JP2005249297A - Refrigerant collecting device, refrigerant collection connecting device and refrigerant collecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve working efficiency in refrigerant collecting work. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerant collecting device 1 comprises a refrigerant collecting unit 3, a collecting cylinder 4, and a refrigerant collecting kit 5. In a liquid refrigerant collection mode, the kit 5 connects a collecting cylinder gas side service valve 43 to the inlet of a unit 3, connects a liquid side service port 23 of an outdoor unit 2 to a collecting cylinder liquid side service valve 42 via a first valve 72, and connects the outlet of the unit 3 to a gas side service port 24 of the outdoor unit 2 via a second valve 65. In a gas refrigerant collection mode, it connects the port 24 to the inlet of the unit 3 via a third valve 70 and connects the outlet of the unit 3 to the valve 42 via a fourth valve 73. Change-over from the liquid refrigerant collection mode into the gas refrigerant collection mode is performed by opening the third valve 70 and the fourth valve 73 and closing the first valve 72 and the second valve 65. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerant recovery apparatus, a main recovery apparatus, a refrigerant recovery connection apparatus for connecting a recovery container to a recovery target apparatus, and a refrigerant recovery method.

Fluorocarbons used as refrigerants in refrigeration equipment have problems of ozone layer destruction and global warming, and in recent years, use refrigerant recovery equipment to recover refrigerant that is no longer needed in refrigeration equipment to the atmosphere. It is like that.
Conventional refrigerant recovery devices include a compressor that sucks and compresses refrigerant remaining in an apparatus to be recovered (for example, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner), and a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor. A refrigerant recovery unit as a recovery device, and a recovery cylinder as a recovery container for recovering the liquid refrigerant condensed in the refrigerant recovery unit, on-site, a device to be recovered of the outdoor unit via a manifold with a pressure gauge, a hose, etc. It is configured by connecting to the gas side and the liquid side service port as the gas side connection port and the liquid side connection port to be collected. As a refrigerant recovery method using such a refrigerant recovery apparatus, the refrigerant remaining in the outdoor unit by operating the compressor and condenser of the refrigerant recovery unit is transferred to the compressor of the refrigerant recovery unit via the hose and the manifold. After aspirating and compressing to obtain a high-pressure gas refrigerant, the high-pressure gas refrigerant is condensed in a condenser to obtain a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, and the high-pressure liquid refrigerant is supplied to a recovery cylinder via a hose or the like. A method (gas refrigerant recovery method) of collecting by flowing in is used.

  However, in such a gas refrigerant recovery method, since the refrigerant is led out from the outdoor unit in a gas state and recovered, there is a problem that the recovery operation takes a long time. In some cases, liquid refrigerant may remain in the outdoor unit depending on temperature, pressure conditions, and the like. For this reason, when a large amount of liquid refrigerant remains in the outdoor unit, the liquid refrigerant is sucked into the compressor, and components of the compressor (for example, a suction valve or the like in a positive displacement compressor) ) May be damaged. In order to prevent the liquid refrigerant from being sucked into the compressor, operations such as maintaining the suction pressure of the compressor at a low pressure by adjusting the valve opening of a unit suction valve connected to the suction side of the compressor. It takes a long time to collect.

On the other hand, a method (liquid refrigerant recovery method) in which a refrigerant is led out from the refrigeration apparatus in a liquid state and recovered in a recovery cylinder has already been used. As a refrigerant recovery apparatus used in such a liquid refrigerant recovery method, in addition to the compressor and the condenser, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced into the condenser or the condenser is bypassed as necessary. Connect a refrigerant recovery unit further having a switching mechanism capable of switching, and a recovery cylinder to the gas side and liquid side service ports of the outdoor unit via a manifold with a pressure gauge, a hose, etc. It is constituted by. As a liquid refrigerant recovery method using such a refrigerant recovery apparatus, the recovery is performed by operating the compressor in a state where the switching mechanism of the refrigerant recovery unit is switched so that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor bypasses the condenser. After obtaining the high-pressure gas refrigerant by sucking and compressing the gas refrigerant in the cylinder into the compressor of the refrigerant recovery unit via a hose or the like, the high-pressure gas refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor unit gas via the manifold and the hose or the like. There is a method of introducing into the outdoor unit from the side service port and pressurizing the inside of the outdoor unit, leading out the liquid refrigerant remaining in the outdoor unit from the liquid side service port, and collecting it in a recovery cylinder via a manifold, a hose, etc. It is used (for example, refer nonpatent literature 1).
Taxco Japan, "Portable oilless fluorocarbon recovery device"

  Such a liquid refrigerant recovery method has an advantage that the recovery operation can be performed in a shorter time than the gas refrigerant recovery method because the refrigerant remaining in the liquid state can be directly recovered in the recovery cylinder. However, since only the liquid refrigerant recovery method cannot recover all of the refrigerant remaining in the outdoor unit, after the refrigerant is recovered by the liquid refrigerant recovery method, the method is finally switched to the gas refrigerant recovery method. It is necessary to recover the remaining refrigerant that could not be recovered by the liquid refrigerant recovery method. When switching the recovery method, it is necessary to remove the manifold, the hose, and the like from the refrigerant recovery unit and the recovery cylinder and reconnect them. Therefore, there is a problem that the efficiency of the recovery operation is poor. In addition, when the manifold or hose is reconnected, there is a problem that the refrigerant is discharged into the atmosphere or the discharged liquid refrigerant is directly applied to the body and causes frostbite.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant recovery apparatus, a main recovery apparatus, a connection apparatus for recovering a refrigerant for connecting a recovery container to a recovery apparatus, and a refrigerant recovery method that can improve the efficiency of refrigerant recovery work. .

The refrigerant recovery device according to claim 1 is a refrigerant recovery device for recovering the refrigerant in the recovery target device, and includes a main recovery device, a recovery container, and a refrigerant recovery connection device. The main recovery device includes a compressor that sucks and compresses the refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, and introduces the refrigerant compressed in the compressor into the condenser as needed, or a condenser And a switching mechanism that performs switching to bypass. The recovery container has a recovery container liquid side valve and a recovery container gas side valve, and stores the refrigerant recovered from the apparatus to be recovered. In the liquid refrigerant recovery mode in which the refrigerant recovery connecting device recovers the liquid refrigerant in the recovery target device, the recovery container gas side valve and the inlet of the main recovery device are connected to each other and the recovery target device liquid side connection port of the recovery target device And the recovery container liquid side valve via the first valve, the outlet of the main recovery device and the recovery device gas side connection port of the recovery target device are connected via the second valve, In the gas refrigerant recovery mode for recovering the gas refrigerant, the recovery apparatus gas side connection port and the inlet of the main recovery apparatus are connected via the third valve, and the outlet of the main recovery apparatus and the recovery container liquid side valve are connected to the fourth. It is possible to connect via a valve. When the refrigerant is recovered in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the first valve and the second valve are opened and the third valve and the fourth valve are closed. When the refrigerant is recovered in the gas refrigerant recovery mode, The refrigerant recovery mode can be switched by opening the third valve and the fourth valve and closing the first valve and the second valve.
In this refrigerant recovery apparatus, the refrigerant in the apparatus to be recovered can be recovered by a refrigerant recovery method comprising a liquid refrigerant recovery mode and a gas refrigerant recovery mode performed after the liquid refrigerant recovery mode.

  First, when recovering the refrigerant in the recovery apparatus in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the recovery apparatus liquid side connection port of the recovery apparatus and the recovery container recovery container are opened by opening the first valve of the refrigerant recovery connection apparatus. By connecting the liquid side valve and opening the second valve of the refrigerant recovery connection device, the outlet of the main recovery device and the recovery device gas side connection port of the recovery target device are connected. Further, the third valve and the fourth valve are closed. Further, the switching mechanism of the main recovery device is switched so that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor bypasses the condenser. Then, the recovery container liquid side valve and the recovery container gas side valve are opened, and the compressor of the main recovery apparatus is operated. Then, after the gas refrigerant in the recovery container is sucked into the compressor and compressed, it is sent to the recovery target device via the second valve to pressurize the recovery target device, and from the recovery target device via the first valve. The liquid refrigerant is recovered in the recovery container.

  Next, when recovering the refrigerant in the recovery apparatus in the gas refrigerant recovery mode, the recovery apparatus gas side connection port of the recovery apparatus and the main recovery apparatus are opened by opening the third valve of the refrigerant recovery connection apparatus. By connecting the inlet and opening the fourth valve of the refrigerant recovery connecting device, the outlet of the main recovery device and the recovery container liquid side valve of the recovery container are connected. Further, the first valve and the second valve are closed. Further, the switching mechanism of the main recovery device is switched so that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced into the condenser. Then, the recovery container liquid side valve is opened, and the compressor of the main recovery device is operated. Then, together with the gas refrigerant in the recovery container, the gas refrigerant in the apparatus to be recovered is sucked into the compressor via the third valve and compressed, then condensed in the condenser to become liquid refrigerant, and recovered via the fourth valve. The refrigerant is collected in the container.

  In this refrigerant recovery device, the operation of switching the refrigerant recovery mode from the liquid refrigerant recovery mode to the gas refrigerant recovery mode is performed by opening and closing the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve of the refrigerant recovery connection device. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove and reconnect the manifold, hose, etc. that connect the device to be recovered, the recovery container, and the main recovery device when switching to the refrigerant recovery mode as in the prior art. Efficiency can be improved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerant recovery connecting device including a compressor that sucks and compresses a refrigerant and a condenser and a compressor that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor in order to recover the refrigerant in the recovery target device. A main recovery device having a switching mechanism for switching compressed refrigerant to be introduced into the condenser or bypassing the condenser as required, and a recovery container for collecting the refrigerant recovered from the recovery target device. It is a device for connection. In the liquid refrigerant recovery mode in which the refrigerant recovery connection device recovers the liquid refrigerant in the recovery target device, the recovery device liquid of the recovery target device is connected to the recovery container gas side valve of the recovery container and the inlet of the main recovery device. The side connection port and the recovery container liquid side valve of the recovery container are connected via the first valve, the outlet of the main recovery device and the recovery device gas side connection port are connected via the second valve, and the inside of the recovery target device In the gas refrigerant recovery mode for recovering the gas refrigerant, the recovery target gas side connection port and the main recovery device inlet are connected via the third valve, and the main recovery device outlet and the recovery container liquid side valve are connected to each other. It is possible to connect via 4 valves. When the refrigerant is recovered in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the first valve and the second valve are opened and the third valve and the fourth valve are closed. When the refrigerant is recovered in the gas refrigerant recovery mode, The refrigerant recovery mode can be switched by opening the third valve and the fourth valve and closing the first valve and the second valve.

  This connection device for refrigerant recovery includes a compressor that sucks in and compresses the refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, and a refrigerant that is compressed in the compressor, or introduces or condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor. A main recovery device having a switching mechanism that performs switching to bypass the container, and a device that is added when connecting a recovery container for collecting refrigerant recovered from the recovery target device to the recovery target device. The refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery apparatus for collect | recovering the refrigerant | coolants in a to-be-collected apparatus is comprised with a container.

In the refrigerant recovery apparatus configured by adding this refrigerant recovery connection apparatus, the refrigerant in the apparatus to be recovered by the refrigerant recovery method comprising the liquid refrigerant recovery mode and the gas refrigerant recovery mode performed after the liquid refrigerant recovery mode. Can be recovered.
First, when recovering the refrigerant in the recovery apparatus in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the recovery apparatus liquid side connection port of the recovery apparatus and the recovery container recovery container are opened by opening the first valve of the refrigerant recovery connection apparatus. By connecting the liquid side valve and opening the second valve of the refrigerant recovery connection device, the outlet of the main recovery device and the recovery device gas side connection port of the recovery target device are connected. Further, the third valve and the fourth valve are closed. Further, the switching mechanism of the main recovery device is switched so that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor bypasses the condenser. Then, the recovery container liquid side valve and the recovery container gas side valve are opened, and the compressor of the main recovery apparatus is operated. Then, after the gas refrigerant in the recovery container is sucked into the compressor and compressed, it is sent to the recovery target device via the second valve to pressurize the recovery target device, and from the recovery target device via the first valve. The liquid refrigerant is recovered in the recovery container.

  Next, when recovering the refrigerant in the recovery apparatus in the gas refrigerant recovery mode, the recovery apparatus gas side connection port of the recovery apparatus and the main recovery apparatus are opened by opening the third valve of the refrigerant recovery connection apparatus. By connecting the inlet and opening the fourth valve of the refrigerant recovery connecting device, the outlet of the main recovery device and the recovery container liquid side valve of the recovery container are connected. Further, the first valve and the second valve are closed. Further, the switching mechanism of the main recovery device is switched so that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced into the condenser. Then, the recovery container liquid side valve is opened, and the compressor of the main recovery device is operated. Then, together with the gas refrigerant in the recovery container, the gas refrigerant in the apparatus to be recovered is sucked into the compressor via the third valve and compressed, then condensed in the condenser to become liquid refrigerant, and recovered via the fourth valve. The refrigerant is collected in the container.

  In this refrigerant recovery device, the operation of switching the refrigerant recovery mode from the liquid refrigerant recovery mode to the gas refrigerant recovery mode is performed by opening and closing the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve of the refrigerant recovery connection device. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove and reconnect the manifold, hose, etc. that connect the device to be recovered, the recovery container, and the main recovery device when switching to the refrigerant recovery mode as in the prior art. Efficiency can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant recovery connecting device further includes a gas-liquid state confirmation mechanism for confirming whether or not the liquid refrigerant is flowing into the recovery container.
In this refrigerant recovery connection device, when the liquid refrigerant in the recovery target device is recovered in the recovery container in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, whether the liquid refrigerant is flowing from the recovery target device into the recovery container by the gas-liquid state confirmation mechanism. Can be confirmed.

As a result, while the flow of liquid refrigerant is confirmed by the gas-liquid state confirmation mechanism, the refrigerant is collected by the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, and when the flow of liquid refrigerant cannot be confirmed by the gas-liquid state confirmation mechanism, the gas refrigerant recovery mode Can be switched smoothly.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the refrigerant recovery connecting device according to the second or third aspect, wherein the to-be-recovered device gas side connection port is provided via a fifth valve comprising a three-way valve instead of the second valve and the third valve. It is connected to the outlet of the main recovery device and the inlet of the main recovery device. When the refrigerant is recovered in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the first valve is opened, the fourth valve is closed, and the fifth valve is connected to the recovery apparatus gas side connection port and the outlet of the main recovery apparatus. When the refrigerant is recovered in the gas refrigerant recovery mode, the fourth valve is opened, the first valve is closed, and the fifth valve is connected to the recovery device gas side connection port and the main recovery device inlet. By switching so as to connect, the refrigerant recovery mode can be switched.

In this refrigerant recovery connection device, a fifth valve made of a three-way valve is used instead of the second valve and the third valve, so that the number of parts can be reduced and erroneous operation of the valve can be reduced. .
The refrigerant recovery method according to claim 5 is a refrigerant recovery method for recovering the refrigerant in the apparatus to be recovered, and using the refrigerant recovery connection device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The refrigerant is recovered according to the procedure.

  Compressor that sucks and compresses refrigerant, condenser that condenses refrigerant compressed in the compressor, and switching that introduces refrigerant compressed in the compressor into the condenser or bypasses the condenser as necessary A main recovery device having a mechanism and a recovery container for collecting refrigerant recovered from the recovery target device are connected to the recovery target device via the refrigerant recovery connection device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

  In the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the refrigerant is sucked from the recovery container through the recovery container gas side valve by switching the switching mechanism so that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor bypasses the condenser. The recovery device liquid side connection port and the recovery container liquid are introduced from the recovery device while the compressed gas refrigerant is introduced into the recovery device through the recovery device gas side connection port from the outlet of the main recovery device. The liquid refrigerant is recovered in the recovery container through the side valve.

  In the gas refrigerant recovery mode, by switching the switching mechanism and operating the compressor so that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced into the condenser, the gas is recovered from the recovery apparatus through the recovery apparatus gas side connection port. The refrigerant is sucked in and compressed, and the compressed refrigerant is condensed in the condenser, and then the condensed refrigerant is recovered from the outlet of the main recovery device through the recovery container liquid side valve into the recovery container.

  In this refrigerant recovery method, the liquid refrigerant in the apparatus to be recovered can be recovered in the recovery container in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, and then the gas refrigerant remaining in the apparatus to be recovered can be recovered in the recovery container by switching to the gas refrigerant recovery mode. . Moreover, the operation of switching the refrigerant recovery mode from the liquid refrigerant recovery mode to the gas refrigerant recovery mode can be performed by opening and closing the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve of the refrigerant recovery connection device. As in the past, when switching the refrigerant recovery mode, it is no longer necessary to remove and reconnect the manifold, hose, etc. that connect the apparatus to be recovered, the recovery container, and the main recovery apparatus, thereby improving the efficiency of the refrigerant recovery operation. be able to.

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
In the invention according to claim 1, the operation of switching the refrigerant recovery mode from the liquid refrigerant recovery mode to the gas refrigerant recovery mode is performed by opening and closing the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve of the refrigerant recovery connection device. Since it is possible to perform the recovery, it is not necessary to remove and reconnect the manifold, hose, etc. that connect the recovery target device, the recovery container, and the main recovery device when switching the recovery mode of the refrigerant. The work efficiency can be improved.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the operation of switching the refrigerant recovery mode from the liquid refrigerant recovery mode to the gas refrigerant recovery mode is performed by opening and closing the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve of the refrigerant recovery connection device. Since it is possible to perform the recovery, it is not necessary to remove and reconnect the manifold, hose, etc. that connect the recovery target device, the recovery container, and the main recovery device when switching the recovery mode of the refrigerant. The work efficiency can be improved.

In the invention according to claim 3, when the flow of liquid refrigerant is confirmed by the gas-liquid state confirmation mechanism, the refrigerant is collected by the liquid refrigerant collection mode, and when the flow of liquid refrigerant cannot be confirmed by the gas-liquid state confirmation mechanism It is possible to smoothly switch to the gas refrigerant recovery mode.
In the invention according to claim 4, since the fifth valve comprising a three-way valve is used instead of the second valve and the third valve, the number of parts can be reduced and the erroneous operation of the valve can be reduced. .

  In the invention according to claim 5, the liquid refrigerant in the apparatus to be recovered is recovered in the recovery container by the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, and then the gas refrigerant remaining in the apparatus to be recovered is recovered in the recovery container by switching to the gas refrigerant recovery mode. Can do. Moreover, the operation of switching the refrigerant recovery mode from the liquid refrigerant recovery mode to the gas refrigerant recovery mode can be performed by opening and closing the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve of the refrigerant recovery connection device. As in the past, when switching the refrigerant recovery mode, it is no longer necessary to remove and reconnect the manifold, hose, etc. that connect the apparatus to be recovered, the recovery container, and the main recovery apparatus, thereby improving the efficiency of the refrigerant recovery operation. be able to.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a refrigerant recovery device, a refrigerant recovery connection device, and a refrigerant recovery method according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
(1) Configuration of Refrigerant Recovery Device FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a state in which a refrigerant recovery device 1 in which an embodiment of the present invention is adopted is connected to an outdoor unit 2 of an air conditioner as a recovery target device. . FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing a state in which the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 in which one embodiment of the present invention is adopted is connected to the outdoor unit 2 of the air conditioner as the apparatus to be recovered.

  In the present embodiment, the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 is provided to recover the refrigerant remaining in the outdoor unit 2 having the refrigerant circuit including the compressor 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 22, and is mainly used as a main recovery apparatus. A refrigerant recovery unit 3, a recovery cylinder 4 as a recovery container, and a refrigerant recovery kit 5 as a refrigerant recovery connection device that connects the outdoor unit 2, the refrigerant recovery unit 3, and the recovery cylinder 4. Here, the outdoor unit 2 has a liquid side service port 23 as a liquid side connection port to which the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 can be connected, and a gas side service port 24 as a gas side connection port.

  The refrigerant recovery unit 3 is mainly connected to a unit inlet valve 31, a compressor 32 that sucks and compresses the refrigerant, a condenser 33 that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 32, and an outlet of the condenser 33. A check valve 34, a bypass valve 35 serving as a switching mechanism for switching the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 32 into the condenser 33 as needed or bypassing the condenser 33, and a unit outlet valve 36. have.

  The unit inlet valve 31 is provided at the inlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3, and in this embodiment, is used to supply or shut off the refrigerant from the outside of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 to the suction side of the compressor 32. It is a three-way valve. The first port 31a of the unit inlet valve 31 is connected to the inlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3, the second port 31b is connected to the inlet of the condenser 33, and the third port 31c is connected to the suction side of the compressor 32. It is connected. The unit inlet valve 31 can be switched between a valve state connecting the inlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 and the suction side of the compressor 32 and a valve state connecting the inlet of the condenser 33 and the suction side of the compressor 32. It is.

The compressor 32 is a compressor that sucks and compresses the refrigerant through the unit inlet valve 31. In the present embodiment, the compressor 32 is an oilless type positive displacement compressor. A low pressure switch 37 is provided on the suction side of the compressor 32 to detect that the suction pressure of the compressor 32 has dropped to a predetermined pressure or less.
The condenser 33 is a heat exchanger that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 32, and an air-cooled heat exchanger is used in the present embodiment. Therefore, a blower fan 38 that sends air as a cooling source to the condenser 33 is provided in the refrigerant recovery unit 3.

The check valve 34 is connected to the outlet of the condenser 33 and is provided so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the inlet to the outlet of the condenser 33.
The bypass valve 35 is provided on the discharge side of the compressor 32. In this embodiment, the bypass valve 35 is used to supply or shut off the refrigerant from the outside of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 to the suction side of the compressor 32. It is a valve. The first port 35 a of the bypass valve 35 is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 32, the second port 35 b is connected to the inlet of the condenser 33, and the third port 35 c is connected to the downstream side of the check valve 34. It is connected. The bypass valve 35 can be switched between a valve state connecting the discharge side of the compressor 32 and the inlet of the condenser 33 and a valve state connecting the discharge side of the compressor 32 and the outlet of the condenser 33. is there.

The unit outlet valve 36 is provided at the outlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3. In this embodiment, the unit outlet valve 36 sends the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 32 and the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 33 to the outside of the refrigerant recovery unit 3. It is a two-way valve used for.
The recovery cylinder 4 mainly includes a cylinder main body 41 for storing refrigerant, a cylinder liquid side service valve 42 as a recovery container liquid side valve for introducing liquid refrigerant, and a recovery container gas for deriving gas refrigerant from the gas phase of the cylinder main body 41. It has a cylinder gas side service valve 43 as a side valve.

  The refrigerant recovery kit 5 is a pipe, pipe joint or valve for connecting the outdoor unit 2 to the refrigerant recovery unit 3 and the recovery cylinder 4 at the site where the refrigerant recovery operation is performed when recovering the refrigerant remaining in the outdoor unit 2. Etc. The refrigerant recovery kit 5 mainly includes a recoverable apparatus liquid side valve 51 connected to the liquid side service port 23 of the outdoor unit 2 and a recoverable apparatus gas side valve 52 connected to the gas side service port 24 of the outdoor unit 2. A cylinder liquid side connection valve 53 connected to the cylinder liquid side service valve 42 of the recovery cylinder 4, a cylinder gas side connection valve 54 connected to the cylinder gas side service valve 43 of the recovery cylinder 4, and a cylinder liquid of the recovery cylinder 4. A manifold 55 connected to the side connection valve 53 via the first connection pipe 56, a second connection pipe 57 that connects the recovered-device liquid side valve 51 of the outdoor unit 2 and the manifold 55, and the refrigerant recovery unit 3 The third connection pipe 58, the first pipe joint 59 and the fourth connection pipe 60 that connect the unit outlet valve 36 and the manifold 55, the cylinder gas side connection valve 54 of the recovery cylinder 4, and the cooling A fifth connection pipe 61, a second pipe joint 62 and a sixth connection pipe 63 that connect the inlet of the recovery unit 3, a first pipe joint 59, and a to-be-collected apparatus gas side valve 52 of the outdoor unit 2 are connected. A seventh connection pipe 64, a second valve 65, an eighth connection pipe 66, a third pipe joint 67 and a ninth connection pipe 68, a tenth connection pipe 69 connecting the third pipe joint 67 and the second pipe joint 62, A third valve 70 and an eleventh connecting pipe 71 are provided.

  The manifold 55 mainly connects the first valve 72 to which the second connection pipe 57 is connected, the fourth valve 73 to which the third connection pipe 58 is connected, and the first valve 72 and the fourth valve 73. An internal flow path 74 connected to the first connection pipe 56 and a gas-liquid state confirmation mechanism called a liquid eye for confirming whether or not liquid refrigerant is flowing into the recovery cylinder 4 provided in the internal flow path 74 Sight glass 75 and two pressure gauges 76 and 77 for measuring the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the manifold 55 via the first valve 72 and the fourth valve 73.

  Next, piping, pipe joints, and valves that constitute the refrigerant recovery kit 5 of the present embodiment will be described in detail. The to-be-recovered apparatus gas side valve 52, cylinder liquid side connection valve 53, and cylinder gas side connection valve 54 are two-way valves called quick coupler ball valves that can be connected to a flare nut. The valve 42 and the cylinder gas side service valve 43 are connected to each other. The to-be-recovered device liquid side valve 51 is an angle valve called a charge valve that can be connected to a flare nut, and is connected to the liquid side service port 23. Here, for example, when the diameters of the liquid side service port 23 and the gas side service port 24 are 1/4 inch, the diameters of the ports connected to the second connection pipe 57 of the liquid side valve 51 to be recovered are also set. Although it is 1/4 inch, the diameter of the port connected to the ninth connection pipe 68 of the to-be-recovered apparatus gas side valve 52 is 3/8 inch, which is larger than 1/4 inch. Further, when the diameters of the cylinder liquid side service valve 42 and the cylinder gas side service valve 43 are 1/4 inch, the diameters of the ports of the cylinder liquid side connection valve 53 and the cylinder gas side connection valve 54 are also 1/4 inch. . These valves 51, 52, 53, 54 are connected to the outdoor unit 2 and the recovery cylinder 4 at the site where the refrigerant recovery operation is performed.

  The first connection pipe 56, the second connection pipe 57, the third connection pipe 58, the fourth connection pipe 60, the fifth connection pipe 61, the sixth connection pipe 63, and the ninth connection pipe 68 are rubber capable of flare nut connection. It consists of a hose made of resin or resin. Here, for example, when the diameters of the liquid side service port 23 and the gas side service port 24 are 1/4 inch, the connection pipes 56, 57, 58, excluding the fifth connection pipe 61 and the ninth connection pipe 68, The diameters of 60 and 63 are ¼ inches, but the diameters of the fifth connecting pipe 61 connected to the inlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 and the ninth connecting pipe 68 connected to the recovered apparatus gas side valve 52 are 1. 3/8 inch larger than / 4 inch. These connecting pipes 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 63, 68 are connected to the refrigerant recovery unit 3, manifold 55, pipe joints 59, 62, 67 and valves 51, 52, 53, 54.

  The first pipe joint 59, the second pipe joint 62, and the third pipe joint 67 are T-shaped pipe joints having three ports. Here, for example, when the diameters of the liquid side service port 23 and the gas side service port 24 are 1/4 inch, the first pipe joint 59 has the same diameter T-shape having three 1/4 inch ports. The second pipe joint 62 and the third pipe joint 67 are different-diameter T-shaped pipe joints having two ports with a diameter of 3/8 inch and one port with a diameter of 1/4 inch. is there. A third connection pipe 58, a fourth connection pipe 60, and a seventh connection pipe 64 are connected to each port of the first pipe joint 59. A fifth connection pipe 61 is connected to a port having a diameter of 1/4 inch of the second pipe joint 62, and a sixth connection pipe 63 and an eleventh connection pipe 71 are connected to a port having a diameter of 3/8 inch. An eighth connection pipe 66 is connected to a port having a diameter of 1/4 inch of the third pipe joint 67, and a ninth connection pipe 68 and a tenth connection pipe 69 are connected to a port having a diameter of 3/8 inch.

  The seventh connection pipe 64, the eighth connection pipe 66, the tenth connection pipe 69, and the eleventh connection pipe 71 are made of a metal pipe such as a copper pipe capable of flare nut connection. Here, for example, when the diameters of the liquid side service port 23 and the gas side service port 24 are 1/4 inch, the port to which the seventh connection pipe 64 of the first pipe joint 59 is connected, the second pipe joint Since the port to which the eleventh connecting pipe 71 is connected and the port to which the tenth connecting pipe 69 of the third pipe joint 67 is connected has a diameter of 3/8 inch, the seventh connecting pipe 64 and the tenth connecting pipe The diameters of the 69 and the eleventh connecting pipe 71 are also 3/8 inch. Further, since the port to which the eighth connection pipe 66 of the third pipe joint 67 is connected has a 1/4 inch diameter, the diameter of the eighth connection pipe 66 is also 1/4 inch.

The second valve 65 is a two-way valve capable of flare nut connection, and is connected to the seventh connection pipe 64 and the eighth connection pipe 66. The third valve 70 is a two-way valve capable of flare nut connection, and is connected to the tenth connection pipe 69 and the eleventh connection pipe 71.
Here, the first pipe joint 59, the second pipe joint 62, the third pipe joint 67, the seventh connection pipe 64, the eighth connection pipe 66, the tenth connection pipe 69, the eleventh connection pipe 71, the second valve 65, and It is desirable that the third valve 70 is not connected to each other at the site where the refrigerant recovery operation is performed, but is carried into the site where the refrigerant recovery operation is performed in a state where the third valves 70 are connected to each other in advance. For this reason, metal pipes are used as the seventh connection pipe 64, the eighth connection pipe 66, the tenth connection pipe 69, and the eleventh connection pipe 71, and these pipe lengths are the minimum necessary length.

  In the refrigerant recovery kit 5 having the above-described configuration, the recovery target liquid side valve 51, the first valve 72, the cylinder liquid side connection valve 53, and the cylinder liquid side service valve are used during the refrigerant recovery operation in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode described later. The liquid side service port 23 of the outdoor unit 2 and the recovery cylinder 4 are connected by opening 42, and the recovery cylinder 4 (specifically, the cylinder main body 41 is connected by opening the cylinder gas side service valve 43 and the cylinder gas side connection valve 54). Gas phase portion) and the inlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 are connected, and the outlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 and the gas side service port 24 of the outdoor unit 2 are opened by opening the second valve 65 and the recovered apparatus gas side valve 52. Can be connected. Further, during the refrigerant recovery operation in the gas refrigerant recovery mode, which will be described later, the gas-side service port 24 of the outdoor unit 2 and the inlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 are connected by opening the recovered apparatus gas-side valve 52 and the third valve 70. The outlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 and the recovery cylinder 4 can be connected by opening the fourth valve 73, the cylinder liquid side connection valve 53 and the cylinder liquid side service valve 42. When the circuit configuration of the liquid refrigerant recovery mode is set, the first valve 72 and the second valve 65 are opened and the third valve 70 and the fourth valve 73 are closed to set the circuit configuration of the gas refrigerant recovery mode. The refrigerant recovery mode can be switched by opening the third valve 70 and the fourth valve 73 and closing the first valve 72 and the second valve 65.

(2) Refrigerant Recovery Operation Next, the refrigerant recovery operation using the refrigerant recovery device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5. Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant recovery apparatus in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant recovery device in the gas refrigerant recovery mode. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant recovery device in the main recovery device cleaning mode. The arrows shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 indicate the flow of the refrigerant in each mode.

<Connection work of refrigerant recovery device>
The operation | work which connects the refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery apparatus 1 to the outdoor unit 2 is demonstrated using FIG. First, the to-be-recovered apparatus liquid side valve 51, the to-be-recovered apparatus gas side valve 52, the cylinder liquid side connection valve 53, and the cylinder gas side connection valve 54 are respectively connected to the liquid side service port 23, the gas side service port 24, and the cylinder liquid side service valve 42. And a cylinder gas service valve 43.

  Next, the sight glass 75 of the manifold 55 and the cylinder liquid side connection valve 53 are connected by the first connection pipe 56. The to-be-recovered device liquid side valve 51 and the first valve 72 of the manifold 55 are connected by a second connection pipe 57. The third connection pipe 58 is connected to the fourth valve 73 of the manifold 55. The fourth connection pipe 60 is connected to the outlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3. The fifth connection pipe 61 is connected to the cylinder gas side service valve 43. The sixth connection pipe 63 is connected to the inlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3. The ninth connection pipe 68 is connected to the to-be-recovered apparatus gas side valve 52.

  Next, the first pipe joint 59, the seventh connection pipe 64, the second valve 65, the eighth connection pipe 66, and the third pipe joint 67 are connected, and the second pipe joint 62, the eleventh connection pipe 71, the third valve are connected. 70, the 10th connection pipe 69, and the 3rd pipe joint 67 are connected. And the 3rd connection pipe 58, the 4th connection pipe 60, the 5th connection pipe 61, the 6th connection pipe 63, and the 9th connection pipe 68 are connected to the assembly which consists of these connection pipes, a pipe joint, and a valve. Specifically, the third connection pipe 58 and the fourth connection pipe 60 are connected to the first pipe joint 59, the fifth connection pipe 61 and the sixth connection pipe 63 are connected to the second pipe joint 62, and the ninth connection The pipe 68 is connected to the third pipe joint 67.

As described above, the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 is connected to the outdoor unit 2.
<Liquid refrigerant recovery mode>
Next, a method of directly collecting the refrigerant remaining in the liquid state in the outdoor unit 2 in the collection cylinder 4 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the liquid side service port 23 of the outdoor unit 2 and the cylinder liquid side service valve 42 are connected by opening the first valve 72, and the outlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 and the outdoor unit 2 are opened by opening the second valve 65. The gas side service port 24 is connected. Further, the third valve 70 and the fourth valve 73 are closed. Further, in the refrigerant recovery unit 3, the unit inlet valve 31 is operated so that the first port 31a and the third port 31c communicate with each other, and the bypass valve 35 is communicated with the first port 35a and the third port 35c. Operate and open the unit outlet valve 36.

  Then, the recovery device liquid side valve 51, the cylinder liquid side connection valve 53, the cylinder liquid side service valve 42, the cylinder gas side service valve 43 and the cylinder gas side connection valve 54 are opened to operate the compressor 32 of the refrigerant recovery unit 3. Do. Then, the gas refrigerant in the recovery cylinder 4 is sucked into the compressor 32 through the cylinder gas side service valve 43, the cylinder gas side connection valve 54, the fifth connection pipe 61, the second pipe joint 62, the sixth connection pipe 63 and the unit inlet valve 31. And compressed. The compressed gas refrigerant includes the bypass valve 35, the unit outlet valve 36, the fourth connection pipe 60, the first pipe joint 59, the seventh connection pipe 64, the second valve 65, the eighth connection pipe 66, and the third pipe joint. 67, it is sent to the outdoor unit 2 through the ninth connecting pipe 68 and the to-be-recovered apparatus gas side valve 52. And while pressurizing the inside of the outdoor unit 2 with this gas refrigerant, the liquid refrigerant which remains in the outdoor unit 2 is made into the to-be-collected apparatus liquid side valve 51, the 2nd connection pipe 57, the 1st valve 72, the internal flow path 74, site The glass 75, the first connection pipe 56, the cylinder liquid side connection valve 53, and the cylinder liquid side service valve 42 are flowed into the recovery cylinder 4 for recovery. At this time, the refrigerant recovery operator performs a liquid refrigerant recovery operation while confirming whether the refrigerant is flowing into the recovery cylinder 4 by viewing the sight glass 75. When the sight glass 75 visually confirms that the liquid refrigerant is not flowing (that is, the gas refrigerant has started to flow), the operation of the compressor 32 is stopped and the operation proceeds to the next gas refrigerant recovery mode.

  In this liquid refrigerant recovery operation, the gas refrigerant in the recovery cylinder 4 is sucked by the compressor 32 so that the pressure in the recovery cylinder 4 does not increase, and the gas refrigerant in the recovery cylinder 4 is compressed to the outdoor. Since the inside of the outdoor unit 2 is pressurized by being sent to the unit 2, the pressure difference between the outdoor unit 2 and the recovery cylinder 4 increases, and the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit 2 into the recovery cylinder 4 increases. Yes. For this reason, this liquid refrigerant recovery operation can be completed in a short time. In addition, by the refrigerant recovery operation in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, almost no liquid refrigerant is discharged from the outdoor unit 2 and almost no liquid refrigerant remains in the outdoor unit 2.

<Gas refrigerant recovery mode>
Next, following the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, a method for recovering the refrigerant remaining in the gas state in the outdoor unit 2 to the recovery cylinder 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. First, the outlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 and the cylinder liquid side service valve 42 of the recovery cylinder 4 are connected by closing the liquid recovery apparatus liquid side valve 51 and the first valve 72 and opening the fourth valve 73, and the second valve By closing 65 and opening the third valve 70, the gas side service port 24 of the outdoor unit 2 and the inlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 are connected. Further, the bomb gas side service valve 43 and the bomb gas side connection valve 54 are closed. Further, the bypass valve 35 is operated so that the first port 35a and the second port 35b communicate with each other. As described above, in the refrigerant recovery method using the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the switching from the liquid refrigerant recovery mode to the gas refrigerant recovery mode is basically performed by the first valve 72 and the second valve of the refrigerant recovery kit 5. This can be performed by operating the valve 65, the third valve 70, and the fourth valve 73, and the operation of reconnecting the manifold, the hose, and the like is unnecessary. In addition, when removing the manifold, the hose, etc., there is no problem that the refrigerant is discharged into the atmosphere or the discharged liquid refrigerant is directly applied to the body and causes frostbite.

  Then, the compressor 32 and the blower fan 38 of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 are operated. Then, the gas refrigerant in the outdoor unit 2 becomes the to-be-recovered apparatus gas side valve 52, the ninth connection pipe 68, the third pipe joint 67, the tenth connection pipe 69, the third valve 70, the eleventh connection pipe 71, the second pipe. The air is sucked into the compressor 32 through the joint 62, the sixth connection pipe 63, and the unit inlet valve 31, and compressed. The compressed gas refrigerant is sent to the condenser 33 through the bypass valve 35 and is condensed by performing heat exchange with the air supplied to the condensed gas 33 by the blower fan 38 to become a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant includes a check valve 34, a unit outlet valve 36, a fourth connection pipe 60, a first pipe joint 59, a third connection pipe 58, a fourth valve 73, an internal flow path 74, a sight glass 75, and a first connection. It flows into the recovery cylinder 4 through the pipe 56, the cylinder liquid side connection valve 53 and the cylinder liquid side service valve 42 and is recovered. Here, in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the liquid refrigerant hardly remains in the outdoor unit 2, and therefore the possibility that the liquid refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 32 is extremely low. For this reason, the operation | work of adjusting the valve opening degree of the unit inlet valve 31 conventionally is unnecessary. The ninth connection pipe 68, the third pipe joint 67, the tenth connection pipe 69, the third valve 70, the eleventh connection pipe 71, the second pipe joint 62, and the sixth connection pipe 63 are other pipes and pipe joints. Since a gas having a larger diameter than that of a valve or the like is used, the flow resistance of the gas refrigerant from the gas side service port 24 of the outdoor unit 2 to the inlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 is small, and the gas refrigerant sucked into the compressor 32 The mass flow of is increasing. Thereby, the working time in the gas refrigerant recovery mode is shortened. In addition, the lengths of the tenth connecting pipe 69 and the eleventh connecting pipe 71 are also shortened, which contributes to reducing the flow resistance of the gas refrigerant. Further, since the foreign matter hardly remains in the outdoor unit 2 by collecting the refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode prior to the gas refrigerant recovery mode, the conventional foreign matter removal provided on the suction side of the compressor 32 is performed. This filter can be omitted. In addition, as a result of omitting this filter, the flow resistance on the suction side of the compressor 32 is also reduced.

  And if the refrigerant | coolant amount which remains in the outdoor unit 2 reduces, the refrigerant | coolant pressure in the outdoor unit 2 will fall. For this reason, the suction pressure of the compressor 32 of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 is lowered to a predetermined pressure or less, and the low pressure switch 37 is activated. When the low pressure switch 37 is activated, the blower fan 38 is stopped, and the unit inlet valve 31 is operated so that the second port 31b and the third port 31c communicate with each other as shown in FIG. 35 is operated so that the first port 35a and the third port 35c communicate with each other to stop sucking the gas refrigerant from the outdoor unit 2, and remains in the refrigerant recovery unit 3 (mainly in the condenser 33). The refrigerant to be sucked into the compressor 32 is compressed and compressed, and the bypass valve 35, the unit outlet valve 36, the fourth connection pipe 60, the first pipe joint 59, the third connection pipe 58, the fourth valve 73, and the internal flow path 74. The sight glass 75, the first connection pipe 56, the cylinder liquid side connection valve 53 and the cylinder liquid side service valve 42 are flowed into the recovery cylinder 4 and recovered. Thereafter, the compressor 32 is stopped, the unit outlet valve 36, the cylinder liquid side service valve 42, the cylinder gas side service valve 43, the recovered apparatus liquid side valve 51, and the recovered apparatus gas side valve 52 are closed to recover the refrigerant. To complete.

  As described above, in the refrigerant recovery operation using the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the liquid refrigerant in the outdoor unit 2 is recovered in the recovery cylinder 4 in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, and then switched to the gas refrigerant recovery mode. The gas refrigerant remaining in 2 is recovered in the recovery cylinder 4. Since the switching operation of these two refrigerant recovery modes can be performed by operating the first valve 72, the second valve 65, the third valve 70, and the fourth valve 73 of the refrigerant recovery kit 5, as in the prior art. When the refrigerant recovery mode is switched, it is not necessary to remove and reconnect the manifold, hose, etc., connecting the outdoor unit 2, the recovery cylinder 4 and the refrigerant recovery unit 3, and the efficiency of the refrigerant recovery operation is improved. .

(3) Features of Refrigerant Recovery Device, Refrigerant Recovery Kit, and Refrigerant Recovery Method The refrigerant recovery device 1, the refrigerant recovery kit 5, and the refrigerant recovery method of the present embodiment have the following features.
(A)
The refrigerant recovery kit 5 of the present embodiment includes a compressor 32 that sucks and compresses the refrigerant, a condenser 33 that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 32, and a condenser that compresses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 32 as necessary. The refrigerant recovery unit 3 having a bypass valve 35 for switching to bypass or bypass the condenser 33 and the recovery cylinder 4 for storing the refrigerant recovered from the outdoor unit 2 are added to the outdoor unit 2. A refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 for recovering the refrigerant in the outdoor unit 2 together with the refrigerant recovery unit 3 and the recovery cylinder 4 is configured.

  In the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 configured by adding the refrigerant recovery kit 5, as described above, the refrigerant recovery comprising the liquid refrigerant recovery mode and the gas refrigerant recovery mode performed after the liquid refrigerant recovery mode. The refrigerant in the outdoor unit 2 can be recovered by the method. The operation of switching the refrigerant recovery mode from the liquid refrigerant recovery mode to the gas refrigerant recovery mode is performed by opening and closing the first valve 72, the second valve 65, the third valve 70, and the fourth valve 73 of the refrigerant recovery kit 5. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove and reconnect the manifold 55, the hose, and the like that connect the outdoor unit 2, the recovery cylinder 4, and the refrigerant recovery unit 3 when switching the refrigerant recovery mode. The efficiency of collection work can be improved. Further, when removing the manifold, the hose, etc., there is no problem that the refrigerant is discharged into the atmosphere, or the discharged liquid refrigerant is directly applied to the body and causes frostbite.

(B)
In the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1, a site for confirming whether or not liquid refrigerant is flowing into the recovery cylinder 4 when the liquid refrigerant is directly recovered from the outdoor unit 2 to the recovery cylinder 4 in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode. Since the glass 75 is provided, the refrigerant is recovered in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode while the flow of liquid refrigerant is confirmed by the sight glass 75, and the gas refrigerant is recovered after the flow of liquid refrigerant cannot be confirmed by the sight glass 75. The mode can be switched smoothly.

(C)
In the refrigerant recovery operation in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the gas refrigerant in the recovery cylinder 4 is sucked by the compressor 32 so that the pressure in the recovery cylinder 4 does not increase, and the gas refrigerant in the recovery cylinder 4 is reduced. Since the inside of the outdoor unit 2 is pressurized by being compressed and sent to the outdoor unit 2, the pressure difference between the outdoor unit 2 and the recovery cylinder 4 becomes large, and the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit 2 into the recovery cylinder 4 Has increased. For this reason, this liquid refrigerant recovery operation can be completed in a short time. In addition, since the liquid refrigerant is discharged from the outdoor unit 2 by the refrigerant recovery operation in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, and almost no liquid refrigerant remains in the outdoor unit 2, the refrigerant recovery in the gas refrigerant recovery mode is performed. In the work, the risk of the liquid refrigerant being sucked into the compressor 32 is extremely reduced. For this reason, the operation | work of adjusting the valve opening degree of the unit inlet valve 31 conventionally is unnecessary.

(D)
In the refrigerant recovery operation in the gas refrigerant recovery mode, the ninth gas connection pipe 68, the third pipe joint 67, the tenth connection pipe 69, the third valve 70, the eleventh connection pipe 71, the second pipe joint 62, and the second pipe joint 62 are used. Since the 6 connection pipe 63 has a larger diameter than other pipes, pipe joints, valves, etc., the flow resistance of the gas refrigerant from the gas side service port 24 of the outdoor unit 2 to the inlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 And the mass flow rate of the gas refrigerant sucked into the compressor 32 is increased. Thereby, the working time in the gas refrigerant recovery mode is shortened. In addition, the lengths of the tenth connecting pipe 69 and the eleventh connecting pipe 71 are also shortened, which contributes to reducing the flow resistance of the gas refrigerant. Further, since the foreign matter hardly remains in the outdoor unit 2 by collecting the refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode prior to the gas refrigerant recovery mode, the conventional foreign matter removal provided on the suction side of the compressor 32 is performed. This filter can be omitted. In addition, as a result of omitting this filter, the flow resistance on the suction side of the compressor 32 is also reduced.

(4) Modification In the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 described above, the second valve 65 and the third valve 70 that are operated when switching from the liquid refrigerant recovery mode to the gas refrigerant recovery mode are the gas side service port 24 ( Specifically, it is connected in parallel to the to-be-recovered apparatus gas side valve 52) via a ninth connection pipe 68, a third pipe joint 67, a sixth connection pipe 66, and a tenth connection pipe 69. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, it may be configured to be connected via a fifth valve 81 formed of a three-way valve.

  Then, when the refrigerant is recovered in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the fifth valve 81 is connected to the first port 81a of the fifth valve 81 connected to the seventh connection pipe 64 and the second connection connected to the ninth connection pipe 68. When the refrigerant is recovered in the gas refrigerant recovery mode, it is possible to switch the gas side service port 24 of the outdoor unit 2 to the outlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 by operating the port 81b to communicate with each other. The outdoor unit 2 is operated by operating the fifth valve 81 so that the third port 81c of the fifth valve 81 connected to the eleventh connection pipe 71 and the second port 81b connected to the ninth connection pipe 68 communicate with each other. The gas side service port 24 and the inlet of the refrigerant recovery unit 3 can be switched to be connected. Thereby, the number of parts of the refrigerant recovery kit 5 can be reduced, and erroneous operation of the valve when switching the refrigerant recovery mode can be reduced.

(5) Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and can be changed without departing from the gist of the invention. It is.
(A)
In the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 of the embodiment, the manifold 55 having the first valve 72, the fourth valve 73, the sight glass 75, and the pressure gauges 76 and 77 is used as a component constituting the refrigerant recovery kit 5. The first valve 72, the fourth valve 73, and the sight glass 75 may be connected so that the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2 is obtained, and the first valve 72 and the fourth valve are not limited thereto. Instead of the valve 73, a three-way valve may be used.

(B)
In the said embodiment, although demonstrated using the outdoor unit of the air conditioning apparatus as an example of a to-be-collected apparatus, it is not limited to this, It can apply also to other refrigeration apparatuses, such as a refrigerator and a car air conditioner.

  By using the present invention, the work efficiency of the refrigerant recovery work can be improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the state by which the refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery apparatus by which one Embodiment of this invention was employ | adopted was connected to the to-be-collected apparatus. It is a refrigerant circuit figure showing the state where the refrigerant recovery device by which one embodiment of the present invention was adopted was connected to the device to be recovered. It is a figure explaining the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant recovery device in liquid refrigerant recovery mode. It is a figure explaining the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant recovery device in gas refrigerant recovery mode. It is a figure explaining the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant recovery device in the main recovery device washing mode. It is a block diagram which shows the state by which the refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery apparatus concerning the modification of this invention was connected to the to-be-collected apparatus. It is a refrigerant circuit diagram which shows the state by which the refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery apparatus concerning the modification of this invention was connected to the to-be-collected apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Refrigerant Recovery Device 2 Outdoor Unit (Recovered Device)
3 Refrigerant recovery unit (main recovery device)
4 Collection cylinder (collection device)
5 Refrigerant recovery kit (connection device for refrigerant recovery)
23 Liquid side service port (Liquid side connection port)
24 Gas side service port (recovered equipment gas side connection port)
32 Compressor 33 Condenser 35 Bypass valve (switching mechanism)
42 Cylinder liquid side service valve (collection container liquid side valve)
43 Cylinder gas side service valve (collection container gas side valve)
65 Second valve 70 Third valve 72 First valve 73 Fourth valve 75 Sight glass (gas-liquid state confirmation mechanism)
81 5th valve

Claims (5)

A refrigerant recovery apparatus for recovering the refrigerant in the apparatus to be recovered (2),
A compressor (32) that sucks and compresses the refrigerant, a condenser (33) that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, and introduces the refrigerant compressed in the compressor into the condenser as necessary. Or a main recovery device (3) having a switching mechanism (35) for switching to bypass the condenser,
A recovery container (4) having a recovery container liquid side valve (42) and a recovery container gas side valve (43), and storing the refrigerant recovered from the recovery target device;
In the liquid refrigerant recovery mode for recovering the liquid refrigerant in the recovery apparatus, the recovery container gas side valve and the inlet of the main recovery apparatus are connected to each other and the recovery apparatus liquid side connection port (23) of the recovery apparatus. And the recovery container liquid side valve via the first valve (72), the outlet of the main recovery device and the recovery device gas side connection port (24) of the recovery device are connected to the second valve (65). Or in the gas refrigerant recovery mode for recovering the gas refrigerant in the apparatus to be recovered, the recovery apparatus gas side connection port and the inlet of the main recovery apparatus are connected via a third valve (70). A refrigerant recovery connection device (5) capable of connecting the outlet of the main recovery device and the recovery container liquid side valve via a fourth valve (73),
When recovering the refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the first valve and the second valve are opened, the third valve and the fourth valve are closed, and the refrigerant is recovered in the gas refrigerant recovery mode. The refrigerant recovery mode can be switched by opening the third valve and the fourth valve and closing the first valve and the second valve.
Refrigerant recovery device (1). In order to recover the refrigerant in the apparatus to be recovered (2), the compressor (32) that sucks and compresses the refrigerant, the condenser (33) that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, and the compressor compresses the refrigerant. The main recovery device (3) having a switching mechanism (35) for switching the refrigerant to be introduced into the condenser or bypassing the condenser as needed, and to collect the refrigerant recovered from the apparatus to be recovered A refrigerant recovery connecting device for connecting the recovery container (4) to the recovery target device,
In the liquid refrigerant recovery mode for recovering the liquid refrigerant in the recovery apparatus, the recovery container gas side valve (43) of the recovery container is connected to the inlet of the main recovery apparatus, and the recovery apparatus of the recovery apparatus is connected. A liquid side connection port (23) and a recovery container liquid side valve (42) of the recovery container are connected via a first valve (72), and an outlet of the main recovery device and a recovery device gas side connection port Is connected via the second valve (65),
In the gas refrigerant recovery mode for recovering the gas refrigerant in the recovery apparatus, the recovery apparatus gas side connection port and the inlet of the main recovery apparatus are connected via a third valve (70). And the recovery container liquid side valve can be connected via a fourth valve (73),
When recovering the refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the first valve and the second valve are opened, the third valve and the fourth valve are closed, and the refrigerant is recovered in the gas refrigerant recovery mode. The refrigerant recovery mode can be switched by opening the third valve and the fourth valve and closing the first valve and the second valve.
Refrigerant recovery connection device (5).   The refrigerant recovery connection device (5) according to claim 2, further comprising a gas-liquid state confirmation mechanism (75) for confirming whether or not liquid refrigerant is flowing into the recovery container (4). . The recovery device gas side connection port (24) is connected to the main recovery device (5) via a fifth valve (81) consisting of a three-way valve instead of the second valve (65) and the third valve (70). 3) and the inlet of the main recovery device,
When recovering the refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, the first valve (72) is opened, the fourth valve (73) is closed, and the fifth valve is connected to the recovery apparatus gas side connection port. When the refrigerant is recovered in the gas refrigerant recovery mode, the fourth valve is opened, the first valve is closed, and the fifth valve is The refrigerant recovery mode can be switched by switching so as to connect the recovery apparatus gas side connection port and the inlet of the main recovery apparatus.
The refrigerant recovery connection device (5) according to claim 2 or 3. A refrigerant recovery method for recovering the refrigerant in the apparatus to be recovered (2),
A compressor (32) that sucks and compresses the refrigerant, a condenser (33) that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, and refrigerant that is compressed in the compressor is introduced into the condenser as needed, or A main recovery device (3) having a switching mechanism (35) for switching to bypass the condenser, and a recovery container (4) for collecting refrigerant recovered from the recovery target device are provided in the recovery target device. 4 through the refrigerant recovery connecting device (5) according to any one of
In the liquid refrigerant recovery mode, by operating the compressor by switching the switching mechanism so that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor bypasses the condenser, the recovery container gas side valve ( 43) while sucking in and compressing the gas refrigerant through the outlet of the main recovery apparatus and introducing the compressed gas refrigerant into the recovery apparatus through the recovery apparatus gas side connection port (24). The liquid refrigerant is recovered from the recovery apparatus through the recovery apparatus liquid side connection port and the recovery container liquid side valve (42) into the recovery container;
In the gas refrigerant recovery mode, the recovery device gas is recovered from the recovery target device by operating the compressor by switching the switching mechanism so that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced into the condenser. Gas refrigerant is sucked and compressed through the side connection port (24), and the compressed refrigerant is condensed in the condenser and then condensed from the outlet of the main recovery device via the recovery container liquid side valve. The collected refrigerant is collected in the collection container,
Refrigerant recovery method.

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