Refrigeration cycle device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration cycle devices using vapor compression with refrigerants face challenges in efficiently managing high-pressure refrigerants, leading to difficulties in pipe installation and increased construction time and costs due to the need for thick, rigid pipes to withstand supercritical refrigerant pressures.
Innovation Solution
The refrigeration cycle device employs a dual connection pipe system with thin, easily bendable metallic pipes (12.7 mm or less in diameter) that split and merge refrigerant flow between a heat source unit and a use unit, allowing for reduced pipe diameters and improved installation efficiency by facilitating on-site bending and reducing the need for complex brazing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick, rigid pipes are used to withstand supercritical refrigerant pressures, then pressure resistance is improved, but pipe installation complexity and construction time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection path is divided into two separate pipes (first connection pipe and second connection pipe) instead of using a single thick pipe. This segmentation allows each pipe to have smaller diameter and thinner wall thickness while collectively withstanding the supercritical refrigerant pressure through coordinated flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant parameters (pressure and temperature) are changed to supercritical states, which fundamentally alters the refrigerant's physical properties. This enables the use of thinner-walled pipes while maintaining pressure resistance, as supercritical refrigerants have different stress distribution characteristics compared to gaseous or liquid states.
2Strength
If thick, rigid pipes are used to withstand supercritical refrigerant pressures, then pressure resistance is improved, but construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses two separate connection pipes with smaller diameters instead of one large-diameter thick pipe. This segmentation reduces material costs for pipe fabrication and installation, while the combined cross-sectional area of both pipes maintains sufficient pressure resistance for supercritical refrigerant flow.
Solution Approach 2:
By operating the refrigerant in supercritical state with optimized pressure and temperature parameters, the required wall thickness of connection pipes is reduced. This parameter optimization enables use of thinner, less expensive pipes while maintaining structural integrity and pressure resistance.
3Productivity
If thin, easily bendable pipes are used, then installation efficiency is improved, but pressure resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into two separate thin-walled pipes rather than using a single thick pipe. This segmentation enables use of thin, flexible pipes that are easy to install and bend on-site, while the combined flow capacity and pressure distribution across both pipes maintain sufficient pressure resistance for supercritical refrigerant operation.
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 configuration reduces pipe diameters, simplifies on-site installation, and enhances construction efficiency while maintaining sufficient pressure resistance for supercritical refrigerants, thereby lowering construction time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor and a heat-source-side heat exchanger; one first use unit that is installed by being separated from the heat source unit and that has a first use-side heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a heat-source-side heat exchanger; one first use unit that is installed by being separated from the heat source unit and that has a first use-side heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
causes a refrigerant to flow; and a second connection flow path that connects the heat source unit and the first use unit and causes a refrigerant whose specific enthalpy is smaller
Implementation Method 4
The refrigerant circuit uses a refrigerant whose saturation pressure is 4.5 MPa or higher when a saturation temperature reaches 65° C., or a refrigerant whose critical temperature is 65° C. or lower. The heat source unit, the first use unit, the first connection flow path, and the second connection flow path constitute a refrigerant circuit that includes the compressor, the heat-source-side heat exchanger, and the first use-side heat exchanger and that repeats a vapor compression refrigeration cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle device includes a heat source, a first use unit, a second use unit, a first connection flow path, and a second connection flow path. The heat source has a compressor and a heat-source side heat exchanger. The first use unit is separated from the heat source unit and has a first use-side heat exchanger. The second use unit is separated from the heat source unit and has a second use-side heat exchanger. The first connection flow path connects the heat source unit to the first and the second use units and causes a first refrigerant to flow. The second connection flow path connects the heat source unit to the first and the second use units and causes a second refrigerant to flow. A specific enthalpy of the second refrigerant is smaller than a specific enthalpy of the first refrigerant.