Liquid-Suction Exchanger with Recirculation for Small-Batch Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermodynamic systems are inefficient and unstable when handling very small quantities of ingredients, particularly in single-serve ice cream machines, where precise temperature control is crucial for producing high-quality products.
Innovation Solution
A thermodynamic system with a liquid-suction exchanger and recirculation duct, equipped with a compressor, condenser, expansion elements, and a valve system for precise control of heat exchanger fluid flow, allowing efficient cooling and heating of small volumes of products in a machine designed for making liquid and semi-liquid products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard thermodynamic system is used for cooling, then the system can handle large quantities of ingredients, but it becomes inefficient and unstable when handling very small quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by making the thermal system adaptable to varying heat exchange requirements. The system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one where the recirculation circuit can be activated or deactivated based on the quantity of product being processed. This allows the same system to efficiently handle both small and large quantities by adjusting its operational mode, resolving the contradiction between reliability for small quantities and the inherent design limitation for large quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the thermodynamic system by introducing a recirculation circuit that can modify the refrigerant flow path. When processing small quantities, the system changes parameters by routing refrigerant through the recirculation circuit to achieve precise temperature control. This parameter change allows the system to maintain stability and efficiency across different processing volumes, addressing the contradiction between handling small quantities effectively and maintaining system reliability.
2Productivity
If the processing time is reduced for single-serve machines, then productivity increases, but precise temperature control becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the refrigerant in the recirculation circuit before it enters the evaporator. This preliminary cooling action ensures that the refrigerant is already at the optimal temperature when it contacts the product, allowing rapid temperature reduction without sacrificing precision. The recirculation circuit performs the cooling preparation in advance, enabling both fast processing and accurate temperature control within the shortened time frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the recirculation circuit active throughout the processing cycle. The refrigerant continuously circulates through the recirculation circuit, maintaining a steady state that provides consistent cooling power. This continuous action ensures that temperature control precision is maintained throughout the entire processing time, even as the overall processing duration is reduced to increase productivity.
3Reliability
If a liquid-suction exchanger is used to undercool refrigerant and prevent flash gas, then system reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies universality by designing the recirculation circuit to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The same recirculation circuit that provides undercooling also serves as a flash gas prevention mechanism and contributes to overall system stability. By making this single component multi-functional, the invention achieves improved compressor protection and system reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one circuit accomplishes what would otherwise require multiple separate components.
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 system enables stable and efficient thermal treatment of small quantities, ensuring optimal product quality by maintaining precise temperature control and quick temperature reach, making it suitable for single-serve machines with short processing times.
Implementation Method 1
The exchanger 7 is configured to allow heat exchange between the delivery duct 7A and the return duct 7B
Implementation Method 2
at least one expansion element 6, (preferably in the form of a capillary) positioned downstream of the condenser 4 to allow the heat exchanger fluid to expand
Implementation Method 3
a compressor 3 equipped with an inlet 3A and an outlet 3B
Implementation Method 4
a condenser 4, positioned at the outlet of the compressor 3
Implementation Method 5
an evaporator 5 associated with the container 9 and positioned downstream of the at least one expansion element 6
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A thermodynamic system (1) for cooling or heating a container (9) containing food products of the liquid and/or semi-liquid type, comprising a circuit employing a heat exchanger fluid comprising: - a compressor (3) equipped with an inlet (3A) and an outlet (3B); - a condenser (4), positioned at the outlet of the compressor (3); - at least one expansion element (6), positioned downstream of the condenser (4) to allow the heat exchanger fluid to expand; - an evaporator (5), which can be associated with the container (9) and is positioned downstream of the at least one expansion element (6); - an exchanger (7) of the liquid-suction type having a delivery duct (7A) and a return duct (7B), the delivery duct (7A) being connected on a first side (7A') to an outlet of the condenser (4) to receive the heat exchanger fluid, and which can be connected on the other side (7A") to the at least one expansion element (6) to release the heat exchanger fluid to the expansion element (6), and the return duct (7B) being connected, on a first side (7B'), to the inlet of the condenser (3), the system (1) comprising a recirculation duct (18), which can be connected to the second side (7A") of the delivery duct (7A) to receive the heat exchanger fluid, and to a second side (7B") of the return duct (7B), opposite to the first side (7B'), to release the heat exchanger fluid to the return duct (7B) and also comprising a further expansion element (19) positioned in the recirculation duct (18) to allow the heat exchanger fluid circulating in the recirculation duct (18) to expand. [Figure 1]