EP2087299A1 - Leakage test in an air conditioner - Google Patents

Leakage test in an air conditioner

Info

Publication number
EP2087299A1
EP2087299A1 EP07819528A EP07819528A EP2087299A1 EP 2087299 A1 EP2087299 A1 EP 2087299A1 EP 07819528 A EP07819528 A EP 07819528A EP 07819528 A EP07819528 A EP 07819528A EP 2087299 A1 EP2087299 A1 EP 2087299A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cooling circuit
test
test gas
leak
pressure
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07819528A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
André Schmidt
Günter RENNER
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.)
Vulkan Lokring Rohrverbindungen GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Vulkan Lokring Rohrverbindungen GmbH and Co KG
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 Vulkan Lokring Rohrverbindungen GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Vulkan Lokring Rohrverbindungen GmbH and Co KG
Publication of EP2087299A1 publication Critical patent/EP2087299A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • F25B45/00—Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00507—Details, e.g. mounting arrangements, desaeration devices
    • B60H1/00585—Means for monitoring, testing or servicing the air-conditioning
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/20—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material
    • G01M3/22—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
    • G01M3/226—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators for containers, e.g. radiators
    • G01M3/228—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators for containers, e.g. radiators for radiators
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
    • G01M3/32—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators
    • G01M3/3227—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators for radiators
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for the maintenance of an air conditioner, in particular a motor vehicle air conditioner, which is subjected to a test gas at a defined pressure in a leak test of the emptied of refrigerant cooling circuit of the air conditioner and registered changes in this pressure over a time interval and evaluated.
  • air conditioning service devices When servicing car air conditioning systems, so-called air conditioning service devices are used. These allow their connection to the air conditioning their largely automated maintenance. To maintain the air conditioning is always a leak test, as vehicle air conditioning systems are often leaking. Leakage at the cooling circuit releases refrigerant, which indirectly damages the environment and indirectly through the increased energy consumption.
  • a better method of performing a leak test is nitrogen pressure testing.
  • the air conditioner is not evacuated, but charged with nitrogen. Subsequently, changes of this pressure over a time interval are registered and evaluated. If the pressure falls below a permissible level, this indicates a leak which then has to be located closer for the purpose of clogging.
  • leak detection sprays which are sprayed on the cooling circuit. At leaks, the leak detection spray will blister, like a leaking bicycle hose dipped in a bucket of water.
  • the disadvantage of a leak detection with leak detection sprays is that even here only extremely large leaks can be made visible. Although the air conditioning service equipment indicates the existence of a leak, the localization is done by hand. If the leak can not be found with leak detection spray, the nitrogen must be drained from the system and a more accurate leak detection procedure applied. For the workshop, this means a great loss of time and thus a high cost.
  • UV leak detection additives For this purpose, a fluorescent under ultraviolet radiation fluorescent liquid is filled in the vehicle air conditioning. Subsequently, the cooling circuit is illuminated with a UV lamp, which makes the leaks visible.
  • a method for filling a UV leak-detection additive in the cooling circuit of an air conditioning system is described in DE 10 2006 036 697 A1 of the same Applicant.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a method for leak testing, which has a high degree of automation, as quickly as possible 5 can be carried out and is less hazardous to the environment.
  • This object is achieved in that a gas mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen is used as the test gas, and which is scanned after registration of a pressure drop of the cooling circuit with a hydrogen probe.
  • the present method also uses the proven method of nitrogen overpressure leak testing. The observation of
  • Pressure change over a time interval after filling with nitrogen can be fully automated.
  • the basic idea of the present invention is to modify the set test gas so that it at the same time
  • a gas mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen it is preferably a mixture of 95% N 2 and 5% H 2 proposed - relatively harmless, inexpensive and environmentally neutral.
  • the test gas can thus be discharged directly into the environment after leak testing, which must be avoided as far as possible in UV search additives.
  • the light hydrogen penetrates quickly through the smallest leaks and can be detected well with a probe. Consequently, it comes with 5% hydrogen content in the test gas, so that the risk of ignition is extremely low and is additionally reduced by nitrogen.
  • the cooling circuit of an air conditioner circulates not only the refrigerant, but also refrigerator oil that is needed for lubrication of the compressor. After draining the refrigerant, the refrigerator oil usually remains in the cooling circuit. However, it happens that a subset of the refrigerating machine oil is entrained in discharging the test gas from the cooling circuit, with the result that the required level is exceeded.
  • the invention proposes to separate entrained refrigerating machine oil from the discharged test gas and to add the separated amount of refrigerating machine oil back to the refrigerating cycle. The separation takes place in an oil separator, which is structurally to be accommodated in the air conditioning service unit. After passing through the oil separator, the test gas can be released into the environment.
  • the filling hoses of the air conditioning service unit are then connected to the air conditioning system and the pressure regulator of the test gas cylinder is set to 5 bar.
  • the air conditioning service unit first sucks the refrigerant out of the cooling circuit and automatically fills the test gas into the air conditioning system. Over a period of time, the air conditioning service unit registers the pressure prevailing in the system and evaluates it. This automatically checks whether the pressure falls below a permissible level.
  • test gas is discharged from the air conditioning service unit.
  • the refrigerant oil entrained by the test gas is separated and weighed. During the subsequent oil filling process, the corresponding amount is automatically reintroduced into the air conditioning system.
  • the A / C service stops the actual maintenance process and prompts the service technician to scan the cooling circuit and locate the leak using a separate hydrogen probe designed as a handy, mobile tester with a long, flexible test probe.
  • the hydrogen probe is correspondingly sensitive, so that even the smallest leaks can be detected without the use of another leak detection medium.
  • the service technician After the service technician locates the leak, he confirms this at the push of a button on the air conditioning service unit and the test gas is discharged from the air conditioning system via a drain valve.
  • test gas refrigerant oil is separated and weighed, so that the appropriate amount can then be filled again.
  • the now deflated air conditioning can be repaired.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for servicing an air conditioner, particularly in a motor vehicle. According to said method, a test gas is applied at a defined pressure to the air conditioner cooling circuit that is depleted of coolant in order to perform a tightness test, and changes in said pressure are recorded and evaluated during a certain interval. The aim of the invention is to further develop such a method in such a way that the same can be carried out in a highly automated manner, rapidly, and without harming the environment. Said aim is achieved by using a gas mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen as a test gas and inspecting the cooling circuit by means of a hydrogen probe once a drop in pressure has been recorded.

Description

Leckaαeprüfunα bei einer Klimaanlage Leckaαeprüfunα in an air conditioner
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Wartung einer Klimaanlage, insbesondere einer Kfz-Klimaanlage, bei dem im Rahmen einer Dichtheitsprüfung der von Kältemittel entleerte Kühlkreislauf der Klimaanlage mit einem Prüfgas bei definiertem Druck beaufschlagt und Änderungen dieses Druckes über ein Zeitintervall registriert und ausgewertet werden.The invention relates to a method for the maintenance of an air conditioner, in particular a motor vehicle air conditioner, which is subjected to a test gas at a defined pressure in a leak test of the emptied of refrigerant cooling circuit of the air conditioner and registered changes in this pressure over a time interval and evaluated.
Bei der Wartung von Kfz-Klimaanlagen werden sogenannte Klima-Service- Geräte eingesetzt. Diese erlauben nach Anschluss an die Klimaanlage ihre weitestgehend automatisierte Wartung. Zur Wartung der Klimaanlage gehört stets eine Dichtheitsprüfung, da Kfz-Klimaanlagen häufig undicht werden. Leckage am Kühlkreislauf lässt Kältemittel austreten, was die Umwelt direkt und - durch den gesteigerten Energieverbrauch - indirekt schädigt.When servicing car air conditioning systems, so-called air conditioning service devices are used. These allow their connection to the air conditioning their largely automated maintenance. To maintain the air conditioning is always a leak test, as vehicle air conditioning systems are often leaking. Leakage at the cooling circuit releases refrigerant, which indirectly damages the environment and indirectly through the increased energy consumption.
Ein wichtiger Aspekt bei Klima-Service-Geräten ist der Grad der Automatisierung der Prozesse. Im Idealfall arbeiten diese Geräte nach Anschluss vollkommen selbständig, was einen effizienten Werkstattbetrieb ermöglicht. Im Hinblick auf die Lecksuche werden derzeit Vakuumtests, Drucktests mit Stickstoff und das Einfüllen von UV-Lecksuchadditiven als Teil von automatisierten Faltungsprozessen eingesetzt.An important aspect of air conditioning service devices is the degree of automation of the processes. Ideally, these devices work completely independently after connection, which enables efficient workshop operation. In terms of leak detection, vacuum tests, nitrogen pressure tests and the introduction of UV leak detection additives are currently being used as part of automated folding processes.
Beim Vakuumtest wird mittels einer Vakuumpumpe in dem Kühlkreislauf der Fahrzeugklimaanlage ein Vakuum erzeugt. Anschließend wird beobachtet, ob der Unterdruck innerhalb des Kühlkreislaufs über ein zulässiges Maß abfällt, was auf Einströmen von Umgebungsluft durch eine Leckage hinweist. Diese Art der Dichtheitsprüfung ist äußerst ungenau. Nur sehr große Lecks werden erkannt. Die Lokalisierung des Lecks ist ohne Befüllung der Anlage mit einem zusätzlichen Lecksuchmedium - wie unten beschriebenes UV- Suchadditiv - nicht möglich.In the vacuum test, a vacuum is generated by means of a vacuum pump in the cooling circuit of the vehicle air conditioning system. It is then observed whether the negative pressure within the refrigeration cycle drops above a permissible level, which indicates leakage of ambient air through a leak. This type of leak test is extremely inaccurate. Only very large leaks are detected. The localization of the leak is not possible without filling the system with an additional leak detection medium - as UV search additive described below -.
Ein besseres Verfahren zur Durchführung einer Dichtheitsprüfung ist die Druckprüfung mit Stickstoff. Hierbei wird die Klimaanlage nicht evakuiert, sondern mit Stickstoff beaufschlagt. Anschließend werden Änderungen dieses Drucks über ein Zeitintervall registriert und ausgewertet. Falls der Druck unter ein zulässiges Maß sinkt, deutet dies auf eine Leckage hin, die sodann zwecks Stopfung näher geortet werden muss.A better method of performing a leak test is nitrogen pressure testing. Here, the air conditioner is not evacuated, but charged with nitrogen. Subsequently, changes of this pressure over a time interval are registered and evaluated. If the pressure falls below a permissible level, this indicates a leak which then has to be located closer for the purpose of clogging.
Zur Lokalisierung verwendet man Lecksuchsprays, die auf den Kühlkreislauf aufgesprüht werden. An undichten Stellen wirft das Lecksuchspray Blasen, wie bei einem undichten Fahrradschlauch, den man in einen Eimer Wasser taucht. Der Nachteil einer Lecksuche mit Lecksuchsprays besteht darin, dass auch hier nur äußerst große Leckagen sichtbar gemacht werden können. Zwar zeigt das Klima-Service-Geräte die Existenz eines Lecks an, das Lokalisieren erfolgt von Hand. Falls die undichte Stelle nicht mit Lecksuchspray gefunden werden kann muss der Stickstoff aus der Anlage abgelassen und ein genaueres Lecksuchverfahren angewandt werden. Für die Werkstatt bedeutet dies einen großen Zeitverlust und somit einen hohen Kostenaufwand.For localization use leak detection sprays, which are sprayed on the cooling circuit. At leaks, the leak detection spray will blister, like a leaking bicycle hose dipped in a bucket of water. The disadvantage of a leak detection with leak detection sprays is that even here only extremely large leaks can be made visible. Although the air conditioning service equipment indicates the existence of a leak, the localization is done by hand. If the leak can not be found with leak detection spray, the nitrogen must be drained from the system and a more accurate leak detection procedure applied. For the workshop, this means a great loss of time and thus a high cost.
Zur genauen Ortung einer undichten Stelle wird die Lecksuche mit Hilfe von UV- Lecksuchadditiven durchgeführt. Hierzu wird eine unter ultravioletten Strahlung fluoreszierende Flüssigkeit in die Fahrzeugklimaanlage gefüllt. Anschließend wird der Kühlkreislauf mit einer UV-Lampe abgeleuchtet, welche die undichten Stellen sichtbar macht. Ein Verfahren zur Einfüllung eines UV-Lecksuchadditivs in dem Kühlkreislauf einer Klimaanlage ist in der DE 10 2006 036 697 A1 derselben Anmelderin beschrieben.To accurately locate a leak, leak detection is performed using UV leak detection additives. For this purpose, a fluorescent under ultraviolet radiation fluorescent liquid is filled in the vehicle air conditioning. Subsequently, the cooling circuit is illuminated with a UV lamp, which makes the leaks visible. A method for filling a UV leak-detection additive in the cooling circuit of an air conditioning system is described in DE 10 2006 036 697 A1 of the same Applicant.
Der Nachteil der Lecksuche mit UV-Lecksuchadditiven besteht darin, dass diese zunächst in der Klimaanlage verteilt werden müssen, um sicherzustellen, dass es das Leck auch erreicht. Hierzu muss die Klimaanlage für längere Zeit inThe disadvantage of leak detection with UV leak detection additives is that they first have to be distributed in the air conditioning system to ensure that it reaches the leak as well. For this the air conditioning has to be in for a longer time
Betrieb sein. Darüber hinaus sind die fluoreszierenden Mittel umweltgefährdend. Ausgehend von dem vorbeschriebenen Stand der Technik und insbesondere von dem Verfahren zur Druckprüfung mit Stickstoff besteht die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung darin, ein Verfahren zur Dichtheitsprüfung anzugeben, das über einen hohen Automatisierungsgrad verfügt, möglichst rasch 5 durchgeführt werden kann und weniger umweltgefährdend ist.Be operation. In addition, the fluorescent agents are environmentally hazardous. Based on the above-described prior art and in particular of the method for pressure testing with nitrogen, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for leak testing, which has a high degree of automation, as quickly as possible 5 can be carried out and is less hazardous to the environment.
Gelöst wird diese Aufgabe dadurch, dass als Prüfgas ein Gasgemisch aus Stickstoff und Wasserstoff verwendet wird, und das nach Registrierung eines Druckabfalls der Kühlkreislauf mit einer Wasserstoff-Sonde abgesucht wird.This object is achieved in that a gas mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen is used as the test gas, and which is scanned after registration of a pressure drop of the cooling circuit with a hydrogen probe.
Das vorliegende Verfahren nutzt weiterhin die bewährte Methode der lo Überdruck-Dichtheitsprüfung mit Stickstoff. Die Beobachtung derThe present method also uses the proven method of nitrogen overpressure leak testing. The observation of
Druckänderung über einen Zeitintervall nach Einfüllung des Stickstoffs ist vollkommen automatisierbar. Die Grundidee der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht jedoch darin, das eingestellte Prüfgas so abzuwandeln, dass es zugleich zurPressure change over a time interval after filling with nitrogen can be fully automated. However, the basic idea of the present invention is to modify the set test gas so that it at the same time
Lokalisierung eines etwaig detektierten Lecks geeignet ist. Hierzu wird dem i5 Stickstoff Wasserstoff beigemischt, der sich mit der erforderlichen Genauigkeit mit Hilfe einer Wasserstoff-Sonde nachweisen lässt.Localization of any leak detected is suitable. For this purpose, hydrogen is added to the nitrogen, which can be detected with the required accuracy using a hydrogen probe.
Der besondere Vorteil ist zunächst in dem Zeitgewinn zu sehen, da ein separates Einfüllen von einem Lecksuchadditiv nach Feststellen einer Leckage entfällt. Darüber hinaus entfällt auch das Laufenlassen der Klimaanlage zurThe particular advantage is to be seen first in the time gain, since a separate filling of a leak detection additive after detecting a leak deleted. In addition, also eliminates the running of the air conditioning
2o Verteilung des Suchadditivs im Kühlkreislauf, da dies durch den Überdruck des eingefüllten Prüfgasgemisches gewährleistet ist. Schließlich ist ein Gasgemisch aus Stickstoff und Wasserstoff - es wird vorzugsweise eine Mischung aus 95% N2 und 5% H2 vorgeschlagen - vergleichsweise ungefährlich, preiswert und umweltneutral. Das Prüfgas kann somit nach erfolgter Dichtheitsprüfung direkt in 5 die Umwelt entlassen werden, was bei UV-Suchadditiven tunlichst vermieden werden muss. Der leichte Wasserstoff dringt rasch durch kleinste Leckagen und lässt sich mit einer Sonde gut nachweisen. Folglich kommt man mit 5% Wasserstoffanteil im Prüfgas aus, so dass die Entzündungsgefahr äußerst gering ist und zusätzlich vom Stickstoff gesenkt wird.2o distribution of the search additive in the cooling circuit, as this is ensured by the overpressure of the filled test gas mixture. Finally, a gas mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen - it is preferably a mixture of 95% N 2 and 5% H 2 proposed - relatively harmless, inexpensive and environmentally neutral. The test gas can thus be discharged directly into the environment after leak testing, which must be avoided as far as possible in UV search additives. The light hydrogen penetrates quickly through the smallest leaks and can be detected well with a probe. Consequently, it comes with 5% hydrogen content in the test gas, so that the risk of ignition is extremely low and is additionally reduced by nitrogen.
30 Es sei klargestellt, dass auch das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren nicht vollkommen automatisierbar ist, da die Lokalisierung des Lecks manuell mit der Wasserstoff-Sonde erfolgen muss. Allerdings erfolgt die Abdichtung des Lecks ohnehin manuell, so dass das Absuchen des Kühlkreislaufs mit der Wasserstoff- Sonde keinen wesentlichen Mehraufwand darstellt. Sofern die Anlage kein Leck aufweist, bleibt das Verfahren - abgesehen vom Anschließen des Klima- Service-Geräts - vollautomatisiert.It should be clarified that also the method according to the invention can not be completely automated, since the localization of the leak can be done manually with the Hydrogen probe must be made. However, the leaking of the leak is done manually anyway, so that the screening of the cooling circuit with the hydrogen probe represents no significant additional effort. Unless the system has a leak, the process remains fully automated, except for connecting the A / C service unit.
Im Kühlkreislauf einer Klimaanlage zirkuliert nicht allein das Kältemittel, sondern auch Kältemaschinenöl, dass zur Schmierung des Kompressors benötigt wird. Nach Ablassen des Kältemittels bleibt das Kältemaschinenöl in der Regel im Kühlkreislauf. Allerdings kommt es vor, dass eine Teilmenge des Kältemaschinenöls bei Ablassen des Prüfgases aus dem Kühlkreislauf mitgerissen wird, mit der Folge, dass der notwendige Füllstand unterschritten wird. Um Schaden vom Kompressor abzuwenden und einen umweltgefährlichen Austritt des Kältemaschinenöls zu verhindern, schlägt die Erfindung vor, mitgerissenes Kältemaschinenöl aus dem abgelassenen Prüfgas abzuscheiden und die abgeschiedene Menge an Kältemaschinenöl dem Kühlkreislauf wieder zuzufügen. Das Abscheiden erfolgt in einem ölabscheider, der baulich im Klima- Service-Gerät unterzubringen ist. Nach Durchlaufen des ölabscheiders kann das Prüfgas in die Umwelt entspannt werden.In the cooling circuit of an air conditioner circulates not only the refrigerant, but also refrigerator oil that is needed for lubrication of the compressor. After draining the refrigerant, the refrigerator oil usually remains in the cooling circuit. However, it happens that a subset of the refrigerating machine oil is entrained in discharging the test gas from the cooling circuit, with the result that the required level is exceeded. In order to avert damage from the compressor and to prevent an environmentally hazardous discharge of the refrigerating machine oil, the invention proposes to separate entrained refrigerating machine oil from the discharged test gas and to add the separated amount of refrigerating machine oil back to the refrigerating cycle. The separation takes place in an oil separator, which is structurally to be accommodated in the air conditioning service unit. After passing through the oil separator, the test gas can be released into the environment.
Es sei klargestellt, dass nicht das abgeschiedene Kältemaschinenöl selbst, sondern nur seine Menge dem Kühlkreislauf wieder zugeführt werden soll. So ist es in der Praxis möglich, das mitgerissene Kältemaschinenöl zu entsorgen und der Klimaanlage frisches Kältemaschinenöl einzuführen. Ebenso gut kann aber auch das abgeschiedene Kältemaschinenöl wieder zurückgefüllt werden. Durch dieses Vorgehen entfällt die Entsorgung des abgeschiedenen Mittels.It should be understood that not the separated refrigerating machine oil itself, but only its amount should be supplied to the cooling circuit again. So it is possible in practice to dispose of the entrained refrigerator oil and introduce the air conditioning fresh refrigerator oil. Just as well, however, the separated refrigerating machine oil can be backfilled. This procedure eliminates the disposal of the deposited agent.
Wenn allerdings frisches Kältemaschinenöl eingefüllt werden soll, ist es erforderlich, die abgeschiedene Menge als Kältemaschinenöl zu bestimmen. Hierzu bietet sich die Wägung an.However, if fresh refrigerator oil is to be filled, it is necessary to determine the amount separated as refrigerator oil. This can be done by weighing.
Im folgenden wird ein Verfahren zur Wartung einer Klimaanlage beschrieben, welches sowohl von der erfindungsgemäßen Dichtheitsprüfung, als auch von der erfindungsgemäßen Rückführung des Kältemaschinenöls Gebrauch macht. Das Verfahren wird mit einem Klima-Service-Gerät durchgeführt. An dieses wird eine Druckflasche mit dem Prüfgas aus 95% Stickstoff und 5% Wasserstoff angeschlossen. Das Prüfgas ist unter Druck in der Flasche eingelagert, so dass der erforderliche Prüfdruck nicht vor Ort erzeugt werden muss.In the following, a method for the maintenance of an air conditioner is described, which makes use of both the leak test according to the invention, as well as the inventive recirculation of the refrigerator oil. The procedure is carried out with a climate service device. At this a pressure bottle with the test gas of 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen is connected. The test gas is stored under pressure in the bottle, so that the required test pressure does not have to be generated on site.
Die Füllschläuche des Klima-Service-Geräts werden sodann mit der Klimaanlage verbunden und der Druckregler der Prüfgasflasche auf 5 bar eingestellt. Das Klima-Service-Gerät saugt nun zunächst das Kältemittel aus dem Kühlkreislauf ab und füllt automatisch das Prüfgas in die Klimaanlage ein. Über ein Zeitintervall registriert das Klima-Service-Gerät den in der Anlage herrschenden Druck und wertet diesen aus. Hierbei wird automatisiert geprüft, ob der Druck unter ein zulässiges Maß sinkt.The filling hoses of the air conditioning service unit are then connected to the air conditioning system and the pressure regulator of the test gas cylinder is set to 5 bar. The air conditioning service unit first sucks the refrigerant out of the cooling circuit and automatically fills the test gas into the air conditioning system. Over a period of time, the air conditioning service unit registers the pressure prevailing in the system and evaluates it. This automatically checks whether the pressure falls below a permissible level.
Ist dies nicht der Fall, wird das Prüfgas vom Klima-Service-Gerät abgelassen. Dabei wird das vom Prüfgas mitgerissene Kältemaschinenöl abgeschieden und gewogen. Während des anschließenden ölfüllprozesses wird die entsprechende Menge automatisch wieder in die Klimaanlage eingeführt.If this is not the case, the test gas is discharged from the air conditioning service unit. The refrigerant oil entrained by the test gas is separated and weighed. During the subsequent oil filling process, the corresponding amount is automatically reintroduced into the air conditioning system.
Registriert die Steuerungstechnik jedoch einen raschen Druckabfall, schlägt die Druckprüfung der Klimaanlage fehl. Das Klima-Service-Gerät stoppt den eigentlichen Wartungsprozess und fordert den Servicetechniker auf, mit Hilfe einer separaten Wasserstoff-Sonde, die als handliches, mobiles Prüfgerät mit einem langen, flexiblen Prüfrüssel ausgeführt ist, den Kühlkreislauf abzusuchen und die Leckage zu orten. Die Wasserstoff-Sonde ist entsprechend empfindlich, so dass selbst kleinste Leckagen ohne Verwendung eines weiteren Lecksuchmediums aufgespürt werden können.However, if the control technology registers a rapid drop in pressure, the air conditioner pressure test will fail. The A / C service stops the actual maintenance process and prompts the service technician to scan the cooling circuit and locate the leak using a separate hydrogen probe designed as a handy, mobile tester with a long, flexible test probe. The hydrogen probe is correspondingly sensitive, so that even the smallest leaks can be detected without the use of another leak detection medium.
Nachdem der Servicetechniker das Leck geortet hat, bestätigt er dies per Tastendruck am Klima-Service-Gerät und das Prüfgas wird über ein Ablassventil aus der Klimaanlage abgelassen.After the service technician locates the leak, he confirms this at the push of a button on the air conditioning service unit and the test gas is discharged from the air conditioning system via a drain valve.
Auch hier wird das vom Prüfgas mitgerissene Kältemaschinenöl abgeschieden und gewogen, so dass die entsprechende Menge anschließend wieder eingefüllt werden kann. Die nun entleerte Klimaanlage kann repariert werden. Again, the entrained by the test gas refrigerant oil is separated and weighed, so that the appropriate amount can then be filled again. The now deflated air conditioning can be repaired.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Verfahren zur Wartung einer Klimaanlage, insbesondere einer Kfz- Klimaanlage, bei dem im Rahmen einer Dichtheitsprüfung der von Kältemittel entleerte Kühlkreislauf der Klimaanlage mit einem Prüfgas bei definiertem Druck beaufschlagt und Änderungen dieses Druckes über ein Zeitintervall registriert und ausgewertet werden, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t , dass es sich bei dem Prüfgas um ein Gasgemisch aus Stickstoff und Wasserstoff handelt, und dass nach Registrierung eines Druckabfalls der Kühlkreislauf mit einer Wasserstoff-Sonde abgesucht wird.1. A method for the maintenance of an air conditioner, in particular a motor vehicle air conditioner, in which, as part of a leak test of the emptied of refrigerant cooling circuit of the air conditioning with a test gas at a defined pressure and changes of this pressure over a time interval registered and evaluated, characterized in that the test gas is a gas mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen and, after registering a pressure drop, the cooling circuit is scanned with a hydrogen probe.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es sich bei dem Prüfgas um ein Gasgemisch aus 95 % Stickstoff (N2) und 5 % Wasserstoff (H2) handelt.2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is the test gas is a gas mixture of 95% nitrogen (N 2 ) and 5% hydrogen (H 2 ).
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass nach Abschluss der Dichtheitsprüfung das Prüfgas aus dem Kühlkreislauf abgelassen wird, dass mitgerissenes Kältemaschinenöl aus dem abgelassenen Prüfgas abgeschieden wird, und dass die abgeschiedene Menge an Kältemaschinenöl dem Kühlkreislauf wieder zugeführt wird.3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that after completion of the leak test, the test gas is discharged from the cooling circuit that entrained refrigerator oil is separated from the discharged test gas, and that the deposited amount of refrigerating machine oil is supplied to the cooling circuit again.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die abgeschiedene Menge an Kältemaschinenöl durch Wägung bestimmt wird. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the deposited amount of refrigerating machine oil is determined by weighing.
EP07819528A 2006-11-06 2007-11-02 Leakage test in an air conditioner Withdrawn EP2087299A1 (en)

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DE102006052551A DE102006052551A1 (en) 2006-11-06 2006-11-06 Leakage test in an air conditioner
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US20090229295A1 (en) 2009-09-17

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