operating a cooling system (100), the method comprising: inserting an inlet tube (102) into a mixing chamber (106) in a direction of flow to a length to form an inner region of the inlet tube (102) inside the mixing chamber at a first end of the mixing chamber; attaching an outlet tube (108) to a second end of the mixing chamber(106); receiving a refrigerant from an evaporator and / or condenser; configuring one or more adjustable orifices (104) of the inlet tube to cause a state change and reduce temperature; causing a state change of at least a first portion the received refrigerant by the one or more orifices (104) to create a gas refrigerant; passing at least a second portion of the received refrigerant by the flow outlet as a liquid refrigerant; mixing the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant in the mixing chamber (106) to form a refrigerant gas-liquid mixture; providing the refrigerant gas-liquid mixture at the outlet tube (108); and providing the refrigerant gas-liquid mixture to a thermal expansion valve (TXV).

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