JP2009150629A - Refrigerating cycle simulation system and coolant flow simulation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve simulation tests regarding coolant communication of various types large scale refrigerating cycle systems, in a form near reality and without requiring large space. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerating cycle simulation system is comprised by equipping an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and the coolant flow simulation device 100 arranged on a piping between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The coolant flow simulation device 100 is provided with a coolant storage part 1 carrying out gas-liquid separation of a coolant introduce via a coolant introduction port P1, storing gas coolant in an upper area 11, and storing liquid coolant in a lower area 12, a gas coolant delivery tube 2, a liquid coolant delivery tube 3, a liquid coolant storage amount detecting mechanism part detecting a liquid coolant storage amount in the coolant storage part 1, and a delivery liquid coolant amount control mechanism part controlling a flow rate of the liquid coolant flowing through the liquid coolant delivery piping such that a detected stored amount detected by the liquid coolant storage amount detecting mechanism part becomes a target storage amount set on the basis of a volume of piping to be simulated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle simulation system and the like suitably used when developing and evaluating a large-scale refrigeration cycle system such as an air conditioner installed in a building.

  In a large-scale refrigeration cycle system such as an air conditioner installed in a building, the pipe length and pipe diameter in the refrigerant circulation circuit are very large compared to a home air conditioner. The amount of refrigerant staying in the room increases significantly, and it takes time to move the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit.

Therefore, when developing and designing a large-scale refrigeration cycle system, the performance and reliability of various components such as compressors and evaporators are taken into consideration in consideration of refrigerant retention and behavior (time delay, etc.) in the piping section described above. It is necessary to set specifications that satisfy the characteristics. Patent Document 1 is an example of storing water at a constant water level. Recently, a computer that can be simulated to some extent using a computer has been developed. However, it is preferable to manufacture and test an experimental machine of the same scale as the actual product.
JP 11-64053 A

  However, depending on the laying scale, there are air conditioners that have piping lengths of several tens of meters or more from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, and it is practically impossible to manufacture an experimental unit that matches it. It may be possible. In addition, pipe lengths and pipe volumes vary depending on the size of the building and the layout of the room, and it is impractical to produce an experimental machine each time.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and is not merely a virtual one on a computer, but is a real machine that actually configures a refrigeration cycle. The main objective was to enable simulation tests related to the flow of liquid refrigerant in various large-scale refrigeration cycle systems that can be set freely and in a mode close to the actual size without requiring a large space. Is.

  That is, the refrigeration cycle simulation system of the present invention comprises an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a refrigerant flow simulator provided on a pipe between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and the refrigerant flow simulator is A refrigerant introduction port, a refrigerant outlet port, a refrigerant storage portion that gas-liquid separates the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant introduction port, stores gas refrigerant in an upper region, and stores liquid refrigerant in a lower region; and the upper portion A gas refrigerant outlet tube whose one end communicates with the region and the other end communicates with the refrigerant outlet port; a liquid refrigerant outlet tube whose one end communicates with the lower region and the other end communicates with the refrigerant outlet port; and the refrigerant Liquid refrigerant storage amount detection mechanism that detects the amount of liquid refrigerant stored in the storage, and the target storage amount that is set based on the volume of the pipe that the detected storage amount detected by the liquid refrigerant storage amount detection mechanism unit is simulated So that Characterized in that it comprises the effluent flow rate control mechanism for controlling the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant deriving pipes, the.

  In such a case, the refrigerant is stored in the refrigerant storage unit, and the liquid refrigerant is retained in the simulated pipe by controlling the volume based on the volume in the pipe that simulates the detected storage amount of the liquid refrigerant. And can reproduce the behavior. Therefore, by providing the refrigerant flow simulation device on the pipe between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, a simulation test related to the liquid refrigerant circulation of the large-scale refrigeration cycle system in a mode close to the actual one without laying a large-scale pipe. It can be performed.

  In order to accurately reproduce the retention amount and behavior of the liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe, the refrigeration cycle simulation system includes a void rate detection mechanism unit that detects the void rate of the refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant storage unit, and a simulation It is preferable to further include a target storage amount setting unit that sets the target storage amount based on the volume of the piping to be performed and the detected Voice rate.

  It is preferable that the refrigeration cycle simulation system is inexpensive and can detect the void ratio with a simple configuration and accurately reproduce the retention amount and behavior of the liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe. For this purpose, pressure / temperature detection means for detecting the pressure or temperature of the refrigerant, gas flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of the gas refrigerant flowing through the gas refrigerant outlet pipe, and the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe And an influent liquid flow rate detection mechanism for detecting the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant reservoir. The void rate detection mechanism is configured to detect the refrigerant detection pressure (or Temperature), the detected flow rate of the gas refrigerant flowing through the gas refrigerant outlet tube, the detected effluent flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant outlet tube, and the detected influent flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant reservoir. Anything to do.

  In order to conduct a more accurate simulation test of the refrigeration cycle, it is necessary to reproduce a transient state in which the amount and behavior of liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe changes with time. For this purpose, the refrigeration cycle simulation system includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a refrigerant flow simulation device provided on a pipe between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. An inlet port, a refrigerant outlet port, a refrigerant introduced from the condenser, and a refrigerant storage part for storing gas refrigerant in the upper region and storing liquid refrigerant in the lower region, and one end in the upper region A gas refrigerant outlet pipe that communicates with the refrigerant outlet port at the other end, a liquid refrigerant outlet pipe that communicates with the lower region at one end and communicates with the refrigerant outlet port at the other end, and flows into the refrigerant reservoir. An inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism for detecting the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant to be detected, and a flow rate equal to the detected inflow liquid flow rate of the liquid refrigerant detected by the inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism, after a lapse of a predetermined time from the inflow liquid flow rate detection, Liquid refrigerant lead-out distribution Those anda effluent flow control mechanism arranged to control the flow through is preferred.

  In order to be able to reproduce the sudden change in the amount and behavior of liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe and to accurately reproduce even when the pipe length is long, the void of the refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant reservoir A void rate detecting mechanism for detecting a rate, a liquid refrigerant moving distance calculating unit for calculating a moving distance of the liquid refrigerant in a pipe simulated based on the void rate detected by the void rate detecting mechanism, and the liquid refrigerant What is necessary is just to be determined based on the time delay which the time delay calculation part which comprises the time delay calculation part which calculates the time delay which generate | occur | produces in piping simulated from a movement distance, and the said time delay calculation part calculated.

  In order to reproduce the retention rate and behavior of the liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe suddenly decreasing, in order to obtain the void ratio with a simple configuration, a pressure / temperature detection means for detecting the pressure or temperature of the refrigerant and Gas flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the gas refrigerant flowing through the gas refrigerant outlet pipe, and the void rate detecting mechanism is configured to detect the detected pressure (or temperature) of the refrigerant reservoir and the gas refrigerant outlet pipe. Any method may be used as long as the void rate is calculated based on the detected flow rate of the flowing gas refrigerant, the detected effluent flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing in the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe, and the detected inflow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant reservoir.

  In order to detect the inflow liquid flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant storage unit with a simple configuration, a liquid refrigerant storage amount detection mechanism unit for detecting the liquid refrigerant storage amount in the refrigerant storage unit, and the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe An effluent flow rate detection means for detecting a flow rate of the flowing liquid refrigerant, wherein the inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism section detects and stores the liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage section and the liquid flowing through the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe. It is preferable to calculate the influent flow rate based on the detected effluent flow rate of the refrigerant.

  In order to create a retention amount and behavior of liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe, a refrigerant flow simulator is provided on the pipe between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and includes a refrigerant introduction port and a refrigerant outlet port, The refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant introduction port is separated into gas and liquid, a gas refrigerant is stored in the upper region, and a liquid storage unit that stores the liquid refrigerant in the lower region, and one end communicates with the upper region, and the refrigerant A gas refrigerant outlet pipe whose other end communicates with the outlet port, a liquid refrigerant outlet pipe whose one end communicates with the lower region and the other end communicates with the refrigerant outlet port, and the amount of liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant reservoir. The liquid refrigerant derivation is performed so that the detected storage amount detected by the liquid refrigerant storage amount detection mechanism unit and the recording refrigerant storage amount detection mechanism unit becomes the target storage amount set based on the volume of the simulated pipe. The flow rate of liquid refrigerant flowing through the pipe And effluent flow control mechanism unit Gosuru, it is sufficient comprises a.

  In order to reproduce a transient state in which the amount and behavior of liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe change over time, a refrigerant flow simulator is provided on the pipe between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, An inlet port, a refrigerant outlet port, a refrigerant introduced from the condenser, and a refrigerant storage part for storing gas refrigerant in the upper region and storing liquid refrigerant in the lower region, and one end in the upper region A gas refrigerant outlet pipe that communicates with the refrigerant outlet port at the other end, a liquid refrigerant outlet pipe that communicates with the lower region at one end and communicates with the refrigerant outlet port at the other end, and flows into the refrigerant reservoir. An inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism for detecting the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant to be detected, and a flow rate equal to the detected inflow liquid flow rate of the liquid refrigerant detected by the inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism, after a lapse of a predetermined time from the inflow liquid flow rate detection, Deriving the liquid refrigerant And effluent flow control mechanism arranged to control the flow through the tube, preferably is provided with a.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a large-scale refrigeration cycle system is reproduced in a manner close to the real thing by reproducing the retention amount and behavior of the liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe without laying a large-scale pipe using a large space. A simulation test relating to the flow of liquid refrigerant can be performed.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigeration cycle simulation system S according to the present embodiment, instead of laying an indoor unit A, an outdoor unit B, and a large-scale pipe P between the indoor unit A and the outdoor unit B, A refrigerant flow simulation device 100 for simulating the pipe P portion is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerant flow simulation device 100 includes a refrigerant introduction port PI, a refrigerant reservoir 1, and a refrigerant outlet port PO that are connected by a pipe. The refrigerant introduction port PI and the refrigerant reservoir 1 communicate with each other through a refrigerant introduction pipe 13, and the refrigerant reservoir 1 and the outlet port communicate with each other through a gas refrigerant outlet pipe 2 and a liquid refrigerant outlet pipe 3. It is configured.

  The refrigerant introduction port PI supplies refrigerant sent from a condenser (not shown) set in either the indoor unit A or the outdoor unit B (switched by air conditioning) to the refrigerant reservoir 1 via the refrigerant introduction pipe 13. It is to be introduced.

  The refrigerant reservoir 1 has a hollow, generally cylindrical shape having substantially the same diameter in the height direction. The refrigerant introduced from the introduction port is separated into gas and liquid, and the gas refrigerant is stored in the upper region 11 and the liquid refrigerant is stored in the lower region 12. Further, the refrigerant reservoir 1 is provided with a level sensor 41 serving as a liquid level detection means in order to detect the amount of liquid refrigerant stored in the lower region 12. In addition, a pressure sensor 61 serving as pressure detection means is provided on the upper surface of the refrigerant reservoir 1 in order to detect the pressure of the gas refrigerant in the upper region 11. (Note that this pressure detection means may be provided anywhere.)

  The level sensor 41 is provided perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the lower region 12 of the refrigerant reservoir 1 to the upper surface of the upper region 11, and detects the liquid level of the stored liquid refrigerant.

  The refrigerant outlet port PO is the refrigerant separated from the gas and liquid in the refrigerant reservoir 1, the gas refrigerant via the gas refrigerant outlet pipe 2, and the liquid refrigerant via the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe 3 and the indoor units A and This is led out to an evaporator (not shown) set in one of the outdoor units B (switched by cooling and heating).

  The gas refrigerant outlet pipe 2 communicates the upper surface of the refrigerant reservoir 1 in contact with the upper region 11 and the refrigerant outlet port PO so that the gas refrigerant is always led out to the outdoor unit B. A gas flow meter 62 as gas flow rate detection means is provided in the middle of the gas refrigerant outlet pipe 2.

  The liquid refrigerant outlet pipe 3 communicates the lower surface of the refrigerant reservoir 1 that is in contact with the lower region 12 and the refrigerant outlet port PO via the downstream of the gas flow meter 62 of the gas refrigerant outlet pipe 2. A flow rate control valve 51 as an effluent flow rate control means for controlling the effluent flow rate of the liquid refrigerant is provided in the middle. Further, a liquid flow meter 63 as effluent flow rate detection means is provided upstream of the flow rate control valve 51.

  In addition to these configurations, the refrigerant flow simulation device 100 is provided with a control mechanism unit C that controls the flow rate control valve 51 and reproduces the liquid refrigerant retention amount in the simulated pipe.

  The control mechanism unit C has at least a hardware configuration including a CPU, a memory C1, various driver circuits, etc., and the CPU and peripheral devices cooperate in accordance with a program stored in the memory C1. Various functions can be achieved.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 3, at least the liquid refrigerant storage amount calculation unit 42, the influent liquid flow rate calculation unit 64, the void rate calculation unit 65, and the target storage amount setting unit 8 and a program are configured to exhibit the function as the valve control unit 52.

  The liquid refrigerant storage amount calculation unit 42 calculates the storage amount of the liquid refrigerant stored in the liquid refrigerant storage unit 1 using the liquid level detected by the level sensor 41. The liquid refrigerant storage amount calculation unit 42 and the level sensor 41 serving as the liquid level detection means correspond to the liquid refrigerant storage amount detection mechanism unit 4 in the claims.

  The inflow liquid flow rate calculation unit 64 includes the displacement of the storage amount of the liquid refrigerant calculated by the liquid refrigerant storage amount calculation unit 42 and the outflow liquid flow rate flowing out from the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe 3 detected by the liquid flow meter 63. Is used to calculate the inflow liquid flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the liquid refrigerant reservoir 1. In the present embodiment, the inflow liquid flow rate calculation unit 64 corresponds to the inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism in the claims.

  The void ratio calculation unit 65 uses the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 61, the outflow rate of the gas refrigerant detected by the gas flow meter 62, and the outflow rate of the liquid refrigerant detected by the liquid flow meter 63. The Void rate of the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant introduction pipe 13 is calculated.

  In the present embodiment, the void rate calculation unit 65 corresponds to the void rate detection mechanism unit in the claims.

  The target storage amount setting unit 8 is based on the volume in the pipe determined from the length or pipe diameter of the pipe to be simulated stored in the memory C1 and the void rate calculated by the void rate calculation unit 65. The target storage amount of the liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage unit 1 is set.

  The valve control unit 52 controls the flow rate control valve 51 such that the liquid refrigerant storage amount calculated by the liquid refrigerant storage amount calculation unit 42 follows the target storage amount set by the target storage amount setting unit 8. By performing this, the amount of liquid refrigerant flowing out from the liquid refrigerant outlet tube 3 is controlled. In addition, the said valve control part 52 and the said flow control valve 51 are equivalent to the effluent flow control mechanism part 5 in a claim.

  Next, control for simulating liquid refrigerant circulation in a steady state as shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The liquid refrigerant storage amount calculation unit 42 calculates the storage amount of the liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage unit 1 based on the equation (Equation 1) (step S1).
Here, V _t is the volume of the liquid refrigerant, D _t is the diameter of the refrigerant reservoir 1, and h is the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant.

Next, the inflow liquid flow rate calculation unit 64 calculates the volume flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the liquid refrigerant storage unit 1 based on the equation (Equation 2) (step S2).
Here, V _li is a volume flow rate of the flowing liquid refrigerant, Δt is a predetermined time, Δh is a displacement amount of the liquid level, and V _ld is a liquid refrigerant discharge volume flow rate.

And the said void ratio calculation part 65 calculates liquid phase mass flow rate _Ml using the following formula _| equation (Formula 3) using the pressure P which the said pressure sensor 61 detected.
Here, v _l (P) is a liquid phase specific volume determined by the pressure P.

The Void ratio calculation unit 65, by a vapor mass flow rate M _g, which is calculated similarly from the volume flow V _gi gas refrigerant flowing the pressure P gas flow meter 62 detects the equation (4) The dryness x of the following equation (Equation 4) is calculated.

The void ratio calculation unit 65 uses the dryness x, the gas phase specific volume vg (P), the liquid phase specific volume vl (P), and the constant ε to calculate the gas-liquid velocity ratio s from the following equation (Equation 5). Seeking
The void rate α is calculated from the following equation (Equation 6) (step S3).
Here, V _g (P) is a gas phase specific volume determined by the pressure P.

Next, the target storage amount setting unit 8 reads the volume in the pipe to be simulated from the memory C1, and the retention amount of the liquid refrigerant in the pipe to be simulated from the void rate calculated by the void rate calculation unit 65 is expressed by the following equation: It calculates by (Equation 7), and sets to the target storage amount of the liquid refrigerant stored in the said refrigerant | coolant storage part 1 (step S4).
Here, V _lp is the residence amount of the liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe, D _p is the diameter of the simulated pipe, L is the length of the simulated pipe, and α is the void rate.

  Until the target amount of liquid refrigerant is stored in the refrigerant storage unit 1, the valve control unit 52 closes the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe 3 by the flow rate control valve 51 so that the liquid refrigerant does not flow out. To. When the amount of the liquid refrigerant reaches the target storage amount, the valve control unit 52 controls the flow rate control valve 51 so as to maintain the target storage amount (step S5).

  Next, when the retention amount of the liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe changes, the process returns to step S1 and the target storage amount set by the target storage amount setting unit 8 is updated.

  The valve control unit 52 controls the flow control valve 51 so that the storage amount of the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant storage unit 1 follows the new target storage amount.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the target storage amount is set based on the volume of the pipe to be simulated and the void ratio of the refrigerant flowing in, and the liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage unit 1 follows the target value. By controlling the flow rate control valve 51 as described above, the retention amount of the liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe can be reproduced. More specifically, the flow rate control valve 51 is controlled so that the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant storage unit 1 is constant and the amount of liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage unit 1 becomes the target storage amount. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce the staying amount and the time delay in the steady flow in the simulated pipe.

  In addition, it is possible to perform a simulation test for liquid refrigerant circulation in a form close to an actual machine without laying large piping, and it is possible to obtain a more reliable test result as compared with a simulation relying only on a computer.

  Further, by changing the data of the simulated pipe stored in the memory C1, the liquid refrigerant retention amount and behavior in the pipe having various lengths and pipe diameters can be reproduced. A simulation test related to refrigerant distribution can be performed in a form close to that of an actual machine.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to members corresponding to the first embodiment.

  The refrigeration cycle simulation system S of the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment of FIG. 2, and the detected flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant storage unit 1 is after the elapse of a predetermined time. The point from which the said control-mechanism part C operate | moves so that it may control so that it may flow through refrigerant | coolant outlet piping differs from the said 1st Embodiment.

  For this reason, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 6, the control mechanism C is further provided with a liquid refrigerant moving distance calculating unit 9 and a time delay calculating unit 10 for calculating the moving distance of the liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe. ing.

  The control operation of the control mechanism C will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8 taking as an example the case where the flow rate of the flow varies as shown in FIG.

  In this control, while detecting with the gas flow meter 62, the liquid flow meter 63, and the level sensor 41 at predetermined time intervals, the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant reservoir 1 and the refrigerant reservoir 1 The amount of liquid refrigerant stored and the liquid refrigerant moving distance are calculated and stored in the memory C1. Here, the predetermined time interval refers to the time taken to pass the simulated pipe length from a general liquid flow velocity, for example, the time divided by 5.

The liquid refrigerant moving distance, the liquid refrigerant moving distance calculating unit 9, using a Void factor α of the Void ratio calculation unit 65 is calculated by the following equation (8), the flow velocity U _l of the liquid phase The liquid movement distance for every fixed time is calculated from the flow velocity by the equation (Equation 9) and stored in the memory C1 (step ST1).
Here, D _p is the piping to simulate diameter, the V _ld is the volume flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing out.

  Next, the time delay calculation unit 10 integrates the liquid movement distance from the current time calculated by the liquid refrigerant movement distance calculation unit 9 toward the past data, and until the time when the integration result becomes the length L of the simulated pipe. A period is calculated (step ST2). This period is a time delay that occurs when the liquid refrigerant flowing in at the present time flows through the simulated pipe. The specific calculation flow so far is as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the valve control unit 52 sets a target discharge amount from the time delay calculated by the time delay calculation unit 10 and the current inflow liquid flow rate detected by the inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism unit. (Step ST3).

  The valve control unit 52 keeps the flow rate control valve 51 closed so as to store the liquid refrigerant until the time when the first flowing liquid refrigerant is discharged. (Step ST4).

  The control of the flow rate control valve is started so that the target discharge amount and the effluent flow rate detected by the liquid flow meter 63 coincide with each other from the time when the first flowing liquid refrigerant is discharged. (Step ST5).

  As described above, in the second embodiment, even if the retention amount or behavior of the liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe suddenly changes, it can be reproduced, and the simulation test related to the distribution of the liquid refrigerant closer to the actual machine. It can be performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment or the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to corresponding members.

In the above embodiment, the piping after the condenser is simulated. However, the piping before the condenser can be simulated during heating, and the piping after the evaporator can be simulated during cooling.

  Instead of the pressure sensor 61, the refrigerant storage unit 1 may be provided with a temperature sensor to determine the liquid phase specific volume or the gas phase specific volume.

  In the second embodiment, the flow rate control is performed by paying attention to the time delay of the liquid refrigerant, but the control may be performed by paying attention to the staying amount in the simulated pipe. In this case, the liquid refrigerant storage amount of the refrigerant storage unit is controlled in accordance with the fluctuation of the retention amount.

  The refrigerant flow simulation apparatus 100 may use only the level sensor 41 as shown in FIG. In this case, the retention amount of the liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe is stored in the memory C1, and the flow rate control valve 51 is controlled so that the storage amount of the refrigerant storage unit 1 follows the storage amount. .

  Moreover, the refrigerant | coolant flow simulation apparatus 100 may provide the liquid flow meter 63 in the level sensor 41 and the liquid refrigerant | coolant outlet tube 3, as shown in FIG. In this case, a simulation is performed by calculating the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage unit 1 and the flow rate of the inflow from the liquid flow rate to be discharged and discharging the flow rate of the inflow after a predetermined time has elapsed. It is possible to simulate a change in the amount and behavior of liquid refrigerant in the pipe.

  As shown in FIG. 13, even if the refrigerant flow simulation device 100 is provided with a void meter VM serving as a void rate detection means in the refrigerant introduction pipe 13 and a liquid flow meter 63 in the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe 3. It doesn't matter. In this case, since the Void rate of the flowing liquid refrigerant can be detected accurately, the amount and behavior of the liquid refrigerant in the simulated pipe can be more accurately reproduced.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples and embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

The conceptual diagram which shows that one Embodiment of this invention simulates piping between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The schematic diagram of the refrigerant | coolant flow simulation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The functional block diagram which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the case where the residence amount of the liquid refrigerant to simulate is a steady state. The flowchart which simulates the liquid refrigerant distribution which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The functional block diagram which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the case where the residence amount of the liquid refrigerant to simulate changes. The flowchart which simulates the liquid refrigerant distribution which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which calculates the time delay which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the liquid refrigerant | coolant amount which flows in and liquid refrigerant discharge | emission amount which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram of the refrigerant | coolant flow simulation apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram of the refrigerant | coolant flow simulation apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram of the refrigerant | coolant flow simulation apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

S ... Refrigeration cycle simulation system A ... Indoor unit B ... Outdoor unit P ... Piping 100 ... Refrigerant flow simulation device PI ... Refrigerant introduction port PO ... Refrigerant outlet port 1 ... -Refrigerant storage part 11 ... Upper region 12 ... Lower region 2 ... Gas refrigerant outlet pipe 3 ... Liquid refrigerant outlet pipe 4 ... Liquid refrigerant storage amount detection mechanism part 5 ... Outflow liquid flow rate Control mechanism 65 ... Void rate detection mechanism 61 ... Pressure / temperature detection means 62 ... Gas flow rate detection means 63 ... Liquid flow rate detection means 64 ... Inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism 8 ... Target storage amount setting unit 9 ... Liquid refrigerant moving distance calculation unit 10 ... Time delay calculation unit

Claims (9)

An indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a refrigerant flow simulator provided on a pipe between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit,
The refrigerant flow simulator
A refrigerant inlet port and a refrigerant outlet port;
A refrigerant storage unit that gas-liquid separates the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant introduction port, stores gas refrigerant in the upper region, and stores liquid refrigerant in the lower region;
A gas refrigerant outlet pipe having one end communicating with the upper region and the other end communicating with the refrigerant outlet port;
A liquid refrigerant outlet pipe having one end communicating with the lower region and the other end communicating with the refrigerant outlet port;
A liquid refrigerant storage amount detection mechanism for detecting a liquid refrigerant storage amount in the refrigerant storage unit;
The flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe is controlled so that the detected storage quantity detected by the liquid refrigerant storage quantity detection mechanism unit becomes a target storage quantity set based on the volume of the pipe to be simulated. And an effluent flow rate control mechanism unit. A void rate detection mechanism for detecting the void rate of the refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant reservoir;
The refrigeration cycle simulation system according to claim 1, further comprising: a target storage amount setting unit that sets the target storage amount based on a volume of the pipe to be simulated and a detected Voice rate. Pressure / temperature detection means for detecting the pressure or temperature of the refrigerant;
Gas flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the gas refrigerant flowing through the gas refrigerant outlet pipe;
An effluent flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe;
An inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism for detecting the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant storage unit,
The void ratio detection mechanism section flows into the refrigerant detection pressure (or temperature), the detection flow rate of the gas refrigerant flowing through the gas refrigerant outlet pipe, the detected effluent flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe, and the refrigerant reservoir. The refrigeration cycle simulation system according to claim 2, wherein the void ratio is calculated based on a detected influent flow rate of the liquid refrigerant. An indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a refrigerant flow simulator provided on a pipe between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit,
The refrigerant flow simulator
A refrigerant inlet port and a refrigerant outlet port;
A refrigerant storage unit that gas-liquid separates the refrigerant introduced from the condenser, stores gas refrigerant in the upper region, and stores liquid refrigerant in the lower region;
A gas refrigerant outlet pipe having one end communicating with the upper region and the other end communicating with the refrigerant outlet port;
A liquid refrigerant outlet pipe having one end communicating with the lower region and the other end communicating with the refrigerant outlet port;
An influent liquid flow rate detection mechanism for detecting the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant reservoir;
An effluent liquid flow rate control mechanism for controlling the flow rate equal to the detected influent flow rate of the liquid refrigerant detected by the inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism unit to flow through the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe after a predetermined time has elapsed since the inflow liquid flow rate detection. And a refrigeration cycle simulation system. A void rate detection mechanism for detecting the void rate of the refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant reservoir;
A liquid refrigerant moving distance calculating unit for calculating a moving distance of the liquid refrigerant in the pipe to be simulated based on the void rate detected by the void rate detecting mechanism;
A time delay calculation unit that calculates a time delay that occurs in the pipe simulated from the liquid refrigerant moving distance, and
The refrigeration cycle simulation system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined time is determined based on the time delay calculated by the time delay calculation unit. Pressure / temperature detection means for detecting the pressure or temperature of the refrigerant;
Gas flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of the gas refrigerant flowing through the gas refrigerant outlet pipe,
The Void rate detection mechanism section includes a detection pressure (or temperature) of the refrigerant reservoir, a detected flow rate of the gas refrigerant flowing through the gas refrigerant outlet pipe, a detected effluent flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe, and the refrigerant reservoir section. 6. The refrigeration cycle simulation system according to claim 5, wherein the void ratio is calculated based on a detected influent flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the refrigeration. A liquid refrigerant storage amount detection mechanism for detecting a liquid refrigerant storage amount in the refrigerant storage unit;
An effluent flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe,
The inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism unit calculates the inflow liquid flow rate based on the detected storage amount of the liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage unit and the detected outflow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing in the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe. The refrigeration cycle simulation system according to claim 5 or 6. It is provided on the pipe between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit,
A refrigerant inlet port and a refrigerant outlet port;
A refrigerant storage unit that gas-liquid separates the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant introduction port, stores gas refrigerant in the upper region, and stores liquid refrigerant in the lower region;
A gas refrigerant outlet pipe having one end communicating with the upper region and the other end communicating with the refrigerant outlet port;
A liquid refrigerant outlet pipe having one end communicating with the lower region and the other end communicating with the refrigerant outlet port;
A liquid refrigerant storage amount detection mechanism for detecting a liquid refrigerant storage amount in the refrigerant storage unit;
The flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe is controlled so that the detected storage quantity detected by the liquid refrigerant storage quantity detection mechanism unit becomes a target storage quantity set based on the volume of the pipe to be simulated. An effluent flow rate control mechanism unit. It is provided on the pipe between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit,
A refrigerant inlet port and a refrigerant outlet port;
A refrigerant storage unit that gas-liquid separates the refrigerant introduced from the condenser, stores gas refrigerant in the upper region, and stores liquid refrigerant in the lower region;
A gas refrigerant outlet pipe having one end communicating with the upper region and the other end communicating with the refrigerant outlet port;
A liquid refrigerant outlet pipe having one end communicating with the lower region and the other end communicating with the refrigerant outlet port;
An influent liquid flow rate detection mechanism for detecting the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant reservoir;
An effluent liquid flow rate control mechanism for controlling the flow rate equal to the detected influent flow rate of the liquid refrigerant detected by the inflow liquid flow rate detection mechanism unit to flow through the liquid refrigerant outlet pipe after a predetermined time has elapsed since the inflow liquid flow rate detection. A refrigerant flow simulator.