Refrigeration system and throttle control method therefor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigeration systems using throttle orifice plates have a non-adjustable throttle effect, making it difficult to meet demands in conditions of low pressure height and high flow rate, as the throttle area is fixed and cannot be adjusted.

Innovation Solution

A refrigeration system with a non-adjustable main throttle element and an auxiliary adjustable throttle element, controlled by a liquid level sensor and controller, allowing for additional throttle area adjustment through a bypass flow path, enabling better adaptability to varying working conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a throttle orifice plate is used in a refrigeration system, then the cost is moderate and performance is stable, but the throttle effect is non-adjustable and cannot meet demands under low pressure height and high flow rate conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance stabilityVSAvoidthrottle adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle system is segmented into a main throttle element (orifice plate) for stable baseline performance and a bypass flow path with an auxiliary throttle element for adjustable flow control. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the reliability of the orifice plate while adding adaptability through the bypass path that can be independently controlled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bypass flow path is introduced as an intermediary element between the main throttle element and the evaporator. This bypass path includes an auxiliary throttle element that acts as a mediator to adjust the overall throttle effect by providing an additional flow route, enabling the system to adapt to varying pressure and flow rate conditions without replacing the reliable orifice plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a fixed throttle area is selected for the refrigeration system, then the device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but the system cannot adapt to varying working conditions requiring different throttle areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrottle system complexityVSAvoidworking condition adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle system is divided into a simple main path with a fixed orifice plate and a bypass path with an auxiliary throttle element. This segmentation adds adaptability through the bypass path while keeping the main path simple and cost-effective, thus balancing device complexity with working condition adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass flow path with the auxiliary throttle element serves multiple functions: it provides throttle adjustment capability, maintains system adaptability to varying working conditions, and preserves the simplicity of the main orifice plate. This multi-functionality allows a single system design to handle both fixed and variable throttle requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If an adjustable throttle element is used instead of a fixed orifice plate, then throttle adaptability is improved, but the ease of installation and processing convenience are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrottle adjustabilityVSAvoidinstallation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the throttle function into a fixed orifice plate for the main flow path (maintaining ease of installation) and an auxiliary throttle element in the bypass path (providing adjustability). This segmentation preserves the installation advantages of orifice plates while incorporating adjustable functionality where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass flow path acts as an intermediary that introduces the auxiliary throttle element without requiring modification of the main throttle installation. This intermediary approach allows adjustable functionality to be added while maintaining the ease of manufacture and installation of the primary orifice plate system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3380795B1Refrigeration system and throttle control method therefor
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 CARRIER CORP
  • EP3380795B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3380795B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3380795B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A refrigeration system, comprising a compressor, a condenser (200), a throttle flow path (100), and an evaporator (300) connected in sequence, wherein a non-adjustable main throttle element (110,120) is disposed in the throttle flow path; and further comprising a bypass flow path (500), wherein the bypass flow path is connected to the throttle flow path respectively at the upstream and downstream of the main throttle element, and provided with an adjustable auxiliary throttle element (510) thereon; a liquid level sensor, disposed upstream and/or downstream of the throttle flow path, and configured to detect the liquid level; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the opening of the auxiliary throttle element according to a liquid level signal from the liquid level sensor.