Therman Transfer Device and Storage Systems Including Same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration systems face inefficiencies due to high cycle rates, inefficient thermal heat transfer, and challenges in maintaining consistent storage compartment temperatures, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced system performance.
Innovation Solution
The proposed refrigeration evaporator design features a plurality of fluidly connected liquid chambers with overflow inlets and outlets, allowing liquid refrigerant to flow under gravity and accumulate sequentially, while a vapour circuit with draw off vapour channels reduces the flow of liquid slugs into the vapour circuit, enhancing thermal transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a high cycle rate is used to maintain compartment temperatures, then the storage compartment temperature stability is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to frequent compressor startup and inefficient thermal transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is segmented into multiple liquid chambers (first liquid chamber, second liquid chamber, etc.) connected by overflow channels. This segmentation allows the refrigerant to flow through multiple stages, improving thermal transfer efficiency and enabling the system to maintain stable temperatures with fewer compressor cycles, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Overflow channels act as intermediaries between liquid chambers, controlling the flow of liquid refrigerant sequentially through each chamber. This intermediary mechanism ensures efficient thermal transfer and stable temperature maintenance without requiring frequent compressor intervention.
2Temperature
If liquid refrigerant flows rapidly through the evaporator, then the cooling effect is enhanced, but liquid slugs enter the vapour circuit causing inefficiency and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is divided into multiple liquid chambers that process refrigerant sequentially. This segmentation allows controlled flow through each chamber, preventing liquid slugs from forming and entering the vapour circuit while maintaining effective cooling in each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
Overflow channels serve as intermediaries that regulate liquid flow between chambers. They control the refrigerant flow rate and prevent liquid slugs from entering the vapour circuit, protecting system reliability while maintaining cooling efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the compressor operates continuously to maintain temperature, then the storage compartment temperature stability is improved, but the cabinet hold time and energy efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-chamber evaporator design improves thermal transfer efficiency, allowing the system to maintain stable temperatures during off-cycles. This enables longer cabinet hold times and reduces the frequency of compressor operation, decreasing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow channel system ensures continuous and efficient thermal transfer through multiple chambers, maximizing the useful cooling action during each compressor cycle. This continuity allows for longer off-cycles and improved overall energy efficiency.
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 design improves thermal transfer efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and maintains consistent storage compartment temperatures by optimizing the flow of refrigerant and vapour within the evaporator, thereby enhancing the overall performance of refrigeration systems.
Implementation Method 1
allowing liquid refrigerant to flow under gravity and accumulate sequentially
Implementation Method 2
Thermal heat transfer relies on thermal transfer from the cooling (evaporator) plate to the air inside the refrigerator storage compartment
Implementation Method 3
a vapour circuit with draw off vapour channels receives flow of vapour from the liquid chambers
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration evaporator comprising fluidly connected liquid chambers disposed between first and second layers of material, and an inlet for receiving and introducing liquid refrigerant into one of the liquid chambers. Each of the chambers are interconnected by respective overflow inlets and outlets to allow flow of liquid refrigerant between the connected chambers under gravity such that, during influent flow of the liquid through the inlet, the chambers accumulate the liquid sequentially to impede the flow. The evaporator further comprises vapor circuit including respective draw off vapor channels for receiving flow of refrigerant vapor from corresponding chambers. The vapor channels are in fluid communication with peripheral vapor channels disposed along peripheral regions of the evaporator for reducing or preventing slugs of liquid refrigerant flowing into the circuit. The circuit and the overflow inlets and outlets are disposed between the first and second layers of material.