EP2527519A1 - Appareil de traitement d'articles doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur avec élément de sécurité - Google Patents

Appareil de traitement d'articles doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur avec élément de sécurité Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2527519A1
EP2527519A1 EP11167560A EP11167560A EP2527519A1 EP 2527519 A1 EP2527519 A1 EP 2527519A1 EP 11167560 A EP11167560 A EP 11167560A EP 11167560 A EP11167560 A EP 11167560A EP 2527519 A1 EP2527519 A1 EP 2527519A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerant
treatment apparatus
pressure
loop
release
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP11167560A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2527519B1 (fr
Inventor
Alberto Bison
Francesco Cavarretta
Maurizio Ugel
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.)
Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
Original Assignee
Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
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 Electrolux Home Products Corp NV filed Critical Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
Priority to EP11167560.9A priority Critical patent/EP2527519B1/fr
Publication of EP2527519A1 publication Critical patent/EP2527519A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2527519B1 publication Critical patent/EP2527519B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/206—Heat pump arrangements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an articles treatment apparatus, in particular to a laundry treatment apparatus, a dryer, a washing machine or a washing machine having drying function, the apparatus comprising a heat pump system.
  • the heat pump system is operating with the refrigerant being cycled in a totally supercritical state or a transcritical state.
  • EP 2 060 671 B 1 suggests a tumble dryer having a heat pump system in which the refrigerant is cycled through the refrigerant loop in the gaseous state.
  • the tumble dryer of WO 2008/105232 A1 has a heat pump system using CO 2 as refrigerant.
  • a CO 2 leak detector is provided which monitors presence of abnormal CO 2 levels in the process air, which might unintentionally leak out of the CO 2 refrigerant loop of the heat pump system.
  • CO 2 is detected, the closed process air cycle is opened by sucking ambient air through the drum and exhausting process air between the gas cooler and the gas heater of the heat pump system.
  • WO 2008/105233 A1 provides a similar tumble dryer in which upon detecting a leak the loading door for loading laundry into the drum is safety locked.
  • an articles treatment apparatus has a heat pump system with a refrigerant loop.
  • the articles treatment apparatus may be a washing machine, a washing machine having drying function, a tumble dryer, a cabinet dryer or a dishwasher.
  • the heat pump system comprises a refrigerant loop in which the refrigerant is circulated by the pumping activity of a compressor.
  • the high pressure refrigerant that was pumped by the compressor is flowing into a second heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant, which means that the heat of the high pressure refrigerant is transferred from the refrigerant to another medium.
  • the articles treatment apparatus is a cabinet dryer, a tumble dryer or washing machine, where the pump system is used for the drying function, the medium is the processing air for drying the laundry.
  • the articles treatment apparatus is a dishwasher or washing machine, the heat is transferred to the washing liquor or liquid.
  • the refrigerant cooled in the second heat exchanger is leaving the second heat exchanger and is flowing to a refrigerant expansion device in which the pressure of the refrigerant is significantly reduced.
  • the expanded and low-pressure refrigerant that has passed the refrigerant expansion device flows into a first heat exchanger for heating/evaporating the refrigerant.
  • the heating of the refrigerant is made by transferring heat from a medium surrounding or flowing through the first heat exchanger to the refrigerant.
  • the medium transferring heat to the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger is the processing air.
  • the processing air is also the medium that receives heat in the second heat exchanger.
  • the medium for heating the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger is for example ambient air that is flown from outside through the first heat exchanger and then the cold ambient air is exhausted to the outside environment of the articles treatment apparatus.
  • the articles treatment apparatus further comprises a refrigerant release device which is in fluid connection to a high pressure side or branch of the refrigerant loop.
  • the high pressure side or high pressure branch of the refrigerant loop is the section of the refrigerant loop between the outlet or outlet side of the compressor and the inlet or inlet side of the refrigerant expansion device.
  • the fluid connection of the refrigerant release device is made between the outlet of the compressor and the inlet of the second heat exchanger.
  • the refrigerant release device is adapted to release refrigerant from the refrigerant loop through an outlet of the release device.
  • refrigerant release device pressure or refrigerant is removed from the high pressure branch.
  • Release of refrigerant through the release device may be initiated preferably automatically and/or in a controlled manner.
  • the release of the refrigerant is stopped by the release device automatically and/or in a controlled manner.
  • the abnormal state is the overpressure state of the refrigerant that is detected as mentioned above.
  • the overpressure state of the refrigerant is detected using pressure and/or temperature detection of the refrigerant - preferably in the high pressure side of the heat pump system.
  • the overpressure state of the heat pump system is present when a predefined overpressure level of the refrigerant is reached or exceeded in the high pressure branch of the refrigerant loop.
  • the refrigerant used in the refrigerant loop is CO 2 .
  • the heat pump system is operated such that the refrigerant is above the critical pressure (beyond the critical point such that the refrigerant is in the fluid or supercritical phase) at least in the high pressure side or branch of the refrigerant loop.
  • the medium that is exchanging heat at or in the first and second heat exchanger is not necessarily used for articles treatment.
  • the medium is air or water that is heated/cooled by the medium.
  • the home appliance is a cooling apparatus like a refrigerator, a freezer or an air conditioner.
  • the home appliance in its application for treating articles is for example a laundry treatment apparatus like a washing machine, a dryer-washer or a dryer.
  • the articles treating home appliance is a dishwasher.
  • the medium is air and the first heat exchanger for cooling the medium is at the same time adapted to dehumidify the air flown through or over the first heat exchanger.
  • the refrigerant release device operates under the control of a controller of the articles treatment apparatus and/or the heat pump system such that the refrigerant release device is a controlled device and can be opened and/or closed in a controlled manner.
  • the refrigerant release device is an automatically opening (and preferably an automatically closing) release device that releases a refrigerant when reaching or exceeding a predefined pressure level of the refrigerant.
  • the controllable release device may be a valve driven by a solenoid, a motor or another actuator which provides actuation of the valve to open (and preferably to close).
  • the actuated opening can be implemented in an adjustable opening or a proportional opening control that means that the cross section of opening is adjustable to predefined degree, or the opening and closing is made in a binary manner (i.e. completely opening and closing the release cross section).
  • an automatically opening pressure release device may be provided which cross section is opened proportionally to the overpressure applied at its inlet or which can be opened completely when the overpressure level has been achieved or exceeded.
  • the refrigerant release device is an overpressure release device, in particular an overpressure release device having an elastic and/or spring-biased element for opening at or above a predefined overpressure level and preferably for closing the release device in a biased manner at or below the predefined overpressure level or at or below a second overpressure level.
  • opening of the refrigerant release device is made at a first overpressure level and the release device is closed when undershooting the first overpressure level.
  • the release device may open at a first overpressure level and may close at a second overpressure level which is for example lower than the first overpressure level (operation in a hysteresis mode).
  • the opening and closing with or without hysteresis may be implemented in the controlled release device using a controller or control electronics, or may be implemented for the automatically operating release device.
  • the automatically operating refrigerant release device may be driven by an elastic or spring-biased element which opens at or above a predefined overpressure level and closes if the predefined overpressure level or a second predefined overpressure level is undershot.
  • the control of the controllable refrigerant release device may be implemented via a controller of the articles treatment apparatus and/or the heat pump system, by a dedicated control electronics that is dedicated to detect an overpressure or abnormal state of the refrigerant within the refrigerant loop and which reacts thereon to open the control release device.
  • a pressure sensor may be connected to a switch which switching state is changed when at the predefined overpressure level or when exceeding and the switch signal is directly fed from the pressure sensor to the release device to change the opening state of the release device.
  • a current switch connected to the pressure detector is switched and power is supplied to the actuator of the release device which opens under the actuation of the powered actuator.
  • an analog pressure signal is fed to a dedicated pressure level monitor electronic which sends a power signal to the actuator of the release device upon detecting via the analog pressure signal that an overpressure level has been reached or exceeded.
  • the overpressure or abnormal state of the heat pump system is monitored by the controller of the heat pump system which can evaluate the pressure signal of a pressure detector or the temperature signal of a temperature detector in a more complex manner to determine whether an overpressure or abnormal state has occurred and can then control the release device to open.
  • the control under the heat pump system and/or articles treatment apparatus can be combined with a lower level operation of the release device (simple switching electronic or dedicated pressure monitoring electronic) to have a redundant structure for opening the refrigerant release device.
  • the outlet of the refrigerant release device is connected to the low pressure branch of the refrigerant loop.
  • the low pressure branch of the refrigerant loop is the section of the refrigerant loop between the outlet or outlet side of the refrigerant expansion device and the inlet or inlet side of the compressor.
  • the outlet is connected to the section of the refrigerant loop between the outlet or outlet side of the first heat exchanger and the inlet or inlet side of the compressor.
  • the refrigerant expansion device is bypassed by an overpressure bypass forming the refrigerant release device.
  • refrigerant in case of an abnormal state or overpressure state refrigerant is released from the high pressure branch between the second heat exchanger and the expansion device to the low pressure branch between the outlet of the expansion device and the inlet of the first heat exchanger.
  • the refrigerant expansion device itself is or is implementing the refrigerant release device or part thereof.
  • the refrigerant expansion device is or is implementing an overpressure valve opening when reaching or exceeding a predefined overpressure level, or is or is implementing a controllable valve that is (further) opened in case an abnormal state or overpressure state is detected.
  • the outlet of the release device is connected to a container such that the refrigerant released through the release device is fed into the container, preferably to be stored in the container.
  • Releasing the refrigerant into the container avoids a release of the refrigerant for example into the environment or to the outside of the refrigerant loop or heat pump system.
  • the release of the refrigerant into the container removes a portion of the refrigerant from the refrigerant loop such that the overall amount of refrigerant in the loop and thus the overall pressure in the refrigerant loop is reduced which is convenient for easily removing the overpressure state.
  • the refrigerant collected in the container can be re-fed into the refrigerant loop.
  • the amount of refrigerant previously released from the refrigerant loop into the container during the abnormal or overpressure state is re-fed to the refrigerant loop and the original operation conditions can be re-established.
  • re-feeding from the container to the refrigerant loop is made when the pressure in the container is higher than the refrigerant in the loop.
  • the refrigerant may be re-fed to the refrigerant loop at any position in the refrigerant loop, but preferably the refrigerant is re-fed to the loop between the outlet or outlet side of the first heat exchanger and the inlet or inlet side of the compressor or between the outlet or outlet side of the compressor and the inlet of the second heat exchanger.
  • the container refrigerant release device when the refrigerant is re-fed through the container refrigerant release device into the low pressure side or branch of the loop, the container refrigerant release device is automatically opened or opened in a controlled manner during an initial start phase of starting the heat pump system when the pressure in the low pressure branch of the loop is low. Thereby, most of the previously released refrigerant is recycled into the refrigerant loop.
  • the container refrigerant release device is the refrigerant release device which is operated under the control of a controller (of the articles treatment apparatus or the heat pump system) and the control provides that the release device is operating as overpressure release device during an overpressure or abnormal state and is operated as a container refrigerant release device as soon as the overpressure state is overcome and a pressure drop between the container and a feeding point in the refrigerant loop is detected or is expected under the corresponding operation conditions of the heat pump system.
  • a controller of the articles treatment apparatus or the heat pump system
  • the container is connected via a first pressure release device to the high pressure branch of the refrigerant loop and is adapted to controllably or automatically release refrigerant in an abnormal or overpressure state
  • a second pressure release device fluidly connects the container to the refrigerant loop for controllably or automatically releasing the refrigerant from the container to the refrigerant loop when there is pressure drop from the container to the feeding point in the refrigerant loop or when there is a convenient operation condition of the heat pump system for releasing the refrigerant from the container into the refrigerant loop.
  • the refrigerant release device may be a no-return or single-path safety device that opens at a predetermined minimum pressure that is not closing again as soon as the predefined minimum pressure has been overshot.
  • the release device is a single-occasion security device that results in a service requirement for the heat pump system.
  • a no-return safety device is applied for a high predefined overpressure level which is higher than for example a first overpressure level where a non-destructive overpressure device is activated.
  • the refrigerant release device is an automatic and self-closing release device that opens at a predetermined first pressure and closes at a predetermined second pressure, wherein the first and second pressures may be same or different (hysteresis).
  • overpressure level may relate to an absolute overpressure value, which means that it is the pressure of the refrigerant at the inlet of the refrigerant release device measured against the ambient or an absolute pressure level.
  • overpressure level may relate to a pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant release device.
  • the heat pump system is operating under a transcritical or totally supercritical thermodynamic cycling mode.
  • the refrigerant in the high pressure side of the heat pump system is existing in the supercritical phase as soon as the heat pump system has reached the normal operation conditions (the steady-state).
  • refrigerant CO 2 gas is used.
  • a refrigerant release detector is assigned to the refrigerant release device, preferably is coupled or in fluid connection with the release device.
  • the refrigerant release detector is adapted to detect a state of the release device, preferably the state where the release device releases refrigerant.
  • the release detector is for example an anemometer or a flow meter that detects refrigerant flow through the refrigerant release detector, or is a switch or other mechanical sensor that is detecting an opening of the release device. If for example the release device is a valve, the detector detects that the valve head is moved away from the valve seat.
  • the release device and/or a refrigerant release detector provides a signal indicating the refrigerant release and/or indicating a signal in dependency of the refrigerant release flow rate and/or in dependency of the refrigerant amount released.
  • This signal can be used for controlling components of the articles treatment or the heat pump system.
  • the signal can be used and processed by a control unit of the articles treatment apparatus or heat pump system to modify the operation state of the heat pump system in dependency of the signal detected, in particular to take control activities for overcoming a overpressure or abnormal state, if this is detected on the basis of the signal from the pressure release device or the detector assigned thereto.
  • the refrigerant release detector is adapted to provide a detector signal.
  • a detector signal For example it provides an analog signal wherein the strength, intensity and/or amplitude of the signal depends on the amount or flow rate of the refrigerant being released.
  • the detector signal is a digital signal or binary signal that indicates the two states 'release' or 'non-release' of refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant release detector provides a switching signal wherein it is operating as a switch; for example for switching an operation state of a component in the articles treatment apparatus or the heat pump system.
  • a safety unit comprising or being a refrigerant condition detector is arranged at or in fluid connection with the refrigerant loop.
  • a refrigerant condition detector is for example a refrigerant pressure detector, a refrigerant temperature detector and/or a refrigerant release detector.
  • the pressure detector is preferably in fluid connection to the refrigerant loop so that a pressure at a predefined location of the refrigerant loop can be detected.
  • the refrigerant temperature detector may be arranged in thermal contact with the piping system connecting the above mentioned components of the heat pump system, the temperature detector may be in fluid contact with the refrigerant in the refrigerant loop or may be arranged in thermal contact with the refrigerant that is guided through the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, the refrigerant expansion device or the compressor.
  • the refrigerant release detector may be a mechanically switched detector, a flow detector and/or a flow rate detector or any other detector detecting the release of refrigerant, for example the release of refrigerant through a valve or refrigerant release device that is normally not open.
  • valve e.g. refrigerant expansion valve or pressure release valve
  • 'valve' is generally an example for 'device' (e.g. refrigerant expansion device or pressure release device).
  • the refrigerant release device is not the refrigerant expansion device and/or the refrigerant release device is provided in addition to the refrigerant expansion device and its function.
  • the safety unit is configured to detect an abnormal state or condition of the refrigerant in the refrigerant loop.
  • the abnormal state or condition is an overpressure state, in particular an overpressure state of the refrigerant in the section of the refrigerant loop which is located between the compressor outlet or outlet side and the inlet or inlet side of the refrigerant expansion device ("the high pressure branch" of the refrigerant loop).
  • the safety unit is adapted to detect the refrigerant overpressure state in the section of the refrigerant loop between the compressor outlet or outlet side and the inlet or inlet side of the second heat exchanger.
  • an overpressure state also means a temperature of the refrigerant in a predefined range
  • detecting the temperature is an equivalent means for indirectly detecting an overpressure state, i.e. an abnormal state.
  • the refrigerant release detector is used to detect release of refrigerant at a predefined position, for example through an overpressure valve which is part of the heat pump system, and if under normal operation condition no refrigerant is released at this position, the refrigerant release detector may be alternatively or additionally used to detect the abnormal state.
  • the abnormal state refrigerant condition detection using for example refrigerant temperature, refrigerant pressure and/or refrigerant release can be combined in any combination.
  • a double check of conditions for determining the abnormal state can be used in that on the one hand the abnormal state is detected based on the pressure and on the other hand the occurrence of the abnormal state is double checked using the temperature.
  • the textiles treatment apparatus for returning from the abnormal state to the normal or steady state, is operated as follows:
  • the refrigerant pressure is detected and in case of an overpressure state (which is detected for example using the pressure and/or temperature sensor and by evaluating it by the controller), moderate countermeasures are executed under the control of the controller to overcome the overpressure state (like reducing the pumping rate of the compressor or temporally stopping the compressor and/or further opening the expansion device).
  • an overpressure state which is detected for example using the pressure and/or temperature sensor and by evaluating it by the controller
  • moderate countermeasures are executed under the control of the controller to overcome the overpressure state (like reducing the pumping rate of the compressor or temporally stopping the compressor and/or further opening the expansion device).
  • a more significant change in the operation mode of the articles treatment apparatus e.g. in its pump system
  • the normal operation state is the operation state of the heat pump system after the warm-up period.
  • the refrigerant in the high pressure and/or low pressure branches of the refrigerant loop has a reached a set value for the refrigerant temperature and/or pressure or is within a target range around the set value for the refrigerant temperature and/or pressure.
  • the heat deposited by the compressor in the refrigerant loop is removed by a heat sink being in heat transfer connection with the refrigerant loop.
  • a blower is provided which in the normal state or steady state blows ambient air over the compressor and/or over an auxiliary heat exchanger that is included in the refrigerant loop.
  • the refrigerant condition detector provides a detector signal that may be used by other components and/or a control unit of the heat pump system or articles treatment apparatus to modify or change a state of the heat pump system as such or a component thereof.
  • the refrigerant condition detector may operate as a switch, for example as a pressure switch that is switching at a predefined pressure level.
  • the refrigerant condition detector provides a signal to a controller of the articles treatment apparatus or the controller of the heat pump system or a dedicated controller for monitoring the signal of the refrigerant condition detector, which evaluates or processes the detector signal and provides a decision on the presence or absence of an abnormal state.
  • a state of a switch can be changed - either by the detector directly or via one of the previously mentioned controllers, and initiated by the switching state of the switch one or more components of the articles treatment apparatus and/or the heat pump system (e.g. the refrigerant expansion device, the compressor, a blower) are switched off or are opened (e.g. the expansion device).
  • the evaluation or processing of the detector signal in the controller of the treatment apparatus, the heat pump system or the dedicated controller results in a change of the operation control process of one or more components of the articles treatment apparatus or heat pump system (change of operation of the component see below).
  • the controller of the heat pump system or the articles treatment apparatus receives at the same time a switching signal from the refrigerant condition detector and/or detects a change in the state of a component of the heat pump system using another sensor or detector. If for example the power supply to the compressor is switched off by the refrigerant pressure detector or by its dedicated sub-level controller or control electronics, then a signal from the detector supplied to the heat pump system controller or articles treatment apparatus controller may indicate non-operation of the compressor.
  • an operation mode of the heat pump system is modified.
  • the modification can be made on a sub-controller level or can be made on a controlled level executed by a controller or controller sub-unit of the articles treatment apparatus or heat pump system.
  • Modification of the operation mode of the heat pump system can be executed by one or any arbitrary combination of the following:
  • the operation mode of the articles treatment apparatus as such can be modified.
  • the article treatment apparatus can change from the user selected program to a security program in which the treatment process is finished, but e.g. with a reduced efficiency as compared to the previously selected program.
  • the operation mode of the compressor is changed.
  • the opening state of the refrigerant expansion valve and/or a pressure release valve is modified.
  • the operation mode of an air blower is modified.
  • the air blower may for example be a blower that is conveying the processing air or ambient air. If for example ambient air is used to cool the second heat exchanger and/or the compressor and/or an auxiliary heat exchanger, the conveyance rate can be increased or maximized.
  • the blower is an ambient air blower that sucks in ambient air from outside the articles treatment apparatus.
  • the ambient air conveyed by the blower is used in the normal operation state or steady state to remove heat from the refrigerant loop.
  • the ambient air is flown through or over the compressor and/or an auxiliary heat exchanger (auxiliary condenser).
  • the pressure release from the high pressure branch of the refrigerant loop can be made by releasing refrigerant to the low pressure branch of the refrigerant loop, to a refrigerant reservoir unit that is connected to the refrigerant loop (but not part of the active refrigerant loop), and/or refrigerant may be released to the outside of the refrigerant loop, in particular to the ambient and/or inner environment of the articles treatment apparatus.
  • the safety unit comprises a safety circuit which receives the signal from the refrigerant condition detector and processes it. Processing can include to determine whether a predefined threshold has been reached or exceeded. Alternatively or additionally processing results for example in a proportional reaction in response to the strength, intensity and/or amplitude of the signal from the refrigerant condition detector and initiates a modification of the operation state of the articles treatment apparatus, the heat pump system and/or individual components of the heat pump system.
  • a dedicated safety circuit (the sub-controller unit) may be an analog circuit, a digital circuit or a hybrid circuit. Additionally or alternatively the safety circuit is embedded in a controller of the articles treatment apparatus, for example in the main control unit of the articles treatment apparatus or a controller of the heat pump system.
  • the operation mode of the heat pump system in particular of individual components of the heat pump system, is modified in dependency of the signal state of the signal provided by the refrigerant release detector and/or in dependency of a signal state of a signal provided by a refrigerant condition detector.
  • the modification of the operation mode may include one or more of following:
  • the operation mode of the articles treatment apparatus is changed for example in that the program that was executed before the abnormal state (here: the refrigerant release) occurred, e.g. is changed to a secured operation mode of the articles treatment apparatus.
  • the maximum nominal power of the articles treatment apparatus or the heat pump system (in particular of the compressor) is reduced to below 95%, 90%, 85% or 80% of the nominal maximum power.
  • the operation mode of the compressor is modified for example by reducing its pumping rate, reducing the on/off duty ratio when the compressor is intermittently operated, or the compressor is stopped for a predetermined period.
  • the opening state of the refrigerant release device is modified, for example the opening cross section is opened in dependency of the signal strength of the signal from the refrigerant release detector.
  • the opening state of the refrigerant expansion device is modified such that more refrigerant is expanded from the high pressure branch to the low pressure branch as would be the case if no refrigerant would be released.
  • the operation mode of an air blower is modified.
  • the conveyance power of the blower is increased or the blower is set to maximum blowing power.
  • the air blower is for example a process air blower in a dryer , cabinet dryer or washing machine having dryer function or the blower is an ambient air blower that sucks ambient air into the articles treatment apparatus and exhausts the air to the outside of the apparatus again.
  • Fig. 1 depicts in a schematic presentation a home appliance 2 which in this embodiment is a tumble dryer, especially a heat pump tumble dryer.
  • the tumble dryer comprises a heat pump system 4, including: a first heat exchanger device 10 acting as gas heater, a second heat exchanger 12 acting as gas cooler, a compressor 14 and an expansion device 16.
  • the heat pump system forms a refrigerant loop 6 through which - in normal operation - the refrigerant is circulated by the compressor 14 as indicated by arrow B.
  • the expansion device 16 is a controllable valve that operates under the control of a control unit 30 to adapt the flow resistance for the refrigerant in dependency of operating states of the heat pump system.
  • the expansion device 16 can be a capillary tube, a valve with fixed expansion cross-section, a throttle valve with variable cross section that automatically adapts the expansion cross-section in dependency of the refrigerant pressure (e.g. by elastic or spring biasing), a semiautomatic throttle valve in which the expansion cross-section is adapted in dependency of the temperature of the refrigerant (e.g. by actuation of a thermostat and/or where the temperature of the refrigerant is taken between the gas cooler and the gas heater, the gas heater and the compressor, or the compressor and the gas cooler), or the like.
  • the process air flow within the home appliance 2 is guided through a compartment 18 of the home appliance 2, i.e. through a compartment 18 for receiving articles to be treated, e.g. a drum 18.
  • the articles to be treated are textiles, laundry, clothes, shoes, dishes or the like. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 5 these are textiles, laundry, clothes.
  • the process air flow is indicated by arrows A in Fig. 1 and is driven by a blower 19. Outside the compartment 18 the process air A is guided through an air channel 20.
  • the air exiting the compartment 18 (here drum) through outlet 24 is filtered by fluff filters 22 arranged in or at the channel 20, flows through the first heat exchanger 10, through the second heat exchanger 12 and is guided back through an or a plurality of openings in the compartment into the compartment 18.
  • fluff filters 22 arranged in or at the channel 20
  • the first heat exchanger 10 transfers heat from the process air to the refrigerant.
  • humidity from the process air condenses at the first heat exchanger 10 is collected there and the collected condensate is drained to a condensate collector 26.
  • the process air cooled and dehumidified when passing the first heat exchanger passes then through the second heat exchanger 12 where heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the process air.
  • the process air is sucked from exchanger 12 by the blower 19 and driven into the compartment where it heats up the articles and receives the humidity therefrom.
  • Fig. 2 shows in schematic representation more details of the heat pump system 4.
  • the heat pump system 4 is controlled by a heat pump controller 32 which in turn is part of the control unit 30 of the home appliance 2.
  • the expansion device 16 is a controllable valve in which the flow resistance for the refrigerant can be controlled by an actuator (motor, solenoid or the like) via an adjustable flow cross-section.
  • the heat pump controller 32 controls a power converter 15 which is supplying electrical power to the compressor 14 and is monitoring it.
  • the power converter 15 is connected to a power source 15a like the home power grid and converts it into electrical signals convenient for the motor of the compressor.
  • the power converter 15 includes a heat and over current sensor for motor protection. Control and monitoring signals are sent between the converter 15 and the controller 32.
  • the heat pump system 4 or the refrigerant loop 6 can be considered as having two branches.
  • the first branch is the high pressure side which is the loop part from the exit of the compressor 14 through exchanger 12 to the input of the expansion device 16 (more precisely to its reduced cross-section).
  • the second branch is the low pressure side which is the loop part from the exit of the expansion device 16 (more precisely from its reduced cross-section) through the first heat exchanger 10 to the input of the compressor 14.
  • the temperature of the refrigerant in the heat pump system 4 is increasing. With increasing refrigerant temperature the pressures in the two branches is increasing too, while a pressure difference is maintained between the high pressure branch and the low pressure branch. If for example CO 2 is used as refrigerant, the equilibrated pressure (high and low pressure branch have same pressure) under ambient conditions (temperature in range 15 to 35°C) of the refrigerant is in the range 40 to 65 bar. In steady-state operation the CO 2 pressure in the high pressure branch may go up to 120 bar and the overpressure value may be set to 140 bar.
  • the flow cross-section of the expansion device 16 is reduced to accelerate the pressure and temperature build-up at the high pressure side of the heat pump system 4.
  • the cross-section of expansion device 16 is enlarged under the control of heat pump controller 32.
  • any other heat sink can be connected to the refrigerant loop 6.
  • the steady state is then the state achieved after the warm-up period in which the power deposited by the compressor in the refrigerant loop (and the heat-connected processing air loop) is removed by the ambient air ventilated by the blower 17.
  • the term 'steady state' means here the heat pump system 4 has achieved its nominal operation condition where the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant have achieved their set values. Normally the heat transfer efficiency of the heat pump system 4 is at its maximum in steady state.
  • the 'steady state' also allows variations in refrigerant pressure and temperature within a given target range.
  • heat can be removed from the refrigerant loop 6 (from the heat pump system 4) by a heat sink connected to the refrigerant loop 6 to take away heat from the refrigerant.
  • a heat sink connected to the refrigerant loop 6 to take away heat from the refrigerant.
  • an auxiliary heat exchanger (condenser; not shown) can be connected in the refrigerant loop 6 and heat is removed via an ambient air flow through or across the auxiliary heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant. As described above heat removal is activated according to the conditions or requirements of the steady state.
  • the set values for refrigerant temperature and pressure may be varied over time.
  • the humidity of the articles to be dried changes over time such that normally the process air temperature of the process air flowing out of the laundry compartment 18 increases when the operation conditions of the heat pump system 4 are maintained.
  • the temperature of the refrigerant in the gas cooler 12 can be reduced - and thus heat transfer to the process air that is to be blown into the laundry compartment 18.
  • Reduction of refrigerant temperature in the gas cooler can for example be achieved by reducing the refrigerant pressure in the gas cooler (accompanied by reduction of pressure difference in the two branches).
  • the 'steady state' is not necessarily invariant over time - rather it means that the current given set values (e.g. for refrigerant pressure and/or temperature) are achieved within the given target range.
  • the change of 'steady state' over time can become necessary when the washing liquid is gradually heated up and the operation cycle of the refrigerant needs to be adjusted to improve efficiency of heat exchange in dependency of the changing washing liquid temperature.
  • the heat pump system 4 of the present invention operates with refrigerant cycles that are in the transcritical range (transcritical thermodynamic cycle) as shown in Fig. 6a or in the supercritical range (totally supercritical cycle) as shown in Fig. 6b .
  • transcritical cycle the compression (#1 > #2) transforms the refrigerant parameters so that they lie in the supercritical fluid range beyond the critical point CP.
  • expansion (#3 > #4) the refrigerant parameters return to the liquid and vapor phase.
  • the refrigerant parameters In the totally supercritical cycle the refrigerant parameters always lie in the supercritical fluid range beyond the critical point CP.
  • CO 2 is used as refrigerant which has a critical point CP at the critical pressure of 73.8 bar and critical temperature of 31.0 °C.
  • the pressure in the high pressure branch may be pumped with up to 120 bar by the compressor 14 in normal operation.
  • the compressor 14 may charge the high pressure branch with 140 bar or more.
  • a sudden and unintentional or uncontrolled refrigerant release at this pressure to the outside of the heat pump system 4 may have adverse effects to the home appliance (e.g. dryer 2 or washing machine 70) or may result in discomfort for the user.
  • the home appliance e.g. dryer 2 or washing machine 70
  • the following safety measures are implemented in the home appliance and by the operation method thereof:
  • safety means and measures a) to f) can be provided in the heat pump system 4 individually or can be combined in any arbitrary combination. This means that while all elements are shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 5 only one or some or all may be implemented in the heat pump system 4 to be used for the home appliance. Some combinations are preferred ones. For example a bypass arrangement 46 would not be used with an adjustable expansion device 16 (as the one shown), while it advantageously could be used, if the expansion device 16 is invariant like a capillary tube.
  • a bypass arrangement 46 would not be used with an adjustable expansion device 16 (as the one shown), while it advantageously could be used, if the expansion device 16 is invariant like a capillary tube.
  • a pressure sensor 34 is connected to the high pressure branch of the heat pump system 4.
  • a temperature sensor 44 is in thermal contact with the refrigerant at the high pressure branch. As normally the pressure in the system 4 increases with temperature, the temperature is an indirect indication for the pressure in the system - at least under defined operation conditions of system 4.
  • the pressure sensor 34 and/or temperature sensor 44 are connected in the section of the high pressure branch which is between the outlet or outlet side of the compressor 14 and the inlet or inlet side of the second heat exchanger 12.
  • the detection of overpressure and/or over-temperature can also be denoted as excess temperature
  • excess temperature is more reliable as compared to the detection at a downstream section of the high pressure branch where a temperature or pressure drop within the loop may happen, in particular a drop within the gas cooler 12.
  • the signal(s) from sensor 34 and/or 44 is fed to the heat pump controller 32.
  • the signal(s) are processed to detect the abnormal state.
  • the signals are also processed in the controller 32 to monitor the normal state and/or warm-up phase conditions or other less safety-relevant conditions of the heat pump system 4.
  • a less safety-relevant condition exists for example, if refrigerant pressure and/or temperature are below a minimum pressure and/or temperature value before starting the heat pump system 4, during its warm-up phase or during the steady state.
  • the insufficiency value(s) indicate for example insufficient refrigerant for properly operating system 4.
  • the heat pump controller 32 controls the expansion device 16 (in case of a controllable, adjustable expansion device like the controllable valve depicted as 16) to open partially or fully.
  • the expansion device 16 By opening the expansion device 16 partially or fully, flow resistance is reduced (e.g. by opening the restricting cross-section) and the pressure drop from the high pressure to the low pressure branch is reduced.
  • normal operation mode e.g. steady state operation
  • Other control routines for operating the home appliance, in particular the heat pump system 4, after detection of the abnormal state are described below.
  • Resuming normal operation mode when option a) is implemented normally includes partially or further closing the adjustable expansion device 16 to provide higher flow resistance again (e.g. to a value or degree as it was before detection of the abnormal state.
  • a bypass arrangement 46 is provided through which refrigerant flows after opening the bypass line upon detecting an abnormal state.
  • the bypass arrangement comprises a controllable valve that is opened under the control of the heat pump controller 32.
  • the bypass arrangement 46 is for example provided, if the expansion device 16 has a fixed flow resistance, as for example a capillary tube. Or if even under the fully opened state the refrigerant flow through the expansion device is too low under the abnormal condition.
  • a controllable and adjustable expansion device 16 may be combined with the bypass arrangement 46 and both are opened by the heat pump controller 32 when the abnormal state is detected. Or valve 16 is opened at a first excess level of the refrigerant overpressure and/or temperature and the valve in the bypass arrangement 46 is opened at a higher second excess level of the refrigerant overpressure and/or temperature.
  • the expansion device 16 may be a controlled valve that may be controlled in a proportional way, i.e. the higher the pressure above the overpressure set value (as detected e.g. by sensor 34), the more the cross-section of the valve is opened. In this way a minimum equilibration between the high and low pressure branch is achieved in dependency of the severity of the overpressure state.
  • the overpressure value is undershoot, i.e. the normal operation condition is re-established, pressure equilibration is stopped by further closing expansion device 16, resulting in a minimized loss of the operation efficiency of the heat pump system.
  • a pressure sensor 34a is provided for detecting an overpressure state of the refrigerant.
  • the pressure sensor 34a includes a pressure switch 34b which directly or via a relay 34c switches off the power supply 15a providing power to the power converter 15.
  • the relay feeds a status signal to the converter 15 which upon a change in the state of the status signal (i.e. the overpressure state is indicated) sets the compressor 14 into a standby (off-) state or reduces its compression capacity, e.g. by lowering the rotation speed of the compressor.
  • the abnormal state is detected by pressure sensor 34 and/or temperature sensor 44.
  • the heat pump controller 32 evaluates the signal(s) from sensor 34 and/or 44 and in case of an excess temperature/or pressure of the refrigerant, the controller 32 controls compressor 14 by switching it off or by reducing its pumping rate. For example by reducing the rotational speed of the compressor.
  • temporally switching off the compressor or reducing its pumping rate may also be used during the normal operation modes (warm-up phase, steady state) so as to keep set values for temperature and/or pressure in the given target range around the set value(s).
  • Switching off of the compressor can be achieved by switching off the compressor only, by switching off the heat pump system 4 as a whole, or even by switching off the home appliance 2, 70 as whole.
  • the start of the home appliance, the heat pump system 4, or the compressor 14 may be delayed by a minimum shut-down time which is sufficient that safe operation conditions for restarting the system are re-established.
  • the minimum shut-down period is for example such that by heat dissipation or heat and/or pressure equilibration within the heat pump system conditions for a moderate operation cycle are established.
  • the compressor may be restarted or normal pump rate may be resumed when the detection and evaluation of temperature and/or pressure of the refrigerant (by controller 32) results in reestablishment of normal operation conditions.
  • Relief valve 36 provides a fluid connection between the high pressure branch and the low pressure branch of the refrigerant loop 6. In particular it provides a fluid connection (when opened) between the outlet and inlet of compressor 14.
  • the relief valve 36 is operating automatically which means that it opens when an overpressure level is achieved or exceeded.
  • valve 36 is an elastically or spring-biased one-way overpressure valve which opens when the excess pressure is achieved or exceeded and closes when the overpressure value is undershoot.
  • the relief valve 36 is a controlled valve which opens and closes under the control of the heat pump controller 32. Opening and closing operation of such a controllable valve is then controlled by the controller 32 in response to detecting the abnormal state or detecting the return to the normal state as described before for option a).
  • a release sensor 38 is assigned to the valve 36 to detect whether the valve 36 has been opened or is opened.
  • the abnormal state is detected, i.e. here the overpressure state in the high pressure branch of the heat pump system 4 is detected.
  • the pressure sensor 34 and/or the temperature sensor 44 are not required and can be omitted, or the signal (as) of sensor 34 and/or 44 is not required for detecting the abnormal state via evaluating the signal(s) by controller 32.
  • valve 36 When valve 36 opens, the refrigerant flows from the high pressure to the low pressure branch and the abnormal state should be overcome after a while by pressure release from the high pressure branch.
  • the controller 32 may take additional actions to overcome the abnormal state, for example by executing steps according to one or more of the other options a), b) or e).
  • the controller 32 initiates the following control actions.
  • the unidirectional exhaust valve 40 is connected to the high pressure branch of the refrigerant loop 6.
  • the valve 40 is connected between the outlet or outlet side of the compressor and the inlet or inlet side of gas cooler 12, more preferably it is connected close to the compressor 14.
  • valve 40 is an automatic overpressure release valve which for example has an elastic or spring-biased element that prevents refrigerant escape up to a set level of overpressure and which releases the refrigerant in case the overpressure level is achieved or exceeded.
  • the overpressure release valve automatically closes when the overpressure level is undershooting.
  • the exhaust valve 40 has an exhaust port or has an exhaust pipe with an exhaust port.
  • the exhaust port is arranged such that in case of refrigerant release the refrigerant is set free at a location where neither the home appliance, nor the articles to be treated therein, nor a user, nor the surroundings of the home appliance is harmed.
  • the exhaust port is arranged within the body of the home appliance and directs the released refrigerant to a free space within the body.
  • the free space between the inner wall of a body and the outer wall of a tub or drum.
  • the refrigerant is discharged inside the cabinet of the machine, in particular between the drum and the side walls, in order to avoid damages and to have a containing space in which it can expand without additional issues. More specifically it is preferable that the refrigerant (e.g. CO 2 ) is discharged in almost vertical upward direction (to exploit the space available up to the machine top) in particularly between the drum and the side walls or the refrigerant is discharged in direction to the side walls as these usually are made of steel and thus are more robust and tough.
  • the refrigerant e.g. CO 2
  • the refrigerant is discharged in almost vertical upward direction (to exploit the space available up to the machine top) in particularly between the drum and the side walls or the refrigerant is discharged in direction to the side walls as these usually are made of steel and thus are more robust and tough.
  • valve 40 may also be a controllable and/or adjustable valve that is opened and closed for example under the control of heat pump controller 32.
  • the abnormal state can be detected via pressure sensor 34 and/or temperature sensor 44.
  • the valve can be opened for a predefined period to release some amount of refrigerant and it can be checked whether thereby the overpressure and/over temperature state is removed. If not removed, the temporal opening can be repeated in this way.
  • an exhaust detector 42 which detects opening of the valve and/or releasing of the refrigerant.
  • Exhaust detector 42 may provide the same functionality as the release sensor 38.
  • the opening of the valve 40 may be detected by a mechanical contact, a reed sensor or any other sensor that detects the mechanical opening.
  • the exhaust detector 42 also the release sensor 38
  • a refrigerant detector may be provided for or at the exhaust valve 40, which is sensitive for the refrigerant, for example a gas sensor that detects the refrigerant gas.
  • a CO 2 detector is provided as sensor when the refrigerant is CO 2 .
  • the heat pump controller 32 detects and records the duration of opening the valve (either opening under the control of the controller 32 or detecting the opening via detector 42) and records the duration and/or numbers of openings.
  • the number of openings and/or the total duration of opening exceeds a predefined value(s)
  • an indication is given to the user that maintenance or service of the home appliance is required.
  • the operation of the home appliance is stopped and a mandatory service or maintenance is indicated to the user.
  • overpressure threshold e.g. of the automatically opening valve 40
  • over temperature threshold in case of detecting the overpressure and/or over temperature state
  • the pressure threshold for opening relief valve 36 is lower than the pressure threshold for opening exhaust valve 40.
  • relief valve 36 opens at or over an overpressure pressure threshold of 130 bar (or e.g. 140 bar), while exhaust valve 40 opens at or over an overpressure threshold of 140 bar (or e.g. 150 bar).
  • Option e) provides measures and methods for temporally removing a portion of the refrigerant from the active refrigerant loop 6 and to refeed or recycle the removed refrigerant at a later time back into the refrigerant loop 6.
  • FIG. 3 A first and simple embodiment of the reservoir unit 50 is shown in Fig. 3 where a reservoir 52 for storing some amount of refrigerant is fluidly connected to the high pressure branch of the refrigerant loop 6.
  • the fluid connection between the reservoir 52 and the high pressure branch may be opened and closed via a controlled valve 51 which is controllably opened and closed under the control of heat pump controller 32.
  • the fluid connection is preferably made between the outlet or outlet side of compressor 14 and inlet or inlet side of gas cooler 12, more preferably the valve 51 is connected to the high pressure branch close to compressor 14.
  • the volume of reservoir 52 depends on the design of heat pump system 4 and its operation conditions. For example the higher the density in the refrigerant circuit or loop 6 the smaller is the volume required in the reservoir. Also if more refrigerant amount is used in the loop 6, the volume is higher. On the other hand, the volume can be lower, if for example the refrigerant condenses after being released into reservoir 52. In a small volume requirement the reservoir 52 may just be a pipe as e.g. used for connecting the elements of the heat pump system and has a predefined length, for example 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm or 60 cm. On the other hand, if more inner volume is required in the reservoir 52, the reservoir volume may be up to 100 ml, 200 ml, 300 or 500 ml.
  • the reservoir or at least a portion of the reservoir is located at a 'cold' region of the home appliance.
  • the reservoir 52 may be completely or partially located in an inner space of the home appliance, i.e. within its housing, but outside the air channel and the articles storing compartment.
  • the heat exchange between reservoir and ambient air may be passive by convection or may be active in that the reservoir is at least partially located in a flow channel where ambient air is vented through the home appliance (in the washing machine as shown in Fig. 5 the reservoir may be at least partially arranged in one of air channels 20a, 20b).
  • controlled valve 51 is temporally opened to release some amount from the high pressure branch of loop 6 into the reservoir 52.
  • the abnormal state is detected by the controller 32 for example by detecting an overpressure and/or over temperature of a predefined value(s). Detection of overpressure is made for example by pressure sensor 34 and detection of over temperature is made for example by temperature sensor 44.
  • valve 51 can be opened under the control of the controller 32 until the abnormal state is overcome.
  • valve 51 is opened for a predefined duration and it is monitored by controller 32 over a period whether the abnormal state is removed or the pressure and/or temperature are lowering towards the preset values. Temporarily opening for the predefined period can be repeated after a predefined waiting time, until the abnormal state has been overcome. By this releasing of refrigerant from loop 6, some refrigerant amount is collected in reservoir 52.
  • valve 51 can be opened via controller 32 as soon as the system 4 is stopped or after a predefined duration time (for example 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes or 30 minutes) after stopping the system 4.
  • a predefined duration time for example 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes or 30 minutes
  • valve 51 is opened when a predefined temperature and/or pressure value is reached or undershot.
  • valve 51 may be maintained until the heat pump system 4 is started next time (in this case preferably a normally open valve is used which has to be actively closed under the control of controller 32). Or valve 51 is opened for a predetermined duration, or until a predefined second value of temperature and/or pressure has been reached or undershoot.
  • the pressure in reservoir 52 drives some refrigerant amount into the loop 6 such that the refrigerant previously stored in reservoir 52 is refed into loop 6. Thereby the original amount or essentially the original amount of refrigerant in loop 6 is re-established and the temporal release of refrigerant into reservoir 52 does not permanently change the internal condition of heat pump system 4.
  • Fig. 4a shows another embodiment for the design of the reservoir unit 50.
  • the reservoir 52 is fluidly connected to the high pressure branch of the loop 6 via an exhaust relief valve 54.
  • the connection to loop 6 is preferably made between the outlet or outlet side of compressor 14 and inlet or inlet side of gas cooler 12. More preferably the connection is made close to the compressor outlet.
  • an automatic pressure release valve is used (which is e.g. elastically or spring-biased) which opens at a predefined overpressure threshold.
  • valve 54 may be a controlled or adjustable valve as described before for the alternatives of valves 40 and 36.
  • reservoir 52 is additionally fluidly connected via a controlled or adjustable back flow valve 56 to the low pressure branch of loop 6.
  • the fluid connection is made between the inlet or inlet side of compressor 14 and outlet or outlet side of gas heater 10.
  • the back flow valve 56 is opened or closed under the control of heat pump controller 32.
  • valve 54 If an abnormal state (overpressure and/or over temperature of the refrigerant) is detected by controller 32 (e.g. via sensor 34/44) or when the overpressure threshold has been exceeded in case of the automatically operating valve 54, some amount of refrigerant is fed into the reservoir 52 through opened valve 54.
  • the arrangement and/or volume of reservoir 52 may be the same as mentioned before in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 .
  • valve 54 is a controlled valve controlled by controller 32, the operation of opening and closing during the abnormal state may be the same as described in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 .
  • valve 56 is opened such that by the suction force of compressor 14 at the low pressure branch, the refrigerant stored in the reservoir 52 is sucked out and refed to the refrigerant loop 6.
  • valve 54 is closed - independent whether valve 54 is a controlled valve or an automatic overpressure valve.
  • Opening of back flow valve 56 is made for a predetermined period after starting the compressor 14 or via monitoring the temperature and/or pressure by controller 32 (for example via sensors 34 and/or 44). After the predefined opening period has lapsed or the temperature and/or pressure exceed a predefined value(s), valve 56 is closed. Thereafter reservoir 52 is available for receiving a refrigerant amount in case of an abnormal state and as described above.
  • Fig. 4b shows another embodiment of the reservoir unit 50.
  • the reservoir 52 is fluidly connected to the high pressure branch of loop 6 via the exhaust release valve 54 as described before. Design and alternatives for valves 54 and reservoir 52 are described as before. Deviating from the embodiment shown in Fig. 4a , in Fig. 4b the reservoir 52 is fluidly connected to the high pressure branch of loop 6 via an inlet relief valve 58. Instead of connecting the inlet relief valve 58 to the high pressure branch, it alternatively can be connected to the low pressure branch for feeding the refrigerant back to the low pressure branch as described before for backflow valve 56.
  • Valve 58 is an automatically operating overpressure release valve which opens when a predefined value of pressure difference exists between reservoir 52 and loop 6.
  • the pressure difference value is 5 bar (or 10 bar, 15 bar, 20 bar or 30 bar). If the pressure in reservoir 52 is higher by more than 5 bar (or the respective difference value) as compared to the pressure in the high pressure branch of loop 6, then refrigerant is released into the high pressure branch (correspondingly applicable to the low pressure branch if valve 58 is connected to the low pressure branch).
  • the inlet relief valve 58 operates on a pressure difference (i.e. a relative pressure difference), while the previously described valve(s) 36, 40 and/or 54 preferably operate on the basis of an absolute overpressure value (if automatic valves are used; absolute value with regard to the ambient pressure).
  • the embodiment of Fig. 4b has the advantage that no active controllable elements are required for the reservoir unit 15, if automatic valves 54, 58 are used.
  • Re-feeding of refrigerant into loop 6 is made as follows: By collecting refrigerant due to high pressure release in the abnormal state and depending on the amount of refrigerant collected in the reservoir in this way, the pressure in reservoir 52 may exceed the pressure in the high pressure branch of loop 6 after the heat pump system 4 has been stopped and completely or partially cooled down to ambient temperature (see also equilibrium between the branches as described before). Then, as soon as the pressure in loop 6 is lower than the pressure in reservoir 52 minus the pressure difference value, valve 58 opens as long as the pressure difference is exceeded and feeds back refrigerant into the loop 6.
  • a release sensor 55 is associated and arranged at or in the exhaust release valve 54 to detect refrigerant release into reservoir 52.
  • the controller 32 monitors the state of release sensor 55.
  • the release sensor 55 is activated by opening and closing of valve 54 in a mechanical way (mechanical switch) or by a reed sensor or any other sensor for detecting the actuation of the valve.
  • release sensor 55 can detect refrigerant flow in the fluid connection between loop 6 and reservoir 52.
  • the controller 32 records the number and/or duration of opening of valve 54. If a first number of openings and/or a first predefined total duration of opening is achieved (during one drying or washing process for example), then the controller 32 indicates to a user that service or maintenance of the home appliance is required. Preferably if the controller 32 records a second number of openings and/or a second predefined total duration of opening durations, the heat pump system 4 is stopped and it is indicated to the user that mandatory service or maintenance is necessary.
  • a backflow sensor 57 is provided. Alerting the user and/or shutting down the heat pump system 4 maybe made has described before in connection with the release sensor 55 using a first number and a second number of openings and/or opening total durations.
  • the equilibrated base pressure at ambient temperature is around 40 to 55 bar in the high and low pressure branch. If refrigerant was released into reservoir 52, the pressure is higher than this base pressure. Thus there is a pressure difference between the pressure in the reservoir 52 and the high or low pressure branch of loop when the heat pump system 4 was switched off for a while. Thus refrigerant from the reservoir is returned to the loop when passively or actively open the valves as described before. The pressure difference between cold heat pump system and reservoir is even higher, when the reservoir 52 is connected via vale 56 to the low pressure branch after starting the compressor operation.
  • Option f) as a safety configuration provides a pressure switch 80 which is in fluid connection with the high pressure branch of loop 6.
  • the fluid connection of switch 80 is to the section of the high pressure branch between the outlet or outlet side of compressor 14 and the inlet or inlet side of heat exchanger 12. More preferably switch 80 is connected close to the compressor outlet.
  • the switch opens directly or via a relay 84 the electrical contact(s) of a power line 82. Via power line 82 the electrical power is supplied to the compressor 14 and the interruption of the power supply results in a stop of the compressor. After stopping compressor 14 refrigerant pressure and temperature begins to decrease, including the equilibration process of pressure between the high and low pressure branches through the expansion device 16. Alternatively the compressor 14 is operated via a power converter like the power converter 15 described in connection with Fig. 2 . Stopping the compressor 14 or reducing its compression rate may be provided as described above in view of pressure sensor 34 and pressure switch 34b.
  • the interruption signal from pressure switch 80 is preferably fed to the controller 32 which sets the status of the heat pump system 4 to a standby state upon receipt of the interruption signal.
  • the controller 32 sets the status of the heat pump system 4 to a standby state upon receipt of the interruption signal.
  • one or more of valves 16, 36 and/or 46 can be opened (preferably to maximum) to accelerate pressure equilibration between the two branches.
  • the controller 32 When the pressure is decreased below the pre-defined overpressure value of switch 80, the power is connected again to the compressor 14 (through relay 84 if used) and the compressor resumes compression.
  • the re-connect signal is fed to the controller 32 which sets the status of the heat pump system 4 to 'operating'.
  • the controller which also controls operation of the compressor 14 sets the operation of the compressor 14 to 'off' upon receipt of the interrupt signal from switch 80.
  • the controller 32 first checks the current interrupt conditions of the heat pump system 4 - for example by evaluating the temperature and/or pressure signal(s) from sensors 34, 44. If the evaluation results in that acceptable re-starting conditions are present, operation of the compressor 14 is enabled. If the evaluation has the result that the condition is not convenient for restart (temperature and/or pressure above recommended starting conditions), the controller delays restart until convenient conditions are achieved.
  • option f) is preferably combined with option e) (or one of the other options) in a way that the other options (except d)) have a lower overpressure set value as compared to the overpressure set value of the pressure switch 80.
  • option e) or one of the other options in a way that the other options (except d)) have a lower overpressure set value as compared to the overpressure set value of the pressure switch 80.
  • pressure switch 80 or its associated relay 84 interrupt power supply to the home appliance in total, to the control unit 30 and/or to other electrically powered or operated elements.
  • opening of one or more of (controllable) valves 16, 36, 40, 46 and 54 can be effected by the pressure sensor 80 or its relay 84 by energizing or deenergizing the valve - depending on whether opening is achieved by energizing or deenergizing.
  • Pressure reduction in the high pressure branch of loop 6 is described above in connection with the corresponding valve16, 36, 40, 46 and/or 54.
  • pressure switch 80 or its associated relay 84 may be used to open valve 51 or 54 of the reservoir unit 50 in the overpressure state, and to close the valve 51 or 54 as soon as the overpressure state is overcome.
  • the signal from switch 80 or relay 84 can be monitored by controller 32 and/or the signal from release sensor 55 is monitored.
  • the refrigerant collected in reservoir 52 can be feed back by the automatic operation of valve 56 or 58 (if automatic overpressure valve) as described before, or under the controlled operation of valve 51, 56 or 58 (if controllable valve) via controller 32.
  • valve 51 may be operated as unidirectional valve that is provided only for refrigerant release, but is not controlled to open for returning the refrigerant.
  • reservoir 52 prevents release of refrigerant to the environment in contrast to the effect of operation of valve 40.
  • valve 51 may be activated by switch 80 or relay 84 exclusively or it may be operated in the way as described for valve 40.
  • Controlling operation of the heat pump system 4 by heat pump controller 32 may be executed in an intermediate level between controlling the operation of system 4 under normal operation conditions (warm-up phase, steady-state operation and optionally cool-down phase) and under the abnormal state condition where one of the above options a) to f) are applied or come in action.
  • controller 32 monitors whether pressure and/or temperature (e.g. via sensor 34 and/or 44) are within a given target range under the running operation conditions (warm-up phase, steady-state operation and optionally cool-down phase). If activity is required, compressor 14 can be temporally be switched off, pump rate of compressor can be reduced or expansion device 16 can be opened.
  • the controller 32 can take one or more of the following actions:
  • the controller 32 may control the blower 19 for conveying the process air or the ambient air to blow with maximum or increased power to remove heat from the first and second heat exchanger 10, 12 ( Fig. 1 ) or the first heat exchanger 10 ( Fig. 5 ). Thereby the refrigerant is cooled faster and pressure decreases faster.
  • a cooling fan for cooling the compressor and/or an auxiliary heat exchanger (not shown) added in the refrigerant loop 6 may be activated or set to maximum conveying rate of conveying ambient air, so as to cool the compressor and/or auxiliary heat exchanger and thereby the refrigerant by heat exchange with ambient air.
  • release sensor 38, the exhaust detector 42, the release sensor 55 and/or the backflow sensor 57 detect the refrigerant release by the flow of refrigerant through the assigned valve, these can be provided as anemometer or flux meter arranged preferably in the exhaust line of the assigned or respective valve. In this way the amount of released refrigerant can be directly determined by measurement.
  • the controller 32 can then determine on the basis of the amount of released refrigerant, whether resuming or continuing the process (e.g. drying or washing) is possible, whether resuming or restart of the process can be made only after cooling down the refrigerant (equilibration in the branches or approaching to equilibration), or whether a permanent shut-down of operation until service is required.
  • continuation of the running process may be terminated due to insufficient refrigerant in the loop 6, but restart of the terminated process from the beginning or from the last reasonable intermediate step may be effected after most of the refrigerant is re-fed from reservoir 52 into loop 6.
  • Re-feeding is performed in one of the ways as described above in connection with Figs. 3 , 4a and 4b .
  • valves 36, 40, 46 and 54 are(are) provided as automatic overpressure release valve
  • detection of the abnormal state can be made by the controller 32 in addition or alternatively to monitoring the signals of release sensors 38, 42 and/or 55 by monitoring the refrigerant pressure and/or temperature. This can be made for example by pressure sensor 34 or temperature sensor 44.
  • a sudden drop in pressure and/or temperature in an operation phase where normally no significant change is expected (is expected for example after starting the compressor), indicates occurrence of the abnormal state.
  • the counter measures for reestablishing the normal state and/or the measures for resuming normal operation as described above are applied.
  • Fig. 5 shows the schematic construction of a washing machine 70 using the heat pump system 4 as described before.
  • a drum 72 is provided in a tub 74.
  • the tub has a sump 76 to which the inlet port(s) of a draining circuit and optionally a recirculation circuit is(are) connected.
  • the second heat exchanger 12 gas cooler
  • the second heat exchanger 12 maybe arranged in a recirculation circuit of the washing machine which is used to circulate the washing liquor within the tub 74. For example washing liquor is sucked into the circulation circuit at a port in the sump 76 and is sprayed into the inside of drum 72.
  • the second heat exchanger 12 is arranged in the channel connecting the inlet and outlet port of the circulation circuit.
  • the second heat exchanger 12 deposits the heat from the refrigerant into washing liquor and the heat transfer to the refrigerant is made in the first heat exchanger (gas heater) via heat exchange with ambient air and/or any other cooling source (heat sink).
  • An air inlet channel 20a is provided which guides ambient air to and through the exchanger 10 and an air outlet channel 20b is provided which guides the ambient air cooled down at exchanger 10 to the outside of the washing machine body.
  • a blower 19 for ambient air is provided in the outlet channel 20b.
  • blower 19 may also be arranged in the air inlet channel 20a.
  • the operation of the heat pump system 4 is identical to the operation and arrangement as described before in connection with Figures 1 to 4b .
  • the heat pump system 4 pumps the heat from the ambient air to the washing liquor to be used for the washing processes.
  • a condensate collector (not shown) is arranged at the first heat exchanger 10 to collect the condensed water that is extracted from the ambient air.
  • the condensed water maybe pumped into the tub 74 to be used in the washing process or can be pumped out through the draining circuit of the washing machine (not shown).
  • the elements and/or the control method for the heat pump system 4 are adapted to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant in case of an abnormal state, in particular to reduce the pressure at the high pressure branch of the home appliance (e.g. 2, 70).
  • the heat pump system 4 has an abnormal state and pressure reduction is initiated, for example by the above described embodiments of the heat pump system designs and/or operating methods.
  • handling of the abnormal state may be performed or executed by the controller 32 or control unit 30 preferably in a gradual manner.
  • an alarm is indicated to the user informing that a temporal interruption or standby is in progress.
  • This alarm level can be accompanied by an indication that service or inspection of the home appliance is required, but that it can be further operated after the interruption or standby.
  • the heat pump system may permanently be shut off and an alarm is indicated to the user that operation of the home appliance is prevented and service is mandatory.
  • the reason for the abnormal state may be an internal or an external one and may be temporal or permanent.
  • a temporal external reason is for example a high external (ambient air) temperature which drives heat pump system 4 out of optimum operation condition and finally drives the system 4 to the abnormal state in the course of drying/washing operation. In this case a temporal interruption or standby with respective indication to the user is a sufficient measure.
  • a temporal internal reason may be that the expansion valve 16 is clogged by a small contamination which is removed by opening the valve cross section.
  • the severity of the abnormal state is evaluated by the controller 32 using the history of the abnormal state or of several records of abnormal states. Depending thereon, the conclusion could be that in general the home appliance may be operated or has to be permanently shut-off.
  • a temporal standby of the heat pump system 4 or the reduction of operation efficiency of the heat pump system 4 only results in an extension or slow down of an operation process (e.g. longer drying or washing times) without any harm to or degradation in the heat pump system as such.
  • the occurrence, presence and/or overcoming an abnormal state may be detected and/or monitored by detecting the pressure and/or temperature of the refrigerant at the low pressure branch of the heat pump system 4. If for example refrigerant pressure is detected in both branches, an equilibration or approach to equilibration after an abnormal state can be detected using the pressure difference between both branches.
  • reservoir unit 50 is used as reservoir not only receiving refrigerant under abnormal state condition, but also receiving excess amount of refrigerant that is fed to the refrigerant loop 6 for use in the warm-up phase and is stored in reservoir 52 when approaching the steady-state operation and when operating in steady-state.
  • the excess refrigerant amount from reservoir 52 is available in the loop 6 by the re-feeding methods described above in connection with Figs. 3 , 4a and 4b .
  • the equilibrated pressure in loop 4 under ambient conditions is 40 to 55 bar.
  • the pressure under equilibrated ambient conditions would be more than 60 bar, preferably more than 65, 70, 75 or 80 bar.
  • an 'intentional' abnormal state is achieved in which the excess amount results in an overpressure state at the high pressure side.
  • the excess amount of refrigerant is gradually released into the reservoir 52 to overcome the 'intentional' abnormal state (overpressure) in the ways as described above for the true abnormal state.
  • the refrigerant amount in loop 6 is adjusted to the nominal refrigerant amount until the system 4 works in steady-state with steady-state conditions, including the nominal refrigerant amount.
EP11167560.9A 2011-05-26 2011-05-26 Appareil de traitement d'articles doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur avec élément de sécurité Active EP2527519B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11167560.9A EP2527519B1 (fr) 2011-05-26 2011-05-26 Appareil de traitement d'articles doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur avec élément de sécurité

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11167560.9A EP2527519B1 (fr) 2011-05-26 2011-05-26 Appareil de traitement d'articles doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur avec élément de sécurité

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2527519A1 true EP2527519A1 (fr) 2012-11-28
EP2527519B1 EP2527519B1 (fr) 2018-12-12

Family

ID=44675014

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11167560.9A Active EP2527519B1 (fr) 2011-05-26 2011-05-26 Appareil de traitement d'articles doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur avec élément de sécurité

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2527519B1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3224214A (en) * 1963-03-07 1965-12-21 Air Conditioning Corp Heat pump apparatus and method
EP1493860A2 (fr) * 2003-06-30 2005-01-05 SANYO ELECTRIC Co., Ltd. Séchoir
WO2008105233A1 (fr) 2007-02-28 2008-09-04 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Séchoir
WO2008105232A1 (fr) 2007-02-28 2008-09-04 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Séchoir de séchage complet
EP2060671A1 (fr) * 2007-11-19 2009-05-20 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Séchoir à linge pour usage domestique

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3224214A (en) * 1963-03-07 1965-12-21 Air Conditioning Corp Heat pump apparatus and method
EP1493860A2 (fr) * 2003-06-30 2005-01-05 SANYO ELECTRIC Co., Ltd. Séchoir
WO2008105233A1 (fr) 2007-02-28 2008-09-04 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Séchoir
WO2008105232A1 (fr) 2007-02-28 2008-09-04 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Séchoir de séchage complet
EP2060671A1 (fr) * 2007-11-19 2009-05-20 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Séchoir à linge pour usage domestique
EP2060671B1 (fr) 2007-11-19 2010-06-30 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Séchoir à linge pour usage domestique

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2527519B1 (fr) 2018-12-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2527520B1 (fr) Appareil de traitement d'articles doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur avec élément de sécurité
EP2920355B1 (fr) Appareil de traitement de linge avec une pompe à chaleur et procédé de fonctionnement d'un appareil de traitement de linge de pompe à chaleur
EP2920353B1 (fr) Procédé pour faire fonctionner un appareil de traitement du linge et appareil de traitement de linge
KR101467770B1 (ko) 의류처리장치의 제어방법
EP2811064B1 (fr) Appareil de traitement du linge avec une commande en fonction de la température
JP5095295B2 (ja) 給湯装置
EP2920357B1 (fr) Appareil de traitement de linge avec pompe à chaleur et procédé de fonctionnement d'un appareil de traitement de linge avec pompe à chaleur
EP2867400B1 (fr) Machine de traitement du linge ou de la vaisselle
JP6486197B2 (ja) 衣類乾燥機
EP2527518B1 (fr) Appareil de traitement de linge doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur avec élément de sécurité
EP3124689B1 (fr) Procédé d'exploitation d'un séchoir à pompe à chaleur
EP2843118B1 (fr) Appareil de traitement de linge à pompe à chaleur et procédé de fonctionnement d'un compresseur
EP2527519B1 (fr) Appareil de traitement d'articles doté d'un système de pompe à chaleur avec élément de sécurité
EP2843124B1 (fr) Appareil et procédé de fonctionnement d'un ventilateur de refroidissement dans un appareil de traitement de linge à pompe à chaleur
AU2016204988B2 (en) Drying Method for Washer Dryer with Siphon Filling
KR20130101912A (ko) 건조기의 제어방법
KR20130101914A (ko) 건조모드 선택수단을 구비한 건조기 및 건조기의 제어방법
JP2018038605A (ja) 衣類乾燥機
JP4454558B2 (ja) ドライクリーナーおよびドライクリーナーにおける溶剤過熱防止手段のチェック方法
JP4514683B2 (ja) ドライクリーナー
CN115679665A (zh) 衣物护理设备和用于其的防过载控制方法
KR20130101917A (ko) 건조기의 제어방법

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20130528

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20180713

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1076110

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20181215

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602011054699

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20181212

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190312

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190312

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1076110

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20181212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190412

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190412

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602011054699

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20190913

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20190526

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190531

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20190531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190526

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190526

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190526

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20110526

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181212

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230530

Year of fee payment: 13

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230625