Electric control valve for a coolant compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanically operated control valves in coolant compressors have slow response times and material fatigue issues, leading to inefficiencies in coolant flow control and potential icing of the evaporator due to unreliable gas-filled bellows mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An electric control valve with a valve housing, electric actuating drive, position sensor, suction-pressure sensor, and control system that precisely controls coolant flow by moving a valve body between positions based on suction pressure, using an electric actuating drive and sensors to rapidly adjust coolant flow and prevent evaporator icing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gas-filled bellows mechanism is used for control, then the control valve can operate mechanically without external power, but the response time becomes slow and material fatigue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gas-filled bellows system with an electrically actuated control valve. The electric motor-driven piston mechanism substitutes the gas pressure-based bellows operation, enabling faster response times and eliminating material fatigue associated with repeated bellows expansion and contraction cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic control cycles where the control valve alternates between connecting the high-pressure region to the crankcase-chamber-pressure region and closing this connection. This periodic action allows precise control of coolant flow to regulate compressor delivery volume while avoiding the continuous mechanical stress that causes bellows fatigue.
2Productivity
If the control valve frequently opens and closes the connection between high-pressure region and crankcase-chamber-pressure region, then the delivery volume can be precisely controlled, but the mechanical wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanically operated bellows-based control valve with an electrically actuated system. The electric motor drives a piston that controls the valve opening, eliminating the mechanical wear and material fatigue inherent in the gas-filled bellows mechanism while maintaining precise delivery volume control through frequent opening and closing cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wobble plate tilt angle is varied to control coolant flow, then the delivery volume can be adjusted, but the response speed is limited by mechanical inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wobble plate tilt angle control mechanism with an electrically actuated control valve. The electric motor-driven piston can rapidly change the valve opening state, providing faster response speed compared to the mechanically inertial wobble plate system, while still achieving delivery volume adjustment through control of coolant flow between high-pressure and crankcase-chamber-pressure regions.
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 electric control valve provides rapid and precise control of coolant flow, reducing the risk of evaporator icing and improving the reliability and longevity of the system by eliminating material fatigue associated with mechanical bellows.
Implementation Method 1
an electric actuating drive (110), a position sensor (112) for determining a position of the valve body (104), a suction-pressure sensor (114), and a control system (116)
Implementation Method 2
a suction-pressure sensor (114), and a control system (116) for controlling the coolant flow through the control valve (100)
Implementation Method 3
controls a coolant flow from a high-pressure region into a crankcase-chamber-pressure region of the coolant compressor
Data Source
AI summary
An electric control valve for a coolant compressor comprises a valve housing, an electric actuating drive, a valve body displaceable by the electric actuating drive between a first position and a second position inside the valve housing, a position sensor determining a position of the valve body, a suction-pressure sensor, and a control system. The control system is adapted to control a coolant flow from a high-pressure region into a crankcase-chamber-pressure region of the coolant compressor by controlling the position of the valve body via the electric actuating drive based on the suction pressure received from the suction-pressure sensor. The control system moves the valve body to the first position to connect the high-pressure region and the crankcase-chamber-pressure region if the suction pressure is below a predetermined threshold.