Capacity Control Valve Spherical Tapered Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional capacity control valves for variable capacity compressors in air-conditioning systems face challenges in rapidly discharging liquid refrigerant after a long shutdown, leading to delayed capacity control and inefficient flow rates due to suboptimal design of valve engagement surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The capacity control valve features a third valve portion with a spherical engagement face and a tapered seat face, allowing for efficient discharge of liquid refrigerant by adjusting the control chamber pressure and valve operation, with specific curvature and angle conditions to ensure rapid and stable capacity control, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the suction-side path is opened to discharge liquid refrigerant from the control chamber, then the liquid refrigerant can be discharged, but the flow rate is small and a long time is required for discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the third valve portion and valve seat body, specifically forming one surface as a spherical shape and the other as a tapered surface with a center angle of 120 degrees. This parameter optimization increases the flow area and improves the flow characteristics of the suction-side path, enabling rapid discharge of liquid refrigerant from the control chamber while maintaining proper valve sealing when closed.
2Productivity
If the valve geometry is optimized to increase flow rate, then rapid refrigerant discharge is achieved, but the valve size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spherical geometry to one of the engagement surfaces (either the third valve portion or the valve seat body) with a specified radius of curvature of 9 mm. This curved surface design, combined with the tapered surface, optimizes the flow path geometry to enhance refrigerant discharge rate while maintaining a compact and manufacturable valve structure, avoiding excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If the third valve portion and valve seat body are engaged to close the suction-side path, then proper sealing is achieved, but the flow area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By forming one engagement surface as a spherical shape with a radius of curvature of 9 mm and the other as a tapered surface with a 120-degree center angle, the patent creates an optimal engagement geometry. This design ensures reliable sealing when the third valve portion and valve seat body are engaged to close the suction-side path, while simultaneously maximizing the flow area during the open state to enable rapid refrigerant discharge.
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 enables rapid and secure capacity control immediately after startup, reducing size and costs, and ensures efficient discharge of liquid refrigerant, facilitating stable operation and integration with existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensitive body (bellows) arranged in the third valve chamber, applying an urging force in a direction for extension (expansion) and contracting with increase of the surrounding pressure
Implementation Method 2
a solenoid for applying an electromagnetic driving force to the valve body
Data Source
AI summary
A capacity control valve includes a valve body having a first valve portion for opening/closing a discharge-side path and a second valve portion for opening/closing a suction-side path, a pressure sensitive body arranged in a third valve chamber in the middle of the suction-side path, a valve seat body provided at the pressure sensitive body, and a third valve portion connected to the valve body for opening/closing the suction-side path by engagement and disengagement with the valve seat body. One of an engagement face of the third valve portion and a seat face of the valve seat body is formed into a spherical shape with a radius of curvature R satisfying 9 mm<R<11 mm and the other of the engagement face of the third valve portion and the seat face of the valve seat body is formed into a tapered surface shape having a center angle α satisfying 120°<α<160°. As such, a liquid refrigerant or the like accumulating in the control chamber can be discharged efficiently, and predetermined capacity control can be carried out rapidly.