Vertical Receiver with Movable Cap for Heat Pump Charge Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pump air conditioning systems face a charge imbalance between heating and cooling modes, leading to performance drops and system shutdowns, exacerbated by the use of microchannel heat exchanger coils, as existing charge management strategies are insufficient to store excess refrigerant during heating mode operation.
Innovation Solution
The proposed HVAC system incorporates a vapor compression cycle with a receiver positioned between the heat exchanger and expansion device, featuring a movable receiver cap that adjusts internal volume and angled conduits to manage refrigerant flow effectively between modes, allowing for efficient refrigerant storage and removal during heating and cooling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-volume receiver is used for refrigerant storage, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate charge imbalance between heating and cooling modes
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver incorporates a movable cap that can shift position along the receiver body, allowing the internal storage volume to dynamically adjust between a first volume for heating mode and a second volume for cooling mode. This dynamic volume adjustment enables the same receiver structure to accommodate charge imbalances in both heating and cooling modes without requiring separate receivers for each mode.
2Quantity of substance
If existing charge management strategies are used, then the system design is straightforward, but they are insufficient to store excess refrigerant during heating mode
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cap is nested within the receiver body, creating a compact charge management system where the cap's movement along the receiver body internally adjusts the storage volume without requiring external expansion or additional components. This nested design increases refrigerant storage capacity while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
3Productivity
If the receiver is positioned horizontally, then installation is simple, but refrigerant flow management during mode transitions is less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is oriented vertically rather than horizontally, utilizing the vertical dimension to improve refrigerant flow management. The movable cap moves along the vertical receiver body, and refrigerant flows vertically through the receiver, which enhances flow efficiency during mode transitions compared to horizontal positioning.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a larger fixed receiver is used to accommodate maximum charge, then refrigerant storage capacity is sufficient, but the system cannot optimize for both heating and cooling modes
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver volume is made dynamic through the movable cap, which adjusts the active storage volume based on operational mode. During heating mode, the cap positions the receiver to provide a first volume optimized for heating charge requirements; during cooling mode, the cap shifts to provide a second volume optimized for cooling charge requirements. This eliminates the need for an oversized fixed receiver that would be required to accommodate the maximum of either mode.
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a vapor compression cycle comprising a heat exchanger and an expansion device arranged in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. A fluid is configured to circulate within the vapor compression cycle in a first direction during a first mode and is configured to circulate within vapor compression cycle in a second, opposite direction during a second mode. A receiver is fluidly coupled to the vapor compression cycle at a connection point. The connection point is positioned between the heat exchanger an the expansion device and the receiver is positioned vertically above the connection point.