Ejector and refrigerating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial refrigeration systems face inefficiencies due to the need for precise pressure adjustments of high-pressure fluids, which are typically managed by electronic control systems involving stepper motors and flow valves, lacking adaptive mechanical control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An ejector system with a mechanical control mechanism using an elastic diaphragm and thermal bulb to adjust the opening degree of a flow valve in response to pressure differences, eliminating the need for electronic controls and stepper motors, ensuring optimal pressure adjustments based on temperature and pressure variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electronic control system with stepper motor is used to control the flow valve, then the pressure adjustment precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic control system (stepper motor, electronic sensors, control circuits) with a purely mechanical control mechanism. The elastic diaphragm responds directly to pressure differences and mechanically actuates the flow valve through levers and linkages, eliminating the need for electronic components while maintaining pressure adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical control system is self-regulating: the elastic diaphragm automatically senses pressure differences between the high-pressure fluid passage and the closed cavity, and the mechanical linkages automatically adjust the flow valve opening degree in response to these pressure variations without requiring external electronic control signals or power supply.
2Measurement precision
If an electronic control system is used to adjust pressure based on temperature, then the pressure control accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation and reliability deteriorate due to electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates electronic control components (sensors, microcontrollers, actuators) and replaces them with a mechanical system where the elastic diaphragm directly translates pressure differences into mechanical displacement that controls the flow valve, improving reliability by removing vulnerable electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic diaphragm serves as a mechanical intermediary that transfers the pressure difference information from the high-pressure fluid passage and closed cavity directly to the flow valve control mechanism, enabling pressure regulation without electronic intermediaries.
3Ease of manufacture
If a flow valve with mechanical connection to elastic diaphragm is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an elastic diaphragm (flexible thin film) as the sensing element that responds to pressure differences. This flexible membrane can be manufactured with standard elastomeric materials and processes, accommodating manufacturing tolerances better than rigid mechanical components while still providing precise pressure-responsive actuation of the flow valve.
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 solution enhances system stability, reduces costs, and automatically controls pressure and refrigerant flow, improving efficiency by maintaining optimal pressure conditions without electrical components, thus enhancing overall refrigeration system performance.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal bulb disposed upstream of the flow valve, in the high-pressure fluid passage or outside the high-pressure fluid passage, wherein the thermal bulb is in communication with the closed cavity
Implementation Method 2
an elastic diaphragm disposed in the high-pressure fluid passage, wherein a closed cavity is on a first side of the elastic diaphragm... the elastic diaphragm is associated with the flow valve so that an opening degree of the flow valve varies in response to a change in a pressure difference across two sides of the elastic diaphragm
Implementation Method 3
when the pressure of the high-pressure fluid is lower than the desired pressure, the opening degree of the flow valve will decrease, thereby increasing the pressure of the high-pressure fluid; and when the pressure of the high-pressure fluid is higher than the desired pressure, the pressure of the fluid in the closed cavity is lower than that of the high-pressure fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An ejector and a refrigeration system are provided by the present disclosure. The ejector includes: a high-pressure fluid passage, a flow valve for controlling a flow rate being disposed in the high-pressure fluid passage; a suction fluid passage; a mixing chamber, which includes a mixed fluid outlet; a thermal bulb disposed upstream of the flow valve, in the high-pressure fluid passage or outside the high-pressure fluid passage; and an elastic diaphragm disposed in the high-pressure fluid passage, wherein a closed cavity is on a first side of the elastic diaphragm, and the high-pressure fluid passage 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; and the elastic diaphragm is associated with the flow valve so that an opening degree of the flow valve varies in response to a change in a pressure difference across two sides of the elastic diaphragm. The ejector according to the present disclosure can adaptively control the pressure and flow rate of the high-pressure fluid.