Dual-Path Refrigerant Control for Low-Temperature Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners face instability and increased power consumption when operating in environments where outdoor temperatures are lower than indoor temperatures, leading to refrigerant freezing and inefficient cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an additional outdoor unit with a pump capable of low-temperature cooling, along with a controller that manages refrigerant flow through multiple paths and valves to optimize the operation of the compressor and pump, ensuring stable refrigerant circulation and efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional air conditioner operates in low outdoor temperature environments, then cooling function is provided, but refrigerant freezing occurs and operation becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant circulation system is segmented into two independent paths: a compressor-based path for gas refrigerant and a pump-based path for liquid refrigerant. This segmentation allows each component to handle refrigerant in its appropriate phase, preventing freezing issues that occur when liquid refrigerant circulates through the compressor in low-temperature environments.
Solution Approach 2:
An accumulator is introduced as an intermediary device that separates liquid and gas refrigerant before they enter different circulation paths. The accumulator acts as a mediator that directs liquid refrigerant to the pump path and gas refrigerant to the compressor path, ensuring stable operation in low-temperature conditions.
2Temperature
If a conventional air conditioner operates in low outdoor temperature environments, then cooling function is provided, but power consumption increases due to over-operating
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between compressor-only operation, pump-only operation, and combined operation based on outdoor temperature conditions. In low-temperature environments, the controller activates the pump path for liquid refrigerant circulation, which is more energy-efficient than forcing the compressor to operate with liquid refrigerant.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by activating different circulation paths based on temperature thresholds. When outdoor temperature drops below a certain level, the controller changes the refrigerant circulation mode from compressor-only to pump-assisted or pump-only mode, optimizing energy consumption for low-temperature conditions.
3Reliability
If an additional pump and multiple flow paths are added to enable low-temperature cooling, then stable operation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump serves multiple functions: it can operate independently in low-temperature modes and work in conjunction with the compressor in normal temperature modes. The accumulator also serves dual purposes by separating refrigerant phases and directing flow to appropriate paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor-based refrigerant circulation system and the pump-based refrigerant circulation system are merged into a single integrated air conditioner unit. Both systems share common components such as the heat exchangers, accumulator, and control unit, allowing stable low-temperature operation without requiring a completely separate system.
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 allows for stable and efficient cooling operations even in low outdoor temperatures by preventing refrigerant freezing and optimizing the use of the compressor and pump, reducing power consumption and preventing damage to the air conditioner components.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to compress the gas refrigerant discharged from the accumulator
Implementation Method 2
a pump configured to pressurize the liquid refrigerant discharged from the accumulator
Implementation Method 3
an outdoor heat exchanger for heat-exchanging outdoor air with a refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
a gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor flows into the outdoor heat exchanger and phase-changes into a liquid refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An air conditioner according to the present invention has a structure driving a compressor and a pump, simultaneously, in a low-temperature cooling environment in which the outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature, thereby enabling efficient and stable cooling.