KR102581418B1 - ice thermal storage tank for cooling and heating system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes a body filled with a certain amount of water therein; and a pipe connected to the inside and outside of the body, through which fluid is circulated, and as the cooled fluid circulates through the pipe, freezing occurs on the outer surface of the pipe, thereby cooling the water filled in the body. It consists of: an ice detection unit disposed at at least one point on the pipe inside the body and detecting the thickness of ice on the outer surface of the pipe; and a control unit that controls circulation of the fluid by opening and closing the pipe according to the ice thickness detected by the ice detection unit.

Description

Ice thermal storage tank for cooling and heating system with easy control of ice thickness

The present invention relates to an ice storage tank for a cooling and heating system, and more specifically, to prevent damage to the pipe and body due to excessive ice thickness by accurately controlling the ice thickness on the outer surface of the pipe by the cooling fluid circulating along the pipe. This relates to an ice storage tank for a cooling and heating system that allows easy control of ice thickness.

The temperature suitable for human activity can be said to be approximately 20℃.

However, since the outside temperature in the winter or summer greatly exceeds 20℃, the indoor temperature is also bound to exceed 20℃, so human activity may slow down even indoors at that time.

Accordingly, various heating and cooling systems are used to provide heating in the winter and cooling in the summer to ensure that human activities can be carried out smoothly during these times.

Meanwhile, as one of the cooling and heating systems, there is a 'cooling and heating system' in which cold storage and heat storage are performed using a refrigeration cycle, as disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1910494.

A cooling and heating system using a refrigeration cycle includes the discharge port of the compressor; condenser; expansion valve; It is composed of connecting the evaporator and the inlet of the compressor with a conduit. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed in the compressor is condensed in the condenser and the heat of condensation is exchanged with the fluid to generate hot water and use this to heat the indoor air. This is achieved by expanding the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid condensed in the condenser using an expansion valve, converting it into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant liquid, and then flowing it into the evaporator body to evaporate it by a heat source, and the heat of evaporation is exchanged with the fluid to produce cold water. Air conditioning is achieved by generating and using this to cool the indoor air.

The use of cooling and heating systems using such refrigeration cycles is continuously increasing because it can use relatively inexpensive energy, such as late-night electricity, to reduce cooling and heating costs.

Meanwhile, in a cooling and heating system using a refrigeration cycle, cooling and heat storage are carried out in an ice storage tank for the cooling and heating system.

At this time, the ice storage tank for the heating and cooling system includes a body filled with water; and a pipe connected to the inside and outside of the body, through which the fluid circulates. By including a pipe, when the cooled fluid flows along the pipe in the cooling mode, freezing occurs on the outer surface of the pipe, thereby cooling the water in the body and producing cold water. You can.

However, the conventional cooling and heating system using a refrigeration cycle had a problem in that the piping and body of the ice storage heat tank for the cooling and heating system were easily damaged.

In other words, when ice forms on the outer surface of the pipe due to the cooled fluid, if the ice thickness becomes excessive, one pipe and the other pipe may be pushed by contact between the ice formed by freezing, which makes it easy for the pipe and the body to be damaged. There was a problem with damage.

Accordingly, a water level gauge is mounted on the body of the ice storage heat tank for the cooling and heating system to check the water level when ice forms in the pipe and to control the thickness of the ice on the outer surface of the pipe.

In other words, when the outside of the pipe freezes, the water level in the body rises due to the formation of ice. Therefore, the water level is checked through a water level gauge, and when the water level exceeds the preset maximum allowable value, the ice thickness is considered excessive and fluid circulation through the pipe is blocked. By doing so, further freezing is prevented and damage to the pipes and body is prevented.

However, since the water level in the body can easily fluctuate due to water leaks, etc., controlling the thickness of ice on the outer surface of the pipe through a water level gauge had the problem of lowering its reliability.

For the above reasons, the relevant field has developed an ice storage heat tank for cooling and heating systems that prevents damage to the pipe and body due to excessive ice thickness by accurately controlling the ice thickness on the outer surface of the pipe by the cooling fluid circulating along the pipe. Attempts are being made, but satisfactory results have not been achieved so far.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1910494

The present invention was proposed to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and allows accurate control of the ice thickness on the outer surface of the pipe by the cooling fluid circulating along the pipe, thereby preventing damage to the pipe and body due to excessive ice thickness. The purpose is to provide an ice storage tank for heating and cooling systems that can prevent.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention,

A body filled with a certain amount of water inside; and a pipe connected to the inside and outside of the body, through which fluid is circulated, and as the cooled fluid circulates through the pipe, freezing occurs on the outer surface of the pipe, thereby cooling the water filled in the body. It consists of: an ice detection unit disposed at at least one point on the pipe inside the body and detecting the thickness of ice on the outer surface of the pipe; and a control unit that controls the circulation of the fluid by opening and closing the pipe according to the ice thickness detected by the ice detection unit.

The fluid flowing along the pipe is a non-freezing heat medium that prevents freezing below 0°C.

The conduit may be arranged horizontally or vertically within the body.

The ice detection unit includes support pieces arranged to face each other at intervals; a light emitting module disposed on one of the support pieces and emitting light; and a light receiving module disposed on the other support piece and receiving the light emitted from the light emitting module.

The ice detection unit may further include a guide member that slideably supports each of the support pieces.

The control unit blocks the fluid circulation in the pipe when the ice thickness detected by the ice detection unit exceeds a preset maximum allowable value.

The present invention further includes a circulation pump disposed on the pipe to force the fluid to flow.

The ice storage heat tank for a cooling and heating system that facilitates ice thickness control according to the present invention includes a freezing detection unit and a control unit. When the freezing thickness detected by the ice detection unit exceeds a preset maximum allowable value, the ice storage heat tank is operated through a control unit. By closing and blocking fluid circulation, further freezing is prevented on the outer surface of the pipe, preventing excessive thickness of freezing on the outer surface of the pipe, thus preventing damage to the pipe and body due to excessively thick freezing.

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an ice storage heat tank for a heating and cooling system that facilitates ice thickness control according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the anti-icing unit in the ice storage heat tank for a cooling and heating system in which ice thickness control is easy according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is an exemplary diagram showing the detection of ice thickness through an anti-icing unit in an ice storage heat tank for a cooling and heating system in which ice thickness control is easy according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is another example showing detection of ice thickness through an anti-icing unit in an ice storage heat tank for a cooling and heating system in which ice thickness control is easy according to the present invention.
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the ice storage heat tank for a cooling and heating system that facilitates ice thickness control according to the present invention applied to a cooling and heating system.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

As shown in Figure 1, the ice heat storage tank (A) for a cooling and heating system in which ice thickness control is easy according to the present invention includes a body (10); pipeline (20); Ice detection unit (30); and a control unit 40.

The body 10 of the present invention is filled with a certain amount of water (W) inside.

Therefore, cooling or heating can be achieved by cooling or heating the water W charged in the body 10 and supplying it to the indoor floor, etc.

The pipe 20 of the present invention is connected to the inside and outside of the body 10, and the fluid F is circulated along the inside.

Therefore, the water (W) charged inside the body 10 can be cooled or heated by circulating the cooled or heated fluid (F) through the pipe 20.

At this time, the cooling or heating of the fluid (F) may be performed by any conventional method. For example, the fluid (F) is stored in the first heat exchanger (100) of the cooling and heating system (S) from the outside of the body (10). It can be cooled by heat exchange with a refrigerant that evaporates, or can be heated by heat exchange with another refrigerant that is condensed by the second heat exchanger 200 of the cooling and heating system (S) outside the body 10.

At this time, as the fluid F cooled to less than 0°C circulates through the pipe 20, freezing is formed on the outer surface of the pipe 20 inside the body 10, so that the water filled inside the body 10 ( W) can be cooled.

Here, since the fluid F is a floating heat medium, freezing is prevented below 0°C, and circulation through the pipe 20 can be smooth even when cooled below 0°C.

And the conduit 20 may be arranged horizontally or vertically within the body 10.

The ice detection unit 30 of the present invention is disposed at at least one point on the inner pipe 20 of the body 10 and detects the thickness of ice on the outer surface of the pipe 20.

Therefore, when the ice thickness detected by the ice detection unit 30 exceeds the preset maximum allowable value, further freezing can be prevented by blocking the circulation of the fluid (F) through the pipe 20, thereby preventing the ice thickness on the outer surface of the pipe 20. Damage to the conduit 20 and body 10 due to excessive can be prevented.

At this time, the ice detection unit 30 includes support pieces 31 arranged to face each other at intervals; A light emitting module (32) disposed on one of the support pieces (31) and emitting light; And a light receiving module 33 disposed on the other side of the support piece 31 to receive the light emitted from the light emitting module 32. By including a light receiving module 33, whether or not light is received from the light emitting module 32 is determined. Accordingly, the thickness of the ice on the outer surface of the pipe 20 can be detected.

That is, when the light emitted from the light emitting module 32 is smoothly received through the light receiving module 33, the ice thickness on the outer surface of the pipe 20 is less than the maximum allowable value, in other words, it can be said to be normal ice, and the light emitting module 32 When the light emitted from is refracted due to ice formation on the outer surface of the pipe 20 and is not received by the light receiving module 33, the ice thickness on the outer surface of the pipe 20 exceeds the maximum allowable value, in other words, it can be called excessive icing.

Here, the light emitting module 32 may be of any conventional structure and method as long as it can emit light in a straight line, and the light receiving module 33 may emit light irradiated in a straight line by the light emitting module 32. As long as it can be received, it may be of any ordinary structure and method, and detailed descriptions of the light emitting module 32 and the light receiving module 33 will be omitted.

In addition, each of the support pieces 31 includes a groove portion 31a formed at the bottom, so that the groove portion 31a can be stably seated in the pipe 20 by inserting the groove portion 31a into the pipe 20.

In addition, the ice detection unit 30 further includes a guide member 34 that slideably supports each of the support pieces 31, so that the support pieces 31 slide in and out on the guide members 34. Since the distance between the light emitting module 32 and the light receiving module 33 can be adjusted, light reception through the light receiving module 33 can be smooth.

That is, when at least one of the support pieces 31 on the guide member 34 moves inward, the gap between the light emitting module 32 and the light receiving module 33 can be narrowed, and the support piece 31 on the guide member 34 If at least one of (31) moves outward, the gap between the light emitting module 32 and the light receiving module 33 may widen.

The control unit 40 of the present invention controls the circulation of the fluid F by opening and closing the pipe 20 according to the ice thickness detected by the ice detection unit 30.

Therefore, when the ice thickness detected by the ice detection unit 30 is normal, additional freezing can be achieved by opening the pipe 20 to allow the circulation of the fluid F, and the ice detected by the ice detection unit 30 When the thickness is excessive, further freezing can be prevented by closing the pipe 20 to block circulation of the fluid F.

At this time, the control unit 40 includes an on-off valve (not shown in the drawing) disposed on the conduit 20, so that the on-off valve is opened and closed under the control of the control unit 40, thereby opening and closing the conduit 20. You can.

Meanwhile, the ice heat storage tank (A) for a cooling and heating system in which ice thickness control is easy according to the present invention may further include a circulation pump (50) disposed on the pipe (20) to force the fluid (F) to flow.

Therefore, as the circulation pump 50 operates to force the fluid F to flow, the fluid F may circulate smoothly through the pipe 20.

The ice storage tank (A) for a cooling and heating system that facilitates ice thickness control according to the present invention is connected to and installed in the cooling and heating system (S) as shown in FIG. 5.

At this time, the freezing thickness control through the ice storage tank (A) for a cooling and heating system that is easy to control the freezing thickness according to the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

In the present invention, the fluid (F) circulating through the pipe 20 can be cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant that is evaporated by the first heat exchanger 100 of the cooling and heating system (S) outside the body 10. .

Therefore, the cooled fluid (F) can be circulated through the pipe 20 of the present invention.

On the other hand, when the cooled fluid (F) circulates through the pipe 20, the water (W) inside the body 10 can be naturally cooled as it comes into contact with the pipe 20 through which the cooled fluid (F) circulates. Therefore, by supplying this to the indoor floor, etc., cooling can be achieved in the summer.

At this time, as the fluid F circulating through the pipe 20 is cooled to less than 0° C., freezing may form on the outer surface of the pipe 20 inside the body 10.

Therefore, the water (W) inside the body 10 can be cooled as it comes into contact with the ice (I) generated by freezing on the outer surface of the pipe 20.

Here, since the fluid F of the present invention is a floating heat medium, freezing of itself is prevented even at temperatures below 0° C., so circulation through the pipe 20 can be smooth.

However, when ice forms on the outer surface of each pipe (20), the freezing on the outer surface of the pipe (20) is excessive, so that the ice (I) generated due to freezing on the outer surface of one pipe (20) and the outer surface of other pipes (20) adjacent to it. When the ice (I) generated due to freezing comes into contact with each other, the pipe 20 may be pushed away, which may cause damage to the pipe 20 and the body 10.

However, the ice heat storage tank (A) for a cooling and heating system in which ice thickness control is easy according to the present invention includes an ice detection unit 30, and the ice thickness on the outer surface of the pipe 20 can be detected by the ice detection unit 30. Therefore, when the ice thickness detected by the ice detection unit 30 exceeds the preset maximum allowable value, further freezing can be prevented by blocking the circulation of the fluid (F) through the pipe 20, thereby preventing freezing on the outer surface of the pipe 20. Damage to the pipe 20 and body 10 due to excessive thickness can be prevented.

At this time, the ice detection unit 30 includes support pieces 31 arranged to face each other at intervals, as shown in FIG. 2; A light emitting module (32) disposed on one of the support pieces (31) and emitting light; And a light receiving module 33 disposed on the other side of the support piece 31 to receive the light emitted from the light emitting module 32; receiving light from the light emitting module 32 through the light receiving module 33. Depending on the presence or absence, the thickness of the ice on the outer surface of the pipe 20 can be detected.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the light emitted from the light emitting module 32 is smoothly received through the light receiving module 33, the ice thickness on the outer surface of the pipe 20 is less than the maximum allowable value, in other words, it can be said to be normal ice. As shown in FIG. 4, when the light emitted from the light emitting module 32 is refracted due to ice formation on the outer surface of the pipe 20 and is not received by the light receiving module 33, the ice thickness on the outer surface of the pipe 20 is Exceeding the maximum allowable value, in other words, can be called excessive freezing. When excessive freezing occurs, further freezing can be prevented by blocking the circulation of fluid (F) through the pipe 20, so that the ice thickness on the outer surface of the pipe 20 increases. Damage to the pipe 20 and body 10 due to excessive use can be prevented.

In addition, the anti-icing unit further includes a guide member 34 that slideably supports each of the support pieces 31. As the support pieces 31 slide in and out on the guide members 34, the light emitting module ( Since the distance between 32) and the light receiving module 33 can be adjusted, light reception through the light receiving module 33 can be smooth.

That is, when at least one of the support pieces 31 on the guide member 34 moves inward, the gap between the light emitting module 32 and the light receiving module 33 can be narrowed, and the support piece 31 on the guide member 34 When at least one of (31) moves outward, the gap between the light-emitting module 32 and the light-receiving module 33 can be widened, so that light reception through the light-receiving module 33 can be smooth.

However, blocking the circulation of the fluid F to prevent further freezing of the outer surface of the pipe 20 may be inconvenient.

However, the ice storage heat tank (A) for a cooling and heating system that is easy to control the ice thickness according to the present invention, along with the ice detection unit 30, opens and closes the pipe 20 according to the ice thickness detected by the ice detection unit 30 to control the fluid ( It includes a control unit 40 that controls the circulation of F), and when the ice thickness detected by the ice detection unit 30 is excessive, the operation of the circulation pump 50 is stopped by the control unit 40. Accordingly, the circulation of the fluid (F) through the pipe 20 can be automatically blocked, thereby reducing the inconvenience caused by blocking the circulation of the fluid (F).

At this time, the control unit 40 includes an on-off valve disposed on the conduit 20, so that the conduit 20 can be opened and closed by operating the on-off valve.

Meanwhile, although only cooling was explained in the above, the ice storage tank (A) for a cooling and heating system in which ice thickness control is easy according to the present invention can be used for heating.

That is, in the present invention, the fluid (F) circulating through the pipe 20 is heated as it exchanges heat with another refrigerant that is condensed in the second heat exchanger 200 of the cooling and heating system (S) outside the body 10. As the heated fluid (F) circulates along the pipe 20, the water (W) in contact with the pipe 20 within the body 10 can be naturally heated and supplied to the indoor floor, etc. Accordingly, heating can be provided in the winter, which can further increase its utilization.

The present invention as described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments, so changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims, and such changes may be made to the present invention as defined by the claims below. falls within the scope of protection of the invention.

10: body 20: pipe
30: Ice detection unit 31: Support piece
31a: groove 32: light emitting module
33: light receiving module 34: guide member
40: control unit 50: circulation pump
100: first heat exchanger 200: second heat exchanger
A: Ice storage tank for heating and cooling system F: Fluid
I: Ice S: Heating/cooling system
W: water

Claims (6)

A body filled with a certain amount of water inside; and a pipe connected to the inside and outside of the body, through which fluid is circulated, and as the cooled fluid circulates through the pipe, freezing occurs on the outer surface of the pipe, thereby cooling the water filled in the body. As it is accomplished,
an ice detection unit disposed at at least one point on the pipe inside the body to detect the thickness of ice on the outer surface of the pipe; and
It includes a control unit that controls circulation of the fluid by opening and closing the pipe according to the ice thickness detected by the ice detection unit,
The ice detection unit includes support pieces arranged to face each other at intervals; a light emitting module disposed on one of the support pieces and emitting light; and a light receiving module disposed on the other support piece and receiving the light emitted from the light emitting module.
Each of the support pieces includes a groove formed at the bottom extending in the longitudinal direction,
As the pipe is inserted into each of the grooves and the support piece is seated on the pipe, the ice detection unit is placed in the pipe to detect the ice thickness on the outer surface of the pipe. A heating and cooling system that facilitates ice thickness control. For ice storage heat tank. According to paragraph 1,
An ice storage heat tank for a cooling and heating system with easy ice thickness control, characterized in that the fluid flowing along the pipe is a floating heat medium that prevents freezing below 0°C. According to paragraph 1,
An ice storage heat tank for a cooling and heating system that facilitates control of ice thickness, wherein the pipes are arranged in a horizontal zigzag shape within the body. delete According to paragraph 1,
The ice storage heat tank for a cooling and heating system that facilitates ice thickness control, wherein the ice detection unit further includes a guide member that slideably supports each of the support pieces. According to paragraph 1,
The control unit blocks the fluid circulation in the pipe when the ice thickness detected by the ice detection unit exceeds a preset maximum allowable value.

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