The present invention relates to control of a refrigeration system, and particularly to a throttle control method for a refrigeration system.
As shown in
Among the throttle elements mentioned above, because throttle orifice plates 110 and 120 can be directly installed in a pipeline, the processing is quite convenient, the cost is moderate, and the performance is stable. Therefore, the throttle orifice plates are generally considered to be used preferentially in a class of prior art refrigeration systems. However, the throttle effect is non-adjustable, and thus the type of the throttle orifice plate has to be selected according to a set working condition. Once the type is selected, it means that the throttle extent of the refrigeration system is determined. In this case, if a working condition of low pressure height and high flow rate occurs in the refrigeration system, the throttle area of the selected throttle orifice plate is difficult to meet the demand. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the problem regarding the adjustability of the throttle area of the refrigeration system employing a throttle orifice plate while the cost, stability, and other performances are taken into accounted.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration system having a throttle flow path with non-adjustable throttle effect and an auxiliary flow path with adjustable throttle effect.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a throttle control method for a refrigeration system having a throttle flow path with non-adjustable throttle effect and an auxiliary flow path with adjustable throttle effect.
To achieve the above or other objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a refrigeration system is provided, including a compressor, a condenser, a throttle flow path, and an evaporator connected in sequence, where a non-adjustable main throttle element is disposed in the throttle flow path; further including a bypass flow path, wherein the bypass flow path is connected to the throttle flow path respectively at the upstream and downstream of the main throttle element, and provided with an adjustable auxiliary throttle element thereon; a liquid level sensor, disposed upstream and/or downstream of the throttle flow path, and configured to detect the liquid level; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the opening of the auxiliary throttle element according to a liquid level signal from the liquid level sensor.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a throttle control method for the refrigeration system described above is further provided, including S100: receiving a liquid level signal from a liquid level sensor; S200: comparing the liquid level signal with a preset value of the system, and outputting a control signal; and S300: controlling the opening of an auxiliary throttle element according to the control signal.
In this embodiment, the non-adjustable main throttle element is an orifice plate. More specifically, to improve the throttle effect, a first orifice plate 110 and a second orifice plate 120 are disposed in sequence from upstream to downstream in this embodiment. Optionally, it is found according to the experiment results that when an arrangement of double throttle orifice plates is employed, in order to achieve a better throttle effect, it should be taken in mind that the numerical value of the distance between the first orifice plate 110 and the second orifice plate 120 should be about three times and preferably three times of the numerical value of the tube diameter of the throttle flow path.
In this embodiment, the adjustable auxiliary throttle element is an electronic expansion valve 510, which is a typical adjustable throttle element and has a high work reliability.
Optionally, although in the embodiment of two-stage refrigeration system as shown in
Referring to
Moreover, in the refrigeration system of the above embodiment, the liquid level sensor is disposed in a liquid reservoir beneath the condenser 200, to detect the liquid level of a refrigerant present upstream of the throttle flow path 100, and the controller determines the opening of the auxiliary throttle element in the bypass flow path 500 according to the practical accumulation of the refrigerant. Particularly, in a control embodiment, when the accumulated liquid level is high, a large opening of the auxiliary throttle element is required; and when the accumulated liquid level is low, a small opening of the auxiliary throttle element is required. Even when the accumulated liquid level is much lower, the opening of the auxiliary throttle element is required to be decreased gradually. In a control embodiment, when the refrigerant is accumulated at a high liquid level for a long period of time, a large opening of the auxiliary throttle element is required; and when the refrigerant is accumulated at a high liquid level for a short period of time, a small opening of the auxiliary throttle element is required. Even when the refrigerant is accumulated at a low liquid level for a period of time, the opening of the auxiliary throttle element needed is required to be decreased gradually. All the modes of control are taken into account herein, and detailed description will be made hereinafter with reference to
Referring to
Particularly, the throttle flow path 100 is connected to an outlet of a liquid reservoir 210 beneath the condenser 200 at the upstream, and to an inlet of the economizer 400 at the downstream. Moreover, a liquid level sensor is disposed in the liquid reservoir 210, and configured to detect the level of a refrigerant accumulated in the liquid reservoir 210. When the level is below a threshold, it is suggested that the throttle area in the throttle flow path is sufficient to meet the current working condition, and thus the electronic expansion valve 510 in the auxiliary flow path 500 is kept closed. When the level is at a threshold, it is suggested that the throttle area in the throttle flow path is insufficient to meet the current working condition, but there is no need for immediate adjustment. Therefore, the current opening of the electronic expansion valve 510 in the auxiliary flow path 500 is maintained. If the situation is ameliorated, then the liquid accumulated in the liquid reservoir 210 returns to be in the above situation; and if the situation is exacerbated, then the electronic expansion valve 510 in the auxiliary flow path 500 needs to be opened to have some opening for amelioration.
More specifically, two liquid level sensors, that is, a first liquid level sensor 220 disposed at a first height of the liquid reservoir 210 and a second liquid level sensor 230 disposed at a second height of the liquid reservoir 210, are used in the refrigeration system. In this case, when the liquid level is below the second height indicated by the second liquid level sensor 230, it is suggested that the throttle area in the throttle flow path is sufficient to meet the current working condition. Therefore, the electronic expansion valve 510 in the auxiliary flow path 500 is kept closed, as shown in
Optionally, after experiments, the present invention provides an optional implementation of a specific position for disposing the liquid level sensor. For example, the first liquid level sensor 220 is disposed at ⅔ of the height of the liquid reservoir 210, and the second liquid level sensor 230 is disposed at ⅓ of the height of the liquid reservoir 210.
Based on the same mechanism, it can be known that the present solution may also be implemented by disposing the two liquid level sensors in a liquid reservoir of the economizer located downstream of the flow path. Apparently, when the liquid is largely accumulated at the upstream, few liquid will be accumulated at the downstream; and vice versa. Therefore, the present invention can also be accomplished through reverse manipulation of the control above according to the liquid level signal fed back.
More specifically, the two liquid level sensors includes a first liquid level sensor disposed at a first height of the liquid reservoir of the economizer and a second liquid level sensor disposed at a second height of the liquid reservoir. In this case, when the liquid level is below the second height indicated by the second liquid level sensor, it is suggested that the throttle area in the throttle flow path is insufficient to meet the current working condition. Therefore, the electronic expansion valve in the auxiliary flow path needs to be opened to have some opening for amelioration. When the liquid level is between the second height indicated by the second liquid level sensor and the first height indicated by the first liquid level sensor, it is suggested that the throttle area in the throttle flow path is insufficient to meet the current working condition, but there is no need for immediate adjustment. Therefore, the current opening of the electronic expansion valve in the auxiliary flow path is maintained. If the situation is ameliorated, then the liquid accumulated in the liquid reservoir will rise to a liquid level that is above the first height indicated by the first liquid level sensor. In this case, the electronic expansion valve in the auxiliary flow path is kept closed. If the situation is being exacerbated, then the operation proceeds back to the first step. The description here is made only for the mechanism of control of the refrigeration system based on the first liquid level sensor and the second liquid level sensor, and a specific control method will be described in detail hereinafter.
Optionally, after experiments, the present invention provides an optional implementation of a specific position for disposing the liquid level sensor. For example, the first liquid level sensor is disposed at ⅔ of the height of the liquid reservoir, and the second liquid level sensor is disposed at ⅓ of the height of the liquid reservoir.
The present invention further provides a throttle control method for the refrigeration system above, including essentially the steps of S100: receiving a liquid level signal from a liquid level sensor; S200: comparing the liquid level signal with a preset value of the system, and outputting a control signal; and S300: controlling the opening of an auxiliary throttle element according to the control signal.
Based on the above steps, the basic control for the opening of the adjustable auxiliary throttle element of the present invention can be realized. On basis of this, the present invention provides further improvements on the method, to achieve a better technical effect.
By way of example, the preset value of the system mentioned above may include a first liquid level and a second liquid level. When the liquid level sensor is arranged upstream of the throttle flow path, the step S300 is further improved by including S310: increasing the opening of the auxiliary throttle element when the liquid level is above the first liquid level; S320: maintaining the current opening of the auxiliary throttle element when the liquid level is between the first liquid level and the second liquid level; or S330: decreasing the opening of the auxiliary throttle element when the liquid level is below the second liquid level.
In this embodiment of the method, the adjustment process is refined. Only when the current liquid level is determined to be above the first liquid level, the controller considers that the refrigeration system is currently under a working condition that requires increasing the throttle area, and then increases the opening of the auxiliary throttle element; and only when the current liquid level is determined to be below the second liquid level, the controller considers that the refrigeration system is currently under a normal working condition, and then decreases the opening of the auxiliary throttle element. When the current liquid level is determined to be between the first liquid level and the second liquid level, the system is considered to be currently in a middle state, so the current opening is maintained to provide a buffering effect. This middle state is such that the liquid level continuously declines with the current opening, or the liquid level continuously rises with the current opening, depending on the specific working scenario.
In addition, the control in two extreme scenarios is also considered in this embodiment, to perfect and complete the present method. In a first scenario, S310 further includes: judging the state of opening of the auxiliary throttle element when the liquid level is above the first liquid level; increasing the opening of the auxiliary throttle element if the opening of the auxiliary throttle element is less than 100%; and maintaining the current opening of the auxiliary throttle element if the opening of the auxiliary throttle element equals to 100%. In a second scenario, S330 further includes: judging the state of opening of the auxiliary throttle element when the liquid level is below the second liquid level; decreasing the opening of the auxiliary throttle element if the opening of the auxiliary throttle element is greater than 0; and maintaining the current opening of the auxiliary throttle element if the opening of the auxiliary throttle element equals to 0. By means of the above steps, the issue of some unable-to-perform commands to the system is avoided when an intended effect cannot be achieved through the adjustment of the throttle area of the bypass flow path in the refrigeration system due to the occurrence of some extreme working conditions. In this manner, the throttle control method of the present invention is further perfected.
When the liquid level sensor is disposed downstream of the throttle flow path, the step S300 is further improved by including S310: decreasing the opening of the auxiliary throttle element when the liquid level is above the first liquid level; S320: maintaining the current opening of the auxiliary throttle element when the liquid level is between the first liquid level and the second liquid level; or S330: increasing the opening of the auxiliary throttle element when the liquid level is below the second liquid level.
In this embodiment of the method, the adjustment process is refined, and the mode of control is contrary to that employed when the liquid level sensor is arranged at the upstream. That is, only when the current liquid level is determined to be below the second liquid level, the controller considers that the refrigeration system is currently under a working condition that requires increasing the throttle area, and then increases the opening of the auxiliary throttle element; and only when the current liquid level is determined to be above the first liquid level, the controller considers that the refrigeration system is currently under a normal working condition, and then decreases the opening of the auxiliary throttle element. When the current liquid level is determined to be between the first liquid level and the second liquid level, the system is considered to be currently in a middle state, so the current opening is maintained to provide a buffering effect. This middle state is such that the liquid level continuously declines with the current opening, or the liquid level continuously rises with the current opening, depending on the specific working scenario.
In addition, the control in two extreme scenarios is also considered in this embodiment, to perfect and complete the present method. In a first scenario, S310 further includes: judging the state of opening of the auxiliary throttle element when the liquid level is above the first liquid level; decreasing the opening of the auxiliary throttle element if the opening of the auxiliary throttle element greater than 0; and maintaining the current opening of the auxiliary throttle element if the opening of the auxiliary throttle element equals to 0. In a second scenario, S330 further includes: judging the state of opening of the auxiliary throttle element when the liquid level is below the second liquid level; increasing the opening of the auxiliary throttle element if the opening of the auxiliary throttle element is less than 100%; and maintaining the current opening of the auxiliary throttle element if the opening of the auxiliary throttle element equals to 100%. By means of the above steps, the issue of some unable-to-perform commands to the system is avoided when an intended effect cannot be achieved through the adjustment of the throttle area of the bypass flow path in the refrigeration system due to the occurrence of some extreme working conditions. In this manner, the throttle control method of the present invention is further perfected.
For the purpose of simplifying the programming of the controller and increasing the stability of a closed control loop, every control for increasing the opening or decreasing the opening of the auxiliary throttle element may be by a fixed increment herein. For example, the opening of the auxiliary throttle element is increased by a first opening at each time; or the opening of the auxiliary throttle element is decreased by a second opening at each time. Likewise, after experiments, the present invention provides an optional implementation in which the first opening is 3%, and/or the second opening is 3%.
Optionally, the aforesaid method of the present invention may be further improved. That is, a step S400 of maintaining the step S300 for a first period of time is included after the step S300. This is because the operation and adjustment of the system is a continuous process, and the instant adjustment of the liquid accumulated in the liquid reservoir 210 of the system cannot be realized after adjusting the opening of the auxiliary throttle element. Therefore, the process is maintained for a first period of time, such that the effect of S300 can be further embodied. Similarly, after experiments, the present invention provides an optional implementation in which the first period of time is 5 s.
Hereinafter, a throttle control process of the present invention obtained by combining the advantages of the methods above where the liquid level sensor is arranged in the liquid reservoir 210 of the condenser 200 located upstream of the throttle flow path is described with reference to
When the refrigeration system operates normally, if the refrigerant accumulated in the liquid reservoir 210 is below the first liquid level sensor 220 and the second liquid level sensor 230 disposed in the liquid reservoir 210, both the first liquid level sensor 220 and the second liquid level sensor 230 transmit a “NO” signal to the controller. The controller compares the two “NO” signal with a preset value of the system, and determines that the liquid level of the refrigerant in the liquid reservoir 210 is below the second liquid level at this time, and thus assumes that the throttle area in the throttle flow path 100 is sufficient to meet the current working condition. In this case, the electronic expansion valve 510 in the auxiliary flow path 500 is detected. If the opening of the electronic expansion valve 510 is greater than 0, the opening of the auxiliary throttle element is decreased by 3%; and if the opening of the auxiliary throttle element 510 equals to 0, the electronic expansion valve 510 is maintained closed. The current control is maintained for 5 s. Then, the process proceeds to a next cycle of detection.
If the refrigerant accumulated in the liquid reservoir 210 is detected to be below the first liquid level sensor 220 disposed in the liquid reservoir 210, but above the second liquid level sensor 230 disposed in the liquid reservoir 210, the first liquid level sensor 220 and the second liquid level sensor 230 transmit a “NO” and a “YES” signal to the controller respectively. The controller compares the signals with a preset value of the system, and determines that the liquid level of the refrigerant in the liquid reservoir 210 is above the second liquid level and below the first liquid level at this time, and thus assumes that although the throttle area in the throttle flow path 100 is insufficient to meet the current working condition, there is no need for immediately increasing the throttle area, and a buffer period may be provided first. In this case, the current opening of the electronic expansion valve 510 is maintained. The current control is maintained for 5 s. Then, the process proceeds to a next cycle of detection.
If the refrigerant accumulated in the liquid reservoir 210 is detected to be above the first liquid level sensor 220 and the second liquid level sensor 230 disposed in the liquid reservoir 210, both the first liquid level sensor 220 and the second liquid level sensor 230 transmit a “YES” signal to the controller. The controller compares the two “YES” signal with a preset value of the system, and determines that the liquid level of the refrigerant in the liquid reservoir 210 is above the second liquid level at this time, and thus assumes that the throttle area in the throttle flow path 100 is insufficient to meet the current working condition. In this case, the electronic expansion valve 510 in the auxiliary flow path 500 is detected. If the opening of the electronic expansion valve 510 is less than 100%, the opening of the auxiliary throttle element 510 is increased by 3%; and if the opening of the auxiliary throttle element 510 equals to 100%, the auxiliary throttle element is maintained fully open. The current control is maintained for 5 s. Then, the process proceeds to a next cycle of detection.
In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the direction or position relationships indicated by “on”, “under”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, and the like are direction or position relationships based on the accompanying drawings, and are only used to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention, rather than to indicate or imply that the discussed apparatuses or features must be in specific directions and be built and operated in specific directions. Therefore, the direction or position relationships should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.
The refrigeration system and throttle control method therefor of the present invention are mainly described by using the foregoing examples. Although only some implementations of the present invention are described, it should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be implemented in many other forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the presented examples and implementations are regarded to be illustrative rather than limitative, and the present invention may cover various changes and replacements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
201510830326.1 | Nov 2015 | CN | national |
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/778,559, filed May 23, 2018, which is a 371 U.S. National Stage application of PCT/US2016/059895, filed Nov. 1, 2016, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201510830326.1, filed Nov. 25, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4062199 | Kasahara et al. | Dec 1977 | A |
5431026 | Jaster | Jul 1995 | A |
5435145 | Jaster | Jul 1995 | A |
5771700 | Cochran et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
6050098 | Meyer | Apr 2000 | A |
6266964 | Meyer | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6422310 | Egara | Jul 2002 | B2 |
6637226 | Watanabe | Oct 2003 | B2 |
7178362 | Collings | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7987681 | Cochran | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8136364 | Lifson | Mar 2012 | B2 |
8474276 | Nelson | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8516841 | Wittmann et al. | Aug 2013 | B2 |
8801893 | Brillhart | Aug 2014 | B2 |
8931288 | Qu | Jan 2015 | B2 |
9038404 | Judge | May 2015 | B2 |
20050086950 | Khatri | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050247071 | Nemit | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20060059926 | McCormick et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20070056282 | Iwaszkiewicz | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20090199656 | Kumar | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20090320506 | Lifson et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20100251750 | Lifson et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20110000234 | Nishimura et al. | Jan 2011 | A1 |
20130145783 | Hong et al. | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20140123698 | Zhang et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
20150007599 | Sugiyama | Jan 2015 | A1 |
20150168036 | Goel et al. | Jun 2015 | A1 |
20160146516 | Liu | May 2016 | A1 |
20160375745 | Duerr et al. | Dec 2016 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
202928232 | May 2013 | CN |
20398540 | Nov 2013 | CN |
103727695 | Apr 2014 | CN |
104345743 | Feb 2015 | CN |
104792072 | Jul 2015 | CN |
1207359 | May 2002 | EP |
2589899 | May 2013 | EP |
Entry |
---|
Chinese Office Action for application CN 201510830326.1, dated Jan. 2, 2020, 7 pages. |
Chinese Office Action for Application No. 201510830326.1; dated Dec. 9, 2020; 8 Pages. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion for application PCT/US2016/059895, dated Feb. 13, 2017, 13 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20220243967 A1 | Aug 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 15778559 | US | |
Child | 17718909 | US |