Sealed Refrigerant Distributor Assembly for Uniform Coil Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing space conditioning systems face challenges in maintaining uniform pressure drop and refrigerant distribution across evaporator coils, leading to inefficiencies in heat transfer, and require detachable expansion devices and distributors to accommodate different coil sizes, which increases costs and risks of refrigerant leakage.

Innovation Solution

A permanently sealed distributor assembly comprising a sealed expansion device and distributor housing, where the expansion device is integrated with a through-hole orifice housing, and delivery tubes are connected to the heat-exchange coil, ensuring uniform refrigerant distribution and eliminating the need for detachable connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If detachable expansion devices and distributors are used to accommodate different coil sizes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and risk of refrigerant leakage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different coil sizesVSAvoidcomplexity of detachable connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion device and distributor are merged into a single integrated assembly with a common housing, eliminating the need for separate detachable components. This integration maintains adaptability to different coil sizes while reducing device complexity and eliminating leakage risks at connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously - expansion, distribution, and adaptation to different coil configurations - within a single unified structure, reducing the number of separate components needed while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of repair

If detachable connections are used between expansion device and distributor, then ease of repair is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential refrigerant leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of component replacementVSAvoidrisk of refrigerant leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the expansion device and distributor into one sealed integrated unit, the patent eliminates multiple connection points where refrigerant leakage could occur, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of repair through modular coil replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If uniform pressure drop is not maintained across evaporator coil, then ease of operation is improved, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The distributor incorporates multiple strategically positioned outlets with varying flow characteristics to create uniform pressure drop distribution across different sections of the evaporator coil, ensuring optimal heat transfer efficiency through localized flow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a carefully designed passive distributor geometry that inherently provides uniform pressure drop distribution, simplifying operation while maintaining heat transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 simplifies installation, reduces costs, and ensures uniform refrigerant flow across the heat-exchange coil, enhancing heat transfer efficiency and eliminating potential refrigerant leakage, while maintaining consistent temperature distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigeration fluid being delivered from an expansion device to an evaporator coil of a space conditioning system to have a tightly controlled uniform pressure drop throughout the evaporator coil's circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS9335076B2Distributor assembly for space conditioning systems

Publication Date: 2016.05.10 ALLIED AIR ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

A distributor assembly for a space conditioning system comprising a sealed expansion device and a sealed distributor housing. The expansion device has a first opening, a second opening and an interior chamber there-between. The interior chamber contains an orifice housing, wherein the orifice housing has a through-hole orifice therein. The orifice housing is configured to move between the first opening and the second opening within the interior chamber. An outer surface of the orifice housing forms a fluid stop around the first opening such that a refrigeration fluid of the space conditioning system delivered through the second opening can substantially only pass through the through-hole orifice to the first opening. The distributor housing has a largest opening that is permanently sealed to the first opening of the sealed expansion device and a plurality of smaller openings configured to be fluidly connected to a heat-exchange coil of the space conditioning system.