ES2937110T3 - Refrigerant fluid recovery and recharging station and associated procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the invention is a refrigerant fluid recovery and recharge station from a refrigeration module, said station comprising a separator (20) capable of separating the refrigerant fluid and oil recovered from the refrigeration module, a condenser (40) capable of condensing the refrigerant fluid separated by the separator (20), a refrigerant fluid storage tank (50) on which the separator (20) and the condenser (40) are mounted, and a weighing cell (60) on which the find the tank (50) is mounted. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Refrigerant fluid recovery and recharging station and associated procedure

Technical field and object of the invention

The present invention concerns the recharging of refrigerant fluid and more particularly a recovery and recharging station, and the associated weighing method, of a refrigerant fluid in a refrigerating module of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, a vehicle or an agricultural or public works machine, a utility or industrial vehicle. The purpose of the invention is in particular to allow precise and reliable weighing of the refrigerant liquid present in the internal circuit of the station.

state of the art

Today, most air conditioning installations work with a refrigerant fluid. In this type of installation and in a known manner, it is necessary to recycle the fluid after a period of use, in particular due to fluid leaks or contaminants present inside the system (moisture, impurities, etc.). To this end, it is known first of all to recover the fluid present in the refrigeration circuit of the installation before loading new fluid using a station that allows both recovery, recycling and recharging of refrigerant fluid.

In a known solution, used in particular in numerous automobile workshops, the charging station is in the form of a mobile cart on which are mounted, in particular, a storage tank for the coolant fluid, a vacuum pump, a separator , a compressor and a plurality of solenoid valves connected by pipes that allow an internal fluid circuit to be made between a low-pressure inlet and a high-pressure outlet of the station.

In order to be able to guarantee the safety of the operator who performs the refrigerant fluid recovery and recharge operations, the charging station must be capable of accurately determining the weight of the refrigerant fluid contained in the tank at each instant following the start of the recovery phase. Indeed, the liquid part of the refrigerant fluid contained in the tank can, by expansion, in particular during a rise in temperature, reach the internal volume of the tank and lead to the explosion of said tank. By way of example, it is known not to exceed 80% of the volume of the tank to avoid the risk of explosion.

In order to measure the weight of the liquid part of the refrigerant fluid, the tank is mounted on an electronic scale, called a weighing cell, which indicates the total instantaneous weight of the tank and thus makes it possible to deduce the weight of the liquid refrigerant contained in the tank. .

However, the measurement of the weight of the refrigerant fluid carried out by the charging stations of the prior art can be notably inaccurate because certain volumes of refrigerant fluid can accumulate in the internal circuit outside the tank. In order to at least partly overcome this problem, it is known to purge the internal circuit of the charging station, that is to say, to move the liquid present in the internal circuit out of the tank towards said tank. However, in existing solutions, this purging operation must be carried out once the recovery operation has been completed, which does not allow the weight of the refrigerant fluid to be accurately measured during the recovery operation, with the aforementioned risks that this entails. In addition, the purging of fluid can result in a loss (passage from the liquid state to the gaseous state) that can be considered as outgassing into the atmosphere, which is problematic with respect to the requirements regarding respect for the environment.

On the other hand, in existing solutions a volume of refrigerant fluid can also be found in the oil used in the charging station because the seated solenoid valves used in the separators of existing solutions degas the refrigerant fluid in gaseous form in the oil. , thus leaving this volume outside the tank. Such degassing again constitutes a problem with respect to the requirements on respect for the environment.

Document DE 20 2013 004158 U1 refers in figure 1 of the prior art to document WO2011/063961 which describes a station comprising an internal circulation circuit for said refrigerant fluid but in which the separator 140 is independent from the tank 115 and the weighing is carried out by two different weighing cells 117A, 117B. The documents EP3162599A1 and US4768347A concern a station 20 for the recovery, recycling and recharging of a refrigerant fluid from a refrigerating module 10 of a motor vehicle, but this station does not allow a precise measurement of the mass of the refrigerant fluid.

Therefore, there is a need for a simple, reliable and effective solution that allows the weight of the refrigerant liquid to be accurately measured.

General presentation of the invention

To this end, the object of the invention is, first of all, a station, as defined in independent claim 1, for the recovery, recycling and recharging of a refrigerant fluid from a refrigeration module, in particular of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, an agricultural or public works vehicle or machine, a utility or industrial vehicle, said station comprising an internal circulation circuit of said refrigerant fluid, said internal circuit comprising a low input pressure intended to be connected to the low pressure outlet of said refrigeration module, a separator suitable for separating the refrigerant fluid and oil recovered from the refrigeration module through the low pressure inlet, a condenser suitable for condensing the refrigerant fluid separated by the separator , a refrigerant fluid storage tank, in particular condensed by the condenser, a weighing cell on which the tank is mounted and which is suitable for weighing said tank, a high-pressure outlet intended to be connected to the inlet of high pressure of the refrigeration module, a group of solenoid valves connected to the low pressure inlet, to the separator, to the condenser, to the tank and to the high pressure outlet in order to allow the operation of the station in at least one recovery mode and a recharging mode, the station being characterized in that the separator and condenser are mounted in the tank.

By the terms "refrigeration module" is meant an air conditioning or refrigeration module or any refrigeration module that requires the recovery, recycling and recharging of a refrigerant fluid. The weighing of the assembly formed by the separator, the condenser and the tank, as well as the pipes that connect them two by two, makes it possible to weigh the entire liquid part of the refrigerant fluid recovered from a refrigeration module and the liquid part of the refrigerant fluid stored in The deposit. Such weighing makes it possible to accurately know the amount of fluid present in the station while avoiding purging the internal circuit of the station. The absence of a purge stage simplifies the station architecture while reducing overall recovery and recharge time. Accurate weighing makes it possible to avoid exceeding the limit storage volume of the tank beyond which the tank presents a risk of explosion. Finally, the station according to the invention is particularly advantageous when used on board a ship subject to heeling phenomena that can displace the refrigerant fluid through the fluid circuit between the separator, the condenser and the tank. Indeed, in this case, although the refrigerant liquid circulates between the condenser, the separator and the tank, the total weight value of the liquid remains constant. Furthermore, the device makes it possible to reduce the release of fluid into the atmosphere during filter-drier maintenance compared to previous solutions in which the fluid was not completely evacuated from the solenoid valves, the dehydration module and the separator before filter maintenance dehydrator. The device also makes it possible to ensure maintenance operations avoiding any contact between the operator and the fluid.

Preferably, the tank being in the form of a cylinder, preferably metallic, the condenser is fixed to the upper part of said cylinder.

Also preferably, the tank being in the form of a cylinder, preferably metallic, comprising a side wall, the separator is fixed to said side wall.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the group of solenoid valves comprises a high pressure line solenoid valve module connected to the high pressure outlet, a low pressure line solenoid valve module connected to the low pressure inlet, a solenoid valve module recovery unit attached to the separator, and a refrigerant charge solenoid valve attached to the tank.

Advantageously, the station includes an oil injection bottle and the group of solenoid valves includes an oil injection solenoid valve attached to said oil injection bottle in order to inject oil into the refrigerating module through the high pressure outlet. .

According to one aspect of the invention, the station comprises a tracer injection bottle, preferably ultraviolet, and the group of solenoid valves comprises a tracer injection solenoid valve attached to said tracer injection bottle in order to inject a tracer into the refrigeration module via high pressure outlet

In one embodiment, the station comprises a dehydration module, said dehydration module comprising a filter-drier attached to the separator, a compressor attached to the filter-drier, and a compressor-separator attached on the one hand to the compressor and on the other to the separator. Such a module The dehydration system makes it possible to absorb the moisture contained in the refrigerant fluid separated from the oil used by the separator in order to effectively condense said refrigerant fluid to store it in liquid form in the tank.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the station comprises a carriage on which the weighing cell, the tank and the group of solenoid valves are mounted. Such a trolley makes it possible to easily move the station, in particular in a workshop.

Advantageously, the station includes a vacuum pump capable of creating a vacuum in the internal circuit of the station. Such evacuation makes it possible at the same time to remove air and residual moisture from the refrigerating module in order to recharge it efficiently.

Still advantageously, the station includes a module of pumping solenoid valves connected to the vacuum pump.

Preferably, said pumping solenoid valve module is open in a vacuum pumping (or draft) mode in order to vacuum the internal circuit and completely eliminate residual humidity in the refrigerating module.

Preferably, the group of solenoid valves comprises an interconnection box, called "mother unit", to which the high pressure line solenoid valve module, the low pressure line solenoid valve module, the recovery solenoid valve module, the pumping solenoid valve module, the oil injection solenoid valve, the tracer injection solenoid valve and the refrigerant charging solenoid valve.

According to another aspect of the invention, the station comprises a so-called "nurse pressure" sensor suitable for measuring the pressure of the fluids in the interconnection box.

Preferably, the low pressure line solenoid valve module and the high pressure line solenoid valve module each comprise a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve connected head to head. Such a configuration simultaneously allows the circulation of refrigerant fluid in both directions of circulation in the solenoid valve module while avoiding untimely returns of refrigerant fluid towards the interconnection box.

Preferably, the recovery solenoid valve module comprises a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve connected head to head in particular to allow the simultaneous opening of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve to measure the pressure in the interconnection box. .

Preferably, the pumping solenoid valve module comprises a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve connected head to head in particular for the purpose of allowing a vacuum to a pressure lower than -0.8 bar, for example of the order of -1 bar .

According to one aspect of the invention, the station includes a control module capable of controlling the group of solenoid valves. More specifically, the control module makes it possible to individually control the opening or closing of each solenoid valve, in particular each solenoid valve of each solenoid valve module.

Preferably, the dehydration module comprising a separation solenoid valve, the control module is capable of controlling the separation solenoid valve in order to control the pressure in the separator. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of refrigerant fluid evacuated to the atmosphere during the extraction of used oil from the separator into a used oil bottle.

Preferably, the separator and the condenser are connected by a pipe, preferably flexible.

Still preferably, the condenser and the tank are connected by a pipe, preferably flexible.

The invention also concerns a weighing method, defined by independent claim 9, of a refrigerant liquid in a refrigerant fluid recovery and refilling station of a refrigeration module, in particular of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, an agricultural or public works vehicle or machine, a utility or industrial vehicle, the said station comprising a refrigerant liquid storage tank, a separator adapted to separate the refrigerant fluid from the used oil recovered from the refrigeration module, a condenser suitable for condensing the refrigerant fluid separated by the separator, at least one pipe connecting the separator and the condenser, at least one pipe connecting the condenser and the tank, the aforementioned procedure comprising a step for recovering the refrigerant fluid and oil from the refrigeration module, a stage of separation of the refrigerant fluid and the oil recovered from the refrigeration module, a stage of condensation of the gaseous part of the separated refrigerant fluid, the aforementioned procedure being characterized by the fact that it comprises a stage of continuous weighing, by a single weighing cell, of the tank, the separator, the condenser and the pipes that join them during the recovery stage.

Preferably, the station is a station as described above.

A supplementary aspect, which does not form part of the invention, concerns a maintenance procedure for a refrigerant fluid recovery and recharge station of a refrigeration module, said station comprising a refrigerant liquid storage tank, a separator adapted to separate the refrigerant fluid from the used oil recovered from the refrigeration module, a dehydration module, a condenser suitable for condensing the refrigerant fluid separated by the separator, at least one pipe connecting the separator and the condenser, at least one pipe connecting the condenser and tank, and a group of solenoid valves comprising a recovery solenoid valve module, said dehydration module comprising a valve, a filter drier, linked to said valve, a compressor, linked to the filter drier and a compressor separator, connected on the one hand to the inlet of the compressor and to the outlet of the compressor, and on the other to the separator, the aforementioned procedure comprising, with the recovery valve and solenoid valve module being in the open position, a compressor activation stage in order to evacuate the refrigerant fluid from the group of solenoid valves, the dehydration module and the separator to the tank, a stage of closing the valve, a stage of maintenance of the filter drier, a stage of opening the valve and a stage of activation of the vacuum pump in order to expel air and humidity to the outside, leaving then the circuit under vacuum.

This procedure, according to the additional aspect, makes it possible to reduce the release of fluid into the atmosphere with respect to previous solutions in which the fluid was not completely evacuated from the solenoid valves, from the dehydration module and from the separator before maintenance on the drier filter. The procedure also makes it possible to ensure the maintenance operation avoiding any contact of the operator with the fluid.

For example, maintenance may correspond to a replacement of the filter drier.

Presentation of the figures

The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the attached drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and in which :

The [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an embodiment of a station according to the invention,

The [Fig. 2] is another perspective view of the station in figure 1,

The [Fig. 3] is a partial perspective view of the station of figure 1 in which the station is devoid of its protection panels,

The [Fig. 4] is another partial perspective view of the station in figure 3,

The [Fig. 5] is another partial perspective view of the station in figure 3,

The [Fig. 6] is another partial perspective view of the station in figure 3,

[Fig.7] is a functional block diagram of the station of Figs. 1 to 6, showing the functional aspects but not the structural aspects of the invention, which is defined only by the independent claims.

The [Fig. 8] is a perspective view of the tank according to the invention,

The [Fig. 9] is another perspective view of the deposit of figure 8,

The [Fig. 10] is another perspective view of the deposit of figure 8,

The [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of the tank of figure 8 that includes connection pipes,

The [Fig. 12] is a view from above of the group of solenoid valves of the station of figure 1,

The [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of the solenoid valve group of figure 12,

The [Fig. 14] is another perspective view of the group of solenoid valves of figure 12,

The [Fig. 15] illustrates an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

It should be noted that the figures describe the invention in detail in order to implement the invention, and the aforementioned figures can naturally serve to better define the invention if necessary.

Detailed description of the invention

In the description that will follow, the invention will be described in its application to a refrigerant fluid refill station for a vehicle air conditioning module. For example, the refrigerant fluid may be of the HFC, HCFC or HFO type but could be any other suitable type of refrigerant fluid.

In figures 1 to 6 an example of a station 1 according to the invention has been represented. In this example, as illustrated in particular in figures 1 and 2, the station 1 is advantageously in the form of a mobile cart 1A that can be moved by an operator, for example in a garage. As illustrated in figures 3 to 6, the trolley 1A comprises a structure 2, preferably metallic, comprising a base 3 on which the so-called "functional" elements are mounted, which carry out the functions of recovery, recycling and recharging. of refrigerant fluid as explained below. In this description, the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", "horizontal" and "vertical" are defined with respect to a standard use of the station, i.e. when the station is placed flat on a horizontal ground (that is, parallel to the earth's horizontal), as illustrated in figures 1 to 6.

The base 3 comprises an upper face and a lower face. The structure 2 comprises four wheels 4A, 4B, a tubular frame 5 mounted on the upper face of the base 3 and which forms a handle 5A that extends horizontally on one side of the cart 1A in order to be able to manipulate it. In this example and preferably, the two wheels 4A located in the vertical of the handle 5A, called "rear wheels", are of a greater width and diameter than the other two wheels 4B, called "front wheels" in order to allow tilting of the handle. car 1A on two 4A rear wheels for easy movement and over obstacles such as pipes, steps, sidewalks, etc. The station 1 also comprises a plurality of panels 6, in particular an upper panel 6A, which makes it possible to close the side faces and the upper face of the trolley 1A in order to protect the functional elements mounted on the upper part of the base 3. In Two frontal handles 7 are mounted on the upper panel 6A in order to be able to manipulate the station 1. The upper panel 6A also includes in this example a printer 8 that makes it possible to print the intervention and maintenance data generated by the station 1.

The functional elements of station 1 will now be described. Always with reference to figures 1 to 6 but also to figure 7, which represents a functional block diagram of station 1 without showing its structural aspects, station 1 comprises a low pressure inlet 10, a separator 20, a dehydration module 30, a condenser 40 and a tank 50, a weighing cell 60 of the tank 50, a vacuum pump 70, a high pressure outlet 80, a group of solenoid valves 90, an oil injection bottle 100, a tracer injection bottle 110, a used oil recovery bottle 120 and a control module 130. In particular, the low pressure inlet 10, the separator 20, the module dehydration unit 30, condenser 40, tank 50, high pressure outlet 80 and group of solenoid valves 90 define an internal circulation circuit for the refrigerant fluid. A station according to the invention further comprises the other features that are part of independent claim 1.

The aforementioned functional elements are connected to each other via pipelines, in particular flexible ones, and the solenoid valve group 90 in such a way as to enable the station to operate in various modes depending on the configuration of the solenoid valves of the solenoid valve group 90.

The low pressure inlet 10 is intended to be connected, through a conduit 11, to the low pressure outlet of the air conditioning module (not shown) from which it is desired to recover the refrigerant fluid and/or recharge the refrigerant fluid. A manometer 132 makes it possible to measure the pressure of the refrigerant fluid circulating through the low pressure inlet 10.

The separator 20 is suitable for separating the refrigerant fluid and the oil recovered from the air conditioning module through the low pressure inlet. The separator 20 comprises a bottle 21 (or carboy) that includes a mixed inlet A IN, a hydrated fluid outlet A OUT, a dehydrated fluid inlet R IN, a dehydrated fluid outlet R OUT, a coil 22 and a dehydrated fluid outlet. used oil 23.

The mixed inlet A IN is located in the upper part of the separator 20 and allows the collection of the refrigerant fluid and used oil from the air conditioning module to which station 1 is connected. The hydrated fluid outlet A OUT allows the refrigerant fluid to be evacuated from the bottle 21 towards the dehydration module 30.

The dehydrated fluid inlet R IN makes it possible to collect the refrigerant fluid dehydrated by the dehydration module 30. The coil 22 is connected between the dehydrated fluid inlet R IN and the dehydrated fluid outlet R OUT. The coil 22 is arranged in the lower part of the internal space of the bottle 21 and has the function of facilitating the evaporation of the hydrated fluid that enters through the mixed inlet A IN and lowering the temperature of the fluid that leaves the compressor 33 to facilitate condensation. of the fluid in the condenser 40. The dehydrated fluid outlet R OUT allows the dehydrated fluid that has passed through the coil 22 to be conveyed to the condenser 40. The used oil outlet allows the used oil to be evacuated to the recovery bottle 120 through a solenoid valve recovery EV13.

The dehydration module 30 comprises a valve 31, a drier filter 32, a compressor 33, a compressor separator 34, a separation solenoid valve EV11, a safety pressure switch Pr and a non-return valve CL1. The valve 31 makes it possible to isolate the dehydrator 32 during maintenance, in particular during the replacement of the dehydrator 32. The safety pressure switch Pr makes it possible to interrupt the operation of station 1, in particular to block the operation of all the equipment in operation when the pressure of the fluid in the internal circuit is too high in order to avoid any risk of explosion in the event of failure of station 1. The filter drier 32 is connected to the separator 20 and has the function of absorbing the moisture contained in the refrigerant fluid. The compressor 33 is connected to the filter drier 32 and allows the refrigerant fluid to circulate through the dehydration module 30, in particular the filter drier 32 and the compressor separator 34. The compressor separator 34 is connected to the compressor 33 (through the port IN connector) and has the function of recovering the oil from the compressor 33 driven by the circulating refrigerant fluid. The separator of the compressor 34 is connected (through the connector port OUT) to the separator 20. The separator electrovalve EV11 allows to return the oil to the compressor 33 when the latter is stopped.

The condenser 40 comprises a coil 40A through which the refrigerant fluid circulates in order to condense it. The condenser 40 is mounted in the tank 50 through a support 42, for example metallic. In this example, the condenser 40 is said to be "ventilated" because it includes a fan 43 that makes it possible to cool the refrigerant fluid circulating in the coil 40A. The condenser 40 is capable of condensing the refrigerant fluid separated by the separator 20.

The tank 50 is in the form of a cylinder 50A that allows both the recovery and storage of the refrigerant fluid condensed by the condenser 40 and the storage of new refrigerant fluid when it is changed. The 50A bottle is installed full for the first time. Bottle 50A also makes it possible to supply the stored refrigerant fluid to recharge the vehicle's air conditioning module. The carboy 50A comprises a side wall 50A1, in which the separator 20 and the condenser 40 are mounted, and a base 50B that allows the tank 50 to be mounted on the weighing cell 60 in a stable manner. The tank is connected to the condenser 40 through a valve 51.

On the cylinder 50A, the following are also mounted on the upper part: an EV18 non-condensables purge solenoid valve connected to the tank 50 through a valve 52 and a safety valve SP, for example regulated at 18 bars, which prevents overpressure in the tank. tank 50 beyond the adjustment limit of said safety valve SP. A tank pressure sensor C2 is connected between the non-condensables drain solenoid valve EV18 and valve 52 and makes it possible to measure the pressure of the fluid stored in tank 50. Valve 52 is used in particular to allow calibration of the pressure sensor from the C2 deposit.

The weighing cell 60 is an electronic balance that allows, for example, weighing with a precision of one gram. The separator 20 and the ventilated condenser 40 are mounted on the cylinder 50A which is placed on the weighing cell 60 in such a way as to allow a global weighing at the same time of the liquid part of the refrigerant fluid stored in the separator 20, in the condenser 40 ventilated and in the bottle 50A, and of the liquid part of the refrigerant fluid stored or circulating through the pipe that joins the separator 20 to the ventilated condenser 40 and the pipe that joins the ventilated condenser 40 to the bottle 50A. As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, separator 20 is mounted on a bracket 54. A heating belt 55 is positioned around reservoir 50 to regulate the temperature and therefore pressure within reservoir 50.

The vacuum pump 70 makes it possible in particular to create a vacuum and eliminate humidity in the internal circuit of station 1 and in the air conditioning module connected to station 1.

The high pressure outlet 80 is intended to be connected, through a conduit 81, to the high pressure inlet of the air conditioning module. A manometer 134 makes it possible to measure the pressure of the refrigerant fluid circulating through the high pressure outlet 80.

The group of solenoid valves 90 is connected to the low pressure inlet 10, to the separator 20, to the tank 50, to the vacuum pump 70 and to the high pressure outlet 80 in order to allow the operation of station 1 in different modes. . The group of solenoid valves 90 comprises an interconnection box 91, called "mother", to which an EV9 high pressure line solenoid valve module, an EV10 low pressure line solenoid valve module, an EV12 recovery solenoid valve module are connected. , an EV14 pumping solenoid valve module, an EV15 oil injection solenoid valve, an EV16 tracer injection solenoid valve and an EV17 refrigerant charge solenoid valve and a C1 nurse pressure sensor (figure 7).

The EV10 low pressure line solenoid valve module is attached to the low pressure inlet 10. The EV12 recovery solenoid valve module is attached to separator 20. The EV9 high pressure line solenoid valve module is attached to the high output pressure 80. The pump solenoid valve module EV14 is connected to the vacuum pump 70.

The high pressure line solenoid valve module EV9, the low pressure line solenoid valve module EV10, the recovery solenoid valve module EV12 and the pumping solenoid valve module EV14 each comprise a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve connected feet against head In particular, this makes it possible to prevent, in the EV9 high pressure line solenoid valve module and the EV10 low pressure line solenoid valve module, a return of refrigerant fluid from the air conditioning module towards the interconnection box 91 of the solenoid valve group 90 This In particular, it makes it possible to avoid, in the recovery solenoid valve module EV12, the measurement of the pressure in the interconnection box 91 when the two solenoid valves of the recovery solenoid valve module EV12 are open. In particular, this makes it possible to avoid, in the pump solenoid valve module EV14, a passage of the refrigerant fluid from the interconnection box 91 towards the vacuum pump 70.

The EV15 oil injection solenoid valve is attached to the oil injection bottle 100. A CL2 non-return valve is arranged between the EV15 oil injection solenoid valve and the interconnection box 91 in order to prevent any return of fluid towards the bottle. injection valve 100. The tracer injection solenoid valve EV16 and a non-return valve CL3 are attached to a tracer injection bottle 110. The refrigerant charging solenoid valve EV17 and a non-return valve CL4 are attached to the tank 50 through a valve 53. The valve 53 is, in normal operation of the station 1, always open but it is tilted to the closed position in order to close the tank 50 in its liquid phase to carry out maintenance operations.

The control module 130 makes it possible in particular to control the solenoid valves of the group of solenoid valves 90 and to display the pressure at different places in the circuit. In the illustrated example, the control module 130 comprises in particular an LCD screen, an alphanumeric keyboard, navigation keys, light-emitting diodes and sound signal emitters (emitted, for example, when alphanumeric keyboard keys are pressed or when station 1 The refrigerant fluid recharge of the air conditioning module has finished.

The invention will now be described in its implementation with particular reference to figure 15. More specifically, an example of recovery of the refrigerant fluid and oil contained in the air conditioning circuit of a motor vehicle and fluid recharge will be detailed. refrigerant and new oil from said circuit.

In the first place, in order to recover the refrigerant fluid and the oil contained in the circuit of an air conditioning module of a motor vehicle during a stage E1 in a so-called "recovery" mode, an operator connects the low pressure input 10 from station 1 to the low pressure outlet of the vehicle climate control module and the high pressure outlet of station 1 to the high pressure inlet of the vehicle climate control module.

Once station 1 is connected to the vehicle's air conditioning module, the operator activates, through control module 130, the refrigerant fluid and used oil recovery function. To start the recovery, the control module 130 controls the opening of the high pressure line solenoid valve module EV9, the low pressure line solenoid valve module EV10 and the recovery solenoid valve module EV12, while the other solenoid valves and recovery modules are solenoid valves closed. The refrigerant fluid and the used oil contained in the circuit of the vehicle's air conditioning module are conducted to the separator 20 through successively the low pressure inlet 10, the EV10 low pressure line solenoid valve module and the recovery solenoid valve module. EV12 and the input A IN of splitter 20.

In a separation stage E2, the used oil falls to the bottom of the separator 20 while the refrigerant fluid is absorbed by the outlet A OUT under the action of the compressor 33 and is led to the filter drier 32. The filter drier 32 then absorbs the moisture in the refrigerant fluid which is then conducted to the compressor separator 34.

The accumulation of oil that comes from the compressor 33 in the compressor separator 34 increases the pressure in the separator 20. The separation solenoid valve EV11 can be controlled by the control module 130 in opening, periodically and intermittently, for example three or four times every 10 seconds, in order to drive the oil from the compressor separator 34 towards the compressor 33 and thus reduce the pressure in the separator 20, this pressure being measured by the parent pressure sensor C1. More specifically, the measurement of the pressure in the separator 20 by the parent pressure sensor C1 allows the control module 130 to control the pressure in the separator 20 so that it remains low, for example of the order of 0.3 bar. Likewise, when it is desired to purge the used oil contained in the separator 20 towards the used oil recovery bottle 120, the low pressure in the separator 20 avoids driving a significant amount of refrigerant fluid into the atmosphere, thus reducing the amount of polluting gas. released to the atmosphere with respect to the previous solutions that evacuate the used oil to the used oil recovery bottle 120 at high pressure and therefore in large quantities.

On the other hand, the refrigerant fluid that comes out of the coil 22 is conducted to the condenser 40 that transforms its gaseous part into a liquid in order to store it in the tank 50 in a condensation stage E3.

As the tank 50 fills with refrigerant liquid, the weighing cell 60 weighs, in a step E4, the assembly formed by the tank 50, the separator 20, the condenser 40 as well as the pipes that connect them two by two. This overall weighing makes it possible to weigh the whole of the refrigerant liquid that circulates or is stored in the tank 50, in the separator 20, in the condenser 40, as well as in the pipes that connect them two by two. Thus, knowing the empty weight (tare) of the tank 50 in which the separator 20, the condenser 40 and the pipes that connect them two by two are mounted, the control module 130 deducts the weight of the recovered refrigerant liquid in order to to ensure that there is no danger of exceeding the load limit of the tank 50, which could increase the internal pressure of the tank 50 beyond a limit for which a risk of explosion of the tank 50 is possible.

Once the refrigerant fluid has been recovered in the tank 50 and before starting to recharge the refrigerant fluid from the air conditioning module, a step E5 is carried out to vacuum the internal circuit of station 1 in a mode called "vacuuming". . This stage consists of opening the pumping solenoid valve module EV14, the high pressure line solenoid valve module EV9 and the low pressure line solenoid valve module EV10, with the other solenoid valves and solenoid valve modules closed, in order to lower the pressure of the internal circuit to a negative value, for example to a value of the order of -20 bars.

When this stage of evacuation E5 is completed, all the solenoid valves and solenoid valve modules are closed with the exception of the high pressure line solenoid valve module EV9, and then the oil injection solenoid valve EV15 is opened in order to proceed , from the oil stored in the oil injection bottle 100, to an injection of fresh oil into the air conditioning module (so-called "oil injection" mode) during a step E6.

Optionally, the tracer injection solenoid valve EV16 can be opened if necessary in order to inject, from the tracer injection bottle 110, an ultraviolet tracer into the air conditioning module during a stage E7 in order to detect a leak of the tracer. aforementioned air conditioning module from an ultraviolet lamp (so-called «tracer injection» mode). Likewise, a non-condensables purge stage can be carried out by opening the non-condensables purge electrovalve EV18 mounted on the tank 50, the other solenoid valves and solenoid valve modules being closed (so-called "non-condensables purge" mode).

Once the new oil has been injected, the oil injection solenoid valve EV15 and, if applicable, the tracer injection solenoid valve EV16 are closed, and then the refrigerant charge solenoid valve EV17 and valve 53 are opened to allow the refrigerant fluid recharge of the air conditioning module during a step E8 in a so-called "recharge" mode.

After several uses, it may be necessary to replace the filter drier 32. In the above solutions, it is necessary to close the valve 31 and purge the refrigerant contained in the filter drier 32 before replacing it, which is time consuming, complex and expensive. . With the station 1 according to the invention, this replacement can be carried out in a different way in order to at least partially remedy these drawbacks. To do this, the control module 130 positions or maintains the valve 31 in the open position, like the recovery solenoid valve module EV12, and activates the compressor 33 in order to evacuate the refrigerant from the solenoid valve group 90, from the dewatering 30 and separator 20 to reservoir 50. Control module 130 then places valve 31 in the closed position. The maintenance operator can then remove and replace the filter drier 32. After the replacement, the control module 130 reopens the valve 31 and activates the vacuum pump 70 in order to expel the air and moisture towards the exterior, being then the circuit to empty.

The arrangement of the separator 20 and of the condenser 40 in the tank 50 thus advantageously makes it possible to accurately and at any time weigh the weight of the refrigerant liquid contained in the station 1 in order to ensure that the limit volume of refrigerant liquid is not exceeded in the tank 50. In particular, an arrangement of this type advantageously makes it possible to accurately determine the amount of refrigerant fluid recovered from the air conditioning module.

Claims (10)

1. Station (1) for the recovery, recycling and recharging of a refrigerant fluid from a refrigeration module, the said station (1) comprising an internal circulation circuit for the said refrigerant fluid, the said internal circuit comprising: - A low-pressure inlet (10) intended to be connected to the low-pressure outlet of said refrigeration module, - A separator (20) suitable for separating the refrigerant liquid and oil recovered from the refrigeration module through the low-pressure inlet ( 10), - a condenser (40) suitable for condensing the refrigerant fluid separated by the separator (20), - a refrigerant fluid storage tank (50), - a weighing cell (60) in which the tank (50) is mounted and which is suitable for weighing said tank (50), - a high-pressure outlet (80) intended to be connected to the high-pressure inlet of the refrigeration module, - a group of solenoid valves (90) connected to the low pressure inlet (10), to the separator (20), to the condenser (40), to the tank (50) and to the high pressure outlet (80) in order to allow the station (1) operating in at least one recovery mode and one recharging mode, the station (1) being characterized in that the separator (20) and the condenser (40) are mounted in the tank (50). Station (1) according to claim 1, in which, since the tank (50) is in the form of a cylinder (50A), the condenser (40) is fixed to the upper part of said cylinder (50A). Station (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which, the reservoir (50) being in the form of a cylinder (50A) comprising a side wall (50A1), the separator (20) is fixed to said side wall (50A1). Station (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a dehydration module (30), said dehydration module (30) comprising: - a filter drier (32), attached to the separator (20), - a compressor (33), connected to the filter drier (32), - A compressor separator (34), connected on one side to the compressor (33) and on the other to the separator (20). Station (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a vacuum pump (70) capable of creating a vacuum in the internal circuit of the station (1). Station according to one of the preceding claims, in which the solenoid valve group (90) comprises: - a high pressure line solenoid valve module (EV9) connected to the high pressure outlet (80), - a low pressure line solenoid valve module (EV10) connected to the low pressure inlet (10), - a recovery solenoid valve module (EV12) attached to the separator (20), - a refrigerant charge solenoid valve (EV17) connected to the tank (50). Station (1) according to the preceding claim, in which each the high pressure line solenoid valve module (EV9), the low pressure line solenoid valve module (EV10) and the recovery solenoid valve module (EV12) , each comprise a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve connected head to head. Station (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control module (130) capable of controlling the group of solenoid valves (90). 9. Procedure for weighing a refrigerant liquid in a refrigerant fluid recovery and recharging station (1) of a refrigeration module, said station (1) comprising a refrigerant liquid storage tank (50), a separator ( 20) adapted to separate the refrigerant fluid from the used oil recovered from the refrigeration module, a condenser (40) capable of condensing the refrigerant fluid separated by the separator (20), at least one pipe connecting the separator (20) and the condenser ( 40), at least one pipe connecting the condenser (40) and the tank (50), the aforementioned procedure comprising a stage of recovery (E1) of the refrigerant fluid and of the oil from the refrigerating module, a stage of separation (E2) of the refrigerant fluid and oil recovered from the refrigeration module, a condensation stage (E3) of the gaseous part of the separated refrigerant fluid, the aforementioned procedure being characterized by comprising a continuous weighing stage (E4), by a single cell of weighing (60), of the tank (50), of the separator (20), of the condenser (40) and the pipes that join them during the recovery stage. Method according to the preceding claim, the said station (1) further comprising a dehydration module (30) and a group of solenoid valves (90) comprising a recovery solenoid valve module (EV12), comprising the said dehydration module ( 30) a valve (31), a filter drier (32), attached to the valve (31), a compressor (33), attached to the filter drier (32) and a compressor separator (34), attached on one side to the compressor inlet (33) and compressor outlet (33), and on the other to the separator (20), comprising the aforementioned procedure, with the valve (31) and the recovery solenoid valve module (EV12) in the open position, a stage of activation of the compressor (33) in order to evacuate the refrigerant fluid from the group of solenoid valves (90), the dehydration module (30) and the separator (20) to the tank (50), a stage of closing the valve (31), a stage for maintaining the filter drier (32), a stage for opening the valve (31), and a stage for activating the vacuum pump (70) in order to expel air and moisture towards the outside, leaving the circuit empty.