Ejector Using Swirl Flow to Reduce Mixing Portion Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ejectors require a long mixing portion to achieve thorough mixing of refrigerant flows, which increases the overall length and makes it difficult to reduce the size of refrigeration cycle apparatus, and existing swirl flow designs fail to effectively generate swirl flows on the surface of conical members, limiting the reduction of mixing portion length.
Innovation Solution
An ejector design featuring nozzle grooves on the suction pipe that form a swirl flow when inserted into the nozzle section, allowing the main flow to pass through multiple nozzles and mix with the suction flow in a shorter mixing portion, with the grooves being inclined to facilitate efficient mixing and energy exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the length of the mixing portion is increased to achieve thorough mixing of refrigerant flows, then the mixing effectiveness is improved, but the overall length of the ejector is increased making it difficult to reduce the size of the refrigeration cycle apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a swirl flow that creates a vortex pattern in the mixing portion, transforming the linear flow into a rotational flow. This curved flow path increases the contact time and mixing intensity between the main flow and suction flow, allowing effective mixing in a shorter axial length, thus resolving the contradiction between mixing effectiveness and ejector length.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a rotational dimension to the flow by generating swirl flow, transitioning from one-dimensional linear mixing to three-dimensional vortex mixing. This dimensional change enables more efficient mixing within a compact space, reducing the required axial length while maintaining or improving mixing effectiveness.
2Length of moving object
If a swirl flow is generated in the nozzle section to reduce the length of the mixing portion, then the ejector length is reduced, but the velocity component in the swirling direction disappears and the linear velocity component is increased making it difficult to generate swirl flow on the surface of the conical member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-conditions the main flow to have a swirl component before it enters the mixing portion. By generating the swirl flow in advance in the nozzle section through the inclined nozzle grooves, the flow arrives at the mixing portion with the desired rotational velocity, preventing the loss of swirl component that occurs when swirl is generated after the nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different geometric features to different parts of the nozzle: inclined nozzle grooves are specifically designed on the conical surface to generate swirl flow locally. This localized geometric modification creates the necessary rotational flow without affecting the overall nozzle performance, maintaining both the swirl velocity component and the linear velocity component.
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 reduces the length of the mixing portion while maintaining effective mixing and energy exchange, enhancing the coefficient of performance and reducing power consumption in refrigeration cycles by generating a swirl flow that accelerates the mixing process.
Implementation Method 1
nozzle grooves for generating a swirl flow... the main flow is moved to the mixing portion through the plurality of nozzles... forming a swirl flow that accelerates the mixing process
Implementation Method 2
the pressure of the mixed refrigerant is increased in a diffuser... using the pressure increasing operation of the refrigerant that is generated in the diffuser of the ejector
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An ejector using a swirl flow includes an ejector body comprising a main inlet into which a main flow in high pressure flows, a nozzle section in fluid communication with the main inlet, a mixing portion in fluid communication with the nozzle section, a diffuser in fluid communication with the mixing portion, and a discharge portion in fluid communication with the diffuser; and a suction pipe inserted in a center of the ejector body, the suction pipe including a through-hole into which a suction flow in low pressure flows, and a leading end portion an outer surface of which forms a plurality of inclined passages with the nozzle section of the ejector body, the plurality of inclined passages allowing the main flow to be moved to the mixing portion so as to form a swirl flow, wherein the main flow entering through the main inlet of the ejector body and the suction flow entering through the through-hole of the suction pipe are swirled and mixed in the mixing portion of the ejector body, and then are discharged outside through the diffuser and the discharge portion.