Single-Port Liquid Receiver for Reversible Refrigerant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional receivers in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems are often costly and inflexible, with fixed configurations that do not easily adapt to varying performance parameters, limiting their efficiency and customization options.
Innovation Solution
A receiver design utilizing standard-sized tubing, such as copper material with customizable orientations and configurations, featuring a single port that functions as both an inlet and outlet, allowing for flexible placement along the refrigerant pathway and reversible flow management through a four-way valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional receivers with fixed configurations are used, then manufacturing precision and reliability are maintained, but adaptability and ease of manufacture are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is divided into a modular tube structure that can be configured in different orientations (horizontal, vertical, inclined) and connected to the refrigerant pathway at different locations. This segmentation allows the same basic component to adapt to various system layouts and performance requirements without redesigning the entire receiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver tube serves multiple functions: it acts as a storage vessel for liquid refrigerant, a flow management component with inlet/outlet ports, and a customizable element that can be oriented differently to suit various system configurations. The single-port design with configurable connections provides universal applicability across different heat pump system layouts.
2Device complexity
If conventional receivers with multiple ports are used, then flow management is simplified, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver combines inlet and outlet functions into a single port configuration, reducing the number of separate connections needed. The four-way valve integrates multiple flow path controls in one component, allowing the receiver to manage refrigerant flow in both heating and cooling modes through a unified design rather than requiring separate ports for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The single receiver port is designed to handle multiple flow directions and modes (heating and cooling operations) through its connection to the four-way valve system. This universal port design eliminates the need for multiple specialized ports while maintaining full flow management capability across different operating conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom-configured receivers are manufactured, then adaptability to varying performance parameters is improved, but ease of manufacture and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver design allows adjustment of key parameters such as tube length, tube diameter (from standard sizes like 1.125" to 3.125"), and orientation angle without requiring custom manufacturing processes. These parameter variations can be achieved using standard tubing and assembly methods, maintaining ease of manufacture while providing adaptability to different performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver configuration can be dynamically adapted to different system requirements by changing its orientation (horizontal, vertical, inclined) and connection points along the tube. This dynamic configurability allows the same basic receiver design to serve multiple performance scenarios without requiring custom-manufactured components for each application.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration system includes a tube extending along a tube axis from a first receiver end to a second receiver end opposite the first receiver end, and a single receiver port. The receiver port is configured as both a receiver inlet and a receiver outlet. A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration system includes a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant flow, a refrigerant pathway configured to convey the refrigerant flow through the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration system, and a receiver fluidly connected to the refrigerant pathway. The receiver includes a tube extending along a tube axis from a first receiver end to a second receiver end opposite the first receiver end, and a single receiver port. The receiver port is configured as both a receiver inlet and a receiver outlet, and is connected to the refrigerant pathway via the single receiver port.