Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner Ejector Cycle for Compact Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Packaged terminal air conditioner units face challenges in achieving high efficiency due to space constraints, which limit the use of large heat exchangers and high-efficiency compressors, necessitating the development of efficient solutions that do not require these components.

Innovation Solution

The packaged terminal air conditioner unit incorporates a compressor, interior and exterior coils, a reversing valve, phase separator, and ejector, which work together to optimize refrigerant flow and heat transfer in both cooling and heating modes, utilizing the Venturi effect and throttling devices to enhance efficiency without needing large heat exchangers or high-efficiency compressors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If large heat exchangers and high-efficiency compressors are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermodynamic parameters of the refrigerant by using an ejector to create a two-phase mixture and a phase separator to separate liquid and vapor phases. This allows the system to operate efficiently without requiring large heat exchangers or high-efficiency compressors, thus improving energy efficiency while maintaining a compact device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a phase separator as an intermediary component between the ejector and the heat exchangers. This separator divides the refrigerant flow into liquid and vapor phases, allowing each phase to be processed optimally in subsequent components, thereby achieving high efficiency without increasing device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If large heat exchangers are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but space availability in casing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidspace availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the refrigerant flow into different phases using a phase separator, which divides the two-phase refrigerant into liquid and vapor streams. This segmentation allows the system to achieve efficient heat transfer without requiring large heat exchanger surfaces, thus improving energy efficiency while preserving space availability in the casing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transitions of the refrigerant through the ejector and phase separator to achieve efficient cooling and heating. By leveraging the latent heat of vaporization and condensation, the system achieves high energy efficiency without requiring large heat exchanger components, thereby maintaining adequate space availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Use of energy by moving object

If high-efficiency compressors are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a phase separator as an intermediary component that simplifies the requirements for the compressor. By separating the liquid and vapor phases before the compressor, the system can use a less expensive, lower-efficiency compressor while maintaining overall system energy efficiency, thus reducing device cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for a high-efficiency mechanical compressor with a combination of an ejector and phase separator. The ejector uses the pressure differential to drive the refrigerant flow and create the two-phase mixture, substituting for some of the mechanical work that would otherwise require a high-efficiency compressor, thereby reducing device cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces energy consumption and improves efficiency by leveraging the expansion work of high-pressure refrigerant and minimizing pressure drops, allowing for effective operation within space-limited casings.

Implementation Method 1

an ejector draws vapor refrigerant from the interior coil into the flow of liquid refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

The phase separator is configured for separating liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase separation: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 3

A compressor is positioned within the casing. The compressor is operable to increase a pressure of a refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS9920938B2Packaged terminal air conditioner unit

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A packaged terminal air conditioner unit is provided. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a casing. A compressor, an interior coil, an exterior coil and a reversing valve are positioned within the casing. The reversing valve is configured for selectively reversing a flow direction of compressed refrigerant from the compressor. The packaged terminal air conditioner also includes at least one phase separator and at least one ejector.