System and method of monitor quality of a refrigerant in a cooling system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerant systems in electric vehicles are unable to accurately sense the location and phase state of their refrigerant charge, leading to potential damage to compressors and inefficient operation, and are not suitable for automotive applications due to their complexity and high cost.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant quality sensor is used to monitor the quality of refrigerant, comprising an elongated sensor housing with a light source and photosensor to generate a sensed quality signal, allowing for actuator control to prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor and optimize refrigerant flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional refrigerant systems are used without quality sensing, then the system design is simpler and cost lower, but the compressor may be damaged by liquid refrigerant and system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing systems with an optical sensing system. The optical sensor uses light transmission through the refrigerant to detect phase quality, substituting mechanical measurement methods with optical detection to achieve reliable compressor protection while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical sensor as an intermediary device between the refrigerant flow and the control system. This sensor mediates the detection of refrigerant phase by measuring light transmission properties, enabling indirect but accurate quality assessment without direct mechanical interaction with the high-pressure refrigerant
2Measurement precision
If laboratory systems are used to determine pressure and phase distribution, then measurement precision is improved, but the systems become large, complex, fragile and expensive making them not suitable for automotive applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential sensing function from complex laboratory systems and implements it through a simplified optical sensor specifically designed for automotive refrigerant applications. This extraction maintains measurement precision while eliminating unnecessary complexity, size, and fragility of laboratory equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical pressure sensing to optical transmission sensing. By measuring light transmission properties of the refrigerant rather than mechanical parameters, the system achieves accurate phase detection with a compact, robust sensor suitable for automotive environments
3Productivity
If optical sensors are used to detect refrigerant quality, then compressor protection and system efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor serves multiple functions: detecting refrigerant phase quality, monitoring flow conditions, and providing feedback for control optimization. This multi-functionality justifies the added device complexity by delivering comprehensive system efficiency improvements and compressor protection in a single integrated sensor
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
Prevents compressor damage by ensuring only vapor refrigerant is communicated, enhancing system efficiency and control, making it suitable for automotive applications.
Implementation Method 1
A light source is disposed at the first end wall. A photosensor is disposed at the second end wall. The photosensor generates a sensed quality signal corresponding to a quality of refrigerant within the elongated sensor housing
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant quality sensor includes an elongated sensor housing comprising a first end wall and a second end wall and at least one side wall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall. A refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet are disposed in the at least one side wall. A light source is disposed at the first end wall. A photosensor is disposed at the second end wall. The photosensor generates an electrical signal corresponding to a quality of refrigerant within the elongated sensor housing.