Unitary air conditioning system with temperature and humidity coupled control and method of use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems face challenges in simultaneously controlling temperature and humidity efficiently, often requiring multiple heat exchangers and relying on dehumidification followed by temperature regulation, which complicates the system and reduces energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A unitary air conditioning system utilizing two dehumidification heat exchangers with loosely-coupled heat and mass transfer capabilities, allowing independent control of temperature and humidity through refrigerant temperature and sorption process duration, respectively, to achieve efficient cooling, dehumidification, heating, and humidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air conditioning systems use multiple heat exchangers with dehumidification followed by temperature regulation, then temperature and humidity can be controlled, but the system complexity increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines dehumidification and temperature regulation functions into a single heat exchanger unit. The heat exchanger simultaneously performs heat transfer and moisture absorption, eliminating the need for separate dehumidification and temperature control devices. This merging reduces system complexity while maintaining the capability to control both temperature and humidity independently through the loosely-coupled control strategy.
2Reliability
If conventional air conditioning systems use multiple heat exchangers for dehumidification and temperature regulation, then temperature and humidity control is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging dehumidification and temperature regulation into one heat exchanger, the system eliminates energy losses associated with multiple separate devices and their interconnections. The single heat exchanger performs both functions simultaneously, reducing total energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature and humidity control through the proposed coupled control strategy.
3Productivity
If a dehumidification heat exchanger is used to regulate humidity, then latent heat of air is processed efficiently, but the system requires additional heat exchangers for temperature regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a dehumidification device and a temperature regulation device. The same heat exchanger structure performs latent heat processing through moisture absorption and sensible heat transfer, eliminating the need for additional dedicated heat exchangers and reducing overall system complexity.
4Reliability
If conventional systems process temperature and humidity separately through different heat exchangers, then control is achieved, but occupation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges temperature and humidity control functions into a single compact heat exchanger unit, significantly reducing the space required compared to conventional systems that use multiple separate heat exchangers. The integrated design maintains full control capability while minimizing occupation space.
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 approach results in a compact, energy-efficient system that can separately control supply air temperature and humidity, preventing frosting during heating and enhancing indoor comfort, while reducing energy consumption and occupation space.
Implementation Method 1
A material with a moisture absorption function may be coated on a surface of a heat exchanger to form a heat exchanger capable of processing latent heat of air efficiently
Implementation Method 2
the heat transfer between the refrigerant flowing in the tube of the dehumidification heat exchanger and the processing air flowing through the dehumidification heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides There is provided a unitary air conditioning system with temperature and humidity loosely-coupled control and a use method. The system includes a fresh air inlet, a return air inlet, an air mixing mechanism, a front-end air guide mechanism, a first and a second heat exchangers, a back-end air guide mechanism, an air supply outlet, and an air exhaust outlet. The fresh air inlet and the return air inlet are in communication with the air mixing mechanism, which is in communication with one end of an air flow passage of each of the first and the second heat exchangers through the front-end air guide mechanism; and the other ends of the air flow passages of the first and the second heat exchangers are respectively in communication with the air supply outlet and the air exhaust outlet through the back-end air guide mechanism.