Mechanical Refrigeration Compressor Using Pressurized Water Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration systems rely on electrical energy and fossil fuels, leading to high costs, structural complexity, and limited autonomy, with electric compressors causing performance issues due to heating and dependence on electricity.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical refrigeration system utilizing a pair of dual-action cylinders connected by a movable rod, where pressurized water is used to drive the reciprocating motion of the cylinders, eliminating the need for electricity and fossil fuels, with a closed water circuit and solar collector for increased pressure, ensuring a simple, cost-effective, and autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric compressors are used in conventional refrigeration systems, then the system can achieve compression and cooling function, but the system becomes dependent on electricity and the compressor generates heat that reduces performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric motor-driven compressor with a mechanically-driven compressor. The compressor is actuated by a power cylinder that uses pressurized water or vapor to drive a piston, which in turn drives the refrigerant compression through a connecting rod mechanism. This substitution eliminates electricity dependence while maintaining compression functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic and hydraulic principles by using pressurized water or vapor in the power cylinder to generate mechanical motion. The high-pressure fluid drives the piston reciprocatingly, converting fluid pressure into mechanical work that powers the refrigeration cycle without requiring electrical energy.
2Use of energy by moving object
If absorption refrigeration systems are used to reduce electricity demand, then electricity consumption decreases, but manufacturing costs increase and minimum temperature achievement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex absorption system with a simpler mechanical compression system driven by pressurized water or vapor. This mechanical approach uses basic components like cylinders, pistons, and connecting rods that are easier and less expensive to manufacture compared to absorption system components, while achieving the same electricity reduction goal.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a reciprocating compressor with power cylinder is used to eliminate electricity, then electrical dependence is removed, but the actuation system becomes extremely complex with boiler, electronic components, ducting and impulse pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex components from the system described in prior art. Specifically, it eliminates the boiler, electronic components, extensive ducting, and impulse pumps that created complexity. The solution retains only the essential mechanical elements: a power cylinder, piston, and connecting rod that directly couple to the compressor, achieving electrical independence with minimal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The power cylinder serves multiple functions: it acts as both the actuator for the compressor and the source of mechanical power, eliminating the need for separate boilers, pumps, and control systems. The pressurized water or vapor directly drives the piston, which through the connecting rod simultaneously controls both the power generation and refrigerant compression cycles.
4Productivity
If electric compressors are used to achieve compression, then the refrigeration cycle can be maintained, but the compressors become heated which negatively impacts system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric motor with a mechanical piston-driven compressor actuated by pressurized water or vapor. This mechanical system does not generate the same amount of heat as electric motors during compression, as it relies on the thermodynamic expansion and compression of the refrigerant and power fluid rather than electrical resistance and magnetic field losses, thereby maintaining better cooling efficiency.
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 achieves higher performance than conventional systems by maintaining constant compression without heat generation from friction, allowing for efficient cooling without electricity or fuel dependence, and can be scaled with excess water pressure from solar collectors.
Implementation Method 1
both said cylinders being actuated by pressurised water in a known manner
Implementation Method 2
a closed circuit for a coolant fluid, which includes a compressor device compressing said fluid, causing its temperature to increase
Implementation Method 3
said fluid being made to pass through a capacitor by means of which part of the heat generated in said compression process is extracted
Implementation Method 4
there is established an expansion valve after which the fluid loses pressure, causing it to evaporate. In this process, the gas is cooled
Implementation Method 5
solar collector for increased pressure
Implementation Method 6
solar collector for increased pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the special configuration of a compression device of a refrigeration system and to its actuation method. The device consists of a pair of dual-action cylinders (8-9) connected together by means of the movable rod (11) thereof, such that the first cylinder (8) acts as an element for compressing coolant fluid, for which purpose the rod is moved through the second cylinder (9), being fed by a pressurised fluid which, by means of a series of branches and valves controlled using limit switches of the rod (11), allow the flow of coolant fluid in the first cylinder and the flow of pressurised fluid of the second cylinder at the outlet of both devices to be constant. Thus, a completely autonomous device that does not need electricity or any type of fuel is obtained.