JP2018048757A - Cooling unit and air removal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooling unit capable of efficiently exhausting air mixed in a cooling device 10 while suppressing decrease in a refrigerant in the cooling device, even in the case of using the refrigerant which changes its phase between a liquid phase refrigerant and a gaseous phase refrigerant.SOLUTION: A cooling unit 100 circulates a refrigerant whose gaseous phase density is larger than air and whose phase changes from a liquid phase refrigerant to a gaseous phase refrigerant. An air removal part 50 removes the air contained in a steam pipe 13. The air removal part 50 has a tank 51, a connection pipe 52 and a connection pipe valve 53. The tank 51 stores the air contained in the steam pipe 13. The connection pipe 52 is provided on the lower side in the vertical direction G of the tank 51. The connection pipe 52 connects the tank 51 and the steam pipe 13. The connection pipe 52 guides the air contained in the steam pipe 13 to the tank 51 from the steam pipe 13. The connection pipe valve 53 opens/closes the connection pipe 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling unit or the like, for example, a cooling unit using a refrigerant having a gas phase density larger than air.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling device that includes a boiling heat absorption part (evaporator), a heat radiation part (condenser), a steam pipe, and a liquid pipe.

  The boiling heat absorption part and the heat radiation part are connected by a steam pipe and a liquid pipe. In addition, the boiling heat absorption part, the heat radiation part, the steam pipe and the liquid pipe form a closed pipe, and the inside of the closed pipe is filled with a refrigerant. The refrigerant circulates in the order of a boiling heat absorption part, a steam pipe, a heat radiating part, and a liquid pipe while changing the phase into a liquid phase refrigerant and a gas phase refrigerant. The boiling heat absorption part is attached to the heating element, absorbs the heat of the heating element using the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant, and flows out the gas-phase refrigerant to the vapor pipe. The heat radiating unit receives the gas phase refrigerant flowing from the boiling heat absorbing unit through the vapor pipe, and radiates the heat of the heating element included in the gas phase refrigerant.

  Here, for example, when the refrigerant is injected into the cooling device, air may be mixed into the cooling device.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, air in a piping unit is discharged using an air discharging function in a piping unit that circulates water using a circulation pump. At this time, the air discharge mechanism includes a tank serving as an air reservoir, a vacuum tank connected to the tank, and a vacuum pump. The air mixed in the piping line of the piping unit is guided to the tank. The air discharge mechanism operates the vacuum pump according to the amount of air in the tank and automatically discharges air from the tank. Thereby, it is suppressed that air mixes in the piping unit.

JP 2008-249314 A JP 2012-220104 A

  In the cooling device described in Patent Document 1, a refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant is used. When a refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant is used, the heat of the heating element can be transported with a small amount of refrigerant as compared with the case where water is used as the refrigerant. For this reason, in recent years, a refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant is generally widely used in cooling devices.

  However, the piping unit (cooling unit) described in Patent Document 2 cannot use a refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant, and uses water as a refrigerant that circulates in the cooling device. Yes.

  Thus, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, water having a density sufficiently higher than that of air is used as the refrigerant circulating in the cooling device, so that the pipe connected to the air discharge mechanism is always water. be satisfied. For this reason, the air in the tank of the air discharge mechanism rarely flows into the pipe connected to the air discharge mechanism.

  However, the density of a gas phase refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid phase refrigerant and a gas phase refrigerant is generally not as high as that of water. For this reason, when the refrigerant described in Patent Document 2 uses a refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant, the pipe connected to the air discharge mechanism is always filled with the refrigerant. Not exclusively. For this reason, the air in the tank of the air discharge mechanism may flow into the pipe connected to the air discharge device together with the refrigerant that changes phase between the liquid-phase refrigerant and the gas-phase refrigerant. Moreover, when the refrigerant | coolant which changes a phase between a liquid phase refrigerant | coolant and a gaseous-phase refrigerant | coolant is used for the technique of patent document 2, since the refrigerant | coolant in a cooling device is not as high as water, it rises with air. In some cases, the air would flow into the air discharge mechanism. For this reason, the refrigerant in the cooling device may be released to the outside air, and the refrigerant in the cooling device may decrease.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device that has a phase change between a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant. An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling unit or the like that can efficiently discharge air mixed in a cooling device while suppressing a decrease in refrigerant.

  The cooling unit of the present invention is a cooling unit that circulates a liquid-phase refrigerant and a refrigerant that changes in phase to a gas-phase refrigerant with a gas-phase density larger than air, an evaporator that receives heat from a heating element, and the evaporator A condenser that dissipates heat received by the heat exchanger, the evaporator and the condenser are connected, a vapor pipe that guides the refrigerant from the evaporator to the condenser, and the evaporator and the condenser are connected, A liquid pipe that guides the refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator; and an air removal unit that removes air contained in the vapor pipe, wherein the air removal part stores air contained in the vapor pipe. A tank, a connection pipe that is provided on a lower side in the vertical direction of the tank, connects the tank and the steam pipe, and guides air contained in the steam pipe from the steam pipe to the tank; and opens and closes the connection pipe Connecting pipe valve to A.

  The air removing apparatus of the present invention is an air removing apparatus that is connected to a pipe through which a liquid phase refrigerant and a refrigerant that changes in phase to a gas phase refrigerant flow, and removes air contained in the pipe. A tank for storing air contained in the pipe, and provided in a vertically lower side of the tank, connecting the tank and the pipe, and transferring the air contained in the pipe from the pipe to the tank. A connecting pipe for guiding and a connecting pipe valve for opening and closing the connecting pipe;

  According to the cooling unit or the like according to the present invention, even in the case of using a refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant, while suppressing the decrease of the refrigerant in the cooling device, The mixed air can be discharged efficiently.

It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the cooling unit in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view which shows roughly the structure of the air removal part of the cooling unit in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flow for demonstrating the method to remove the air contained in the cooling device of the cooling unit in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the cooling unit in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view which shows roughly the structure of the air removal part of the cooling unit in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flow for demonstrating the method to remove the air contained in the cooling device of the cooling unit in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the cooling unit in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view which shows roughly the structure of the air removal part of the cooling unit in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flow for demonstrating the method to remove the air contained in the cooling device of the cooling unit in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
The configuration of the cooling unit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the cooling unit 100. FIG. 1 shows the vertical direction G for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling unit 100 includes a cooling device 10 and an air removing unit 50. The cooling device 10 includes an evaporator 11, a condenser 12, a steam pipe 13, and a liquid pipe 14.

  In addition, the cooling device 10 includes a refrigerant that circulates through the evaporator 11, the steam pipe 13, the condenser 12, and the liquid pipe 14 in order. That is, a cavity is provided inside the evaporator 11 and the condenser 12.

  The refrigerant is confined in a closed state in a closed space formed by the evaporator 11, the condenser 12, the vapor pipe 13, and the liquid pipe 14. This refrigerant circulates between the evaporator 11 and the condenser 12 via the vapor pipe 13 and the liquid pipe 14 in a sealed state.

  The refrigerant is made of, for example, a polymer material. In addition, a refrigerant having a larger gas phase density than air and a phase change into a liquid phase refrigerant and a gas phase refrigerant is used. In other words, the refrigerant has a property of vaporizing at a high temperature and liquefying at a low temperature.

  Here, for example, hydrofluorocarbon, hydrofluoroether, or hydrofluoroolefin can be used as the refrigerant.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the evaporator 11 is connected to the condenser 12 by a vapor pipe 13 and a liquid pipe 14. The evaporator 11 is attached to a heating element HE (Heating Element). The evaporator 11 receives the heat of the heating element HE. The evaporator 11 transmits the heat of the heat generating element HE that has received heat to the condenser 12 using a refrigerant. Although the evaporator 11 has been described as being attached to the heating element HE, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the evaporator 11 only needs to receive the heat of the heating element HE, and the relative position between the evaporator 11 and the heating element HE is not limited. The evaporator 11 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy.

  The heating element HE is a component that generates heat when in operation, and is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or an integrated circuit (multi-chip module: MCM). The heating element HE is a cooling target of the cooling device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the condenser 12 is connected to the evaporator 11 by a vapor pipe 13 and a liquid pipe 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the condenser 12 is disposed above the evaporator 11 in the vertical direction G. The condenser 12 receives the heat of the heating element HE received by the evaporator 11 and dissipates this heat to the outside of the cooling device 10. That is, the condenser 12 receives the heat of the heating element HE from the evaporator 11 via the refrigerant. Then, the condenser 12 radiates the heat of the received heating element HE to the outside of the cooling device 10. The condenser 12 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy.

  The steam pipe 13 connects the evaporator 11 and the condenser 12. Similarly, the liquid pipe 14 connects the evaporator 11 and the condenser 12. The steam pipe 13 and the liquid pipe 14 are used to circulate the refrigerant between the evaporator 11 and the condenser 12. That is, the vapor pipe 13 guides the vapor-phase refrigerant vaporized by the evaporator 11 from the evaporator 11 to the condenser 12. On the contrary, the liquid pipe 14 guides the liquid phase refrigerant condensed and liquefied by the condenser 12 from the condenser 12 to the evaporator 11. The steam pipe 13 and the liquid pipe 14 are made of, for example, an aluminum alloy.

  Thereby, the refrigerant can circulate through the evaporator 11, the vapor pipe 13, the condenser 12 and the liquid pipe 14 in order. That is, the gas-phase refrigerant vaporized in the evaporator 11 by the heat of the heating element HE flows through the vapor pipe 13 and flows into the condenser 12. Next, the liquid phase refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the condenser 12 flows through the liquid pipe 14 and flows into the evaporator 11. Thereafter, the above-described processing is repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air removing unit 50 is attached to the steam pipe 13. The air removing unit 15 can be attached to and detached from the steam pipe 13. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view schematically showing the configuration of the air removing unit 50. In addition, the air removal part 50 is also an air removal apparatus of this invention. The air removing unit 50 removes air contained in the steam pipe 13. Preferably, the air removing unit 50 is connected to the steam pipe 13 at the highest place in the vertical direction G among the steam pipes 13. Furthermore, preferably, the air removal unit 50 is provided at a place higher in the vertical direction G than the evaporator 11 and the condenser 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air removing unit 50 includes a tank 51, a connecting pipe 52, a connecting pipe valve 53, an exhaust pipe 54, and an exhaust valve 55.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tank 51 is formed in a shape in which a cone is connected to the lower side in the vertical direction G of the cylinder in appearance. A cavity is formed in the tank 51. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the region surrounded by the inner wall of the tank 51 when the tank 51 is cut with respect to the vertical direction G gradually decreases toward the lower side of the vertical direction G on the lower side of the vertical direction G. The tank 51 stores air contained in the steam pipe 30 (in the cooling device 10). The tank 51 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The lowermost part of the tank 51 is connected to the upper side of the connecting pipe 52 in the vertical direction G.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting pipe 52 is provided on the lower side of the tank 51 in the vertical direction G. The connection pipe 52 connects the tank 51 and the steam pipe 30. For example, the connecting pipe 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The upper side of the connecting pipe 52 in the vertical direction G is connected to a cavity in the tank 51. The lower side of the connecting pipe 52 in the vertical direction G is connected to the cavity of the steam pipe 13. Here, an openable / closable lid (not shown) is provided at a connection portion of the steam pipe 13 with the connection pipe 52. When the connecting pipe 52 is not attached to the steam pipe 13, the lid of the steam pipe 13 is closed. When the connecting pipe 52 is attached to the steam pipe 13, the lid of the steam pipe 13 is opened. Therefore, by attaching the connecting pipe 52 to the steam pipe 13 with the cover of the steam pipe 13 open, the lower side of the connecting pipe 52 in the vertical direction G is coupled to the cavity of the steam pipe 13. The connection pipe 52 guides air contained in the steam pipe 13 from the steam pipe 13 to the tank 51. The connecting pipe valve 53 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connection pipe valve 53 is provided in the connection pipe 51. The connection pipe valve 53 opens and closes the connection pipe 51. That is, when the connection pipe valve 53 is open, the air contained in the steam pipe 13 flows upward in the vertical direction G from the steam pipe 13 toward the tank 51. At this time, since the refrigerant in the steam pipe 13 (in the cooling device 10) has a larger gas phase density than air, the refrigerant basically flows upward from the steam pipe 13 toward the tank 51 in the vertical direction G. Absent. Thereby, the air in the steam pipe 13 can be efficiently flowed into the tank 53. However, turbulent flow may occur at the connecting portion of the connecting pipe 51 and the steam pipe 13 due to the opening of the connecting pipe valve 53. When such a turbulent flow occurs, the refrigerant in the steam pipe 13 (in the cooling device 10) may also flow toward the tank 51 together with air. When the connecting pipe valve 53 is closed, the flow of air contained in the steam pipe 13 (in the cooling device 10) flowing from the steam pipe 13 toward the tank 51 is blocked by the connecting pipe valve 53.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the exhaust pipe 54 is provided above the tank 51 in the vertical direction G. The lower side of the exhaust pipe 54 in the vertical direction G of the exhaust pipe 54 is connected to the upper side of the tank 51 in the vertical direction G. The exhaust pipe 54 is connected to the cavity of the tank 51. The exhaust pipe 54 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. The upper side of the exhaust pipe 54 in the vertical direction G is connected to the vacuum pump P. The exhaust pipe 54 guides the air stored in the tank 51 to the vacuum pump P. The exhaust pipe 54 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum pump P is connected to the upper side in the vertical direction G of the exhaust pipe 54. The vacuum pump P can suck the air in the tank 51 through the exhaust pipe 54 to make the tank 51 vacuum.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the exhaust valve 55 is provided in the exhaust pipe 54. The exhaust valve 55 opens and closes the exhaust pipe 54. That is, when the exhaust valve 55 is opened, the air stored in the tank 51 flows upward in the vertical direction G from the tank 51 toward the vacuum pump P. When the exhaust valve 55 is closed, the flow of air stored in the tank 51 from the tank 51 toward the vacuum pump P is blocked by the exhaust valve 55.

  The configuration of the cooling unit 100 has been described above.

  Next, the operation of the cooling device 10 will be described. When the heating element HE operates, the cooling device 10 starts to cool the heat of the heating element HE. First, the evaporator 11 receives the heat of the heating element HE. And the evaporator 11 transmits the heat | fever of the heat generating body HE which received heat to the condenser 12 using a refrigerant | coolant. Next, the condenser 12 receives the heat of the heating element HE received by the evaporator 11 and dissipates this heat to the outside of the cooling device 10. That is, the condenser 12 receives the heat of the heating element HE from the evaporator 11 via the refrigerant. Then, the condenser 12 radiates the heat of the received heating element HE to the outside of the cooling device 10. Thereby, the heat of the heating element HE is cooled.

  The operation of the cooling device 10 has been described above.

  Next, a method for removing air contained in the cooling device 10 when air is mixed in the cooling device will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flow for explaining a method for removing air contained in the cooling device 10 of the cooling unit 100.

  First, it is recognized that there is a suspicion that air has entered the cooling device 10 (step (STEP: hereinafter, simply referred to as S) 10). Here, the recognition of the aeration is performed by detecting an increase in pressure in the cooling device 10. It is known that when air is mixed in the cooling device 10 in addition to the refrigerant, the pressure in the cooling device 10 increases due to the partial pressure of air. Here, using this phenomenon, when it is detected that the pressure in the cooling device 10 has increased to a predetermined value or more, it is determined that air has entered the cooling device 10. Regarding the factors that cause air to enter the cooling device 10, for example, when a small hole is formed in the steam pipe 13 or the like due to secular change, it is known that air enters the cooling device 10 from this hole. Yes. Further, it is known that air is mixed into the cooling device 10 from the refrigerant inlet when the refrigerant is injected into the cooling device 10.

  Next, the connection pipe valve 53 of the air removing unit 50 is closed, and the vacuum pump P is evacuated through the exhaust pipe 54 with the exhaust valve 55 opened (S20). Thereby, the air in the tank 51 is removed, and the inside of the tank 51 is in a vacuum state.

  Next, the exhaust valve 55 is closed. Then, with the exhaust valve 55 closed, the connection pipe valve is opened and the cooling device 10 is operated for a certain period of time, so that the air in the cooling device 10 (particularly, the air contained in the steam pipe 13) is stored in the tank 51. The inside is filled (S30). At this time, the air in the cooling device 10 (particularly, the air contained in the steam pipe 13) has a smaller gas phase density than the refrigerant, and therefore flows upward in the vertical direction G and flows into the tank 51. Thereby, the inside of the tank 51 is filled with air. Therefore, the air in the cooling device 10 (particularly, the air contained in the steam pipe 13) can be removed. The fixed time of S30 may be a time that allows the air contained in the cooling device 10 (particularly, the air contained in the steam pipe) to be filled in the tank 51 by circulating the refrigerant in the cooling device 10. Specifically, the fixed time of S30 is adjusted according to the amount of refrigerant and the amount of heat generated by the heating element HE.

  Next, the connection pipe valve 53 is closed (S40). As a result, air originally contained in the cooling device 10 (particularly, air contained in the steam pipe 13) is confined in the tank 51. Therefore, the air stored in the tank 51 does not flow into the steam pipe 13.

  Finally, the air in the tank 51 is removed by evacuating with the vacuum pump P through the exhaust pipe 54 (S50). Specifically, the exhaust valve 55 is opened, and the vacuum pump P is used to evacuate. Thereby, the air stored in the tank 51 can be discharged to the outside air. As a result, the pressure in the cooling device 10 becomes equal to the saturated vapor pressure of the refrigerant, and the boiling point of the refrigerant sealed in the cooling device 10 is near room temperature.

  The method for removing the air contained in the cooling device 10 has been described above. In this manner, air contained in the cooling device 10 (particularly, air contained in the steam pipe 13) can be removed from the cooling device 10.

  As described above, the cooling unit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention circulates the liquid phase refrigerant and the refrigerant that changes in phase to the gas phase refrigerant because the gas phase density is higher than that of air. The cooling unit 100 includes an evaporator 11, a condenser 12, a steam pipe 13, a liquid pipe 14, and an air removal unit 50. The evaporator 11 receives the heat of the heating element HE. The condenser 12 radiates the heat received by the evaporator 11. The vapor pipe 13 connects the evaporator 11 and the condenser 12, and guides the refrigerant from the evaporator 11 to the condenser 12. The liquid pipe 14 connects the evaporator 11 and the condenser 12, and guides the refrigerant from the condenser 12 to the evaporator 11. The air removing unit 50 removes air contained in the steam pipe 13. The air removal unit 50 includes a tank 51, a connection pipe 52, and a connection pipe valve 53. The tank 51 stores air contained in the steam pipe 13. The connecting pipe 52 is provided on the lower side of the tank 51 in the vertical direction G. The connection pipe 52 connects the tank 51 and the steam pipe 13. The connection pipe 52 guides air contained in the steam pipe 13 from the steam pipe 13 to the tank 51. The connection pipe valve 53 opens and closes the connection pipe 52.

  As described above, the cooling unit 100 uses a refrigerant having a gas phase density larger than that of air and a phase change into a liquid phase refrigerant and a gas phase refrigerant. The connection pipe 52 is provided on the lower side of the tank 51 in the vertical direction G, and connects the tank 51 and the steam pipe 13. That is, the tank 51 is provided above the steam pipe 13 in the vertical direction G. Therefore, the air contained in the steam pipe 13 rises in the connecting pipe 52 upward in the vertical direction G and flows into the tank 51. The connecting pipe valve 53 can open and close the connecting pipe 52. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the air in the tank 51 from flowing downward in the vertical direction G together with the refrigerant and returning to the steam pipe 13 by closing the connection valve 53. A gas phase refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid phase refrigerant and a gas phase refrigerant is generally not as specific as water. For this reason, if the connection pipe valve 53 is not provided, the air in the tank 51 may flow into the vapor pipe 13 together with the refrigerant. On the other hand, in the cooling unit 100, the connection valve 53 can be closed by providing the connection pipe valve 53 that opens and closes the connection pipe 52 as described above. Thereby, when the connection pipe valve 53 is closed in a state where air is stored in the tank 51, the air in the tank 51 flows downward in the vertical direction G together with the refrigerant, and returns to the steam pipe 13. Can be suppressed. Further, by closing the connection pipe valve 53, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant in the cooling device 10 from rising and flowing into the tank 51. For this reason, compared with the case where the connection pipe valve 53 is not provided, the amount of the refrigerant flowing into the tank 51 from the cooling device 10 can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of refrigerant released to the outside air through the exhaust pipe 54 can be reduced. Thus, by providing the connection pipe valve 53, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the refrigerant in the cooling device 10.

  Therefore, according to the cooling unit 100 in the first embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant in the cooling device is reduced even when a refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant is used. The air mixed in the cooling device 10 can be efficiently discharged while being suppressed.

  The connection pipe valve 53 can be opened and closed even while the cooling device 10 is operating. For this reason, the air mixed in the cooling device 10 can be discharged without stopping the operation of the cooling device 10. As a result, the failure of the cooling device 10 can be suppressed, and the cooling device 10 can be continuously operated continuously.

  In particular, when a refrigerant that changes phase into a liquid phase refrigerant and a gas phase refrigerant is used in the cooling device 10, the following two problems arise when air enters the cooling device 10.

  That is, as a first problem, when a phase change occurs in the refrigerant, the volume greatly differs between the liquid phase refrigerant and the gas phase refrigerant. For this reason, for example, when the phase of the refrigerant changes from a liquid phase refrigerant to a gas phase refrigerant, the pressure in the cooling device 10 increases. And if air mixes in a refrigerant | coolant in the state in which the pressure in the cooling device 10 raised, in the cooling device 10, the partial pressure by air will be added to the pressure by a refrigerant | coolant. For this reason, the pressure in the cooling device 10 rises more. An increase in the pressure in the cooling device 10 causes a failure of the cooling device 10 itself.

  As a second problem, since the gas phase density of air is smaller than the gas phase density of the refrigerant, when air is mixed into the cooling device 10, the air accumulates in the upper portion of the cooling device 10. For this reason, circulation of the refrigerant in the cooling device 10 is hindered, the cooling function of the cooling device 10 is lowered, and when forced circulation is performed by the pump, the electric power of the pump is increased.

  On the other hand, in the cooling unit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as described above, even if a refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant is used, it is mixed in the cooling device 10. Therefore, the above two problems can be solved.

  That is, regarding the first problem, as described above, the cooling unit 100 uses the air mixed in the cooling device 10 even when a refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant is used. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the application of partial pressure due to air in the cooling device 10. Therefore, an increase in the pressure of the cooling device 10 can also be suppressed. As a result, the occurrence of a failure of the cooling device 10 itself can be suppressed.

  Regarding the second problem, as described above, the cooling unit 100 discharges air mixed in the cooling device 10 even when a refrigerant that changes phase between a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant is used. Therefore, it is possible to suppress air from accumulating at the upper part of the cooling device 10. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the refrigerant circulation in the cooling device 10 from being hindered due to the air in the cooling device 10, to suppress the deterioration of the cooling function of the cooling device 10, and to perform forced circulation with a pump. Can suppress an increase in power of the pump.

  In the cooling unit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the connection pipe 52 is connected to the steam pipe 13 at the highest place in the vertical direction G among the steam pipes 13. Air has a lower gas phase density than the refrigerant. For this reason, air accumulates in the highest place in the vertical direction G in the steam pipe 13. Therefore, by connecting the connecting pipe 52 of the air removing unit 50 to the highest place in the vertical direction G of the steam pipes 13, the air contained in the steam pipes 13 can flow into the tank 51 more efficiently. Can do. As a result, the air mixed in the cooling device 10 can be discharged more efficiently.

  In addition, the cooling unit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes an exhaust pipe 54 and an exhaust valve 55. The exhaust pipe 54 is connected to the upper side of the tank 51 in the vertical direction G. A vacuum pump P is connected to the exhaust pipe 54. The exhaust pipe 54 guides the air stored in the tank 51 to the vacuum pump P. The exhaust valve 55 opens and closes the exhaust pipe 55. Thus, by opening the exhaust valve 55, the air in the tank 51 can be discharged to the outside air through the exhaust pipe 55. Therefore, the air in the cooling unit 100 can be removed.

  Further, the air removing device (air removing unit 50) in the first embodiment of the present invention has a pipe (steam pipe 13) through which a liquid phase refrigerant and a phase change refrigerant change into a gas phase refrigerant. ) To remove air contained in the piping. The air removing device (air removing unit 50) includes a tank 51, a connecting pipe 52, and a connecting pipe valve 53. The tank 51 stores air contained in the pipe (steam pipe 13). The connecting pipe 52 is provided on the lower side of the tank 51 in the vertical direction G. The connection pipe 52 connects the tank 51 and the steam pipe 13. The connection pipe 52 guides air contained in the steam pipe 13 from the steam pipe 13 to the tank 51. The connection pipe valve 53 opens and closes the connection pipe 52. This air removal device (air removal unit 50) can also achieve the same effects as the cooling unit 100 described above.

  Moreover, in the air removal apparatus (air removal part 50) in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, the connection pipe | tube 52 is piping (steam) in the highest place in the vertical direction G among piping (steam pipe | tube 13). Connected to the tube 13). This air removal device (air removal unit 50) can also achieve the same effects as the cooling unit 100 described above.

<Second Embodiment>
The configuration of the cooling unit 100A in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the cooling unit 100A. FIG. 4 shows the vertical direction G for convenience of explanation. FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. In FIG. 4, constituent elements that are equivalent to the constituent elements shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cooling unit 100A includes a cooling device 10 and an air removing unit 50A. The cooling device 10 includes an evaporator 11, a condenser 12, a steam pipe 13, and a liquid pipe 14.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the air removing unit 50 </ b> A is attached to the steam pipe 13. The air removing unit 15 </ b> A can be attached to and detached from the steam pipe 13. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view schematically showing the configuration of the air removal unit 50A. The air removing unit 50A is also an air removing device of the present invention. The air removing unit 50 </ b> A removes air contained in the steam pipe 13. Preferably, the air removing unit 50 </ b> A is connected to the steam pipe 13 at the highest place in the vertical direction G among the steam pipes 13. Furthermore, preferably, the air removing unit 50A is provided at a place higher in the vertical direction G than the evaporator 11 and the condenser 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the air removal unit 50 includes a tank 51, a connection pipe 52, a connection pipe valve 53, an exhaust pipe 54, an exhaust valve 55, and a gas detection sensor 57. ing. The gas detection sensor 57 is a gas detection unit of the present invention.

  Here, the cooling unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 is compared with the cooling unit 100A shown in FIG. The cooling unit 100A illustrated in FIG. 4 differs from the cooling unit 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the air removing unit 50A includes a gas detection sensor 57.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the gas detection sensor 57 is attached to the tank 51. The gas detection sensor 57 detects whether a predetermined amount of air is stored in the tank 51. When the gas detection sensor 57 is provided, the cooling unit 100A includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the connection pipe valve 53, the exhaust valve 55, and the vacuum pump P according to the detection result of the gas detection sensor 57. Have

  The configuration of the cooling unit 100A has been described above.

  Next, since the operation of the cooling device 10 is as described in the first embodiment, the description will not be repeated here.

  Next, a method of removing air contained in the cooling device 10 will be described assuming that air is mixed into the cooling device when, for example, a refrigerant is injected into the cooling device 10.

  FIG. 6 is a flow for explaining a method of removing air contained in the cooling device 10 of the cooling unit 100A. In FIG. 6, constituent elements equivalent to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. Therefore, the description of the steps overlapping those in FIG. 3 is simplified.

  First, it is recognized that there is a suspicion that air has entered the cooling device 10 (step (S10)).

  Next, the connection pipe valve 53 of the air removing unit 50 is closed, and the vacuum pump P is evacuated through the exhaust pipe 54 with the exhaust valve 55 opened (S20). Thereby, the air in the tank 51 is removed, and the inside of the tank 51 is in a vacuum state.

  Next, the exhaust valve 55 is closed. Then, with the exhaust valve 55 closed, the connection pipe valve is opened and the cooling device 10 is operated for a certain period of time, so that the air in the cooling device 10 (particularly, the air contained in the steam pipe 13) is stored in the tank 51. The inside is filled (S30). The fixed time of S30 may be a time that allows the air contained in the cooling device 10 (particularly, the air contained in the steam pipe) to be filled in the tank 51 by circulating the refrigerant in the cooling device 10. Specifically, the fixed time of S30 is adjusted according to the amount of refrigerant and the amount of heat generated by the heating element HE.

  Next, the connection pipe valve 53 is closed (S40). As a result, air originally contained in the cooling device 10 (particularly, air contained in the steam pipe 13) is confined in the tank 51. Therefore, the air stored in the tank 51 does not flow into the steam pipe 13.

  Next, the gas detection sensor 57 detects whether the air stored in the tank 51 is less than a predetermined amount (for example, two-thirds of the capacity of the tank 51).

  When the gas detection sensor 57 detects that the air stored in the tank 51 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (S60, YES), the control unit (not shown) of the cooling unit 100A causes the air to enter the cooling device 10. It is determined that the air removal process is not included (S70), and no further control is performed on the connection pipe valve 53, the exhaust valve 55, and the vacuum pump P, and the air removal process ends.

  On the other hand, when the air stored in the tank 51 is not detected by the gas detection sensor 57 that the amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount (S60, NO), the control unit (not shown) of the cooling unit 100A Is included (S80), the processing of S50 is performed, and then the processing of S30 and thereafter is performed.

  Here, the fact that the air stored in the tank 51 is 2/3 or less of the capacity of the tank 51 means that the refrigerant stored in the tank is 1/3 or more of the capacity of the tank 51. Means that. When a refrigerant having a higher gas phase density than air flows into the tank 51 up to one third of the capacity of the tank 51, no air is contained in the cooling device 10 including the steam pipe 13. Therefore, the presence or absence of air in the cooling device 10 can be detected by detecting whether the air stored in the tank 51 is a predetermined amount (for example, two-thirds of the capacity of the tank 51) or less. The air removal process can be controlled based on the detection result.

  In the above description, the predetermined amount of air stored in the tank 51 is set to two thirds of the capacity of the tank 51, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the installation position of the gas detection sensor 57 can be adjusted in the vertical direction G of the tank 51 or the number of the gas detection sensors 57 can be adjusted according to the set content of the predetermined amount.

  The method for removing the air contained in the cooling device 10 has been described above. In this manner, air contained in the cooling device 10 (particularly, air contained in the steam pipe 13) can be removed from the cooling device 10.

  As described above, in the cooling unit 100A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the air removal unit 50A further includes the gas detection sensor 57 (gas detection unit). The gas detection sensor 57 detects whether the air stored in the tank 51 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The exhaust valve 55 opens and closes the exhaust pipe 54 based on the detection result of the gas detection sensor 57. Thus, by using the gas detection sensor 57, it is possible to detect whether the air stored in the tank 51 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Moreover, the presence or absence of the air in the cooling device 10 including the steam pipe 13 can be detected by detecting that the air stored in the tank 51 is a predetermined amount or less. Therefore, the cooling unit 100A can discharge the air in the outer tank 51 to the outside air through the exhaust pipe 54 after confirming the presence or absence of air in the cooling device 10 including the steam pipe 13. As a result, according to the cooling unit 100A, the refrigerant in the cooling device 10 can be prevented from being released to the outside air.

<Third Embodiment>
The configuration of the cooling unit 100B in the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the cooling unit 100B. FIG. 7 shows the vertical direction G for convenience of explanation. FIG. 7 corresponds to FIGS. In FIG. 7, constituent elements that are equivalent to the constituent elements shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the cooling unit 100B includes the cooling device 10 and an air removing unit 50B. The cooling device 10 includes an evaporator 11, a condenser 12, a steam pipe 13, and a liquid pipe 14.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the air removing unit 50 </ b> B is attached to the steam pipe 13. The air removing unit 15B can be attached to and detached from the steam pipe 13. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view schematically showing the configuration of the air removing unit 50B. The air removing unit 50B is also an air removing device of the present invention. The air removing unit 50B removes air contained in the steam pipe 13. Preferably, the air removal unit 50 </ b> B is connected to the steam pipe 13 at the highest place in the vertical direction G among the steam pipes 13. Furthermore, preferably, the air removing unit 50B is provided at a place higher in the vertical direction G than the evaporator 11 and the condenser 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the air removing unit 50B includes a tank 51, a connection pipe 52, a connection pipe valve 53, an exhaust pipe 54, an exhaust valve 55, and a connection pipe upper valve 58. It has.

  Here, the cooling unit 100A shown in FIG. 4 is compared with the cooling unit 100B shown in FIG. The cooling unit 100B described in FIG. 7 is different from the cooling unit 100A illustrated in FIG. 4 in that the air removing unit 50B includes a connection pipe upper valve 58.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the connecting pipe upper valve 58 is attached to the connecting pipe 52 above the connecting pipe valve 53 in the vertical direction G. The connecting pipe upper valve 58 opens and closes the connecting pipe 52 above the connecting pipe valve 53 in the vertical direction G.

  The configuration of the cooling unit 100B has been described above.

  Since the operation of the cooling device 10 is as described in the first embodiment, the description will not be repeated here.

  Next, a method of removing air contained in the cooling device 10 will be described assuming that air is mixed into the cooling device when, for example, a refrigerant is injected into the cooling device 10.

  FIG. 9 is a flow for explaining a method of removing air contained in the cooling device 10 of the cooling unit 100B. In FIG. 9, constituent elements equivalent to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 are given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 3 and FIG. Therefore, the description of the steps overlapping those in FIGS. 1 and 3 is simplified.

  First, it is recognized that there is a suspicion that air has entered the cooling device 10 (step (S10)).

  Next, the connection pipe upper valve 58 of the air removing section 50 is opened, the connection pipe valve 53 is closed, and the exhaust valve 55 is opened, and the vacuum pump P is used to evacuate the exhaust pipe 55 (see FIG. S20A). Thereby, the air in the tank 51 is removed, and the inside of the tank 51 is in a vacuum state.

  Next, the exhaust valve 55 is closed. Then, with the exhaust valve 55 closed, both the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 28 are opened, and the cooling device 10 is operated for a certain period of time, so that the air in the cooling device 10 (particularly, the steam pipe 13). The air contained therein is filled into the tank 51 (S30A). Note that the fixed time of S30A may be a time that allows the tank 51 to be filled with air contained in the cooling device 10 (particularly, air contained in the steam pipe) by circulating the refrigerant in the cooling device 10. Specifically, the fixed time of S30A is adjusted according to the amount of refrigerant and the amount of heat generated by the heating element HE. By opening both the connecting pipe valve 53 and the connecting pipe upper valve 28 and operating the cooling device 10 for a certain period of time, air having a lower gas phase density than the refrigerant flows into the tank 51.

  Next, only the connection pipe valve 53 is closed (S40A). As a result, air originally contained in the cooling device 10 (particularly, air contained in the steam pipe 13) is confined in the tank 51. Therefore, the air stored in the tank 51 does not flow into the steam pipe 13.

  Next, after the connection pipe valve 53 is closed and operated for a predetermined time, the connection pipe upper valve 58 is closed (S90). As a result, both the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 58 are closed. At this time, the fixed time after the connection pipe valve 53 is closed is a sufficient time for the refrigerant and air mixed in the air removal unit 50B to be separated upward and downward in the vertical direction G due to the gas phase density difference therebetween. And Thereby, it will be in the state from which the refrigerant | coolant and air isolate | separated within the air removal part 50B. That is, the refrigerant accumulates in the connecting pipe 52 on the lower side in the vertical direction G of the air removing unit 50B. More specifically, the refrigerant is confined between the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 58 of the connection pipe 52. Further, the air accumulates in the tank 51 on the upper side in the vertical direction G of the air removing unit 50B. The fixed time of S90 may be a time that allows the tank 51 to be filled with air contained in the cooling device 10 (particularly, air contained in the steam pipe) by circulating the refrigerant in the cooling device 10. Specifically, the predetermined time of S90 is adjusted according to the amount of refrigerant and the amount of heat generated by the heating element HE.

  Finally, the air in the tank 51 is removed by evacuating with the vacuum pump P through the exhaust pipe 54 (S50). Specifically, the exhaust valve 55 is opened, and the vacuum pump P is used to evacuate. Thereby, the air stored in the tank 51 can be discharged to the outside air. As a result, the pressure in the cooling device 10 becomes equal to the saturated vapor pressure of the refrigerant, and the boiling point of the refrigerant sealed in the cooling device 10 is near room temperature. At this time, the refrigerant contained in the air removing unit 50B is separated from the air by the process of S90, and is confined between the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 58 of the connection pipe 52. Therefore, it can suppress that the refrigerant | coolant in the cooling device 10 discharge | releases to external air. That is, the amount of refrigerant released from the cooling device 10 to the outside air can be reduced.

  The method for removing the air contained in the cooling device 10 has been described above. In this manner, air contained in the cooling device 10 (particularly, air contained in the steam pipe 13) can be removed from the cooling device 10.

  As described above, in the cooling unit 100B according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the air removing unit 50B further includes the connecting pipe upper valve 58. The connecting pipe upper valve 58 opens and closes the connecting pipe 52 above the connecting pipe valve 53 in the vertical direction G.

  Thus, in the cooling unit 100B, in addition to the connection pipe valve 53, the connection pipe upper valve 28 is provided. Therefore, both the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 28 can be opened, and the tank 51 can be filled with the air in the cooling device 10 (particularly, the air contained in the steam pipe 13). At this time, by opening both the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 28, the vicinity of the connection portion between the steam pipe 13 and the connection pipe 52 is in a turbulent state. In this state, the refrigerant circulates in the cooling device 10. For this reason, the refrigerant circulating in the cooling device 10 may flow into the connection pipe 53 of the air removal unit 50B from the connection part of the steam pipe 13 and the connection pipe 52 together with air.

  Therefore, after both the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 28 are opened, only the connection pipe valve 53 is closed first, and the refrigerant and the air are separated in the air removing unit 50B over a certain period of time. The pipe upper valve 58 is closed, and the refrigerant is confined between the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 58 of the connection pipe 52. The fixed time may be a time that allows the tank 51 to be filled with air (particularly, air contained in the steam pipe) contained in the cooling device 10 by circulating the refrigerant in the cooling device 10. Specifically, the fixed time is adjusted according to the amount of refrigerant and the amount of heat generated by the heating element HE.

  That is, by opening both the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 28 and then closing only the connection pipe valve 53 first, the air originally contained in the cooling device 10 (particularly, in the steam pipe 13). Is contained in the tank 51. Therefore, the air stored in the tank 51 does not flow into the steam pipe 13.

  Then, after the connection pipe valve 53 is closed and operated for a certain time, the connection pipe upper valve 58 is closed, whereby both the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 58 are closed. Thereby, it will be in the state from which the refrigerant | coolant and air isolate | separated within the air removal part 50B. That is, the refrigerant accumulates in the connecting pipe 52 on the lower side in the vertical direction G of the air removing unit 50B. More specifically, the refrigerant is confined between the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 58 of the connection pipe 52. Further, the air accumulates in the tank 51 on the upper side in the vertical direction G of the air removing unit 50B. The fixed time may be a time that allows the tank 51 to be filled with air (particularly, air contained in the steam pipe) contained in the cooling device 10 by circulating the refrigerant in the cooling device 10. Specifically, the fixed time is adjusted according to the amount of refrigerant and the amount of heat generated by the heating element HE.

  Thus, the refrigerant and the air are separated in the air removing unit 50B. That is, the refrigerant contained in the air removal unit 50B is separated from the air and is confined between the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection pipe upper valve 58 of the connection pipe 52. Therefore, when the inside of the tank 51 is evacuated by the vacuum pump P or the like, only the air in the tank 51 of the air removal unit 50B is released to the outside air, and the connection pipe valve 53 and the connection of the connection pipe 52 of the air removal unit 50B. The refrigerant confined between the pipe upper valves 58 is not released to the outside air. As a result, the refrigerant in the cooling device 10 can be prevented from being released to the outside air. That is, the amount of refrigerant released from the cooling device 10 to the outside air can be reduced.

  In the above description of the embodiment, it has been described that the air removing unit 50 can be attached to and detached from the steam pipe 30, but may be fixed to the steam pipe 30 so that it cannot be removed.

  The present invention has been described above based on the embodiment. The embodiment is an exemplification, and various modifications, increases / decreases, and combinations may be added to the above-described embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications to which these changes, increases / decreases, and combinations are also within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Cooling device 11 Evaporator 12 Condenser 13 Steam pipe 14 Liquid pipe 50 Air removal part 51 Tank 52 Connection pipe 53 Connection pipe valve 54 Exhaust piping 55 Exhaust valve 57 Gas detection sensor 58 Connection pipe upper valve 100, 100A, 100B Cooling unit P Vacuum pump

Claims (7)

A cooling unit that circulates a liquid phase refrigerant and a phase change refrigerant into a gas phase refrigerant having a larger gas phase density than air,
An evaporator that receives the heat of the heating element;
A condenser that dissipates heat received by the evaporator;
A vapor pipe connecting the evaporator and the condenser and leading the refrigerant from the evaporator to the condenser;
A liquid pipe connecting the evaporator and the condenser and leading the refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator;
An air removal section for removing air contained in the steam pipe,
The air removing unit is
A tank for storing air contained in the steam pipe;
A connecting pipe that is provided on the lower side in the vertical direction of the tank, connects the tank and the steam pipe, and guides air contained in the steam pipe from the steam pipe to the tank;
A cooling unit having a connection pipe valve for opening and closing the connection pipe.   2. The cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein the connection pipe is connected to the steam pipe at the highest place in the vertical direction among the steam pipes. Connected to the upper side of the tank in the vertical direction, connected to a vacuum pump, and exhaust piping for guiding the air stored in the tank to the vacuum pump;
The cooling unit according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust valve that opens and closes the exhaust pipe. The air removal unit further includes a gas detection unit that detects whether the air stored in the tank is equal to or less than a predetermined amount,
The cooling unit according to claim 3, wherein the exhaust valve opens and closes the exhaust pipe based on a detection result of the gas detection unit.   The cooling unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air removing unit further includes a connection pipe upper valve that opens and closes the connection pipe above the connection pipe valve in a vertical direction. An air removal device that is connected to a pipe through which a refrigerant having a gas phase density larger than air and flows into a liquid phase refrigerant and a gas phase refrigerant flows, and removes air contained in the pipe,
A tank for storing air contained in the pipe;
A connecting pipe that is provided on the lower side in the vertical direction of the tank, connects the tank and the pipe, and guides air contained in the pipe from the pipe to the tank;
An air removing device having a connection pipe valve for opening and closing the connection pipe.   The air removal device according to claim 6, wherein the connection pipe is connected to the pipe at the highest place in the vertical direction among the pipes.

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