Hybrid multi-air conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid multi-air conditioning systems face inefficiencies in heat exchange due to multi-stage heat transfer when using Hydro Kit, leading to increased material and installation costs, and risks of abnormal refrigerant entry causing pressure drops and cycle hunting.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid multi-air conditioning system with direct refrigerant-to-water heat transfer in a water tank, utilizing temperature sensors to control expansion valve openings and prevent abnormal refrigerant entry without a receiver, ensuring optimal subcooling and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Hydro Kit is used for heat transfer, then legal restrictions on direct heat transfer are satisfied, but heat exchange efficiency decreases and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the Hydro Kit intermediate heat transfer device from the system, enabling direct heat transfer between refrigerant and water in the water tank. This extraction of the intermediate component eliminates the secondary heat transfer stage, directly resolving the heat exchange efficiency loss while maintaining legal compliance through alternative heat exchanger design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coil-type heat exchanger as a new intermediary structure that allows direct refrigerant-to-water heat transfer within the water tank. This mediator enables efficient heat transfer while maintaining the necessary separation between refrigerant and potable water, thus resolving both the efficiency loss and legal compliance requirements.
2Reliability
If Hydro Kit is used for heat transfer, then legal restrictions are satisfied, but installation area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat transfer function and water storage function into a single integrated water tank structure. The coil-type heat exchanger is installed within the water tank, combining what were previously separate components (Hydro Kit + water tank) into one unit, thereby reducing installation area while maintaining legal compliance.
3Loss of energy
If refrigerant condenses directly in water tank, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but control point varies with water temperature and user usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system that uses temperature sensors to monitor water temperature and refrigerant conditions in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to dynamically adjust expansion valve openings and refrigerant flow, maintaining stable control despite variations in water temperature and user usage patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of expansion valves based on real-time temperature measurements. The system adapts its operation by adjusting valve openings according to current water temperature and refrigerant conditions, transforming the static control problem into a dynamic, adaptive control system that maintains stability under varying conditions.
4Productivity
If expansion valve openings are controlled to adjust heat transfer, then heat transfer amount is regulated, but abnormal refrigerant entry causes pressure drops and cycle hunting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses temperature sensors positioned at critical locations (before and after expansion valves, in water tank) to provide real-time feedback on refrigerant conditions. The controller monitors these temperatures and adjusts expansion valve openings accordingly, preventing abnormal refrigerant entry that would cause pressure drops and cycle hunting, thus maintaining system stability while regulating heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs preliminary temperature checks and calculations before adjusting expansion valve openings. By predicting potential abnormal conditions and taking preventive action, the system avoids pressure drops and cycle hunting before they occur, ensuring both heat transfer regulation and system stability.
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
Improves heat exchange efficiency, reduces material and installation costs, and prevents abnormal refrigerant entry, ensuring stable operation and efficient subcooling control.
Implementation Method 1
a hot-water heat exchanger wound on an outer wall of the water tank, for transferring heat between the refrigerant and the water
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant sent to the Hydro Kit is condensed by exchanging heat with low-temperature water in the water tank
Implementation Method 3
passes through an expansion valve and is sent to an indoor unit. The high-pressure refrigerant sent to the outdoor unit (condenser) condenses to liquid by exchanging heat with outside air and then passes through an expansion valve
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid multi-air conditioning system with no receiver is provided for optimal valve control. The hybrid multi-air conditioning system includes: a hot-water unit for exchanging heat between refrigerant and water; at least one indoor unit installed indoors and comprising an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor unit expansion valve; and an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit and the hot-water unit via a refrigerant pipeline and comprising an outdoor heat exchanger, a compressor, and an outdoor unit expansion valve, wherein, when an abnormal refrigerant enters either the at least one indoor unit or the outdoor unit according to an operation mode, the abnormal refrigerant is shut off from the hot-water unit and the at least one indoor unit or the outdoor unit which operates as a condenser. Accordingly, the hybrid multi-air conditioning system improves heat exchange efficiency via direct heat transfer between refrigerant and water by having a coil wound on the water tank to transfer heat between refrigerant and water.