Method for loading refrigerant in an air conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for loading refrigerant into air conditioning systems face challenges in meeting tight tolerances due to refrigerant remaining in connection pipes, which is difficult to verify and requires time-consuming and energy-intensive processes, especially with the introduction of flammable gases like HFO 1234yf, where operating the A/C system during recovery and refilling is not allowed for safety reasons.
Innovation Solution
A method involving hydraulic connection of the refrigerant apparatus with the A/C system through high and low-pressure pipes, where the refrigerant is loaded in a controlled manner by measuring initial and actual amounts, adjusting for pressure and flowrate differences, and repeating cycles to ensure precise loading within tight tolerances, with optional phases of sending gaseous refrigerant to push liquid refrigerant through the pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the A/C system is operated during recovery and refilling to aspirate residual refrigerant in connection pipes, then the precision of refrigerant filling is improved, but energy consumption increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a vacuum phase before the loading phase to remove residual refrigerant from connection pipes. This preliminary removal of the problem source (residual refrigerant) eliminates the need to operate the A/C system during refilling, thereby reducing energy consumption and noise while maintaining filling precision through controlled loading phases.
2Measurement precision
If the A/C system is operated during recovery and refilling to aspirate residual refrigerant, then the precision of refrigerant filling is improved, but the process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum phase is performed as a preliminary action before the loading phase, efficiently removing residual refrigerant in advance. This preliminary removal reduces the need for repeated aspiration cycles during refilling, thereby maintaining filling precision while reducing overall process time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through multiple controlled loading phases with intermediate measurements. The refrigerant is loaded in periodic cycles, with each cycle including loading, measurement, and adjustment steps. This periodic approach ensures precise filling control without requiring continuous A/C system operation, thus reducing both time and energy consumption.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the amount of refrigerant and tolerance are reduced to meet environmental regulations, then environmental protection is improved, but the difficulty of meeting filling tolerances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback through continuous measurement of the refrigerant amount in the storage container using a load cell during the loading phase. The control unit receives real-time weight data and compares it with the target amount, automatically adjusting the loading process to maintain precision within tight tolerances. This feedback mechanism enables accurate control of small refrigerant quantities, meeting both environmental regulations and precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual verification methods with automated electronic measurement systems. A load cell and control unit automatically measure and control the refrigerant amount, eliminating the need for manual estimation and reducing human error. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with automated measurement and control systems enables precise filling within tight tolerances required by environmental regulations.
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 method allows for precise loading of refrigerant within tight tolerances, reducing uncertainties and avoiding refrigerant dispersion into the environment, while ensuring safety by not requiring the A/C system to be operational during the process.
Implementation Method 1
sending an amount V1 of refrigerant in gaseous phase through the low pressure pipe towards the A/C system, in order to push the refrigerant in liquid phase present in the low pressure pipe towards the A/C system
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant condensed and purified after the regenerating process is accumulated in a storage container
Data Source
AI summary
A method for loading refrigerant fluid into an A/C system from an apparatus for recovering and regenerating refrigerant fluid includes a step of hydraulically connecting the apparatus with the A/C system by a high pressure pipe and a low pressure pipe and a step of loading refrigerant fluid present in a storage container of the apparatus into the A/C system.