Series Expansion Control in Heat Exchangers to Prevent Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat exchange systems, such as air conditioning systems, face challenges in preventing condensation near the cooling element without increasing costs, as existing solutions like electronic expansion valves are expensive and fixed capillary tubes are inflexible in adjusting temperature under varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange system incorporating a variable throttle and a fixed throttle in series with a cooling element, along with a check valve in a bypass passage, allows for adjustable refrigerant flow rates and fan speed control to prevent condensation during cooling and heating operations without the need for expensive electronic expansion valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two electronic expansion valves are provided in series to adjust refrigerant flow and prevent condensation, then condensation prevention capability is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a variable throttle (electronic expansion valve) and a fixed throttle (capillary tube) in series to achieve the function of temperature adjustment and condensation prevention. This merging approach allows the system to utilize the adjustable flow control capability of the variable throttle while the fixed throttle provides stable pressure drop, achieving reliable condensation prevention without requiring two expensive electronic expansion valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces one electronic expansion valve with a capillary tube (fixed throttle), which is a much cheaper component. The capillary tube provides fixed flow resistance and pressure drop, while the variable throttle handles the adjustment function. This substitution significantly reduces system cost while maintaining the necessary temperature control capability to prevent condensation.
2Ease of manufacture
If two fixed capillary tubes are used to adjust refrigerant temperature, then system cost is reduced, but adaptability to varying operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a variable throttle (electronic expansion valve) into the system, which can dynamically adjust its opening degree to control refrigerant flow rate. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to varying operating conditions and ambient temperatures, preventing condensation formation on the heat exchanger surface while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the combination with a fixed capillary tube.
3Temperature
If a variable throttle is added to provide adjustable refrigerant flow, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the throttling function into two distinct components: a variable throttle for dynamic flow control and a fixed capillary tube for stable pressure drop. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the variable throttle handling temperature adjustment and the capillary tube providing consistent flow resistance, thereby improving temperature control capability while distributing the complexity across specialized components.
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 effectively prevents condensation near the cooling element in both cooling and heating operations while maintaining cost-effectiveness by using a combination of variable and fixed throttles and controlling fan speeds based on humidity levels.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure difference occurring across both ends of the cooling element can be relatively freely adjusted by adjusting the valve lifts of the two electronic expansion valves
Implementation Method 2
capillary tubes placed to precede and follow the cooling element so as to adjust the temperature (intermediate temperature) of the refrigerant passing through the cooling element
Implementation Method 3
a cooling element for cooling a secondary object to be cooled, with capillary tubes placed to precede and follow the cooling element
Implementation Method 4
a compressor (13) provided on a first path (PT1) that is one of two paths connecting said first heat exchanger and said second heat exchanger, said compressor compressing a refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
a check valve (17) provided on a bypass passage that connects a first branch position (B1; B3) and a second branch position (B2; B4) in parallel with said fixed throttle
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange system includes an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, an expansion valve, a capillary tube, and a cooling jacket. The compressor is provided on a first path that is one of two paths connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger, and the expansion valve, the capillary tube and a check valve are provided on a second path of the two paths connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger that is opposite to the path on which the compressor is provided. The cooling jacket for cooling an object to be cooled is provided between the expansion valve and the capillary tube.