OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for enhancing condensation of a cooler and, more specifically, to an apparatus for enhancing condensation of a cooler capable of enhancing condensation of a refrigerant by being installed near a condenser to discharge a 5 refrigerant in a gas-liquid mixed state through injection holes after the refrigerant is bumped into a wall.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
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In general, a refrigeration cycle is a well-known device and, as it is known, is a device that exchanges heat by repeating four strokes of vaporization, compression, condensation, and expansion to make a refrigerant to flow. The refrigerant flows while repeatedly changing between a gaseous state and a liquid state in every stroke. However, actually, the entire refrigerant is completely not put in the gaseous state or the liquid state, and may exist in a 15 gas-liquid mixed state. When the refrigeration cycle is reversely operated, the refrigeration cycle becomes a heat pump, and the principle thereof is the same as the above-mentioned.
An effort for increasing heat efficiency in the refrigeration cycle has been continuously proceeded and is currently proceeding. For example, a heat-exchanger with a 20 simple shaped refrigerant tube is developed to a heat-exchanger that maximizes a contact area with external air by installing a plurality of fins to an outer surface of the refrigerant tube, and thus, the efficiency of the heat-exchanger has been increased. It is understood that the effort for increasing heat efficiency almost reaches the limit.
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In particular, since the refrigerant should be selected from few kinds of refrigerants according to an eco-friendly demand rather than using high heat efficiency, now more than ever, a means for increasing heat efficiency has reached the limit. R12 and R502, harmful to an ozone layer, of the refrigerants are completely prohibited, and R22, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), and the like have become a target of regulation. 30
Therefore, a refrigerant that is less injurious to ozone, a refrigerant that is less greenhouse effective, and a refrigerant that is made of a substance exiting in the natural world
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are required from an environmental aspect. Of course, since these refrigerants are required in view of environment protection rather than an increase in heat efficiency, when an eco-friendly refrigerant is applied to a conventional refrigerant cycle without remodeling units, such as a compressor, not only low performance of the refrigerant cycle may be shown, but also the refrigerant cycle may be stopped due to an overload of the compressor. 5
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to provide an apparatus for enhancing condensation of a cooler installed near a condenser and 10 configured to enhance condensation while a refrigerant in a gas-liquid mixed state is discharged through injection holes after a pressure of the refrigerant is increased at a dead end.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for enhancing 15 condensation of a cooler may include a first tube in which a refrigerant flows; a second tube having one end connected to a tip end of the first tube and having an enlarged diameter; and a condensation enhancement tube which has one end connected to the tip end of the first tube to be extended along an inner part of the second tube, has the other end closed, and has a plurality of injection holes so that the refrigerant flowing into the condensation enhancement 20 tube is discharged to the second tube.
The closed end of the condensation enhancement tube may include a plurality of injection holes.
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The closed end of the condensation enhancement tube may include a pressure control value unit installed therein to be opened when an inner pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure.
The pressure control value unit may include a stopper inserted into a pressure hole 30 formed at the closed end; and a spring providing an elastic force to push the stopper toward an inner side of the closed end.
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The first tube may be extended to form the condensation enhancement tube, and an outer surface of the condensation enhancement tube may be covered with the second tube.
The second tube may further include an additionally-installed condenser installed at a tip end thereof. 5
According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for enhancing condensation of a cooler may include a first tube in which a refrigerant flows; and a condensation enhancement tube which is installed in the first tube in a double tube form so that the refrigerant of the first tube entirely flows thereinto, has a tip end closed, and has a 10 plurality of injection holes so that the refrigerant is discharged to the first tube.
According to the present invention as described above, advantages of the present invention are as follows:
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(1) The apparatus for enhancing condensation of the cooler according to the present invention can increase overall efficiency of a refrigeration cycle since condensation of the refrigerant is enhanced by the condensation enhancement tube.
(2) The apparatus for enhancing condensation of the cooler according to the present 20 invention can extend a service life of the entire device since the refrigerant is easily condensed and less load is applied on components, including a compressor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram describing a refrigeration cycle applied with an 30 apparatus for enhancing condensation of a cooler according to the present invention;
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FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of the apparatus for enhancing condensation of the cooler according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an illustrated diagram describing an operation theory of the apparatus for enhancing condensation of the cooler according to the present invention; 5
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of the apparatus for enhancing condensation of the cooler according to the present;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a third embodiment of the apparatus for 10 enhancing condensation of the cooler according to the present;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the apparatus for enhancing condensation of the cooler according to the present; and
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FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the apparatus for enhancing condensation of the cooler according to the present.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
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Purposes, features, and specific advantages of the above-described present invention will be clear from the following detailed descriptions. Hereafter, exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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An apparatus 10 for enhancing condensation of a cooler according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a first tube 11 in which a refrigerant flows; a second tube 11a having one end connected to a tip end of the first tube 11 and having an enlarged diameter; and a condensation enhancement tube 12 which has one end connected to the tip end of the first tube 11 to be extended along an inner part of the 30 second tube 11a, has the other end closed, and has a plurality of injection holes 12a so that the refrigerant flowing into the condensation enhancement tube 12 is discharged to the second tube 11a.
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The first tube 11 is a tube successively connected with the second tube 11a, and the condensation enhancement tube 12 is installed in the first tube 11. The condensation enhancement tube 12 has a closed end at a tip end thereof to form a closed end 12b. Therefore, the refrigerant of the first tube 11 flows into the condensation enhancement tube 12 and is bumped into the closed end 12b, and is discharged out of the condensation enhancement tube 5 12 through the injection holes 12a. Of course, the refrigerant discharged through the injection holes 12a is discharged to the second tube 11a.
The apparatus 10 for enhancing condensation, as shown in FIG. 1, is generally installed at an inlet or an outlet of a condenser 1. The apparatus 10 for enhancing 10 condensation is installed at the inlet or the outlet of the condenser 1 to enhance condensation, but the installation of the apparatus 10 for enhancing condensation is not limited to the position. As necessary, the apparatus 10 for enhancing condensation may be installed at other positions, and particularly, may be installed at various positions.
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Referring to FIG. 1, a basic cycle of cooling is shown. The cycle thereof is as follows. Firstly, a low temperature and pressure condensed refrigerant absorbs heat H from the outside to an evaporator 3 and comes out of the evaporator 3. In this case, the refrigerant is changed into an overheated low temperature and pressure refrigerant S1. The refrigerant is changed into a high temperature and pressure gas S2 by passing through a compressor 4. 20
The high-temperature and pressure gas discharges, from the condenser 1 to the outside, heat H, corresponding to the total of refrigeration heat of the evaporator 3 and heat corresponding to compression energy of the compressor 4, to become a room temperature and high pressure liquid refrigerant S3. The refrigerant is converted into a low temperature and 25 pressure gaseous refrigerant S4 by an expansion valve 2. The circulation of the refrigerant enables cooling to proceed.
Particularly, flows and states of the refrigerants in front of and behind the condenser 1 will be described in detail. The refrigerant flowing from the compressor 4 to the condenser 30 1 is in a high temperature and pressure refrigerant gas S2 state. The high temperature and pressure refrigerant gas is frozen outside a duct by external air or a coolant to be condensed and changed into liquid. However, when the total heat of the refrigeration heat of the
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evaporator 3 and the compression heat of the compressor 4 is not completely discharged to the outside, the refrigerant becomes a gas-liquid mixed state rather than a liquid state around an inner wall of the duct of the condenser 1. When the mixed-state refrigerant flows in the duct, a liquid refrigerant flows along the center of the duct, and a gaseous refrigerant flows along an ambient part of the duct. When the mixed-state refrigerant that is not sufficiently 5 condensed is circulated in a cycle, the refrigerant cannot correspond to the capacity of the compressor 4. Particularly, when the refrigerant is replaced with an eco-friendly refrigerant, the problem becomes more serious, accordingly, the performance of the refrigerant is completely degraded. Because of this, the condensation of the refrigerant to liquid becomes very important. 10
The present invention enables the refrigerant to be almost liquid by enhancing the condensation of the refrigerant. The principle thereof is shown in FIG. 3.
Referring to FIG. 3, it is shown that the refrigerant is spouted through the injection 15 holes 12a formed in the condensation enhancement tube 12 which is a part of components of the present invention. The refrigerant passing through the injection holes 12a may be divided into three parts. The part of the refrigerant immediately after the refrigerant is spout from the injection holes is a sleek straight refrigerant A, the next part thereof is scattered spray E, and the last part thereof is independent remaining particles C. 20
Referring to FIG. 2, when the apparatus 10 for enhancing condensation is installed at an outlet of the condenser 1, the refrigerant that comes out of the condenser 1 and is not completely liquefied moves to the inside of the completely closed condensation enhancement tube 12 through the first tube 11. In this case, the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant 25 are mixed by hitting a wall of the closed end 12b, and a condensation pressure is increased.
In this state, the mixed refrigerant is bumped into an inner wall of the second tube 11a while escaping through the injection holes 12a, which are micro-holes, at a near-sonic speed, so flashing is maximized, wherein the flashing is a phenomenon in that, when a fluid 30 flows from a high pressure place to a low pressure place, a vacuum is generated around the fluid at a lower pressure and, at this time, evaporative latent heat is quickly generated. In this
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case, particularly, the refrigerant liquid and gas are completely separated due to a specific gravity difference.
The actions enhance condensation to maximize cooling efficiency. Even when the refrigerant is replaced with an eco-friendly refrigerant, the condensation performance is 5 maintained at a certain level, and thus even the conventional compressor 4 may be continued to be used without replacement.
Meanwhile, the apparatus for enhancing condensation according to the second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated, the apparatus and 10 the configuration thereof are the same as the apparatus and the configuration thereof shown in the first embodiment of the present invention, but there is a difference in that injection holes 12c are formed at the closed end 12b. The injection holes 12c formed at the closed end 12b prevent a pressure from being excessively increased and also enhance condensation.
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Meanwhile, the apparatus for enhancing condensation according to the third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. As illustrated, since a pressure control value unit is installed at the closed end 12b of the condensation enhancement tube 12, the pressure control value unit is opened when an inner pressure is increased above a predetermined pressure. 20
In this case, the pressure control value unit includes a stopper 15 inserted into a pressure hole 12d formed in the closed end 12b, and a spring 14 providing an elastic force to push the stopper 15 toward an inner side of the closed end 12b. The condensation enhancement tube 12 is extended by a predetermined distance from the closed end 12b, and 25 a projection 13a is formed at a tip end of an extension tube 13 so that the spring 14 is caught. The spring 14 is installed between the projection 13a and the stopper 15.
The pressure hole 12d and the stopper 15 have tapered cross-sections. In this state, when an inner pressure of the condensation enhancement tube 12 is increased for any reason, 30 the stopper 15 is moved by the pressure, while overcoming the elastic force of the spring 14, to partially open the pressure hole 12d, thereby preventing the pressure from being excessively increased and guaranteeing safety.
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Meanwhile, the apparatus for enhancing condensation according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. As illustrated, a first tube 111 is extended to form the condensation enhancement tube 111 and, a second tube 112 is configured to cover an outer surface of the condensation enhancement tube 111. Of course, injection holes 111a and a closed end 111b are formed in the condensation enhancement tube 5 111.
Meanwhile, the apparatus for enhancing condensation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated, the apparatus for enhancing condensation includes a first tube 211 in which a refrigerant flows; and a 10 condensation enhancement tube 212 installed in the first tube 211 in a double tube form so that the refrigerant of the first tube 211 entirely flows thereinto, having a closed end 212b at a tip end thereof, and having a plurality of injection holes 212a so that the refrigerant is discharged to the first tube 211. According to the configuration, the apparatus for enhancing condensation is operated in the same way as other embodiments. However, as described in 15 the above embodiments, it may be advantageous, in view of efficiency, that the refrigerant is discharged to the tube with an enlarged diameter through the injection holes.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, it is shown that the apparatus 10 for enhancing condensation according to the present invention has an additionally-installed condenser 50 20 connected with and installed at the tip end thereof. The installation of the additionally-installed condenser 50 further enhances condensation, and thus stronger cooling may be performed.
The additionally-installed condenser 50, as shown in FIG. 8, is an additionally 25 installed condenser configured to perform condensation when the refrigerant flows by including a plurality of branched tubes 53 installed between opposite reservoirs 51 and 52.
The present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiments and attached drawings, but it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, 30 modifications, and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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WE CLAIM:
1) An apparatus for enhancing condensation of a cooler, comprising:
a first tube in which a refrigerant flows;
a second tube having one end connected to a tip end of the first tube and having an enlarged diameter; and 5
a condensation enhancement tube which has one end connected to the tip end of the first tube to be extended along an inner part of the second tube, has the other end closed, and has a plurality of injection holes so that the refrigerant flowing into the condensation enhancement tube is discharged to the second tube.
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2) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the closed end of the condensation enhancement tube includes a plurality of injection holes.
3) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the closed end of the condensation enhancement tube includes a pressure control value unit installed therein to be opened when an 15 inner pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure.
4) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pressure control value unit comprises a stopper inserted into a pressure hole formed at the closed end, and a spring providing an elastic force to push the stopper toward an inner side of the closed 20 end.
5) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first tube is extended to form the condensation enhancement tube, and an outer surface of the condensation enhancement tube is covered with the second tube. 25
6) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second tube further comprises an additionally-installed condenser installed at a tip end thereof.
7) An apparatus for enhancing condensation of a cooler, comprising: 30
a first tube in which a refrigerant flows; and
a condensation enhancement tube which is installed in the first tube in a double tube form so that the refrigerant of the first tube entirely flows thereinto, has a tip end
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closed, and has a plurality of injection holes so that the refrigerant is discharged to the first tube.