Air conditioner system including refrigerant cycle circuit for oil flow blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air conditioner systems, oil mixed with refrigerant can circulate through the cycle circuit even after passing through an oil separator, especially at low ambient temperatures, leading to inefficiencies and the need for additional oil injection, which increases thermal resistance and costs.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system incorporating a blocking valve and controller that manage the refrigerant circulation path, allowing the refrigerant to return to the compressor only when the oil and refrigerant are sufficiently separated, thereby minimizing additional oil injection and maintaining energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an oil separator is installed to separate oil from refrigerant, then oil separation is improved, but at low ambient temperatures the separation efficiency significantly decreases and oil still circulates with refrigerant
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation line provides a preliminary path for oil-laden refrigerant to return to the compressor before entering the main cycle. This preliminary action allows oil to be carried back to the compressor where it can be separated more effectively, preventing oil accumulation in the heat exchanger and maintaining system reliability under low temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation line acts as an intermediary pathway between the oil separator and the compressor. It provides an alternative route for oil-laden refrigerant to reach the compressor, mediating the problem of insufficient separation efficiency at low temperatures by allowing二次 separation opportunity at the compressor.
2Reliability
If additional oil is injected to prevent compressor damage, then compressor protection is improved, but thermal resistance increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation line extracts oil from the refrigerant stream by providing a dedicated return path to the compressor. This extraction mechanism removes excess oil that would otherwise accumulate in the heat exchanger and increase thermal resistance, thereby protecting the compressor without requiring additional oil injection that would harm energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If additional oil is injected to prevent compressor damage, then compressor protection is improved, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation line enables the system to self-regulate oil distribution by automatically returning oil-laden refrigerant to the compressor. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external oil injection systems and additional materials, reducing both compressor protection risks and material costs while maintaining reliable 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
The system effectively blocks refrigerant with oil from entering the heat exchanger or indoor unit, reducing the need for additional oil and maintaining energy efficiency by ensuring proper separation of oil and refrigerant, thus minimizing energy losses and material costs.
Implementation Method 1
a controller configured to control the blocking valve based on a pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor
Implementation Method 2
a circulation line configured to provide a path for introducing a refrigerant discharged from the compressor back into the compressor
Implementation Method 3
an oil separator has conventionally been installed near an outlet of the compressor to separate only oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and collect the oil back
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner system is disclosed. The air conditioner system includes: a compressor; a four-way valve configured to provide a refrigerant circulation path depending on an operation mode of the air conditioner system; a blocking valve disposed between the compressor and the four-way valve; a circulation line configured to provide a path for introducing a refrigerant discharged from the compressor back into the compressor, when the blocking valve is in a closed state; and a controller configured to control the blocking valve based on a pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor.