Inclined Refrigerant Distributor Header for Uniform Low-Flow Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerant distributors face challenges in stably distributing refrigerant to multiple pipes under varying flow rate conditions, especially at low rotational frequencies, leading to inefficient performance and increased production costs due to complex structures.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant distributor design featuring an inclined header pipe with connected refrigerant pipes, where the header pipe's upper side is inclined towards the connected refrigerant pipes, promoting uniform distribution of gas-liquid refrigerant mixtures and reducing dispersion, thereby enhancing stability and cost-effectiveness across rated and low rotational frequency operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a vertical header pipe with concentric or spiral ribs is used to promote mixing of gas and liquid refrigerant, then uniform distribution of refrigerant is improved, but the structure becomes considerably complicated and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the refrigerant guiding function from complex internal rib structures and relocates it to the external installation orientation of the header pipe. By inclining the header pipe, the gravitational field is utilized to guide liquid refrigerant flow without requiring internal structural modifications, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical mixing system (concentric or spiral ribs) with a gravitational field-based system. By orienting the header pipe at a specific inclination angle, gravity naturally guides the liquid refrigerant to the lower end, eliminating the need for complex mechanical structures while achieving the same refrigerant distribution effect.
2Manufacturing precision
If the header pipe is installed vertically with complex internal structures, then refrigerant distribution uniformity is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for complex internal rib structures by extracting the refrigerant guiding function and implementing it through the external installation orientation of the header pipe. This simplification directly reduces manufacturing complexity and production cost while maintaining distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adopts a simpler, more cost-effective header pipe design without internal ribs, replacing expensive complex structures with a basic inclined pipe configuration that achieves the same functional outcome at lower production cost.
3Device complexity
If conventional vertical header pipes are used, then structure is simple, but refrigerant distribution becomes unstable at low flow rates due to liquid refrigerant flowing along wall surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the header pipe installable at variable inclination angles (0° to 90° relative to vertical), allowing the system to adapt dynamically to different operational conditions. At low flow rates, the inclination prevents liquid film formation on walls; at higher flow rates, the system can be installed vertically. This dynamic adaptability ensures reliable refrigerant distribution across all operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the installation angle parameter of the header pipe to control refrigerant flow behavior. By adjusting the inclination angle, the system optimizes liquid refrigerant distribution to prevent wall-flowing at low flow rates while maintaining structural simplicity, thereby improving distribution stability without complicating the device structure.
4Manufacturing precision
If the header pipe is inclined toward the refrigerant pipes, then refrigerant distribution uniformity is improved, but installation orientation becomes more specific
Solution Approach 1:
The invention provides flexibility in installation by allowing the header pipe to be installed at various inclination angles (0° to 90° relative to vertical) depending on the specific application requirements. This dynamic installation capability enables optimal refrigerant distribution uniformity to be achieved while adapting to different spatial constraints and installation environments, thus maintaining ease of operation.
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
The inclined header pipe design effectively reduces relative dispersion of refrigerant distribution by up to 10% within specific angle ranges, improving stability and reducing installation area, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and performance across varying operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
it is necessary to stably distribute the refrigerant configured by the two phases of gas and liquid to each of the refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger at the predetermined distribution ratio, taking the influence of the gravity acting on the refrigerant into consideration
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant distributor includes an inlet pipe, a header pipe to which the inlet pipe has been connected and a plurality of refrigerant pipes connected to one end side of the header pipe which is opposite to the side that the inlet pipe is connected, below the inlet pipe in a vertical direction, and is configured such that a refrigerant which has flown into the header pipe through the inlet pipe is distributed into the plurality of refrigerant pipes. The header pipe is arranged such that a vertical upper side of the header pipe is inclined toward the one end side that the refrigerant pipes are connected. Thereby, it is possible to stably distribute the refrigerant to each refrigerant pipe while suppressing an increase in cost under flow rate conditions ranging from a rated operation condition to a low rotating speed operation condition.