Capacity Control Valve With Dual Plungers for Rapid Refrigerant Discharge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional capacity control valves for variable capacity compressors face inefficiencies in discharging liquid refrigerant, particularly due to reduced valve opening as the pressure in the control chamber decreases, leading to prolonged discharge times.
Innovation Solution
A capacity control valve design featuring a solenoid with separate control over main and auxiliary valve parts, allowing the auxiliary valve to remain fully open from the start to completion of discharge, utilizing an intermediate communication passage and pressure-sensitive body to efficiently manage fluid pressures and facilitate rapid liquid refrigerant discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the auxiliary valve opening is controlled to be small initially to prevent high-speed refrigerant flow, then refrigerant can be sucked in at high speed, but the discharge time is prolonged because the valve opening reduces as pressure decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the auxiliary valve opening adjustable rather than fixed. The auxiliary valve opening area is changed dynamically based on operating conditions - it is set to a larger area when liquid refrigerant discharge is needed and to a smaller area during normal operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the valve to provide large openings for rapid discharge when needed while maintaining small openings for normal high-speed suction otherwise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of valve opening area based on the state of the refrigerant. When liquid refrigerant accumulates in the crank chamber, the auxiliary valve opening area is increased to enable rapid discharge of the liquid refrigerant. During normal operation, the auxiliary valve opening area is reduced to maintain high suction speed. This parameter change approach allows the system to optimize performance for different operating conditions.
2Productivity
If the auxiliary valve opening is made large to discharge liquid refrigerant quickly, then discharge speed increases, but the valve cannot remain open throughout the process due to pressure balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the auxiliary valve controlled by a dedicated auxiliary solenoid - that mediates between the pressure balance requirements and the need for rapid discharge. The auxiliary solenoid can independently control the auxiliary valve opening area, allowing it to override the pressure-sensitive body's tendency to close the valve and maintain a large opening for rapid liquid refrigerant discharge throughout the discharge process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the valve control function into two independent parts: a main valve controlled by the pressure-sensitive body for normal pressure control, and an auxiliary valve controlled by the auxiliary solenoid for liquid refrigerant discharge. This segmentation allows the auxiliary valve to be optimized specifically for rapid discharge without compromising the overall pressure control stability provided by the main valve system.
3Device complexity
If a single valve is used for pressure control, then device complexity is reduced, but the valve cannot provide sufficient opening area for rapid liquid refrigerant discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve into a main valve and an auxiliary valve that operate independently. The main valve handles normal pressure control with moderate opening requirements, while the auxiliary valve is specifically designed for rapid liquid refrigerant discharge with a larger opening area. This segmentation allows each valve to be optimized for its specific function, achieving rapid discharge capability without requiring complete redesign of the entire valve system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional valve system where the main valve provides primary pressure control and the auxiliary valve provides both supplemental pressure control and rapid discharge capability. The auxiliary valve serves multiple purposes: it can assist the main valve during normal operation and can be opened independently for rapid liquid refrigerant discharge, providing universal functionality that addresses both pressure control and rapid discharge requirements.
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
Enables efficient and rapid discharge of liquid refrigerant regardless of suction chamber pressure, allowing for quicker transition to cooling operations by maintaining the auxiliary valve in a fully open state throughout the discharge process.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-sensitive body 24 which is arranged in the third valve chamber (16) and which extends and contracts by a pressure differential between the first valve chamber (14) and the third valve chamber (16)
Implementation Method 2
a solenoid 30 which generates an electromagnetic force to drive the first plunger 44 and the second plunger 45
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a capacity control valve with which it is possible to efficiently discharge a liquid refrigerant irrespective of the pressure of a suction chamber. A capacity control valve (1) includes: a valve main body (10) having a first communication passage (11), a second communication passage (12), a third communication passage (13), and a main valve seat (15a); a valve body (20) having an intermediate communication passage (26), a main valve part (21b), and an auxiliary valve part (23d); and a solenoid (30) equipped with a first plunger (34) having a first rod (33), and a second plunger (35) having a second rod (36), the first rod (33) opens and closes the main valve part (21b), and the second rod (36) opens and closes the auxiliary valve part (23d) .