Refrigerant Transfer Control Between Accumulator and Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vapor compression refrigeration cycles, the compressor is unnecessarily loaded when moving coolant liquid from an accumulator to a receiver, reducing overall cooling efficiency due to the need for compressor operation even when cooling is not required.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a compressor, heat exchangers, gas-liquid separating units, a decompressor, a switch valve, and a pressure regulating unit, where the switch valve enables direct transfer of coolant liquid from the accumulator to the receiver without compressor operation, and the pressure regulating unit adjusts pressure differences to restore the reference pressure after transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressor is operated to move coolant liquid from the accumulator to the receiver, then the coolant liquid can be returned to the receiver for cooling use, but the compressor load increases and overall efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression method with a pressure differential-based transfer method. By using the pressure difference between the accumulator and receiver, coolant liquid is transferred without requiring compressor operation, thereby eliminating the energy consumption and load increase associated with compressor-driven transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic pressure differential to drive the transfer of coolant liquid from the accumulator to the receiver. The system employs pressure regulating valves and communication passages to control and utilize the pressure difference between the two vessels, enabling liquid transfer through pneumatic forces rather than mechanical compression.
2Reliability
If the compressor is operated to provide superheat degree for evaporation to the coolant liquid in the accumulator, then the coolant liquid can be liquefied again through the condenser, but the compressor needs to operate even when cooling is unnecessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary pressure equalization and coolant liquid transfer before the cooling cycle is needed. By transferring coolant liquid from the accumulator to the receiver in advance using pressure differential, the system ensures that coolant is available for cooling without requiring the compressor to operate unnecessarily, thus maintaining productivity and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the coolant liquid transfer function from the compressor operation. Instead of using the compressor to provide superheat and drive the phase change cycle for liquid return, the system separates this function and achieves it independently through pressure differential and communication passages, allowing the compressor to operate only when cooling is actually needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a switch valve is introduced to enable direct transfer of coolant liquid from the accumulator to the receiver, then the compressor load is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating system where the switch valve automatically responds to pressure differential between the accumulator and receiver. The valve opens when the accumulator pressure exceeds the receiver pressure, enabling automatic coolant liquid transfer without requiring external control mechanisms, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch valve incorporates feedback from the pressure differential between the accumulator and receiver to control its opening and closing. This feedback mechanism ensures that the valve operates only when necessary (when pressure difference exists), automatically regulating the transfer process and reducing the need for complex external control systems.
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 reduces the compressor load and improves cooling efficiency by allowing coolant liquid transfer without compressor operation, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure regulating unit coupled to said first gas-liquid separating unit and said second gas-liquid separating unit and configured to adjust a pressure difference between said first gas-liquid separating unit and said second gas-liquid separating unit
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the coolant having been compressed and outside air; a second heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the coolant having been decompressed and air-conditioning air
Implementation Method 3
a decompressor configured to decompress the coolant from said first gas-liquid separating unit
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device utilizes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and an accumulator to cool a heat source with a coolant. The receiver separates the coolant having been subjected to heat exchange by the condenser into gas and liquid. The accumulator separates the coolant having been subjected to heat exchange by the evaporator into gas and liquid. The cooling device opens a switch valve capable of bringing the receiver and the accumulator into communication with each other to move the coolant liquid in the accumulator to the receiver. The cooling device restores the pressure difference between the receiver and the accumulator after the movement of the coolant liquid to the pressure difference before the movement of the coolant liquid by a pressure regulating unit.