Ejector and refrigeration system
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Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial refrigeration systems, reverse flow between high-pressure and suction fluids in ejectors leads to significant compressor efficiency loss, especially when multiple ejectors are connected in parallel or downstream pressures are uneven, causing system inefficiency and potential shutdown.
Innovation Solution
An ejector design featuring a high-pressure fluid passage and suction fluid passage with a first valve and elastic diaphragm mechanism, where the elastic diaphragm is associated with a thermal bulb and closed cavity, allowing the valve to open or close based on pressure differences, preventing reverse flow without external electronic control and ensuring stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an ejector is used to improve compressor efficiency by pressurizing suction fluid, then compressor capacity requirements are reduced and system efficiency is improved, but reverse flow between high-pressure and suction fluids causes significant compressor efficiency loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful reverse flow from the system by installing a check valve in the suction fluid passage. The check valve selectively blocks the reverse flow direction while allowing normal suction fluid flow, thereby eliminating the energy loss caused by reverse flow without interfering with the ejector's pressurization function
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve acts as an intermediary component between the suction fluid passage and the mixing chamber. It mediates the fluid flow by permitting flow in the correct direction (from suction inlet to mixing chamber) while preventing reverse flow from the mixing chamber back to the suction inlet, thus protecting compressor efficiency
2Productivity
If multiple ejectors are connected in parallel to handle larger refrigeration loads, then system capacity is increased, but pressure differential unevenness causes reverse flow and system shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve provides self-service protection for each ejector by automatically preventing reverse flow without requiring external control systems. Each ejector with its check valve operates independently, ensuring that pressure differential unevenness in parallel configurations does not cause system-wide shutdown
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve extracts the vulnerability to reverse flow from the parallel ejector configuration, allowing multiple ejectors to be connected in parallel safely. By removing the reverse flow pathway, the system can scale capacity through parallel connections without compromising reliability
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
The solution effectively prevents reverse flow, enhancing compressor efficiency and system stability by automatically adjusting valve positions in response to pressure changes, thus maintaining system performance and preventing shutdowns.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic diaphragm is associated with the first valve so that the first valve is opened or closed in response to a change in a pressure difference across two sides of the elastic diaphragm
Implementation Method 2
an elastic diaphragm is disposed in the suction fluid passage
Implementation Method 3
The ejector typically pressurizes a suction fluid by means of a high-pressure fluid and supplies mixed fluids to a compressor inlet, thereby increasing the pressure of fluid at the compressor inlet
Implementation Method 4
systems that require a large pressure differential, an ejector is used to improve efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An ejector and a refrigeration system. The ejector includes: a high-pressure fluid passage extending from a high-pressure fluid inlet to a mixing chamber; a suction fluid passage extending from a suction fluid inlet to the mixing chamber, a first valve being disposed in the suction fluid passage; the mixing chamber, which includes a mixed fluid outlet; and a thermal bulb arranged in the suction fluid passage downstream of the first valve; wherein an elastic diaphragm is disposed in the suction fluid passage, the suction fluid passage is on a first side of the elastic diaphragm, and a closed cavity is on a second side of the elastic diaphragm; the thermal bulb is in communication with the closed cavity, and the thermal bulb and the closed cavity are filled with fluid.