EP2381194A2 - Machine for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use - Google Patents
Machine for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2381194A2 EP2381194A2 EP11157687A EP11157687A EP2381194A2 EP 2381194 A2 EP2381194 A2 EP 2381194A2 EP 11157687 A EP11157687 A EP 11157687A EP 11157687 A EP11157687 A EP 11157687A EP 2381194 A2 EP2381194 A2 EP 2381194A2
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- refrigerant fluid
- line
- container
- machine according
- machine
- 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.)
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Classifications
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- 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
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- 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
- F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
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- 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
- F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
- F25B2345/001—Charging refrigerant to a cycle
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- 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
- F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
- F25B2345/002—Collecting refrigerant from a cycle
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- 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
- F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
- F25B2345/005—Service stations therefor
- F25B2345/0052—Service stations therefor having wheels
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- 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
- F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
- F25B2345/007—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor characterised by the weighing of refrigerant or oil
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a machine for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use.
- machines of the known type also perform the "emptying" operation, i.e. the removal of non-condensable gases and humidity from the cooling system by means of a high vacuum pump.
- Machines of the known type suffer the drawback of not offering adequate guarantees that such standards are fully respected, since it cannot be definitively ruled out that, during their operation, they can introduce solid particles and oily contaminants into the cooling system.
- the aim of the present invention is to provide a machine for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use, which is capable of overcoming the above mentioned drawback.
- an object of the invention is to provide a machine that also operates at low temperatures.
- a further object of the invention is to provide a machine that is capable of operating with any type of refrigerant fluid, such as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons, which are sold under the name 'Freon'), HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons).
- CFCs chlorofluorocarbons, which are sold under the name 'Freon'
- HCFCs hydrochlorofluorocarbons
- HFCs hydrofluorocarbons
- Another object of the invention is to provide a machine that allows the recovery of cooling fluid, as well as the complete emptying and subsequent refilling of a cooling system, by way of a solution that is simple to implement and at low cost.
- a machine for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid comprising means of connection with the outside environment which are associated with a main line that is connected, by means of a refill line and by means of a recovery line, with a container that is adapted to contain a refrigerant fluid; there being provided, on said recovery line, a first filter and a still for separating the contaminants and solid particles that are present in said refrigerant fluid; characterized in that it comprises, on said recovery line, a dry compressor which defines a suction portion for the suction of said refrigerant fluid from said main line and a pressure portion in order to send said refrigerant fluid into said container.
- the machine according to the invention comprises means of connection 70 with the outside environment, and in particular for coupling with an external cooling system 100 or with a service cylinder 101.
- the means of connection 70 comprise two couplings: a first coupling 71 for a low-pressure line 72 of the machine 1 and a second coupling 73 for a high-pressure line 74 of the machine 1.
- a first manually actuated valve is provided at each of the two couplings 71 and 73 .
- the pressure lines 72 and 74 are preferably defined by flexible tubes and on each of them there is a first pressure gauge, respectively 72a and 74a, and a second manually actuated valve, respectively 72b and 74b.
- the means of connection 70 with the outside environment are associated, by means of the low-pressure line 72 and the high-pressure line 74, with a main line 75.
- the main line 75 is connected by means of a refill line 18 to a container 10 which is adapted to contain a refrigerant fluid and is preferably in the form of a cylinder.
- the container 10 has two connections: a first connection 11, which has a riser and is provided for the refrigerant fluid in the liquid phase, and a second connection 12, which does not have a riser and is provided for the refrigerant fluid in the gaseous phase.
- Both the first connection 11 and the second connection 12 have third manually actuated valves, respectively 11a and 12a.
- the container 10 has a safety valve 10a for discharging non-condensable gases.
- the container 10 comprises a resistor with thermostat 13 and an electronic weighing scales 14 for measuring the quantity of refrigerant fluid that is present in the container 10.
- the main line 75 is connected to the container 10 by means of a recovery line 18 and a refill line 38 on which there is a still 30 and a first filter 40 for separating the refrigerant fluid from contaminant substances and solid particles which are present within it.
- the refill line 18 comprises a line for conveying the refrigerant fluid in the liquid phase 16, which is associated with the first connection 11 of the container 10 and is provided with a humidity gauge 17.
- a second filter 25 is provided for purifying the liquid refrigerant fluid of the solid particles present within it during the refill step, that is to say, as will be better described below, on the line that brings the refrigerant fluid from the container 10 to the cooling circuit 100.
- the second filter 25 can be positioned on the line for conveying the liquid refrigerant fluid 16.
- the refill line 18 is provided with a first solenoid valve 18a and with a first non-return valve 18b.
- the refill line 18 can also be associated with a service line 19 for refilling the refrigerant fluid, which is provided at its entry point with a fourth manually actuated valve 19a.
- the recovery line 38 is provided with the still 30 and the first filter 40.
- a dry compressor 41 i.e. a compressor without lubricants, which divides the recovery line 38 into a suction portion 34 for the suction of the refrigerant fluid present in the main line 75 and a pressure portion 42 in order to send the refrigerant fluid into the container 10.
- the suction portion 34 which is preferably defined by a flexible tube, the refrigerant fluid that is present in the main line 75, and which comes from the cooling system 100 or is introduced from the outside by means of a service cylinder 101, is sucked into the still 30.
- the suction portion 34 comprises a first portion 35 which runs between the main line 75 and the still 30, a second portion 36 which runs between the still 30 and the first filter 40, and a third portion 37 which runs from the first filter 40 to the dry compressor 41, which is provided with a service connection 41a.
- a vacuum pressure switch 35a for controlling the vacuum pressure of the suction portion 34 .
- a second solenoid valve 35b for controlling the suction pressure of the suction portion 34 .
- a second non-return valve 35c for controlling the suction pressure of the suction portion 34 .
- the pressure portion 42 comprises two parts: a first part 43 which goes from the dry compressor 41 back to the still 30 and a second part 44 which runs from the still 30 to the container 10.
- the still 30 comprises a distillation chamber 31 inside which the separation occurs of the refrigerant fluid from oil and from contaminant substances. Moreover, the still 30 comprises a chamber for heat exchange between the exhaust gas and the recovered refrigerant fluid and a coiled duct for heat exchange between the exhaust gas and the recovered refrigerant fluid.
- the still 30 is of the type disclosed in Italian patent 1,252,639 .
- the still 30 can be provided with a device 60 for automatically controlling the flow.
- the device 60 comprises a third solenoid valve 61 which is positioned on a capillary tube 62 interposed between the first portion 35 of the suction portion 34 and the first part 43 of the pressure portion 42.
- the capillary tube 62 regulates the fall in pressure upstream and downstream of the dry compressor 41.
- the first filter 40 is of the antiacid dehydrator type with an absorption capacity that is substantially equal to 40 grams of water.
- the first filter 40 can be of the cartridge type, with a filtering surface of substantially 2.5 micrometers.
- a discharge line 39 exits from the still 30 and terminates in a receptacle 102 for collecting the contaminant oil that has been separated from the refrigerant fluid by distillation.
- the discharge line 39 has a fourth solenoid valve 39a and a third non-return valve 39b.
- the refrigerant fluid is sucked by the dry compressor 41 in the first portion 35 of the suction portion 34 until it arrives in the still 30. From here the refrigerant fluid is sucked into the second portion 36 of the suction portion 34 until it reaches the first filter 40 where it undergoes separation from the solid particles that are present within it. Through the third portion 37 of the suction portion, the filtered refrigerant fluid goes through the dry compressor 41 in order to be sent to the first part 43 of the pressure portion 42, which brings it into the still 30 where it undergoes distillation.
- the refrigerant fluid vapors which have been filtered of solid components by the first filter 40 and separated from oily contaminants by distillation, exit from the still 30.
- a safety pressure switch 44a is provided on the second part 44 of the pressure portion 42.
- the second part 44 of the pressure portion 42 comprises a condenser 45 that causes the cooling of the refrigerant fluid vapors, which are then introduced into the container 10 through a line for conveying the refrigerant fluid in the gaseous phase 15 which is connected to the second connection 12 of the container 10 (the connection provided for the refrigerant fluid in the gaseous phase).
- the main line 75 is also connected, by means of an emptying line 21, to a high vacuum pump 20 for aspirating and emptying the cooling system 100 connected to the machine 1 of the residues of the technical gases used for pressing, of the atmospheric air and of the vapor which is due to it, and of any water fractions that have formed through the condensation of the vapor.
- the emptying line 21 comprises a vacuum switch 24 which controls the action of the high vacuum pump 20 so that the pressure value is kept constant over time.
- the high vacuum pump 20 is also associated with a fifth solenoid valve 21a.
- the high vacuum pump 20 is of the multi-vane rotary type, is lubricated by oil injection and has a flow capacity that is substantially comprised between 2501/min and 440 l/min.
- a vacuum test line 22 provided with a sixth solenoid valve 22a for controlling the pressure inside the line 22.
- a second pressure gauge 23 for measuring and indicating to the operator the level of pressure that is present in the vacuum test line 22.
- the refill line 18, the main line 75, and the recovery line 38 all meet at a common connection point 80 at which there is an indicator 81 for verifying the flow of refrigerant fluid.
- the indicator 81 can be either electronic or it can be a simple transparent window through which the operator can visually verify the flow of the refrigerant fluid.
- the emptying line 21 is also connected to the common connection point 80.
- the machine 1 is entirely accommodated on a supporting structure 2 which is provided with means for movement 2a.
- the supporting structure 2 comprises in a downward region a base 3, substantially box-shaped, which is designed to accommodate the dry compressor 41, the high vacuum pump 20 and the condenser 45. Moreover the supporting structure 2 comprises a wall 4, inside which the still 30 is accommodated, and which extends vertically from the upper face 5 of the base 3.
- the bottom 6 of the base 3 is a quadrilateral and is provided at its corners with means for movement 2a, such as for example castors.
- the container 10 is positioned on the part 7 of the upper face 5 that is not occupied by the wall 4 and preferably has a maximum capacity of ten kilograms and a weight, when empty, of eight kilograms. Moreover, on one face of the wall 4 a shelf 8 for supporting the receptacle 102 is provided.
- the cartridge filter 40 At the part 7, beside the container 10 and interposed between two flexible tubes, there is the cartridge filter 40.
- the two flexible tubes between which the aforementioned first filter 40 is interposed are the second portion 36 and the third portion 37 of the suction portion 34.
- the wall 4 ends with an inclined portion 9 on the outer face of which an interface 90 for the operator is provided.
- the interface 90 comprises an on/off switch 91, two buttons 92 and 93 for activating the second manually actuated valves 72b and 74b and two displays 94 and 95 for indicating the pressure values detected respectively by the first pressure gauges 72a and 74a.
- the interface 90 further comprises command buttons 96 for setting the recovery, refill and emptying functions and an electronic display 97 for indicating the pressure values measured by the second pressure gauge 23, as well as the quantity of refrigerant fluid measured by the electronic weighing scales 14.
- the indicator 81 for verifying the flow of refrigerant fluid.
- the couplings 71 and 73 are associated with the attachments 103 and 104 of the cooling system 100, respectively for low pressure and for high pressure.
- the fluid is aspirated by the dry compressor 41 into the main line 75 and then into the recovery line 38.
- the dry compressor 41 sends the refrigerant fluid into the still 30, where it is separated from oily contaminants by distillation.
- the refrigerant fluid in the gaseous phase which leaves the still 30 is then cooled by the condenser 45 and arrives inside the container 10.
- the refrigerant fluid can also be recovered from a service cylinder 101 and, in this situation, only one of the two couplings 71 and 73 is connected with the attachment 105 of the service cylinder 101.
- the operation of the machine 1, according to the invention, during the operating step of recovery from a service cylinder 101 is substantially identical to what is described above for the step of recovery from the external cooling system 100.
- the cooling system 100 is connected to the machine 1 as described previously for the recovery step.
- the high vacuum pump 20 is activated and aspires, from the cooling system 100, into the main line 75 and then into the emptying line 21, the residues of the technical gases used for pressing, the atmospheric air and the vapor associated with it, and any water fractions that have formed through the condensation of the vapor. In this way, the cooling system 100 is completely emptied.
- the machine, according to the invention for recovering refrigerant fluid, as well as for emptying and refilling cooling systems, particularly for aeronautic use, fully achieves the intended aim, in that the use of a dry compressor makes it possible to prevent, during the step of recovering the refrigerant fluid from the external cooling system or from the external cylinder, the introduction of oily contaminants and solid particles into the refrigerant fluid which is deposited in the container.
- the presence of a second filter on the line for the refrigerant fluid in the liquid phase merging with the refill line allows, during the step of refilling the cooling system, a further filtering of the refrigerant fluid withdrawn from the container and thus a further separation from the solid particles and from the contaminants present in the refrigerant fluid.
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- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a machine for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use.
- Currently machines are known that are capable of performing both the "refilling" operation, i.e. the introduction of refrigerant fluid into a cooling system, and the "recovery" operation, i.e. the removal of refrigerant fluid, in any state, from the cooling system and its collection in a container.
- Moreover, machines of the known type also perform the "emptying" operation, i.e. the removal of non-condensable gases and humidity from the cooling system by means of a high vacuum pump.
- In the cooling systems on board aircraft, it is necessary to use a refrigerant fluid that is highly pure, free from pollutant particles, according to the indications of the NAS1638 standards, and 100% free from oil or contaminants.
- Machines of the known type suffer the drawback of not offering adequate guarantees that such standards are fully respected, since it cannot be definitively ruled out that, during their operation, they can introduce solid particles and oily contaminants into the cooling system.
- The aim of the present invention is to provide a machine for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use, which is capable of overcoming the above mentioned drawback.
- Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a machine that also operates at low temperatures.
- A further object of the invention is to provide a machine that is capable of operating with any type of refrigerant fluid, such as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons, which are sold under the name 'Freon'), HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons).
- Another object of the invention is to provide a machine that allows the recovery of cooling fluid, as well as the complete emptying and subsequent refilling of a cooling system, by way of a solution that is simple to implement and at low cost.
- This aim, as well as these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a machine for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use, comprising means of connection with the outside environment which are associated with a main line that is connected, by means of a refill line and by means of a recovery line, with a container that is adapted to contain a refrigerant fluid; there being provided, on said recovery line, a first filter and a still for separating the contaminants and solid particles that are present in said refrigerant fluid; characterized in that it comprises, on said recovery line, a dry compressor which defines a suction portion for the suction of said refrigerant fluid from said main line and a pressure portion in order to send said refrigerant fluid into said container.
- Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the detailed description of a machine for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use, according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:
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Figure 1 is a hydraulic diagram of the machine, according to the invention, for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use; -
Figure 2 is a hydraulic diagram of the machine, according to the invention, during the operating step of recovering the refrigerant fluid from a cooling system; -
Figure 3 is a hydraulic diagram of the machine, according to the invention, during the operating step of recovering the refrigerant fluid from an external cylinder; -
Figure 4 is a hydraulic diagram of the machine, according to the invention, during the operating step of emptying a cooling system; -
Figure 5 is a hydraulic diagram of the machine, according to the invention, during the operating step of refilling the refrigerant fluid in a cooling system; -
Figure 6 is a front elevation view of a schematic layout of the individual components in the machine, according to the invention, for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use; -
Figure 7 is a side elevation view of a schematic layout of the individual components in the machine, according to the invention. - With reference to the figures, the machine according to the invention, generally designated with the
reference numeral 1, comprises means ofconnection 70 with the outside environment, and in particular for coupling with anexternal cooling system 100 or with aservice cylinder 101. - More specifically, the means of
connection 70 comprise two couplings: afirst coupling 71 for a low-pressure line 72 of themachine 1 and asecond coupling 73 for a high-pressure line 74 of themachine 1. - More specifically, at each of the two
couplings - The
pressure lines - The means of
connection 70 with the outside environment are associated, by means of the low-pressure line 72 and the high-pressure line 74, with amain line 75. - The
main line 75 is connected by means of arefill line 18 to acontainer 10 which is adapted to contain a refrigerant fluid and is preferably in the form of a cylinder. - In more detail, the
container 10 has two connections: afirst connection 11, which has a riser and is provided for the refrigerant fluid in the liquid phase, and asecond connection 12, which does not have a riser and is provided for the refrigerant fluid in the gaseous phase. Both thefirst connection 11 and thesecond connection 12 have third manually actuated valves, respectively 11a and 12a. - Conveniently, the
container 10 has asafety valve 10a for discharging non-condensable gases. - Advantageously, the
container 10 comprises a resistor withthermostat 13 and anelectronic weighing scales 14 for measuring the quantity of refrigerant fluid that is present in thecontainer 10. - The
main line 75 is connected to thecontainer 10 by means of arecovery line 18 and arefill line 38 on which there is a still 30 and afirst filter 40 for separating the refrigerant fluid from contaminant substances and solid particles which are present within it. - In more detail, the
refill line 18 comprises a line for conveying the refrigerant fluid in theliquid phase 16, which is associated with thefirst connection 11 of thecontainer 10 and is provided with ahumidity gauge 17. - On the
refill line 18 asecond filter 25 is provided for purifying the liquid refrigerant fluid of the solid particles present within it during the refill step, that is to say, as will be better described below, on the line that brings the refrigerant fluid from thecontainer 10 to thecooling circuit 100. - Advantageously, the
second filter 25 can be positioned on the line for conveying theliquid refrigerant fluid 16. - The
refill line 18 is provided with afirst solenoid valve 18a and with a firstnon-return valve 18b. - The
refill line 18 can also be associated with aservice line 19 for refilling the refrigerant fluid, which is provided at its entry point with a fourth manually actuatedvalve 19a. - As mentioned previously, the
recovery line 38 is provided with the still 30 and thefirst filter 40. - According to the invention, on the
recovery line 38 there is adry compressor 41, i.e. a compressor without lubricants, which divides therecovery line 38 into asuction portion 34 for the suction of the refrigerant fluid present in themain line 75 and apressure portion 42 in order to send the refrigerant fluid into thecontainer 10. - By means of the
suction portion 34, which is preferably defined by a flexible tube, the refrigerant fluid that is present in themain line 75, and which comes from thecooling system 100 or is introduced from the outside by means of aservice cylinder 101, is sucked into the still 30. - In more detail, the
suction portion 34 comprises afirst portion 35 which runs between themain line 75 and the still 30, asecond portion 36 which runs between the still 30 and thefirst filter 40, and athird portion 37 which runs from thefirst filter 40 to thedry compressor 41, which is provided with aservice connection 41a. - Conveniently, on the
first portion 35 of thesuction portion 34 there are: avacuum pressure switch 35a, asecond solenoid valve 35b and a secondnon-return valve 35c. - The
pressure portion 42 comprises two parts: afirst part 43 which goes from thedry compressor 41 back to the still 30 and asecond part 44 which runs from the still 30 to thecontainer 10. - In more detail, the
still 30 comprises adistillation chamber 31 inside which the separation occurs of the refrigerant fluid from oil and from contaminant substances. Moreover, the still 30 comprises a chamber for heat exchange between the exhaust gas and the recovered refrigerant fluid and a coiled duct for heat exchange between the exhaust gas and the recovered refrigerant fluid. - Preferably, the still 30 is of the type disclosed in Italian patent
1,252,639 - Advantageously, the still 30 can be provided with a
device 60 for automatically controlling the flow. Thedevice 60 comprises athird solenoid valve 61 which is positioned on acapillary tube 62 interposed between thefirst portion 35 of thesuction portion 34 and thefirst part 43 of thepressure portion 42. By means of thethird solenoid valve 61, thecapillary tube 62 regulates the fall in pressure upstream and downstream of thedry compressor 41. - More specifically, the
first filter 40 is of the antiacid dehydrator type with an absorption capacity that is substantially equal to 40 grams of water. Moreover, thefirst filter 40 can be of the cartridge type, with a filtering surface of substantially 2.5 micrometers. - Advantageously, a
discharge line 39 exits from the still 30 and terminates in areceptacle 102 for collecting the contaminant oil that has been separated from the refrigerant fluid by distillation. Thedischarge line 39 has afourth solenoid valve 39a and a thirdnon-return valve 39b. - Therefore, with reference to
Figures 2 and3 , the refrigerant fluid is sucked by thedry compressor 41 in thefirst portion 35 of thesuction portion 34 until it arrives in the still 30. From here the refrigerant fluid is sucked into thesecond portion 36 of thesuction portion 34 until it reaches thefirst filter 40 where it undergoes separation from the solid particles that are present within it. Through thethird portion 37 of the suction portion, the filtered refrigerant fluid goes through thedry compressor 41 in order to be sent to thefirst part 43 of thepressure portion 42, which brings it into the still 30 where it undergoes distillation. Subsequently, through thesecond part 44 of thepressure portion 42, which is preferably defined by a flexible tube, the refrigerant fluid vapors, which have been filtered of solid components by thefirst filter 40 and separated from oily contaminants by distillation, exit from the still 30. Conveniently, on thesecond part 44 of the pressure portion 42 asafety pressure switch 44a is provided. - Conveniently, the
second part 44 of thepressure portion 42 comprises acondenser 45 that causes the cooling of the refrigerant fluid vapors, which are then introduced into thecontainer 10 through a line for conveying the refrigerant fluid in thegaseous phase 15 which is connected to thesecond connection 12 of the container 10 (the connection provided for the refrigerant fluid in the gaseous phase). - On the aforementioned line for conveying the refrigerant fluid in the
gaseous phase 15 there is a fourthnon-return valve 15a and a fifth manually actuatedvalve 15b for draining thecontainer 10. - Advantageously, the
main line 75 is also connected, by means of anemptying line 21, to ahigh vacuum pump 20 for aspirating and emptying thecooling system 100 connected to themachine 1 of the residues of the technical gases used for pressing, of the atmospheric air and of the vapor which is due to it, and of any water fractions that have formed through the condensation of the vapor. - More specifically, the
emptying line 21 comprises avacuum switch 24 which controls the action of thehigh vacuum pump 20 so that the pressure value is kept constant over time. Thehigh vacuum pump 20 is also associated with afifth solenoid valve 21a. - Preferably, the
high vacuum pump 20 is of the multi-vane rotary type, is lubricated by oil injection and has a flow capacity that is substantially comprised between 2501/min and 440 l/min. - Advantageously, on the
emptying line 21 of thehigh vacuum pump 20 there is avacuum test line 22 provided with asixth solenoid valve 22a for controlling the pressure inside theline 22. There is also a connection to asecond pressure gauge 23 for measuring and indicating to the operator the level of pressure that is present in thevacuum test line 22. - Preferably, the
refill line 18, themain line 75, and therecovery line 38 all meet at acommon connection point 80 at which there is anindicator 81 for verifying the flow of refrigerant fluid. Theindicator 81 can be either electronic or it can be a simple transparent window through which the operator can visually verify the flow of the refrigerant fluid. - Advantageously, the emptying
line 21 is also connected to thecommon connection point 80. - Preferably, the
machine 1 is entirely accommodated on a supportingstructure 2 which is provided with means formovement 2a. - More specifically, the supporting
structure 2 comprises in a downward region abase 3, substantially box-shaped, which is designed to accommodate thedry compressor 41, thehigh vacuum pump 20 and thecondenser 45. Moreover the supportingstructure 2 comprises awall 4, inside which the still 30 is accommodated, and which extends vertically from theupper face 5 of thebase 3. Thebottom 6 of thebase 3 is a quadrilateral and is provided at its corners with means formovement 2a, such as for example castors. - The
container 10 is positioned on thepart 7 of theupper face 5 that is not occupied by thewall 4 and preferably has a maximum capacity of ten kilograms and a weight, when empty, of eight kilograms. Moreover, on one face of the wall 4 ashelf 8 for supporting thereceptacle 102 is provided. - At the
part 7, beside thecontainer 10 and interposed between two flexible tubes, there is thecartridge filter 40. The two flexible tubes between which the aforementionedfirst filter 40 is interposed are thesecond portion 36 and thethird portion 37 of thesuction portion 34. - The
wall 4 ends with aninclined portion 9 on the outer face of which aninterface 90 for the operator is provided. - More specifically, the
interface 90 comprises an on/offswitch 91, twobuttons valves displays first pressure gauges interface 90 further comprisescommand buttons 96 for setting the recovery, refill and emptying functions and anelectronic display 97 for indicating the pressure values measured by thesecond pressure gauge 23, as well as the quantity of refrigerant fluid measured by the electronic weighing scales 14. Moreover, in theinterface 90 there is also theindicator 81 for verifying the flow of refrigerant fluid. - Use of the
machine 1 according to the invention, in terms of the various operating steps, is the following. - In the operational step of recovering the refrigerant fluid from the
cooling system 100, thecouplings attachments cooling system 100, respectively for low pressure and for high pressure. After opening the first manually actuatedvalves valves dry compressor 41 into themain line 75 and then into therecovery line 38. After being filtered by thefirst filter 40, thedry compressor 41 sends the refrigerant fluid into the still 30, where it is separated from oily contaminants by distillation. The refrigerant fluid in the gaseous phase which leaves the still 30 is then cooled by thecondenser 45 and arrives inside thecontainer 10. - With reference to
Figure 3 , the refrigerant fluid can also be recovered from aservice cylinder 101 and, in this situation, only one of the twocouplings attachment 105 of theservice cylinder 101. The operation of themachine 1, according to the invention, during the operating step of recovery from aservice cylinder 101 is substantially identical to what is described above for the step of recovery from theexternal cooling system 100. - With reference to
Figure 4 , during the operating step of emptying thecooling system 100, thecooling system 100 is connected to themachine 1 as described previously for the recovery step. In the emptying step, thehigh vacuum pump 20 is activated and aspires, from thecooling system 100, into themain line 75 and then into the emptyingline 21, the residues of the technical gases used for pressing, the atmospheric air and the vapor associated with it, and any water fractions that have formed through the condensation of the vapor. In this way, thecooling system 100 is completely emptied. - With reference to
Figure 5 , during the step of refilling the refrigerant fluid in thecooling system 100, only one of the twocouplings machine 1, preferably thefirst coupling 71, remains associated with therespective attachment cooling system 100. By activating thecooling system 100 the refrigerant fluid that is present in thecontainer 10 is sucked into therefill line 18, passing through thesecond filter 25 which is positioned on the line for conveying the refrigerant fluid in theliquid phase 16. From therefill line 18 it then passes to themain line 75, and after that it goes through the low-pressure line 72 or the high-pressure line 74 and into thecooling system 100. - In practice it has been found that the machine, according to the invention, for recovering refrigerant fluid, as well as for emptying and refilling cooling systems, particularly for aeronautic use, fully achieves the intended aim, in that the use of a dry compressor makes it possible to prevent, during the step of recovering the refrigerant fluid from the external cooling system or from the external cylinder, the introduction of oily contaminants and solid particles into the refrigerant fluid which is deposited in the container.
- Moreover, the presence of a second filter on the line for the refrigerant fluid in the liquid phase merging with the refill line, allows, during the step of refilling the cooling system, a further filtering of the refrigerant fluid withdrawn from the container and thus a further separation from the solid particles and from the contaminants present in the refrigerant fluid.
- It should be noted that the concept underlying the invention, although it has been described with particular reference to utilisation in the aeronautic sector, can be used also for similar applications in which a high purity of the refrigerant fluid is required.
- In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
- The disclosures in Italian Utility Model Application No.
MI2010U000097 - Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
Claims (10)
- A machine for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use, comprising means of connection (70) with the outside environment (100; 101) which are associated with a main line (75) that is connected, by means of a refill line (18) and by means of a recovery line (38), with a container (10) that is adapted to contain a refrigerant fluid; there being, on said recovery line (38), a first filter (40) and a still (30) for separating the contaminants and solid particles that are present in said refrigerant fluid; characterized in that it comprises, on said recovery line (38), a dry compressor (41) which defines a suction portion (34) for the suction of said refrigerant fluid from said main line (75) and a pressure portion (42) in order to send said refrigerant fluid into said container (10).
- The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second filter (25) on said refill line (18).
- The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said main line (75) is connected by means of an emptying line (21) to a high vacuum pump (20).
- The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said suction portion (34) comprises a first portion (35) which runs between said main line (75) and said still (30), a second portion (36) which runs between said still (30) and said first filter (40), and a third portion (37) which is comprised between said first filter (40) and said dry compressor (41); said pressure portion (42) comprising a first part (43) which is comprised between said dry compressor (41) and said still (30) and a second part (44) which is comprised between said still (30) and said container (10).
- The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container (10) comprises a first connection (11) which is for said refrigerant fluid in the liquid phase and is associated with a line for conveying said refrigerant fluid in the liquid phase (16) and a second connection (12) which is for said refrigerant fluid in the gaseous phase and is associated with a line for conveying said refrigerant fluid in the gaseous phase (15).
- The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second filter (25) is arranged on said line for conveying said refrigerant fluid in the liquid phase (16).
- The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, on said second part (44) of said pressure portion (42), a condenser (45) for cooling the vapors of the distilled refrigerant fluid.
- The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said main line (75), said refill line (18) and said recovery line (38) all meet at a common connection point (80) at which an indicator (81) of the flow of said refrigerant fluid is provided.
- The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said emptying line (21) is connected to said common connection point (80).
- The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is mounted entirely on a supporting structure (2) which is provided with means of movement (2a).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITMI20100097 ITMI20100097U1 (en) | 2010-03-30 | 2010-03-30 | MACHINE FOR RECOVERY AND RECHARGE OF REFRIGERANT FLUID, PARTICULARLY FOR AERONAUTICAL USE. |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2381194A2 true EP2381194A2 (en) | 2011-10-26 |
EP2381194A3 EP2381194A3 (en) | 2014-04-16 |
Family
ID=43741259
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP11157687.2A Withdrawn EP2381194A3 (en) | 2010-03-30 | 2011-03-10 | Machine for recovering and refilling refrigerant fluid, particularly for aeronautic use |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2381194A3 (en) |
IT (1) | ITMI20100097U1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104236183A (en) * | 2013-06-14 | 2014-12-24 | 上汽通用五菱汽车股份有限公司 | Filling gun of refrigerant filling machine |
CN105251243A (en) * | 2015-11-05 | 2016-01-20 | 国家电网公司 | Mutual inductor insulating oil degassing device and degassing method thereof |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT1252639B (en) | 1991-12-06 | 1995-06-19 | Wigam S R L | Apparatus for recovering and cleaning fluid refrigerants |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4805416A (en) * | 1987-11-04 | 1989-02-21 | Kent-Moore Corporation | Refrigerant recovery, purification and recharging system |
US5361594A (en) * | 1991-03-11 | 1994-11-08 | Young Robert E | Refrigeration recovery and purification |
US5709091A (en) * | 1992-06-30 | 1998-01-20 | Todack; James Joseph | Refrigerant recovery and recycling method and apparatus |
US5617731A (en) * | 1995-04-19 | 1997-04-08 | Mainstream Engineering Corporation | Refrigerant recovery/recycling system |
-
2010
- 2010-03-30 IT ITMI20100097 patent/ITMI20100097U1/en unknown
-
2011
- 2011-03-10 EP EP11157687.2A patent/EP2381194A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT1252639B (en) | 1991-12-06 | 1995-06-19 | Wigam S R L | Apparatus for recovering and cleaning fluid refrigerants |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104236183A (en) * | 2013-06-14 | 2014-12-24 | 上汽通用五菱汽车股份有限公司 | Filling gun of refrigerant filling machine |
CN104236183B (en) * | 2013-06-14 | 2017-08-18 | 上汽通用五菱汽车股份有限公司 | A kind of refrigerant filling machine filling gun |
CN105251243A (en) * | 2015-11-05 | 2016-01-20 | 国家电网公司 | Mutual inductor insulating oil degassing device and degassing method thereof |
CN105251243B (en) * | 2015-11-05 | 2017-06-23 | 国家电网公司 | Transformer insulating oil degassing device and its degassing method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2381194A3 (en) | 2014-04-16 |
ITMI20100097U1 (en) | 2011-10-01 |
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