JP2023102420A - Method for charging refrigerant into refrigeration cycle device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for charging a refrigerant into a refrigeration cycle device, which can easily charge an appropriate amount of the refrigerant without information such as a receiver tank capacity, an evaporator, a pipe length, and the like.SOLUTION: A method for charging a refrigerant into a refrigeration cycle device 1, in which the refrigeration cycle device 1 is provided with an air bubble detection device 2 for detecting air bubbles generated in the refrigeration cycle device 1. When the refrigerant is charged into the refrigeration cycle device 1, while the air bubble detection device 2 detects air bubbles in a state that the refrigeration cycle device 1 is in operation, the method continues charging of the refrigerant, and when the air bubble detection device 2 no longer detects air bubbles, the method stops charging of the refrigerant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a refrigerant charging method for a refrigerating cycle device, which is capable of charging an appropriate amount of refrigerant into a refrigerating cycle device used in refrigerating equipment, air conditioning equipment, and the like.

Conventionally, when filling a refrigeration cycle device such as a refrigeration equipment with a refrigerant, the size of the refrigerator (capacity of the receiver tank), evaporator, pipe length, etc. are calculated by various methods to determine the filling amount, and the determined amount of refrigerant is filled.

However, the charging amount calculated by the above method is poor in accuracy, and it may be overfilled or underfilled with respect to the appropriate charging amount, and in the case of overcharging, the refrigerant cost rises and causes equipment trouble.In addition, when a leak occurs, it cannot be noticed immediately, and a large amount of refrigerant (for example, Freon gas) is released into the atmosphere. In addition, in the case of underfilling, the refrigerating capacity is lower than the appropriate value, and this lowering of the refrigerating capacity increases the operating time of the refrigerating cycle device, which causes the problem of increased running costs (electricity costs, etc.).

Furthermore, in the above conventional method, if there is no numerical information regarding the capacity of the receiver tank, the evaporator, the pipe length, etc., the numerical values must be checked and measured, which is a very troublesome task.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems associated with conventional refrigerant charging methods as described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerant charging method for a refrigeration cycle device that can easily charge an appropriate amount of refrigerant without information such as the capacity of the receiver tank, the evaporator, and the pipe length.

The gist of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A method for filling a refrigerating cycle device 1 with a refrigerant, wherein the refrigerating cycle device 1 is provided with an air bubble detection device 2 for detecting air bubbles generated in the refrigerating cycle device 1, and when the refrigerant is charged into the refrigerating cycle device 1, charging of the refrigerant is continued while the air bubble detection device 2 detects the air bubbles while the refrigeration cycle device 1 is in operation, and charging of the refrigerant is stopped when the air bubble detection device 2 stops detecting the air bubbles. The present invention relates to a refrigerant charging method for

In addition, in the refrigerant charging method for the refrigerating cycle device according to claim 1, the air bubble detection device 2 is provided between the receiver tank 3 and the expansion valve 4 of the refrigerating cycle device 1 on the downstream side of the receiver tank 3 and on the upstream side of the expansion valve 4.

Further, in the refrigerant filling method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, the air bubble detection device 2 includes an ultrasonic transmission unit 5 that transmits ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic reception unit 6 that is provided in a state facing the ultrasonic transmission unit 5 and receives the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic transmission unit 5. When a state occurs in which the ultrasonic transmission unit 5 transmits the ultrasonic waves and the ultrasonic reception unit 6 cannot receive the ultrasonic waves, it is determined that an air bubble has been detected. The present invention relates to a refrigerant charging method for a refrigeration cycle device, characterized in that it is configured as follows.

In addition, in the refrigerant charging method for the refrigerating cycle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, gaseous refrigerant is charged from the suction port 7a side of the compressor 7 of the refrigerating cycle device 1. It relates to the refrigerant charging method for the refrigerating cycle device.

As described above, the present invention is an epoch-making refrigerant charging method for a refrigerating cycle device that can easily fill an appropriate amount without overfilling or underfilling even without information such as receiver tank capacity, evaporator, pipe length, etc.

It is an explanatory view showing the attachment position of the air bubble detection device in the present embodiment.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to the drawings showing the operation of the present invention.

In the refrigeration cycle device 1, when the amount of refrigerant charged is less than an appropriate amount, the refrigerant cannot exceed the saturated liquid line in the receiver tank 3, and a phenomenon occurs in which part of the refrigerant remains as bubbles (flash gas). The present invention utilizes this phenomenon.

In the present invention, while the air bubble detection device 2 provided in the refrigeration cycle device 1 is being operated, the refrigerant charging is continued while the air bubble detection device 2 provided in the refrigeration cycle device 1 is checking whether air bubbles are generated in the refrigeration cycle device 1, that is, while the air bubble detection device 2 is detecting air bubbles, and the refrigerant charging is stopped when the air bubble detection device 2 stops detecting air bubbles.

As a result, the refrigerating cycle device 1 can be filled with an appropriate amount without being overfilled or underfilled.

Specifically, since the amount of refrigerant charged is less than the appropriate amount for a while after the start of charging, the refrigerating capacity does not increase to a predetermined capacity (appropriate refrigerating capacity of the refrigeration cycle device), and the refrigerant in the receiver tank 3 does not reach supercooling and air bubbles remain. Therefore, during this time, the air bubble detection device 2 continues to detect air bubbles.

After that, when the amount of refrigerant charged becomes a proper amount, the refrigeration cycle device 1 attains a predetermined (appropriate) refrigerating capacity, the vaporization of the refrigerant in the condenser 8 is suppressed, air bubbles are no longer generated, and the refrigerant that has flowed into the receiver tank 3 is supercooled, so that the air bubble detection device 2 no longer detects air bubbles.

In this way, while the air bubble detection device 2 is detecting air bubbles, the refrigerant charge amount in the refrigeration cycle device 1 is less than the appropriate value, and when the air bubble detection device 2 stops detecting air bubbles, it can be determined that the refrigerant charge amount in the refrigeration cycle device 1 has reached the appropriate value.

Therefore, the present invention is an epoch-making refrigerant charging method for a refrigerating cycle device that can easily fill an appropriate amount without overfilling or underfilling, even without information such as the size of the refrigerator (capacity of the receiver tank 3), the evaporator 11, the pipe length, etc. The proper amount means the minimum necessary amount of refrigerant that allows the refrigeration cycle device 1 to exhibit proper refrigerating capacity.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The present embodiment is a method for charging a refrigerant into a refrigerating cycle device 1. The refrigerating cycle device 1 is provided with an air bubble detection device 2 for detecting air bubbles generated in the refrigerating cycle device 1. When the refrigerant is charged into the refrigerating cycle device 1, charging of the refrigerant is continued while the air bubble detecting device 2 detects the air bubbles while the refrigerating cycle device 1 is in operation, and charging of the refrigerant is stopped when the air bubble detecting device 2 no longer detects the air bubbles. It is a refrigerant charging method to.

First, in this embodiment, the air bubble detection device 2 provided in the refrigeration cycle device 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air bubble detection device 2 includes an ultrasonic transmission section 5, an ultrasonic reception section 6, and an ultrasonic reception determination section 9. As shown in FIG.

The ultrasonic transmission unit 5 is configured to transmit ultrasonic waves at a frequency (for example, 10 MHz or less, preferably 5 MHz or less, more preferably 3 MHz or less) at which propagation is interrupted by the presence of air bubbles.

Further, the ultrasonic wave receiving section 6 is provided facing the ultrasonic wave transmitting section 5 and configured to receive the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic wave transmitting section 5 .

Specifically, the ultrasonic transmission unit 5 and the ultrasonic reception unit 6 are provided with a clamp-on type flow sensor (in this embodiment, a type that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves with a frequency of 1 MHz) that is used in a general ultrasonic flow meter that is commercially available.

Further, the ultrasonic wave transmitter 5 and the ultrasonic wave receiver 6 are provided between the receiver tank 3 and the expansion valve 4 of the refrigeration cycle device 1 on the downstream side of the receiver tank 3 and the upstream side of the expansion valve 4 .

Specifically, in this embodiment, an ultrasonic transmitter 5 and an ultrasonic receiver 6 (bubble detector 2) are provided downstream of the receiver tank 3, as shown in the drawing. The attachment positions of the ultrasonic wave transmitter 5 and the ultrasonic wave receiver 6 (bubble detection device 2) are not limited to the positions described above. For example, they may be attached near the expansion valve 4.

In addition, the ultrasonic reception determination unit 9 receives a signal transmitting ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmission unit 5 (hereinafter referred to as "ultrasonic transmission signal") and a signal receiving ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic transmission unit 5 from the ultrasonic reception unit 6 (hereinafter referred to as "ultrasonic reception signal"). 6, it is determined that transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves to and from 6 are interrupted due to the presence of air bubbles, and a signal for air bubble detection is output.

Specifically, the ultrasonic reception determination unit 9 is connected to the ultrasonic transmission unit 5 and the ultrasonic reception unit 6, and is configured to receive an ultrasonic transmission signal from the ultrasonic transmission unit 5 and an ultrasonic reception signal from the ultrasonic reception unit 6. When the ultrasonic transmission signal is received and the ultrasonic reception signal is also received, it is determined that no bubbles are detected (no bubble generation). generation of air bubbles), and outputs the determination result to the result display unit 10 (for example, display monitor, sound, light emitting means, etc.).

The ultrasonic wave reception determination unit 9 and the result display unit 10 may be configured, for example, to transmit data to a server using IoT and manage the data using a personal computer, smart phone, or the like.

Next, the refrigerant filling method of this embodiment will be described in detail.

In this embodiment, in a state where the refrigeration cycle device 1 is operated, refrigerant charging is continued while the air bubble detection device 2 detects air bubbles, and refrigerant charging is stopped when the air bubble detection device 2 stops detecting air bubbles.

Specifically, gaseous refrigerant is charged from the suction port 7a side of the compressor 7 of the refrigeration cycle device 1 while checking whether or not air bubbles are detected on the result display unit 10 (in this embodiment, the display monitor 10) of the air bubble detection device 2.

Further, in this embodiment, in order to perform the filling operation more efficiently, an appropriate amount of refrigerant is filled in the refrigeration cycle device 1 in advance before filling using the air bubble detection device 2 .

Specifically, for example, when the capacity of the receiver tank 3, the evaporator 11, the pipe length, etc. are known, the appropriate amount is about 1/2 to 2/3 of the filling amount calculated from these (preferably as large as possible). As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for filling the refrigerant in a gaseous state while checking the air bubble detection device 2, and to perform the filling work more efficiently.

In addition, after the air bubble detection device 2 no longer detects air bubbles and the filling of the refrigerant is stopped, the air bubble detection device 2 is used again to check whether or not air bubbles are generated after leaving the refrigerant for a predetermined time (for example, 1 to 2 days).

In this embodiment, it is preferable to record the initial filling amount and display it, for example, in the unit. After that, for example, if a leak occurs, the filling amount must be similarly recorded even after repair.

Also, in this embodiment, it is possible to automate everything.

The effects of this embodiment will be described below.

In this embodiment, while the air bubble detection device 2 is detecting air bubbles, the refrigerant charge amount in the refrigeration cycle device 1 is less than the appropriate value, and when the air bubble detection device 2 stops detecting air bubbles, it can be determined that the refrigerant charge amount in the refrigeration cycle device 1 has reached the appropriate value. , it is possible to easily fill an appropriate filling amount without overfilling or underfilling.

Therefore, the present embodiment can be used not only for filling refrigerant into the refrigerating cycle device 1 of new refrigerating equipment, but also, for example, in the refrigerating cycle device 1 of existing refrigerating equipment, even if the remaining amount of refrigerant in the refrigerating cycle device 1 is unknown due to leakage of refrigerant, the refrigerating cycle device 1 can be easily filled with an appropriate amount without overfilling or underfilling. There is no need to perform wasteful work such as charging the refrigerant of the charging amount, and the effect of reducing the refrigerant cost is also exhibited.

In addition, this embodiment can be combined with a conventional method (conventional method) of calculating the filling amount from the capacity of the receiver tank 3, the evaporator 11, the pipe length, etc., so that the filling operation can be performed more efficiently.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the appropriate charging amount, that is, the minimum required charging amount for the refrigeration cycle device 1 to exhibit an appropriate refrigerating capacity can be charged without overcharging or undercharging, so device troubles caused by overcharging or undercharging of the refrigerant can be reduced as much as possible, and the effect of reducing the refrigerant cost and the electric power cost can also be exhibited.

Further, the air bubble detection device 2 of this embodiment can be used as a leakage detection device for the refrigeration cycle device 1 except during the filling operation.

That is, when leakage occurs in the refrigerating cycle device 1 filled with an appropriate amount of refrigerant, the refrigerating capacity decreases due to the decrease in the amount of refrigerant, the temperature of the refrigerant rises in the condenser 8, and a phenomenon occurs in which a part of the refrigerant vaporizes and bubbles are generated. When leakage occurs, bubbles are immediately generated and can be detected by the bubble detection device 2, so the leakage can be detected early, the amount of refrigerant leakage can be minimized, and excellent effects can be exhibited from the viewpoint of global warming prevention.

Also, when the refrigerant is replenished after the leakage is dealt with, by charging the refrigerant by the refrigerant charging method of the present embodiment, the refrigerant charge amount becomes the refrigerant leakage amount, so the accurate refrigerant leakage amount can be easily grasped.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the specific configuration of each component can be appropriately designed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 refrigeration cycle device 2 bubble detector 3 receiver tank 4 expansion valve 5 ultrasonic transmitter 6 ultrasonic receiver 7 compressor 7a suction port

That is, when leakage occurs in the refrigeration cycle device 1 filled with an appropriate amount of refrigerant, the amount of refrigerant decreases, resulting in a decrease in refrigeration capacity.,coldSince a part of the medium evaporates and bubbles are generated, leakage of the refrigerant can be detected at an early stage by checking whether bubbles are generated in the refrigeration cycle device 1 with the bubble detection device 2 during normal operation. Moreover, when the refrigerant is charged by the refrigerant charging method of the present embodiment, the refrigeration cycle device 1 is filled with the minimum required amount of refrigerant. The amount of refrigerant leakage can be minimized, and an excellent effect can be exhibited also from the viewpoint of global warming prevention.

Claims (4)

A method of charging a refrigerant into a refrigeration cycle device, wherein the refrigeration cycle device is equipped with an air bubble detection device for detecting air bubbles generated in the refrigeration cycle device, and when the refrigerant is charged into the refrigeration cycle device, charging of the refrigerant is continued while the air bubble detection device detects the air bubbles while the refrigeration cycle device is in operation, and charging of the refrigerant is stopped when the air bubble detection device stops detecting the air bubbles. 2. The method for charging refrigerant into a refrigerating cycle device according to claim 1, wherein the air bubble detection device is provided between a receiver tank and an expansion valve of the refrigerating cycle device, downstream of the receiver tank and upstream of the expansion valve. 3. The refrigerant filling method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air bubble detection device includes an ultrasonic transmission section that transmits ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic reception section that is provided facing the ultrasonic transmission section and receives the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic transmission section. A refrigerant charging method for a cycle device. 4. The method for charging a refrigerant into a refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1, wherein gaseous refrigerant is charged from a suction port side of a compressor of the refrigeration cycle device.

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