Pilot-Controlled Capacity Valve for High Refrigerant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capacity control valves for variable displacement compressors in air conditioning systems face challenges in achieving high energy efficiency while maintaining a compact size, as they require larger solenoids and valve openings to increase refrigerant flow rate, leading to energy inefficiency and size constraints.
Innovation Solution
A capacity control valve design incorporating a CS valve with a biasing member and a pilot valve driven by a solenoid, which reduces the driving electric power and increases the valve opening degree, allowing for adjustable pressure and flow rate without enlarging the solenoid or valve opening diameter, featuring a compact configuration with a hollow cylindrical CS valve body and adjustable pilot valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the solenoid size and valve opening diameter are enlarged to increase refrigerant flow rate, then the flow rate control capability is improved, but the device size increases and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pilot valve as an intermediary component that uses a small solenoid to control a larger CS valve. The pilot valve body acts as a mediator that, when moved by the small solenoid force, opens the CS valve seat to allow refrigerant flow. This intermediary mechanism enables a small solenoid to control a large valve opening, resolving the contradiction between flow rate capability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the pilot valve is integrated within the CS valve assembly. The pilot valve body is positioned inside the valve housing and interacts with the CS valve seat, creating a compact nested configuration. This nesting allows the small solenoid-driven pilot valve to control the larger CS valve without increasing overall device size, while maintaining high flow rate capability.
2Productivity
If the solenoid size and valve opening diameter are enlarged to increase refrigerant flow rate, then the flow rate control capability is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot valve serves as a compact intermediary that enables large flow control through a small actuator. The pilot valve body, driven by a small solenoid, controls the opening of the CS valve seat, allowing the system to achieve large refrigerant flow rates without requiring a large solenoid or valve body, thus maintaining compact device dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested configuration of the pilot valve within the CS valve assembly allows compact integration. The pilot valve components are housed within the existing valve structure, eliminating the need for separate large components and reducing overall device volume while maintaining high flow rate capability through the CS valve opening.
3Device complexity
If the CS valve is directly driven by solenoid force, then the structure is simple, but the valve opening degree is limited and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot valve body acts as an intermediary that amplifies the solenoid's driving effect. When the solenoid moves the pilot valve body, it opens the CS valve seat, allowing the refrigerant to flow. This intermediary mechanism enables the CS valve to achieve a large opening degree without requiring direct large solenoid force, improving ease of operation while maintaining acceptable structural complexity.
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 enhances energy efficiency and flow rate control, enabling prompt changes in refrigerant flow and pressure while maintaining a compact size, reducing energy consumption and improving system responsiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a pilot valve formed of a pilot valve body (53) to be driven by the solenoid (80)
Implementation Method 2
a biasing member (55) that biases the CS valve body (51) in a valve opening direction of the CS valve (50)
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a capacity control valve having excellent energy efficiency and a large capacity. The capacity control valve includes a valve housing 10 to which a suction fluid having a suction pressure Ps and a control fluid having a control pressure Pc are supplied; a solenoid 80; a CS valve 50 formed of a CS valve body 51 that partitions an inside of the valve housing 10 into a first space 15, S and a second space 18 and moves according to the suction pressure Ps of the suction fluid and the control pressure Pc of the control fluid, and a CS valve seat 10a with which the CS valve body 51 is configured to come into contact; a biasing member 55 that biases the CS valve body 51 in a valve opening direction of the CS valve 50; and a pilot valve 52 formed of a pilot valve body 53 to be driven by the solenoid 80 and a pilot valve seat 82a with which the pilot valve body 53 is configured to come into contact. The control fluid flows into the first space 15, S, the suction fluid is flowable into the second space 18 via an orifice 14, and the control fluid is introduced into the second space 18 by the pilot valve 52.