Device having refrigerant cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerant cycles, pressure loss occurs when two-phase refrigerant is suctioned into the compressor, leading to performance deterioration, as liquid refrigerant can damage the compressor and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A separation mechanism is introduced to separate gaseous and liquid refrigerants from the two-phase refrigerant discharged from the evaporator, with the gaseous refrigerant being bypassed directly to the compressor, reducing pressure loss by minimizing the flow of liquid refrigerant into the compressor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two-phase refrigerant is suctioned into the compressor, then the refrigerant cycle can operate continuously, but pressure loss occurs and compressor damage may result
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant flow path is segmented into multiple pathways: a first path through the expansion device for two-phase refrigerant, and a second bypass path for gaseous refrigerant. This segmentation allows selective routing of different refrigerant phases to appropriate destinations, preventing liquid damage while managing pressure loss separately for each phase.
Solution Approach 2:
A gas-liquid separator is introduced as an intermediary component between the evaporator and compressor. This separator mediates the refrigerant flow by separating gaseous and liquid phases, directing gaseous refrigerant through a bypass path to the compressor while preventing liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor through the expansion device path.
2Loss of energy
If gaseous refrigerant is bypassed at the inlet side of the evaporator, then pressure loss is reduced, but the flow rate of bypassed refrigerant is significantly less than the flow rate through the evaporator
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts refrigerant flow distribution based on operating conditions. The bypass path allows gaseous refrigerant to be routed directly to the compressor when appropriate, while the expansion device path handles two-phase refrigerant. This dynamic flow management ensures optimal pressure loss reduction while maintaining sufficient refrigerant flow rate through the evaporator for effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality requirements are applied to different refrigerant streams: gaseous refrigerant is directed through the bypass path with lower pressure loss requirements, while two-phase refrigerant is directed through the expansion device path where pressure loss is less critical. This local quality approach optimizes the overall system performance by matching flow characteristics to path characteristics.
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 effectively reduces pressure loss and prevents compressor damage by ensuring only gaseous refrigerant is suctioned into the compressor, maintaining optimal pressure and enhancing the refrigerant cycle's performance.
Implementation Method 1
a separation mechanism configured to separate liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant from refrigerant discharged from an evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a condenser configured to condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor
Implementation Method 4
an expander configured to expand the refrigerant condensed by the condenser
Implementation Method 5
an evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant expanded by the expander
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided that may include a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant, an expander configured to expand the refrigerant condensed by the condenser, an evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant expanded by the expander, a separation mechanism connected to an outlet pipe of the evaporator to separate liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant discharged from the evaporator, a bypass pipe to guide the gaseous refrigerant separated from the liquid refrigerant to the compressor, a first pipe connected to the separation mechanism and through which the liquid refrigerant discharged from the separation mechanism flows, an accumulator connected to the first pipe to separate the gaseous refrigerant, which is not separated from the liquid refrigerant by the separation mechanism, from the liquid refrigerant and discharge the separated gaseous refrigerant, and a second pipe configured to guide the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the accumulator to the compressor.