JP5683373B2 - Cooling system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling device that cools an object or the like. In particular, by detecting the corrosion state of the metal, for example, the leakage of the refrigerant due to the corrosion of the heat transfer tube of the cooler of the cooling device is prevented in advance.

  For example, in a cooling device using a refrigeration cycle, when a year passes, a pipe through which the refrigerant passes may corrode. If the pipe is corroded and a hole is formed, refrigerant leakage including refrigeration oil occurs. In addition, a product produced by corrosion may be released into the space and adhere to a cooling target or the like. For this reason, conventionally, a part of the pipe of the refrigerant circuit heat exchanger that is circulated through the refrigerant is made thinner than the other pipes, so that it is damaged first. An apparatus capable of detecting corrosion of a cooling device by determining the presence or absence has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-257634 A

  For example, when the corrosion is detected by the conventional technique as described above, it is determined that the pipe in which the refrigerant circulates is broken in the refrigerant circuit, and thus the detection is performed after the refrigerant leakage occurs. For this reason, for example, it was not possible to prevent refrigerant leakage.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a cooling device for the progress of metal corrosion, for example, by preventing leakage of refrigerant and the like.

A cooling device according to the present invention includes a compressor that compresses and discharges a refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant by heat exchange, a throttling device that decompresses the refrigerant according to condensation, and a heat exchange target by heat exchange with the refrigerant. A refrigerant circuit is constructed by piping connection to a cooler that cools the heat transfer tube, and is made of the same material as the heat transfer tube that constitutes the cooler. The metal corrosion detection means having a thicker portion than the thickness is installed in close contact with the cooler at a position below the cooler where moisture generated in the cooler adheres.

  In the cooling device of the present invention, for example, the metal corrosion detection means having a thinner part than the heat transfer tube constituting the cooler is provided in a position different from the refrigerant circuit serving as the refrigerant flow path in the device. For example, before the refrigerant leaks due to metal corrosion, it can be detected that the metal corrosion has progressed, and the heat exchanger can be replaced systematically.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the cooling device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the metal corrosion detector 14 in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the installation position etc. of the metal corrosion detector 14 in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example, such as an installation position of the metal corrosion detector in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the apparatus structure etc. which concern on the metal corrosion detection in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the apparatus structure etc. which concern on the metal corrosion detection in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure which provided the metal corrosion detector 14d in Embodiment 4 of this invention in the cooler 9. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating another example of the structure which provided the metal corrosion detector 14d in Embodiment 4 of this invention in the cooler 9. FIG.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cooling device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the following embodiments, a cooling device that cools a target space or the like will be described as an example of a refrigeration cycle apparatus. The cooling device in FIG. 1 comprises a refrigerant circuit (refrigerant circulation circuit) in which a compressor 2, a condenser 3, a throttling device 8, and a cooler 9 are sequentially connected by a refrigerant pipe. In the present embodiment, the outdoor unit 1 having the compressor 2 and the condenser 3 and the indoor unit 7 having the expansion device 8 and the cooler 9 are connected by piping. As a refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit, for example, Freon refrigerant (R404A, etc. R410A), natural refrigerant (such as CO _2, NH _3), and the like.

  The outdoor unit 1 includes a compressor 2, a condenser 3, an outdoor air blowing means 4, a liquid reservoir 5, and an accumulator (ACC) 6. The compressor 2 sucks the refrigerant, compresses it, and discharges it in a high temperature / high pressure state. Here, it is desirable that the compressor 2 is formed of a compressor of a type that can adjust the discharge amount of the refrigerant, for example, by controlling the rotational speed of an inverter circuit or the like. The condenser 3 is a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between, for example, air outside the space to be cooled (outside air) and the refrigerant to condense and liquefy the refrigerant. The outdoor blowing means 4 can form a flow that allows air to pass through the condenser 3, and promotes heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant in the condenser 3. The liquid reservoir 5 stores excess refrigerant. The ACC 6 is provided to prevent liquid refrigerant from being sucked into the compressor 2 so that liquid refrigerant (liquid refrigerant) does not pass through.

  The indoor unit 7 includes a throttle device 8, a cooler 9, an indoor blower 10, a drain pan 11, a drain outlet 12, and a metal corrosion detector 14. For example, the expansion device 8 serving as an expansion valve, a flow rate adjusting means or the like adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant and expands it by reducing the pressure. For example, the cooler 9 serving as an evaporator is a heat exchanger that evaporates and gasifies the high-temperature side refrigerant by heat exchange. The air in the space to be cooled is cooled by heat exchange in the cooler 9, and for example, the object to be cooled accommodated in the space to be cooled is frozen, refrigerated, and the like. The indoor air blowing means 10 can form a flow that allows air to pass through the cooler 9 and promotes heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant in the cooler 9.

  The drain pan 11 is provided at a position below the cooler 9. The dripping water is received when the cooler 9 is defrosted. The drain outlet 12 is an outlet for draining water (drain water, condensed water) generated and dropped in the cooler 9 and received by the drain pan 11 to the outside of the indoor unit 7 through a water distribution pipe. The metal corrosion detector 14 is a detector for detecting metal corrosion using a metal corrosion component 13 such as a corrosive gas generated from food or the like. In the present embodiment, the drain pan 11 is provided. The metal corrosion detector 14 will be further described later.

  Here, the environment where the indoor unit 7 is installed will be described. Examples of the environment in which the indoor unit 7 is installed include a food processing plant and a food storage facility. By installing the indoor unit 7 in such a place and operating the cooling device, the temperature and humidity of the target space, the object to be processed, etc. are maintained.

  On the other hand, in an environment such as a food processing place or a storage place, a metal corrosive component 13 that corrodes a metal is released as gas, mist, or the like from the food itself or an object used in the processing step. The indoor unit 7 (particularly the pipe through which the refrigerant passes) is likely to be corroded by being exposed to such a metal corrosive component 13. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a metal corrosion detector 14 serving as a metal corrosion detection means is provided separately from the refrigerant circuit, and the corrosion state is detected before the pipe is damaged due to corrosion so as to prevent refrigerant leakage and the like. To do.

  Next, operation | movement of a cooling device is demonstrated based on the flow of a refrigerant | coolant. For example, high-temperature and high-pressure gas (gas) refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 enters the condenser 3 through the discharge pipe. The gas refrigerant led to the condenser 3 is liquefied by heat exchange in the condenser 3 by the outdoor air supplied by the outdoor air blowing means 4. Here, the condenser 3 has a structure in which fins formed of aluminum or the like are closely fixed to a heat transfer tube such as a copper pipe for the purpose of increasing the heat transfer area. The liquefied refrigerant passes through the liquid reservoir 5 and flows out of the outdoor unit 1 as a saturated liquid refrigerant.

  The refrigerant flowing into the indoor unit 7 is reduced in pressure by the expansion device 8 to become a two-phase refrigerant and passes through the cooler 9. Further, the two-phase refrigerant exchanges heat with the air supplied by the indoor air blowing means 10 in the cooler 9, evaporates and vaporizes to become a gaseous refrigerant, and flows out from the indoor unit 7. Then, it flows into the outdoor unit 1 again, and the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 2 through the ACC 6.

  As described above, the indoor unit 7 is installed and maintained at a constant temperature and humidity for the processing and storage of food and the like in the room where cooling is performed, but the metal corrosive component 13 generated from the food or the like is maintained. In some cases, pipes made of metal corrode. Here, the outline of the metal corrosion by the metal corrosion component 13 will be described.

  For example, in processing plants that cut vegetables, cleaning agents are used to wash the cut vegetables. In general, an aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid is often used as a cleaning agent because it has a high cleaning effect and has little influence on the human body in eating and drinking. And the process of washing | cleaning the cut vegetables with the huge tank filled with the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution is common. When washing with vegetables in the tank, hypochlorous acid water droplets and mist are scattered in the space to be cooled and adhere to the indoor unit 7 or the chlorine-based components of hypochlorous acid volatilize. It may rise up and be absorbed by moisture condensed on the indoor unit 7.

  Further, the metal corrosive component 13 may be generated directly from the food. For example, sulfur-based gas is generated from eggs, and organic acids are generated from fried foods. In any case, the metal corrosive component 13 is released into the space to be cooled, so that it is adsorbed by moisture condensed in the cooler 9 of the indoor unit 7 and adheres to the cooler 9. Further, the metal corrosive component 13 as described above adhering to the condensed moisture of the indoor unit 7 is concentrated by repeating the drying and condensation of the moisture. This is because when the metal corrosive component 13 is absorbed by moisture in the dew condensation part of the heat exchanger and then dried, almost only the corrosive component remains in the heat exchanger, and when dew condensation occurs again, new corrosion in the indoor air This is because the components are further adsorbed. As a result, the power of metal corrosion is increased, leading to metal corrosion.

  On the other hand, if the mist such as hypochlorous acid is generated by the above-described corrosion, the entire metal surface of the indoor unit 7 is cooled. If a gas such as hydrogen sulfide or organic acid is used, the dew condensation is generated. In any case of corrosion, the influence on food in the indoor space is enormous. For example, the cooler 9 has a structure in which fins formed of aluminum or the like are closely fixed to a heat transfer tube such as a copper pipe for the purpose of increasing the heat transfer area. When the aluminum fin composed of a thin plate of about 0.1 mm is corroded, it becomes metal powder due to structural destruction and is blown out indoors by the indoor air blowing means 10. As described above, since foods are often processed and stored in the room, metal powder is a big problem in terms of hygiene and the like. Moreover, when the copper piping which comprises a heat exchanger tube corrodes, there exists a malfunction which can make a hole in the copper piping. A refrigerant flows inside the copper pipe, and a hole is formed, so that a refrigerant mixed with refrigerating machine oil blows out into the room, which is a serious problem in food hygiene.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the metal corrosion detector 14 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The metal corrosion detector 14 of the present embodiment is, for example, welded to a cylindrical container (tube) that is the same material (generally copper piping) as the heat transfer tube of the cooler 9 and is thinner than the heat transfer tube. And a lid that is fixed to the container and is thicker than the heat transfer tube. About a cylindrical container, when the heat exchanger tube of the cooler 9 is comprised by the thickness of 0.35 mm, it shall be 0.30 mm thick. In general, the period until the cooler 9 is corroded, a hole is formed, and a refrigerant leak occurs depends on the installation site. In consideration of the arrangement period of the cooler 9, it is preferable that it is possible to detect that there is a possibility that the refrigerant will leak due to the progress of corrosion about one month before that. The progress of corrosion of heat transfer tubes often has a proportional relationship with time. Therefore, for example, the pipe of the metal corrosion detector 14 is set to be about (6-1) / 6 (= 5/6) of the thickness of the heat transfer pipe of the cooler 9. Here, a part of the metal corrosion detector 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but the shape is not limited as long as the progress of corrosion similar to that of the heat transfer tube can be detected.

  In the present embodiment, for example, both ends of the cylindrical container are covered so that water containing corrosive components does not enter the inside of the cylindrical container. In addition, if the welded portion is corroded as described above, the function as the metal corrosion detector 14 cannot be achieved. Therefore, the welded portion is preferably coated so that the welded portion is not corroded.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an installation position of the metal corrosion detector 14 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, the installation position of the metal corrosion detector 14 will be further described. For example, when the metal corrosion detector 14 is installed not in the same environment as the cooler 9 but in a site where the corrosion rate is slower than that of the cooler 9 (for example, a site where there is little opportunity to touch drain water), May not be able to play the role. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the metal corrosion detector 14 is configured separately from the refrigerant circuit, and is installed on the drain pan 11 with a height that straddles the upper end surface of the drain discharge port 12. Although the drain water exists on the drain pan 11, if the drain water surface is located above the upper end surface of the drain outlet 12, drain leakage has occurred. For this reason, basically, there is no drain water beyond the upper end surface of the drain outlet 12. By installing the metal corrosion detector 14 on the drain pan 11 so that the height of the metal corrosion detector 14 is higher than the upper end surface of the drain discharge port 12, the metal corrosion detector 14 can be in contact with air, and the surface is cooled. Repeatedly dry and wet as in the vessel 9. It is possible to repeat the drying and drying in the same environment as the cooler 9 (heat transfer tube) in which the corrosion state is to be detected.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the installation position of the metal corrosion detector 14 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As described above, the metal corrosion detector 14 is welded by covering the connecting portion of the surface always in contact with the drain water so that the drain water containing the corrosion component does not enter the space (cavity) inside thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, in the case where only one is covered, there is a possibility that the drain water drops on the metal corrosion detector 14 and corrodes from the inside of the pipe, so that the progress of corrosion related to the cooler 9 cannot be accurately detected. When there is water, as shown in FIG. 4, it is set as the specification which covers so that drain water may not enter inside a pipe | tube. However, if it is installed so that the drain water does not drip from the cooler 9, the side where there is no possibility of contact with the drain water may be basically opened without a lid.

  Next, metal corrosion detection using the metal corrosion detector 14 will be described. For example, the corrosion state is confirmed by visual observation of the metal corrosion detector 14 shown in FIGS. When the progress of corrosion reaches the inside of the cylindrical container, it is determined that the cooler 9 also progresses to the same thickness. When corrosion progresses, a penetration portion is generated from the outside to the inside of the metal corrosion detector 14, and therefore, for example, the presence or absence of a crack is confirmed with a magnifying glass.

  Here, in order to clarify the site to be visually confirmed, the thickness of the cylindrical container is not uniform, and the thickness facing the viewing direction can be made thin. For example, in the example in which the heat transfer tube of the cooler 9 is 0.35 mm thick, the thickness of the entire metal corrosion detector 14 is 0.4 mm, which is thicker than the cooler 9, and the thickness of the portion facing the viewing direction The thickness is 0.3 mm.

  As described above, for example, by visually checking the progress of the corrosion of the metal corrosion detector 14, it is determined whether or not the corrosion of the cooler 9 has progressed to such an extent that refrigerant leakage is likely to occur. A systematic replacement of the cooler 9 can be performed before a leak occurs.

  For example, in a food processing plant or the like, a service person often performs a service such as an inspection regularly. This is because there is a possibility that the commercial value of an important product (food) may be lost due to a failure of the cooling device. Therefore, it is preferable to perform visual confirmation of the metal corrosion detector 14 at regular service. For example, in food processing plants where corrosive gas is generated, if food is exposed to the refrigerant atmosphere due to refrigerant leakage, the quality of the food may deteriorate and it may not be sold, causing management damage. There is. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, detection by the metal corrosion detector 14 is performed to detect the refrigerant leakage before it occurs to prevent the refrigerant leakage, and to replace the cooler systematically. As a result, management damage can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the cooling device of the first embodiment, the indoor unit 7 is made of the same material as the heat transfer tube of the cooler 9 so that the same degree of corrosion progresses, and at least a part of the wall is thinner than the heat transfer tube. Since it has the metal corrosion detector 14 in which a through hole is formed faster than the heat transfer tube by making it thick, and the degree of progress is judged by the degree of corrosion of the metal corrosion detector 14, the heat transfer tube (refrigerant circuit) Before the refrigerant leak occurs, it is possible to determine whether or not the progress has been made to such an extent that the refrigerant leak is likely to occur, and a countermeasure can be taken.

  At this time, the metal corrosion detector 14 can be detected in the same environment as the cooler 9 by disposing the metal corrosion detector 14 at a position where the drain water is repeatedly adhered and dried. In addition, the metal corrosion detector 14 can be corroded only from the surface side, such as by preventing the drain water from entering by covering the cylindrical container with a lid, etc., and welding. It can be carried out. Moreover, by configuring the metal corrosion detector 14 at such a height as to straddle the upper end of the drain discharge port, corrosion detection can be performed in the same environment as a heat transfer tube that repeats drying and wetting.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an apparatus configuration relating to metal corrosion detection according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The metal corrosion detector 14 in the present embodiment has the same structure as that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the cylindrical container is covered and welded to form a sealed container. And gas (dry air, nitrogen, etc.) is enclosed in an airtight container so that it may become a pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure (for example, 0.2 MPa etc.).

  The pressure detector 15 is connected to the metal corrosion detector 14, detects the pressure in the metal corrosion detector 14, and sends a detection signal to the controller 20. In the present embodiment, the controller 20 serving as a control unit of the cooling device determines whether or not a through hole or the like due to corrosion has occurred in the metal corrosion detector 14 based on a signal from the pressure detector 15 in particular. In addition, the notification unit 21 is a unit for performing notification to, for example, a service person based on the determination of the controller 20.

  Next, the pressure of the metal corrosion detector 14 will be described. The pressure of the metal corrosion detector 14 is preferably as low as possible below the withstand voltage of the metal corrosion detector 14, and is determined in consideration of detection errors. While the metal corrosion detector 14 is kept airtight without leaking gas, the pressure detected by the pressure detector 15 detects a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure. On the other hand, when the metal corrosion detector 14 penetrates and leaks gas, a pressure such as the atmospheric pressure is detected. Therefore, when the controller 20 determines that the pressure related to detection by the pressure detector 15 is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure (pressure lower than the pressure in the metal corrosion detector 14 and higher than the atmospheric pressure), the metal corrosion proceeds and the refrigerant Judge that there is a possibility of leakage.

  And in this Embodiment, the alerting | reporting means 21 is provided and the controller 20 will alert | report the alerting | reporting means 21 by sound, a display, etc., for example, if it judges that the pressure concerning the detection of the pressure detector 15 became below predetermined pressure. I am trying to let you know. At this time, for example, according to the usage form of the installation destination, it is possible to obtain a specification that meets the request by selecting an external abnormality that can be notified by selecting an indicator light, a buzzer, or the like. In this manner, for example, even if the worker is away from the cooling device, the service person can determine the metal corrosion and can proceed with preparations for replacing the cooler 9 in a more timely manner.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1 mentioned above, in order to make visual confirmation easy, it demonstrated that the work of varying the thickness of a cylindrical container partially was performed. In the present embodiment, since the determination related to metal corrosion is automatically performed based on the pressure, it is not necessary to perform such work in particular, and for example, it is possible to respond sufficiently by making the whole uniform thin. .

  As described above, according to the cooling device of the second embodiment, the metal corrosion detector 14 having an internal pressure equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure is provided, and the pressure in the metal corrosion detector 14 is detected by the pressure detector 15. Since the controller 20 determines the metal corrosion or the like, it is possible to determine the state in which the metal corrosion is in progress before the refrigerant leaks from the cooler 9. For this reason, the cooler 9 can be systematically replaced. At this time, in the cooling device of the present embodiment, for example, it is not necessary for a serviceman to visually check the metal corrosion detector 14, and the progress of the metal corrosion is automatically detected before the cooler 9 causes the refrigerant leakage. Can do. For this reason, the work of the service person at the time of periodic inspection can be reduced.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an apparatus configuration relating to metal corrosion detection according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, in the cooling device of the present embodiment, the indoor unit 7 has metal corrosion detectors 14a, 14b, and 14c, and detects the pressures in the metal corrosion detectors 14a, 14b, and 14c, respectively. Therefore, pressure detectors 15a, 15b and 15c are provided.

  The metal corrosion detectors 14a, 14b, and 14c are made of the same material as the heat transfer tube of the cooler 9, for example, but the thickness of the cylindrical container is different. Here, it is assumed that the metal corrosion detectors 14a, 14b, and 14c become thinner in order. For example, if the thickness of the heat transfer tube of the cooler 9 is 0.35 mm, the metal corrosion detector 14 a is 0.30 mm, the metal corrosion detector 14 b is 0.28 mm, and the metal corrosion detector 14 c is 0.25 mm, which is a little thin. Shall. Here, it is assumed that the pressure in each metal corrosion detector 14 is the same.

  The pressure detectors 15a, 15b, and 15c detect the pressures associated with the metal corrosion detectors 14a, 14b, and 14c, respectively, so that the pressure in each of the metal corrosion detectors 14 is gradually detected to detect the surrounding environment. It is possible to grasp the corrosion level and the degree of progress.

  For example, when the controller 20 of the present embodiment determines that the pressure in the metal corrosion detector 14c is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure on the basis of a signal from the pressure detector 15c, for example, the fact that the controller 20 is in the first stage. The notification means 21 described above is notified. Similarly, notification of the second stage is performed based on the signal from the pressure detector 15b, and notification of the third stage is performed based on the signal from the pressure detector 15a. Then, for example, the service person prepares a replacement cooler when the first-stage notification is made. When the second-stage notification is made, the exact cost of the cooler 9 gas leakage is examined, and the loss cost is minimized by examining the optimum replacement cycle of the cooler 9 such as replacing the cooler immediately before the gas leak. It is possible to suppress.

  For example, each component of the cooling device is set as a service component for replacement in the event of a component failure, and equipment and components with high service frequency are often kept in stock. However, the cooler 9 is generally not always provided because of its large size and the need for a large storage location. As described above, even if an order is made after the refrigerant leaks from the cooler 9, it may take about one month, and it is important to know the gas leak timing in advance to maintain the freshness of the food in the room. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant leak of the cooler 9 can be detected more accurately from the early stage of the progress of corrosion, and the replacement before the refrigerant leak of the cooler 9 occurs can be more systematically performed. it can. Here, in the present embodiment, the example of detecting the internal pressure of the metal corrosion detector 14 is described. However, as described in the first embodiment, the serviceman visually confirms the progress of the corrosion of each metal corrosion detector 14. Even if it does, it can detect a stepwise pipe corrosion similarly and can exhibit the same effect.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a configuration in which the metal corrosion detector 14d according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is provided in the cooler 9. In FIG. In the present embodiment, a metal corrosion detector 14d is provided in the lower part of the cooler 9. For example, it is good to attach to the heat exchanger tube located in the lower part of the cooler 9 by welding fixation. Since the metal corrosion detector 14d is provided in the cooler 9 itself, and the installation environment of the metal corrosion detector 14d is made to be exactly the same as the cooler 9, it further synchronizes with the corrosion status of the heat transfer tubes and the like of the cooler 9. Thus, it is possible to reliably determine the replacement time.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another example of the configuration in which the metal corrosion detector 14d is provided in the cooler 9. In FIG. In FIG. 8, the metal corrosion detector 14 d is attached to the cooler 9 by using a dummy path portion included in the cooler 9.

  For example, due to the positional relationship with the indoor air blowing means 10, the air volume may be lower in the upper part or lower part of the cooler 9 than in other parts, and heat exchange may not be performed smoothly. If there is a path in which the heat transfer performance is significantly inferior to other paths in the same heat exchanger, a lot of frost is formed in the path portion, so that frost may remain even after defrosting (defrosting). For this reason, for example, the cooler 9 may be provided with a so-called dummy path portion in which the heat transfer tube is not inserted into the lower or upper path. On the other hand, even if a heat transfer tube is not inserted, the fin ensures a certain heat transfer area and maintains the performance.

  In FIG. 8, the metal corrosion detector 14d similar to the heat transfer tube is inserted and disposed in the dummy path portion into which the heat transfer tube is not inserted, so that the metal corrosion detector 14d can be installed utilizing the surplus space. In addition, since the metal corrosion detector 14d is provided in the cooler 9 itself, and the installation environment of the metal corrosion detector 14d is just equivalent to the cooler 9, the corrosion state of the heat transfer tubes of the cooler 9 and the like. Further, synchronization can be performed and the replacement time can be reliably determined.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the example of detecting the internal pressure of the metal corrosion detector 14 has been described. However, as described in the first embodiment, the serviceman visually confirms the progress of the corrosion of the metal corrosion detector 14. Even if it does, it can detect a stepwise pipe corrosion similarly and can exhibit the same effect. In the present embodiment, the example of detecting the internal pressure of the detector is described, but the same effect can be obtained by visual confirmation. Further, if the metal corrosion detector 14 having several kinds of thicknesses is provided and detected as in the third embodiment, the refrigerant leak timing of the cooler 9 can be accurately grasped as in the third embodiment. can do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the application to the cooling device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the cooling device, but may be applied to other refrigeration cycle devices that constitute the refrigerant circuit, such as a heat pump device such as an air conditioner or a water heater. Can be applied.

  1 outdoor unit, 2 compressor, 3 condenser, 4 outdoor blowing means, 5 liquid reservoir, 6 accumulator, 7 indoor unit, 8 expansion device, 9 cooler, 10 indoor blowing means, 11 drain pan, 12 drain discharge port, 13 Metal corrosion component, 14, 14a-14d Metal corrosion detector, 15, 15a-15c Pressure detector, 20 Controller, 21 Notification means.

Claims (7)

A compressor that compresses and discharges the refrigerant;
A condenser for condensing the refrigerant by heat exchange;
A throttling device for depressurizing the refrigerant for condensation;
A refrigerant circuit is configured by pipe connection to a cooler that cools the heat exchange target by heat exchange with the refrigerant,
Metal corrosion detection means comprising the same material as the heat transfer tube constituting the cooler and having a wall thickness portion that is thinner than the wall thickness of the heat transfer tube so that the heat transfer tube no longer penetrates due to corrosion, A cooling device , wherein the cooling device is installed in close contact with the cooler at a position below the cooler where moisture generated in the cooler adheres.   The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the metal corrosion detection means has a cavity inside, and is arranged so that only the surface side is in contact with the moisture.   The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the metal corrosion detection means is further installed at a position where visual confirmation is possible. The metal corrosion detection means sealed so that the inner pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure,
Pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure inside the metal corrosion detecting means;
4. The cooling according to claim 2, further comprising: a control unit that determines whether penetration due to the corrosion has occurred in the metal corrosion detection unit based on a pressure related to detection by the pressure detection unit. 5. apparatus. It further comprises a notification means for performing notification,
The cooling device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit causes the notification unit to notify when it is determined that penetration due to the corrosion has occurred.   The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the metal corrosion detection units having different thicknesses are installed. A drain pan for receiving the generated moisture;
A drain outlet for discharging the moisture received by the drain pan;
The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the metal corrosion detection means having a height that straddles the upper end of the drain discharge port is disposed on the drain pan.

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