US20150241134A1

US20150241134A1 - Multi-channel refrigerant controller with changeable refrigerant evaporation

Info

Publication number: US20150241134A1
Application number: US14/186,190
Authority: US
Inventors: De-Yin HSIEH; De-Fong Hsieh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-21
Filing date: 2014-02-21
Publication date: 2015-08-27

Abstract

A multi-channel refrigerant controller with changeable refrigerant evaporation implements a refrigerant-channel assembly to control refrigerant in terms of flow and direction, and, when working with a phase-change cooler, well supports both high- and low-temperature operations. The multi-channel refrigerant controller includes a refrigerant-channel assembly, a solenoid-valve assembly, a capillary-tube assembly and an execution controller. When receiving settings for a high- or low-temperature operation, the execution controller correspondingly opens relevant refrigerant channels in the refrigerant-channel assembly to guide the refrigerant influents through capillary tubes of different flow capacities to different sites on the phase-change cooler for evaporation cooling. In a high-temperature operation, the controller effectively cools down the otherwise hot, gaseous return refrigerant, so as to not only protect the cooling system's components and operators, but also improve cooling efficiency and capability.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-channel refrigerant controller with changeable refrigerant evaporation, which, by directing refrigerant to selectively flow through different refrigerant channels with different directions and capacities, allows a phase-change cooler to perform low-temperature operations, high-temperature operations and consistent-temperature control as required in chip testing and features protecting a cooling system using the same from being damaged at its key component, i.e. the compressor, and the insulating material of its refrigerant return tube, improving cooling efficiency and cooling capability, and eliminating the risk that the related operators otherwise get scalded by high-heat melted insulating material coveting the refrigerant return tube.
2. Description of Related An Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional cooling system 1 primarily comprises a compressor 10, a condenser 11, a refrigerant controller 12, and an evaporator 13, which are mutually connected through channels to form a closed cooling circulative cooling system.
In operation, the compressor 10 compresses low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant into high-temperature, high-pressure, gaseous refrigerant. After cooled by the condenser 11, the gaseous refrigerant condenses into ambient-temperature, high-pressure, liquid refrigerant. After depressurized by the refrigerant controller 12, the liquid refrigerant flows into the evaporator 13 as a low-temperature fluid for absorbing heat through evaporation. The refrigerant then becomes low-temperature, low-pressure gas that returns to the compressor 10 for the next cycle of cooling operation. In this way, the compressor 10 works over time to realize continuous refrigeration for various low-temperature cooling applications.
However, the traditional cooling system 1 as described above is only applicable to low-temperature cooling, and is suitable for neither high-temperature nor consistent-temperature applications. In the event where it is forced to perform high-temperature operation anyway, the high-temperature gas generated by the system when returning to the compressor 10 along with the refrigerant, is likely to be too hot for the motor coil in the compressor 10 to endure, and, as a result, damage the compressor 10, making the cooling system 1 unusable, which means loss of money.
With years of experience in developing, manufacturing and improving cooling systems, the inventor recognizes that the existing cooling systems are defective for being limited, to low-temperature cooling operation and not applicable to high-temperature applications, and that when used in high-temperature applications anyway, the existing cooling systems can have the compressor therein damaged. With the attempt to expanding the use of the existing cooling systems, the inventor, basing on extensive expertise and long experience, has conducted repeated experiments, modifications and improvements, and finally invented the subject matter of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a multi-channel refrigerant controller with changeable refrigerant evaporation, which uses a multi-channel approach to control the flow and direction of its refrigerant, so as to allow a phase-change cooler to adaptive to both high-temperature operations ranging from 30 to 150° C. and low-temperature operations ranging from 0 to −90° C. The ability of the disclosed the structure to adapt the phase-change cooler for both high-temperature and low-temperature operation depends on its unique configuration composed of a refrigerant-channel assembly, a solenoid-valve assembly, a capillary-tube assembly and an execution controller. The refrigerant-channel assembly has two or more two-end refrigerant channels. Each of the refrigerant channels has one end connected to a solenoid valve. These solenoid valves are connected to two-end capillary tubes of different flow capacities, These capillary tubes have their opposite ends connected to a cooling system at different locations. The refrigerant channels of the refrigerant-channel assembly have their opposite ends mutually communicated and then connected to a condensing tube of a condenser of a phase-change cooler. The execution controller serves to control the solenoid valves, a cooling unit of the cooling system (also referred to as an evaporation room in a general cooling system), the compressor, and so on.
For the phase-change cooler to operate, a user can set operational temperature as required at the execution controller, so the controller will correspondingly open refrigerant channels with different flow capacities to direct the refrigerant to the different locations on the cooling system for evaporative cooling. Thereby, the cooler is allowed to perform high-temperature operations, low-temperature operations, and consistent-temperature control. Meantime, since the returned gas has been cooled, the compressor of the cooling system and the insulating material peripherally covering the refrigerant return tube can be prevented from being burnt out during high-temperature operations. In addition, when there is a need to switch to a low-temperature operation from a previous high-temperature operation, the system can have the cooling unit cooled rapidly and have its cooling capability improved. More importantly, related operators are protected from scald in high-temperature operations. To sum up, the present invention is truly progressive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a conventional cooling system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a systematic diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 4 provides more embodiments of the refrigerant-channel assembly according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Please first refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention. As shown, the subject matter of the present invention is mainly composed of a refrigerant-channel assembly 20, a solenoid-valve assembly 21, a capillary-tube assembly 22, and an execution Controller 23. The refrigerant-channel assembly 20 includes two- end refrigerant channels 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205, each of which has one end connected to a solenoid valve 211, 212, 213, 214, or 215, which is connected to one of two-end capillary tubes 221, 222, 223, 224, and 225 that have different flow capacities, so as to form a multi-channel refrigerant controller. The capillary tube 221 has its opposite end connected to a refrigerant return tube 33 at a site 332 near the compressor 32. The capillary tube 222 has its opposite end connected to the refrigerant return tube 33 at a site 331 near a cooling unit 31. The capillary tubes 223, 224, and 225 are directly connected to the cooling unit 31. The refrigerant channels 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 of the refrigerant-channel assembly 20 have their opposite ends communicated mutually and connected to a condensing tube 301 of a cooling system 3 so as to become communicated with a condenser 30. The execution controller 23 serves to separately control the solenoid-valve assembly 21 and the cooling unit 31 and the compressor 32 of the cooling system 3.
Please keep referring to FIG. 3, which is a systematic diagram of the present invention. In operation, after a user sets a certain high-temperature point at the execution controller 23, or when the system is hotter than 100° C., as a response, the execution controller 23 immediately drives the solenoid valve 213 to open the refrigerant channel 203 for high-temperature operation, so that an appropriate part of the refrigerant is guided thereto and evaporate, thereby offsetting the high temperature and maintaining a consistent temperature. The execution controller 23 further drives the solenoid valve 211 to open the refrigerant channel 201, so that the refrigerant is guided through the capillary tube 221 to an inlet 332 of the compressor 32 for timely evaporation cooling, thereby making the high-temperature gas returning from the cooling unit 31 less hot, and in turn protecting the compressor 32 from being burnt down by the otherwise high-temperature returning gas.
The refrigerant return tube 33 connecting between the cooling unit 31 and the compressor 32 is designed as a low-temperature return tube for guiding post-evaporation cool gas, and has to be covered with a layer of insulating material so as to keep the post-evaporation returning refrigerant cool enough to cool the compressor 32. However, in a high-temperature operation, the returning refrigerant running through the refrigerant return tube 33 from the cooling unit 31 to the compressor 32 is gas of a very high temperature. In some extreme cases, the insulating material covering the refrigerant return tube 33 can be melted by the high temperature of the gaseous refrigerant, and making the refrigerant return tube 33 become ineffective in terms of insulation for later low-temperature operations. At this time, the execution controller 23 will drive the solenoid valve 212 to open the refrigerant channel 202, for guiding the refrigerant to a preparation tube in front of the refrigerant return tube 331 for evaporation cooling, so as to prevent the insulating material from being melted by the otherwise high-temperature gas. Thereby, the effectiveness of the refrigerant return tube 33 for low-temperature operations is well ensured.
Please also refer to FIG. 3. When the user has a changed temperature requirement and needs to set the execution controller 23 for a low-temperature application, the execution controller 23 responses to this changed set by driving the solenoid valve 213 to close the high-temperature refrigerant channel 203, and making the low-temperature refrigerant channel 204 open, so that the refrigerant is guided into the cooling unit 31 for evaporative refrigeration. At this time, since the cooling unit 31 just undergoing a previous high-temperature operation, it is still as hot as above 100° C. For lowering the temperature rapidly, the refrigerant channel 205 may be also opened as an auxiliary low-temperature refrigerant channel, so as to accelerate evaporation of the refrigerant, thereby enjoying the advantageous if rapid cooling and improved cooling capability.
At last, please refer to FIG. 4, which provides more embodiments of the refrigerant-channel assembly 20 according to the present invention. In the present invention, the refrigerant-channel assemblies 20 may be joined together by means of tees 2011 and then connected to the condensing tube 301. Alternatively, they may be joined together by means of U-pipes 2012 and then connected to the condensing tube 301. Alternatively, they may be joined together by means of one distributor 2013 and then connected to the condensing tube 301. Any of the foregoing connecting schemes is applicable to various system configurations containing a phase-change cooler.
To sum up, the disclosed multi-channel refrigerant controller with changeable refrigerant evaporation, b controlling the direction and flow of the refrigerant that performs evaporation cooling at different sites of the cooling system, well supports low-temperature tests, high-temperature tests and consistent-temperature control in chip manufacturing, and prevents the compressor of the cooling system and the insulating material of the refrigerant return tube from being burnt down by high-temperature gaseous refrigerant. In addition, the disclosed multi-channel refrigerant controller has the advantageous of rapid cooling and improved cooling capability, and protects operators from being scalded by the otherwise hot refrigerant return tube in high-temperature operations. With all the merits, the present invention does meet the patent requirement of inventive step, and a patent application is filed thereto. The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments and it is understood that the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Moreover, as the contents disclosed herein should be readily understood and can be implemented by a person skilled in the art, all equivalent changes or modifications which do not depart from the concept of the present invention should be encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A multi-channel refrigerant controller with changeable refrigerant evaporation comprising a refrigerant-channel assembly, a solenoid-valve assembly, a capillary-tube assembly and an execution controller, the refrigerant-channel assembly having two or more two-end refrigerant channels, each of the refrigerant channels having one end connected to a solenoid valve of the witching solenoid-valve assembly, the solenoid valves being connected to two-end capillary tubes of different flow capacities, respectively, opposite ends of the capillary tubes being connected to different sites on a phase-change cooling system, opposite ends of the refrigerant channels of the refrigerant-channel assembly being communicated mutually and then connected to a condensing tube and in turn a condenser of the cooling system, and the execution controller being connected to the solenoid valves, and a cooling unit and a compressor of the cooling system, respectively, for performing functional control.

2. The multi-channel refrigerant controller of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant-channel assembly is connected to the condensing tube through one or more tees, U-pipes or distributors.