Evaporator Inlet Header Distributor for Uniform Two-Phase Refrigerant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners face efficiency degradation due to variations in liquid refrigerant distribution across multiple refrigerant flow paths in the evaporator, leading to uneven heat exchange and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an evaporator inlet header distributor that disperses two-phase refrigerant in a vertical or up-and-down direction, using a distributor body with a separating plate and multiple refrigerant outlet pipes, ensures uniform distribution of liquid and gaseous refrigerant across the evaporator flow paths, preventing liquid refrigerant concentration and enhancing heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional evaporator inlet header is used, then device complexity is low, but refrigerant distribution uniformity deteriorates leading to efficiency degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor body is segmented into multiple flow paths with individual outlet pipes positioned at different locations. The separating plate divides the inlet header into multiple sections, creating distinct flow channels that guide refrigerant to different evaporator zones. This segmentation ensures uniform distribution while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the distributor are designed with locally optimized characteristics. The outlet pipes are positioned at specific locations along the header to address local distribution needs. The separating plate creates zones with different flow characteristics, ensuring each region receives appropriate refrigerant flow for optimal heat exchange.
2Productivity
If refrigerant flow paths are increased to improve heat exchange, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but liquid refrigerant concentration in certain paths increases causing efficiency degradation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple refrigerant flow paths are created through the separating plate that divides the inlet header. Each path is equipped with outlet pipes positioned to distribute refrigerant evenly across different evaporator sections. This prevents liquid refrigerant concentration by ensuring each path receives balanced two-phase refrigerant flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating plate acts as an intermediary element between the inlet header and outlet pipes. It mediates the refrigerant flow by creating controlled flow paths that prevent direct short-circuiting and ensure uniform distribution. The plate structure guides the two-phase refrigerant through intermediate flow channels before reaching the outlet pipes.
3Reliability
If evaporator inlet header distributor is added to improve refrigerant distribution, then refrigerant distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is designed as a segmented structure with a separating plate that divides the inlet header into discrete zones. Each zone has dedicated outlet pipes, creating a modular appearance. However, these segments are integrated into a single manufactured body, balancing distribution performance with manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor body performs multiple functions: it distributes refrigerant, separates flow paths, positions outlet pipes, and guides two-phase refrigerant flow. By integrating these functions into a single component rather than using separate parts, the design achieves uniform refrigerant distribution while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 ensures uniform distribution of two-phase refrigerant, minimizing liquid refrigerant concentration and improving the overall efficiency and heat-exchanging performance of the air conditioner by maintaining even refrigerant flow across multiple flow paths.
Implementation Method 1
The evaporator inlet header distributor may separate a two-phase refrigerant of a liquid refrigerant and a gaseous refrigerant, and may disperse the separated gaseous refrigerant and the separated liquid refrigerant into the plurality of refrigerant flow paths through a plurality of separate liquid refrigerant suction lines
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and evaporator inlet header distributor therefor are provided. The air conditioner may include an evaporator inlet header distributor to distribute a refrigerant expanded in an expansion mechanism to a plurality of refrigerant flow paths of an evaporator. The evaporator inlet header distributor may include a distributor body, a refrigerant inlet pipe to guide refrigerant expanded in the expansion mechanism to an inside of the distributor body, a plurality of refrigerant outlet pipes to discharge the refrigerant from the distributor body into the plurality of refrigerant flow paths, and a separating plate to separate the inside of the distributor body into a header flow path connected with the plurality of refrigerant outlet pipes and a refrigerant dispersing flow path connected with the refrigerant inlet pipe to guide an upper portion and a lower portion of the header flow path by dispersing the refrigerant. Accordingly, two-phase refrigerant may be uniformly distributed to the plurality of refrigerant outlet pipes using a simple structure.