Heat pump system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pump systems experience pipe rupture during shutdown due to refrigerant migration and expansion, leading to leaks when the system is shut down for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of one-way closed pipe assemblies with discharge pipe assemblies and pressure relief valves to manage refrigerant flow and accumulation, ensuring refrigerant is directed into heat exchangers or the gas-liquid separator to avoid pipe damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the heat pump system is shut down for maintenance, then the system can be maintained and repaired, but refrigerant accumulates in closed pipe assemblies causing pipe rupture
Solution Approach 1:
A discharge pipe assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the one-way closed pipe assembly and the heat exchanger. This discharge pipe assembly includes a discharge one-way valve that allows refrigerant to flow from the closed pipe assembly to the heat exchanger during shutdown, preventing pipe rupture while maintaining the shutdown capability for maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant flow path is segmented into multiple controlled sections using one-way valves. The first one-way valve allows refrigerant to enter the closed pipe assembly during operation, while the discharge one-way valve provides a separate controlled path for refrigerant discharge during shutdown, enabling independent control of refrigerant movement in different operational states
2Ease of operation
If one-way closed pipe assemblies are used to direct refrigerant flow, then refrigerant can be directed into heat exchangers, but the system complexity increases with additional valves and pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The one-way valves in the system are designed to automatically control refrigerant flow based on pressure differences without requiring external control mechanisms. During shutdown, the discharge one-way valve automatically opens when refrigerant pressure exceeds the valve's cracking pressure, enabling self-regulating refrigerant discharge from the closed pipe assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge pipe assembly is integrated with the existing heat exchanger and pipe structure. The discharge one-way valve is incorporated into the discharge pipe that connects to the heat exchanger, merging the discharge function with the existing heat exchange pathway rather than creating a completely separate system
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
Prevents pipe rupture by allowing refrigerant to be safely discharged into heat exchangers or the gas-liquid separator, maintaining system integrity during shutdown.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one first pipe one-way valve is correspondingly arranged at the at least one first pipe inlet and is configured to enable a fluid to enter the first pipe through the at least one first pipe one-way valve
Implementation Method 2
the first discharge one-way valve is arranged on the first discharge pipe and is configured to enable the fluid to flow to the first discharge pipe outlet through the first discharge pipe inlet
Implementation Method 3
the first pressure relief valve is configured so that the first pressure relief valve inlet is in communication with the first pressure relief valve outlet when a pressure difference between the first pressure relief valve inlet and the first pressure relief valve outlet is equal to a first predetermined pressure difference
Implementation Method 4
the first one-way closed pipe assembly is configured so that when the heat pump system is shut down, the refrigerant is capable of entering the first one-way closed pipe assembly and accumulating in the first one-way closed pipe assembly
Implementation Method 5
the first discharge pipe assembly... thereby discharging a refrigerant in the first one-way closed pipe assembly out of the first one-way closed pipe assembly
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The present application provides a heat pump system, comprising a first one-way closed pipe assembly and a first discharge pipe assembly; the first discharge pipe assembly comprises a first discharge pipe; the first discharge pipe has a first discharge pipe outlet and a first discharge pipe inlet, the first discharge pipe inlet being connected to a first pipe, and the first discharge pipe outlet being connected to pipes and/or parts in the heat pump system except the first one-way closed pipe assembly. In the heat pump system, the first discharge pipe assembly allows a refrigerant in the first one-way closed pipe assembly to flow out of the first one-way closed pipe assembly, avoiding damage to the first one-way closed pipe assembly.