EP2817573A1 - A method of operating a refrigerant recovery and recharge device - Google Patents

A method of operating a refrigerant recovery and recharge device

Info

Publication number
EP2817573A1
EP2817573A1 EP12844666.3A EP12844666A EP2817573A1 EP 2817573 A1 EP2817573 A1 EP 2817573A1 EP 12844666 A EP12844666 A EP 12844666A EP 2817573 A1 EP2817573 A1 EP 2817573A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerant
tank
refrigeration equipment
recharge
accumulator
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
EP12844666.3A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2817573B1 (en
Inventor
Kashyap RAJESH
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.)
Mahle International GmbH
Original Assignee
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Pvt Ltd
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 Robert Bosch GmbH, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Pvt Ltd filed Critical Robert Bosch GmbH
Publication of EP2817573A1 publication Critical patent/EP2817573A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2817573B1 publication Critical patent/EP2817573B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B45/00—Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
    • F25B2345/001—Charging refrigerant to a cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
    • F25B2345/002—Collecting refrigerant from a cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
    • F25B2345/003—Control issues for charging or collecting refrigerant to or from a cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
    • F25B2345/006—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor characterised by charging or discharging valves

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method of operating a refrigerant recovery and recharge device.
  • Refrigeration equipments are widely used in many applications including air conditioning systems, refrigerators and the like. These refrigeration equipments use one or a combination of refrigerants such as water, oils, industrial refrigerants and the like.
  • refrigerants such as water, oils, industrial refrigerants and the like.
  • the working principle of the refrigeration equipment is such that the refrigerant absorbs heat while passing through various components of the refrigeration equipment. This cools the air around the refrigeration equipment and the cool air is then blown to the area or room where the refrigeration equipment is installed.
  • the refrigerant Due to prolonged usage of the refrigerant in the refrigeration equipment the ability of the refrigerant to cool reduces. Also there is a possibility that the refrigerant get contaminated with oil and moisture, which further reduces the ability of the refrigerant to cool the area or room where the refrigeration equipments are installed. Hence it is required that the refrigerant is removed from the refrigeration equipment and is recharged with recycled refrigerant. For the purpose of recovering and recharging the refrigerant a refrigerant recovery and recharge device is used.
  • the refrigerant recovery and recharge device is usually a stand alone device which is connected to the refrigeration equipment while the refrigeration equipment is being serviced.
  • the refrigerant recovery and recharge'device comprises at least, a valve block, a compressor and a tank.
  • the valve block comprises valve ⁇ Vwhich are usually solenoid valves.
  • the valves in the ⁇ al e block can be switched from a closed position to an open position to establish a connection between the refrigerant recovery device and the refrigeration equipment.
  • the compressor is a device which is capable of recovering the refrigerant from the refrigeration equipment. Recharge of liquid refrigerant is performed based on the pressure difference between refrigeration equipment and the refrigerant recovery and recharge device.
  • the tank is used to store the recovered refrigerant.
  • the conventional method of recharging the refrigerant back to the refrigeration equipment is as follows.
  • the refrigerant is recovered from the refrigeration equipment by the compressor, from the compressor the refrigerant is sent to the tank.
  • the compressed refrigerant is stored in the tank.
  • a heat element is provided around the tank to increase the temperature of the tank.
  • the increase in temperature also marginally increases the pressure of the stored refrigerant in the tank.
  • the tank is connected to the refrigeration equipment via the valve block.
  • the valves in the valve block are switched on such that refrigerant from the tank is recharged into the refrigeration equipment.
  • the recharge of the refrigerant takes places because of the difference in pressure in the refrigeration equipment and the tank.
  • a person skilled in the art will know that the difference in the pressure between the tank and refrigeration equipment is the most important factor affecting the recharging operation of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device.
  • the pressure difference between the refrigeration equipment and the refrigerant recovery and recharge device influencing the recharge operation becomes critical if even a single component of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device is changed. For example if a higher capacity tank is used in the refrigerant recovery and recharge device then this affects the pressure difference required for a proper recharge. In case a higher capacity tank is used then the amount of time required to build up the pressure necessary for an efficient recharge is higher. " £_the pressure of the refrigerant stored in the tank is not high enough then the amount of refrigerant recharged to the refrigeration equipment will be incorrect. Also since the pressure difference between the refrigeration equipment and the tank in the refrigerant recovery and recharge device is low there is a possibility that the recharge operation does not occur at all or is terminated early.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the components of refrigerant recovery and recharge device being connected to refrigeration equipment.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the components of refrigerant recovery and recharge device being connected to refrigeration equipment.
  • the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 is connected to the refrigeration equipment 12.
  • the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 comprises a valve block 14 which has a plurality of valves.
  • the connection between refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 and the refrigeration equipment 12 is via the plurality of the valves in the valve block 14.
  • the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 further comprises at least an accumulator 16, a compressor 18 and a tank 20.
  • the valves in the valve block 14 are switched such that the refrigerant flows through the first flow path 22 through the accumulator 16 to the compressor 18 and then to the tank 20.
  • the valves in the valve block 14 are switched such that the refrigerant flows through the second flow path 24 from the tank 20 to the refrigeration equipment 12.
  • the refrigerant recovery and recharge device further comprises a third flow path 26 which allows circulation of refrigerant in the tank 20 to an accumulator 16.
  • a valve 28 which is operated only when the refrigerant from the tank 20 is to be sent to the accumulator 16.
  • the accumulator 16 contains a heating coil which is used to heat the refrigerant that flows from the tank 20 to the accumulator 16.
  • a pressure sensor 30 is located in the tank 20 to measure the pressure of the Refrigerant in the tank 20.
  • a control unit 32 continuous monitors the pressure sensor 30.
  • the control unit 32 also controls the switching of the valves in the valve block 14, and valve 28 in the third flow path.
  • the control unit 32 controls the overall working of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10.
  • the method of operating the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 in accordance with this invention can be explained as follows.
  • the control unit 32 continuously monitors the pressure of the refrigerant in the tank through the pressure sensor 30 located in the tank 20. If the pressure of the refrigerant in the tank 20 is below a threshold valve, then the control unit 32 switches the valves in the valve block 14 in a manner such that there is no fluid connection between the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 and the refrigeration equipment 12.
  • a threshold valve of the pressure of the refrigerant may be defined as that pressure which enables sufficient quantity of refrigerant from the tank 20 to be recharged to the refrigeration equipment 12.
  • the valve 28 in the third flow path 26 is then actuated by the control unit 32.
  • the valve 28 is actuated, the refrigerant from the tank 20 flows through the third flow path 26 into the accumulator 16.
  • the accumulator 16 contains a heating coil. The temperature of the incoming refrigerant is increased by heat absorption from high pressure refrigerant coming out of oil separator in the coil.
  • the compressor 18 is continuously kept in an operative state. The compressor sucks the refrigerant from the accumulator and pushes it towards the tank 20.
  • the control unit 32 monitors the pressure sensor 30 continuously.
  • valve 28 is switched off and the valves in the valve block 14 are switched to an open position. Once the valves in the valve block are switched into a open position a fluid connection is established between the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 and the refrigeration equipment 12. Also due to the increase in pressure of the refrigerant in the tank 20 the pressure difference between the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 and the refrigeration equipment 12 is enough for recharging sufficient quantity of refrigerant to the refrigeration equipment.
  • the valve 28 which is located in the third flow path 26 is a pulsing solenoid valve.
  • a pulsing solenoid valve is a valve which is actuated only when the pressure build up on the entry side of the valve is beyond a certain value (1200 to 4000mbar).
  • the operation of the pulsing solenoid valve makes sure that the pressure of the refrigerant that flows from the tank 20 to the accumulator 16 is at a pressure higher than the pressure of the refrigerant contained in the tank 20.
  • the accumulator 16 contain a heating coil which increases the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant in the accumulator 16. This ensures that the vapour pressure of the refrigerant in the accumulator 16 is high which does not allow the refrigerant to cool.
  • the control unit 32 controls the ON time of the valve 28 in a manner such that, high pressure refrigerant which is accumulated in the third flow path 26 flows into the accumulator 16.
  • a refrigerant recovery and recharge device known in the state of the art was connected to the refrigerant equipment in a vehicle.
  • the capacity of the tank used was 12L.
  • the capacity of the tank was increased to 22L. While operating the refrigerant recovery and recharge device known in the state of the art in the second working cycle, it was observed that due to larger size of the tank the time required to increase the pressure of the refrigerant in the tank by 0.7 bar was more than 135 seconds. Further due to insufficient pressure of the refrigerant in the tank the amount of refrigerant that could be recharged to the refrigeration was 1.4 kg.
  • a refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 in accordance with this invention was connected to the refrigerant equipment in a vehicle.
  • the capacity of the tank used was 12L.
  • the capacity of the tank was increased to 22L.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Compression-Type Refrigeration Machines With Reversible Cycles (AREA)

Abstract

A refrigerant recovery and recharge device and a method to operate the refrigerant recovery and recharge device is disclosed. The refrigerant recovery and recharge device (10) is adapted to be connected to refrigeration equipment (12). The device (10) comprises at least a valve block (14), an accumulator (16), a compressor (18) and a tank (20). The device (10) also comprises a first flow path (22) adapted to recover refrigerant from the refrigeration equipment (12) and a second flow path (24) adapted to recharge refrigerant to the refrigeration equipment (12). The device (10) is characterized by comprising a third flow (path 26) adapted to redirect refrigerant from tank (20) to accumulator 16; at least one valve (28) located in the third flow path (26) adapted to be actuated in a manner that allows redirection of refrigerant from tank (20) to accumulator (16); and a control unit (32) adapted to control actuation of at least one valve (28).

Description

Title: A METHOD OF OPERATING A REFRIGERANT RECOVERY AND RECHARGE DEVICE
Priority application no.4375/CHE/2011 dated 14/12/2011
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of operating a refrigerant recovery and recharge device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Refrigeration equipments are widely used in many applications including air conditioning systems, refrigerators and the like. These refrigeration equipments use one or a combination of refrigerants such as water, oils, industrial refrigerants and the like. The working principle of the refrigeration equipment is such that the refrigerant absorbs heat while passing through various components of the refrigeration equipment. This cools the air around the refrigeration equipment and the cool air is then blown to the area or room where the refrigeration equipment is installed.
Due to prolonged usage of the refrigerant in the refrigeration equipment the ability of the refrigerant to cool reduces. Also there is a possibility that the refrigerant get contaminated with oil and moisture, which further reduces the ability of the refrigerant to cool the area or room where the refrigeration equipments are installed. Hence it is required that the refrigerant is removed from the refrigeration equipment and is recharged with recycled refrigerant. For the purpose of recovering and recharging the refrigerant a refrigerant recovery and recharge device is used.
The refrigerant recovery and recharge device is usually a stand alone device which is connected to the refrigeration equipment while the refrigeration equipment is being serviced. The refrigerant recovery and recharge'device comprises at least, a valve block, a compressor and a tank. The valve block comprises valve^Vwhich are usually solenoid valves. The valves in the ^al e block can be switched from a closed position to an open position to establish a connection between the refrigerant recovery device and the refrigeration equipment. The compressor is a device which is capable of recovering the refrigerant from the refrigeration equipment. Recharge of liquid refrigerant is performed based on the pressure difference between refrigeration equipment and the refrigerant recovery and recharge device. The tank is used to store the recovered refrigerant.
While servicing refrigeration equipment three particular tasks are involved viz (i) recovery of the refrigerant from the refrigeration equipment, (ii) evacuation of air and moisture from the refrigeration equipment and (iii) refilling or recharging the refrigeration equipment with clean refrigerant. For the purposes of understanding this invention we will focus only of the refrigerant recharge method related to the refrigerant recovery and recharge device.
The conventional method of recharging the refrigerant back to the refrigeration equipment is as follows. The refrigerant is recovered from the refrigeration equipment by the compressor, from the compressor the refrigerant is sent to the tank. The compressed refrigerant is stored in the tank. In some cases a heat element is provided around the tank to increase the temperature of the tank. The increase in temperature also marginally increases the pressure of the stored refrigerant in the tank. After the evacuation of the refrigeration equipment, the tank is connected to the refrigeration equipment via the valve block. The valves in the valve block are switched on such that refrigerant from the tank is recharged into the refrigeration equipment. The recharge of the refrigerant takes places because of the difference in pressure in the refrigeration equipment and the tank. A person skilled in the art will know that the difference in the pressure between the tank and refrigeration equipment is the most important factor affecting the recharging operation of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device.
The pressure difference between the refrigeration equipment and the refrigerant recovery and recharge device influencing the recharge operation becomes critical if even a single component of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device is changed. For example if a higher capacity tank is used in the refrigerant recovery and recharge device then this affects the pressure difference required for a proper recharge. In case a higher capacity tank is used then the amount of time required to build up the pressure necessary for an efficient recharge is higher. " £_the pressure of the refrigerant stored in the tank is not high enough then the amount of refrigerant recharged to the refrigeration equipment will be incorrect. Also since the pressure difference between the refrigeration equipment and the tank in the refrigerant recovery and recharge device is low there is a possibility that the recharge operation does not occur at all or is terminated early. Conventional refrigerant recovery and recharge device have this disadvantage of not being able to maintain the pressure difference in case a component of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device is changed. The reason for a conventional refrigerant recovery and recharge device operation is not able to maintain the pressure difference is that at lower vapour pressure the refrigerant evaporates which results in the refrigerant getting cooled. Even though the refrigerant passes through the compressor the temperature of the refrigerant does not increase sufficiently before entering the tank. Thus the refrigerant in the tank is at a temperature and pressure which is not sufficient to recharge the refrigerant to the refrigeration equipment. Further, the time required to increase the pressure of the refrigerant is high. Since the refrigerant is stored in a higher capacity tank, this further increases time required to increase pressure of the refrigerant in the tank. If the low pressure refrigerant is now used to recharge to the refrigeration equipment then the recharge is not sufficient for proper working of the refrigeration equipment.
It is an object of this invention to operate the refrigerant recovery and recharge device in a manner such that even if a higher capacity tank is used in the refrigerant recovery and recharge device the refrigerant in the tank is at a pressure which allows sufficient quantity of refrigerant to be recharged to the refrigeration equipment. <
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The advantages of the invention as claimed |n the independent claims are as follows. During the operation of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device a check is performed to find out if the pressure of the refrigerant in the tank is sufficient for the recharge this ensures that only if the refrigerant is at a rechargeable pressure refrigerant is recharged. This ensures proper recharge of refrigerant from the refrigerant recovery and recharge device to the refrigeration equipment. During the pressure increase operation there is no connection between the refrigeration equipment and the refrigerant recovery and recharge device. This ensures that There is no loss of vacuum which is present in the refrigeration equipment during evacuation of the refrigeration equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Different modes of the invention are disclosed in detail in the description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the components of refrigerant recovery and recharge device being connected to refrigeration equipment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the components of refrigerant recovery and recharge device being connected to refrigeration equipment. The refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 is connected to the refrigeration equipment 12. The refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 comprises a valve block 14 which has a plurality of valves. The connection between refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 and the refrigeration equipment 12 is via the plurality of the valves in the valve block 14. The refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 further comprises at least an accumulator 16, a compressor 18 and a tank 20. When the refrigerant is being recovered from the refrigeration equipment 12 the valves in the valve block 14 are switched such that the refrigerant flows through the first flow path 22 through the accumulator 16 to the compressor 18 and then to the tank 20. While the refrigerant is being recharged to the refrigeration equipment 12 the valves in the valve block 14 are switched such that the refrigerant flows through the second flow path 24 from the tank 20 to the refrigeration equipment 12.
In accordance with this invention the refrigerant recovery and recharge device further comprises a third flow path 26 which allows circulation of refrigerant in the tank 20 to an accumulator 16. In the third flow path 26 is provided a valve 28 which is operated only when the refrigerant from the tank 20 is to be sent to the accumulator 16. The accumulator 16 contains a heating coil which is used to heat the refrigerant that flows from the tank 20 to the accumulator 16. A pressure sensor 30 is located in the tank 20 to measure the pressure of the Refrigerant in the tank 20. A control unit 32 continuous monitors the pressure sensor 30. The control unit 32 also controls the switching of the valves in the valve block 14, and valve 28 in the third flow path. The control unit 32 controls the overall working of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10.
The method of operating the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 in accordance with this invention can be explained as follows. The control unit 32 continuously monitors the pressure of the refrigerant in the tank through the pressure sensor 30 located in the tank 20. If the pressure of the refrigerant in the tank 20 is below a threshold valve, then the control unit 32 switches the valves in the valve block 14 in a manner such that there is no fluid connection between the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 and the refrigeration equipment 12. A threshold valve of the pressure of the refrigerant may be defined as that pressure which enables sufficient quantity of refrigerant from the tank 20 to be recharged to the refrigeration equipment 12. When the fluid connection between the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 and the refrigeration equipment 12 is stopped the refrigerant from the tank cannot flow into the refrigeration equipment. The valve 28 in the third flow path 26 is then actuated by the control unit 32. When the valve 28 is actuated, the refrigerant from the tank 20 flows through the third flow path 26 into the accumulator 16. The accumulator 16 contains a heating coil. The temperature of the incoming refrigerant is increased by heat absorption from high pressure refrigerant coming out of oil separator in the coil. The compressor 18 is continuously kept in an operative state. The compressor sucks the refrigerant from the accumulator and pushes it towards the tank 20. The control unit 32 monitors the pressure sensor 30 continuously. If the pressure of the refrigerant in the tank 20 is above the threshold pressure valve required for recharge, then the valve 28 is switched off and the valves in the valve block 14 are switched to an open position. Once the valves in the valve block are switched into a open position a fluid connection is established between the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 and the refrigeration equipment 12. Also due to the increase in pressure of the refrigerant in the tank 20 the pressure difference between the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 and the refrigeration equipment 12 is enough for recharging sufficient quantity of refrigerant to the refrigeration equipment. ^accordance with one embodiment of this invention the valve 28 which is located in the third flow path 26 is a pulsing solenoid valve. A pulsing solenoid valve is a valve which is actuated only when the pressure build up on the entry side of the valve is beyond a certain value (1200 to 4000mbar). The operation of the pulsing solenoid valve makes sure that the pressure of the refrigerant that flows from the tank 20 to the accumulator 16 is at a pressure higher than the pressure of the refrigerant contained in the tank 20. As mentioned before the accumulator 16 contain a heating coil which increases the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant in the accumulator 16. This ensures that the vapour pressure of the refrigerant in the accumulator 16 is high which does not allow the refrigerant to cool. Thus the heat added by the compressor 18 while compressing the refrigerant recovered from the accumulator adds to the already existing temperature of the refrigerant in the accumulator 16. This ensures that the compressor 18 can efficiently and quick compress the refrigerant to a higher pressure with lower heat losses. The control unit 32, controls the ON time of the valve 28 in a manner such that, high pressure refrigerant which is accumulated in the third flow path 26 flows into the accumulator 16.
A working example of the method of operating the refrigerant recovery and recharge 10 of this invention can be explained as follows.
A refrigerant recovery and recharge device known in the state of the art was connected to the refrigerant equipment in a vehicle. In a first working cycle of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device known in the state of the art the capacity of the tank used was 12L. In a second working cycle of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device known in the state of the art the capacity of the tank was increased to 22L. While operating the refrigerant recovery and recharge device known in the state of the art in the second working cycle, it was observed that due to larger size of the tank the time required to increase the pressure of the refrigerant in the tank by 0.7 bar was more than 135 seconds. Further due to insufficient pressure of the refrigerant in the tank the amount of refrigerant that could be recharged to the refrigeration was 1.4 kg.
A refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 in accordance with this invention was connected to the refrigerant equipment in a vehicle. In a first working cycle of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10, the capacity of the tank used was 12L. In a second working cycle of the ^frigerant recovery and recharge device 10, the capacity of the tank was increased to 22L Implementing the method of the operation of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 as explained above, While operating the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 in the second working cycle, it was observed that due to larger size of the tank the time required to increase the pressure of the refrigerant in the tank by 0.7bar was less than 135 seconds. Due to sufficient pressure difference in the tank the amount of refrigerant that was recharged was approximately equal to the amount of refrigerant that was recovered from the refrigeration equipment.
Based on the example provided above the advantages of the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 and the method of operating the refrigerant recovery and recharge device 10 are evident over a refrigerant recovery and recharge device known in the state of the art. However, it must be understood that the embodiment and examples mentioned above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. The scope of this invention is only limited by the scope of the claims. Many variations and modifications in the embodiments and in the method are envisaged and are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A refrigerant recovery and recharge device (10) adapted to be connected to a refrigeration equipment (12), said device (10) comprising at least a valve block (14), an accumulator (16), a compressor (18) and a tank (20), said device comprises a first flow path (22) adapted to recover refrigerant from said refrigeration equipment and a second flow path (24) adapted to recharge refrigerant to said refrigeration equipment,
Characterized in that said device (10) comprising a third flow path (26) adapted to redirect refrigerant from said tank (20) to said accumulator (16);
at least one valve (28) located in said third flow path (26) adapted to be actuated in a manner that allows redirection of refrigerant from said tank (20) to said accumulator; and
a control unit (32) adapted to control actuation of said at least one valve (28).
2. The refrigerant recovery and recharge device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pressure sensor (30) is located in said tank (20).
3. The refrigerant recovery and recharge device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit (32) is adapted to control said valve block (14), said accumulator (16), said compressor (18) and said valve (28).
4. The refrigerant recovery and recharge device (10) as claimed in claim 1, said control unit (32) is adapted to monitor pressure of said refrigerant in said tank (20).
5. A method of operating a refrigerant recovery and recharge device (10) adapted to recover refrigerant from a refrigeration equipment (12) via a first flow path (22) and recharge refrigerant to said refrigeration equipment (12) via a second flow path (24), said device comprising a valve block (14) with a plurality of valves, an accumulator (16), a compressor (18), a tank (20) and a third flow path (26), said method comprising the following steps:
(i) measuring pressure of refrigerant in said tank;
(ii) switching off at least one valve from said valve block; (iii) redirecting flow of refrigerant from said tank to said accumulator via said third flow path;
(iv) increasing pressure of said refrigerant in said accumulator to a threshold value;
(v) switching on said compressor;
(vi) recovering high pressure refrigerant from said accumulator to said tank;
(vii) measuring pressure of refrigerant in said tank;
(viii) switching on at least one valve from said valve block;
(ix) redirecting flow of high pressure refrigerant from said tank to said refrigeration equipment via said second flow path.
EP12844666.3A 2011-12-14 2012-12-07 Refrigerant recovery and recharge device Not-in-force EP2817573B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IN4375CH2011 2011-12-14
PCT/IN2012/000801 WO2013114383A1 (en) 2011-12-14 2012-12-07 A method of operating a refrigerant recovery and recharge device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2817573A1 true EP2817573A1 (en) 2014-12-31
EP2817573B1 EP2817573B1 (en) 2019-05-29

Family

ID=48193260

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12844666.3A Not-in-force EP2817573B1 (en) 2011-12-14 2012-12-07 Refrigerant recovery and recharge device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2817573B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2013114383A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113701409B (en) * 2021-08-08 2023-03-14 中国飞机强度研究所 Heat exchanger secondary refrigerant filling and emptying control device and control method

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5758506A (en) * 1996-07-03 1998-06-02 White Industries, Llc Method and apparatus for servicing automotive refrigeration systems
US7854130B2 (en) * 2004-11-30 2010-12-21 Spx Corporation Internal clearing function for a refrigerant recovery/recharge machine
US8272228B2 (en) * 2008-01-29 2012-09-25 Spx Corporation Apparatus to clear oil from the hoses and front end of a recovery recharge machine

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2013114383A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2817573B1 (en) 2019-05-29
WO2013114383A1 (en) 2013-08-08

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