Ejector Actuating Bar Coaxial Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ejector designs for vapor-compression refrigeration cycles face instability in energy conversion efficiency due to axis inclination of the passage formation member, leading to uneven pressure distribution and increased mixing losses, especially when handling refrigerants with different physical properties.
Innovation Solution
The ejector design incorporates a passage formation member supported by upstream and downstream actuating bars, ensuring the center axis remains coaxial, preventing axis inclination and promoting stable swirling flow, which reduces mixing losses by uniformly distributing suction refrigerant and enhancing energy conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the passage formation member is displaced according to load variation, then the ejector can be operated appropriately with changing passage cross-sectional area, but the center axis of the passage formation member becomes inclined from the center axis of the swirling space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces actuating bars as intermediary components between the drive mechanism and the passage formation member. These actuating bars transmit the displacement motion while maintaining the coaxial alignment through their structural design, preventing direct coupling that would cause axis inclination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces a direct mechanical coupling system with a guided mechanical system using actuating bars that slide within guides. This substitution allows the passage formation member to be displaced while maintaining precise coaxial alignment through the guidance mechanism rather than direct rigid coupling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the center axis of the passage formation member is inclined, then the passage cross-sectional area varies in circumferential direction, but this causes uneven suction refrigerant distribution and increases mixing losses
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating bars serve as intermediaries that transmit the area-adjustment motion while maintaining coaxial alignment. This ensures the passage cross-sectional area can be adjusted uniformly without causing circumferential variations that would lead to uneven refrigerant distribution and increased mixing losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains coaxial alignment throughout the displacement process, ensuring uniform pressure and flow distribution around the circumferential direction. This equipotential approach prevents localized variations that would cause uneven suction refrigerant distribution and minimize mixing losses.
3Productivity
If multiple actuating bars are used to couple the passage formation member and drive mechanism, then the passage area can be adjusted, but the center axis inclination occurs in some cases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating bars are designed as guided intermediaries that transmit displacement motion while constraining lateral movements. The guidance structure ensures that even with multiple actuating bars, the passage formation member remains coaxially aligned with the swirling space center axis throughout the adjustment range.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating bars perform multiple functions: they transmit the displacement force from the drive mechanism, maintain coaxial alignment through their guidance design, and ensure uniform passage area adjustment. This multi-functionality allows reliable operation without axis inclination.
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 stabilizes high energy conversion efficiency across varying load conditions and refrigerant properties, minimizing mixing losses and maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant passage having an annular cross section is provided between an inner surface of the body and a conical lateral surface of the passage formation member. A portion of the refrigerant passage on a most upstream side in a refrigerant flow is used as a nozzle passage
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant that flows out of an evaporator through a refrigerant suction port provided in a body is drawn by a suction action of supersonic jet refrigerant jetted from a nozzle passage
Implementation Method 3
a portion of the refrigerant passage on a downstream side of the nozzle passage in the refrigerant passage is used as a diffuser passage. In the diffuser passage, a mixture refrigerant of the jet refrigerant and a suction refrigerant is raised in pressure
Implementation Method 4
a swirling space is provided in the body of the ejector to swirl the refrigerant flowing into the nozzle passage around a center axis of the passage formation member. In the swirling space, a liquid-phase refrigerant flowing out of a radiator is swirled so that the refrigerant on a swirling center side is reduced in pressure and boiled
Implementation Method 5
a swirling space is provided in the body of the ejector to swirl the refrigerant flowing into the nozzle passage around a center axis of the passage formation member
Implementation Method 6
the ejector disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a drive mechanism that displaces the passage formation member to change a passage cross-sectional area of the refrigerant passage
Data Source
AI summary
An ejector includes a body including an inflow space into which a refrigerant flows, a passage formation member disposed inside the body and having a conical shape, and a nozzle passage having an annular cross section which functions as a nozzle and a diffuser passage having an annular cross section which functions as a pressure increase portion, the nozzle passage and the diffuser passage being disposed between an inner wall surface of the body and a conical lateral surface of the passage formation member. A drive mechanism that displaces the passage formation member in a direction along a center axis is coupled to an upstream actuating bar which extends from the passage formation member toward the inflow space and is slidably supported by the body. Center axes of the passage formation member, the upstream actuating bar and the inflow space are coaxial with each other.