Refrigerating cycle apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerating cycle apparatuses face issues with oil imbalance and compressor damage due to pressure differences between compressors during power outages, especially when the refrigerant switching valve is not closed, leading to potential compressor damage and reduced system stability.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerating cycle apparatus with a refrigerant switching valve driven by a motor that can be controlled to switch states, including a power device with a DC link capacitor to maintain operation during power outages, and a microcomputer to manage the valve's state, ensuring the valve is closed during blackouts to prevent oil imbalance and pressure differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the refrigerant switching valve remains open during power outages, then the system can maintain refrigerant flow, but pressure differences between compressors cause oil imbalance and compressor damage
Solution Approach 1:
The control system detects power outages in advance and proactively closes the refrigerant switching valve before significant pressure differences and oil imbalance can develop between compressors, preventing damage before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant switching valve acts as an intermediary component that, when closed during power outages, isolates the compressors from each other and prevents harmful pressure differences from causing oil imbalance and compressor damage
2Reliability
If the refrigerant switching valve is closed during power outages, then pressure differences are reduced and compressor protection is improved, but the valve requires additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors power supply status and provides feedback to automatically control the refrigerant switching valve, closing it during detected power outages and opening it during normal operation, achieving reliable compressor protection through automated feedback control
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own control capabilities to automatically detect power outages and adjust the refrigerant switching valve position without external intervention, making the system self-protecting against oil imbalance and compressor damage
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 solution effectively moves the refrigerant switching valve to a closed state during power outages, reducing pressure differences between compressors, preventing damage, and enhancing system stability by ensuring oil collection and maintaining operation.
Implementation Method 1
A refrigerating cycle apparatus with a refrigerant switching valve driven by a motor that can be controlled to switch states, including a power device with a DC link capacitor to maintain operation during power outages
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerating cycle apparatus is provided. The refrigerating cycle apparatus may include a refrigerant switching valve, which may be moved to a predetermined position through a simple circuit structure, during a blackout (power outage). Further, in a case in which input power is cut off due to a blackout, while the refrigerating cycle apparatus operates, oil may be collected. Even if input power is cut off due to a power outage, in a state in which the refrigerant switching valve is open while a refrigerating cycle apparatus having two compressors of two stages (2tage-2comp) is operating, the refrigerant switching valve may be converted to a closed state. This may reduce a pressure difference between the two compressors, and prevent damage to the compressors.