System and method for heating and cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC systems require large amounts of refrigerant due to the size of their heat exchanger tubing, leading to increased costs, weight, and dimensions, particularly in ducted systems with large indoor heat exchangers.
Innovation Solution
The use of heat exchangers with reduced tubing diameters, specifically outdoor heat exchangers with diameters of 8 mm or less and indoor heat exchangers with diameters of 9 mm or less, which reduces the overall refrigerant volume and allows for smaller equipment sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional large-diameter heat exchanger tubing is used, then heat exchange capacity is sufficient, but refrigerant volume and system size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the heat exchanger tubing by reducing the outer diameter from traditional sizes (3/8 inch or 9.525 mm) to smaller diameters (8 mm or less for outdoor, 9 mm or less for indoor heat exchangers). This parameter change directly reduces the volume of refrigerant required in the system while maintaining adequate heat exchange capacity through optimized heat exchanger design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heat exchanger system into distinct outdoor and indoor components with differently optimized tubing diameters. The outdoor heat exchanger uses 8 mm or less tubing while the indoor heat exchanger uses 9 mm or less tubing, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function and reducing the overall refrigerant volume requirement compared to a uniform large-diameter system.
2Reliability
If larger heat exchanger tubing is used, then heat transfer efficiency is maintained, but system weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by reducing the tubing diameter specifications from traditional 3/8 inch (9.525 mm) to smaller dimensions (8 mm outdoor, 9 mm indoor or less). This reduction in dimensional parameters decreases the mass of the tubing and associated refrigerant, thereby reducing system weight while maintaining cooling efficiency through optimized heat exchanger surface area and configuration.
3Quantity of substance
If larger heat exchanger tubing is used, then refrigerant capacity is sufficient, but equipment dimensions and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by specifying reduced tubing outer diameters (8 mm or less for outdoor heat exchanger, 9 mm or less for indoor heat exchanger). This dimensional reduction directly decreases the volume of the heat exchanger components and the overall equipment footprint, allowing for more compact HVAC system installation while maintaining sufficient refrigerant capacity for effective cooling.
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 reduction in refrigerant volume leads to smaller system sizes and lower costs while maintaining equivalent cooling efficiency and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid transitioning from liquid to gas absorbs heat
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant circulating between the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers—transitioning between phases along the way—absorbs heat from one location
Implementation Method 3
a fluid transitioning from gas to liquid releases heat
Implementation Method 4
the refrigerant circulating between the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers—transitioning between phases along the way—absorbs heat from one location and releases it to the other
Implementation Method 5
the heat exchanger transferring heat with the surrounding outdoor environment
Implementation Method 6
heat exchangers, which are part of the closed loop and designed to transfer heat between the circulating refrigerant and flowing ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC system is provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to heat exchangers having tubing with a reduced diameter compared to traditional systems. In one embodiment, a ducted HVAC system comprises an outdoor heat exchanger with tubing that has an outer diameter of eight millimeters (8 mm) or less and an indoor heat exchanger with tubing that has an outer diameter of nine millimeters (9 mm) or less. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.