Condenser Refrigerant Outlet Weir for Startup Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In HVAC systems, such as chillers, the vaporization of liquid refrigerant during off-cycles can lead to a lack of lubrication for moving parts during start-up, causing abnormal wear and reducing the service life of components.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant outlet device with an annular weir and outflow pipe configuration that stores liquid refrigerant during off-cycles and directs it quickly to moving parts during start-up, ensuring adequate lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid refrigerant is used for lubrication during operation, then lubrication is provided to moving parts, but during off-cycle the refrigerant vaporizes causing lack of lubrication during start-up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by collecting and storing liquid refrigerant in the annular weir reservoir during the off-cycle before start-up occurs. This pre-positioning of lubrication material ensures that when the system starts up, liquid refrigerant is immediately available at the compressor suction port, eliminating the delay that would otherwise occur while refrigerant travels from distant parts of the system.
2Reliability
If liquid refrigerant is stored in the condenser, then lubrication can be provided during start-up, but the refrigerant may not reach moving parts quickly enough
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing the annular weir as a intermediate storage structure between the condenser and the compressor suction port. This weir acts as a localized reservoir that captures liquid refrigerant and holds it in close proximity to where it is needed, enabling rapid delivery to the compressor without requiring long-distance transport through the refrigeration circuit.
3Productivity
If the outflow pipe is positioned at the bottom of the condenser, then liquid refrigerant can drain efficiently, but the refrigerant may bypass the reservoir and not provide lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific localized structure (the annular weir) with different functional properties than the main outflow path. The weir is designed with a specific geometry that causes liquid refrigerant to preferentially flow into it while allowing vapor to pass through the outflow pipe. This local modification to the flow path ensures that liquid refrigerant is diverted into the reservoir for lubrication purposes while maintaining efficient overall drainage.
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
The solution effectively provides rapid lubrication to moving parts upon system start-up, reducing wear and extending the service life of components by utilizing the weir as a reservoir for stored liquid refrigerant.
Implementation Method 1
The weir may be positioned below a bottom of the condenser in the vertical direction. The liquid refrigerant may be preferentially directed toward the weir before flowing out of the first end of the outflow pipe.
Implementation Method 2
Liquid refrigerant on the moving parts can vaporize, causing potential lack of liquid refrigerant for lubrication during the subsequent start-up.
Data Source
AI summary
A condenser equipped with a refrigerant outlet configured to receive and store liquid refrigerant during an off-cycle is described. The refrigerant outlet may include an outflow pipe surrounded by a weir. The weir may include a port, through which liquid refrigerant in the weir can be directed to, for example, moving parts of the chiller for lubrication. The outflow pipe may extend vertically relative to the bottom of the condenser. In some embodiments, a first opening of the outflow pipe may be positioned higher than the bottom of the condenser in the vertical direction, while the weir may be positioned lower than the bottom of the condenser. Liquid refrigerant in the condenser can flow to and stay in the weir in an off-cycle. During a subsequent start-up, the liquid refrigerant in the weir can be directly quickly to moving parts of the chiller.