Ejector Bypass Refrigeration Cycle for Low Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerating cycle apparatuses using prior-art ejectors experience performance degradation due to pressure loss when bypassing the ejector during normal operation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a first circuit with a compressor, radiator, ejector, and gas-liquid separator, and a second circuit with a first throttle device and evaporator, along with a second throttle device and an opening and closing valve to manage refrigerant flow, allowing for efficient operation by reducing pressure loss during bypass cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ejector is bypassed during normal operation, then the system can operate with simplified refrigerant flow, but pressure loss occurs due to passage through the suction section of the ejector causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the ejector suction section (causing pressure loss) is extracted and removed from the refrigerant flow path during bypass operation. The opening and closing valve isolates the ejector suction section, allowing refrigerant to bypass it entirely, thus eliminating the source of pressure loss while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
An opening and closing valve is introduced as an intermediary device to control refrigerant flow between the radiator outlet and the ejector suction section. This valve acts as a mediator that can redirect refrigerant flow to avoid the pressure-loss-causing section while maintaining system operability in both ejector and bypass modes.
2Productivity
If the ejector is used for compression recovery operation, then cooling performance is improved, but the system cannot operate in bypass mode without pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one where the opening and closing valve can change its state (open/closed) based on operational requirements. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize between two modes: using the ejector for compression recovery to improve cooling performance, or bypassing the ejector to eliminate pressure loss when compression recovery is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow resistance parameter by using the opening and closing valve to switch between two distinct flow paths. When the valve is closed, flow resistance is high through the ejector path (enabling compression recovery). When the valve is open, flow resistance is reduced by bypassing the ejector suction section, eliminating pressure loss during bypass 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 pressure loss and enhances cooling performance by optimizing refrigerant flow, improving the coefficient of performance (COP) even when the ejector is bypassed.
Implementation Method 1
an ejector that decompresses and expands the refrigerant output from the radiator and converts an expansion energy to a pressure energy to increase a suction pressure of the compressor
Implementation Method 2
a first throttle device that decompresses the liquid refrigerant output from the liquid refrigerant outlet
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator that evaporates the liquid refrigerant output from the first throttle device
Implementation Method 4
a gas-liquid separator that separates the refrigerant output from the ejector into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
To obtain a refrigerating cycle apparatus that reduces a pressure loss at the time of a normal operation in which an ejector is bypassed to improve refrigeration cycle performance. A second throttle apparatus is installed on piping path between the outlet of a condenser, which is a radiator, and the outlet of a first throttle device. A check valve is installed on piping path between a gas refrigerant suction section of the ejector and the outlet of the ejector.