Methods and systems for heating a component
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid refrigerant accumulation on the suction-side of compressors in vapour-compression refrigeration circuits can cause damage and poor performance, particularly in scroll compressors, during mode transitions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sequence of modulation cycles is applied to a wound arrangement with half-bridges, controlling voltage application to windings to heat components like the rotor and stator of an electric motor, using a system with a wound arrangement and half-bridges to manage liquid refrigerant distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If liquid refrigerant accumulates on the suction-side of the compressor during mode transitions, then the refrigeration circuit can switch between cooling and heating modes, but the compressor suffers damage and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the compressor suction-side and liquid line components before mode transition using the half-bridge voltage application method. This preliminary action evaporates accumulated liquid refrigerant in advance, preventing damage during the actual mode switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The half-bridges apply voltage in periodic modulation cycles with multiple drive and non-drive stages. This periodic voltage application creates oscillating current that generates heat cycles, effectively evaporating liquid refrigerant accumulations during mode transitions.
2Temperature
If voltage is continuously applied to the winding to heat the component, then heating efficiency is improved, but excessive current and energy loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous voltage application, the system uses periodic modulation cycles with alternating drive and non-drive stages. This periodic action reduces average current and energy loss while still achieving effective heating through oscillating current in the winding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the half-bridge switches to create time-varying voltage patterns. The modulation cycles adjust the timing and duration of voltage application to optimize heating efficiency while minimizing energy loss and current stress.
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 method effectively reduces and eliminates liquid accumulations on the suction-side of compressors, preventing damage and improving compressor performance by managing refrigerant distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage is applied to the winding during a plurality of drive stages of each modulation cycle
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method 300 for heating a component 268 using a system 200, 200' comprising: a wound arrangement 260 including at least one winding 261, 262, 263 having an inductance, and at least two half-bridges HB1, HB2, HB3, wherein each half-bridge HB1, HB2, HB3 is coupled to the wound arrangement 260, and wherein the wound arrangement 260 is proximal to the component 268. The method 300 comprises performing a sequence of modulation cycles 320-1, 320-2, 320-n in which the half-bridges HB1, HB2, HB3 are controlled such that: a voltage is applied to the winding 261, 262, 263 during a plurality of drive stages of each modulation cycle 320-1, 320-2, 320-n; and a voltage is not applied to the winding 261, 262, 263 during a plurality of non-drive stages of each modulation cycle 320-1, 320-2, 320-n.