Air conditioner having engine and generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners, particularly gas heat pump (GHP) type, face limitations in heating performance and system efficiency due to heat losses and low engine efficiency, while electric heat pump (EHP) type struggles with frost formation during low-temperature heating.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates an EHP type and GHP type air conditioner with a controller that determines additional operations of compressors based on pressure sensors and waste heat collection heat exchangers to enhance heating performance and efficiency, utilizing power from a GHP type outdoor unit to drive an EHP type unit and optimizing compressor operations to prevent engine overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If GHP type air conditioner uses engine combustion to drive compressor, then heating performance is improved, but engine efficiency decreases due to heat losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures waste heat from engine combustion that would otherwise be lost through the exhaust system and uses it to preheat the refrigerant or ambient air before it enters the heat exchanger. This converts the harmful heat loss into a beneficial contribution to the heating process, improving overall system efficiency while maintaining the heating performance advantage of GHP type air conditioners.
2Loss of energy
If EHP type air conditioner uses electricity to drive compressor, then energy efficiency is improved, but frost forms on outdoor heat exchanger during low-temperature heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate heating mechanism using the engine's waste heat as a mediator to prevent frost formation on the outdoor heat exchanger. The waste heat is directed to the heat exchanger surface to maintain it above the frost formation temperature, thereby eliminating the harmful frost accumulation issue while preserving the energy efficiency benefits of electric compression.
3Temperature
If multiple compressors are operated to meet heating load, then heating performance is improved, but engine overload occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent operates the compressors in a staged manner, activating them partially or sequentially based on the actual heating load requirement rather than running all compressors at full capacity simultaneously. This partial action approach ensures that the engine operates within its power limits while still achieving the required heating performance by adjusting compressor operation to match the actual demand.
4Reliability
If waste heat is used to improve defrosting performance, then defrosting efficiency is improved, but engine efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures waste heat from engine combustion that would otherwise be lost through the exhaust system and redirects it to the outdoor heat exchanger for defrosting operations. This converts the harmful heat loss into a beneficial defrosting mechanism, improving defrosting performance while actually increasing overall engine efficiency by utilizing previously wasted energy rather than reducing engine output.
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 heating performance, defrosting efficiency, and system efficiency by customizing operations based on load requirements and reducing electricity costs by using external power when necessary, while controlling compressor operations to prevent engine overload.
Implementation Method 1
an engine generating a power by using combustion gas
Implementation Method 2
a generator supplying electricity into the first compressor by using the power generated in the engine
Implementation Method 3
a first compressor compressing a refrigerant and a first outdoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
a first outdoor heat exchanger; and a second outdoor heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an air conditioner and a method of controlling the same. The air conditioner includes an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger, a first outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit, the first outdoor unit including a first compressor compressing a refrigerant and a first outdoor heat exchanger, a second outdoor unit including an engine generating a power by using combustion gas, a generator supplying electricity into the first compressor by using the power generated in the engine, a second compressor compressing the refrigerant by using the power of the engine, and a second outdoor heat exchanger, and a controller determining an additional operation of the second compressor on the basis of required cooling or heating load while the first compressor operates.