Air conditioning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning apparatuses with gas engine-driven compressors require multiple accumulators to ensure compressor reliability, leading to increased size and complexity, especially in large systems where refrigerant pipe lengths are long, resulting in inefficient use and size issues.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning apparatus with a single accumulator is designed by connecting a gas engine-driven compressor and an electric motor-driven compressor in parallel, using a low-pressure pipe branching section and bypass pipes to manage refrigerant pressures and prevent liquid refrigerant suction, allowing for efficient heating and cooling operations while reducing apparatus size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple accumulators are installed in each suction pipe of parallel compressors to prevent liquid refrigerant suction, then compressor reliability is improved, but apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple accumulators into a single accumulator by configuring the low-pressure pipe to branch after the accumulator. This single accumulator serves both the first compressor (via the first suction pipe) and the second compressor (via the second suction pipe and bypass pipe), thereby preventing liquid refrigerant suction for both compressors while reducing the number of accumulators from two to one, thus decreasing apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The single accumulator is designed to perform multiple functions: it stores liquid refrigerant for both compressors, prevents liquid refrigerant suction for both compressors, and works in conjunction with the bypass pipe to regulate refrigerant flow to the second compressor. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate accumulators for each compressor.
2Reliability
If accumulators are designed for large refrigerant amounts in large air conditioning apparatus, then compressor reliability is improved, but accumulator size increases to several tens of liters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the refrigerant storage and protection functions for multiple compressors into a single accumulator. By positioning the accumulator in the common low-pressure pipe before the branching point, it can serve both compressors simultaneously, reducing the total accumulator size required compared to having separate accumulators for each compressor.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass pipe acts as an intermediary mechanism that allows the single accumulator to protect both compressors. The bypass pipe connects the first suction pipe to the second suction pipe, enabling the accumulator to regulate refrigerant flow to both compressors and prevent liquid refrigerant suction without requiring separate accumulators for each compressor.
3Use of energy by moving object
If exhaust heat recovering heat exchanger is added to heat refrigerant using gas engine exhaust heat, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste exhaust heat from the gas engine into a useful resource by incorporating an exhaust heat recovering heat exchanger. This heat exchanger uses the exhaust heat to pre-heat the refrigerant before it enters the second compressor, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing the energy burden on the second compressor while utilizing what would otherwise be wasted thermal energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust heat recovering heat exchanger is integrated into the existing refrigerant circulation system, allowing it to perform heat recovery functions without requiring a completely separate system. The heat exchanger works in conjunction with the bypass pipe and accumulator to provide both heat recovery and refrigerant flow regulation functions within a unified system architecture.
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 solution enables a reduction in the number of accumulators needed, achieving a more compact design while maintaining high efficiency and reliability in heating operations by properly managing refrigerant pressures and preventing liquid refrigerant suction, thus optimizing energy use and system size.
Implementation Method 1
a first compressor (101) having a gas engine (103) as a driving source
Implementation Method 2
an exhaust heat recovering heat exchanger (120) which causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the gas engine exhaust heat
Implementation Method 3
an accumulator (109) is installed in each of the suction pipes (110, 111) of the compressors (101, 102) connected in parallel
Implementation Method 4
a decompressing means (119) provided in the bypass pipe (118)
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioning apparatus that achieves reduction in size of the apparatus while realizing a highly efficient heating operation is provided. In the air conditioning apparatus in which a first compressor 101 having a gas engine 103 as a driving source and a second compressor 102 having an electric motor as a driving source are connected in parallel, an accumulator 109 is located upstream of a low pressure pipe branching section 150 that branches a low pressure pipe 112 into a first suction pipe 110 that is provided at a suction side of the first compressor 101, and a second suction pipe 111 that is provided at a suction side of the second compressor 102.