AC Stabilizer Loop for High-Ambient Cooling Efficiency

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning systems experience a substantial loss of cooling efficiency when ambient air temperatures rise, as warmer air reduces the ability of the condenser to absorb heat from the refrigerant, leading to reduced performance during peak cooling demand.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning companion stabilizer system with a primary temperature stabilizing loop and a secondary charging loop, utilizing a glycol-water mixture to absorb and store heat, stabilizes the refrigerant temperature entering the expansion valve, enhancing cooling efficiency by utilizing stored cooling capacity during high ambient temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional air conditioning systems operate during high ambient temperatures, then cooling demand increases, but cooling efficiency decreases due to reduced heat absorption capacity of the condenser

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidambient temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cooling action by operating the condenser during low ambient temperature periods (night or early morning) to pre-cool the refrigerant and store cooling capacity in the thermal storage medium. This stored cooling capacity is then utilized during high ambient temperature periods when cooling demand peaks, thereby maintaining high cooling efficiency despite elevated temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A thermal storage medium acts as an intermediary between the condenser and the refrigeration cycle. The thermal storage medium absorbs and stores excess cooling capacity during low demand periods and releases it during high demand periods, decoupling the condenser operation from immediate cooling demands and enabling efficient operation during high ambient temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the condenser operates continuously to meet peak cooling demand, then cooling capacity is sufficient, but energy consumption increases due to reduced efficiency at high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cooling action by operating the condenser during low ambient temperature periods (night or early morning) to pre-cool the refrigerant and store cooling capacity in the thermal storage medium. This stored cooling capacity is then utilized during high ambient temperature periods when cooling demand peaks, thereby maintaining high cooling efficiency despite elevated temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A thermal storage medium acts as an intermediary between the condenser and the refrigeration cycle. The thermal storage medium absorbs and stores excess cooling capacity during low demand periods and releases it during high demand periods, decoupling the condenser operation from immediate cooling demands and enabling efficient operation during high ambient temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system maintains high cooling efficiency even at elevated ambient temperatures by stabilizing refrigerant temperature and utilizing stored heat absorption capacity, resulting in significant energy savings and improved performance during periods of high cooling demand.

Implementation Method 1

a primary loop for absorbing heat from the refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a secondary loop for storing heat absorbed by the heat transfer medium during periods of low ambient temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 3

utilizing a glycol-water mixture to absorb and store heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10168091B2Air conditioning companion stabilizer system

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 AC COMPANION

AI summary

An air conditioning companion stabilizer system for improving the operating cooling efficiency of refrigeration cycle components in air conditioning systems integrates the refrigeration cycle components with two independent, closed loops whose operation is complementary of one another. A temperature stabilizing loop functions in ambient conditions that lower cooling efficiency and is operative to absorb heat from the refrigerant exiting the condenser, thereby lowering the temperature of the refrigerant before it arrives at the expansion valve. A secondary loop, or charging loop operating in ambient conditions that enable optimal cooling efficiency facilitates the operation of the temperature stabilizing loop by priming a rechargeable heat absorbing component. Substantial net energy savings are achieved using saved heat absorbing capacity produced during a time of optimal cooling efficiency and low space cooling demand to improve performance during times of reduced cooling efficiency and high space cooling demand.