KR102582651B1 - Refrigerant recovery apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor provided with a suction flow path and a discharge flow path; Four sides with suction flow path and discharge flow path connected; a first connection passage connected to the four sides and selectively communicating with one of the suction passage and the discharge passage; a second connection passage connected to the four sides and selectively communicating with the other of the suction passage and the discharge passage; a gas passage connected to the first connection passage and communicating with the engine of the device to be recovered; a liquid passage connected to the first connection passage and communicating with a liquid pipe of the device to be recovered; A condenser where refrigerant is condensed; a condenser inlet passage connecting the second connection passage and the condenser; a condenser outlet flow path that communicates the condenser with a recovery vessel; a first bypass passage communicating with the recovery vessel, bypassing the condenser, and connected to the second connection passage; And it may include a second bypass flow path that bypasses the compressor and the condenser and connects the liquid flow path and the condenser outlet flow path.

Description

Refrigerant recovery device {REFRIGERANT RECOVERY APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a refrigerant recovery device, and more specifically, to a refrigerant recovery device for recovering refrigerant encapsulated inside a device to be recovered.

A refrigerant recovery device is a device that recovers refrigerant encapsulated in devices (hereinafter referred to as recovery target devices) that are driven using refrigerants, such as air conditioners or refrigerators.

Generally, a refrigerant recovery device includes a compressor and a condenser, and can recover the refrigerant using a gas phase recovery method or a push-pull recovery method.

The vapor phase recovery method is a method in which the refrigerant from the device to be recovered is sucked into a compressor, the refrigerant compressed and discharged from the compressor is condensed in a condenser, and the liquid refrigerant is transferred to a recovery container. The recovery container is a container in which refrigerant is collected, and may be included in the refrigerant recovery device or may be a separate configuration separate from the refrigerant recovery device.

The push-pull recovery method is a method that improves the recovery speed of liquid refrigerant by sucking the gaseous refrigerant from the recovery container into the compressor, transferring the gaseous refrigerant compressed and discharged from the compressor to the device to be recovered, and pushing the liquid refrigerant in the device to be recovered. am. In this case, when all of the liquid refrigerant in the recovery target device is recovered, the push-pull recovery method is terminated and switched to the gas-phase recovery method.

However, the conventional refrigerant recovery device had a problem in that the operator had to visually check whether the refrigerant was gaseous or liquid and then switch to the vapor phase recovery method or the push-pull recovery method.

In addition, the conventional refrigerant recovery device had a problem in that the operator had to manually change the piping between the refrigerant recovery device and the recovery target device every time the recovery method was switched.

In addition, the conventional refrigerant recovery device had a problem in that refrigerant leakage could occur while the operator manually changed the piping, so additional air purge or vacuum work had to be performed.

One problem that the present invention seeks to solve is to provide a refrigerant recovery device that automatically determines the end point of the push-pull mode.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerant recovery device in which the refrigerant recovery mode is automatically switched.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerant recovery device with improved refrigerant recovery speed and recovery rate.

A refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor provided with a suction flow path and a discharge flow path; Four sides where the suction flow path and the discharge flow path are connected; a first connection passage connected to the four sides and selectively communicating with one of the suction passage and the discharge passage; a second connection passage connected to the four sides and selectively communicating with the other of the suction passage and the discharge passage; a gas passage connected to the first connection passage and communicating with the engine of the device to be recovered; a liquid passage connected to the first connection passage and communicating with a liquid pipe of the device to be recovered; A condenser where refrigerant is condensed; a condenser inlet passage connecting the second connection passage and the condenser; a condenser outlet flow path that communicates the condenser with a recovery vessel; a first bypass passage communicating with the recovery vessel, bypassing the condenser, and connected to the second connection passage; And it may include a second bypass flow path that bypasses the compressor and the condenser and connects the liquid flow path and the condenser outlet flow path.

It may further include a gas-liquid sensor installed in the second bypass passage.

The gas-liquid sensor includes a heater that heats the second bypass passage; a first temperature sensor disposed before the heater in the second bypass passage in a flow direction of the refrigerant; And it may include a second temperature sensor disposed after the heater in the flow direction of the refrigerant in the second bypass passage.

The second bypass passage includes a vertical portion in which the heater, the first temperature sensor, and the second temperature sensor are disposed, and the heater is located above the first temperature sensor and below the second temperature sensor. It can be located in .

A check valve may be installed in the first bypass passage to prevent the refrigerant in the second connection passage from flowing into the recovery container.

A check valve may be installed in the condenser outlet passage to prevent the refrigerant from flowing back into the condenser.

A check valve may be installed in the second bypass passage to prevent the refrigerant from the condenser outlet passage from flowing into the liquid passage.

It may further include an expansion mechanism installed in the liquid flow path.

A first opening/closing valve installed in the gas flow passage; And it may further include a second opening/closing valve installed in the liquid flow path.

The second bypass flow path may be connected between the expansion mechanism and the second opening/closing valve among the liquid flow paths.

It may further include a controller that opens and closes the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve, respectively.

In the vapor phase recovery mode for recovering gaseous refrigerant from the recovery target device, the controller opens the first on/off valve, closes the second on/off valve, and the first connection passage is in communication with the suction passage. The four sides can be controlled so that the second connection passage is in communication with the discharge passage.

In the liquid recovery mode in which liquid refrigerant is recovered from the recovery target device, the controller closes the first opening/closing valve, opens the second opening/closing valve, and controls the expansion mechanism to a set opening degree at which the refrigerant is expanded. , the four sides can be controlled so that the first connection passage is in communication with the suction passage and the second connection passage is in communication with the discharge passage.

In the push-pull mode in which the gaseous refrigerant in the recovery container is sucked into the compressor, the controller opens the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve, closes the expansion mechanism, and the first connection flow path is connected to the The four sides can be controlled so that they communicate with the discharge passage and the second connection passage communicates with the suction passage.

In the push-pull mode in which the gaseous refrigerant in the recovery container is sucked into the compressor, the four sides are controlled so that the first connection passage is in communication with the discharge passage and the second connection passage is in communication with the suction passage, and the heater It may further include a controller that turns on.

The controller is configured to, when the difference between the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor after the heater is turned on is greater than the reference temperature difference, the first connection passage is communicated with the suction passage and the The four sides can be controlled so that the second connection flow path communicates with the discharge flow path.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the end point of the push-pull mode can be automatically determined by the gas-liquid sensor. This has the advantage of eliminating the inconvenience for workers to visually determine whether the refrigerant is gas or liquid.

In addition, since the controller can control the first on-off valve, the second on-off valve, and the four-way valve, the refrigerant recovery mode can be automatically switched. This has the advantage of shortening the refrigerant recovery time because workers do not have to manually change piping and perform vacuum/purge work.

Additionally, since the worker does not directly change the piping, concerns about refrigerant leaking can be eliminated.

Additionally, refrigerant can be recovered more quickly through push-pull mode.

Additionally, the refrigerant recovery rate can be further improved by implementing the gas phase recovery mode after the push-pull mode.

1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a gas-liquid sensor.
Figure 3 is a graph to explain the detection method of the gas-liquid sensor.
Figure 4 is a control block diagram of a refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the gas phase recovery mode of the refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the liquid phase recovery mode of the refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the push-pull recovery mode of the refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail along with the drawings.

1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The refrigerant recovery device 1 according to this embodiment can recover the refrigerant of the device to be recovered (2) and collect it into the recovery container (5).

The device to be recalled (2) may include an outdoor unit (3) and an indoor unit (4) of an air conditioner. However, it is not limited to this, and it is obvious that the device 2 subject to recall may include a refrigerator, etc.

The refrigerant transferred from the device to be recovered (2) to the refrigerant recovery device (1) may be collected in the recovery container (5). The recovery container 5 may be included in the refrigerant recovery device 1. However, the following description will be based on the case where the recovery container 5 is configured separately from the refrigerant recovery device 1.

The refrigerant recovery device (1) includes a compressor (20), a four-way valve (30), a condenser (40), a first connection passage (23), a second connection passage (24), a gas passage (15), a liquid passage (16), It may include a condenser inlet flow path 42, a condenser outlet flow path 43, a first bypass flow path 17, and a second bypass flow path 19.

The refrigerant recovery device may further include a housing (10). Inside the housing 10, there is a compressor 20, a four-way valve 30, a condenser 40, a first connection passage 23, a second connection passage 24, a gas passage 15, a liquid passage 16, At least one of the condenser inlet flow path 42, the condenser outlet flow path 43, the first bypass flow path 17, and the second bypass flow path 19 may be disposed.

The compressor 20 may be provided with a discharge passage 21 and a suction passage 22. The compressor 20 may compress the refrigerant sucked in through the suction passage 22 and discharge the refrigerant into the discharge passage 21.

An oil separator may be installed in the discharge passage 21.

The compressor 20 may include a flow sensor (not shown), and a controller 90 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, receives the flow rate measured by the flow sensor and determines the flow rate of the refrigerant sucked and discharged from the compressor 20. can be calculated. However, it is not limited to this, and when the discharge flow rate of the compressor 20 is constant, the controller 90 can know the flow rate value of the refrigerant sucked and discharged from the compressor 20 even if the compressor 20 does not include a flow sensor. .

The four-way valve 30 may be connected to the suction passage 22 and the discharge passage 21 of the compressor 20.

The four-way side 30 may communicate one of the first connection passage 23 and the second connection passage 24, which will be described later, with the suction passage 22, and communicate the other with the discharge passage 21. The four-way valve 30 can be switched by the controller 90.

The first connection passage 23 may be connected to the four sides 30. The first connection passage 23 may selectively communicate with one of the suction passage 22 and the discharge passage 21.

A gas flow path 15 and a liquid flow path 16 may be connected to the first connection flow path 23. For example, the first connection flow path 23 may be divided into a gas flow path 15 and a liquid flow path 16.

The gas flow path 15 may be in communication with the engine of the device to be recovered (2). The liquid flow path 16 may communicate with the liquid pipe of the device to be recovered (2). That is, a gaseous refrigerant can flow in the gas flow path 15, and a liquid refrigerant can flow in the liquid flow path 16.

In more detail, the gas flow path 15 may be connected to the gas extension flow path 11 that is connected to the engine of the recovery target device 2 and extends to the refrigerant recovery device 1. Additionally, the liquid flow path 16 may be connected to a liquid extension flow path 12 that is connected to the liquid pipe of the recovery target device 2 and extends to the refrigerant recovery device 1.

When there are multiple devices to be recovered (2), the gas extension passage 11 includes a gas common flow path connected to the gas flow path 15, and a gas common flow path branched from the gas common flow path and connected to each device to be recovered (3) (4). It may include a branch flow path. In addition, the liquid extension passage 12 may include a liquid common passage connected to the liquid passage 16, and a liquid branch passage branched from the liquid common passage and connected to each of the recovery target devices 3 and 4.

The refrigerant recovery device 1 may further include a first on/off valve 71 installed in the gas flow path 15 and a second on/off valve 72 installed in the liquid flow path 16.

The first on/off valve 71 can control the flow of refrigerant flowing into the gas passage 15. The second on/off valve 72 can control the flow of refrigerant flowing into the liquid passage 16.

The first on/off valve 71 and the second on/off valve 72 may be controlled to open and close by the controller 90. The first on-off valve 72 and the second on-off valve 72 may each include a solenoid valve.

The refrigerant recovery device 1 may further include an expansion mechanism 50 installed in the liquid passage 16.

The opening degree of the expansion mechanism 50 may be controlled by the controller 90. For example, the expansion mechanism 50 may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV).

The expansion mechanism 50 is fully closed to close the liquid passage 16, is fully open to open the liquid passage 16, or is controlled to a preset expansion opening degree. The refrigerant passing through (50) can be expanded.

The first connection flow path 23, the gas flow path 15, and the liquid flow path 16 can be integrated and named the target device side flow path.

Meanwhile, the second connection passage 24 may be connected to the four sides 30. The first connection passage 23 may selectively communicate with one of the suction passage 22 and the discharge passage 21.

A condenser inlet passage 42 and a first bypass passage 17, which will be described later, may be connected to the second connection passage 24. For example, the second connection flow path 24 may be branched into a condenser inlet flow path 42 and a first bypass flow path 17.

The condenser 40 may be a heat exchanger that condenses the refrigerant by exchanging heat with the air blown by the blower fan 41 and the refrigerant. The blowing fan 41 may be disposed toward the condenser 40.

A condenser inlet flow path 42 and a condenser outlet flow path 43 may be connected to the condenser 40. The gaseous refrigerant flowing into the condenser inlet flow path 42 may be condensed in the condenser 40 and flow into the condenser outlet flow path 43.

The condenser inlet passage 42 may connect the second connection passage 24 and the condenser 40.

The condenser outlet passage 43 may communicate the condenser 40 with the recovery container 5. In more detail, the condenser outlet flow path 43 may be connected to the first container extension flow path 13 that is connected to the recovery container 5 and extends to the refrigerant recovery device 1.

A first check valve 75 may be installed in the condenser outlet passage 43 to prevent the refrigerant from flowing back into the condenser 40.

The first bypass flow path 17 communicates with the recovery container 5 and may be connected to the second connection flow path 24 by bypassing the condenser 40. In more detail, the first bypass flow path 17 may be connected to the second container extension flow path 14 that is connected to the recovery container 5 and extends to the refrigerant recovery device 1.

A second check valve 76 may be installed in the first bypass passage 17 to prevent the refrigerant in the second connection passage 24 from flowing into the recovery container 5.

The first container extension passage 13 and the second container extension passage 14 may each be connected to the recovery container 5. The first container extension passage 13 can guide the gaseous refrigerant inside the recovery container 5 to the first bypass passage 17. The second container extension passage 14 can guide the liquid refrigerant from the condenser outlet passage 43 into the recovery container 5.

The end of the first container extension passage 13 may be located at the upper part of the recovery container 5, and the end of the second container extension passage 14 may be located at the lower part of the recovery container 5. That is, the height from the bottom surface inside the recovery container 5 to the end of the first container extension passage 13 is greater than the height from the bottom surface inside the recovery container 5 to the end of the second container extension passage 14. It can be high. As a result, the liquid refrigerant filled in the recovery container (5) does not flow into the first container extension passage (13), and only the gaseous refrigerant can flow into the first container extension passage (13).

The second connection flow path (24), the condenser inlet flow path (42), the condenser outlet flow path (43), and the first bypass flow path (17) can be combined and called a container-side flow path.

Meanwhile, the second bypass flow path 19 may bypass the compressor 20 and the condenser 40 and connect the liquid flow path 16 and the condenser outlet flow path 43.

In more detail, one end (19A) of the second bypass flow path (19) may be connected to the liquid flow path (16), and the other end (19B) may be connected to the condenser outlet flow path (43). That is, one end 19A of the second bypass flow path 19 may be a connection portion 19A between the second bypass flow path 19 and the liquid flow path 16, and the other end 19B may be a connection portion 19A of the second bypass flow path 19 and the liquid flow path 16. It may be a connection portion (19B) between the flow path (19) and the condenser outlet flow path (43).

The connection portion 19A of the second bypass passage 19 and the liquid passage 16 may be located between the expansion mechanism 50 and the second opening/closing valve 72.

The connection portion (19B) between the second bypass passage (19) and the condenser outlet passage (43) may be located after the first check valve (75) with respect to the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing into the condenser outlet passage (43). there is.

The refrigerant recovery device 1 may further include a gas-liquid sensor 60 installed in the second bypass passage 19.

The gas-liquid sensor 60 can determine whether the refrigerant passing through the second bypass passage 19 is gas-liquid. The controller 90 can receive the detection result of the gas-liquid detector 60 and switch the recovery mode of the refrigerant recovery device 1.

The detailed configuration of the gas-liquid detector 60 and the recovery mode of the refrigerant recovery device 1 will be described in detail later.

A third check valve 77 may be installed in the second bypass passage 19 to prevent the refrigerant in the condenser outlet passage 43 from flowing into the liquid passage 16.

The third check valve 77 may be located between the gas-liquid detector 60 and the connection portion 19B with the condenser outlet passage 43 in the second bypass passage 19. This can prevent the refrigerant in the condenser outlet passage 43 from flowing into the gas-liquid detector 60.

Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a gas-liquid sensor, and Figure 3 is a graph for explaining the detection method of the gas-liquid sensor.

As previously described, the gas-liquid sensor 60 may be installed in the second bypass passage 19.

The gas-liquid sensor 60 may include a heater 61, a first temperature sensor 62, and a second temperature sensor 63.

The heater 61 may heat the second bypass passage 19. The heater 61 may be an electric heater including a heating wire wound around a portion of the outer circumference of the second bypass passage 19, but is not limited thereto.

The first temperature sensor 62 may be disposed before the heater 61 in the second bypass passage 19 in the direction of refrigerant flow. The second temperature sensor 63 may be disposed after the heater 61 in the second bypass passage 19 in the direction of refrigerant flow. That is, the first temperature sensor 62 and the second temperature sensor 63 can measure the temperature before and after the refrigerant is heated by the heater 61, respectively.

The first temperature sensor 62 and the second temperature sensor 63 may be provided in contact with the outer surface of the second bypass passage 19.

The controller 90 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, can control the on/off and heating temperature of the heater 90. In addition, the controller 90 receives the measured values of the first temperature sensor 62 and the second temperature sensor 63 and calculates the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor 62 and the second temperature sensor 63. The temperature difference (T) corresponding to the temperature difference can be calculated.

When the refrigerant recovery device 1 is in a push-pull mode, which will be described later, the controller 90 determines the refrigerant passing through the second bypass passage 19 from the temperature difference T and the flow rate F of the compressor 20. You can determine whether it is liquid or gaseous.

Referring to FIG. 3, it can be determined whether the refrigerant is in a liquid state, transition state, or gaseous state depending on the temperature difference (T) and flow rate (F). Figure 3 is an exemplary graph, and in reality, the shape of the graph may vary depending on the type of refrigerant (eg, R410A, R22, R134a, R123, etc.).

The refrigerant recovery device 1 may further include a storage unit 91 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later. The storage unit 91 may store the temperature difference corresponding to the case in which the refrigerant is in a liquid/transition/gas state as data, depending on the refrigerant flow rate and type of refrigerant in the compressor 20.

The controller 90 maintains the push-pull mode if the refrigerant passing through the second bypass flow path 19 is in a liquid state, and can switch from the push-pull mode to the vapor phase recovery mode if the refrigerant passing through the second bypass passage 19 is in a vapor phase. This will be explained in detail later.

Meanwhile, the second bypass passage 19 may include a vertical portion 19C where the gas-liquid sensor 60 is installed.

The vertical portion 19C may be formed vertically up and down. A heater 61, a first temperature sensor 62, and a second temperature sensor 63 may be disposed in the vertical portion 19C.

The refrigerant may flow from the lower side to the upper side of the vertical portion 19C. Accordingly, the heater 61 may be located above the first temperature sensor 62 and below the second temperature sensor 63. As a result, it is possible to more accurately measure the time when the refrigerant passing through the vertical portion 19C changes phase from the liquid phase to the gas phase.

Figure 4 is a control block diagram of a refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The refrigerant recovery device 1 according to this embodiment may further include a controller 90.

The controller 90 can control the gas-liquid sensor 60. In more detail, the controller 90 can control the heater 61 on and off or control the heating temperature. Additionally, the controller 90 can receive temperature values detected by the first temperature sensor 62 and the second temperature sensor 63.

The controller 90 can control the quadrant 30. In more detail, the controller 90 controls the four sides 63 to communicate the suction passage 22 with any one of the first connection passage 23 and the second connection passage 24 and the discharge passage 21. It can be connected to another one.

The controller 90 can control the expansion mechanism 50. In more detail, the controller 90 can control the expansion mechanism 500 to be fully open, fully closed, or to a set opening degree at which the refrigerant is expanded.

The controller 90 can independently control the first on-off valve 71 and the second on-off valve 72.

The controller 90 can control the on and off of the compressor 20. When the compressor 20 is an inverter compressor, the controller 90 can control the operating frequency of the compressor 20. Additionally, the controller 90 can receive the flow rate of the refrigerant sucked and discharged from the compressor 20.

The controller 90 can control the on/off and rotation speed of the blowing fan 41.

The refrigerant recovery device 1 may further include a storage unit 91. The controller 90 can store information in the storage unit 91 or retrieve information stored in the storage unit 91.

Meanwhile, the controller 90 can switch the refrigerant recovery mode of the refrigerant recovery device 1. In more detail, the controller 90 can control the refrigerant recovery device 1 in any one of a gas phase recovery mode, a liquid phase recovery mode, and a push-pull mode. Hereinafter, each mode will be described in more detail.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the gas phase recovery mode of the refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The vapor phase recovery mode may be a mode in which the vapor phase refrigerant of the recovery target device (2) is recovered and collected into the recovery container (5).

The vapor phase recovery mode may be implemented to fill the recovery container 5 with vapor phase refrigerant before the push-pull mode. Additionally, the vapor phase recovery mode may be a mode for recovering the remaining refrigerant of the target device 5 after push-pull operation.

Hereinafter, the operation of the refrigerant recovery device 1 in the gas phase recovery mode will be described.

In the gas phase recovery mode, the controller 90 may open the first on/off valve 71 and close the second on/off valve 72. Additionally, the controller 90 may control the four-way valve 30 so that the first connection passage 23 communicates with the suction passage 22 and the second connection passage 24 communicates with the discharge passage 21. Additionally, the controller 90 can close the expansion mechanism 50.

In this case, since the first on-off valve 71 is open and the second on-off valve 72 is closed, the gaseous refrigerant in the target recovery device 2 can be transferred to the refrigerant recovery device 1.

Additionally, the controller 90 can turn on the compressor 20 and rotate the blowing fan 41.

When the compressor 20 is operated, the refrigerant in the target recovery device 2 is transferred to the gas extension passage 11, the gas passage 15, the first connection passage 23, and the four sides 30 by the suction force of the compressor 20. ) can sequentially pass through the suction flow path 22 and be sucked into the compressor 20.

The refrigerant sucked from the compressor 20 can be discharged into the discharge passage 21 and flow into the condenser 40 through the four sides 30, the second connection passage 24, and the condenser inlet passage 42. . At this time, the refrigerant can be prevented from flowing into the first bypass passage 17 by the second check valve 76.

In the process of passing through the condenser 40, the refrigerant exchanges heat with air blown by the blowing fan 41 and can be condensed. As a result, the refrigerant can flow to the condenser outlet passage 43 in a liquid state, pass through the first container extension passage 13, and be transferred to the recovery container 5. At this time, the refrigerant can be prevented from flowing into the second bypass passage 19 by the third check valve 77.

That is, the gas phase recovery mode is a mode in which the refrigerant of the recovery target device (2) is transported in a gaseous state to the refrigerant recovery device (1), then liquefied in the condenser (40) through the compressor (20) and collected in the recovery container (5). It can be.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the liquid phase recovery mode of the refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The liquid recovery mode may be a mode in which the liquid refrigerant of the recovery target device (2) is recovered and collected into the recovery container (5).

Hereinafter, the operation of the refrigerant recovery device 1 in the liquid recovery mode will be described.

In the liquid recovery mode, the controller 90 may close the first on-off valve 71 and open the second on-off valve 72. Additionally, the controller 90 may control the four-way valve 30 so that the first connection passage 23 communicates with the suction passage 22 and the second connection passage 24 communicates with the discharge passage 21. Additionally, the controller 90 can control the expansion mechanism 50 to a set opening degree at which the refrigerant expands.

In this case, since the first on-off valve 71 is closed and the second on-off valve 72 is open, the liquid refrigerant from the target recovery device 2 can be transferred to the refrigerant recovery device 1.

Additionally, the controller 90 can turn on the compressor 20 and rotate the blowing fan 41.

When the compressor 20 is operated, the refrigerant of the target recovery device 2 may pass through the liquid extension passage 12 and flow into the liquid passage 16 by the suction force of the compressor 20. The refrigerant may be expanded in the expansion mechanism (50). At least a portion of the expanded refrigerant may be evaporated, sequentially passing through the first connection passage 23 and the four sides 30, flowing into the suction passage 22, and being sucked into the compressor 20. .

The refrigerant sucked from the compressor 20 can be discharged into the discharge passage 21 and flow into the condenser 40 through the four sides 30, the second connection passage 24, and the condenser inlet passage 42. . At this time, the refrigerant can be prevented from flowing into the first bypass passage 17 by the second check valve 76.

In the process of passing through the condenser 40, the refrigerant exchanges heat with air blown by the blowing fan 41 and at least part of it may be condensed. As a result, the refrigerant can be cooled and flow into the condenser outlet flow path 43, pass through the first container extension flow path 13, and be transferred to the recovery container 5. At this time, the refrigerant can be prevented from flowing into the second bypass passage 19 by the third check valve 77.

That is, in the liquid recovery mode, the refrigerant of the device to be recovered (2) is transported in liquid form to the refrigerant recovery device (1), then evaporated in the expansion mechanism (50), passed through the compressor (20), and liquefied in the condenser (40). This may be a mode where the items are collected in the recovery container (5).

Figure 7 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the push-pull recovery mode of the refrigerant recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The push-pull mode may be a mode that improves the recovery speed of the refrigerant by transferring the gaseous refrigerant in the recovery container 5 to the recovery target device 2 and pushing the liquid refrigerant in the recovery target device 2.

The push-pull mode can recover the refrigerant faster than the gas-phase recovery mode and liquid recovery mode described above.

A vapor phase recovery mode may be implemented to fill the recovery container 5 with gaseous refrigerant prior to the push-pull mode. The controller 90 can automatically switch the refrigerant recovery device 1 from gas phase recovery mode to push-pull mode.

Hereinafter, the operation of the refrigerant recovery device 1 in push-pull mode will be described.

In push-pull mode, the controller 90 can open the first on-off valve 71 and the second on-off valve 72. Additionally, the controller 90 may control the four-way valve 30 so that the first connection passage 23 communicates with the discharge passage 21 and the second connection passage 24 communicates with the suction passage 22. Additionally, the controller 90 can close the expansion mechanism 50.

Additionally, the controller 90 can turn on the compressor 20. The controller 90 may not operate the blowing fan 41.

When the compressor 20 is operated, the gaseous refrigerant in the recovery container 5 flows through the first container extension passage 13, the first bypass passage 17, and the second connection passage 24 by the suction force of the compressor 20. and can sequentially pass through the four sides 30, flow into the suction passage 22, and be sucked into the compressor 20.

The gaseous refrigerant sucked from the compressor 20 may be discharged into the discharge passage 21 and pass through the four sides 30, the first connection passage 23, the gas passage 15, and the gas extension passage 11. It may flow to the device subject to recovery (2). At this time, since the expansion mechanism 50 is closed, the refrigerant in the first connection passage 23 may not flow into the liquid passage 16.

The gaseous refrigerant flowing into the device to be recovered (2) can push out the refrigerant inside the device to be recovered (2). Since the gaseous refrigerant flows through the engine of the device to be recovered (2), the liquid refrigerant may be pushed out from the liquid pipe of the device to be recovered (2).

The liquid refrigerant may flow into the liquid passage 16 through the liquid extension passage 12. At this time, since the expansion mechanism 50 is closed, the liquid refrigerant can flow from the liquid passage 16 to the second bypass passage 19.

The liquid refrigerant that has passed through the second bypass passage 19 may sequentially pass through the condenser outlet passage 43 and the second container extension passage 14 and be transferred to the recovery container 5. At this time, the refrigerant in the condenser outlet passage 43 may not flow back to the condenser 40 due to the first check valve 75.

Meanwhile, in the push-pull mode, the gas-liquid sensor 60 can determine whether the refrigerant passing through the second bypass passage 19 is gas-liquid.

In the push-pull mode, after all the liquid refrigerant in the device to be recovered (2) is pushed out, the gaseous refrigerant injected into the device to be recovered (2) can pass through the second bypass flow path (19). At this time, the gas-liquid detector 60 can detect that the refrigerant passing through the second bypass passage 19 is a gas. In this case, the controller 90 can automatically switch the refrigerant recovery device 1 from push-pull mode to vapor phase recovery mode.

In more detail, the controller 90 can turn on the heater 61 (see FIG. 2) of the gas-liquid sensor 60 in the push-pull mode. The controller 90 determines the difference between the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor 62 (see FIG. 2) and the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor 63 (see FIG. 2) after the heater 61 is turned on. When the temperature difference becomes greater than the standard temperature difference, the refrigerant recovery device (1) can be automatically switched from push-pull mode to vapor phase recovery mode. In this case, the reference temperature difference may vary depending on the flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the compressor 10, the type of refrigerant, and the heating temperature of the heater 61.

The controller 90 controls the four-way valve 30 to communicate the first connection passage 23 with the suction passage 22, the second connection passage 24 with the discharge passage 21, and the first opening/closing valve. It can be switched to the gas phase recovery mode by keeping (71) open, closing the second opening/closing valve (72), and operating the blowing fan (41).

By implementing the gas phase recovery mode after the push-pull mode, the residual refrigerant recovery rate of the recovery target device (2) can be improved.

The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but rather to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

1: Refrigerant recovery device 2: Equipment subject to recovery
5: Recovery container 11: Gas extension channel
12: liquid extension passage 13: first container extension passage
14: Second container extension flow path 15: Gas flow path
16: liquid flow path 17: first bypass flow path
19: Second bypass flow path 19C: Vertical part
20: Compressor 21: Discharge flow path
22: suction flow path 23: first connection flow path
24: Second connection passage 30: Four sides
40: condenser 41: blower fan
42: Condenser inlet flow path 43: Condenser outlet flow path
50: Expansion mechanism 60: Gas liquid sensor
61: Heater 62: First temperature sensor
63: second temperature sensor 75: first check valve
76: second check valve 77: third check valve
90: Controller 91: Storage unit

Claims (16)

A compressor equipped with a suction flow path and a discharge flow path;
Four sides where the suction flow path and the discharge flow path are connected;
a first connection passage connected to the four sides and selectively communicating with one of the suction passage and the discharge passage;
a second connection passage connected to the four sides and selectively communicating with the other of the suction passage and the discharge passage;
a gas passage connected to the first connection passage and communicating with the engine of the device to be recovered;
a liquid passage connected to the first connection passage and communicating with a liquid pipe of the device to be recovered;
an expansion mechanism installed in the liquid flow path;
A first opening/closing valve installed in the gas flow path;
A second opening/closing valve installed in the liquid flow path;
A controller that opens and closes the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve, respectively;
A condenser where refrigerant is condensed;
a condenser inlet passage connecting the second connection passage and the condenser;
a condenser outlet flow path that communicates the condenser with the recovery vessel (5);
a first bypass passage communicating with the recovery vessel, bypassing the condenser, and connected to the second connection passage; and
It includes a second bypass flow path that bypasses the compressor and the condenser and connects the liquid flow path and the condenser outlet flow path,
The second bypass passage is connected between the expansion mechanism and the second opening/closing valve among the liquid passages,
In the vapor phase recovery mode for recovering gaseous refrigerant from the recovery target device, the controller,
Open the first opening/closing valve,
Close the second opening/closing valve,
A refrigerant recovery device that controls the four sides so that the first connection passage communicates with the suction passage and the second connection passage communicates with the discharge passage. According to claim 1,
A refrigerant recovery device further comprising a gas-liquid sensor installed in the second bypass passage. According to claim 2,
The gas-liquid sensor,
a heater that heats the second bypass passage;
a first temperature sensor disposed before the heater in the second bypass passage in a flow direction of the refrigerant; and
A refrigerant recovery device comprising a second temperature sensor disposed after the heater in the second bypass passage in a direction of refrigerant flow. According to claim 3,
The second bypass flow path is,
It includes a vertical portion in which the heater, a first temperature sensor, and a second temperature sensor are disposed, and is formed vertically,
The heater is located above the first temperature sensor and below the second temperature sensor. According to claim 1,
In the first bypass flow path,
A refrigerant recovery device equipped with a check valve that prevents the refrigerant in the second connection passage from flowing into the recovery container. According to claim 1,
A refrigerant recovery device equipped with a check valve in the condenser outlet passage to prevent the refrigerant from flowing back into the condenser. According to claim 1,
A refrigerant recovery device in which a check valve is installed in the second bypass passage to prevent the refrigerant from the condenser outlet passage from flowing into the liquid passage. delete delete delete delete delete A compressor equipped with a suction flow path and a discharge flow path;
Four sides where the suction flow path and the discharge flow path are connected;
a first connection passage connected to the four sides and selectively communicating with one of the suction passage and the discharge passage;
a second connection passage connected to the four sides and selectively communicating with the other of the suction passage and the discharge passage;
a gas passage connected to the first connection passage and communicating with the engine of the device to be recovered;
a liquid passage connected to the first connection passage and communicating with a liquid pipe of the device to be recovered;
an expansion mechanism installed in the liquid flow path;
A first opening/closing valve installed in the gas flow path;
A second opening/closing valve installed in the liquid flow path;
A controller that opens and closes the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve, respectively;
A condenser where refrigerant is condensed;
a condenser inlet passage connecting the second connection passage and the condenser;
a condenser outlet flow path that communicates the condenser with the recovery vessel (5);
a first bypass passage communicating with the recovery vessel, bypassing the condenser, and connected to the second connection passage; and
It includes a second bypass flow path that bypasses the compressor and the condenser and connects the liquid flow path and the condenser outlet flow path,
The second bypass passage is connected between the expansion mechanism and the second opening/closing valve among the liquid passages,
In the liquid recovery mode for recovering liquid refrigerant from the recovery target device, the controller,
Close the first opening/closing valve,
Open the second opening/closing valve,
Controlling the expansion mechanism to a set opening degree at which the refrigerant expands,
A refrigerant recovery device that controls the four sides so that the first connection passage communicates with the suction passage and the second connection passage communicates with the discharge passage. A compressor equipped with a suction flow path and a discharge flow path;
Four sides where the suction flow path and the discharge flow path are connected;
a first connection passage connected to the four sides and selectively communicating with one of the suction passage and the discharge passage;
a second connection passage connected to the four sides and selectively communicating with the other of the suction passage and the discharge passage;
a gas passage connected to the first connection passage and communicating with the engine of the device to be recovered;
a liquid passage connected to the first connection passage and communicating with a liquid pipe of the device to be recovered;
an expansion mechanism installed in the liquid flow path;
A first opening/closing valve installed in the gas flow path;
A second opening/closing valve installed in the liquid flow path;
A controller that opens and closes the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve, respectively;
A condenser where refrigerant is condensed;
a condenser inlet passage connecting the second connection passage and the condenser;
a condenser outlet flow path that communicates the condenser with the recovery vessel (5);
a first bypass passage communicating with the recovery vessel, bypassing the condenser, and connected to the second connection passage; and
It includes a second bypass flow path that bypasses the compressor and the condenser and connects the liquid flow path and the condenser outlet flow path,
The second bypass passage is connected between the expansion mechanism and the second opening/closing valve among the liquid passages,
In the push-pull mode in which the gaseous refrigerant in the recovery container is sucked into the compressor, the controller
Open the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve,
Close the inflation mechanism,
A refrigerant recovery device that controls the four sides so that the first connection passage communicates with the discharge passage and the second connection passage communicates with the suction passage. delete delete

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