Integrated Receiver-Dryer Heat Exchanger for Compressor Inlet Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems in vehicles face challenges with energy efficiency and compressor durability due to high refrigerant temperatures at the compressor inlet, and the placement of internal heat exchangers, receiver/dryers, and thermal expansion valves in the engine compartment leads to issues with tube routing and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the receiver/dryer with the internal heat exchanger assembly to facilitate simultaneous heat exchange and moisture/debris removal, reducing the number of lines and space required, and incorporating an internal heat exchanger to lower refrigerant temperature and improve energy efficiency, while a thermal expansion valve controls refrigerant flow to manage compressor inlet temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an internal heat exchanger is added to transfer heat from hot liquid refrigerant to cool vapor refrigerant, then energy efficiency is improved, but refrigerant temperature at compressor inlet increases which negatively impacts compressor durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the internal heat exchanger with the receiver/dryer into a single integrated assembly. The receiver/dryer is positioned to receive refrigerant from the condenser and supply it to the heat exchanger, while the heat exchanger transfers heat from the hot liquid refrigerant to the cool vapor refrigerant. The thermal expansion valve is also integrated into this assembly. This merging allows the system to achieve heat exchange for improved energy efficiency while the integrated receiver/dryer filters and dries the refrigerant before it enters the heat exchanger, and the thermal expansion valve controls the refrigerant flow to manage the temperature at the compressor inlet, thus protecting compressor durability.
2Reliability
If receiver/dryer, thermal expansion valve, and internal heat exchanger are placed in the engine compartment, then refrigerant conditioning functions are achieved, but tube routing complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the receiver/dryer, internal heat exchanger, and thermal expansion valve into a single assembled unit. The receiver/dryer housing contains the filter and desiccant, and the heat exchanger is positioned within or adjacent to it. The thermal expansion valve is also incorporated into this assembly. This integration significantly reduces the number of separate tube connections and routing requirements compared to having these components distributed throughout the engine compartment, while still providing all necessary refrigerant conditioning functions.
3Reliability
If receiver/dryer, thermal expansion valve, and internal heat exchanger are placed in the engine compartment, then refrigerant conditioning functions are achieved, but available space in the engine compartment is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (receiver/dryer, internal heat exchanger, and thermal expansion valve) into a single integrated assembly, which reduces the total space required in the engine compartment compared to housing each component separately. The compact design allows these essential refrigerant conditioning functions to be performed in a consolidated manner, minimizing the footprint in the limited engine compartment space.
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 integration reduces energy consumption, improves evaporator performance, minimizes the impact on compressor durability, and simplifies the HVAC system's packaging by reducing the number of components and connections in the engine compartment.
Implementation Method 1
Heat is transferred from the liquid refrigerant to the gaseous refrigerant in the internal heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
The liquid refrigerant flows through a filter and desiccant
Implementation Method 3
The liquid refrigerant flows through a filter and desiccant to remove debris and moisture
Implementation Method 4
A thermal expansion valve (TXV) may be included in HVAC systems to control the flow of refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator based upon the temperature and pressure of the cool vapor refrigerant as it exits the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A HVAC system including a multi-function unit for conditioning and controlling the flow of refrigerant. The multi-function unit may be contained within a housing that houses a receiver/dryer, integral heat exchanger and thermal expansion valve.