Water-Based Refrigerator Design for Simplified Compressor Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators using CFC gases as refrigerants complicate compressor configurations and pose environmental risks due to global warming concerns, and require complex oil separation systems for lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that uses water as both refrigerant and lubricant, with a cooling-water line and lubricating-water supply line to ensure compressor lubrication and employ a backup system for continuous operation, eliminating the need for oil separators and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CFC gases are used as refrigerant and oil is used as lubricant, then the compressor can be lubricated, but the configuration becomes complex due to oil separator and disposal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the refrigerant and lubricant functions into a single substance (water-based solution). Water serves both as the refrigerant circulating through the system and as the lubricant for the compressor, eliminating the need for separate oil circulation and separation systems. This consolidation directly reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable compressor lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-based fluid performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the refrigerant for heat transfer, as the lubricant for compressor bearings, and as a working fluid for the heat pump cycle. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate lubrication systems and oil separators, simplifying the overall system configuration.
2Reliability
If CFC gases are used as refrigerant, then refrigeration can be achieved, but environmental harm occurs due to global warming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the refrigerant from CFC gases (high GWP, environmentally harmful) to a water-based solution (zero GWP, environmentally benign). This parameter change maintains the refrigeration function while completely eliminating the environmental harm associated with CFC gas disposal and leakage.
3Reliability
If oil separator is added to separate refrigerant gas and lubricating oil, then lubrication can be maintained, but the compressor configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the oil separator component from the system by eliminating the need for separate lubricant circulation. Since water serves as both refrigerant and lubricant, there is no need to separate these functions, and the oil separator is completely removed from the configuration, simplifying the compressor design.
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 simplifies the refrigerator configuration, ensures reliable compressor lubrication, and reduces environmental harm by using water as a refrigerant and lubricant, which can be easily disposed of without complex separation processes.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling-water line including a cooling-water pump to thereby send water for cooling a refrigerant in the condenser
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator for evaporating a liquid refrigerant condensed by the condenser
Implementation Method 3
a compressor for compressing water vapor as a refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
a condenser for condensing a refrigerant compressed by the compressor
Implementation Method 5
a lubricating-water supply line connecting a part downstream from the cooling-water pump on the cooling-water line and the compressor and for supplying water flowing through the cooling-water line as a lubricant to the compressor
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator is capable of maintaining a lubricant supply to a compressor and is environment-friendly and simply configured. The refrigerator includes: a cooling-water line 14 having a cooling-water pump 18 to thereby send water for cooling a refrigerant inside of a condenser 6; a lubricating-water supply line 32 connecting the part downstream from the cooling-water pump 18 on the cooling-water line 14 and a compressor 4 and supplying water flowing through the cooling-water line 14 as a lubricant to the compressor 4; and a backup means 60 supplying water to the lubricating-water supply line 32 instead of supplying water from the cooling-water line 14 when the cooling-water pump 18 is not driven.