Environmental test apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Environmental test apparatuses face reliability issues due to excessive heat generation in the compressor motor, leading to motor winding burnout, oil viscosity reduction, and premature deterioration during continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
An environmental test apparatus with a refrigeration circuit featuring a compressor, condenser, expansion portion, and evaporator, including a first bypass flow path connecting the condenser discharge and compressor suction, equipped with a flow rate control portion and temperature measurement system to control the refrigerant flow and cool the compressor, thereby reducing heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the environmental test apparatus operates continuously for long periods, then the productivity is improved, but the motor heat generation increases causing reliability deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
A bypass flow path is introduced as an intermediary channel that allows refrigerant to flow directly from the condenser discharge side to the compressor suction side, bypassing the evaporator. This intermediary path enables heat removal from the motor without disrupting the main refrigeration cycle, thus protecting motor reliability during continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function for the motor is extracted from the main refrigeration cycle by creating a separate bypass flow path. This allows the motor cooling function to be independently controlled through the flow rate control portion, enabling continuous operation without compromising motor reliability.
2Temperature
If the cooling device operates under severe conditions, then the cooling performance is improved, but the motor heat generation increases causing oil viscosity reduction and premature deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors motor temperature and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the bypass flow path opening degree. When motor temperature rises during severe cooling operations, the controller increases bypass flow to enhance cooling and protect against oil viscosity reduction and motor deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the refrigerant flow parameters by adjusting the bypass flow path opening degree based on motor temperature conditions. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal cooling performance while preventing excessive heat generation that would reduce oil viscosity and cause premature deterioration.
3Temperature
If a bypass flow path is added to cool the compressor, then the motor cooling is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flow path serves multiple functions: it cools the compressor motor, controls refrigerant flow distribution, and provides a pathway for temperature-based flow rate control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor cooling function is merged with the existing refrigeration circuit by utilizing the bypass flow path that connects components already present in the system. This integration approach avoids adding completely separate cooling equipment, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 solution effectively suppresses excessive heat generation in the compressor motor, preventing burnout, oil viscosity reduction, and deterioration, enhancing the apparatus's reliability during continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant passing through the first bypass flow path is introduced into the compressor to cool a motor or the like
Implementation Method 2
a phase-changing refrigerant is to be circulated
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an environmental test apparatus that can create a predetermined environment inside a test chamber, the environmental test apparatus including: the test chamber for placing a test target object; a heating portion; and a cooling portion. The cooling portion has a refrigeration circuit having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion portion, and an evaporator and in which a phase-changing refrigerant is to be circulated. The refrigeration circuit has a first bypass flow path connecting a discharge side of the condenser and a suction side of the compressor and the first bypass flow path is provided with a first flow rate control portion. A temperature measurement portion for measuring a temperature of the compressor and a controller are provided. The controller is configured to control a substantial degree of opening of the first flow rate control portion according to a detection value of the temperature measurement portion.