DE19545293A1 - Refrigerant condition monitoring device for refrigeration circuit e.g. detecting leaks - Google Patents

Refrigerant condition monitoring device for refrigeration circuit e.g. detecting leaks

Info

Publication number
DE19545293A1
DE19545293A1 DE1995145293 DE19545293A DE19545293A1 DE 19545293 A1 DE19545293 A1 DE 19545293A1 DE 1995145293 DE1995145293 DE 1995145293 DE 19545293 A DE19545293 A DE 19545293A DE 19545293 A1 DE19545293 A1 DE 19545293A1
Authority
DE
Germany
Prior art keywords
monitoring device
refrigerant
condition monitoring
refrigeration circuit
detecting leaks
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
DE1995145293
Other languages
German (de)
Inventor
Guenter Dipl Ing Ulbrich
Juergen Dipl Phys Voigt
Juergen Dr Rer Nat Schenk
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Institut fuer Luft und Kaeltetechnik Gemeinnuetzige GmbH
Original Assignee
Institut fuer Luft und Kaeltetechnik Gemeinnuetzige GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Institut fuer Luft und Kaeltetechnik Gemeinnuetzige GmbH filed Critical Institut fuer Luft und Kaeltetechnik Gemeinnuetzige GmbH
Priority to DE1995145293 priority Critical patent/DE19545293A1/en
Publication of DE19545293A1 publication Critical patent/DE19545293A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25B49/005—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices of safety devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/75—Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated
    • G01N21/77—Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated by observing the effect on a chemical indicator
    • G01N21/78—Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated by observing the effect on a chemical indicator producing a change of colour
    • G01N21/81—Indicating humidity
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25B2500/22—Preventing, detecting or repairing leaks of refrigeration fluids
    • F25B2500/222—Detecting refrigerant leaks

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)

Abstract

The device uses a humidity indicator in the form of a reflective surface (5) incorporated in the refrigerant fluid line (2) and coupled via respective optical fibre conductors (4,6) to a light source (3) and a photodetector (7). The photodetector is coupled to an electronic evaluation stage (8) with respective circuits for evaluating pulse signals and quasi-static signal variations.

Description

Eine wesentliche Voraussetzung für den störungsfreien Betrieb von Kälteanlagen ist die ausreichende Kältemittelmenge im Kreislauf. Kältemittelverluste treten durch bestehende oder während des Betriebes entstehende Lecks im Kreislaufsystem auf. Die bisher prakti­ zierte Methode der Überdimensionierung der Kältemittelmenge ist aus ökologischen Grün­ den nicht mehr vertretbar.An essential prerequisite for the trouble-free operation of refrigeration systems is sufficient amount of refrigerant in the circuit. Refrigerant losses occur due to existing ones or leaks occurring in the circulatory system during operation. The previously practi graced method of oversizing the amount of refrigerant is from ecological green which is no longer justifiable.

Eine bekannte, einfache aber subjektive Möglichkeit zur Überwachung der Kältemittelmen­ ge ist der Einsatz von Schaugläsern im Sammler zur visuellen Füllstandskontrolle oder in der Kältemittelleitung zur visuellen Beobachtung von auftretenden Dampfblasen.A well known, simple but subjective way to monitor refrigerant levels ge is the use of sight glasses in the collector for visual level control or in the refrigerant line for the visual observation of occurring vapor bubbles.

Es sind auch sogenannte Blasendetektoren bekannt, die mit Ultraschall arbeiten und ein akustisches oder optisches Signal abgeben, wenn im Kreislauf der Kälteanlage Dampfbla­ sen auftreten. Solche Einrichtungen sind u. a. in den US-Patenten Nr. 4.235.095, 4.138.879 und 2.029.502 beschrieben. Diese Geräte sind jedoch relativ kostenaufwendig.So-called bubble detectors are also known which work with ultrasound and a emit an acoustic or optical signal when steam blown in the circuit of the refrigeration system occur. Such facilities are u. a. in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,235,095, 4,138,879 and 2,029,502. However, these devices are relatively expensive.

Neben einer unzureichenden Kältemittelmenge kann auch das Vorhandensein von Wasser im Kreislauf einer Kälteanlage zu erheblichen Betriebsstörungen führen. Zur Ermittlung des Wasseranteils in Kältemittelkreisläufen werden Feuchteindikatoren eingesetzt, die sich in Abhängigkeit vom Feuchtegehalt verfärben und visuell ausgewertet werden. Um subjektiv bedingte Fehler auszuschließen, wurde bereits vorgeschlagen, die Farbänderungen opto­ elektronisch zu erfassen.In addition to an insufficient amount of refrigerant, there may also be water lead to considerable malfunctions in the circuit of a refrigeration system. To determine the Moisture indicators are used in the refrigerant circuits Discolor depending on the moisture content and be evaluated visually. To be subjective To rule out conditional errors, it has already been proposed to opto the color changes to be recorded electronically.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, subjektiv bedingte Fehleinschätzungen bei der Überwachung des Kältemittelzustandes in Kreisläufen von Kälteanlagen auszuschließen.The object of the invention is to subjectively misjudgments during monitoring exclude the refrigerant condition in the circuits of refrigeration systems.

Die Aufgabe der Erfindung wird durch die Merkmale des Patentanspruches gelöst. Es wur­ de gefunden, daß der zur Bestimmung des Wasseranteils benötigte Feuchteindikator gleichzeitig die Funktion eines Reflektors zur Erfassung von Dampfblasen erfüllt, so daß mit einer Einrichtung beide Störgrößen erfaßt und elektronisch ausgewertet werden können.The object of the invention is achieved by the features of the patent claim. It was de found that the moisture indicator needed to determine the water content at the same time fulfills the function of a reflector for detecting vapor bubbles, so that with Both disturbance variables can be recorded and electronically evaluated in one device.

Das folgende Ausführungsbeispiel mit der dazugehörigen Abbildung soll die Erfindung nä­ her erläutern.The following exemplary embodiment with the associated figure is intended to illustrate the invention explain here.

Eine Lichtquelle 3, z. B. eine LED, sendet über einen Lichtleiter 4 ihr Licht durch das Käl­ temittel auf die Reflexionsfläche 5, die als Feuchteindikator ausgebildet ist, und entspre­ chend des Wassergehaltes im Kältemittel ihre Farbe ändert. Das reflektierte Licht gelangt über den Lichtleiter 6 zum Lichtempfänger 7. Mit Hilfe der Auswerteelektronik 8 werden die reflektierten Signale getrennt nach Farbänderung und Impulsen, d. h. nach quasistatischen und impulsartigen Änderungen, bewertet, so daß der Wassergehalt und das Vorhandensein von Dampfblasen ermittelt werden kann. Die Auswerteelektronik 8 besitzt nicht dargestellte elektronische Bauteile, die auf einer Leiterplatte angeordnet sind.A light source 3 , e.g. B. an LED, sends its light through a light guide 4 through the Käl temittel on the reflection surface 5 , which is designed as a moisture indicator, and accordingly the water content in the refrigerant changes its color. The reflected light reaches the light receiver 7 via the light guide 6 . With the help of the evaluation electronics 8 , the reflected signals are evaluated separately for color changes and pulses, ie for quasi-static and pulse-like changes, so that the water content and the presence of vapor bubbles can be determined. The evaluation electronics 8 has electronic components, not shown, which are arranged on a printed circuit board.

Die erfindungsgemäße Einrichtung ist in einem Gehäuse 1 angeordnet, das in eine geeig­ nete Gewindebohrung der Flüssigkeitsleitung 2 eingeschraubt wird.The device according to the invention is arranged in a housing 1 which is screwed into a suitable threaded bore of the liquid line 2 .

Claims (1)

Einrichtung zur Überwachung des Kältemittelzustandes in Kreisläufen von Kälteanlagen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine Reflexionsfläche in Form eines Feuchteindikators (5) in der Flüssigkeitsleitung (2) angeordnet ist und daß die Reflexionsfläche (5) über einen Lichtleiter (4) mit einer Lichtquelle (3) und über einen Lichtleiter (6) mit einem Lichtempfän­ ger (7) optisch verbunden ist und daß dem Lichtempfänger (7) eine Auswerteelektronik (8) mit Schaltungsteilen zur Erfassung impulsartiger Signale und Schaltungsteilen zur Erfas­ sung quasistatischer Signaländerungen nachgeschaltet ist.Means for monitoring the refrigerant state in circuits of refrigeration, characterized in that a reflection surface in the form of a moisture indicator is arranged in the fluid line (2) (5) and that the reflecting surface (5) via a light guide (4) having a light source (3) and is optically connected via a light guide ( 6 ) to a light receiver ( 7 ) and that the light receiver ( 7 ) is followed by an electronic evaluation unit ( 8 ) with circuit parts for detecting pulse-like signals and circuit parts for detecting quasi-static signal changes.
DE1995145293 1995-12-05 1995-12-05 Refrigerant condition monitoring device for refrigeration circuit e.g. detecting leaks Ceased DE19545293A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1995145293 DE19545293A1 (en) 1995-12-05 1995-12-05 Refrigerant condition monitoring device for refrigeration circuit e.g. detecting leaks

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1995145293 DE19545293A1 (en) 1995-12-05 1995-12-05 Refrigerant condition monitoring device for refrigeration circuit e.g. detecting leaks

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
DE19545293A1 true DE19545293A1 (en) 1997-06-12

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
DE1995145293 Ceased DE19545293A1 (en) 1995-12-05 1995-12-05 Refrigerant condition monitoring device for refrigeration circuit e.g. detecting leaks

Country Status (1)

Country Link
DE (1) DE19545293A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19942317A1 (en) * 1999-09-05 2001-04-12 Wolfgang Kowalsky Moisture determination, useful for solids, liquids and gases, is characterized by contacting the material with a water insoluble polymer matrix containing a dyestuff and measuring its spectrum.
US10151663B2 (en) 2015-09-15 2018-12-11 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Leak detector sensor systems using tag-sensitized refrigerants
CN112833596A (en) * 2021-01-21 2021-05-25 四川长虹空调有限公司 Method for judging state of refrigerant of refrigerating system

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4008486A1 (en) * 1990-03-16 1991-09-19 Bellino Metallwerke HUMIDITY SENSOR FOR DETERMINING A MINIMUM WATER CONTENT, PREFERABLY IN THE PPM AREA, IN A REFRIGERANT

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4008486A1 (en) * 1990-03-16 1991-09-19 Bellino Metallwerke HUMIDITY SENSOR FOR DETERMINING A MINIMUM WATER CONTENT, PREFERABLY IN THE PPM AREA, IN A REFRIGERANT

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DE-Buch: Technische Optik, G. Schröder, Vogel Verlag, 1990, S. 97-100 *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19942317A1 (en) * 1999-09-05 2001-04-12 Wolfgang Kowalsky Moisture determination, useful for solids, liquids and gases, is characterized by contacting the material with a water insoluble polymer matrix containing a dyestuff and measuring its spectrum.
DE19942317C2 (en) * 1999-09-05 2003-03-20 Wolfgang Kowalsky Process for determining moisture, sensor for carrying out the process and measuring arrangement
US10151663B2 (en) 2015-09-15 2018-12-11 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Leak detector sensor systems using tag-sensitized refrigerants
CN112833596A (en) * 2021-01-21 2021-05-25 四川长虹空调有限公司 Method for judging state of refrigerant of refrigerating system

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