Refrigeration system with leak detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportation refrigeration systems with multiple compartments require individual refrigeration circuits to maintain distinct temperatures, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased complexity, and lack effective mechanisms to manage refrigerant leaks that could compromise temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A single-temperature transportation refrigeration system with a parallel evaporator arrangement and shut-off valves, along with refrigerant detection sensors and fans, allows for isolation of evaporators in case of leaks, ensuring continued operation and maintaining compartment temperature by isolating the affected evaporator from the refrigeration circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual refrigeration circuits are used for distinct compartments, then each compartment can maintain distinct temperatures, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple evaporators into a single shared refrigeration circuit, allowing one circuit to serve multiple compartments. The compressor and condenser are shared resources, while multiple evaporators are connected through a common refrigerant distribution manifold, reducing the number of independent circuits needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared refrigeration circuit is designed to serve multiple functions by conditioning different compartments simultaneously. The system uses a common compressor and condenser that can support multiple evaporators, each serving different temperature zones within the same refrigeration system.
2Device complexity
If a single refrigeration circuit is used for multiple compartments, then system complexity is reduced, but a refrigerant leak in one evaporator can affect the entire system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shared refrigeration circuit into isolated zones using refrigerant isolation valves. Each evaporator is equipped with its own isolation valves that can close off the refrigerant flow to that specific evaporator, creating separate segments within the unified circuit. This allows a leak in one segment to be contained without affecting other segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant isolation valves act as intermediaries between the shared refrigeration circuit and individual evaporators. These valves control and regulate refrigerant flow to each evaporator independently, enabling the system to isolate problematic components while maintaining operation of healthy components through the same circuit.
3Reliability
If refrigerant leaks are detected early, then the system can isolate the affected evaporator, but detection and response time are critical
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates refrigerant detection sensors that continuously monitor for leaks and provide feedback to the control system. When a leak is detected, the control system automatically activates the isolation valves for the affected evaporator, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that rapidly responds to maintain system reliability.
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 solution enables efficient temperature control in a single compartment with reduced risk of refrigerant leakage affecting the entire system, extending the time before undesirable temperature changes occur and minimizing damage to goods, while providing an alarm for leak detection.
Implementation Method 1
the first refrigerant detection sensor is configured to identify the presence of refrigerant in an atmosphere of the first enclosure
Implementation Method 2
The evaporator cools air to be delivered into an environment to be conditioned
Implementation Method 3
a compressor compresses a refrigerant and delivers it into a condenser
Implementation Method 4
The refrigerant is cooled and passes through an expansion valve
Implementation Method 5
The refrigerant is cooled and passes through an expansion valve. The refrigerant is expanded
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A transportation refrigeration system (20) includes a compartment to be conditioned (22). A refrigeration circuit (24) is associated with an enclosure including a compressor (26). A condenser (28) and an expansion valve (30) are upstream of a first evaporator (34) and a second evaporator (36). The first evaporator (34) is in parallel with the second evaporator (36). A first enclosure (42) surrounds the first evaporator (34). The first enclosure (42) includes a first refrigerant detection sensor (58) in communication with a controller (32). A second enclosure (44) surrounds the second evaporator (36). The second enclosure (44) includes a second detection refrigerant sensor (58) in communication with the controller (32).