Cooling system and operation method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems face challenges in maintaining optimal refrigerant temperature across varying ambient conditions, as subcoolers only cool the refrigerant but do not raise its temperature, leading to suboptimal performance in cold climates.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system that includes a subcooler heat exchanger capable of both cooling and warming the refrigerant by transferring heat from a hot gas compressor discharge, allowing it to maintain optimal temperature regardless of ambient conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a subcooler is used to cool the refrigerant when ambient temperature is warm, then the refrigerant temperature can be reduced to optimize cooling system performance, but the subcooler cannot raise the refrigerant temperature when ambient temperature is cold
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a subcooler when the refrigerant needs cooling (warm ambient conditions) and as a heater when the refrigerant needs warming (cold ambient conditions). This is achieved by configuring the heat exchanger to transfer heat between the refrigerant and ambient air in either direction depending on the temperature differential, making the system universally applicable across different climate conditions without requiring separate cooling and heating devices.
2Productivity
If the ambient temperature is cold, then the refrigerant temperature may be too low for optimal cooling system performance, but existing subcoolers do not provide heating capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of cold ambient temperature (which causes refrigerant to become too cold) into a beneficial heating source. The heat exchanger captures heat from the ambient air, even when cold, and transfers it to the refrigerant when needed. This transforms the cold ambient condition from a harmful factor into a controllable parameter that can be utilized for heating the refrigerant to optimal temperatures.
3Temperature
If the ambient temperature is warm, then the refrigerant temperature may be too high, but the subcooler only cools and cannot adapt to cold climates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a subcooler when the refrigerant needs cooling (warm ambient conditions) and as a heater when the refrigerant needs warming (cold ambient conditions). This is achieved by configuring the heat exchanger to transfer heat between the refrigerant and ambient air in either direction depending on the temperature differential, making the system universally applicable across different climate conditions without requiring separate cooling and heating devices.
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 system effectively adjusts refrigerant temperature to optimize performance by cooling it when too warm and warming it when too cold, ensuring efficient operation across different climates.
Implementation Method 1
a subcooler heat exchanger that cools the refrigerant when the refrigerant is too warm
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchanger also transfers heat from a hot gas compressor discharge to the refrigerant when the refrigerant is too cold
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus (200) includes a heat exchanger (115), a load (125), a compressor (130), and a valve (215). The heat exchanger (115) receives a refrigerant at a first inlet (205A) and directs the refrigerant received at the first inlet to an outlet (210A). The load (125) uses the refrigerant from the outlet (210A) to remove heat from a space proximate the load (125). The compressor (130) compresses the refrigerant from the load (125). The valve (215) directs the refrigerant from the compressor (130) to a second inlet (205B) of the heat exchanger (115) when a temperature of the refrigerant at the load (125) is below a first threshold. The heat exchanger (115) transfers heat from the refrigerant received at the second inlet (205B) to the refrigerant received at the first inlet (205A).