Air Conditioner Oil Supercooling to Improve Compressor Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of air conditioner compressors is deteriorated when oil separated from the oil separator is directly collected, leading to reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner design includes a supercooling part where oil collected from the oil separator is cooled and reintroduced into the compressor through specific passages and valves, allowing for efficient driving of the compressor by selectively routing the oil through supercoolers and injection expansion valves based on operational loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If oil separated from the oil separator is directly collected into the compressor, then the oil collection process is simple, but the compressor efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A supercooling part is introduced as an intermediary component between the oil separator and the compressor. The supercooling part cools the oil before it enters the compressor, thereby improving compressor efficiency without significantly complicating the overall system structure
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of the oil is changed by passing it through the supercooling part. By cooling the oil to a lower temperature before it enters the compressor, the oil's viscosity and other properties are improved, leading to better compressor efficiency
2Reliability
If oil is cooled through the supercooling part, then compressor efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supercooling function is merged with the existing refrigerant circulation system. The supercooling part utilizes the refrigerant that is already circulating through the system to cool the oil, thereby achieving oil cooling without adding a separate, complex cooling system
Solution Approach 2:
The supercooling part serves multiple functions: it cools the refrigerant to improve cooling efficiency and simultaneously cools the oil before it enters the compressor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system
3Use of energy by moving object
If the air conditioner operates at low frequency, then energy consumption is reduced, but refrigerant leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The supercooling part pre-cools the refrigerant and oil before they enter the compressor, ensuring that the oil maintains proper viscosity and sealing properties even at low operating frequencies. This preliminary cooling action prevents refrigerant leakage that would otherwise occur during low-frequency operation
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 design enhances compressor efficiency and performance by effectively managing oil circulation, improving cooling and heating operations, and preventing refrigerant leakage during low operation frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
a supercooling part in which a main refrigerant that is the refrigerant condensed by the condenser is heat-exchanged with a branch refrigerant branched from the main refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
at least a portion of the oil collected into the compressor passes through the supercooling part
Implementation Method 3
a condenser for condensing the refrigerant separated from the oil separator
Implementation Method 4
a compressor for compressing a refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
an injection passage through which the branch refrigerant flows and in which an injection expansion valve is disposed
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an oil separator for separating an oil of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to collect the separated oil into the compressor, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant separated from the oil separator, and a supercooling part in which a main refrigerant that is the refrigerant condensed by the condenser is heat-exchanged with a branch refrigerant branched from the main refrigerant. At least a portion of the oil collected into the compressor passes through the supercooling part.