Pressure relief for refrigeration system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration systems face challenges in safely and efficiently relieving high-pressure refrigerant, especially when using environmentally friendly refrigerants like carbon dioxide, and in systems with multiple pressure relief valves, where the design and operation can be complex and prone to contamination.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system with a pressure-controlled closing device for the refrigerant outlet, which allows safe discharge of refrigerant to the outside environment, even under high pressure or when dealing with solid refrigerant particles, while minimizing the risk of contamination and clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigerant is discharged indoors through pressure relief valves, then pressure relief function is achieved, but refrigerant contamination and safety hazards occur in the indoor environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the refrigerant discharge function from the indoor environment by providing a discharge line that leads to the outdoor environment. The closing device is configured to open to the outdoors, thereby separating the harmful discharge action from the protected indoor space while maintaining the pressure relief function.
2Reliability
If multiple pressure relief valves are installed, then pressure relief coverage is improved, but system complexity and risk of contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pressure relief valve outlets into a common discharge line that leads to the outdoor environment. This allows multiple valves to be connected to a single closing device and discharge pathway, reducing the number of separate outdoor openings needed while maintaining comprehensive pressure relief coverage.
3Reliability
If refrigerant is discharged under high pressure, then pressure relief effectiveness is improved, but risk of solid refrigerant particles and clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge line acts as an intermediary pathway between the high-pressure refrigerant source and the outdoor environment. The line is designed to handle high-pressure discharge and prevent solid particles from clogging the closing device, allowing effective pressure relief while managing the harmful effect of solid refrigerant particles.
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 system enables safe and efficient pressure relief in refrigeration systems, particularly those using carbon dioxide, by ensuring that refrigerant is discharged externally without risking indoor contamination or clogging, thus ensuring reliable operation even with multiple pressure relief valves.
Implementation Method 1
The closing device is intended to open in response to a pressure build-up in the blow-off line
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigeration system, such as one that can be used, for example, as an air conditioning system or to supply freezers in a supermarket. More specifically, it concerns the refrigerant flow in such a refrigeration system and a pressure relief system for the refrigerant.In particular, it concerns a refrigeration system (10) which extends in an interior region and an exterior region and which carries a refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant is under pressure in regions of the refrigeration system (10) and wherein at least one pressure relief valve (32, 34, 36, 38) is provided in the interior region, through which refrigerant can escape for pressure relief, and wherein a blow-off line (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) is provided which can receive refrigerant discharged from the pressure relief valve (32, 34, 36, 38) and leads from the interior region to the exterior region, characterized in that a refrigerant outlet and a pressure-controlled closing device (52) for the refrigerant outlet are provided in the exterior region on this blow-off line (42, 44, 46, 48, 50).