Integrated Turbo-Compressor-Condenser-Expander for Isothermal Refrigerant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air-conditioning and refrigeration systems require separate devices for refrigerant compression, condensation, and expansion, leading to inefficiencies and increased component count and cost, particularly due to the need for more energy to compress heated gases and the physical separation of expansion valves from compressors.
Innovation Solution
A combined isothermal turbocompressor, turbocondenser, and turboexpander device that performs simultaneous refrigerant compression, condensation, and expansion using a central hub and spokes to direct refrigerant flow, allowing for centrifugal compression and cooling within a single apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate devices (compressor, condenser, expansion valve) are used for refrigerant compression, condensation, and expansion, then each function can be performed independently, but the component count and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compressor, condenser, and expansion valve into a single integrated device. The compressor section compresses refrigerant while simultaneously cooling it through integrated cooling fins and airflow paths. The condensed refrigerant then expands through an integrated expansion valve within the same housing, eliminating the need for separate discrete components and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single device performs multiple functions: compression of refrigerant, cooling/condensation of compressed refrigerant, and expansion of condensed refrigerant. This multi-functional design allows one component to replace what would traditionally require three separate devices, reducing component count while maintaining all necessary refrigeration cycle functions.
2Device complexity
If heat expulsion is delayed until completion of compression, then the compression process is simpler, but more energy is required to compress the heated gas
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fins and airflow paths are positioned to begin cooling the refrigerant during the compression process itself, before compression is complete. This preliminary cooling action reduces the temperature of the gas being compressed, lowering the energy required for compression while maintaining process simplicity through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling action continues throughout the compression process rather than occurring as a separate subsequent step. The integrated cooling fins maintain continuous heat transfer from the compressed refrigerant to the surrounding air during compression, ensuring the refrigerant is cooled progressively rather than all at once after compression ends.
3Ease of manufacture
If the expansion valve is physically separated from the compressor, then each component can be optimized independently, but energy removed from the fluid during expansion cannot be transferred back to the compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion valve is integrated within the same housing as the compressor, allowing the cold refrigerant after expansion to be in direct thermal communication with the compressor body. This enables heat transfer from the cold refrigerant to the compressor, reducing the energy required for compression, while maintaining the ability to independently optimize each functional section.
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 solution reduces energy consumption and component count by enabling more-isothermal compression and condensation processes, improving the efficiency and design of air-conditioning and refrigeration systems while minimizing the number of required components.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of axial conduits extend axially at the outer perimeter between the first plurality of spokes and the second plurality of spokes, and each interconnecting the first radial conduit and the second radial conduit, respectively, to direct refrigerant therebetween. The motor rotates a central axis operatively connected to the first central hub and the second central hub to thereby rotate the first plurality of spokes and the second plurality of spokes so that the refrigerant experiences centrifugal force to perform compression with respect to each first radial conduit and decompression with respect to each second radial conduit.
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant, likewise, experiences condensation with respect to each axial conduit.
Implementation Method 3
The motor rotates a central axis operatively connected to the first central hub and the second central hub to thereby rotate the first plurality of spokes and the second plurality of spokes so that the refrigerant experiences centrifugal force to perform compression with respect to each first radial conduit and decompression with respect to each second radial conduit.
Data Source
AI summary
A turbo-compressor-condenser-expander arrangement, including heat-transferring blades mounted on or surrounding individual conduits. The open framework rotates in free air to promote heat exchange. A first hub, a first set of radial conduits, axial conduits, a second set of radial conduits, and a second hub are included; a motor rotates a central axis of the turbo-compressor-condenser-expander.