Refrigerant control system and refrigeration system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerant control systems face challenges in achieving a compact storage section while increasing the refrigerant storage capacity, leading to excessive installation costs and potential pressure issues due to the size of the expansion tank.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant control system with a configuration that includes specific pipes and valves for controlled refrigerant flow, allowing refrigerant to flow between a compression section and a storage section based on temperature and pressure conditions, preventing reverse flow, and using carbon dioxide to manage pressure effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the expansion tank size is increased to increase refrigerant storage amount, then the refrigerant storage capacity is improved, but the installation cost becomes excessive and the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the expansion tank with the heat exchanger into an integrated unit. The heat exchanger serves dual purposes: as a heat exchange component and as a refrigerant storage expansion tank. This merging eliminates the need for a separate expansion tank, achieving compact design while maintaining sufficient refrigerant storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: heat exchange between refrigerant and cooling object, and refrigerant storage. By making the heat exchanger universal for both heat transfer and storage purposes, the system achieves compact size while providing adequate refrigerant capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the expansion tank size is increased to increase refrigerant storage amount, then the refrigerant storage capacity is improved, but the installation cost becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the expansion tank with the heat exchanger into an integrated unit. The heat exchanger serves dual purposes: as a heat exchange component and as a refrigerant storage expansion tank. This merging eliminates the need for a separate expansion tank, achieving compact design while maintaining sufficient refrigerant storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: heat exchange between refrigerant and cooling object, and refrigerant storage. By making the heat exchanger universal for both heat transfer and storage purposes, the system achieves compact size while providing adequate refrigerant capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerant flows freely between compression section and storage section, then refrigerant management flexibility is improved, but pressure control becomes difficult leading to pressure excess
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pressure sensors that continuously monitor the pressure in the compression section and storage section. The control unit receives this pressure feedback and automatically adjusts the opening/closing of valves to maintain pressure within safe limits, preventing pressure excess while maintaining flow flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses automated control where the control unit independently manages refrigerant flow between sections based on real-time pressure conditions. The valves automatically open or close in response to pressure changes, enabling self-regulating pressure control without manual intervention.
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 enables efficient cooling and heating of the refrigerant in the storage section, maintaining a compact size while increasing storage capacity, preventing pressure excess, and ensuring accurate refrigerant management.
Implementation Method 1
a third pipe (71c) which is connected to the inlet side pipe (62b) and is formed so that heat of the third pipe (71c) lower than heat of the outlet side pipe (62a) is able to be transferred to the refrigerant in the storage section (30)
Implementation Method 2
a fourth pipe (71d) which is connected to the outlet side pipe (62a) and is formed so that heat of the fourth pipe (71 d) higher than heat of the third pipe (71c) is able to be transferred to the refrigerant in the storage section (30)
Implementation Method 3
a compression section which compresses the refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
To provide a refrigerant control system and a cooling system capable of making a storage section in a compact size while increasing a refrigerant storage amount. A refrigerant control system includes: a storage part 30 which stores a first refrigerant; a first sub-pipe 71a which is connected to an outlet side pipe 62a of a first circulation flow path 61; a second sub-pipe 71b which is connected to an inlet side pipe 62b of the first circulation flow path 61; a third sub-pipe 71c which is connected to the inlet side pipe 62b and is formed so that heat of the third sub-pipe 71c lower than heat of the outlet side pipe 62a is able to be transferred to the first refrigerant in the storage part 30; a first opening and closing valve 72a which is provided in the first sub-pipe 71a; a second opening and closing valve 72b which is provided in the second sub-pipe 71b; a third opening and closing valve 72c which is provided in the third pipe; and an opening and closing control unit which performs opening and closing control of the first opening and closing valve 72a, the second opening and closing valve 72b, and the third opening and closing valve 72c on the basis of a set temperature of a second refrigerant.