Variable Water Flow Valve Control for Heat Pump Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners lack the ability to efficiently control the opening degree of variable flow valves based on installation environment and power consumption, and are not adaptable to different types of variable flow valves, affecting performance and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner with a water-refrigerant heat exchanger, a pump, a variable flow valve, and a variable flow valve controller that manipulates the minimum flow rate of heat source water and sets control lower limits using dip switches, allowing for adaptive control of the variable flow valve's opening degree based on pressure changes and operation mode, enabling efficient regulation of power consumption and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the opening degree of the variable flow valve is fixed, then the control system is simple, but the adaptability to different installation environments and operation modes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the valve opening degree adjustable rather than fixed. The variable flow valve can dynamically change its opening degree based on different operation modes (cooling/heating) and installation environments (ground/roof), transforming a static system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of valve opening degree based on different operating conditions. The controller adjusts the opening degree parameter according to the operation mode and installation environment, allowing the system to optimize performance for each specific condition rather than using a single fixed parameter.
2Productivity
If the opening degree of the variable flow valve is increased, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the valve opening degree based on real-time operation mode and installation environment. During cooling operations with ground installation, a larger opening degree is used to maximize heat exchange efficiency, while during heating operations with roof installation, a smaller opening degree is used to reduce power consumption, optimizing the balance between productivity and energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening degree parameter is changed according to different operation modes and installation environments. The controller selects appropriate parameter values (larger opening for cooling/ground installation, smaller opening for heating/roof installation) to achieve optimal heat exchange efficiency while controlling power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed control value is used for the variable flow valve, then the control method is simple, but it cannot adapt to different types of variable flow valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter (opening degree) based on the detected valve type. When a first type of variable flow valve is detected, one control value range is applied; when a second type is detected, a different control value range is applied. This allows the system to adapt to different valve types while maintaining a relatively simple control methodology.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the valve type detection to automatically adjust the control strategy. The controller detects which type of variable flow valve is installed and accordingly selects the appropriate control value range, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to the specific hardware configuration without requiring complex manual setup.
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 solution allows users to minimize power consumption in favorable conditions and enhance cooling or heating performance in unfavorable conditions, while ensuring the variable flow valve is controlled appropriately regardless of its type, providing selective power regulation and improved efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a water-refrigerant heat exchanger for heat exchange between heat source water and a refrigerant, which is installed between a compressor and an expansion device to allow the refrigerant to be condensed or evaporated with water
Implementation Method 2
to allow the refrigerant to be condensed or evaporated with water
Implementation Method 3
to allow the refrigerant to be condensed or evaporated with water
Implementation Method 4
A pump for pumping the heat source water to the water-refrigerant heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
a variable flow valve for regulating the flow rate of the heat source water coming in and out of the plate-type heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An air conditioner comprising: a heat pump (2) having a water-refrigerant heat exchanger (1) to condense or evaporate refrigerant by heat exchange with heat source water; a heat source water flow path (5) connected to the water-refrigerant heat exchanger (1); a pump (6) installed on the heat source water flow path (5); a variable flow valve (8) installed on the heat source water flow path (5) and capable of regulating opening degree thereof; and a variable flow valve controller (10) that outputs control value for controlling the opening degree of the variable flow valve (8), wherein the variable flow valve controller (10) is configured to: sense a type of the variable flow valve (8) based on a refrigerant pressure change in the heat pump (2) depending on a change in the control value; and, based on the sensed type, control the variable flow valve (8) in a control mode corresponding thereto.