Refrigeration cycle device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing heat cycle systems, particularly those employing HFO1123 as a refrigerant, face issues with disproportionation reactions under high temperature and pressure conditions, which can occur due to compressor malfunctions or insufficient heat exchange, leading to refrigerant degradation.

Innovation Solution

A refrigeration cycle apparatus that includes a compressor, four-way valve, outdoor and indoor heat exchangers, expansion valve, and a jetting unit with pressure and temperature measuring devices to detect and mitigate high pressure and temperature conditions by jetting a lower-temperature refrigerant to the compressor, thereby preventing disproportionation reactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the compressor operates under high temperature and high pressure conditions, then the refrigeration capacity is improved, but the refrigerant undergoes disproportionation reaction leading to degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigeration capacityVSAvoidrefrigerant stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit activates the jetting unit to inject refrigerant into the compressor before the temperature reaches the threshold that would cause disproportionation reaction. This preliminary cooling action prevents the harmful reaction from occurring while allowing the compressor to operate at high power levels for improved refrigeration capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The jetting unit serves as an intermediary mechanism between the refrigerant circulation system and the compressor. It introduces a cooling refrigerant flow that mediates the thermal conditions inside the compressor, enabling high power operation without causing refrigerant degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the compressor is operated continuously without interruption, then the productivity is improved, but the temperature and pressure exceed allowed values causing harmful reactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoiddisproportionation reaction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the temperature and pressure conditions in the compressor and provides feedback control. When the measured values approach the threshold for disproportionation reaction, the control unit activates the jetting unit to cool the compressor, allowing continuous operation while preventing harmful reactions through real-time feedback adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The jetting unit operates periodically based on the thermal conditions in the compressor. Rather than continuous operation, it activates in periodic cycles when temperature and pressure approach critical levels, maintaining productivity while preventing disproportionation reaction through intermittent cooling actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 apparatus effectively suppresses refrigerant disproportionation reactions, enhancing the reliability of the refrigeration cycle by rapidly cooling the compressor and maintaining the refrigerant within safe temperature and pressure limits, thus preventing degradation.

Implementation Method 1

disproportionation reaction of a refrigerant under high temperature and high pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDisproportionation reaction:

Data Source

PatentEP3406990B1Refrigeration cycle device
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3406990B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3406990B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3406990B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A refrigeration cycle apparatus that suppresses disproportionation reaction of a refrigerant is provided. A refrigeration cycle apparatus (100) in which a refrigerant having potential for disproportionation reaction circulates through a compressor (1), a condenser, an expansion valve (4) and an evaporator in this order includes: a first refrigerant flow path connected between a discharge side of the compressor and the condenser; a second refrigerant flow path connected between the condenser and the expansion valve; a third refrigerant flow path connected between the expansion valve and a suction side of the compressor; a jetting unit (9); a pressure measuring unit (10); and a temperature measuring unit (11). The pressure measuring unit is attached to one of the compressor and the first refrigerant flow path and measures a pressure of the refrigerant. The temperature measuring unit is attached to one of the compressor and the first refrigerant flow path and measures a temperature of the refrigerant. The jetting unit is configured to jet the refrigerant drawn from the second refrigerant flow path or the third refrigerant flow path to at least one of the compressor, the first refrigerant flow path and the second refrigerant flow path when at least one of a measured value of the pressure measuring unit and a measured value of the temperature measuring unit exceeds an allowed value.