Active refrigerant charge compensation for refrigeration and air conditioning systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vapor compression refrigeration and air conditioning systems operate with a fixed refrigerant charge, which is suboptimal under varying operating modes and ambient conditions, leading to inefficiencies and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A variable refrigerant charge system that includes a main refrigerant loop, a branch loop with a control valve and receiver, and a capillary tube return path, allowing the refrigerant charge to be adjusted based on operating and environmental conditions through a level sensor and controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed refrigerant charge is used in the system, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system performance and efficiency deteriorate under varying operating modes and ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed refrigerant charge system into a variable refrigerant charge system. A control valve is introduced to dynamically adjust the refrigerant charge quantity based on operating conditions such as ambient temperature and system load. This allows the system to adapt refrigerant charge in real-time, optimizing performance across different operating modes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Power
If the refrigerant charge is increased to improve cooling capacity, then the cooling performance improves, but the system efficiency and energy consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by enabling dynamic adjustment of the refrigerant charge quantity as a variable parameter. The control valve modulates the refrigerant flow to maintain optimal charge levels based on real-time operating conditions. This prevents both overcharging (which reduces efficiency) and undercharging (which reduces cooling capacity), thereby optimizing the balance between cooling performance and energy efficiency across different operating scenarios.
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
Enables improved performance and efficiency by dynamically adjusting the refrigerant charge between maximum and minimum levels, optimizing system operation across different modes and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
refrigerant in the receiver is allowed to flow back into the main loop when the valve is closed through a return path, such as a capillary tube, from the receiver back to the main loop
Data Source
AI summary
A variable refrigerant charge refrigeration/air conditioner system is described that allows the refrigerant charge for the system to be altered based on operating or environmental factors. The system includes a main refrigerant loop holding a volume of refrigerant corresponding to a first level of refrigerant charge, a compressor in the main refrigerant loop, a condenser in the main refrigerant loop, and an evaporator in the main refrigerant loop. A branch refrigerant loop allows the alteration of the refrigerant charge using a control valve in the branch refrigerant loop and a receiver in the branch refrigerant loop. The receiver acts to hold a volume of refrigerant when the control valve is open, thereby removing the volume of refrigerant from the main refrigerant loop. A return path from the receiver to the main refrigerant loop allows refrigerant to flow back into the main loop from the receiver.