Adjustable capacity heat exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning systems face inefficiencies due to refrigerant imbalances caused by volume differences between outdoor and indoor coils, and are overdesigned for high-speed operations, leading to reduced efficiency during low-speed operations and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an adjustable capacity heat exchanger apparatus with inlet and outlet valves that can control refrigerant flow through heat exchange tubes, allowing for dynamic adjustment of the heat exchange surface area by routing refrigerant through bypass lines and selectively storing refrigerant in tubes, eliminating the need for an external charge compensator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heat exchangers are designed with fixed capacity for high-speed operation, then high-speed cooling efficiency is improved, but low-speed operation efficiency deteriorates due to overdesign
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic capacity adjustment by enabling the heat exchanger to vary its effective heat transfer area based on operating conditions. Through electronic expansion valves and controllable flow paths, the system dynamically adapts between high-speed and low-speed operations, eliminating the need for fixed overdesign while maintaining efficiency across all operating ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple independently controllable sections or circuits. By selectively activating or deactivating specific segments through controllable valves and flow management, the system can adjust its total heat transfer area to match the actual cooling demand, thereby improving low-speed efficiency without sacrificing high-speed capacity.
2Reliability
If charge compensator is added to balance refrigerant between outdoor and indoor coils, then refrigerant imbalance is resolved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the charge compensation function directly into the existing heat exchanger structure and refrigerant flow paths. By using the same heat exchanger components and expansion valves for both heat transfer and charge management, the system eliminates the need for separate charge compensator devices while maintaining proper refrigerant distribution between indoor and outdoor coils.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: heat transfer, refrigerant distribution, and charge compensation. The electronic expansion valves and controllable flow paths serve dual purposes of regulating refrigerant flow for cooling while also balancing the refrigerant charge between indoor and outdoor units, eliminating the need for dedicated charge compensator components.
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 solution enhances system efficiency by dynamically adjusting refrigerant circulation and heat transfer surface area, reducing operating costs and eliminating the need for additional components, thereby improving the system's ability to handle varying operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchanger tubes and the fins... heat can thus be transferred between the target fluid and the temperature-controlled fluid via the heat exchanger tubes and the fins
Implementation Method 2
A blower or fan can be used to force ambient internal air to move across the heat exchanger, at which time heat is transferred from the warm internal air to the heat exchanger tubes and/or fins
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a heat exchanger apparatus comprising a heat exchanger tube having an inlet valve and an outlet valve. When the valves are open, the refrigerant can flow through the heat exchanger tube, and when the valves are closed, refrigerant can be stored in the heat exchanger tube, thereby reducing the effective heat exchange surface area of the heat exchanger apparatus.