Refrigeration device and facility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-temperature refrigeration devices face challenges in integrating various exchangers and piping due to limited volume, and significant temperature variations cause dimensional changes compromising stability.
Innovation Solution
The refrigeration device is designed with a common heat exchanger connected at an intermediate longitudinal position between its cold and hot ends, with fixed points spaced less than 100cm apart, and cooling heat exchangers arranged transversely, allowing components to move freely without antagonistic stresses, and incorporating a frame with optimized mass distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If various exchangers and piping are integrated into a frame with limited volume, then the device occupies less space, but integrating these components becomes difficult and mechanical stresses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple sections (first heat exchange section, second heat exchange section, third heat exchange section) that can be independently positioned and connected to different components. This segmentation allows flexible integration into the limited volume frame while reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The common heat exchanger serves multiple functions: it cools the working fluid from the compression mechanism, heats the working fluid before expansion, and provides thermal coupling between different parts of the system. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the compact frame.
2Stability of the object's composition
If components are fixed rigidly to the frame, then structural stability is maintained, but dimensional changes due to temperature variations compromise stability
Solution Approach 1:
The connection position of the common heat exchanger to the frame is specifically located at an intermediate longitudinal position (between the cold and hot ends) where the temperature is intermediate. This parameter change in connection location allows the heat exchanger to expand and contract uniformly with temperature changes without creating antagonistic stresses, maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate connection position acts as a thermal and mechanical intermediary, allowing the heat exchanger to serve as a transition element between the cold and hot regions of the system. This intermediary connection point accommodates thermal expansion differences while maintaining overall structural integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the common heat exchanger is connected at the cold end or hot end, then connection is simplified, but antagonistic stresses reduce stability
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of connecting at the extreme cold end or hot end, the connection is positioned at an intermediate temperature location along the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger. This parameter change in connection position eliminates antagonistic thermal stresses while maintaining connection simplicity.
4Volume of moving object
If cooling heat exchangers are placed between the common heat exchanger and the lower base, then space utilization is maximized, but heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling heat exchangers are arranged in a transverse direction (side-by-side) rather than in the longitudinal direction (stacked vertically between components). This dimensional change in arrangement allows optimal heat transfer positioning while still achieving compact space utilization through efficient lateral packing.
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
This design enhances stability by minimizing mechanical stresses and improving heat transfer efficiency, while maintaining high efficiency over a wide operating range.
Implementation Method 1
a common heat exchanger in which the working fluid flows counter-currently through two separate transit portions of the working circuit depending on whether it is being cooled or heated
Implementation Method 2
a refrigeration heat exchanger intended to extract heat from at least one component by heat exchange with the working fluid circulating in the working circuit
Implementation Method 3
The working fluid cooling mechanism comprises two cooling heat exchangers disposed respectively at the outlet of the two compressors and ensuring heat exchange between the working fluid and a cooling fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Low-temperature refrigeration device arranged in a frame (100) and comprising a working circuit (10) forming a loop and containing a working fluid, the working circuit (10) forming a cycle comprising in series: a compression mechanism (2, 3), a cooling mechanism (4, 5, 6), an expansion mechanism (7) and a heating mechanism (6, 8), the device (1) comprising a refrigeration heat exchanger (8) intended to extract heat from at least one member (125) by exchanging heat with the working fluid, the mechanisms for cooling and reheating the working fluid comprising a common heat exchanger (6) in which the working fluid transits in counter-flow in two separate transit portions of the working circuit (10), the compression mechanism comprising at least two compressors (2, 3) and at least one motor (14, 15) for driving the compressors (2, 3), the working fluid expansion mechanism comprising at least one rotary turbine (7), the device comprising at least one drive motor (14, 15) comprising a drive shaft, one end of which drives a compressor (2) and the other end of which is coupled to a turbine (7), the motor (14) being attached to the frame (100) at at least one fixed point (104), the common heat exchanger (6) being attached to the frame (100) at at least one fixed point (106), the two counter-flow transit portions of the common heat exchanger (6) being orientated in a longitudinal direction (A) of the frame (100), the drive shaft of the drive motor (14, 15) being orientated in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (A) and the turbine (7) and the compressor (2) being arranged relatively longitudinally such that the turbine (7) is located longitudinally on the side corresponding to the relatively cold end of the common heat exchanger (6) when the device is being operated and the compressor (2) is located longitudinally on the side corresponding to the relatively hot end of the common heat exchanger (6) when the device is being operated.