Outdoor Unit Refrigerant Bypass Control for Uniform Header Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration cycle apparatuses face challenges in maintaining efficient refrigerant distribution across heat transfer tubes, particularly at varying refrigerant flow rates, leading to energy efficiency losses and uneven distribution characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a refrigeration cycle apparatus with a gas-liquid separator bypass pipe and header bypass pipe, controlled by flow control valves, which adjust the flow rate of refrigerant based on compressor frequency to optimize distribution across heat transfer tubes under different operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the internal structure of the header is adjusted to improve distribution characteristics, then distribution characteristics are improved, but pressure loss at the refrigerant inlet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The header is divided into multiple sections with divider plates creating separate flow paths. This segmentation allows refrigerant to be distributed more evenly to multiple heat transfer tubes while reducing turbulence and pressure loss at the inlet.
Solution Approach 2:
Divider plates and ejection holes act as intermediary structures within the header. These elements mediate the refrigerant flow by creating controlled expansion and distribution zones, improving distribution characteristics without causing excessive pressure loss.
2Manufacturing precision
If gas refrigerant is released to the header to improve distribution, then uniform distribution is achieved at high flow rates, but liquid refrigerant fails to flow to the upper header at low flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
Gas refrigerant is extracted and released into the header through dedicated release mechanisms. This extracted gas improves distribution characteristics by mixing with liquid refrigerant in the header, ensuring uniform distribution at high flow rates without preventing liquid flow at low rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas release mechanism is positioned asymmetrically within the header structure, with release points strategically located to promote even distribution of gas refrigerant throughout the header volume, ensuring both gas and liquid phases are properly distributed to all outlets.
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 configuration ensures improved refrigerant distribution and energy efficiency across a wide range of operating conditions, reducing pressure loss and maintaining uniform distribution regardless of refrigerant flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-liquid separator that separates the refrigerant exiting the pressure reducing device into refrigerant in gaseous form and refrigerant in liquid form
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat exchanger serving as the evaporator including at least a plurality of heat transfer tubes that cause the refrigerant to receive heat to evaporate
Implementation Method 3
an outdoor heat exchanger serving as the evaporator including at least a plurality of heat transfer tubes that cause the refrigerant to receive heat to evaporate
Implementation Method 4
a condenser that causes the refrigerant to reject heat to condense
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor unit includes at least a compressor, a gas-liquid separator, and an outdoor heat exchanger of a refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant circuit being formed by connecting, by pipes, the compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, the gas-liquid separator, and the outdoor heat exchanger that acts as an evaporator including at least a plurality of heat transfer tubes and an inlet header that distributes incoming refrigerant to the heat transfer tubes. The outdoor unit further includes a gas-liquid-separator bypass pipe, a gas-liquid-separator-side flow control valve, a header bypass pipe, a header-side flow control valve, and a determination device.