Split Outdoor Refrigerant Piping for Lower Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air-conditioner systems with split heat source and compressor units face efficiency and capacity losses due to increased pressure drops in refrigerant piping, leading to higher power consumption and reduced system performance, especially during heating and cooling modes.
Innovation Solution
Increasing the outer diameter of the first liquid refrigerant pipe by 30% to 70% and the first gaseous refrigerant pipe by 15% to 45% compared to standard sizes, without adding extra pipework or components, to maintain or enhance cooling and heating capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the heat source unit and compressor unit are separated into different casings, then noise is reduced and installation flexibility is improved, but pressure drop in refrigerant piping increases leading to efficiency loss
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit is divided into two separate casings: a first casing containing the heat exchanger unit and a second casing containing the compressor unit. This segmentation allows noise isolation while maintaining functional separation, resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Refrigerant piping with optimized dimensions acts as an intermediary between the heat exchanger unit and compressor unit. The piping is designed with sufficient diameter and appropriate routing to minimize pressure drop while connecting the separated components, thus maintaining efficiency despite the physical separation.
2Shape
If the heat source unit is integrated into the building ceiling, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but installation space requirements increase and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the heat exchanger unit into its own casing, it can be compactly installed in the building ceiling for aesthetic purposes, while the compressor unit remains accessible in a separate location for easy maintenance and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows flexible spatial arrangement by separating components into different locations (ceiling vs. accessible area), utilizing three-dimensional space optimization to satisfy both aesthetic and maintenance requirements.
3Device complexity
If standard sized refrigerant piping is used in separated unit configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but pressure drop increases causing capacity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant piping parameters (diameter, length, routing) are optimized to balance device simplicity with performance. The piping is designed with sufficient diameter to minimize pressure drop while maintaining a straightforward installation configuration.
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 improves the air-conditioner's efficiency and capacity without additional installation work or components, reducing pressure drops and maintaining performance across heating and cooling modes.
Implementation Method 1
The first heat exchanger (5) is disposed in the first casing (2) and configured to exchange heat with a heat source, particularly outside air
Implementation Method 2
the indoor unit (50) has a second heat exchanger (53) configured to exchange heat with the space to be conditioned or more particular air within this space
Implementation Method 3
The compressor unit (32) has a compressor (37) and a second casing (44) separate from the first casing (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
1. Air conditioner for conditioning a space (72) inside a building (70) comprising: a heat source unit (30) having a heat exchanger unit (31) comprising a first heat exchanger (5) disposed in a first casing (2) and configured to exchange heat with a heat source and a compressor unit (32) comprising a compressor (37) disposed in a second casing (44) separate from the first casing, the heat exchanger unit and the compressor unit being fluidly connected via a first liquid refrigerant pipe (78) and a first gaseous refrigerant pipe (76); and at least one indoor unit (50) having a second heat exchanger (53) configured to exchange heat with the space to be conditioned and being fluidly communicated to the heat exchanger unit and/or the compressor unit via a second liquid refrigerant pipe (79) and a second gaseous refrigerant pipe (77), wherein the outer diameter of the first liquid refrigerant pipe is larger than the outer diameter of the second liquid refrigerant pipe and/or the outer diameter of the first gaseous refrigerant pipe is larger than the outer diameter of the second gaseous refrigerant pipe.