Regenerative Refrigerator Integration for Simpler Multi-Stage Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration devices have complex structures due to their binary refrigeration systems, which can be simplified to improve efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The refrigeration device integrates a regenerative refrigerator as the high-temperature side circuit, replacing the traditional binary system, and includes thermal siphons for efficient heat exchange and refrigerant circulation, utilizing a combination of refrigerants with different boiling points for enhanced cooling capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a binary refrigeration system with two independent refrigerant circuits is used, then cooling performance at multiple temperature levels is achieved, but device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the high-temperature side compression function into the low-temperature side refrigerant circuit by introducing a compression section that compresses refrigerant vapor from the high-temperature evaporator directly within the low-temperature circuit, eliminating the need for a separate high-temperature refrigerant circuit and its associated compressor, thereby simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining multi-level cooling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The low-temperature side refrigerant circuit is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the low-temperature cooling circuit and the high-temperature compression circuit. The compression section, condenser, and expansion device collectively handle both high-temperature vapor compression and low-temperature refrigeration cycles, making the system more universal and reducing component redundancy
2Reliability
If multiple intermediate heat exchangers are added to enable cooling through multiple paths, then system reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate heat exchanger that serves as a mediator between the high-temperature evaporator and the low-temperature side components. This intermediate heat exchanger enables heat exchange between high-temperature refrigerant vapor and low-temperature refrigerant, providing alternative cooling paths and enhancing system reliability without requiring multiple complex independent circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the high-temperature compression function from the traditional binary system framework and integrates it into the low-temperature circuit, removing the need for separate high-temperature circuit components. This extraction simplifies the system by eliminating redundant components while maintaining the ability to provide multiple cooling paths through the intermediate heat exchanger
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 simplifies the device structure, achieves lower temperatures, reduces the number of intermediate heat exchangers, and ensures reliable operation by allowing cooling through multiple paths, even in case of failures.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant in the condenser is condensed by heat exchange between a heat absorption portion of the regenerative refrigerator and the condenser
Implementation Method 2
The refrigeration device includes a first thermal siphon and a second thermal siphon
Implementation Method 3
cool a target by evaporating the refrigerant in an evaporator
Implementation Method 4
cool a target by evaporating the refrigerant in an evaporator
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigerating device (1) comprises: a refrigeration circuit (400) in which a compressor (402), a condenser (404), a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator (408) are connected in a ring in this order; and a regenerative refrigerator (100) having a heat radiating unit in which the working fluid filling a container is compressed and the heat generated by the compression is released, and a heat absorbing unit (160) in which the working fluid compressed by the heat radiating unit is expanded. In the refrigerating device (1), the refrigerant in the condenser (404) is cooled by heat being exchanged between the condenser (404) and the heat absorbing unit (160).