KR100892458B1 - Method of operating a multi refrigerating system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a plurality of refrigerators; And a compressor connected to supply the refrigerant to the plurality of refrigerators, the compressor forming a refrigeration cycle together with the plurality of refrigerators. A first step of feeding; And a second step of recovering the refrigerant remaining in one of the plurality of refrigerators.

Refrigerator, Kimchi, Wine, Compound, Refrigerated, Refrigerant, Recovery, Compressor, Cycle

Description

METHOOD OF OPERATING A MULTI REFRIGERATING SYSTEM

1 is a view showing a composite refrigeration system disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-0077605,

2 is a view showing the kimchi refrigerator disclosed in US Patent No. 6,615,607,

3 is a view showing a wine cellar disclosed in Korea Utility Model Publication No. 0380906,

4 is a view showing an example of a composite refrigeration system according to the present invention,

5 is a view showing an example of a refrigeration cycle constituting a complex refrigeration system according to the present invention,

6 is a view for explaining an example of a method for recovering a refrigerant according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a method of operating a complex refrigeration system, and more particularly, to a method of operating a complex refrigeration system using various refrigerant recovery methods.

1 is a view showing a composite refrigeration system disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-0077605, wherein the combined refrigeration system includes a refrigerator main body 111 and an outdoor unit 151 of a plurality of refrigerators. The outdoor unit 151 may include a compressor 152, an accumulator 154, a condenser 153, a fan 156, and the compressor 152 may include a variable compressor 153a and a constant speed compressor 153b. have. Each refrigerator includes an indoor unit 141 and an expansion device 44, and the indoor unit 141 includes an evaporator 143 and a fan 145 in the circulation passage 123. A refrigerant distributor 157 and a refrigerant collection tube 158 are provided between the outdoor unit 151 and the indoor unit 111. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 152 is supplied to the expansion device 144 and the evaporator 143 of each of the refrigerator main body 111 through the condenser 155 and through the refrigerant distributor 157, and the refrigerant collection pipe 158. ), Returning to the compressor 152 through the accumulator 154 to supply the gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 152, thereby forming a refrigeration cycle. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H11-063775 discloses an example of a control method of such a refrigeration system. As described above, the cooling method by circulating cold air using the evaporator 143 and the fan 145 is called an indirect cooling method.

On the other hand, there are refrigerators that refrigerate certain deposits, such as the kimchi refrigerator and the wine cellar, which are appropriate storage temperatures (eg, kimchi-) 0 ° C., wine-15 ° C.).

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a kimchi refrigerator disclosed in US Patent No. 6,615,607. The kimchi refrigerator includes a cooling chamber 220, a refrigerant pipe 222 and a heater 223 surrounding the cooling chamber 220, and a cooling chamber 220. Compressor 241 and the condenser 242 which is placed under the) is provided, and the cooling chamber 220 is directly cooled by using the refrigerant pipe 222. This cooling method is called direct cooling method.

3 is a view showing the wine cellar disclosed in Korea Utility Model Publication No. 0380906, the wine cellar is located in the lower part of the storage compartment 307, the shelf on which the wine is placed 372, the storage compartment 307, including a compressor, etc. The apparatus room 304 and the storage room 307 are located above the temperature control unit 310 to control the temperature inside the storage room 307.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a combined refrigeration system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a complex refrigeration system having a refrigerator in which a set temperature is given according to the characteristics of a stored object.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a complex refrigeration system having a refrigerator, a kimchi refrigerator and / or a wine refrigerator.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a complex refrigeration system having a refrigerator whose temperature is adjustable.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a complex refrigeration system that can recover the refrigerant remaining in the refrigerator.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a complex refrigeration system that can recover the refrigerant by applying energy to the refrigerant.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for operating a complex refrigeration system that can recover the refrigerant using a compressor.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for operating a complex refrigeration system that can select a method for recovering refrigerant according to conditions.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a complex refrigeration system that can determine whether to recover refrigerant and / or the method of refrigerant recovery in terms of temperature.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a combined refrigeration system having a direct cooling type refrigerator and an indirect cooling type refrigerator.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

4 is a view showing an example of a compound refrigeration system according to the present invention, the compound refrigeration system includes one outdoor unit 10, kimchi refrigerator 20, wine cellar 30, refrigerator 40, the refrigerant Is circulated between the outdoor unit 10 and the kimchi refrigerator 20, the wine cellar 30, the refrigerator 40 through the refrigerant pipe 50 and the pipe connection 60.

5 is a view showing an example of a refrigeration cycle constituting a complex refrigeration system according to the present invention, the outdoor unit 10 includes an accumulator 11, a compressor 12, a condenser 13 along the flow of the refrigerant. . The condenser 13 may further include a fan 14, and the accumulator 11 serves to allow the refrigerant in the gas phase to enter the compressor 12. The refrigerant exiting the condenser 13 enters the pipe connecting portion 60 through the supply refrigerant pipe 51 and passes through the pipe connecting portion 60 in the kimchi refrigerator 20, the wine cellar 30, and the refrigerator 40. Supplied as one. This supply is controlled by valves 71, 72, 73. The refrigerant that has passed through one of the kimchi refrigerator 20, the wine cellar 30, and the refrigerator 40 is recovered to the accumulator 11 through a recovery refrigerant pipe 52 and a pipe connection 60. The pipe connection part 60 may be actually provided, but may be understood as a virtual space in which the supply refrigerant pipe 51, the recovery refrigerant pipe 52, and / or the valves 71, 72, and 73 are located. It may be located on the side). On the other hand, the valves 71, 72, 73 may be located on the outdoor unit 10 and / or the refrigerator side according to a control unit (not shown) in charge of the control. The kimchi refrigerator 20, the wine cellar 30, and the refrigerator 40 are respectively connected to the outdoor unit 10 through the supply refrigerant pipe 51 and the recovery refrigerant pipe 52. Kimchi refrigerator 20 is provided with an evaporator 21, the wine refrigerator 30 is provided with an evaporator 31 and a fan 32, the refrigerator 40 is the evaporator (41A, 41B) and the fan (42A, 42B) ). The refrigerator 40 includes a freezing compartment 43 and a refrigerating compartment 44, in which an evaporator 41A is used for freezing the freezer compartment 43 and an evaporator 41B is used for refrigerating the refrigerating compartment 44. In addition, the refrigerator 40 includes a heater 45 and a valve 46 for controlling a refrigerant supply to the freezer compartment 43 and the refrigerating compartment 44 for defrosting in the freezer compartment 43. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to a refrigerator equipped with a kimchi refrigerator, a wine refrigerator, a freezer and a refrigerating chamber, provided that refrigeration or freezing is possible without departing from the basic spirit of the present invention. In addition, the kimchi refrigerator 20, the wine cellar 30, and the refrigerator 40 are each provided with temperature sensors 27, 37, 47A, and 47B for measuring the temperature. Meanwhile, a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 10, the kimchi refrigerator 20, the wine cellar 30, and the refrigerator 40, and a cable (not shown) for transmitting and receiving signals therebetween are further included. It is provided. The control unit may be provided in each of the refrigerators and the outdoor unit, and may be provided in any one or at least one of them. Various modifications to the configuration and operation of the control unit can be found in an air conditioning system with one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units. The temperature sensors 27, 37, 47A, 47B are generally located in a refrigerator, but may be located in an evaporator, or may be located in a refrigerator and an evaporator. The compressor 12 may be provided in multiple numbers, and may be a variable capacitance type.

Next, the operation of the refrigeration cycle shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

In the case of cooling the freezer compartment 43, the compressor 12 is operated, the refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 41A via the condenser 13 and the supply refrigerant pipe 51, and the recovery refrigerant pipe 52 and the accumulator ( The refrigerant is circulated to the compressor 12 via 11). At this time, the valve 73 is opened, the valves 71 and 72 are closed, and the valve 46 is operated so that the refrigerant is directed to the evaporator 41A. Fan 47A and fan 14 can also be operated together. When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 47A becomes equal to or less than the set value (for example, -18 ° C), the supply of the refrigerant to the evaporator 41A is stopped.

In the case of cooling the refrigerating compartment 44, the valve 46 is operated so that the refrigerant is directed to the evaporator 41B, and when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 47B is lower than or equal to the set value (e.g., 3 ° C), The refrigerant supply to the evaporator 41B is stopped.

In the case of cooling the kimchi refrigerator 20, by opening the valve 71 and closing the valves 72 and 73, the refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 21, and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 27 is When the set value is lower than the set value (eg 0 ° C.), the refrigerant supply to the evaporator 27 is stopped.

In the case of cooling the wine refrigerator 20, by opening the valve 72 and closing the valves 71 and 73, the refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 31, and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 37 is When the set value is lower than the set value (eg 15 ° C.), the refrigerant supply to the evaporator 37 is stopped. The fan 32 may be operated together with the supply of the coolant.

Cooling of each refrigerator may be sequentially performed as described above, but in a state in which a plurality of refrigerators are already operated, when the temperature in the refrigerator measured by the temperature sensors 27, 37, 47A, and 47B is equal to or higher than a set value, Various methods may be used, such as an operation may be performed in a form of supplying a refrigerant to a refrigerator.

In operating the plurality of refrigerators, the evaporator is used when cooling a refrigerator having a relatively low temperature (eg, the refrigerating compartment 44) and then operating a refrigerator having a relatively high temperature (eg, the kimchi refrigerator 20). There may be a problem that the refrigerant remaining in the 41B is not recovered to the accumulator 11 or the compressor 12. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to include sufficient refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle in consideration of this, There is a problem of minimizing or not optimizing.

For example, when the refrigerating compartment 44 is cooled, the compressor 12 is turned on, the valve 72 is opened to supply the refrigerant to the evaporator 41B, and the refrigerating compartment when the fan 42B is rotated. Cold air is supplied into the 44. When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 47B becomes equal to or less than the set value (for example, 3 ° C), the operation of the compressor 12 is stopped.

In this state, when the compressor 12 is turned on and the valve 71 is opened to cool the kimchi refrigerator 20 having a higher set temperature value (for example, 0 ° C.) than the refrigerating chamber 44, the residual gas remains in the evaporator 41B. Since the refrigerant may not be recovered by the compressor 12, the fan 47B is operated to promote heat exchange between the refrigerating chamber 44 and the evaporator 41B to vaporize the refrigerant, and recover the refrigerant to the compressor 12. By turning on (12) and opening the valve 71, the kimchi refrigerator 20 can be cooled to minimize or optimize the amount of refrigerant used in the refrigeration cycle.

The refrigerant recovery process may be configured to be performed unconditionally after cooling, or may be configured to be performed only when there is a refrigerator having a relatively high set temperature by comparing the set temperatures of the respective refrigerators, and the refrigerator to be cooled next. May be performed only when the set temperature is relatively high. On the other hand, although the fan 47B may be operated to promote vaporization of the refrigerant, a heating means such as a heater 45 provided in the freezer compartment 43 may be provided near the evaporator 41B to promote vaporization of the refrigerant.

As another method of recovering the coolant, for example, when the freezer compartment 43 is cooled, the compressor 12 is turned on, the valve 72 is opened to supply the coolant to the evaporator 41A, When the fan 42A rotates, cold air is supplied into the freezing chamber 43. When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 47A becomes equal to or less than the set value (for example, -18 ° C), the operation of the compressor 12 is stopped.

In this state, when the compressor 12 is turned on and the valve 72 is opened to cool the wine refrigerator 30 having a higher set temperature value (eg, 15 ° C.) than the freezer compartment 43, it remains in the evaporator 41A. Since the refrigerant may not be recovered to the compressor 12, the valve 73 is closed (the valves 71 and 72 are already closed). 41A) to recover the refrigerant from the condenser 13 side, and then open the valve 72 with the compressor 12 turned on to cool the wine refrigerator 30 to minimize or optimize the amount of refrigerant used in the refrigeration cycle. You can do it.

Similarly, the refrigerant recovery process may be configured to be performed unconditionally after cooling is performed, or may be configured to be performed only when there is a refrigerator having a relatively high set temperature by comparing the set temperatures of the respective refrigerators. The refrigerator may be configured to be performed only when the set temperature is relatively high. In addition, since the refrigerator which is hardest to recover the refrigerant has a relatively low set temperature, the refrigerator may be configured so that the refrigerant recovery process is performed only for the refrigerator.

On the other hand, the method of recovering the refrigerant by closing the valve and turning on the compressor may be faster or more effective than the method of recovering the refrigerant using a fan. Therefore, if the amount of refrigerant to be recovered is large, the next cooling must be performed quickly, or there is a long time delay until the next cooling, or the temperature difference between the cooled refrigerator and the refrigerator to be cooled is large (the refrigerant remaining in the cooled refrigerator and cooling). When the pressure difference between the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerator to be large is large), a method of recovering the refrigerant using a compressor is used.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an example of a method for recovering a coolant according to the present invention, and it is assumed that an operation for a plurality of refrigerators is already performed.

First, for each refrigerator, it is determined whether the temperature is higher or lower than the set temperature (S1), and when the temperature of one refrigerator is higher than the set temperature, the compressor is turned on (S2), the corresponding valve is opened and the corresponding fan is operated. (S3).

When the temperature of the refrigerator is lower than the set temperature, the compressor is turned off (S4).

Next, it is determined whether the refrigerant is to be recovered (S5). Here, the judgment is determined by whether the set temperature of the refrigerator is higher or lower than the set temperatures of all the other refrigerators. Therefore, if the refrigerator is the refrigerator having the lowest set temperature among the plurality of refrigerators, the refrigerant is recovered.

At this time, it is determined whether the difference between the set temperature of the refrigerator and the set temperature of the refrigerator having the highest set temperature among the plurality of refrigerators is a predetermined temperature (for example, 5 ° C. or 10 ° C.) or more (S6). The refrigerant is recovered by closing the compressor and turning on the compressor (S7A). At this time, the fan may be configured to work together. On the other hand, if it is below a predetermined temperature, the refrigerant is recovered by operating the fan to vaporize the refrigerant in the evaporator (S7B). Here, the predetermined temperature is a value that can be set according to the refrigerator, the total amount of the refrigerant, and the like. The time that the compressor is turned on will vary depending on the amount of refrigerant remaining in the evaporator of the refrigerator and the performance of the compressor. However, the refrigerant can be recovered in about 1-10 minutes based on the currently used refrigerator.

In steps S7A and S7B, the temperature of the refrigerator is continuously measured, and it is determined whether the temperature of the refrigerator is higher than or equal to the set temperature. The compressor is operated to cool the refrigerator.

Although the determination in step S5 is made simply by whether the refrigerator has the lowest set temperature among the set temperatures of the plurality of refrigerators, this may be determined in various ways as described above. For example, by measuring the temperature of each refrigerator to determine the refrigerator to be cooled next, determine the steps (S7A, S7B) by using the difference with the set temperature of the refrigerator to be cooled next, and proceed with the refrigerant recovery process You may also do it. In addition, steps S7A and S7B may be determined based on the refrigerator having the smallest difference between the set temperature and the set temperature of the refrigerator and the refrigerant recovery process may be performed.

In the following, various aspects of the claimable invention are described. The following description forms part of a detailed description of the invention and is directed to examples of a method of operating a complex refrigeration system according to the present invention or a technical idea of the present invention which can be appreciated from various points of view. It should be understood as a minimum description and not as a boundary limiting the present invention.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 1 at the time of filing. In this way, a plurality of refrigerators can be operated while efficiently using a refrigerant.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 2 at the time of filing. Through this method, it is possible to selectively recover the refrigerant. For example, after operating a refrigerator having a high set temperature and then operating a refrigerator having a low set temperature, the refrigerant may not be recovered. On the other hand, those skilled in the art should understand that any case where the refrigerant remaining in the refrigerator may be a problem may be the subject of such determination.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 3 at the time of filing. The comparison of the set temperature may be performed for the remaining plurality of refrigerators, but may be performed in various forms such as for a refrigerator to be operated next time.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 4 at the time of filing. Through this method, it is possible to effectively recover the refrigerant with respect to the plurality of refrigerators having various set temperatures. The various set temperatures may result from a change in the set temperature of one refrigerator, and may also result from the characteristics of each refrigerator to be applied (for example, storage of kimchi, storage of wine).

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 5 at the time of filing. Energy may be applied by a fan and / or heater equipped with a refrigerator. By applying energy to the refrigerant, the refrigerant present in the liquid or gaseous phase + liquid phase can be made into a refrigerant in the gas phase or a refrigerant having a high temperature (or pressure) and returned to the compressor. On the other hand, by using the compressor, it is possible to quickly recover the refrigerant.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 6 at the time of filing.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 7 at the time of filing.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 8 at the time of filing.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 9 at the time of filing.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 10 at the time of filing.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 11 at the time of filing. In particular, the present invention is applied to a complex refrigeration system including a general refrigerator and a kimchi refrigerator, and it is well shown that the present invention has been made in view of specific problems that may occur in constructing refrigerators that are currently used separately in a single refrigeration cycle. Giving. However, it should not be understood that all aspects of the present invention include a general refrigerator and a kimchi refrigerator.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 12 at the time of filing.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 13 at the time of filing.

A method of operating a complex refrigeration system as claimed in claim 14 upon filing.

A method of operating a complex refrigeration system as claimed in claim 15 upon filing. For example, when the set temperature of the kimchi refrigerator is 0 ℃, the set temperature of the freezer compartment of the refrigerator is -18 ℃, and the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator is 3 ℃, after operating the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator using a fan After the refrigerant is recovered and the freezer compartment of the refrigerator is operated, the refrigerant can be efficiently recovered by recovering the refrigerant using a compressor.

A method of operating a complex refrigeration system as claimed in claim 16 upon filing.

A method of operating a complex refrigeration system as claimed in claim 17 upon filing. For example, when the difference between the refrigerator to be operated next to the set temperature is small (for example, 1 ° C.), the refrigerant may not be recovered.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 18 at the time of filing. In this case, the step of determining whether to recover the refrigerant may include a process of determining a method of recovering the refrigerant.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 19 at the time of filing.

A method of operating a complex refrigeration system as claimed in claim 20 upon filing.

A method of operating a complex refrigeration system as claimed in claim 21 upon filing.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 22 at the time of filing.

A method of operating a complex refrigeration system as claimed in claim 23 upon filing.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 24 at the time of filing.

A method of operating a complex refrigeration system as claimed in claim 25 upon filing. Through this method, in a multiple refrigeration system having a refrigerator using a direct cooling method and a refrigerator using an indirect cooling method, it is possible to effectively recover the refrigerant according to the characteristics of the refrigerator configuration and / or the conditions of the required refrigerant recovery. do.

A method of operating the complex refrigeration system according to claim 26 at the time of filing.

The same method can also be applied to oil recovery.

As described above, according to the technical idea of the present invention and examples of the method for operating the combined refrigeration system, it is possible to implement the combined refrigeration system described in the object of the invention.

On the other hand, descriptions of the objects and effects of the present invention can be inferred by those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the present invention and should not be understood as limiting the objects and effects of the present invention.

Claims (26)

A plurality of refrigerators; And a compressor connected to supply the refrigerant to the plurality of refrigerators and forming a refrigeration cycle together with the plurality of refrigerators. A supply step of supplying a refrigerant to one of the plurality of refrigerators by using a compressor; A determination step of determining whether to recover the refrigerant by comparing a set temperature of at least one of the plurality of refrigerators with one of the plurality of refrigerators; And, And a recovery step of recovering the refrigerant remaining in one of the plurality of refrigerators. delete delete The method of claim 1, Prior to the recovering step, the determining step of determining the refrigerant recovery method according to the difference in the set temperature of one of the plurality of refrigerators and at least one of the remaining plurality of refrigerators; further comprising a method for operating a multiple refrigeration system. The method of claim 4, wherein The refrigerant recovery method is at least one of a method for recovering the refrigerant by applying heat energy to the remaining refrigerant in one of the plurality of refrigerators and the method for recovering the refrigerant using a compressor. The method of claim 5, wherein A method of recovering a refrigerant using a compressor is performed by shutting off a refrigerant supplied to one of a plurality of refrigerators and turning on a compressor. The method of claim 1, Refrigerant recovery method in the recovery step is at least one of the method of recovering the refrigerant by applying heat energy to the refrigerant remaining in one of the plurality of refrigerators and the method of recovering the refrigerant by using a compressor. Way. The method of claim 7, wherein The method for recovering a refrigerant by applying thermal energy to the refrigerant comprises applying thermal energy by at least one of a fan and a heater. The method of claim 7, wherein Prior to the recovery step, the step of determining whether the set temperature of one of the plurality of refrigerators is lower than the at least one set temperature of the remaining plurality of refrigerators; further comprising a method of operating a multiple refrigeration system. The method of claim 1, Wherein in the recovery step, when the temperature of one of the plurality of refrigerators rises above the set temperature, the recovery step is stopped and the supply step is returned. delete delete delete delete delete delete In the method of operating a combined refrigeration system comprising a first refrigerator and a second refrigerator, A supply step of supplying a refrigerant to the first refrigerator; A determination step of determining whether to recover the refrigerant from the first refrigerator; And, And a determining step of determining a method of recovering the refrigerant by comparing the set temperatures of the first refrigerator and the second refrigerator. delete delete The method of claim 17, The determining step may be performed by applying heat energy to the refrigerant remaining in the refrigerator when the set temperature difference is small, and recovering the refrigerant remaining in the refrigerator using a compressor when the compared value is large. . The method of claim 20, Supplying the refrigerant to the first refrigerator when the refrigerant is recovered by using the compressor. The method of claim 21, A recovery step of recovering the refrigerant; And, And a supply step of stopping the recovery of the refrigerant after the recovery step and supplying the refrigerant to the refrigerator. The method of claim 17, And a first refrigerator and a second refrigerator selected from the group consisting of a refrigerator, a kimchi refrigerator and a wine refrigerator. The method of claim 23, And a refrigerator comprises a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment. delete delete

Images