Spiral Gas-Liquid Separator With Heat Exchange to Prevent Liquid Shock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas-liquid separation devices in air-conditioning systems face challenges in achieving effective heat exchange and preventing liquid shock in compressors, which can lead to damage.
Innovation Solution
A gas-liquid separation device with a heat exchange member featuring a spirally wound heat exchange tube and protrusions, increasing the heat exchange area between the tube and the fluid, and a gas-liquid distribution assembly that enhances fluid flow and separation, integrated with a thermal management system including an evaporator, compressor, condenser, and throttling device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a heat exchange tube is spirally wound around the first cylinder body, then the heat exchange area is increased, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange tube is designed with a spiral curvature configuration around the first cylinder body, transforming a straight tube into a curved spiral path. This curvature increases the heat exchange area by extending the tube length within the limited space of the interlayer cavity, while the spiral form factor allows compact arrangement that manages the complexity effectively.
2Area of stationary object
If the heat exchange tube is made longer to increase heat exchange area, then the heat exchange effect is improved, but the space occupation is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange tube transitions from a linear one-dimensional arrangement to a three-dimensional spiral configuration. By utilizing the radial and axial dimensions simultaneously, the tube achieves extended length and increased heat exchange area within the confined interlayer cavity volume, effectively packing more heat exchange surface without proportionally increasing the device's external dimensions.
3Reliability
If a gas-liquid distribution assembly is added to improve fluid flow and separation, then the gas-liquid separation effect is improved, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-liquid distribution assembly segments the single interlayer cavity into multiple functional zones using baffle plates. These baffles create separate flow paths for gas and liquid phases, improving separation efficiency by directing liquids to specific regions and gases to others. The segmentation approach enhances separation reliability without requiring a completely separate gas-liquid separator device.
4Area of stationary object
If the heat exchange tube is positioned close to both cylinder bodies to maximize heat exchange, then the heat exchange effect is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange tube maintains different spacing relationships with the first and second cylinder bodies at different locations along its spiral path. The tube is positioned closer to one cylinder body in certain segments and closer to the other in different segments, allowing optimized heat exchange at each location without requiring uniform high-precision positioning throughout the entire tube length.
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
The solution improves the heat exchange effect and reduces the risk of liquid shock, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the air-conditioning system by optimizing the heat exchange process and fluid separation.
Implementation Method 1
the heat exchange tube including a first flow channel, a tube wall surrounding the first flow channel, and a first extension portion protruding from the tube wall... the heat exchange tube being at least partially located in the first cavity... the larger the heat exchange area between the heat exchange tube and the refrigerant in the interlayer cavity, the better the heat exchange effect will be achieved
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant in the interlayer cavity flows from top to bottom or from bottom to top, and exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchange tube
Implementation Method 3
a gas-liquid distribution assembly fixed with the first flow guide portion, the gas-liquid distribution assembly being at least partially located in the second cavity, the gas-liquid distribution assembly communicating with the second cavity and the third cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A gas-liquid separation device includes a heat exchange member having a heat exchange tube spirally wound around a first cylinder body. The heat exchange tube includes a first flow passage, a tube wall surrounding the first flow passage, and a first extension portion protruding from the tube wall. A second flow passage is formed between the first cylinder body, the second cylinder body, and the heat exchange tube. The first extension portion is located in the second flow passage. A heat exchange area between the heat exchange tube and a fluid in the second flow passage is increased. The heat exchange effect between a fluid in the first flow passage and the fluid in the second flow passage is improved. A thermal management system having the gas-liquid separation device is also disclosed.