Oil Flow Switch Float Chamber to Prevent Bubble False Alarms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oil level switches in refrigeration systems, such as float and photoelectric level switches, fail to accurately detect oil levels due to the presence of bubbles in the refrigerant oil solution, leading to false alarms and system malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
An oil flow switch with a float device and a floating liquid level switch element connected to a circulating oil passage, where the float chamber is filled with oil when flow occurs, ensuring the switch remains on as long as oil flows, and turns off when flow stops, preventing false alarms by maintaining the float chamber filled with oil liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a float level switch or photoelectric level switch is used to detect oil level, then the oil level can be monitored, but false alarms occur when bubbles are present in the refrigerant oil solution
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into two independent parts: the float chamber separated from the circulating oil passage. The float chamber maintains a stable oil environment isolated from bubbles in the main system, allowing accurate detection without false alarms from refrigerant bubbles.
Solution Approach 2:
The float chamber acts as an intermediary between the circulating oil system and the detection mechanism. It provides a buffer zone where oil can be calmly observed without direct exposure to turbulent bubbly flow, enabling reliable level detection.
2Reliability
If the float chamber is directly connected to the circulating oil passage, then oil flow can be monitored, but bubbles from the refrigerant oil solution will cause false level signals
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful bubbles are extracted or excluded from the float chamber environment. By separating the float chamber from the bubbly circulating oil passage and using controlled connections (oil inlet at top, oil outlet at bottom), the detection zone remains free from bubble interference while still monitoring oil presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The float chamber creates an inert or stable environment for the float operation, protecting it from the harmful effects of bubbles present in the main refrigerant oil system. This stable environment ensures reliable detection without false signals.
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 oil flow switch effectively prevents false alarms caused by bubbles and ensures accurate oil level detection, maintaining system reliability by ensuring the float chamber remains filled with oil liquid as long as oil flows through the passage.
Implementation Method 1
the float will float under the buoyancy force in the liquid, and will sink once the liquid level is insufficient
Implementation Method 2
once there is no oil passing through the oil passage, the oil in the float chamber will return to an oil pipe under the action of its gravity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an oil flow switch, comprising a float device connected to a circulating oil passage and a floating liquid level switch element provided in the float device, wherein the float device comprises an oil inlet, an oil outlet, and a float chamber provided between the oil inlet and the oil outlet, the floating liquid level switch element is provided in the float chamber, and the float device is provided with a channel in communication with the float chamber. The oil flow switch according to the present disclosure may avoid a false alarm of the oil level switch and meanwhile mitigate disturbance to the float caused by liquid level fluctuation to reduce friction between the float and the sleeve rod. Further, a lubrication system with the above oil.