Refrigeration Oil Return Layout for Lower Compressor Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigeration cycle apparatuses, the oil separator fails to completely separate refrigerant and refrigerating machine oil, leading to surplus oil circulation, increased compressor inputs, and decreased oil separation efficiency, resulting in refrigerating machine oil depletion within the compressor.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration cycle apparatus with a distributor that branches the refrigerating machine oil flow into two separate return paths, one with an expansion valve and another with an oil tank and valve, where the first oil return opening port is at the upper portion and the second at the lower portion of the distributor, allowing preferential accumulation of oil in the tank and reducing compressor inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the oil separator is used to separate refrigerant and refrigerating machine oil, then oil separation is achieved, but surplus refrigerating machine oil circulates in the refrigeration cycle causing increased compressor inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the oil return flow path into two separate paths: a first oil return flow path with an expansion valve and a second oil return flow path with an oil tank and valve. This segmentation allows preferential accumulation of refrigerating machine oil in the oil tank while controlling the flow through the expansion valve, thereby preventing surplus oil from entering the compressor and reducing compressor inputs while maintaining reliable oil supply
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow distribution parameters by positioning the first oil return opening port at the upper portion of the distributor main body and the second oil return opening port at the lower portion. This positional parameter change enables preferential accumulation of oil in the oil tank and controls the amount of oil returning to the compressor, resolving the contradiction between oil supply reliability and compressor input reduction
2Quantity of substance
If surplus refrigerating machine oil is discharged from the compressor, then oil circulation continues, but the separation capability at the oil separator is surpassed and oil separation efficiency is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts surplus refrigerating machine oil from the circulation cycle by providing an oil tank in the second oil return flow path. The oil tank accumulates preferentially the refrigerating machine oil that would otherwise circulate surplus and overwhelm the oil separator's separation capability. This extraction prevents the oil separator from being surpassed and maintains its separation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary accumulation of refrigerating machine oil in the oil tank before it can circulate surplus and overwhelm the separator. By positioning the second oil return opening port at the lower portion of the distributor main body, the system预先 accumulates oil in the tank, preventing the oil separator from being surpassed and maintaining separation efficiency
3Device complexity
If a single oil return flow path is used, then the system is simple, but it is not possible to store refrigerating machine oil alone in the oil tank and surplus oil circulates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the oil return flow path into two distinct paths: a first oil return flow path with an expansion valve for controlled oil return, and a second oil return flow path with an oil tank and valve for preferential oil accumulation. This segmentation enables the oil tank to store refrigerating machine oil alone while preventing surplus oil circulation, achieving reliable oil storage without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a distributor with strategically positioned opening ports as an intermediary device that directs oil flow preferentially to the oil tank. The distributor main body with its upper and lower opening ports acts as a mediator that separates oil accumulation function from oil return function, enabling reliable oil storage while maintaining system manageability
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 configuration prevents surplus refrigerating machine oil from entering the compressor, maintains oil separation efficiency, and ensures reliable refrigerating machine oil supply to the compressor, reducing compressor inputs and preventing oil depletion.
Implementation Method 1
a distributor communicating to the oil separator and configured to branch a flow of refrigerating machine oil separated within the oil separator; the first oil return opening port being provided at an upper portion of the distributor main body, and the second oil return opening port being provided at a lower portion of the distributor main body
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes connected in series a compressor, an oil separator, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, and comprising: a distributor communicating to the oil separator and configured to branch a flow of refrigerating machine oil separated within the oil separator; a first oil return flow path to cause the flow of the refrigerating machine oil branched by the distributor to flow into a suction side of the compressor, the first oil return flow path including an expansion valve; and a second oil return flow path to cause the flow of the refrigerating machine oil branched by the distributor to flow into the suction side of the compressor, the second oil return flow path including an oil tank accumulating refrigerating machine oil and a valve provided between the oil tank and the suction side of the compressor, the distributor having a distributor main body in which an inflow opening port communicating to the oil separator, a first oil return opening port communicating to the first oil return flow path, and a second oil return opening port communicating to the second oil return flow path are formed, the first oil return opening port provided at an upper portion of the distributor main body, the second oil return opening port being provided at a lower portion of the distributor main body.