Flow distributor and environment control system provided with the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow distributors in environmental control systems, such as air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, face challenges in evenly distributing the liquid component of two-phase refrigerant due to factors like gravity, manufacturing errors, and flow conditions, leading to performance degradation in evaporators.
Innovation Solution
A flow distributor with a tubular main body having a center axis oriented vertically, featuring inlet ports positioned in the lower portion to generate an upward spiraling flow, and outlet ports in the upper portion arranged orthogonally to the center axis, ensuring even distribution of the liquid component among multiple flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional flow distributors (T-shaped, trunk-type, internally-branched, or header-type) are used to divide refrigerant flow paths, then the refrigerant can be distributed into multiple passages, but the liquid component becomes unevenly distributed among outlet ports due to gravity, manufacturing errors, and flow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a flow stabilizer upstream of the flow distributor to pre-condition the two-phase refrigerant flow. The flow stabilizer includes flow straightening blades that align the flow direction and uniformity promoters that equalize the liquid component distribution before the refrigerant enters the flow distributor, thereby preventing uneven distribution at the outlet ports
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary device (flow stabilizer) positioned between the upstream pipe and the flow distributor. This intermediary component acts as a mediator to correct flow non-uniformity and liquid component maldistribution, allowing the downstream flow distributor to receive pre-conditioned refrigerant and achieve uniform outlet distribution
2Quantity of substance
If multiple flow distributors are provided in series to divide refrigerant into more flow paths, then the refrigerant can be distributed to more evaporator passages, but the unevenness in liquid component distribution is cumulatively propagated through downstream flow distributors
Solution Approach 1:
By placing the flow stabilizer upstream of the first flow distributor in a series configuration, the refrigerant flow is pre-conditioned before entering any flow distributor. This preliminary stabilization prevents the cumulative propagation of unevenness that would otherwise occur through multiple sequential distributors, maintaining distribution uniformity across all downstream outlets
3Adaptability or versatility
If upstream pipes undergo bending, merging, or diverging before entering the flow distributor, then the system can accommodate complex piping layouts, but the flow condition of the liquid component becomes non-uniform at the inlet port
Solution Approach 1:
The flow stabilizer serves as an intermediary device that decouples the upstream piping configuration from the flow distributor inlet. Complex bending, merging, or diverging operations can occur upstream without affecting the flow distributor, as the stabilizer's flow straightening blades and uniformity promoters restore uniform flow conditions at the distributor inlet
4Adaptability or versatility
If the installation angle of the flow distributor varies due to gravity influence, then the system can be installed in different orientations, but the liquid component distribution becomes uneven at the outlet ports
Solution Approach 1:
The flow stabilizer pre-corrects flow non-uniformity caused by gravitational effects and installation angle variations before the refrigerant enters the flow distributor. By establishing uniform flow conditions upstream, the system becomes insensitive to installation orientation, allowing flexible mounting while maintaining outlet distribution uniformity
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 achieves uniform distribution of the liquid component, enhancing the efficiency and performance of evaporators by canceling non-uniform flow conditions and maintaining stability across various refrigerant flow rates, while maintaining a low manufacturing cost.
Implementation Method 1
inlet ports disposed in a lower portion of the main body and having center axes that are not parallel to and do not intersect with the center axis of the main body so as to generate an upward spiraling flow of the refrigerant within the main body
Implementation Method 2
the outlet ports having relatively small diameters to increase friction resistance in order to distribute the refrigerant evenly
Implementation Method 3
the two-phase refrigerant flows from the inlet pipe into the cylindrical vessel from a tangential direction, and the refrigerant separates into gas and liquid by the centrifugal force acting on the refrigerant in the process of swirling inside the cylindrical vessel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A flow distributor (12) is adapted to distribute two-phase refrigerant into a plurality of flow paths. The flow distributor (12) includes a tubular main body (20) having a center axis (C), at least one inlet port (22), and a plurality of outlet ports (24). The inlet port (22) is disposed in a lower portion of the main body (20) in a state in which the center axis (C) of the main body is oriented in a generally vertical direction. The inlet port (22) has a center axis (Ci) that is not parallel to and does not intersect with the center axis (C) of the main body so as to generate an upward spiraling flow of the refrigerant within the main body (20). The outlet ports (24) form a plurality of openings (24a) disposed in an upper portion of the main body (20) in the state in which the center axis (C) of the main body is oriented in the generally vertical direction, with all of the openings (24a) being at least partially arranged in a plane orthogonal to the center axis (C) of the main body (20).