Suction header with upward facing outlet for evaporators of refrigeration systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suction headers with upward-facing outlets for refrigeration systems require welded assemblies and dimensioning calculations, which can lead to refrigerant leakage and errors in gas velocity management.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece suction header with a cylindrical body and an integrated ascending line, eliminating the need for on-site assembly and welds, and allowing for direct factory assembly without dimensioning calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional suction header with siphon and ascending line is used, then oil drainage to compressor is achieved, but welded assemblies are required which can cause refrigerant leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant leakage preventionVSAvoidwelded assemblies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the suction header, siphon, and ascending line into a single integrated manifold body with an upward-facing outlet. This merging eliminates the need for separate welded assemblies while maintaining oil drainage functionality through the integrated upward outlet design that allows oil to drain back to the compressor without requiring additional connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional suction lines with ascending sections are used, then upward suction line installation is achieved, but dimensioning calculations and gas velocity tests are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoiddimensioning calculations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the dimensioning and design calculations in advance during factory manufacturing of the integrated manifold body. The upward-facing outlet is pre-configured with appropriate dimensions and geometry to ensure proper gas velocity and oil drainage. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site calculations and tests, allowing installers to simply assemble the pre-designed unit without requiring technical expertise in flow dynamics or dimensioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple welded components are assembled on-site, then flexible installation is achieved, but installation time and potential leakage points increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate components (suction header, siphon, ascending line) into a single factory-assembled integrated manifold body. This eliminates the need for multiple on-site welding operations, reducing both installation time and the number of potential leakage points. The integrated design maintains all necessary functions while presenting a single assembly unit that requires minimal on-site work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution prevents refrigerant leakage and ensures accurate gas velocity management by eliminating the need for welded assemblies and complex calculations, while allowing for efficient factory assembly and installation.

Implementation Method 1

the siphon is used to drain the oil to the compressor, avoiding the formation of stagnant points in the evaporator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSiphon: Syphon

Data Source

PatentEP3705813B1Suction header with upward facing outlet for evaporators of refrigeration systems
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 LU VE SPA
  • EP3705813B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3705813B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3705813B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A suction header with an upward outlet for evaporators of refrigeration systems, consisting of a one-piece element comprising a body (10) of the manifold (9) and a first section (11) of an ascending line assembled inside said body (10). In comparison with known solutions, the header according to the invention, understood to be the whole of the manifold body and the related ascending line, offers the advantage of being able to be assembled directly in a factory, so as to avoid both the need for welding at the time of installation and the need to make calculations for dimensioning of the lines, tests, etc.