Refrigeration system
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration systems with multiple heat exchangers face issues with refrigerant accumulation in non-operational heat exchangers, leading to a shortage of refrigerant during unit operation and affecting normal system functioning.
Innovation Solution
The refrigeration system incorporates a switch structure and a discharge path that allows for the connection and disconnection of non-selected heat exchangers, enabling the extraction of accumulated refrigerant into the operating system when the temperature or environment conditions are favorable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat exchangers are used in the refrigeration system, then the system can operate in different modes and handle various thermal loads, but refrigerant accumulates in non-operational heat exchangers causing refrigerant shortage during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge path is pre-configured and can be activated to extract accumulated refrigerant from non-operational heat exchangers before the refrigerant shortage critically affects system operation. The switch structure is pre-arranged to enable quick isolation and discharge operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge path acts as an intermediary channel between non-operational heat exchangers and the low-pressure side of the operating system, allowing controlled transfer of accumulated refrigerant without disrupting the main operating cycle.
2Reliability
If a discharge path is added to extract refrigerant from non-operational heat exchangers, then refrigerant shortage is prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch structure serves multiple functions: it isolates non-operational heat exchangers, enables discharge path connection, and can be integrated with existing refrigeration cycle control. The discharge path itself serves both as a refrigerant extraction route and a pressure equalization channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge path is integrated with the existing refrigeration system components and control mechanisms, merging the refrigerant extraction function with the overall system control rather than adding completely separate independent systems.
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 refrigerant shortages by allowing the system to extract refrigerant from non-operational heat exchangers, ensuring normal operation and efficiency of the refrigeration system.
Implementation Method 1
when a pressure of the low-pressure side of said one operating system is lower than a pressure in the non-selected heat exchanger, the discharge path is connected so that refrigerant in the non-selected heat exchanger flows into the low-pressure side of said one operating system
Implementation Method 2
the first throttle valve or second throttle valve is first adjusted to lower the pressure of the low-pressure side of said one operating system
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigeration system, comprising refrigeration system components, a connecting pipeline, a switch structure, and discharging channels (123, 124; 623, 624). The refrigeration system components comprise three heat exchangers (101; 102; 112). The refrigeration system components can be connected via the connecting pipeline, and are combined into different working systems via the switch structure. When two heat exchangers are selected by the switch structure to form one working system and the saturation temperature corresponding to the internal pressure of the unselected heat exchanger is higher than the medium or environment temperature of the heat exchanger, a liquid refrigerant accumulates inside the non-working heat exchanger. According to the refrigeration system, the switch structure is arranged at either end of the non-working heat exchanger, so that the non-working heat exchanger is isolated from a working system cycle, and under the condition where the pressure at a low-pressure side (C; Q) of the working system is less than the internal pressure of the non-working heat exchanger, additional discharging channels (123, 124; 623, 624) communicate with the non-working heat exchanger and the low-pressure side (C; Q) of the working system, so that the refrigerant accumulating in the non-working heat exchanger is transferred to the system cycle, avoiding a lack of refrigerant in the system cycle.