Variable-Capacity Two-Stage Compressor for Adaptive Compression Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current two-stage compression systems have a fixed compression ratio, leading to large variations in energy efficiency, unideal economic performance, and an inability to simultaneously meet energy efficiency requirements for refrigeration and heating, especially at low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A variable-capacity two-stage compression system with a compressor comprising a low pressure cylinder and a high pressure cylinder in series connection, where the low pressure cylinder has at least two cylinders in parallel, and a control mechanism that adjusts the operation of these cylinders between full-load and no-load modes using solenoid valves to optimize displacement ratio based on ambient temperature and load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed compression ratio two-stage compression system is used, then the structure is simple, but the energy efficiency varies greatly with load changes and cannot simultaneously meet refrigeration and heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the compression ratio adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the number of active low-pressure cylinders based on operating conditions (refrigeration vs. heating mode), transforming a static compression system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying load requirements and ambient temperatures, thereby maintaining high energy efficiency across different operating points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compression ratio parameter by varying the number of working low-pressure cylinders. In refrigeration mode, all low-pressure cylinders work with a first compression ratio; in heating mode, some low-pressure cylinders are stopped with a second compression ratio. This parameter change allows the system to optimize energy efficiency for different thermal requirements
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed compression ratio two-stage compression system is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the economic performance is unideal due to large energy efficiency variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic control of cylinder operation to improve economic performance. By automatically adjusting which low-pressure cylinders are active based on ambient temperature and load conditions, the system achieves high energy efficiency across refrigeration and heating modes, thereby improving overall economic performance without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the compression system universal by enabling it to efficiently perform both refrigeration and heating functions. The same physical hardware (cylinders and components) serves dual purposes through controlled variation in operation mode, eliminating the need for separate optimized systems for each function and improving cost-effectiveness
3Device complexity
If a single-stage compression system is used, then the structure is simple, but the heating capacity is severely attenuated at low temperatures below -20°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the compression process into two distinct stages with different compression ratios. The first stage uses low-pressure cylinders and the second stage uses high-pressure cylinders. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for specific temperature and pressure ranges, enabling reliable operation at low temperatures where single-stage systems fail
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active low-pressure cylinders based on ambient temperature conditions. At low temperatures below -20°C, the system activates additional low-pressure cylinders to maintain sufficient heating capacity, transforming a static single-stage or fixed two-stage system into a dynamically adaptable two-stage system
4Device complexity
If the volume ratio of high pressure cylinder to low pressure cylinder is fixed, then the displacement ratio is fixed, but the energy efficiency has only one highest value at specific working condition and varies greatly with load variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the displacement ratio dynamic by controlling the number of active low-pressure cylinders. When all low-pressure cylinders are active, one displacement ratio is achieved; when some are stopped, a different displacement ratio is achieved. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal energy efficiency across varying load conditions rather than having a single peak efficiency point
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 configuration achieves a small variation in energy efficiency, meets energy efficiency requirements for both refrigeration and heating, improves economic performance, and expands the operating temperature range, ensuring reliable operation even at low temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid valve structure disposed on the pipeline structure
Implementation Method 2
a compressor, wherein the compressor comprises a low pressure cylinder and a high pressure cylinder in series connection
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a variable-capacity compressor, a variable-capacity two-stage compression system and a control method thereof. The compression system includes a compressor, wherein the compressor includes a low pressure cylinder and a high pressure cylinder connected in series, wherein the low pressure cylinder includes at least two cylinders connected in parallel. The compression system further includes a control mechanism that can control at least one of the at least two cylinders connected in parallel to perform full-load and/or no-load operation.