Port opening with supercooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pumps face challenges in efficiently condensing coolant due to varying temperature differences, leading to uncondensed coolant entering the evaporator, which disrupts the expansion valve control and increases pressure drop, requiring larger heat exchangers and complicating system control.
Innovation Solution
A port opening arrangement in the evaporator with a heat exchanging means, such as a pipe, is introduced to exchange heat between coolant downstream the expansion valve and coolant about to enter it, facilitating supercooling and improving coolant distribution by controlling the pressure drop and gas content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the heat exchanger size is reduced, then cost is decreased, but coolant condensation efficiency deteriorates leading to uncondensed coolant
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by supercooling the liquid coolant before it enters the expansion valve. This pre-cooling ensures that the coolant is fully condensed and at a lower temperature, preventing uncondensed coolant from entering the evaporator and disrupting system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the coolant by implementing supercooling below the boiling point. This parameter change allows smaller heat exchanger design while maintaining condensation efficiency, as the coolant is cooled to a lower temperature state before expansion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If supercooling is implemented, then coolant distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the supercooling function with the existing port opening structure of the evaporator. The heat exchanging means is integrated into the port opening, combining multiple functions (coolant distribution and supercooling) into a single integrated component, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The port opening structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a distribution channel for coolant and a heat exchanging means for supercooling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate supercooling devices, simplifying the overall system.
3Temperature
If heat exchanging means is added to port opening, then supercooling capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes phase transition principles by creating a heat exchanging means that facilitates heat transfer between liquid coolant and semi-liquid coolant. This enables supercooling through controlled thermal exchange, achieving the desired temperature reduction while maintaining manufacturability.
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 solution reduces the gas content in the coolant entering the evaporator, stabilizes the heat pump cycle, and allows for a more controlled pressure drop, enabling smaller heat exchanger designs and improved system controllability.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanging means is provided inside the port opening, said heat exchanging means being arranged for exchanging heat between coolant downstream the expansion valve and coolant about to enter the expansion valve
Implementation Method 2
it might be advantageous to supercool it far below its boiling point at the pressure upstream the expansion valve
Data Source
AI summary
A plate heat exchanger (100) comprises a number of plates (110) provided with a pressed pattern of ridges (R) and grooves (G) arranged to keep the plates (110) on a distance from one another under formation of interplate flow channels for media to exchange heat. The interplate flow channels communicate with port openings (A, B, C, 140) being in selective communication with said interplate flow channels, one of the port openings (140) providing for connection to a downstream side of an expansion valve (EXP) such that coolant from the expansion valve (EXP) may enter the interplate flow channels communicating with the one port opening (140). A heat exchanging means (160, 165, 150, 155; HEP, LC, DP) is provided inside the one port opening (140), said heat exchanging means (160, 165, 150, 155; HEP, LC, DP) being arranged for exchanging heat between coolant downstream the expansion valve (EXP) and coolant about to enter the expansion valve (EXP).