Heat source side unit and air-conditioning apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In air-conditioning systems performing heating or cooling and heating mixed operations, the varying quality of refrigerant flowing into the heat source side unit leads to increased pressure loss in the outdoor heat exchanger, reducing compressor suction density and increasing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A heat source side unit with a gas-liquid separator and a bypass pipe, along with an expansion device, is used to bypass refrigerant that does not need to pass through the outdoor heat exchanger, reducing pressure loss and maintaining compressor suction density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the whole amount of refrigerant is allowed to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger, then the cooling capacity is maintained, but the pressure loss in the outdoor heat exchanger increases and compressor suction density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigerant flow path by introducing a bypass pipe that allows refrigerant to bypass the outdoor heat exchanger. The gas-liquid separator divides refrigerant into liquid and gas phases, with the bypass pipe specifically routing gas refrigerant away from the heat exchanger, thereby segmenting the flow to reduce pressure loss while maintaining necessary cooling capacity through the main path.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass pipe acts as an intermediary pathway that mediates between the gas-liquid separator and the compressor suction side. By providing this intermediate route, the system allows gas refrigerant to bypass the outdoor heat exchanger, reducing pressure loss without compromising the overall refrigeration cycle functionality.
2Productivity
If the flow rate of refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger is increased, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the pressure loss increases and suction density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant flow is segmented into two paths: one through the outdoor heat exchanger for heat exchange and another through the bypass pipe for direct return to the compressor. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high cooling capacity through the heat exchanger while reducing pressure loss by providing an alternative low-resistance path for gas refrigerant.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing all refrigerant to flow through the outdoor heat exchanger, the system applies partial action by directing only the necessary amount of refrigerant through the heat exchanger while bypassing excess gas refrigerant. This partial flow approach maintains adequate cooling capacity while significantly reducing pressure loss.
3Productivity
If the compressor driving frequency is increased to maintain flow rate, then the power consumption increases, but the suction density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass pipe serves as an intermediary that reduces the resistance in the refrigerant circuit by providing a direct path from the gas-liquid separator to the compressor suction side. This intermediary pathway lowers the overall pressure drop, allowing the compressor to maintain the required flow rate at a lower driving frequency, thereby reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow distribution parameters by introducing a controlled bypass path. By adjusting the refrigerant flow distribution between the main path (through heat exchanger) and bypass path, the system optimizes the pressure characteristics, enabling the compressor to operate at lower frequencies while maintaining required flow rates.
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 reduces power consumption by minimizing pressure loss in the refrigerant circuit, thereby enhancing energy efficiency in air-conditioning operations.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-liquid separator (116) that separates inflow refrigerant into liquid refrigerant and gas refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a compressor (101) that compresses refrigerant and discharges the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a heat source side heat exchanger (103) that serves as an evaporator or a radiator
Implementation Method 4
an expansion device (117) that controls passage of the refrigerant in the bypass pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A heat source side unit connected to load side units by pipes and constituting a refrigerant circuit, includes a compressor that compresses refrigerant and discharges the refrigerant, a heat source side heat exchanger that serves as an evaporator or a radiator, a gas-liquid separator that separates inflow refrigerant into liquid refrigerant and gas refrigerant, a liquid refrigerant outlet from which the liquid refrigerant flows out being connected to a connecting pipe at a refrigerant inflow side in a case where the heat source side heat exchanger serves as the evaporator, a sixth connecting pipe that connects a gas refrigerant outlet of the gas-liquid separator from which the gas refrigerant flows out to a pipe at a refrigerant outflow side in a case where the heat source side heat exchanger serves as the evaporator, and an expansion device that controls passage of refrigerant in the sixth connecting pipe.