Accumulator Jacket Supercooling for Air Conditioner Heating Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners designed for both cooling and heating operations face inefficiencies due to the need for precise control of refrigerant flow and phase changes, which affects the performance and energy efficiency, especially in supercooling and heating cycles.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner incorporates a compressor, outdoor and indoor heat-exchangers, a converter valve, an accumulator, an accumulator jacket, and a supercooling heat-exchange hub to manage refrigerant flow and phase changes efficiently, using a circulating pump to enhance cooling by collecting and utilizing cold and heat from the accumulator, and an injection module to optimize refrigerant injection during heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the air conditioner performs both cooling and heating functions using a four-way valve, then the versatility of the system is improved, but the complexity of refrigerant flow control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The four-way valve enables the outdoor heat-exchanger to serve dual functions as both condenser and vaporizer, allowing the air conditioner to perform both cooling and heating operations through a single system configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches refrigerant flow paths using the four-way valve based on operational conditions, and the expansion valve dynamically adjusts opening degree to control refrigerant expansion timing, enabling adaptive control for different operating modes
2Productivity
If the expansion valve opens early to allow refrigerant flow, then the productivity of the system is improved, but the refrigerant may not be sufficiently condensed leading to efficiency loss
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion valve is controlled to open at a predetermined timing before the refrigerant condensation is complete, allowing the refrigerant to flow to the indoor heat-exchanger in advance while ensuring sufficient condensation has occurred, thereby optimizing both productivity and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors operational conditions and adjusts the expansion valve opening timing based on feedback from sensors, optimizing the balance between refrigerant flow rate and condensation completion
3Power
If the refrigerant mass and flow rate to the indoor heat-exchanger is increased, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the compressor may become overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion valve opens at a predetermined timing to control the refrigerant flow rate to the indoor heat-exchanger, preventing excessive refrigerant mass from reaching the compressor and causing overload, while still maintaining sufficient cooling capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the expansion valve opening degree and timing to optimize refrigerant flow parameters, balancing cooling capacity with compressor protection against overload
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
This configuration improves refrigerant efficiency by supercooling during cooling operations, reduces refrigerant mass and flow to indoor heat-exchangers, and prevents compressor overload, enhancing overall system performance and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant compressed in the compressor may flow to the outdoor heat-exchanger through the four-way valve, and the outdoor heat-exchanger may function as a condenser
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat-exchanger disposed outside of a room to exchange heat with outdoor air
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant condensed by the outdoor heat-exchanger may expand in the expansion valve, and then, flow into the indoor heat-exchanger. In this case, the indoor heat-exchanger may function as a vaporizer
Implementation Method 4
an indoor heat-exchanger disposed inside of the room to exchange heat with indoor air
Implementation Method 5
an accumulator disposed between the compressor and the converter valve to separate the refrigerant into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant
Implementation Method 6
a circulating pump that circulates the refrigerating fluid flowing in the supercooling heat-exchange hub and the accumulator jacket
Implementation Method 7
a supercooling heat-exchange hub connected to the accumulator jacket to store the cooled refrigerating fluid and overcooling the refrigerant flowing between the outdoor heat-exchanger and the indoor heat-exchanger
Implementation Method 8
a compressor that compresses a refrigerant
Implementation Method 9
the refrigerant condensed by the outdoor heat-exchanger may expand in the expansion valve
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner may include a compressor, an outdoor heat-exchanger, an indoor heat-exchanger, a converter valve, an accumulator, an accumulator jacket, and a supercooling heat-exchange hub. The accumulator jacket may be disposed on a surface of the accumulator and contain a refrigerating fluid flowing therein. The refrigerating fluid may exchange heat with the accumulator to be cooled. The supercooling heat-exchange hub may be connected to the accumulator jacket to store the cooled refrigerating fluid and overcool the refrigerant flowing between the outdoor heat-exchanger and the indoor heat-exchanger.