Composite interconnection conduits for HVAC systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC systems using entirely copper interconnection conduits are costly and heavy, as they contribute significantly to the material cost and weight, without offering a straightforward method to reduce these factors without complicating the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
The use of composite interconnection conduits with a main section formed from aluminum and end segments formed from copper, which are brazed together during manufacturing, allowing for traditional copper-to-copper brazing techniques in assembly, thus reducing material costs and weight while maintaining assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional copper interconnection conduits are used throughout the HVAC system, then the system achieves good thermal conductivity and ease of assembly, but the material cost and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnection conduit is divided into multiple segments with different materials: aluminum segments for the main conduit body and copper segments for the end portions. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific function while reducing overall weight and cost compared to using copper throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnection conduit uses a composite structure combining aluminum and copper materials. The aluminum provides lightweight, cost-effective conduit body while copper end segments provide excellent thermal conductivity and compatibility with refrigerant circuit components, achieving a balance between weight reduction and functional performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If aluminum is used for the main conduit sections, then material cost and weight are reduced, but compatibility with copper refrigerant circuit components must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the interconnection conduit have different material properties optimized for their specific requirements. The end segments use copper to match the refrigerant circuit components for optimal thermal conductivity and compatibility, while the main conduit body uses aluminum for cost and weight benefits. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between cost reduction and reliability.
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 solution results in a lighter and more cost-effective HVAC system by utilizing aluminum for the main conduit sections and copper for the end segments, enabling efficient assembly and reducing material costs by up to 10% compared to systems with entirely copper conduits.
Implementation Method 1
The first end segment and the second end segment are brazed to the first end joint and the second end joint, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) packaged unit includes a first refrigerant circuit component configured to change a temperature or a pressure of a refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant circuit component and a second refrigerant circuit component configured to change a temperature or a pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant circuit component. The first and the second refrigerant circuit components are within a common refrigerant circuit that is disposed within a common support structure. The HVAC packaged unit also includes an interconnection conduit having a length formed from aluminum, a first end segment coupled to a first end of the length, and a second end segment coupled to a second end of the length. The first end segment and the second end segment are each formed from copper, and the interconnection conduit extends between the first refrigerant circuit component and the second refrigerant circuit component.