Refrigerant Liquid-Gas Separator With Integrated Electronics Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning systems face challenges in efficiently cooling electronics and improving evaporation rates, particularly in vehicle systems where high temperatures can lead to component failure and liquid refrigerant accumulation can damage compressors.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant system with a liquid-gas separator device integrated with controller electronics, where the electronics board is thermally coupled to the refrigeration section, allowing heat transfer from the electronics to the refrigerant, thereby cooling the electronics and improving evaporation rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronics are mounted in the engine compartment or near high-temperature areas, then system integration is improved, but electronics reliability deteriorates due to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the liquid-gas separator device with an electronics cooling system into a single integrated unit. The separator housing serves dual purposes: separating refrigerant phases and acting as a heat sink for electronics. This merging allows electronics to be mounted in the engine compartment while maintaining reliable operation through passive cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant liquid-gas separator acts as an intermediary thermal medium between the environment and the electronics. It absorbs heat from the electronics through thermal conduction and uses the refrigerant's phase change (liquid to vapor) to carry away the thermal energy, thereby cooling the electronics passively.
2Reliability
If a liquid-gas separator device is used to prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor, then compressor reliability is improved, but liquid refrigerant accumulation in the separator worsens over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of refrigerant from liquid to vapor within the separator device. The refrigerant enters as a mixture, and through the heating effect from the electronics and the separator design, liquid refrigerant evaporates into vapor before entering the compressor. This phase change prevents liquid accumulation while maintaining reliable compressor operation.
3Temperature
If conventional cooling methods are used for electronics, then electronics temperature control is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronics cooling system is self-regulating and requires no external control mechanisms. The heat generated by the electronics themselves serves as the heating source to evaporate liquid refrigerant, which in turn cools the electronics. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional cooling components, controls, or power consumption, reducing system complexity.
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
The system effectively cools electronics and enhances evaporation rates, reducing the risk of liquid refrigerant entering the compressor and improving overall system efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an electronics board thermally coupled to the refrigeration section, such that in use, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
the heat transferred to the refrigerant converts at least a portion of the refrigerant from liquid refrigerant to vapor refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant
Data Source
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AI summary
The refrigerant liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing the liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and an electronics board thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. In use, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant.