CLIAMS:1. An economiser (1) of an HVAC system (100) for a vehicle comprising;
a cylindrical tube member (2) having an entry opening (3) and an exit opening (4);
a tapered cylinder member (5) is placed at a predetermined location within the cylindrical tube member (2) wherein, the tapered cylinder member (5) has an inlet opening (6) and an outlet opening (7);
the inlet opening (6) of the tapered cylinder member (5) is configured in the vicinity of the entry opening (3) of the cylindrical tube member (2) for receiving a liquid vapour mixture from a condenser (8) of the vehicle;
the outlet opening (7) of the tapered cylinder member (5) is configured in the vicinity of the exit opening (4) of the cylindrical tube member (2) for dispensing a liquid mixture into an expansion device (9) of the vehicle;
plurality of baffle plates (10) are fixed at predetermined location onto an inner wall surface (11) of the tapered cylinder member (5); wherein the plurality of baffle plates (10) are fixed onto the inner wall surface (11) of the tapered cylinder member (5) at a predetermined angle from the horizontal plane (12).

2. The economiser (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the economiser (1) is placed in-between the condenser (8) and the expansion device (9).

3. The economiser (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle of fixing the baffle plates (10) onto the inner wall surface (11) of the tapered cylinder member (5) ranges from about 8º to about 15º from the horizontal plane (12).

4. The economiser (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the baffle plates (10) are having a radius of curvature (13) ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm.

5. The economiser (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the baffle plates (10) ranges from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm.

6. The economiser (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the baffle plates (10) are placed equidistant from each other having an equidistant value ranging from about 30 mm to about 80 mm.

7. The economiser (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein diameter of the inlet opening (6) of the taper cylinder member (2) ranges from about 35 mm to about 75 mm.

8. The economiser (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein diameter of the outlet opening (7) of the taper cylinder member (2) ranges from about 8 mm to about 20 mm.

9. The economiser (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the baffle plates (10) provided within the tapered cylinder member (5) aid in generating a turbulent flow motion and a swirling motion.

10. The economiser (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid vapour mixture enters the tapered cylinder member (5) from the entry opening (3) of the cylindrical tube member (2) creating swirling motion along the entire length of the tapered cylinder member (5).

11. The economiser (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid vapour mixture expands within the cylindrical tube member (2) due to swirling motion and turbulent flow motion separating only liquid from the liquid vapour mixture.

12. The method of assembling an economiser (1) comprising acts of;
providing an entry opening (3) and an exit opening (4) to a cylindrical tube member (2);
placing a tapered cylinder member (5) at a predetermined location within the cylindrical tube member (2);
providing an inlet opening (6) and an outlet opening (7) to the tapered cylinder member (5);
configuring the inlet opening (6) of the tapered cylinder member (5) near the entry opening (3) of the cylindrical tube member (2) for receiving a liquid vapour mixture from a condenser (8);
configuring the outlet opening (7) of the tapered cylinder member (5) near the exit opening (4) of the cylindrical tube member (2) for dispensing a liquid mixture into an expansion device (9);
fixing plurality of baffle plates (10) at predetermined location onto an inner wall surface (11) of the tapered cylinder member (5) wherein, the plurality of baffle plates (10) are fixed onto the inner wall surface (11) of the tapered cylinder member (5) at a predetermined angle from the horizontal plane (12).
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to an economiser used in a HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system. More particularly relates to a condenser economiser which improves the efficiency of the air conditioning system.
BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE
Conventionally in many of the automobiles, vapour compression refrigeration system is used in air conditioning the cabin of the vehicle. A typical vapour compression refrigeration system consists of a compressor which compresses low temperature vapour (gas) refrigerant to a suitable high temperature high pressure. The vapour compression uses a circulating liquid refrigerant as the medium which absorbs and removes heat from the space to be cooled and subsequently rejects that heat elsewhere. The condenser which facilitates heat exchange between this high temperature high pressure gas and another medium (water or air) converts the high pressure gas into liquid. Circulating refrigerant enters the compressor in the thermodynamic state known as a saturated vapour and is compressed to a higher pressure, resulting in a higher temperature. An expansion device in which high pressure liquid refrigerant will expand to a low pressure liquid and an evaporator for exchanging heat between medium to be cooled and this low pressure liquid refrigerant. This entire system is a closed loop system and all the parts are connected by suitable piping.
Due to the packaging constraints in a vehicle, condenser is not placed in the path of ram air. Also at times to improve the engine cooling performance, small capacity condensers are used. This affects the air conditioning cool down performance. Improper condensation of refrigerant coming out from the condenser will be a mixture of liquid and vapour, due to which the discharge pressures will rise and compressor will have to draw more energy from the engine to do more work. This will have an adverse impact on the vehicle fuel economy.
The efficiency of the system can drop if these parts are under capacity or heat exchange between medium to be cooled and also when the conversion of low pressure liquid refrigerant is not happening completely or properly. Condenser is one of the vital parts of the automobile air-conditioning system, which brings down the overall efficiency of the system due to inadequate heat exchange. Condenser requires a lot of ram air for adequate heat exchanging process to take place. Since the condenser cannot be placed at a place where the air is flowing in directly and due to the packaging constraints it is very difficult to obtain an efficient condenser. The condenser also consumes additional power from the engine and this leads to inefficiency of the engine.
Hence there is a need to develop an efficient and effective air conditioning system wherein the condenser is made efficient without drawing any additional power from the engine which causes more load on the engine and loss in fuel efficiency.
OBJECTIVES OF THE DISCLOSURE
One objective of the present disclosure is to optimize or improve efficiency of air conditioning system by reducing the power consumed by the compressor and ultimately improve the overall efficiency of the engine.
Another objective of the present disclosure is to convert high pressure gas in to liquid completely before it enters into the expansion valve.
Another objective of the present disclosure is to reduce the discharge pressure of the compressor and sub-cool the high pressure liquid refrigerant coming out from condenser.
Another objective of the present disclosure is to make sure that only liquid mixture enters the expansion valve from the economiser.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In an embodiment of the disclosure an economiser of an HVAC system for a vehicle is disclosed comprising; a cylindrical tube member having an entry opening and an exit opening; a tapered cylinder member is placed at a predetermined location within the cylindrical tube member wherein, the tapered cylinder member has an inlet opening and an outlet opening; the inlet opening of the tapered cylinder member is configured in the vicinity of the entry opening of the cylindrical tube member for receiving a liquid vapour mixture from a condenser of the vehicle; the outlet opening of the tapered cylinder member is configured in the vicinity of the exit opening of the cylindrical tube member for dispensing a liquid mixture into an expansion device of the vehicle; plurality of baffle plates are fixed at predetermined location onto an inner wall surface of the tapered cylinder member; wherein the plurality of baffle plates are fixed onto the inner wall surface of the tapered cylinder member at a predetermined angle from the horizontal plane.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the economiser is placed in-between the condenser and the expansion device.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the predetermined angle of fixing the baffle plates onto the inner wall surface of the tapered cylinder member ranges from about 8º to about 15º from the horizontal plane.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the baffle plates are having a radius of curvature ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the thickness of the baffle plates ranges from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the baffle plates are placed equidistant from each other having an equidistant value ranging from about 30 mm to about 80 mm.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, diameter of the inlet opening of the taper cylinder member ranges from about 35 mm to about 75 mm.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, diameter of the outlet opening of the taper cylinder member ranges from about 8 mm to about 20 mm.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the baffle plates provided within the tapered cylinder member aid in generating a turbulent flow motion and a swirling motion.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid vapour mixture enters the tapered cylinder member from the entry opening of the cylindrical tube member creating swirling motion along the entire length of the tapered cylinder member.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid vapour mixture expands within the cylindrical tube member due to swirling motion and turbulent flow motion separating only liquid from the liquid vapour mixture.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method of assembling an economiser comprising acts of; providing an entry opening and an exit opening to a cylindrical tube member; placing a tapered cylinder member at a predetermined location within the cylindrical tube member; providing an inlet opening and an outlet opening to the tapered cylinder member; configuring the inlet opening of the tapered cylinder member near the entry opening of the cylindrical tube member for receiving a liquid vapour mixture from a condenser; configuring the outlet opening of the tapered cylinder member near the exit opening of the cylindrical tube member for dispensing a liquid mixture into an expansion device; fixing plurality of baffle plates at predetermined location onto an inner wall surface of the tapered cylinder member wherein, the plurality of baffle plates are fixed onto the inner wall surface of the tapered cylinder member at a predetermined angle from the horizontal plane.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 illustrates cut section view of the economiser.
Figure 2 illustrates schematic view of the vapour compression refrigerant system circuit diagram.
Figure 3 illustrates perspective view of the economiser showing baffle plate arrangement.
Figure 4 illustrates magnified view of the baffle plate showing angle of placement and radius of curvature.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.

Figure 1 illustrates schematic view of the vapour compression refrigerant system circuit used in vehicles in instant disclosure. The circuit comprises a compressor (14) which is directly linked to the engine through mechanical linkages including but not limited to belt drives, drive shafts, from where it receives energy to drive the critical parts of the air-conditioning system. The compressor (14) is linked to the condenser (8) on one side and an evaporator (15) on the other side. The evaporator (15) pump out low pressure refrigerant into the compressor (14) and then this low pressure refrigerant is raised to high pressure high temperature refrigerant by the compressor (14). The pressure is raised so that the corresponding saturation temperature is higher than that of the cooling medium. This high pressure high temperature refrigerant vapour from the compressor (14) is passed onto the condenser (8) where the high pressure high temperature refrigerant vapour is condensed into a high temperature liquid. The refrigerant changes its state from refrigerant vapour to liquid state by means of condensation by the condenser (8). The condensed refrigerant will be a flash mixture (mixture of liquid and gas) instead of a complete liquid. The flash mixture enters the economiser (1) from the top at the entry opening (3) of the cylindrical tube member (2). Here the flash mixture undergoes swirling motion and the liquid is separated which enters the expansion device (9) through the exit opening (4) of the cylindrical tube member (2). The expansion device (9) receives the liquid refrigerant from the economiser (1) meters the amount of liquid refrigerant to be sent to the evaporator (15). This reduces the suction pressure load on the compressor (14) and hence adds to the efficiency of the engine.
Figure 2 illustrates cut section view of the economiser (1) used in the air-conditioning system of a vehicle. The economiser (1) has a cylindrical tube member (2) having an entry opening (3) at the top and an exit opening (4) at the bottom of the cylindrical tube member (2). The entry opening (3) and the exit opening (4) are placed on end plates (16) (best shown in figure 3). The entry and exit openings (3, 4) are having a diameter ranging from about 10 mm to about 30 mm. The entry and exit openings (3, 4) are having a neck portion leading into the cylindrical tube member (2). The neck portion (17) has a length ranging from about 10 mm to about 30 mm. A tapered cylindrical member (5) is placed within the cylindrical tube member (5) at a predetermined location. The tapered cylinder member (5) has an inlet opening (6) and an outlet opening (7) wherein the inlet opening has a larger diameter ranging from about 35 mm to about 75 mm and smaller diameter outlet opening ranging from about 8mm to about 20 mm. The inlet opening (6) receives the condensed flash mixture from the top of the economiser (1) and this flash mixture falls inside the tapered cylindrical member (5) due to gravity and passes over the series of baffle plates (10) fixed at predetermined locations within the inner wall surface (11) of the tapered cylindrical member (5). The baffle plates (10) are placed at an angle ranging from about 8º to about 15º and the radius of curvature of the baffle plates ranges from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. The baffle plates (10) aid in generating a swirling motion and a turbulent flow motion, as the flash mixture flows over these baffle plates (10) they generate a swirling motion which separates the liquid from the gas. At the end of this swirling motion the liquid refrigerant comes out at the end of the tapered cylindrical member (5). The liquid refrigerant exits the tapered cylindrical member (5) through the outlet opening (7) of the tapered cylindrical member (5). The flash mixture expands within the economiser (1) and the pressure will drop. The gases will slowly convert into liquid by the vortex swirl motion which aids in sub-cooling of the liquid refrigerant before it enters the expansion device (9). Since only liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator (15) through the expansion device (9), maximum amount of heat from cabin air is converted into vapour. The provision of providing a tapered cylindrical member (5) having a larger inlet diameter opening (6) at the vicinity of the entry opening (3) leads to expansion of the flash mixture. As the flash mixture gradually expands within the economiser (1) volume also increases and flash mixture with liquid and gas gradually separates.
Figure 3 illustrates perspective view of the economiser (1) showing baffle plate (10) arrangement. The baffle plates (10) are placed within the tapered cylindrical member (5) at predetermined locations on the inner wall surface (11). The baffle plates (10) are placed at a predetermined angle ranging from about 8º to about 15º with respect to the horizontal plane (12). The baffle plates (10) are also equidistantly placed with a distance ranging from about 10 mm to about 30 mm and the thickness of each baffle plate (10) ranges from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. The conical shape of the tapered cylindrical member (5) aids in expansion of the high temperature high pressure flash mixture which enters the economiser (1) from the top at the entry opening (3). As the flash mixture flows in a turbulent and swirling motion towards the exit opening (4) of the cylindrical tube member (2), liquid separates from the liquid-vapour mixture and the vapour slowly trickles down and condenses forming a liquid. Finally the entire flash mixture is completely converted into liquid mixture which is passed onto the metering expansion device (9). The entry of only liquid mixture into the expansion device (9) cuts down on additional load on the evaporator during cooling cycle. Also, the work load on the compressor (14) is greatly reduced leading to an efficient and effective cooling of the vehicle cabin. The economiser (1) placed within the conventional vapour compression refrigerant unit hugely increases the efficiency of the air-conditioning system which in turn increases the fuel economy of the vehicle.
Figure 4 illustrates magnified view of the baffle plate (10) showing angle of placement and radius of curvature (13). The placement of baffle plates (10) and angle of inclination of the baffle plates (10) within the tapered cylinder member (5) with respect to the horizontal plane (12). The radius of curvature (13) of the baffle plate (10) plays an important role in actuating the swirling motion within the economiser (1). The baffle plates (10) are also placed equidistant from each other at calculated locations within the tapered cylinder member (5) for a continuous swirling motion and turbulent flow. The economiser (1) is placed in-between the condenser (8) and the expansion device (9), and the economiser (1) is always placed in a vertical position and the flash mixture coming in through the entry opening (3) always travels downward and exits through the exit opening (4) within the cylindrical tube member (2).
ADVANTAGES
Provision of providing an economiser in-between the condenser and expansion device increases the condensing volume.
Lower head pressure at the compressor reduces the compression ratio and refrigerant temperature.
Load on compressor is greatly reduced as lesser volume of refrigerant is handled by the compressor.
The compressor duty cycle is reduced
Performance of the system can be matched even if the condenser is slightly smaller and need not be packed in front of the vehicle for ram air to enter.
EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 HVAC system
1 Economiser
2 Cylindrical tube member
3 Entry opening
4 Exit opening
5 Tapered cylinder member
6 Inlet opening
7 Outlet opening
8 Condenser
9 Expansion devise
10 Baffle plates
11 Inner wall surface
12 Horizontal plane
13 Radius of curvature
14 Compressor
15 Evaporator
16 End plates
17 Neck portion