Chilling unit

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chilling units require an additional circuit to generate liquid refrigerant for injection into the compressor, increasing the amount of refrigerant enclosed and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A chilling unit design that integrates the refrigerant circuit and injection circuit within a single casing, eliminating the need for a separate circuit to generate liquid refrigerant by placing the compressor, heat-source heat exchanger, expansion units, and refrigerant-to-heat medium heat exchanger connected by refrigerant pipes, with the injection circuit connected between the expansion units and the compressor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an additional circuit with refrigerant heat exchanger is added to liquefy refrigerant for injection, then liquid refrigerant can be injected into the compressor, but the amount of refrigerant enclosed increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid refrigerant injection capabilityVSAvoidamount of refrigerant enclosed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The injection circuit is merged with the refrigerant circuit by placing both within the same casing. The expansion device serves dual purposes: it expands refrigerant for the refrigerant circuit while also providing liquid refrigerant to the injection circuit through the integrated architecture, eliminating the need for separate refrigerant liquefaction equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion device performs multiple functions: it expands refrigerant for the refrigerant circuit and simultaneously provides liquid refrigerant to the injection circuit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated refrigerant liquefaction equipment, reducing both refrigerant quantity and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If an additional circuit with refrigerant heat exchanger is added to liquefy refrigerant for injection, then liquid refrigerant can be injected into the compressor, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid refrigerant injection capabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The injection circuit is merged with the refrigerant circuit by placing both within the same casing. The expansion device serves dual purposes: it expands refrigerant for the refrigerant circuit while also providing liquid refrigerant to the injection circuit through the integrated architecture, eliminating the need for separate refrigerant liquefaction equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion device performs multiple functions: it expands refrigerant for the refrigerant circuit and simultaneously provides liquid refrigerant to the injection circuit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated refrigerant liquefaction equipment, reducing both refrigerant quantity and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If refrigerant is reduced to intermediate pressure by expansion device to enable injection, then liquid refrigerant can be injected into the compressor, but an additional circuit is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid refrigerant injection capabilityVSAvoidcircuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The injection circuit is merged with the refrigerant circuit by placing both within the same casing. The expansion device serves dual purposes: it expands refrigerant for the refrigerant circuit while also providing liquid refrigerant to the injection circuit through the integrated architecture, eliminating the need for separate refrigerant liquefaction equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces the amount of refrigerant enclosed, eliminates the need for refrigerant liquefaction, and simplifies the system by integrating the circuits within the casing, thereby reducing costs and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure of the refrigerant is reduced to the intermediate pressure by the heat-source-side expansion device or the load-side expansion device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

a heat-source heat exchanger, a first expansion unit, a second expansion unit, and a refrigerant-to-heat medium heat exchanger are connected by a refrigerant pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS12038210B2Chilling unit

Publication Date: 2024.07.16 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A chilling unit includes a casing, a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a heat-source heat exchanger, a first expansion unit, a second expansion unit, and a refrigerant-to-heat medium heat exchanger are connected by a refrigerant pipe and through which refrigerant flows, the refrigerant circuit being placed in the casing, and an injection circuit in which a portion between the first expansion unit and the second expansion unit is connected to the compressor by an injection pipe, the injection circuit being placed in the casing.