Refrigerant Bypass Air Conditioner for Low-Power Equipment Room Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional air conditioners for communication equipment rooms consume high power due to continuous operation of the compressor, and existing methods for using outdoor cold sources either increase fan power consumption, fail to control humidity, or compromise indoor cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design incorporating an evaporator, condenser, compressor, liquid pump, and valves that allow for efficient operation by bypassing refrigerant flows to prevent self-circulation and direct high-pressure refrigerant exposure, utilizing a liquid pump that consumes less power and avoiding direct introduction of outdoor fresh air, ensuring effective temperature and humidity control while maintaining indoor cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressor operates continuously to maintain refrigeration in equipment rooms, then the refrigeration effect is ensured, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by switching between compressor operation and liquid pump operation. The control device periodically activates the compressor or liquid pump based on temperature conditions, allowing the system to maintain refrigeration through intermittent cycles rather than continuous operation, thereby reducing overall power consumption while ensuring reliable cooling effect.
2Use of energy by moving object
If outdoor cold source is directly introduced into equipment room, then power consumption is reduced, but indoor cleanliness cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the liquid pump and refrigerant circulation system as an intermediary to transfer cold energy from outdoor to indoor without directly introducing outdoor air. The liquid pump circulates refrigerant through the evaporator to absorb heat, acting as a mediator that achieves cooling while maintaining indoor air quality and cleanliness, avoiding the harmful effect of direct outdoor air introduction.
3Use of energy by moving object
If liquid pump is used to circulate refrigerant instead of compressor, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases due to additional valves and bypass pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by designing the liquid pump to perform multiple functions: it can circulate refrigerant during normal operation, bypass refrigerant during high-pressure conditions, and work in conjunction with the compressor when needed. The bypass pipes and control valves enable the liquid pump to adapt to different operating conditions, reducing the need for separate dedicated components and managing system complexity through multi-functional design.
4Reliability
If compressor bypass pipe is added to prevent high-pressure refrigerant exposure, then liquid pump reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the compressor bypass pipe and control valve before high-pressure conditions occur. The control device continuously monitors pressure conditions and proactively redirects refrigerant flow through the bypass pipe when high pressure is detected, preventing damage to the liquid pump before it can occur. This proactive protection mechanism ensures liquid pump reliability while managing structural complexity through integrated design.
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
Significant energy savings are achieved by reducing compressor operation time and power consumption, while ensuring normal operation of compressor and liquid pump systems, and maintaining indoor cleanliness and humidity control without the drawbacks of previous methods.
Implementation Method 1
an outlet of the throttling device is coupled to an inlet of the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
an outlet of the compressor is coupled to an inlet of the condenser
Implementation Method 3
an inlet of the compressor is coupled to an outlet of the evaporator
Implementation Method 4
an inlet of the liquid pump is coupled to an outlet of the liquid accumulator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An air conditioner includes an evaporator (9), a condenser (14), a compressor (11), a liquid pump (3), a liquid accumulator (1), a first ON/OFF control valve element (10), a first valve element for flow direction control (12), a second ON/OFF control valve element (2), a second valve element for flow direction control (5), a throttling device (8), a liquid pump's bypass pipe (16) with a third valve element for flow direction control (6) and a compressor's bypass pipe (18) with a forth valve element for flow direction control (13). An entrance of the compressor (11) is coupled to an exit of the evaporator (9) via the first ON/OFF control valve element (10); an exit of the compressor (11) is coupled to an entrance of the condenser (14) via the first valve element for flow direction control (12). An entrance of the liquid pump (3) is coupled to an exit of the liquid accumulator (1) via the second ON/OFF control valve element (2); an exit of the liquid pump (3) is coupled to an entrance of the throttling device (8) via the second valve element for flow direction control (5). An exit of the condenser (14) is coupled to an entrance of the liquid accumulator (1); an exit of the throttling device (8) is coupled to an entrance of the evaporator (9). An entrance of the compressor's bypass pipe (18) is coupled to an exit of the evaporator (9); an exit of the compressor's bypass pipe (18) is coupled to an entrance of the condenser (14). An entrance of the liquid pump's bypass pipe (16) is coupled to an exit of the liquid accumulator (1); an exit of the liquid pump's bypass pipe (16) is coupled to an entrance of the throttling device (8).