Support system that supports design or construction of a refrigerant cycle apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerant cycle apparatuses lack a systematic approach for arranging shut-off units to effectively manage refrigerant leakage, particularly in systems with multiple utilization-side units.
Innovation Solution
A support system that includes an information acquisition unit and a presentation unit, which acquires information on the arrangement of refrigerant shut-off units, utilization-side units, and connection pipe groups, and presents useful information to facilitate the design and construction of refrigerant cycle apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shut-off unit is disposed close to the utilization-side unit to block refrigerant leakage, then the safety against refrigerant leakage is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for arranging shut-off units in multiple locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple shut-off functions into a single integrated shut-off unit located in the heat source-side unit. This single unit can block refrigerant flow to multiple utilization-side units simultaneously, reducing the total number of shut-off units needed while maintaining safety across all locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The shut-off unit in the heat source-side unit is designed with multi-functionality to control refrigerant flow to multiple different utilization-side units. This universal shut-off mechanism can respond to leakage detection in any connected unit, eliminating the need for dedicated shut-off units at each location.
2Device complexity
If a common shut-off unit is used for multiple utilization-side units, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to quickly block refrigerant at the specific leakage location deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates leakage detection units at each utilization-side unit that provide feedback about refrigerant leakage conditions. When leakage is detected, this information is transmitted to the heat source-side unit, which then activates the appropriate shut-off function. This feedback mechanism enables the common shut-off unit to respond quickly and specifically to leakage events.
Solution Approach 2:
The shut-off unit is pre-positioned in the heat source-side unit where it has immediate access to block refrigerant flow to all utilization-side units. This preliminary positioning allows the system to quickly respond to leakage events without needing to physically relocate or activate multiple distributed shut-off units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connection pipe group is made long to connect multiple units, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the amount of refrigerant that can leak into a space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the refrigerant distribution network by using the heat source-side unit as a central control point with separate connection pipe groups for different utilization-side units. This segmentation allows the shut-off unit to isolate specific segments in case of leakage, limiting the amount of refrigerant that can escape into any given space while maintaining overall system flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A support system includes a display and a server. Upon acquiring first information on arrangement of a first refrigerant shut-off unit, second information on each of utilization-side units in a first utilization-side unit group, and third information on one of or both a length and an internal volume of the first connection pipe group, the server determines, based on an allowable leakage amount of the refrigerant into a space where a corresponding one or more utilization-side units is installed, whether the first, second, and third information are suitable for the design, and causes the display to display a result of the determination; or the server calculates a first refrigerant amount as a sum of an amount of the refrigerant in the first refrigerant circuit and an amount of the refrigerant, and causes the display to display the first refrigerant amount.