KR-20260064579-A - APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MODULATING HEATING OR COOLING CAPACITY OF A CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE REFRIGERANTS

KR20260064579AKR 20260064579 AKR20260064579 AKR 20260064579AKR-20260064579-A

Abstract

A climate control system comprises: a working fluid comprising a mixture of a first refrigerant and a second refrigerant; an accumulator; a compressor receiving the working fluid from the accumulator; a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressor; a liquid-suction heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and upstream of the receiving portion; a first expansion valve disposed between the liquid-suction heat exchanger and the receiving portion; a second expansion valve disposed between the receiving portion and the second heat exchanger; and a control module, wherein the second heat exchanger receives the working fluid from the second expansion valve, at least partially vaporizes the working fluid, and outputs the at least partially vaporized working fluid to the liquid-suction heat exchanger, and the control module is configured to selectively adjust the opening degree of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve according to (a) decreasing the capacity and increasing the working fluid concentration and (b) increasing the capacity and decreasing the working fluid concentration.

Inventors

웰치 앤드류 엠.
플레이스 코리 엠.
알드리지 로니
모건 스튜어트 케이.

Assignees

코프랜드 엘피

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251027
Priority Date: 20241030

Claims (20)

A working fluid comprising a mixture of a first refrigerant and a second refrigerant; Accumulator; A compressor that receives the working fluid from the accumulator and compresses the working fluid; A first heat exchanger positioned downstream of the above compressor; A liquid-suction heat exchanger positioned downstream of the first heat exchanger and upstream of the receiving section; A first expansion valve disposed between the liquid-suction heat exchanger and the receiving portion; A second expansion valve disposed between the receiving section and the second heat exchanger; The second heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger receives the working fluid from the second expansion valve, at least partially vaporizes the working fluid, and outputs the at least partially vaporized working fluid to the liquid-suction heat exchanger; and, It includes a control module, The control module is configured to selectively adjust the opening degree of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve according to (a) decreasing the capacity and increasing the working fluid concentration and (b) increasing the capacity and decreasing the working fluid concentration. Climate control system.
In paragraph 1, It further includes a thermostat configured to measure the temperature of the space, The control module is configured to selectively adjust the opening degree of at least one of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve according to the temperature, according to (a) decreasing the capacity and increasing the working fluid concentration and (b) increasing the capacity and decreasing the working fluid concentration. Climate control system.
In paragraph 2, The above control module is configured to determine the difference between the above temperature and the set temperature, and The control module is configured to selectively adjust the opening degree of at least one of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve according to the temperature difference, according to (a) decreasing the capacity and increasing the working fluid concentration and (b) increasing the capacity and decreasing the working fluid concentration. Climate control system.
In paragraph 1, The control module is configured to determine the difference between the concentration of the second refrigerant and the target concentration determined according to the operating parameters of the climate control system, and The control module is configured to selectively adjust the opening degree of at least one of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve according to the difference, such that (a) the capacity is reduced and the working fluid concentration is increased, and (b) the capacity is increased and the working fluid concentration is reduced. Climate control system.
In paragraph 1, The control module is configured to control the first expansion valve by closing the second expansion valve and reducing the capacity by increasing the working fluid concentration of the second refrigerant circulating the climate control system. Climate control system.
In paragraph 1, The control module is configured to control the first expansion valve by opening the second expansion valve and increasing the capacity by reducing the working fluid concentration of the second refrigerant circulating the climate control system. Climate control system.
In paragraph 1, The control module is further configured to maintain capacity by adjusting the opening degree of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve according to maintaining the working fluid concentration. Climate control system.
In paragraph 1, The control module is configured to close the second expansion valve for at least one of (a) increasing subcooling and (b) reducing the vapor dryness escaping the condenser and adjusting the opening degree of the first expansion valve, Climate control system.
In paragraph 1, The control module is configured to close the second expansion valve and adjust the opening degree of the first expansion valve according to a predetermined target concentration of the working fluid. Climate control system.
In Paragraph 9, The control module is configured to control the first expansion valve by adjusting the characteristics of the signal applied to the first expansion valve. Climate control system.
A step in which a compressor receives a working fluid containing a mixture of a first refrigerant and a second refrigerant from an accumulator and compresses the working fluid; A step in which a first heat exchanger receives working fluid from the compressor; A step in which a liquid-suction heat exchanger receives the working fluid from the first heat exchanger and outputs the working fluid toward a receiving portion; A step in which a first expansion valve receives the working fluid from the liquid-suction heat exchanger and outputs the working fluid toward the receiving portion; A step in which a second heat exchanger receives the working fluid from the receiving portion and outputs the working fluid toward the second heat exchanger, wherein the second heat exchanger at least partially vaporizes the working fluid and outputs the at least partially vaporized working fluid to the liquid-suction heat exchanger; and, (a) reducing the capacity and increasing the working fluid concentration and (b) selectively adjusting the opening degree of at least one of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve according to increasing the capacity and decreasing the working fluid concentration; comprising Climate control methods.
In Paragraph 11, The thermostat measures the temperature of the space and, according to the temperature, further includes the step of adjusting the opening degree of at least one of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve according to (a) decreasing the capacity and increasing the working fluid concentration and (b) increasing the capacity and decreasing the working fluid concentration. Climate control methods.
In Paragraph 12, A step of determining the difference between the above temperature and the set temperature; and According to the above difference, the method further comprises the step of selectively adjusting the opening degree of at least one of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve according to (a) reducing the capacity and increasing the working fluid concentration and (b) increasing the capacity and reducing the working fluid concentration. Climate control methods.
In Paragraph 11, The method further comprises: a step of determining the difference between the concentration of the second refrigerant and the target concentration determined according to the operating parameters of the climate control system; and a step of selectively adjusting the opening degree of at least one of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve according to the difference, according to (a) decreasing the capacity and increasing the working fluid concentration and (b) increasing the capacity and decreasing the working fluid concentration. Climate control methods.
In Paragraph 11, The method further comprises the step of closing the second expansion valve and adjusting the first expansion valve by reducing the capacity by increasing the working fluid concentration of the second refrigerant circulating in the climate control system. Climate control methods.
In Paragraph 11, The method further comprises the step of controlling the first expansion valve by opening the second expansion valve and increasing the capacity by reducing the working fluid concentration of the second refrigerant circulating in the climate control system. Climate control methods.
In Paragraph 11, A step further comprising maintaining capacity by adjusting the opening degree of the first and second expansion valves according to maintaining the above working fluid concentration, Climate control methods.
In Paragraph 11, (a) increasing subcooling and (b) closing the second expansion valve for at least one of reducing the vapor dryness escaping the condenser and adjusting the opening degree of the first expansion valve, further comprising the step of closing the second expansion valve. Climate control methods.
In Paragraph 11, The method further comprises the step of closing the second expansion valve and adjusting the opening degree of the first expansion valve according to a predetermined target concentration of the working fluid. Climate control methods.
In Paragraph 19, The method further comprises the step of controlling the first expansion valve by adjusting the characteristics of the signal applied to the first expansion valve. Climate control methods.

Description

Apparatus and method for modulating heating or cooling capacity of a climate control system using multiple refrigerants The field of the present disclosure relates to a climate control system for use with a working fluid having a refrigerant mixture exhibiting high glide and a method for operating the same, and more specifically, to a climate control system having a liquid-suction heat exchanger, a heat exchanger, an accumulator and a receiving portion for controlling the refrigerant concentration. The background description provided in this specification is intended to provide an overall context for the present disclosure. Within the scope of the technical background section of the present invention, the work of the inventors named herein and the aspects of this specification that may not be recognized as prior art at the time of filing are not, expressly or impliedly, recognized as prior art for the present disclosure. A thermodynamic climate control system, such as a heat-pump system, refrigeration system, or air conditioning system, generally comprises a first heat exchanger located outdoors (e.g., a condenser that changes the phase of the refrigerant from gas/vapor to liquid), a second heat exchanger located indoors or within the environment to be cooled (e.g., an evaporator that changes the phase of the refrigerant from liquid to gas/vapor), a receiver operating to store liquid refrigerant between the first and second heat exchangers (e.g., a condenser and an evaporator), an accumulator operating to store liquid refrigerant upstream of the second heat exchanger (e.g., an evaporator), a liquid pump positioned between the first and second heat exchangers, expansion valves positioned between the first heat exchanger (e.g., a condenser) and the receiver, and between the receiver and the second heat exchanger (e.g., an evaporator), and positioned between the first and second heat exchangers. It includes a compressor that pressurizes gaseous/vaporous refrigerant. This type of system may be fixed in a place such as a building or house, or it may be mobile, such as inside a vehicle or as part of a vehicle. For example, vehicles include land vehicles (e.g., trucks, passenger cars, trains, etc.), water vehicles (e.g., boats, maritime containers), aerial vehicles (e.g., airplanes), and vehicles that operate on a combination of two or more terrains among land, water, and air. Due to environmental concerns, there is growing pressure to adopt refrigerants with a low Global Warming Potential (GWP). Conventional synthetic refrigerants are being re-evaluated in favor of natural refrigerants, which can offer more eco-friendly alternatives. This transition to natural refrigerants presents new challenges regarding device applicability, environmental acceptability, and safety. While natural refrigerants offer a promising solution for reducing environmental impact, these challenges must be carefully managed for their adoption. In some climate control applications, synthetic refrigerants can be replaced with natural refrigerants. Additionally, the flammability of refrigerants may increase in order to use refrigerants with a low global warming potential. Several refrigerants have been developed that are considered to have a low global warming potential, and according to the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) classification, they are A2 (relatively less flammable than A3 refrigerants), A2L (slightly flammable/less flammable and less toxic than A2 and A3 refrigerants), and A1 (no flame propagation/low toxicity level). Examples of A2 refrigerants include 1,1-difluoroethane (R-152A – as used herein, the refrigerant may be described interchangeably with the conventional nomenclature of "R" for refrigerants or specific chemical classification codes such as HFC-152A), which has a global warming potential of about 124, and examples of A2L refrigerants include difluoromethane (CH2F2 or R-32 – as used herein, the refrigerant may be described interchangeably with the conventional nomenclature of "R" for refrigerants or specific chemical classification codes such as HFC-32), which has a global warming potential of about 677, and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (HFO-1234yf or R-1234yf), trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (HFO-1234ze or R-1234ze), such as There are hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs). A1 refrigerants include carbon dioxide ( CO2 or R-744) with a low global warming potential, for example, 1,1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (cis and trans-HFO-1233zd(Z) or R-1233zd(Z) and HCFO-1233zd(E) or R-1233zd(E)), chlorodifluoromethane (R-22 or CHClF2), R-410A which is a nearly azeotropic mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32) and pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and other hydrocarbon refrigerants such as hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, and decane. The present disclosure will be more fully understood through the detailed description and accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of an ex