JP7211606B2 - Condensers, cooling systems, and fittings - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to condensers, cooling systems, and pipe fittings, and more particularly to condensers, cooling systems, and pipe fittings having conduits through which refrigerant flows.

Cooling systems using a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are widely used. In the outdoor unit, the refrigerant that flows in as gas is compressed by the compressor, sent to the condenser (outdoor heat exchanger), and condensed in the condenser. Then, the liquid refrigerant is decompressed by a decompression unit such as a capillary or an expansion valve, and sent to the indoor unit.

Here, the condenser is used so that the temperature of the refrigerant sent to the indoor unit can be lowered to enable cooling at a lower temperature, or the refrigerant can be more condensed to reduce the load on the compressor. An additional capacitor may be provided between the and the pressure reducing section. Such separate condensers may be retrofitted to existing cooling systems already in operation.

Patent Literature 1 listed below discloses the structure of an additional condenser that is additionally installed between an existing condenser and an expansion valve.

JP-A-2000-97519

Cooling systems such as those described above are required to be more efficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide condensers, cooling systems and pipe fittings capable of improving the flow of refrigerant.

According to one aspect of the present invention to achieve the above object, the condenser includes a header portion, a core portion connected to the header portion, and a pipe joint portion attached to the header portion to which an external pipe is connected. A rib portion having a helical convex portion formed along the inner surface is provided on a part of the inner surface of the pipe joint portion, and the pipe joint portion is provided on the header portion side having a first flow path and a second flow path provided adjacent to the first flow path and at a position further away from the end on the header side than the first flow path; The cross-sectional area of the first flow path is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second flow path, and the ribs are formed on the inner surface of the pipe joint facing the first flow path. It is not formed on the inner surface of the pipe joint portion facing the road.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cooling system comprising a compressor, a main condenser connected to the compressor, a pressure reduction section, and an evaporator comprises a sub-condenser positioned between the main condenser and said pressure reduction section. The sub-condenser is the above -described condenser , and the pipe joint is connected to a pipe through which the refrigerant flowing out from the main condenser passes.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a pipe joint is attached to a header portion of a condenser and used to connect the header portion and an external pipe, wherein a part of the inner surface has a a first flow path provided on an attachment end side to be attached to the header section, and a first flow path adjacent to the first flow path and having a ridge portion along which a spiral convex portion is formed; a second flow path provided at a position farther from the mounting end than the first flow path, wherein the cross-sectional area of the first flow path is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second flow path; The ribs are formed on the inner surface facing the first flow path, and are not formed on the inner surface facing the second flow path.

According to these inventions, it is possible to provide condensers, cooling systems, and pipe joints capable of improving the flow of refrigerant.

It is a figure showing composition of a cooling system in one of the embodiments of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a subcondenser. It is a perspective view which shows a 1st pipe joint part. It is a sectional side view which shows a 1st pipe joint part. It is a sectional side view which shows only the pipe part which comprises a part of 1st pipe joint part. It is a sectional side view which shows the pipe part in the example of a changed completely type of this Embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing a pipe portion in another modified example of the present embodiment;

Hereinafter, a condenser and a cooling system including the same according to embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cooling system in one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1 , solid-line arrows mainly indicate the direction of flow of the liquid-phase refrigerant, and broken-line arrows mainly indicate the direction of flow of the gas-phase refrigerant.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling system 1 includes an evaporator (indoor heat exchanger) 3 in an indoor unit 2, an outdoor unit 4, and pipes 5 through which refrigerant flows. The cooling system 1 uses a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and is used for indoor cooling, for example. Hydrofluorocarbon, for example, is used as the refrigerant, but it is not limited to this, and other refrigerants may be used.

Vapor-phase refrigerant flowing out from the evaporator 3 flows into the outdoor unit 4 through the pipe 5 . The outdoor unit 4 sends the liquid-phase refrigerant to the evaporator 3 through the pipe 5 . The outdoor unit 4 has a compressor 6, a main condenser (outdoor heat exchanger) 7, a receiver 8, and a decompression section 9 in order of refrigerant flow.

The compressor 6 compresses the refrigerant downstream. Thereby, the refrigerant circulates within the cooling system 1 .

The main condenser 7 radiates the heat of the compressed refrigerant to the fluid outside the main condenser 7 to cool and condense the refrigerant. As a result, the volume of the liquid-phase refrigerant increases and the volume of the gas-phase refrigerant decreases.

The receiver 8 stores mainly liquid-phase refrigerant flowing through the outdoor unit. The receiver 8 causes the liquid-phase refrigerant to flow out to the decompression section 9 side of the refrigeration cycle.

The decompression unit 9 is, for example, a capillary. As the refrigerant passes through the decompression section 9, the refrigerant is decompressed. That is, the upstream side closer to the compressor 6 than the pressure reducing section 9 is the high pressure side, and the downstream side closer to the evaporator 3 than the pressure reducing section 9 is the low pressure side. The pressure reducing unit 9 may be, for example, an electromagnetic pressure reducing valve.

The mainly liquid-phase refrigerant that has passed through the decompression unit 9 flows out of the outdoor unit 4 . The outflowing refrigerant flows into the evaporator 3 via the pipe 5 .

Here, in this embodiment, the cooling system 1 further has a sub-condenser 10 different from the main condenser 7 .

The sub-condenser 10 is attached to the outdoor unit 4 . The sub-condenser 10 is arranged between the main condenser 7 and the decompression section 9 . The sub-condenser 10 is connected to a pipe 5 connected to the refrigerant outlet of the main condenser 7 and to a pipe 5 connected to the refrigerant inlet of the receiver 8 . Thereby, the sub-condenser 10 is attached to the outdoor unit 4 .

In the present embodiment, the sub-condenser 10 can be retrofitted (additionally installed) to an existing cooling system (existing cooling system) having only the main condenser 7 as a condenser. Note that the sub-condenser 10 may be configured to be additionally installed inside the outdoor unit 4 . Also, the cooling system may of course comprise the main condenser 7 and the sub-condenser 10 .

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the sub-condenser 10. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sub-condenser 10 includes a core portion 11, header portions 13 and 14 connected to both sides of the core portion 11, a first pipe joint portion 50, and a second pipe joint portion 30. and The first pipe joint portion 50 is a pipe joint attached to the header portion 13 so as to protrude from a portion of the header portion 13 . The second pipe joint portion 30 is a pipe joint attached to the header portion 13 so as to protrude from a portion of the header portion 13 . The first pipe joint portion 50 may be attached to one header portion 13 and the second pipe joint portion 30 may be attached to the other header portion 14 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the first pipe joint portion 50 is connected to the pipe 5 through which the refrigerant flowing out from the main condenser 7 passes. That is, the external pipe 5 is connected to the first pipe joint portion 50 . The second pipe joint portion 30 is connected to the pipe 5 through which the refrigerant flowing into the receiver 8 passes, that is, the pipe 5 through which the refrigerant flowing into the decompression portion 9 passes. As a result, the main condenser 7 is connected to the first pipe joint portion 50 through the pipe 5, via the header portions 13, 14, and the core portion 11, and from the second pipe joint portion 30 through the pipe 5 to the receiver 8. A refrigerant bypass path is configured to connect to the .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first pipe joint portion 50. FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the first pipe joint portion 50. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing only the pipe portion 61 forming part of the first pipe joint portion 50. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the first pipe joint portion 50 has a pipe fitting portion 51 having an external thread 55 and a pipe portion 61 . For example, the pipe attachment portion 51 and the pipe portion 61 formed as separate members are connected to each other by, for example, welding to form one first pipe joint portion 50 . The pipe attachment portion 51 is connected to a refrigerant pipe having an internal thread at the connecting end. The pipe portion 61 is attached to the header portion 13 . Note that the first pipe joint portion 50 may be formed of a single member rather than a combination of a plurality of members.

The pipe joint portion 50 may not have a male thread, and may be connected to the refrigerant pipe by various methods.

The pipe portion 61 has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the pipe portion 61 includes a first attachment portion 62 provided at an end portion 62a on the header portion 13 side and a second attachment portion 63 provided at an end portion 63a on the pipe attachment portion 51 side. and

Each of the first attachment portion 62 and the second attachment portion 63 is configured to have a smaller diameter than the other portion of the pipe portion 61 . The pipe portion 61 of the first pipe joint portion 50 is welded to the header portion 13 while the first mounting portion 62 is inserted into the mounting hole provided in the header portion 13 . The pipe portion 61 is welded to the pipe mounting portion 51 while the second mounting portion 63 is inserted into the fitting hole of the pipe mounting portion 51 . The pipe portion 61 may be attached to the header portion 13 by screwing the first attachment portion 62 into an internal thread formed in the header portion 13 . Further, the second mounting portion 63 may be threaded, and the pipe portion 61 may be mounted on the pipe mounting portion 51 by screwing the second mounting portion 63 into an internal thread formed in the pipe mounting portion 51 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the pipe portion 61 of the first pipe joint portion 50 includes the first flow path L1 provided on the header portion 13 side and the first flow path L1 adjacent to the first flow path L1. and a second flow path L2 provided at a position farther from the end portion 62a on the side of the header portion 13 than the flow path L1. In this embodiment, the first flow path L1 and the second flow path L2 have cylindrical inner surfaces 65, 66, respectively. In other words, the inner surface 65 of the first pipe joint part 50 faces the first flow path L1 and constitutes the first flow path L1, and the inner surface 66 of the first winding joint part 50 faces the second flow path L1. It faces the path L2 and constitutes the second flow path L2. The first flow path L1 and the second flow path L2 are substantially concentric when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the coolant flows, and communicate with each other.

In this embodiment, the inner diameter D1 of the inner surface 65 facing the first flow path L1 is smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the inner surface 66 facing the second flow path L2. That is, the cross-sectional area of the first flow path L1 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second flow path L2. The inner diameters D1 and D2 are substantially uniform in each of the first flow path L1 and the second flow path L2. At the boundary between the second flow path L2 and the first flow path L1, the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the refrigerant suddenly changes to a smaller size, so that the condensation of the refrigerant flowing through the first pipe joint portion 50 can be promoted. . It should be noted that the cross-sectional area of the flow path may be configured to change gently at the boundary between the second flow path L2 and the first flow path L1.

Here, a rib portion 81 is provided on a part of the inner surface of the first pipe joint portion 50 . The rib portion 81 is a portion in which a spiral convex portion is formed along the inner surface of the first pipe joint portion 50 . In other words, the rib portion 81 is a portion in which a rifle-shaped groove is formed. The ribs 81 are illustrated with a simplified structure, and the number of ribs, intervals, etc. of the ribs 81 are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

In the present embodiment, the ribs 81 are formed on the inner surface 65 facing the first flow path L1, and are not formed on the inner surface 66 facing the second flow path L2. That is, the ribs 81 are formed in the vicinity of the end 62 a on the header portion 13 side where the refrigerant flows from the first pipe joint portion 50 to the header portion 13 .

As described above, in the present embodiment, the refrigerant flowing out from the first pipe joint portion 50 to the sub-condenser 10 passes through the rib portion 81 and flows out. Therefore, the refrigerant flows smoothly. By smoothing the flow of the refrigerant, the load on the compressor 6 and the like can be reduced, the efficiency of the cooling system can be increased, and energy can be saved.

[Explanation of modification]

The configuration of the pipe portion 61 of the first pipe joint portion 50 is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment, and various modifications may be made.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing pipe portion 161 in a modified example of the present embodiment.

The pipe portion 161 has the same configuration as the pipe portion 61 of the above-described embodiment except for the portion where the rib portion 81 is provided. In the pipe portion 161 , the rib portion 81 is provided on the entire inner surface of the pipe portion 161 . That is, the ribs 81 are provided on both the inner surface 65 of the first flow path L1 and the inner surface 66 of the second flow path L2. Even with such a structure, the coolant can flow smoothly.

Note that the ribs 81 may be provided on the entire inner surface 65 of the first flow path L1 and a portion of the inner surface 66 of the second flow path L2 near the end 62a on the side of the header section 13. good. Further, the rib portion 81 may be partially provided only on a portion of the inner surface 65 of the first flow path L1 near the end portion 62a on the header portion 13 side.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing pipe portion 261 in another modification of the present embodiment.

The pipe portion 261 has a third flow path L3 in addition to the first flow path L1 and the second flow path L2 away from the end portion 62a on the header portion 13 side. be. The third flow path L3 is provided next to the second flow path L2 and at a position farther from the end portion 62a on the header portion 13 side than the second flow path L2. The third flow path L3 has a cylindrical inner surface 67. As shown in FIG. The inner surface 67 of the first winding joint portion 50 faces the third flow path L3 and constitutes the third flow path L3. The first flow path L1, the second flow path L2, and the third flow path L3 are arranged substantially concentrically when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the coolant flows.

In this embodiment, the inner diameter D3 of the inner surface 67 facing the third flow path L3 is larger than the inner diameter D2 of the inner surface 66 facing the second flow path L2. That is, the cross-sectional area of the third flow path L3 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second flow path L2. At the boundary between the third flow path L3 and the second flow path L2, the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the refrigerant suddenly changes to a smaller size, so that the condensation of the refrigerant flowing through the first pipe joint portion 50 can be promoted. . In addition, the cross-sectional area of the flow path may be configured to change gently at the boundary between the third flow path L3 and the second flow path L2.

In this modification, the ribs 81 are formed on the inner surface 65 facing the first flow path L1, the inner surface 66 facing the second flow path L2, and the inner surface facing the third flow path L3. 67 is not formed. Even with the structure in which the ribs 81 are formed in this manner, the flow of the refrigerant can be made smooth.

[others]

Condensers such as the sub-condenser described above are not limited to those used in cooling systems. For example, it may be one used in a refrigeration cycle used for other purposes.

The above-described embodiments should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 Cooling System 2 Indoor Unit 3 Evaporator 4 Outdoor Unit 5 Piping 6 Compressor 7 Main Condenser 9 Decompression Part 10 Sub-Condenser 11 Core Part 13, 14 Header Part 50 First Pipe Joint (Example of Pipe Joint)
61, 161, 261 pipe portion 62a end portion on the side of the header portion 65 inner surface facing the first flow path 66 inner surface facing the second flow path 81 rib portion L1 first flow path L2 second flow path

Claims (3)

a header part;
a core section connected to the header section;
A pipe joint portion attached to the header portion and connected to an external pipe,
A ridge portion in which a helical convex portion is formed along the inner surface of a part of the inner surface of the pipe joint portion.
is provided,
The pipe joint portion
a first flow path provided on the side of the header;
a second flow path provided adjacent to the first flow path and further away from the end on the header side than the first flow path,
The cross-sectional area of the first channel is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second channel,
The rib portion is formed on the inner surface of the pipe joint portion facing the first flow path, and is not formed on the inner surface of the pipe joint portion facing the second flow path . constrictor. A cooling system comprising a compressor, a main condenser connected to the compressor, a pressure reducing section, and an evaporator,
further comprising a sub-condenser disposed between the main condenser and the decompression section;
The sub-condenser is the condenser according to claim 1 ,
The cooling system, wherein the pipe joint portion is connected to a pipe through which refrigerant flowing out from the main condenser passes. Attached to the header part of the condenser and used to connect the header part and the external piping
A pipe joint,
A part of the inner surface has a ridge portion in which a spiral convex portion is formed along the inner surface,
a first flow path provided on an attachment end side attached to the header;
a second flow path provided adjacent to the first flow path and further away from the mounting end than the first flow path,
The cross-sectional area of the first channel is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second channel,
The pipe joint, wherein the rib portion is formed on the inner surface facing the first flow path and not formed on the inner surface facing the second flow path.

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