Refrigeration cycle apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration cycle apparatuses using non-azeotropic refrigerant mixtures face issues with composition deviation and performance deterioration due to changes in refrigerant quality, leading to inefficiencies and potential reliability problems.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with a specific refrigerant quality control mechanism that limits the refrigerant quality to exceed a predetermined value, ensuring the deviation in refrigerant composition from the base composition is minimized, thereby maintaining optimal heat exchange performance and reducing the risk of disproportionation reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture is used, then heat exchange performance is improved, but refrigerant composition deviates from base composition leading to performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing a specific refrigerant quality range (0.2 ≤ refrigerant quality < 0.6) to control the composition stability of the non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture. By controlling the refrigerant quality parameter, the system maintains the refrigerant composition within acceptable deviations from the base composition, preventing performance deterioration while preserving the heat exchange benefits of the non-azeotropic mixture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through a refrigerant quality control mechanism that monitors and adjusts the refrigerant quality in real-time. The control unit receives signals about the actual refrigerant quality and adjusts the expansion valve opening degree or compressor operation to maintain refrigerant quality within the specified range, thereby stabilizing the refrigerant composition and preventing deviation from the base composition
2Ease of operation
If refrigerant quality is not controlled, then system operation is simplified, but composition deviation causes reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through a refrigerant quality control mechanism that monitors and adjusts the refrigerant quality in real-time. The control unit receives signals about the actual refrigerant quality and adjusts the expansion valve opening degree or compressor operation to maintain refrigerant quality within the specified range, thereby stabilizing the refrigerant composition and preventing deviation from the base composition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the refrigerant quality control adaptive to changing operating conditions. The control unit dynamically adjusts the refrigerant quality based on real-time measurements and varying system conditions, allowing the system to maintain reliability across different operating scenarios while automating the control process
3Stability of the object's composition
If refrigerant quality exceeds predetermined value, then composition stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the refrigerant quality control mechanism to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The control unit not only monitors refrigerant quality but also integrates with existing system components (expansion valve, compressor) to perform composition stabilization, performance optimization, and protection functions, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the added control capability
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a compressor, a utilization-side heat exchanger, a heat source-side expansion valve, a heat source-side heat exchanger, an accumulator, and a main refrigerant circuit. A non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture is sealed in the main refrigerant circuit. A first value obtained by dividing a value obtained by subtracting a second amount from a first amount by the first amount exceeds a value determined in accordance with a mixed refrigerant. The first amount is an amount of the mixed refrigerant sealed in the main refrigerant circuit. The second amount is an amount of a liquid refrigerant stored in the accumulator.