Compressor Motor Control Cooling to Prevent Icing and Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration systems face disruptions due to excessive cooling or icing in the motor control's cooling element, leading to potential damage from water condensation or overheating of electronic power components.
Innovation Solution
A regulating device is implemented to control the temperature of the cooling element, ensuring the minimum evaporation temperature is above freezing and below liquefaction temperatures, with a minimum refrigerant flow during startup and adjustable evaporation pressure regulation using an evaporation pressure regulator to prevent icing and condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling element is cooled to remove heat from electronic power components, then the cooling effect is improved, but the temperature drops below freezing causing icing up
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating device applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the cooling element temperature from dropping below the freezing point of water. The control device monitors temperature and activates heating elements or reduces refrigerant flow before icing can occur, counteracting the harmful cooling effect in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter dynamically by using a regulating device with heating elements that can raise the temperature of the cooling element when it approaches the freezing point, thereby preventing phase change of condensed water while maintaining effective cooling during normal operation.
2Temperature
If the cooling element is cooled to remove heat from electronic power components, then the cooling effect is improved, but water condensation forms leading to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating device applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the cooling element temperature from dropping below the dew point of surrounding air. The control device monitors temperature and activates heating elements or reduces refrigerant flow before condensation can form, counteracting the harmful cooling effect in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter dynamically by using a regulating device with heating elements that can raise the temperature of the cooling element when it approaches the dew point, thereby preventing condensation while maintaining effective cooling during normal operation.
3Productivity
If refrigerant flow is increased to improve cooling capacity, then heat removal is improved, but the temperature drops too low causing icing
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control by varying the refrigerant flow rate through the expansion device based on real-time temperature feedback from the cooling element. The control device increases or decreases flow dynamically to match cooling demand while preventing temperature from dropping below freezing or dew point.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating device employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the temperature of the cooling element and adjusting the refrigerant flow through the expansion device accordingly. When temperature approaches critical thresholds, the control device reduces flow to prevent icing or condensation.
4Reliability
If the cooling element temperature is maintained above freezing, then icing is prevented, but electronic power components may overheat
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial cooling action by using the regulating device to provide just enough cooling to maintain electronic power components within safe temperature limits without over-cooling. The control device modulates refrigerant flow to achieve optimal temperature rather than maximum cooling, preventing both overheating and icing.
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 effectively prevents icing and condensation, ensuring reliable operation and extended service life of the motor control by maintaining optimal temperatures and refrigerant flow, thereby avoiding disruptions and damage.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling element (40) which is connected in a heat conducting manner to electronic power components (36) of the motor control (32)
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant compressor (10), a condenser (54) following on from the refrigerant compressor (10), an expansion device (58) following on from the condenser (54) and an evaporator (62) following on from the expansion device (58)
Data Source
AI summary
In order to improve a refrigeration system comprising a refrigeration circuit, in which a refrigerant compressor, a condenser following on from the refrigerant compressor, an expansion device following on from the condenser and an evaporator following on from the expansion device are arranged, the evaporator being connected to the refrigerant compressor, wherein the refrigerant compressor has a drive motor speed-controlled by an electronic motor control and a control cooling branch which has refrigerant flowing through it, branches off from the refrigeration circuit between the condenser and the expansion device and is guided to a connection of the refrigerant compressor and in which a cooling element is arranged which is connected in a heat conducting manner to electronic power components of the motor control, in such a manner that disruption to the operation of the motor control is avoided as far as possible it is suggested that a regulating device be provided for the control cooling branch and this regulate a temperature of the cooling element during operation of the refrigerant compressor such that a minimum evaporation temperature of the cooling element is above a freezing temperature and below a liquefying temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator.