Gas-Liquid Separator Partition Wall Design for Compressor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners face issues with insufficient separation of vapor and liquid refrigerants in the gas-liquid separator, leading to liquid refrigerant being injected into the compressor, which can cause damage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a partition wall in the gas-liquid separator to enhance the separation of vapor and liquid refrigerants, preventing liquid refrigerant discharge into the compressor and improving separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional gas-liquid separator is used without a partition wall, then the device complexity is low, but the separation rate of vapor refrigerant and liquid refrigerant is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-liquid separator is divided into multiple functional regions by introducing a partition wall, creating a first space for initial separation and a second space for further separation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher separation rates by processing vapor and liquid refrigerants through distinct zones with different flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall extends vertically from the bottom surface toward the top surface of the separator, utilizing the vertical dimension to create separated flow paths. This dimensional approach allows vapor refrigerant to rise above the partition wall while liquid refrigerant flows along the bottom, enhancing separation efficiency without increasing the horizontal footprint.
2Reliability
If the vapor refrigerant and liquid refrigerant are not sufficiently separated, then the device complexity remains low, but the reliability of the compressor deteriorates due to liquid refrigerant injection
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the separator interior with a partition wall, the system creates dedicated zones for vapor and liquid refrigerant separation. The first space handles initial separation while the second space provides additional separation distance, ensuring that liquid refrigerant does not enter the compressor and protecting compressor reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure between the incoming two-phase refrigerant and the compressor. It mediates the separation process by providing a physical barrier that directs vapor flow upward and liquid flow downward, preventing liquid from reaching the compressor suction port.
3Manufacturing precision
If a partition wall is added to the gas-liquid separator, then the separation rate increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall segments the separator into two functional spaces, creating a simple yet effective structure that enhances separation. The first space receives two-phase refrigerant and performs initial separation, while the second space provides additional separation distance, achieving high separation rates with a relatively simple structural addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall utilizes the vertical dimension by extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface, creating separated flow paths without significantly increasing the horizontal dimensions. This allows the system to achieve improved separation performance while maintaining a compact overall structure.
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 partition wall design increases the gas-liquid separation efficiency, ensuring reliable operation of the compressor by preventing liquid refrigerant entry, thereby enhancing the performance and efficiency of the air conditioner.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-liquid separator that receives a refrigerant that has passed through an expansion valve and separates and discharges the received refrigerant into a vapor refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is an air conditioner including: a compressor which compresses a refrigerant; a condenser which condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; an expansion valve which expands the refrigerant passing through the condenser; a gas-liquid separator, through which the refrigerant passed through the expansion valve is flowed, that separates and discharges the refrigerant flowed to the gas-liquid separator into a vapor refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant; an evaporator which evaporates the liquid refrigerant discharged from the gas-liquid separator; a refrigerant inflow pipe which connects the expansion valve and the gas-liquid separator; a bypass pipe which connects the gas-liquid separator and the compressor; and a refrigerant discharge pipe which connects the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator, wherein the gas-liquid separator includes: a housing in which the refrigerant inflow pipe, the bypass pipe, and the refrigerant discharge pipe are disposed; a first partition wall, which is disposed in an internal space of the housing and forms a first opening by cutting-out a part of an outer surface, that is disposed adjacent to the refrigerant inflow pipe; and a second partition wall, which is spaced apart from the first partition wall and disposed in the internal space of the housing and forms a second opening by cutting-out a part of an outer surface, that is disposed adjacent to the refrigerant discharge pipe.