Ejector Refrigeration Layout for Dual Evaporator Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ejector cycle devices face challenges in efficiently controlling the flow amounts of refrigerant through multiple evaporators, making it difficult to optimize cooling capacities and preventing liquid refrigerant from returning to the compressor.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a compressor, refrigerant radiator, ejector with a nozzle portion, first and second evaporators, a branch passage with throttle members, and a gas-liquid separator to adjust refrigerant flow and prevent liquid return to the compressor, allowing for independent control of refrigerant amounts to each evaporator based on thermal loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single ejector is used to control refrigerant flow to multiple evaporators, then the device structure is simple, but the refrigerant flow amount to each evaporator cannot be independently adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigerant flow control into separate paths by introducing branch passages with individual throttle members for each evaporator. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of refrigerant flow to each evaporator while maintaining the overall ejector cycle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional aspect to the refrigerant flow control by creating parallel branch passages that diverge from the main ejector outlet. This dimensional expansion enables multiple independent flow paths, allowing each evaporator to be controlled separately without increasing the core ejector complexity.
2Productivity
If refrigerant is decompressed in the ejector nozzle, then cooling efficiency is improved, but liquid refrigerant may return to the compressor causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-liquid separator acts as an intermediary component between the evaporators and the compressor. It separates liquid refrigerant from gas refrigerant, allowing only gas to reach the compressor while preventing liquid return, thus protecting the compressor while maintaining efficient cooling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-liquid separator performs preliminary separation of refrigerant phases before the refrigerant enters the compressor. By removing liquid refrigerant in advance, the system prevents potential compressor damage from liquid slugging while maintaining the decompression cooling efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ejector controls refrigerant distribution to multiple evaporators, then a single device can serve multiple cooling zones, but the flow amount distribution is difficult to optimize for different thermal loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamically adjustable throttle members in each branch passage, allowing the refrigerant flow distribution to be changed in real-time according to the thermal load requirements of different evaporators. This dynamic control enables optimization of cooling performance for varying operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables independent parameter adjustment for each evaporator by varying the throttle degree of individual throttle members. This allows the refrigerant flow rate, pressure, and temperature parameters to be optimized for each cooling zone's specific thermal load, enhancing overall system adaptability and efficiency.
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 enables efficient operation of the ejector cycle device by allowing for precise adjustment of refrigerant flow to each evaporator, ensuring high efficiency and preventing liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor, thus optimizing cooling performance and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an ejector which includes a nozzle portion for decompressing and expanding refrigerant from the refrigerant radiator
Implementation Method 2
a first throttle member disposed in the first branch passage to decompress refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant radiator
Implementation Method 3
a gas-liquid separator located between a refrigerant outlet of the first evaporator and a refrigerant suction side of the compressor for separating refrigerant into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
a first evaporator for evaporating refrigerant flowing out of the ejector
Data Source
AI summary
An ejector cycle device includes a compressor, a refrigerant radiator disposed to radiate heat of refrigerant discharged from the compressor, an ejector having a nozzle, a first evaporator for evaporating refrigerant from the ejector, a branch passage, which is branched from a refrigerant downstream side of the refrigerant radiator and is connected to a refrigerant suction port of the ejector, a throttle member disposed in the branch passage to decompress refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant radiator, a second evaporator disposed in the branch passage between the throttle member and the refrigerant suction port of the ejector, and a gas-liquid separator having an inlet connected to a downstream side of the first evaporator and an outlet from which gas refrigerant is introduced to a refrigerant suction side of the compressor. Thus, refrigerant amounts flowing to the first and second evaporators can be suitably controlled.