LPI Vehicle Heat Exchanger Using A/C Refrigerant to Cool Return LPG

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional LPI vehicle systems face challenges with increased internal pressure in the bombe due to high-temperature LPG fuel return, leading to difficulties in fuel charging and increased manufacturing and installation costs, especially in small engine compartments.

Innovation Solution

A heat exchanger is mounted on the refrigerant line of an air conditioning system, utilizing a triple pipe structure with a refrigerant pipe at the center and LPG fuel pipes surrounding it, allowing heat exchange between high-temperature LPG fuel and refrigerant to cool the fuel, thereby preventing internal pressure increases in the bombe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If high-temperature LPG fuel is returned directly to the bombe, then the fuel return system is simple, but the internal pressure of the bombe increases making fuel charging difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel return system complexityVSAvoidbombe internal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fuel cooling function with the existing air conditioning refrigerant system by integrating a heat exchanger into the refrigerant circulation path. The refrigerant cools the returned LPG fuel during its normal circulation, combining two functions (fuel cooling and air conditioning) into one system without adding a separate cooling apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchanger acts as an intermediary device between the hot LPG fuel return line and the refrigerant circulation system. It enables heat transfer between these two fluids without direct mixing, allowing the refrigerant to cool the fuel while maintaining separate circulation paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If an additional fuel cooling apparatus is mounted on the return line, then the fuel temperature is lowered, but manufacturing and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLPG fuel temperatureVSAvoidmanufacturing and installation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant system performs dual functions: its original air conditioning function and the new fuel cooling function. By making the refrigerant system multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a separate dedicated fuel cooling apparatus, thereby reducing manufacturing and installation costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The refrigerant system cools the LPG fuel using its own circulation and thermal properties without requiring external power or additional active cooling components. The refrigerant naturally absorbs heat from the fuel during its circulation through the heat exchanger.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If an additional fuel cooling apparatus is mounted on the return line, then the fuel temperature is lowered, but the installation space requirement increases in small engine compartments

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLPG fuel temperatureVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fuel cooling function with the existing air conditioning refrigerant system by integrating a heat exchanger into the refrigerant circulation path. The refrigerant cools the returned LPG fuel during its normal circulation, combining two functions (fuel cooling and air conditioning) into one system without adding a separate cooling apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If high-temperature fuel is returned to the bombe, then the fuel return process is simple, but the internal pressure increases preventing LPG charging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel return process simplicityVSAvoidfuel charging capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 heat exchanger effectively cools the LPG fuel, preventing internal pressure increases in the bombe and reducing manufacturing and installation costs, while ensuring smooth fuel supply and improved marketability.

Implementation Method 1

causing the LPG fuel returned to the bombe to exchange heat with a refrigerant circulating through the air conditioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

refrigerant flows substantially in a center portion of the pipe unit and the high-temperature LPG fuel flows substantially in an outer portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS8905122B2Heat exchanger for LPI vehicle

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

The heat exchanger may include a pipe unit mounted on a refrigerant line connecting a compressor with an evaporator of an air conditioning and adapted to flow a refrigerant and a LPG fuel returned from the engine, a first connecting member mounted at an end of the pipe unit to connect the pipe unit with the refrigerant line where the refrigerant line is connected to the compressor, and a second connecting member mounted at the other end of the pipe unit to connect the pipe unit with the refrigerant line where the refrigerant line is connected to the evaporator. The heat exchanger is configured so that the high-temperature LPG fuel is capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant.