Chiller and air conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of multiple EVI compressors in parallel in chillers leads to increased cost and reduced control accuracy due to the need for electromagnetic valves to prevent refrigerant backflow between supplement ports.
Innovation Solution
A chiller design with parallel EVI compressors that utilizes a first and second throttling element, a first and second manifold, and an economizer with heat-exchange passages to control refrigerant flow without electromagnetic valves, ensuring accurate temperature and flow rate control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic valves are arranged on branches between economizer and supplement ports of EVI compressors to prevent refrigerant backflow, then refrigerant backflow is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes electromagnetic valves from the system entirely by extracting their function into the throttling elements. The throttling elements are designed to automatically prevent refrigerant backflow through their inherent structural design, eliminating the need for active electromagnetic valve components and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The throttling elements perform dual functions: they throttle refrigerant flow to control supply to EVI compressors and simultaneously prevent refrigerant backflow through their structural design. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate electromagnetic valves, reducing both device complexity and cost while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If electromagnetic valves are used to control refrigerant flow to EVI compressors, then refrigerant backflow is prevented, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the backflow prevention function from expensive electromagnetic valves and integrates it into the throttling elements. This eliminates the need to manufacture and install multiple electromagnetic valves, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the essential backflow prevention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive electromagnetic valves with simpler, cheaper throttling elements that perform the same backflow prevention function. The throttling elements are designed to be cost-effective components that can be easily manufactured and installed, reducing overall system manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If electromagnetic valves are installed to prevent intermediate-pressure refrigerant backflow between EVI compressors, then refrigerant flow control is achieved, but control accuracy deteriorates due to throttling effects
Solution Approach 1:
The throttling elements are designed to provide precise control of refrigerant flow to EVI compressors through their inherent structural characteristics. By eliminating electromagnetic valves, the system removes the throttling effects and control inaccuracies associated with valve operation, achieving more accurate refrigerant flow control while the throttling elements maintain backflow prevention through their design.
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
Reduces costs and improves control accuracy by eliminating the need for electromagnetic valves and throttling effects, allowing precise control of refrigerant flow to EVI compressors.
Implementation Method 1
the economizer comprises a first heat-exchange passage, a second heat-exchange passage and a third heat-exchange passage, the second heat-exchange passage and the third heat-exchange passage exchange heat with the first heat-exchange passage
Data Source
AI summary
A chiller comprises compressors, a condenser, a first throttling element, and an evaporator, wherein the compressors comprise a first EVI compressor and a second EVI compressor, which are connected in parallel. The chiller further comprises a second throttling element, a third throttling element, an economizer, a first manifold and a second manifold, wherein the economizer comprises a first heat-exchange passage, a second heat-exchange passage and a third heat-exchange passage, the second heat-exchange passage, the first heat-exchange passage is connected between the condenser and the first throttling valve, the first manifold is sequentially connected to the second throttling element, the second heat-exchange passage and the first supplement port, and the second manifold is sequentially connected to the third throttling element, the third heat-exchange passage and the second supplement port.