U.S. patent application number 12/757335 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-02 for liquid supercooling system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hyundai Motor Company. Invention is credited to Hyo-Chan BAE.
Application Number | 20110126580 12/757335 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43972485 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110126580 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BAE; Hyo-Chan |
June 2, 2011 |
LIQUID SUPERCOOLING SYSTEM
Abstract
A liquid supercooling system may include a suction pipe that has
a spiral groove around the outer circumference thereof and connects
an evaporator with a compressor, a liquid pipe that connects a
condenser with an expansion pipe, a heat exchange pipe in which the
suction pipe is inserted and of which one end is connected with the
liquid pipe such that heat can be exchanged between the suction
pipe and the liquid pipe, and a connection block, of which one side
is connected to the liquid pipe and of which the other side is
connected to the suction pipe and the heat exchange pipe.
Inventors: |
BAE; Hyo-Chan; (Soowon-shi,
KR) |
Assignee: |
Hyundai Motor Company
Seoul
KR
Kia Motors Corporation
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
43972485 |
Appl. No.: |
12/757335 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/498 ; 165/154;
165/181 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 7/106 20130101;
F25B 40/00 20130101; F28D 7/026 20130101; F28F 9/0253 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/498 ; 165/154;
165/181 |
International
Class: |
F25B 1/00 20060101
F25B001/00; F28D 7/10 20060101 F28D007/10; F28F 1/10 20060101
F28F001/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 30, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0116824 |
Claims
1. A liquid supercooling system comprising: a suction pipe that has
a spiral groove around the outer circumference thereof and connects
an evaporator with a compressor; a liquid pipe that connects a
condenser with an expansion pipe; a heat exchange pipe in which the
suction pipe is inserted and of which one end is connected with the
liquid pipe such that heat can be exchanged between the suction
pipe and the liquid pipe; and a connection block, of which one side
is connected to the liquid pipe and of which the other side is
connected to the suction pipe and the heat exchange pipe.
2. The liquid supper cooling system according to claim 1, wherein
the suction pipe and the heat exchange pipe are disposed in the
same line and the liquid pipe is coupled to the connection block in
parallel with the suction pipe
3. The liquid supper cooling system according to claim 1, wherein a
channel through which coolant flows from the liquid pipe and an
internal space connected to the channel are formed in advance in
the connection block, the suction pipe and the heat exchange pipe
being connected to the internal space.
4. The liquid supper cooling system according to claim 3, wherein
the channel in the connection block is formed to surround the
suction pipe and communicate with the spiral groove of the suction
groove.
5. The liquid supper cooling system according to claim 3, wherein
the suction pipe and the heat exchange pipe are disposed through
the internal space in the same line and the liquid pipe is coupled
to the channel in the connection block in parallel with the suction
pipe
6. The liquid supper cooling system according to claim 3, wherein
the channel is formed in a curve shape.
7. The liquid supper cooling system according to claim 3, wherein a
portion of the internal space has a relatively large diameter and
receives the heat exchange pipe therein, such that the coolant
flows inside the internal space while covering and rotating along
the spiral groove of the suction pipe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2009-0116824, filed on Nov. 30, 2009, the entire
contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a cooling system, in more
detail, a liquid supercooling system for improving efficiency of an
air condition system, NVH ("noise, vibration, and harshness")
performance, and a manufacturing process.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In general, a heater or an air conditioner operates in
vehicles to adjust the temperature therein.
[0006] Since the heater for increasing low temperature, such as in
winter, heats air by using the heat generated by an engine, it is
easy to use and consumes a small amount of fuel.
[0007] However, since the air conditioner for reducing temperature,
such as in summer, needs to transfer heat opposite to the natural
heat flow from the high-temperature outside of a vehicle to the
low-temperature inside of the vehicle, it needs a specific
structure and consumes a large amount of fuel.
[0008] The cooling system shown in FIG. 1A is used for the air
conditioner and uses heat of vaporization that is generated when
liquid evaporates, taking heat from the ambient air, such as a
freezer or a refrigerator. Further, it uses liquid that is easy to
evaporate even at low temperature as a coolant, and usually uses a
freon gas.
[0009] According to the basic structure of the cooling system, an
electric motor and a compressor are directly connected in a sealed
metal container, and as the electric motor rotates the compressor,
a coolant is compressed.
[0010] The compressed coolant passes through a condenser that is
formed by attaching aluminum pins to the surface of a copper pipe,
and the condenser cools the coolant to liquefy by emanating the
heat of the coolant into the air.
[0011] The high-temperature and high-pressure liquid coolant that
has passed through the condenser passes through an expansion valve,
in which the high-temperature and high-pressure liquid coolant
delivered from the condenser decreases in pressure and temperature
while passing through the expansion valve, which is a partially
open pipe or a capillary tube, without relating to work.
[0012] The coolant that has passed through the expansion valve
flows into an evaporator, which is usually formed of a thin copper
pipe, having substantially the same structure. The compressed
coolant takes the ambient heat while evaporating through the
evaporator. Therefore, the air contacting the surface of the
evaporator decreases in temperature and the moisture in the air
changes into droplets on the surface of the evaporator and is then
removed.
[0013] The supercooling system shown in FIG. 1B has been used to
increase efficiency of the general cooling system. The supercooling
system is used to increase the supercooled degree, using heat
exchange generated while a coolant flows through each device, in
which a suction pipe 1 through which a low-temperature and
low-pressure gas coolant flows from an evaporator to a compressor
and a liquid pipe 2 through which a high-temperature and
high-pressure liquid coolant flows from a condenser to an expansion
valve, are disposed close to a heat exchange pipe 3, such that heat
is exchanged between the low-temperature gas coolant and the
high-temperature liquid coolant.
[0014] Accordingly, it is possible to improve the performance and
efficiency (COP) of an air conditioner system, use a compressor
having small capacity by reducing the power consumed by the
compressor by about 14%, and improve the total fuel efficiency of a
vehicle by about 1% or more.
[0015] However, as shown in FIG. 2, since the liquid pipe 2 is
connected with the heat exchange pipe 3 in a T-shape, not only a
T-shape extraction process is required, but vibration and noise are
generated because the channel for the coolant passing through the
liquid pipe 2 rapidly changes.
[0016] Further, in the joint of the suction pipe 1, the liquid pipe
2, and the heat exchange pipe 3, there is a space opposite to the
flow direction of the coolant, such that backward flow and vortex
are generated, which causes pressure loss of the coolant,
vibration, and noise.
[0017] In addition, cost is higher in the manufacturing process of
the supercooling system because it is required to expand and reduce
the pipes to connect the liquid pipe 2 after machining the heat
exchange pipe 3, and pressure loss of the coolant and vortex are
generated by the shape of the coolant inlet.
[0018] The information disclosed in this Background of the
Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the
general background of the invention and should not be taken as an
acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information
forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the
art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to
provide a liquid supercooling system that improves system
performance by improving the connection structure between pipes and
preventing pressure loss of a coolant, improves NVH performance by
preventing vortex and backward flow of the coolant, and reduces the
manufacturing cost with improved efficiency by simplifying the
manufacturing process.
[0020] In an aspect of the present invention, the liquid
supercooling system may include a suction pipe that has a spiral
groove around the outer circumference thereof and connects an
evaporator with a compressor, a liquid pipe that connects a
condenser with an expansion pipe, a heat exchange pipe in which the
suction pipe is inserted and of which one end is connected with the
liquid pipe such that heat can be exchanged between the suction
pipe and the liquid pipe, and a connection block, of which one side
is connected to the liquid pipe and of which the other side is
connected to the suction pipe and the heat exchange pipe.
[0021] The suction pipe and the heat exchange pipe may be disposed
in the same line and the liquid pipe is coupled to the connection
block in parallel with the suction pipe
[0022] A channel through which coolant flows from the liquid pipe
and an internal space connected to the channel may be formed in
advance in the connection block, the suction pipe and the heat
exchange pipe being connected to the internal space.
[0023] The channel in the connection block may be formed to
surround the suction pipe and communicate with the spiral groove of
the suction groove.
[0024] The suction pipe and the heat exchange pipe may be disposed
through the internal space in the same line and the liquid pipe is
coupled to the channel in the connection block in parallel with the
suction pipe.
[0025] The channel may be formed in a curve shape.
[0026] A portion of the internal space may have a relatively large
diameter and receives the heat exchange pipe therein, such that the
coolant flows inside the internal space while covering and rotating
along the spiral groove of the suction pipe.
[0027] According to the present invention having the above
configuration, since a coolant flows through the smooth curved
channel, instead of T-shaped rapid curved channel, it is possible
to prevent backward flow and vortex of the coolant while minimizing
pressure loss when the coolant flows inside, such that it is
possible to improve efficiency of an air condition system and NVH
performance by reducing vibration and noise.
[0028] Further, since the pipes are connected by the connection
blocks formed in advance, it is possible to reduce manufacturing
cost of the pipes, reduce machining processes of the pipes and
manufacturing time, thereby reducing manufacturing cost of a
vehicle.
[0029] The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have
other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are
set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are
incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description of the
Invention, which together serve to explain certain principles of
the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1A is a schematic view showing a cooling system used in
the related art.
[0031] FIG. 1B is a schematic view showing a supercooling
system.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view and a partially enlarged
view of a supercooling system used in the related art.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view and a partially enlarged
view of An exemplary liquid supercooling system according to the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of
manufacturing a supercooling system used in the related art.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of
manufacturing an exemplary liquid supercooling system according to
the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a graph showing noise measured in a supercooling
system used in the related art.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a graph showing noise measured in an exemplary
liquid supercooling system according to the present invention.
[0038] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not
necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified
representation of various features illustrative of the basic
principles of the invention. The specific design features of the
present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example,
specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be
determined in part by the particular intended application and use
environment.
[0039] In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or
equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several
figures of the drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments
of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings and described below. While the
invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary
embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not
intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments.
On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only
the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives,
modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be
included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims.
[0041] The present invention is described hereafter in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view and a partial enlarged view
of a liquid supercooling system 100 according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] The liquid supercooling system 100 of the present invention
includes: a suction pipe 10 that has a spiral groove around the
outer circumference and connects an evaporator with a compressor; a
liquid pipe 20 that connects a condenser with an expansion pipe; a
heat exchange pipe 30 in which the suction pipe 10 is inserted and
of which one end is connected with the liquid pipe 20 such that
heat can be exchanged between the suction pipe 10 and the liquid
pipe 20; and a connection block 40 of which one side is connected
to the liquid pipe 20 and the other side is connected to the
suction pipe 10 and the heat exchange pipe 30.
[0044] The present invention is applied to a supercooling system
that allows for heat exchange between pipes that connect devices
and through which a coolant flows, on the basis of the existing
cooling systems that reduce the ambient temperature using a
coolant.
[0045] In particular, in connecting the suction pipe 10, the liquid
pipe 20, and the heat exchange pipe 30, the pipes are connected not
directly by welding, but by the connection block 40.
[0046] The connection block 40 preferably has a predetermined
thickness such that it can accommodate the pipes and can be made of
various metallic materials and plastic materials to keep a
predetermined rigidity. Further, it is more preferable that the
portions connected to the pipes are sealed to prevent the coolant
from leaking.
[0047] The connection block 40 may be formed in various shapes,
such as a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylinder, and a sphere, as
long as it can accommodates the pipes and disposed in a vehicle,
and a rectangular parallelepiped was exemplified in the present
invention.
[0048] The suction pipe 10 and the heat exchange pipe 30 pass
through the connection block 40 and the suction pipe 10 with the
spiral groove around the outer circumference is inserted in the
heat exchange pipe 30. In this structure, a predetermined gap is
defined between the spiral groove and the inner side of the heat
exchange pipe 30, such that the coolant can flow along the outer
side of the suction pipe 10 while spirally rotating. Therefore, as
the surface area for heat exchange increases, quicker heat exchange
is possible.
[0049] The liquid pipe 20 is connected to the spiral groove of the
suction pipe 10 in the connection block 40 such that the coolant
can flow through the space between the groove and the inner side of
the heat exchange pipe 30. The coolant passes through a channel 41
formed in the connection block 40 in order to flow from the liquid
pipe 20 to the heat exchange pipe 30 around the suction pipe 10,
and the channel 41 is formed a smooth curve shape in the present
invention.
[0050] That is, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the
suction pipe 10 and the heat exchange pipe 30 are disposed in the
same line and the liquid pipe 20 is inserted in the connection
block 40 in parallel with the suction pipe 10. Further, since the
channel 41 through which the coolant flows into the suction pipe 10
and the heat exchange pipe 30 is formed in a smooth curve shape, it
is possible to prevent that a coolant rapidly changes the flow
direction due to the T-shaped connection in the related art,
thereby minimizing pressure loss of the coolant flowing inside.
[0051] The liquid pipe 20 may be inserted in the connection block
40 in parallel with the suction pipe 10, as shown in FIG. 3, and it
may be inserted in a T-shape as in the related art. However, when
it is inserted in a T-shape, it is not directly connected to the
suction pipe 10, but the channel 41 in the connection block 40 is
formed to surround the suction pipe 10 to prevent rapid change of a
channel for the coolant.
[0052] It is preferable to form in advance in the connection block
40 the channel 41 through which the coolant flows from the liquid
pipe 20 and the internal space 42 where the suction pipe 10 and the
heat exchange pipe 30 are connected in order to make manufacturing
easy.
[0053] The suction pipe 10 and the heat exchange pipe 30 are
connected in the internal space 42, in which a portion of the
internal space 42 has a relatively large diameter in order for the
coolant from the liquid pipe 20 to flows into the groove with
smooth rotation, such that the coolant can flows inside while
covering the pipe 10, thereby minimizing the vortex.
[0054] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a process of manufacturing a
supercooling system used in the related art and FIG. 5 is a view
illustrating a process of manufacturing the liquid supercooling
system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0055] In order to manufacture the supercooling system of the
related art, a thread is formed on the outer surface of a suction
pipe 1, tube expansion/tube compression and T-shape extraction
processes are performed to connect a heat exchange pipe 3 with a
liquid pipe 2, and then the pipes are connected. In this case, it
is required to weld the suction pipe 1 and the heat exchange pipe 3
with a predetermined gap to connect and fix them and it is also
required to weld the liquid pipe 2 and the heat exchange pipe 3 to
fix the liquid pipe 2 to the heat exchange pipe 3, such that
manufacturing process is complicated.
[0056] However, according to the liquid superheating system 100 of
the present invention, since it only has to form the spiral groove
on the outer side of the suction pipe 10 and connect the pipes to
the connection block 40 after forming in advance the channel 41 and
the internal space 42 in the connection block 40, tube
expansion/tube compression and T-shape extraction processes are not
required, such that it is possible to reduce the manufacturing time
and cost, as compared with the manufacturing process of the related
art. It has an effect of reducing about 100 won per unit.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a graph showing noise measured in a supercooling
system used in the related art and FIG. 7 is a graph showing noise
measured in the liquid supercooling system 100 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] In the supercooling system of the related art, noise rapidly
increased in a range of about 5 to 7 kHz, which was result from the
vortex sound due to rapid channel change of a coolant when an air
conditioner was used.
[0059] However, in the liquid supercooling system 100 according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since a coolant
flows inside along the smooth curve and flows through the
connection block 40 while smoothly rotating, the backward flow and
vortex can be prevented, such that noise was significantly reduced
in the range of about 5 to 7 kHz. Therefore, it is possible to
improve NVH performance of a vehicle by improving the flow of a
coolant.
[0060] That is, friction occurs with various pipes and pressure
loss by the connection shape of pipes while a coolant flows through
the pipes, pressure loss of 48 kPa occurs in the supercooling
system of the related art, whereas pressure loss of 38 kPa occurs
in the supercooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention. Accordingly, about 10 kPa pressure loss is
reduced and performance of the air condition system is improved by
about 1%, such that it is possible to improve the total fuel
efficiency of a vehicle by about 0.5% even only by improving the
connection structure of pipes.
[0061] For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in
the appended claims, the terms "inner" and "outer" are used to
describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to
the positions of such features as displayed in the figures.
[0062] The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments
of the present invention have been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. They are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments
were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of
the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable
others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, as well as various
alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the
scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and
their equivalents.
* * * * *