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 Kits, and issues with refrigerant flow control lead to abnormal refrigerant entry, pressure drops, and increased costs from the need for receivers.
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 valves and prevent abnormal refrigerant entry without a receiver, ensuring optimal subcooling and efficient operation across various modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Hydro Kit is used for heat transfer, then legal restrictions on direct heat transfer are satisfied, but heat exchange efficiency decreases due to multi-stage heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the Hydro Kit intermediate heat transfer device from the system. Instead of using the Hydro Kit for heat transfer, the system directly discharges condensed refrigerant into the water tank, eliminating the multi-stage heat transfer process and improving heat exchange efficiency while maintaining compliance through alternative control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a receiver as an intermediary device between the condenser and water tank. The receiver stores condensed refrigerant and controls its discharge, serving as a mediator that enables direct heat transfer to the water tank while preventing abnormal refrigerant entry, thus improving heat exchange efficiency without compromising system reliability
2Reliability
If a receiver is installed to control refrigerant flow, then abnormal refrigerant entry is prevented, but material costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver performs multiple functions: it stores condensed refrigerant, controls refrigerant discharge timing, prevents abnormal refrigerant entry, and regulates flow to the water tank. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the system achieves reliable abnormal refrigerant prevention without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver automatically controls refrigerant discharge based on internal pressure and temperature conditions, and the control system monitors refrigerant state and adjusts receiver operation accordingly. This self-regulating mechanism prevents abnormal refrigerant entry while minimizing the need for additional complex control components
3Device complexity
If refrigerant is discharged directly to water tank without receiver, then device complexity is reduced, but abnormal refrigerant entry and pressure drops occur
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver performs preliminary action by storing and pre-conditioning condensed refrigerant before discharge to the water tank. This preliminary storage and control phase ensures that only properly condensed refrigerant is discharged, preventing abnormal refrigerant entry and pressure drops while maintaining a relatively simple overall system 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
Improves heat exchange efficiency, reduces material and installation costs by eliminating the need for receivers, and effectively controls refrigerant flow to prevent abnormal refrigerant entry and pressure drops, ensuring stable operation in hot-water heating, space heating, and cooling modes.
Implementation Method 1
a hot-water heat exchanger (32) wound on an outer wall of the water tank (31), for transferring heat between the refrigerant and the water
Implementation Method 2
an indoor unit expansion valve (22)... an outdoor unit expansion valve (17)... controlling the flow of refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant sent to the Hydro Kit is condensed by exchanging heat with low-temperature water in the water tank
Data Source
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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.