Refrigeration cycle apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration cycle apparatuses face inefficiencies in temperature uniformity and refrigerant flow distribution across multiple pipes in heat exchangers, leading to reduced performance and increased costs due to the need for multiple contact-type temperature sensors.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration cycle apparatus with a temperature detection unit that performs contactless temperature measurements of multiple refrigerant pipes and a control unit that adjusts refrigerant flow rates using electromagnetic valves to maintain uniform surface temperatures, reducing the need for multiple sensors and enhancing operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple contact-type temperature sensors are used to measure temperatures at multiple points in heat exchangers, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-type temperature sensors with an infrared camera that detects thermal radiation from the heat exchanger surface. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple physical sensors embedded in the system, reducing device complexity and installation complexity while maintaining temperature measurement capability. The infrared camera captures temperature distribution across the entire surface without mechanical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared camera serves multiple functions: it measures temperatures at multiple points simultaneously, provides full surface temperature distribution mapping, and enables comprehensive thermal analysis of the heat exchanger. This single device replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate temperature sensors, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing measurement capabilities.
2Temperature
If refrigerant flow rates are not uniformly distributed across multiple pipes, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature uniformity and heat exchange performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives temperature distribution data from the infrared camera and uses this feedback to adjust the opening degrees of expansion valves or flow control devices in each pipe. By continuously monitoring temperature uniformity and adjusting flow rates accordingly, the system maintains optimal heat exchange performance while ensuring uniform refrigerant distribution across all pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts refrigerant flow rates in each pipe based on real-time temperature measurements. The control unit modifies flow distribution adaptively to maintain uniform temperatures, allowing the system to respond to changing operating conditions and optimize heat exchange performance continuously rather than relying on fixed flow rates.
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 achieves uniform refrigerant flow and temperature distribution across pipes, reducing performance losses and costs by using contactless temperature detection and intelligent flow rate control, while also enabling early detection of refrigerant leaks and failures.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature detection unit that detects temperatures at a plurality of points in a contactless manner
Implementation Method 2
a control unit that controls the flow rate adjustment unit on the basis of the temperatures detected by the temperature detection unit
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle apparatus uses a sensor that measures temperature of a plurality of refrigerant pipes in a contactless manner. A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and a use-side heat exchanger are connected in sequence. The refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a temperature detector that detects temperatures at a plurality of points in a contactless manner, and a heat-source-side controller. At least one heat-source-side heat exchanger and the use-side heat exchanger includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes through which refrigerant to be heat-exchanged flows, and a flow rate adjuster. The flow rate adjuster adjusts flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through each of the plurality of refrigerant pipes. The temperature detector detects respective temperatures of the plurality of refrigerant pipes. The heat-source-side controller controls the flow rate adjustment unit based on the temperatures detected by the temperature detector.