JP4223917B2 - Air conditioner with flow sensor function - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner with a flow sensor function, in particular, an absorption chiller / heater having an absorber, a low temperature regenerator, a high temperature regenerator, an evaporator, a condenser, a solution heat exchanger, an evaporator, a condenser, Even if the main body of an air conditioner such as a compression refrigerator having a compressor calculates the capacity during normal operation and does not have a means for receiving a signal directly from an external measuring device, the main body of the air conditioner itself is in operation. The present invention relates to an air conditioner equipped with a device based on a simple measurement system that can evaluate the ability, malfunction, and the like.

  Air conditioners, for example, absorption chiller / heaters, are usually equipped with temperature sensors that measure the temperature of chilled / warm water, cooling water, and heat sources to monitor and control their operating conditions. Some machines are equipped with pressure sensors and ammeters depending on the operating conditions. However, there is no chiller / heater equipped with a device that measures the flow rate required to calculate the capacity (heat amount) during operation. For this purpose, a flow meter, thermometer, calorimeter, electric energy, etc., which are independent from the chiller / heater, have been installed in the past. We were evaluating.

  For this reason, the capacity of the chiller / heater itself during operation can only be confirmed indirectly, and the capacity during operation compared to the temperature data of each part during operation can be evaluated directly with the operation data of the machine. It was not possible to judge whether it was a reasonable value or whether the temperature of each part was a reasonable temperature compared to the load capacity during operation. Therefore, even if the machine itself is malfunctioning and inefficient, it is difficult to detect it objectively, and there are cases in which malfunction cannot be detected until the chilled water heater or equipment stops due to machine trouble. It was.

  Conventionally, as an absorption-type cold / hot water machine, what was illustrated in FIG. 4 is known. This absorption chiller / heater constitutes a reverse cycle in which an absorbing liquid (for example, an aqueous solution of lithium bromide) flows from the absorber 10 through the low temperature regenerator 14 to the high temperature regenerator 18. The absorption cycle in the absorption chiller / heater will be described. First, an absorption liquid (rare absorption liquid) whose concentration has been reduced by absorbing a large amount of refrigerant vapor in the absorber 10 is transferred from the absorber 10 to the low-temperature heat exchanger 12. After being supplied and heated by the low-temperature heat exchanger 12, it is supplied to the low-temperature regenerator 14. The rare absorbing liquid is regenerated at a low temperature in the low temperature regenerator 14, and a part of the absorbed refrigerant is discharged, and the concentration is increased by that amount to become an intermediate concentration absorbing liquid (intermediate absorbing liquid). Next, the intermediate absorbent is fed from the low temperature regenerator 14 to the high temperature heat exchanger 16, heated by the high temperature heat exchanger 16, and then fed to the high temperature regenerator 18.

  The intermediate absorbing liquid is regenerated at a high temperature in the high temperature regenerator 18, and a part of the refrigerant (for example, water vapor) absorbed is discharged to further increase the concentration to become a high concentration absorbing liquid (concentrated absorbing liquid). . And this concentrated absorption liquid is returned to the heating side of the high temperature heat exchanger 16 as a heating source for heating the intermediate absorption liquid, and further, the heating source for heating the rare absorption liquid to the heating side of the low temperature heat exchanger 12 Is returned to the absorber 10. The returned concentrated absorbent is sprayed on the heat transfer tube in the absorber 10 and again absorbs the refrigerant vapor while being cooled by the cooling water to become the rare absorbent. 32 and 34 are absorption liquid pumps, 36 is a refrigerant pump, 38 is a cooling water pump, 40 is a cold / hot water pump, and 42 is a cooling / heating switching valve.

In such an absorption chiller / heater, the high-temperature regenerator 18 is provided with a combustion unit 20, and the refrigerant absorbed by the heating of the intermediate absorption liquid is released. After being used as a heating source in the low temperature regenerator 14 by the low temperature regenerator 14, it is returned to the condenser 22 and condensed. For example, in the case of cold water operation, the refrigerant liquid (for example, water) from the condenser 22 enters the evaporator 24, and the condensed refrigerant liquid is circulated by the refrigerant pump 36 through the heat transfer tube (water flows through the evaporator 24). ) And cooled by latent heat of evaporation to obtain cold water. Instead of providing a combustion section in the high temperature regenerator, steam (steam) or hot water generated from the boiler may be introduced into the high temperature regenerator. A bypass pipe 30 is provided to connect the absorption liquid pipe 26 from the low temperature regenerator 14 and the heating side absorption liquid pipe 28 between the high temperature heat exchanger 16 and the low temperature heat exchanger 12. A part of the intermediate concentrated absorbent that comes out and is supplied to the high-temperature regenerator 18 is bypassed to the concentrated absorbent pipe that returns to the absorber 10. Thus, what is shown in FIG. 4 is known as an example of the conventional absorption-type cold / hot water machine (for example, refer patent document 1).
JP 2002-39643 A (page 4, FIG. 2)

In a conventional air conditioner, for example, an absorption chiller / heater, when the chiller / heater itself tries to evaluate the capacity during operation, the chiller / heater body is equipped with a flow meter or the flow rate is measured from an external flow meter. The only way to do this is to capture the signal directly and perform the calculation. However, this requires an enormous amount of equipment attached to the chiller / heater itself, which is not realistic in terms of mounting position and price.
In addition, when a flow rate signal is captured, the signal conversion device prepared on the chiller / heater side becomes complicated due to the types and conditions of signals that differ for each customer facility, which is not practical in terms of compliance with the specification conditions and price. Furthermore, there is a problem that if such measurement is performed using existing facilities, the measurement becomes more complicated and expensive.

  The present invention converts the signals sent from various flow sensors into numerical values to monitor and evaluate the capacity during operation of the air conditioner main body, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor of the air conditioner main body, and the flow rate converted into the numerical values The most important feature is that it is equipped with a function to convert the signal from the flow sensor into a numerical value that can be used for flow rate calculation so that the capacity of the air conditioner can be constantly monitored using the value of the signal. Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to the temperature measured by the main body of the air conditioner, a function of reading the count value of an external flow rate measuring device and using it for its own calculation data is provided.

  In the present invention, unlike the conventional signal transmission means, the numerical value displayed by the image sensor (monitoring sensor) is used to read the numerical value displayed on the flow meter of the customer's facility or the existing flow meter, and the numerical value is registered in advance. It is characterized by an air conditioner equipped with a control system having a control device having a function of converting a numerical value of an image that matches with an image into a digital signal and taking it into a computing unit as data. Note that image sensors and devices that convert image data into numerical data and character data are already well known, but there are no examples of using them for air conditioning capacity and heat management.

In this way, once equipped with a control device that has the function of reading a numerical value with an image sensor and converting it to a digital signal, the air conditioner side can be easily connected without being constrained by existing equipment, new equipment, signal types, etc. Since it is possible to perform arithmetic processing in the system, system management becomes easy.
An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner equipped with a control function that makes it possible to easily manage data using these existing devices, and a control device that uses these to manage the operating state and capacity of the air conditioner. It is to provide.

  The air conditioner with a flow sensor function according to the present invention is provided with a monitoring sensor in the vicinity of at least one of various flow meters used for performance evaluation of the air conditioning body, and the monitoring sensor has a management panel for calorie calculation / performance evaluation. Connect the operation / control panel to this control panel, convert the signal sent from the monitoring sensor into a numerical value, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor of the air conditioner body, and the value of the flow signal converted into a numerical value With the function of constantly monitoring the capacity of the air conditioner, it has a function to convert the signal from the monitoring sensor into a numerical value that can be used for flow rate calculation, and can monitor and evaluate the capacity during operation It is characterized by doing so.

  The air conditioner with a flow rate sensor function of the present invention is the above air conditioner, wherein the flow meter is an external flow rate measuring device, and in addition to the temperature measured by the air conditioning unit body, the count value of the external flow rate measuring device It is characterized by having a function that is read by a monitoring sensor and used for calculation data of the air conditioner itself.

In these air conditioners with a flow sensor function, the monitoring sensor includes a graphic reading means for reading a graphic (shaded) on the display panel of the flow meter, and a digital numerical value converting means for converting the read graphic into a digital numerical value. And an arithmetic means for calculating the digital numerical value as a flow rate data signal.
The air conditioner is any one of an absorption chiller / heater, a compression chiller such as a turbo chiller, a heat pump chiller / heater, and a boiler.
An example of the air conditioner is an absorption chiller / heater, and the flow meter is at least one of a chilled water flow meter, a chilled / hot water flow meter, and a heating fuel flow meter.

As the image sensor (monitoring sensor), it is preferable to use a sensor that identifies a numerical value from 0 to 9, or a sensor that counts the number of times the numerical value from 0 to 9 is rotated and the display is sequentially inverted. In addition, as described above, the air conditioner is a device that requires air conditioning capacity and heat amount management such as an absorption chiller / heater, a compression chiller such as a turbo chiller, a heat pump chiller / heater, and a boiler chiller / heater. .
The flow meter displays digital values from 0 to 9 in 4 to 8 digits, or count type to display 4 to 8 digits by rotating the numerical values from 0 to 9 and rotating the display one after another. and so on. As a method of identifying and reading these values with the image sensor (pattern recognition), the number of digits set in advance and the value of each digit are read, the whole is replaced with numerical data, and the instantaneous value is calculated. There is a method of reading and counting the rotation of the.

The useful information in the external information that is used when monitoring the operating status and capacity of the air conditioner is the flow rate of cold and hot water used for evaluating the capacity (performance) of the air conditioner and used for evaluating heat input to the air conditioner. Therefore, it is the flow rate of gas, oil, steam, hot water in the case of the absorption type, or the amount of electric power in the case of the electric type.
For example, if you know the temperature signal from the temperature sensor of the air conditioner and the flow rate of the cold / hot water that is external information and the flow rate of the heating source, the amount of heat that converts the heat entering the air conditioner from the outside into cold or hot heat as the amount of cold / hot water heat ( Ability). Similarly, the amount of heat of the heating source entering the air conditioner from outside can be evaluated, and at the same time, the amount of heat consumed by the fuel of the air conditioner can be evaluated.
In the case of the electric type, if the amount of electric power as external information is known, the amount of heat of power entering the air conditioner from the outside as a power source can be evaluated, and at the same time, the electric consumption of the air conditioner can be evaluated. If the amount of heat (capacity) to be converted into cold or warm heat and the amount of heat from the heating source (power source) are known, the coefficient of performance or efficiency of the air conditioner can be known. That is, [the amount of heat (capacity) to be converted into cold or warm heat / heat amount of the heating source = coefficient of performance or heat exchange efficiency]

  Similarly, information useful for external information used when monitoring the operating state and capacity of the air conditioner includes the flow rate of cooling water for releasing heat to the cooling tower. If the cooling water flow rate is known, the amount of cooling heat released from the air conditioner to the cooling tower can be evaluated by the temperature signal of the temperature sensor of the air conditioner. This amount of cooling heat is a quantity of heat that is substantially equal to the amount of heat that includes both the heat that has entered the air conditioner as the cold / hot water heat amount and the heat that has entered the air conditioner as the heating source. Then, if these heat quantities are known, what is called a heat balance used when evaluating the operating state of the air conditioner will be understood. Since cooling water is not allowed to flow in the heating operation, it is used in the cooling operation. That is, [(amount of heat to convert to cold (capacity) + amount of heat of the heating source) / amount of heat for cooling = heat balance≈1]

If the flow rate of cold / hot water and the flow rate of the heating source are known from an external flow meter, the thermal efficiency can be understood, and if the flow rate of the cooling water is further understood, the heat balance can be known. Normally, these external flow rates that are not equipped with air conditioning units are read by monitoring sensors and used for calorific value calculation and performance evaluation, so that it is possible to monitor the calorific value and operating status with the operation / control panel of the air conditioning unit itself. Thus, it is possible to improve the function and reliability of the air conditioner. The present invention provides a monitoring system and a cooling / heating machine having a monitoring function that can be used not only for newly installed equipment but also for renewal equipment that uses existing equipment and updates only the cooling / heating equipment.
When the measurement position of the chilled water flow rate, cooling water flow rate, and heating source flow rate is far from the installation location of the air conditioning unit, a signal transmitter is installed in the flow rate monitoring sensor and the flow rate signal is sent wirelessly to the air conditioning unit You may do it. In this case, the air conditioner is naturally provided with a receiver.

  The air conditioner with a flow sensor of the present invention has a function of temporarily reading the numerical value of the flow meter with a monitoring sensor, converting it into a digital signal, and calculating it as a flow data signal. Arithmetic processing can be easily performed on the side of the air conditioner without being restricted by the air conditioner, the type of signal, and the like, and the system management is facilitated.

  For the purpose of facilitating the system management of the air conditioner, the numerical value displayed by the flow meter is captured by the monitoring sensor as an image, and this value is compared with the pre-registered numerical value digital value. This is realized by providing a control device having a function of converting the data into the calculation means and taking it into the calculation means.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications. FIG. 1 shows an air conditioner with a flow rate sensor function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As an example, a systematic schematic configuration diagram of an absorption chiller / heater, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a flow meter and a monitoring sensor. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a monitoring sensor. Note that the device numbers 10 to 42 in FIG. 1 are the same as the device numbers 10 to 42 in the conventional example shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cold / hot water flow meter 50 is provided in the cold / hot water line from the evaporator 24, and a monitoring sensor 52 is provided in the vicinity of the flow meter 50. A heating fuel flow meter 54 is provided in the fuel supply line to the high-temperature regenerator 18, and a monitoring sensor 56 is provided in the vicinity of the flow meter 54. Further, a cooling water flow meter 58 is provided in the cooling water line from the condenser 22, and a monitoring sensor 60 is provided in the vicinity of the flow meter 58.
These monitoring sensors 52, 56, 60 are connected to a calorific value calculation / performance evaluation management panel 62, and this management panel 62 is connected to an absorption chiller / heater operation / control panel 64. T1 is an evaporator inlet cold / hot water temperature sensor, T2 is an evaporator outlet cold / hot water temperature sensor, T3 is a refrigerant pump outlet refrigerant temperature sensor, T4 is a condenser outlet refrigerant temperature sensor, T5 is an absorber inlet cooling water temperature sensor, and T6 is An absorber outlet cooling water temperature sensor, T7 is a condenser outlet cooling water temperature sensor, T8 is an exhaust gas temperature sensor, and these temperature sensors T1 to T8 are connected to an absorption chiller operation / control panel 64.

  FIG. 2 is an image diagram showing a flow meter and a monitoring sensor. The monitoring sensor 52 (56, 60) reads the numerical value displayed on the display panel 66 of the flow meter 50 (54, 58) as a figure (shadow). That is, pattern recognition is performed. In this case, there are a method of counting and integrating the rotation of the numerical value of the last one digit, and a method of calculating the instantaneous value by reading the whole digit by digit.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a monitoring sensor for image reading. As shown in FIG. 3, the monitoring sensor 52 (56, 60) includes a figure (shadow) reading means 68 for reading a figure (shadow) on the display panel of the flowmeter, and a digital numerical value for the read figure (shadow). A digital numerical value converting means 70 for converting the digital numerical value into a flow rate data signal and a calculating means 72 for calculating the digital numerical value as a flow rate data signal. Then, the signal calculated by the calculation means 72 is sent to the calorie calculation / performance evaluation management panel 62 and used as capacity (calorie) evaluation data. As the figure reading means 68 for reading a figure (shadow), means such as an optical sensor, a CCD camera, a displacement sensor, a pattern sensor, a reflected light sensor, and a laser are used.

  Since it is the above structure, the signal sent from the monitoring sensor 52 (56, 60) is converted into a numerical value, and the temperature sensors T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7 and T8 of the chiller / heater body are converted. Using the temperature measured by at least one of the above and the value of the flow signal converted into a numerical value, the numerical value is such that the capacity of the chiller / heater is constantly monitored and the signal from the monitoring sensor can be used for flow calculation. Can be converted to In the case of an absorption chiller / heater, the flow meter and the monitoring sensor are preferably provided in three sets of a chilled / hot water line, a fuel supply line, and a cooling water line as shown in FIG. It is also possible to provide.

  In addition to the temperature measured by the chiller / heater main body, there may be a configuration in which a count value of an external flow rate measuring device is read and used for calculation data of the chiller / heater main body itself. In FIG. 1, the case of a double-effect absorption chiller / heater is described as an example, but a multi-effect absorption chiller / heater, such as a triple-effect absorption chiller / heater, or a single-effect (single-effect) absorption Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a type of hot and cold water heater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the systematic schematic block diagram of the absorption-type cold / hot water machine as an example which shows the air conditioning machine with a flow sensor function by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the flowmeter and monitoring sensor in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a structure of the monitoring sensor shown in FIG. 1, FIG. It is a systematic schematic block diagram which shows an example of the conventional absorption-type cold water heater.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Absorber 12 Low temperature heat exchanger 14 Low temperature regenerator 16 High temperature heat exchanger 18 High temperature regenerator 20 Combustion part 22 Condenser 24 Evaporator 26, 28 Absorption liquid piping 30 Bypass pipe 32, 34 Absorption liquid pump 36 Refrigerant pump 38 Cooling Water pump 40 Cooling / heating water pump 42 Cooling / heating switching valve 50 Cooling / heating water flow meter 52, 56, 60 Monitoring sensor 54 Heating fuel flow meter 58 Cooling water flow meter 62 Control panel for calorific value calculation / performance evaluation 64 Absorption type cooling / heating machine operation Control panel 66 Display panel 68 Graphic (shadow) reading means 70 Digital numerical value conversion means 72 Calculation means

Claims (1)

Close to the air conditioners to that flowmeter utilized to evaluate the performance of the body provided with a monitoring sensor, connect the heat calculations and performance evaluation management board to the sensor for the monitoring, connecting the operation and control panel in the management board Then, the signal sent from the monitoring sensor is converted into a numerical value, and the capacity of the air conditioning unit is constantly monitored using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor of the main unit of the air conditioning unit and the value of the flow signal converted into the numerical value. The air conditioner with a flow rate sensor function is equipped with a function to convert the signal from the monitoring sensor into a numerical value that can be used for flow rate calculation, and can monitor and evaluate the capacity during operation. The meter is an external flow meter, and in addition to the temperature measured by the air conditioner body, it has a function to read the count value of the external flow meter with a monitoring sensor and use it for the calculation data of the air conditioner body itself The monitoring sensor calculates a graphic reading means for reading the graphic on the display panel of the flow meter, a digital numerical value converting means for converting the read graphic into a digital numerical value, and calculates the digital numerical value as a flow data signal. And an air conditioner is an absorption chiller / heater, and a flow meter is at least one of a chilled water flow meter, a chilled / hot water flow meter, and a heating fuel flow meter. Air conditioner with flow sensor function .

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