Cooling system with additional receiver
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pumpless air conditioning systems are less efficient and have a large footprint due to the reliance on gravity to direct refrigerant to the low side heat exchanger, resulting in refrigerant with little energy and requiring long pipes that exceed standard machine room sizes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a second receiver and a compressor to create a pressure differential, effectively acting as a pump to increase refrigerant energy at the low side heat exchanger, eliminating the need for a long connecting pipe and reducing system height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a pump is used to push refrigerant from the receiver to the low side heat exchanger, then refrigerant energy at the low side heat exchanger is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A second receiver is introduced as an intermediary component between the first receiver and the low side heat exchanger. This second receiver receives refrigerant from the low side heat exchanger and uses pressure differential created by the compressor to facilitate refrigerant circulation, eliminating the need for a separate pump while maintaining refrigerant energy
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor serves multiple functions: it compresses vapor refrigerant from the second receiver and simultaneously creates the pressure differential needed to push liquid refrigerant from the first receiver to the low side heat exchanger. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate pump component
2Device complexity
If gravity is used to direct refrigerant to the low side heat exchanger, then system cost is reduced, but refrigerant energy at the low side heat exchanger deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The second receiver acts as an intermediary that enables the compressor to create a pressure differential, which in turn provides the force to push refrigerant with sufficient energy to the low side heat exchanger, replacing the insufficient gravitational force
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter by using the compressor to create a pressure differential between the first and second receivers. This pressure differential provides the driving force for refrigerant flow, transforming the system from gravity-dependent to pressure-driven
3Ease of operation
If a long pipe is installed to connect the receiver to the low side heat exchanger for gravity-based systems, then refrigerant flow is enabled, but system footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes from gravity-based flow (requiring long vertical pipes) to pressure differential-based flow. The compressor creates sufficient pressure to push refrigerant through shorter pipes, reducing the system footprint while maintaining refrigerant flow capability
Solution Approach 2:
The second receiver serves as an intermediary that enables compact piping arrangements by receiving refrigerant from the low side heat exchanger and returning it to the first receiver through pressure differential, eliminating the need for long gravity-dependent pipes
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 design enhances refrigerant energy at the low side heat exchanger, reducing the system's footprint and allowing it to fit within standard machine rooms by eliminating the need for a long pipe, while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The compressor compresses the second vapor portion of the refrigerant from the second receiver
Implementation Method 2
A compressor is used to create a pressure differential in the second receiver relative to the first receiver such that the pressure in the first receiver is greater than the pressure in the second receiver
Implementation Method 3
Gravity then pulls refrigerant from the receiver downwards towards the low side heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
The high side heat exchanger removes heat from a refrigerant. The low side heat exchanger uses the first liquid portion of the refrigerant from the first receiver to cool a space proximate the low side heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system includes a second receiver that receives refrigerant from a low side heat exchanger. A pipe connects the second receiver to a first receiver. A vapor portion of the refrigerant in the first receiver can flow through the pipe to the second receiver. A compressor is used to create a pressure differential in the second receiver relative to the first receiver such that the pressure in the first receiver is greater than the pressure in the second receiver. This pressure differential effectively acts as a pump that pushes the liquid refrigerant in the first receiver towards the low side heat exchanger.