JP2004053074A - Cooling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooling apparatus capable of effectively suppressing the rise of ambient temperature at an installation position. <P>SOLUTION: A refrigerant circuit 1 is adapted such that a refrigerant compressed by a compressor 10 is condensed through a water cooling condenser 20 and an air cooling condenser 30, and is vaporized by passing through an evaporator 50 after expanded through an expansion valve 40 and is circulated to the compressor 10. The water cooling condenser 20 is disposed on the side of the compressor 10 more closely than the air cooling condenser 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cooling device such as a refrigerator, a cooler, and a refrigerator.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional refrigerant circuit in a refrigerator is such that refrigerant gas compressed by a compressor is condensed through a condenser, further expanded through an expander, then evaporated through an evaporator and circulated to the compressor. Is configured. Here, a technique of arranging an air-cooled condenser and a water-cooled condenser in series for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of the condensation process and reducing the exhaust heat of the air-cooled condenser is known.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional cooling device, a water-cooled condenser and an air-cooled condenser are configured in two stages, in which an air-cooled condenser is disposed in front of the cooling device. In such a configuration, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant circulates in the air-cooled condenser, and particularly when the air-cooled condenser is installed indoors, the indoor temperature may increase due to the exhaust heat of the air-cooled condenser.
[0004]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device that can effectively suppress a rise in the ambient temperature of an installation location.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the cooling device of the present invention, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is condensed through a water-cooled condenser and an air-cooled condenser, further expanded through an expander, and then evaporates through an evaporator to the compressor. The refrigerant circuit is configured to be circulated, and the water-cooled condenser is disposed closer to the compressor in the refrigerant circuit than the air-cooled condenser.
[0006]
According to the present invention, since the water-cooled condenser is disposed closer to the compressor than the air-cooled condenser in the refrigerant circuit, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is first cooled by the water-cooled condenser, and the temperature has decreased to some extent. In this state, the refrigerant is sent to the air-cooled condenser. Therefore, even when the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser is operated, an increase in the ambient temperature can be relatively suppressed.
[0007]
In the cooling device of the present invention, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is condensed through a water-cooled condenser and an air-cooled condenser, further expanded through an expander, and then evaporates through an evaporator to evaporate to the compressor. A refrigerant circuit is configured to be circulated, a cooling water valve installed in a cooling water pipe that circulates cooling water in the water-cooled condenser, a refrigerant circuit between the water-cooled condenser and the compressor, and cooling. A branch pipe connecting the water valve, and a solenoid valve is provided on the branch pipe, and the cooling water valve is opened and closed according to a change in pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the branch pipe according to opening and closing of the solenoid valve. It is characterized by being comprised so that.
[0008]
According to the present invention, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit can be guided to the cooling water valve by opening and closing the solenoid valve provided in the branch pipe. Since the cooling water valve is opened and closed according to a change in the pressure of the refrigerant, the opening and closing of the cooling water valve can be controlled by the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve. Therefore, the water-cooled condenser can be operated efficiently by opening and closing the solenoid valve, and even when the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser is operated, an increase in the ambient temperature can be relatively suppressed.
[0009]
In the cooling device of the present invention, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is condensed through a water-cooled condenser and an air-cooled condenser, further expanded through an expander, and then evaporates through an evaporator to evaporate to the compressor. A refrigerant circuit is configured to be circulated, a fan control means for controlling the operation of a cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser, and a first cooling water pipe for circulating cooling water in the water-cooled condenser. A cooling water valve, a second cooling water valve, a refrigerant circuit between the water-cooled condenser and the compressor, and a branch pipe connecting the first cooling water valve; Is configured to be opened and closed according to a change in pressure of the refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant circuit into the branch pipe, and the second cooling water valve can be opened and closed independently of the opening and closing of the first cooling water valve. Is configured.
[0010]
According to the present invention, when the temperature in the refrigerant circuit becomes high temperature and high pressure, a pressure change also occurs in the refrigerant in the branch pipe, and the first cooling water valve is opened according to the pressure change, so that the cooling water flows in the water-cooled condenser. be introduced. Therefore, since the water-cooled condenser operates according to the pressure change in the refrigerant circuit, even when the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser is operated, an increase in the ambient temperature can be relatively suppressed. Also, since the second cooling water valve is configured to open and close independently of the opening and closing of the first cooling water valve, for example, if the second cooling water valve is closed, the first cooling water valve can be opened. The cooling water can be prevented from circulating in the water-cooled condenser even if is opened.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The findings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings shown by way of example only. Subsequently, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. When possible, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.
[0012]
(First embodiment)
A refrigerant circuit of an ice making machine (cooling device) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The refrigerant circuit 1 includes a compressor 10, a water-cooled condenser 20, an air-cooled condenser 30, a receiver tank 80, a dryer 90, an expansion valve (expander) 40, and an evaporator 50. Is done. The compressor 10, the water-cooled condenser 20, the air-cooled condenser 30, the receiver tank 80, the dryer 90, the expansion valve 40, and the evaporator 50 are interconnected by refrigerant pipes 100 to 106. The refrigerant is circulated via 106.
[0013]
The refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 10 is sent to the water-cooled condenser 20 via the refrigerant pipe 100. The refrigerant gas is water-cooled through the water-cooled condenser 20, and is cooled down to about 60 ° C., which is the saturation temperature of the refrigerant, to be in a gas-liquid mixed state. Sent. The refrigerant is air-cooled and condensed by passing through an air-cooled condenser 30 to which cooling air is constantly supplied by a cooling fan (not shown). The drive of a cooling fan (not shown) is controlled by a switch (fan control means) 30a. That is, when the switch 30a is closed, the cooling fan is driven, and when the switch 30a is opened, the cooling fan stops.
[0014]
Next, the refrigerant is guided to the receiver tank 80 via the refrigerant pipe 102 and is completely liquefied. The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the dryer 90 via the refrigerant pipe 103, and is sent to the expansion valve 40 via the refrigerant pipe 104 after passing through the dryer 90. The refrigerant is rapidly decompressed in the expansion valve 40, evaporates in the evaporator 50 sent through the refrigerant pipe 105, takes heat from the ice making water to perform an ice making operation, and then compresses again through the refrigerant pipe 106. Circulates to machine 10. The refrigerant pipe 106 is disposed close to the refrigerant pipe 103 in an actual device configuration, and is configured to exchange heat in a portion disposed close to the refrigerant pipe 103. When the growth of the ice in the evaporator 50 is completed, the hot gas valve 27 is opened, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure gas flows through the hot gas pipe 107, and the evaporator 50 as an ice making chamber is warmed. The ice falls by its own weight by slightly melting the surface of the ice.
[0015]
The cooling water pipe 20a on the water supply side and the cooling water pipe 20b on the drain side are connected to the water-cooled condenser 20. The cooling water pipe 20a is provided with a water stopcock 20c, and the cooling water pipe 20b is provided with an automatic water supply valve (cooling water valve) 20d. A capillary tube (branch tube) 26 connected to a branch pipe branched from the refrigerant pipe 100 is connected to the automatic water supply valve 20d, and the automatic water supply valve 20d is changed according to a pressure change in the capillary tube 26. It is configured to be opened and closed. An electromagnetic valve 25 is installed in a branch pipe branched from the refrigerant pipe 100. The solenoid valve 25 can be arbitrarily opened and closed. If the inside of the refrigerant pipe 100 is at a sufficiently high pressure, the automatic water supply valve 20 d opens and closes according to the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 25.
[0016]
The cooling device including the refrigerant circuit 1 of the present embodiment can achieve a suitable operation by operating as follows according to the surrounding temperature condition. First, a case where the room temperature is relatively low from autumn to winter will be described. In this case, the water stopcock 20c may be open or closed. The switch 30a is closed, and the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is operating. The solenoid valve 25 is closed without being energized. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 10 in this state is sent to the water-cooled condenser 20 through the refrigerant pipe 100.
[0017]
If the water stopcock 20c is closed, the cooling water does not circulate in the water-cooled condenser 20, but even if the water stopcock 20c is open, since the solenoid valve 25 is closed, there is no pressure in the capillary tube 26. Since no change occurs, the automatic water supply valve 20d remains closed, and the cooling water does not circulate in the water-cooled condenser 20. Therefore, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has entered the water-cooled condenser 20 is directly sent from the refrigerant pipe 101 to the air-cooled condenser 30.
[0018]
Since the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is rotating, the temperature of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant sent to the air-cooled condenser 30 is reduced to a high-pressure refrigerant liquid. At this time, the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant is warmed and exhausted outside the machine, and can be used for indoor heating. On the other hand, the high-pressure refrigerant liquid that has passed through the air-cooled condenser 30 is guided to the receiver tank 80 and is completely liquefied. The subsequent circulation is as described above.
[0019]
Subsequently, a case where the room temperature is relatively high from spring to autumn will be described. In this case, it is assumed that the water stopcock 20c is open. The switch 30a is open, and the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is stopped. The solenoid valve 25 is energized and opened. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 10 in this state is sent to the water-cooled condenser 20 through the refrigerant pipe 100.
[0020]
Since the solenoid valve 25 is also open, a pressure change occurs in the capillary tube 26 in accordance with the pressure change in the refrigerant pipe 100, the automatic water supply valve 20 d is opened, and the cooling water circulates in the water-cooled condenser 20. Therefore, the temperature of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has entered the water-cooled condenser 20 is reduced to a high-pressure refrigerant liquid. This high-pressure refrigerant liquid is sent from the refrigerant pipe 101 to the air-cooled condenser 30.
[0021]
Since the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is stopped, the high-pressure refrigerant liquid sent to the air-cooled condenser 30 passes through the air-cooled condenser 30 without performing heat exchange and is guided to the receiver tank 80. To completely liquefy. The subsequent circulation is as described above.
[0022]
Subsequently, a case where the room temperature is extremely high in summer will be described. In this case, it is assumed that the water stopcock 20c is open. The switch 30a is closed, and the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is operating. The solenoid valve 25 is energized and opened. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 10 in this state is sent to the water-cooled condenser 20 through the refrigerant pipe 100.
[0023]
Since the solenoid valve 25 is also open, a pressure change occurs in the capillary tube 26 in accordance with the pressure change in the refrigerant pipe 100, the automatic water supply valve 20 d is opened, and the cooling water circulates in the water-cooled condenser 20. Therefore, the temperature of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant entering the water-cooled condenser 20 is lowered. When the ambient temperature is very high, the refrigerant is sent from the refrigerant pipe 101 to the air-cooled condenser 30 without becoming a high-pressure refrigerant liquid.
[0024]
Since the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is rotating, the temperature of the refrigerant sent to the air-cooled condenser 30 is lowered and becomes high-pressure refrigerant liquid. At this time, the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant is warmed and exhausted outside the apparatus. However, since the temperature of the refrigerant is reduced in the water-cooled condenser 30, the exhaust heat is relatively low. . The high-pressure refrigerant liquid that has passed through the air-cooled condenser 30 is guided to the receiver tank 80 and is completely liquefied. The subsequent circulation is as described above.
[0025]
In the present embodiment, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit can be guided to the automatic water supply valve 20d by opening and closing the solenoid valve 25 provided in the branch pipe branched from the refrigerant pipe 100. Since the automatic water supply valve 20d is opened and closed according to the change in the pressure of the refrigerant, the opening and closing of the automatic water supply valve 20d can be controlled by the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 25. Therefore, the water-cooled condenser 20 can be operated efficiently by opening and closing the solenoid valve 25, and even when the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is operated in a season when the ambient temperature is high, such as midsummer. A rise in the ambient temperature can be relatively suppressed.
[0026]
(Second embodiment)
A refrigerant circuit of an ice making machine (cooling device) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The refrigerant circuit 1 includes a compressor 10, an air-cooled condenser 30, a water-cooled condenser 20, a receiver tank 80, a dryer 90, an expansion valve (expander) 40, and an evaporator 50. Is done. The compressor 10, the air-cooled condenser 30, the water-cooled condenser 20, the receiver tank 80, the dryer 90, the expansion valve 40, and the evaporator 50 are interconnected by refrigerant pipes 100 to 106. The refrigerant is circulated via 106.
[0027]
The refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 10 is sent to the air-cooled condenser 30 via the refrigerant pipe 100. The refrigerant gas is air-cooled through the air-cooled condenser 30, and cooled down to about 60 ° C., which is the saturation temperature of the refrigerant, to be in a gas-liquid mixed state, and to the water-cooled condenser 20 via the refrigerant pipe 101. Sent. The refrigerant passes through the water-cooled condenser 20 and is water-cooled and condensed. The drive of a cooling fan (not shown) of the air-cooled condenser 30 is controlled by a switch (fan control means) 30a. That is, when the switch 30a is closed, the cooling fan is driven, and when the switch 30a is opened, the cooling fan stops.
[0028]
Next, it is guided to the receiver tank 80 via the refrigerant pipe 102 and is completely liquefied. The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the dryer 90 via the refrigerant pipe 103, and is sent to the expansion valve 40 via the refrigerant pipe 104 after passing through the dryer 90. The refrigerant is rapidly decompressed in the expansion valve 40, evaporates in the evaporator 50 sent through the refrigerant pipe 105, takes heat from the ice making water to perform an ice making operation, and then compresses again through the refrigerant pipe 106. Circulates to machine 10. The refrigerant pipe 106 is disposed close to the refrigerant pipe 103 in an actual device configuration, and is configured to exchange heat in a portion disposed close to the refrigerant pipe 103. When the growth of the ice in the evaporator 50 is completed, the hot gas valve 27 is opened, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure gas flows through the hot gas pipe 107, and the evaporator 50 as an ice making chamber is warmed. The ice falls by its own weight by slightly melting the surface of the ice.
[0029]
The cooling water pipe 20a on the water supply side and the cooling water pipe 20b on the drain side are connected to the water-cooled condenser 20. The cooling water pipe 20a is provided with a water stopcock (second cooling water valve) 20c, and the cooling water pipe 20b is provided with an automatic water supply valve (first cooling water valve) 20d. A capillary tube (branch tube) 26 connected to a branch pipe branched from the refrigerant pipe 100 is connected to the automatic water supply valve 20d, and the automatic water supply valve 20d is changed according to a pressure change in the capillary tube 26. It is configured to be opened and closed.
[0030]
The cooling device including the refrigerant circuit 2 of the present embodiment can achieve a suitable operation by operating as follows according to the surrounding temperature condition. First, a case where the room temperature is relatively low from autumn to winter will be described. In this case, it is assumed that the water stopcock 20c is closed. The switch 30a is closed, and the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is operating. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 10 in this state is sent to the air-cooled condenser 30 through the refrigerant pipe 100. Since the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is rotating, the temperature of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant sent to the air-cooled condenser 30 is reduced to a high-pressure refrigerant liquid. At this time, the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant is warmed and exhausted outside the machine, and can be used for indoor heating. On the other hand, the high-pressure refrigerant liquid that has passed through the air-cooled condenser 30 is sent to the water-cooled condenser 20 through the refrigerant pipe 101.
[0031]
Because the water stopcock 20c is closed, the cooling water does not circulate in the water-cooled condenser 20 even if the pressure change occurs in the capillary tube 26 and the automatic water supply valve 20d is opened. Therefore, the high-pressure refrigerant liquid that has entered the water-cooled condenser 20 is directly guided from the refrigerant pipe 102 to the receiver tank 80 and is completely liquefied. The subsequent circulation is as described above.
[0032]
Subsequently, a case where the room temperature is relatively high from spring to autumn will be described. In this case, it is assumed that the water stopcock 20c is open. The switch 30a is open, and the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is stopped. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 10 in this state is sent to the air-cooled condenser 30 through the refrigerant pipe 100. Since the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is stopped, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant sent to the air-cooled condenser 30 passes through the air-cooled condenser 30 without performing heat exchange and passes through the refrigerant pipe 101. To the water-cooled condenser 20.
[0033]
Since the pressure in the capillary tube 26 changes according to the pressure change in the refrigerant pipe 100, the automatic water supply valve 20d is opened, and the water stopcock 20c is also open, so that the cooling water circulates in the water-cooled condenser 20. Therefore, the temperature of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has entered the water-cooled condenser 20 is reduced to a high-pressure refrigerant liquid. This high-pressure refrigerant liquid is guided from the refrigerant pipe 101 to the receiver tank 80 and is completely liquefied. The subsequent circulation is as described above.
[0034]
In the present embodiment, the air-cooled condenser 30 is disposed closer to the compressor 10 than the water-cooled condenser 20, but the water-cooled condenser 20 is disposed closer to the compressor 10 than the air-cooled condenser 30. May be present.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, when the inside of the refrigerant circuit becomes high temperature and high pressure, the refrigerant in the capillary tube 26 connected to the refrigerant pipe 100 also changes in pressure, and the automatic water supply valve 20d opens according to the change in pressure. Cooling water is introduced into the water-cooled condenser 20. Therefore, the water-cooled condenser 20 can be operated according to the pressure change in the refrigerant circuit. Further, when the water-cooled condenser 20 is arranged closer to the compressor 10 than the air-cooled condenser 30, even when the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser 30 is operated, the atmosphere is not affected. The rise in temperature can be suppressed.
[0036]
FIG. 3 shows an external view in the case where the refrigerant circuit 1 and the refrigerant circuit 2 in the above-described embodiment are actual ice makers. As shown in FIG. 3, a cooling fan 30b is arranged near the air-cooled condenser 30. Water is injected into the evaporator 50 as an ice making chamber by the pumping of the pump motor 203 to grow ice. When the ice grown in the evaporator 50 as an ice making room falls under its own weight, it is stored in the ice storage room 202. An air / water cooling switch 201 is attached to an operation unit of the control box 200. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in the vicinity of the air / water cooling switch 201. When the air / water cooling switch 201 is switched to “water cooling”, the air cooling machine is switched to “water cooling”. That is, when the air / water cooling switch 201 is set to “water cooling”, the driving of the cooling fan 30b is stopped, and the automatic water supply valve 20d is opened. When the air / water cooling switch 201 is set to “air cooling”, the cooling fan 30b is driven and the automatic water supply valve 20d is closed. When the air / water cooling switch 201 is set to “air / water cooling”, the cooling fan 30b is driven and the automatic water supply valve 20d is opened.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the water-cooled condenser is disposed closer to the compressor than the air-cooled condenser in the refrigerant circuit, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is first cooled by the water-cooled condenser, and the temperature has decreased to some extent. In this state, the refrigerant is sent to the air-cooled condenser. Therefore, even when the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser is operated, an increase in the ambient temperature can be relatively suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a cooling device that can effectively suppress an increase in the ambient temperature of the installation location, which is an object of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an ice making machine to which a refrigerant circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is a view showing the vicinity of an air / water cooling changeover switch of FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Refrigerant circuit, 10 ... Compressor, 20 ... Water-cooled condenser, 20a, 20b ... Cooling water pipe, 20c ... Water stopcock, 20d ... Automatic water supply valve, 30 ... Air-cooled condenser, 30a ... Switch, 25 ... Solenoid valve, 26: capillary tube, 40: expansion valve, 50: evaporator, 80: receiver tank, 90: dryer, 100 to 106: refrigerant pipe.

Claims (3)

The refrigerant compressed by the compressor is condensed through a water-cooled condenser and an air-cooled condenser, further expanded through an expander, then evaporated through an evaporator and circulated to the compressor. In the cooling device in which the circuit is configured,
The cooling device, wherein the water-cooled condenser is arranged closer to the compressor in the refrigerant circuit than the air-cooled condenser. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor is condensed through a water-cooled condenser and an air-cooled condenser, further expanded through an expander, then evaporated through an evaporator and circulated to the compressor. In the cooling device in which the circuit is configured,
A cooling water valve installed in a cooling water pipe that circulates cooling water in the water-cooled condenser,
Further comprising a branch pipe connecting the cooling water valve and the refrigerant circuit between the water-cooled condenser and the compressor,
The branch pipe is provided with a solenoid valve,
The cooling device is characterized in that the cooling water valve is configured to be opened and closed according to a change in pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the branch pipe in accordance with opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor is condensed through a water-cooled condenser and an air-cooled condenser, further expanded through an expander, then evaporated through an evaporator and circulated to the compressor. In the cooling device in which the circuit is configured,
Fan control means for controlling the operation of the cooling fan of the air-cooled condenser,
A first cooling water valve and a second cooling water valve installed in a cooling water pipe that circulates cooling water in the water-cooled condenser;
A refrigerant circuit between the water-cooled condenser and the compressor, and a branch pipe connecting the first cooling water valve;
The first cooling water valve is configured to be opened and closed according to a change in pressure of the refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant circuit into the branch pipe,
The cooling device, wherein the second cooling water valve is configured to be able to open and close independently of opening and closing of the first cooling water valve.

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