Heat Source Unit Refrigerant Regulator for Faster Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional heat source unit for air conditioners requires a long time to load refrigerant from a refrigerant regulator into the refrigerant circuit due to the low pressure increase inside the regulator, extending the trial run time.
Innovation Solution
A heat source unit configuration that includes a compressor, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, a refrigerant regulator, an introducing pipe branching off from the compressor's discharge-side pipe, and a lead-out pipe connected to the intake-side pipe, allowing the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant to pressurize the refrigerant in the regulator and rapidly load it into the circuit, with a control unit managing the flow to prevent liquid compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the refrigerant regulator is connected to the liquid pipe for refrigerant loading, then the refrigerant can be loaded into the refrigerant circuit, but the pressure increase inside the regulator is small and the loading time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a four-way valve as an intermediary component to switch the connection path of the lead-out pipe. By using this valve, the system can alternatively connect the lead-out pipe to the discharge-side pipe of the compressor, enabling high-pressure gas refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant regulator and rapidly pressurize it, thereby solving the slow loading problem without compromising the refrigerant loading function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the connection path dynamic by using a four-way valve that can switch between two connection modes: (1) connecting the lead-out pipe to the liquid pipe for normal refrigerant distribution, and (2) connecting the lead-out pipe to the discharge-side pipe for rapid refrigerant regulator pressurization. This dynamic switching enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements and resolve the time-consuming loading issue
2Quantity of substance
If the liquid refrigerant is pressurized by high-pressure gas refrigerant, then the refrigerant can be loaded, but the pressure inside the regulator only increases slightly above the liquid refrigerant pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The four-way valve serves as a switching intermediary that redirects the high-pressure gas refrigerant from the compressor's discharge-side pipe through the refrigerant regulator. This alternative path allows the gas refrigerant to directly pressurize the regulator without being limited by the liquid pipe pressure, thereby creating a sufficient pressure difference for rapid refrigerant loading
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic pressure by introducing high-pressure gas refrigerant from the compressor through the four-way valve into the refrigerant regulator. This pneumatic pressurization method creates a large pressure difference that rapidly forces the liquid refrigerant from the regulator into the refrigerant circuit, overcoming the limitation of liquid-only pressurization
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 configuration enables rapid refrigerant loading, reducing the trial run time and preventing compressor failure from liquid compression by increasing the pressure difference and controlling the refrigerant flow effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor is introduced into the refrigerant regulator through the introducing pipe, and the refrigerant located inside the refrigerant regulator that has been pressurized by this high-pressure gaseous refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant located inside the refrigerant regulator that has been pressurized by this high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is led out to the lead-out pipe and loaded into the refrigerant circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A time for loading a refrigerant is shortened when a utilization unit of an air conditioner is installed. A heat source unit 1 includes a compressor 100; a heat-source-side heat exchanger 200; a refrigerant regulator 61 storing a refrigerant; an introducing pipe 62 which is a pipe that is branched off from a discharge-side pipe 110 of the compressor 100 and connected to the refrigerant regulator 61, and introduces the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 100 into the refrigerant regulator 61; and a lead-out pipe 63 which is a pipe that is connected from the refrigerant regulator 61 to an intake-side pipe 120 of the compressor 100, and leads out the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant regulator 61 into the intake-side pipe 120.