Refrigerant Additive Injection Using a Pressurized Flexible Bag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for introducing additives into refrigerant circuits often require pre-mixing with refrigerant or the use of expensive oil injection tools, which can be inefficient and environmentally unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
A method using a supply device with an outer container and an inner flexible bag containing the additive, where the device is connected to the refrigerant circuit at a point of lower pressure than the device pressure, allowing the additive to flow in without pre-mixing, utilizing a propellant like nitrogen to facilitate the transfer without refrigerant or expensive tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pre-mixing additive fluid with refrigerant is used to introduce additives into the circuit, then the additive can be introduced into the system, but it requires additional mixing equipment and increases the complexity of the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the additive from the refrigerant mixture and introduces it separately through a dedicated supply device. The additive is contained in an inner flexible bag within the supply device, allowing direct injection into the refrigerant circuit without requiring pre-mixing with refrigerant, thus simplifying the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a propellant gas (such as nitrogen) as an intermediary to facilitate the transfer of additive from the inner flexible bag into the refrigerant circuit. The propellant creates pressure differential that drives the additive through the valve and into the circuit, eliminating the need for complex mechanical injection systems.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical piston injection is used to introduce additive fluid into the circuit, then the additive can be injected, but it requires expensive oil injection tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical piston injection system with a pressure-driven flow system. Instead of using a mechanical piston to force additive into the circuit, the system uses pressure differential created by propellant gas to drive the additive through a simple valve and tubing into the refrigerant circuit, eliminating the need for expensive mechanical injection tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using a propellant gas (such as nitrogen) to create pressure differential that drives the additive from the inner flexible bag through the valve and into the refrigerant circuit. This pneumatic approach replaces complex mechanical systems with simpler gas-pressure-based fluid transfer.
3Ease of operation
If additive is pre-mixed with refrigerant and expelled into the circuit, then the additive can be introduced, but it may cause environmental concerns and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the additive introduction process from the refrigerant handling process. By using a separate supply device with an inner flexible bag containing pure additive, the system introduces additive directly into the refrigerant circuit without mixing it with refrigerant beforehand, eliminating environmental concerns associated with refrigerant-additive mixing and disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an inert propellant gas (such as nitrogen) to facilitate additive transfer. This inert atmosphere prevents unwanted chemical reactions between the additive, refrigerant, and atmospheric contaminants during the introduction process, reducing environmental impact and ensuring system purity.
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
Enables efficient and environmentally friendly introduction of additives into refrigerant circuits, such as in automotive air conditioning systems, without the need for refrigerant or costly oil injection tools, ensuring effective system performance.
Implementation Method 1
where the additive is not pre-mixed with refrigerant and where the device has a pressure greater than a circuit pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerant additive supply device can include an outer rigid container, an inner flexible bag positioned in the outer rigid container and defining a space therebetween where the inner flexible bag contains an additive without a refrigerant, a valve in fluid communication with the inner flexible bag, an actuator operably coupled to the valve, and a propellant sealed within the space, where the inner flexible bag has a device pressure that allows flow of the additive into a refrigerant circuit when the actuator is depressed. Other embodiments are disclosed.