Ejector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ejectors in vapor-compression refrigeration cycles face inefficiencies in refrigerant pressure reduction and energy conversion, leading to increased power consumption and reduced coefficient of performance (COP).
Innovation Solution
The ejector design incorporates a pressure reducing space with a nozzle passage and a diffuser passage, featuring a passage formation member that adjusts its sectional area using a drive mechanism and elastic members to optimize refrigerant flow, along with a vibration suppressor to minimize external vibrations, ensuring efficient pressure reduction and energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the passage formation member is made movable to adjust the nozzle passage area, then the refrigerant flow optimization is improved, but the vibration and instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passage formation member is made movable along the axial direction to dynamically adjust the nozzle passage area according to operating conditions. The drive mechanism enables this dynamic adjustment, allowing the system to optimize refrigerant flow under different load conditions while maintaining stable operation through controlled movement rather than fixed geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle passage area is changed as a variable parameter through the movement of the passage formation member. By adjusting the passage area in response to operating conditions, the system optimizes refrigerant flow characteristics and pressure reduction efficiency, transforming a static parameter into a controllable variable for performance enhancement.
2Loss of energy
If the passage area is increased to reduce pressure loss, then the energy conversion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the overall device size to reduce pressure loss, the invention uses a dynamically adjustable passage formation member that can optimize the passage area. This allows the system to achieve low pressure loss through controlled adjustment rather than through increased structural complexity or larger dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism replaces complex mechanical adjustment systems with a more streamlined actuation system. The elastic members provide automatic restoration and positioning, reducing the need for complex control mechanisms while maintaining the ability to optimize passage area for minimal pressure loss.
3Manufacturing precision
If the elastic members are positioned to apply load to the passage formation member, then the passage area control is improved, but the vibration is transmitted to the support structure
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic members are positioned outside the slide region of the support member, extracting the vibration source from the critical support structure. This spatial separation allows the passage formation member to be controlled with precision while preventing vibration transmission to the support member, as the elastic members act independently of the sliding interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members serve as intermediaries that apply control loads to the passage formation member without direct connection to the support member. This intermediary positioning allows force transmission for precise control while isolating the support structure from vibratory effects, as the elastic members absorb and dampen vibrations before they can reach the support.
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 design enhances the coefficient of performance (COP) and reduces power consumption by optimizing refrigerant flow and pressure reduction, while also providing improved vibration suppression and accurate adjustment of passage areas for efficient energy conversion.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member configured to apply a load to the passage formation member in a direction of increasing the passage sectional area of the nozzle passage, and a second elastic member configured to apply a load to the passage formation member in a direction opposite to the direction of the load applied by the first elastic member
Implementation Method 2
The ejector is configured to suck a refrigerant flowing out of an evaporator through a refrigerant suction port and a suction passage provided in a body by utilizing a suction effect of a refrigerant jetted from a nozzle passage that reduces a pressure of a high-pressure refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
The ejector then causes a refrigerant mixture including the jetted refrigerant and the sucked refrigerant to increase in pressure in a diffuser passage and flow out to an intake end of a compressor
Data Source
AI summary
An ejector includes a shaft coupled to a passage formation member defining a refrigerant passage inside a body, and the shaft is slidably supported by a support member fixed to the body. A drive mechanism moves the shaft in an axial direction to change a passage sectional area of the refrigerant passage. The passage formation member is provided with a vibration suppressive member including a first mobile end that applies a load to enlarge the refrigerant passage and a second mobile end that applies a load to narrow the refrigerant passage. Both the first mobile end and the second mobile end are disposed on a same side of a slide region of the support member in the axial direction.