Air Conditioner Gas-Liquid Separator for Seasonal Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners, particularly unitary type air conditioners, face inefficiencies in both full load and partial load cycles, failing to meet seasonal energy efficiency standards due to their configuration, which prioritizes full load operations over varying cooling and heating demands.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner incorporates a gas-liquid separator and a serial operation structure for the indoor heat exchanger, utilizing a gas-liquid separator to minimize pressure loss during full load cooling operations and optimizing refrigerant flow paths for both full and partial load cycles, enhancing energy efficiency by adjusting the refrigerant flow based on load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air conditioner is configured to focus on full load operation, then full load performance is improved, but partial load efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic refrigerant flow control system that adjusts the refrigerant circulation path based on load conditions. During full load operation, the refrigerant flows through both the first and second heat exchangers in parallel. During partial load operation, the system dynamically switches to a serial configuration where refrigerant flows sequentially through the first heat exchanger, then the second heat exchanger, optimizing efficiency for varying load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the refrigerant flow by using flow control valves to adjust refrigerant distribution. The control system modifies flow rates and pressure parameters dynamically based on detected load conditions, transitioning between parallel and serial heat exchanger configurations to maintain optimal efficiency across different operating loads
2Power
If parallel heat exchanger configuration is used for full load cooling, then cooling capacity is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigerant flow into separate paths through the first and second heat exchangers during full load operation. By segmenting the flow and using multiple heat exchanger units in parallel, the system maintains high cooling capacity while reducing pressure loss compared to a single large heat exchanger operating at full capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger system is designed to perform multiple functions: during full load operation, the first and second heat exchangers operate in parallel to provide high cooling capacity; during partial load operation, they operate in serial to reduce pressure loss and improve efficiency. This multi-functional design allows the same hardware configuration to optimize for different operational requirements
3Use of energy by moving object
If the refrigerant flow path is optimized for full load, then full load efficiency is improved, but seasonal energy efficiency ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the refrigerant flow configuration based on detected load conditions. The system transitions between parallel and serial heat exchanger arrangements, and adjusts valve positions and flow rates in real-time, ensuring optimal energy efficiency is maintained across the entire seasonal operating range rather than being optimized only for full load conditions
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 maximizes energy efficiency across different operation loads by reducing pressure loss and improving heat transfer coefficients, thereby meeting seasonal energy efficiency standards and promoting uniform refrigerant distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-liquid separator and a serial operation structure for the indoor heat exchanger, utilizing a gas-liquid separator to minimize pressure loss during full load cooling operations
Implementation Method 2
heat-exchanges the mixed air in a heat exchanger, and then supplies the mixed air to a room
Implementation Method 3
air passing through the frame exchanges heat with the refrigerant to distribute conditioned air to a room
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include an outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger; and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit through a gas pipe and a liquid pipe and having an indoor heat exchanger including a first coil and a second coil branched from the gas pipe and connected in series, in which the indoor unit may include a first manifold and a second manifold connected by refrigerant pipes to enable refrigerant flow to the indoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve connected in parallel to the liquid pipe and configured to block flow of refrigerant or expand the refrigerant to reduce a pressure thereof, a distributor in which expansion valves are connected in series and connected by a refrigerant pipe to enable refrigerant flow to the first coil, a refrigerant flow pipe that connects a gas pipe side of the first manifold and the second coil, a gas-liquid separator installed in the refrigerant flow pipe to phase-separate the refrigerant, a bypass pipe installed between the gas pipe and the gas-liquid separator to bypass the gas-phase refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator and circulate the gas-phase refrigerant to the outdoor unit through the gas pipe, and a control valve installed on the gas pipe to block flow of refrigerant.