Liquid Receiver Valve Control for Variable-Speed Heat Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump systems face difficulties in adjusting the refrigerant circulation amount according to the compressor's driving speed, leading to insufficient or excessive refrigerant circulation, which affects the system's performance.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system with a liquid receiver and a valve mechanism that adjusts the refrigerant outlets based on pressure differences between the compressor's inlet and outlet, allowing for selective opening of multiple outlets to control the refrigerant flow, ensuring optimal circulation according to compressor speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional liquid receiver is used, then the structure is simple, but the refrigerant circulation amount cannot be adjusted according to compressor driving speed
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid receiver is divided into multiple chambers (first liquid receiver chamber, second liquid receiver chamber, third liquid receiver chamber) with separate outlets. This segmentation allows selective opening of different outlets based on compressor speed, enabling adjustable refrigerant circulation without complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid receiver incorporates a dynamic valve mechanism that automatically adjusts which outlet is open based on compressor driving speed. The valve can switch between opening the first outlet (for high speed), second outlet (for medium speed), or third outlet (for low speed), making the system adaptable to varying operating conditions.
2Power
If the compressor rotates at high speed, then the cooling/heating capacity increases, but the refrigerant circulation amount becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism dynamically responds to compressor speed by opening the first liquid receiver outlet when the compressor operates at high speed. This allows maximum refrigerant circulation to match the high cooling capacity demand, preventing refrigerant insufficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor rotates at low speed, then energy consumption decreases, but the refrigerant circulation amount becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism dynamically adjusts to low compressor speed by opening the third liquid receiver outlet instead of the first outlet. This restricts refrigerant circulation to an appropriate level that matches the reduced cooling capacity, preventing excessive refrigerant flow and maintaining efficiency.
4Manufacturing precision
If a single liquid receiver outlet is used, then the device complexity is low, but the refrigerant flow control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid receiver is segmented into multiple chambers with separate outlets (first, second, and third outlets at different heights). This segmentation enables precise control of refrigerant flow by selecting which outlet to open based on compressor speed, achieving accurate flow control without overly complex mechanisms.
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 enables precise adjustment of refrigerant circulation, enhancing the heat pump's performance by matching refrigerant flow with compressor speed, thereby improving cooling and heating efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid receiver in which a refrigerant condensed by the condenser flows downward in a direction of gravity
Implementation Method 2
a liquid receiver valve that adjusts an amount of the refrigerant discharged from the liquid receiver by selectively opening the plurality of liquid receiver refrigerant outlets based on a pressure difference between an inlet and an outlet of the compressor
Implementation Method 3
a first compression spring that connects one side of the valve cylinder to one side of the valve piston so as to support an upward movement of the valve piston; and a second compression spring that connects the other side of the valve cylinder to the other side of the valve piston so as to support a downward movement of the valve piston
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump system includes a liquid receiver valve that adjusts the amount of a refrigerant stored in a liquid receiver so that a circulation amount of the refrigerant that circulates the heat pump system can be adjusted according to a driving speed of a compressor and performance of the compressor and the heat pump system can be further improved. Also, since a plurality of liquid receiver refrigerant outlets can be selectively opened using a pressure difference between an inlet and an outlet of the compressor, active control can be performed.