KR20080008095A - Oil seperating apparatus of cooling cycle apparatus and control method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An oil separating apparatus of a cooling cycle apparatus and a control method of the same are provided to minimize the number of components by including a temperature-sensible opening/closing valve, and save electricity for unnecessary controlling components. An oil separating apparatus of a cooling cycle apparatus includes a temperature sensor(18) measuring the temperature of an oil collecting path(14), a discharging temperature sensor measuring the temperature of an outlet of a compressor(2), an oil collecting valve(16) installed on the oil collecting path, and a control part(50) determining opening and closing of the oil collecting valve by comparing the measured temperature with a set value. A control method of the oil separating apparatus of the cooling cycle apparatus includes the steps of: opening the oil collecting valve installed on the oil collecting path for collecting; measuring the temperature of the oil collecting path; and maintaining the oil collecting valve in an opened state or a closed state by comparing the measured temperature with the set value.

Description

Oil seperating apparatus of cooling cycle apparatus and control method of the same}

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigerating machine to which the oil separation device first embodiment of the refrigerating machine according to the present invention is applied;

2 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a method for controlling an oil separation device of a refrigerating machine according to the present invention;

3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigerating machine to which the second embodiment of the oil separation device of the refrigerating machine according to the present invention is applied;

4 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of a method for controlling an oil separation device of a refrigerating device according to the present invention;

5 is a block diagram of a refrigerating machine to which the third embodiment of the oil separation device of the refrigerating machine is applied.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

2: compressor 4: compressor suction tubing

6: compressor discharge piping 10: oil separator

12: condenser connection piping 14: oil return flow path

16: oil return valve 16 ′: temperature-sensitive valve

18: temperature sensor 18 ′: sensing mechanism

19: discharge temperature sensor 20: condenser

30: expansion mechanism 40: evaporator

50: control unit

The present invention relates to an oil separation device of a refrigeration device and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an oil separation device and a control method of a refrigeration device in which the refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor is bypassed to the compressor through an oil separator. .

In general, refrigeration equipment such as an air conditioner or a refrigerator is a device that includes a cycle consisting of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator, to cool or heat a room, or to keep the inside of the refrigerator at a low temperature.

The refrigeration unit is lubricated through oil to protect the compressor from mechanical friction, and the oil in the compressor circulates the cycle with the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor.

On the other hand, when such oil accumulates in the condenser, the evaporator and the pipe of the cycle, the performance is reduced, and when the return to the compressor is not smooth, the amount of oil in the compressor is insufficient, causing the compressor to be burned out. In order to install an oil separator at the outlet of the compressor to separate oil from the refrigerant gas of high temperature and high pressure, and to install an oil return channel for recovering the oil separated from the oil separator to the inlet of the compressor, the amount of oil circulating in the cycle This will reduce the oil shortage of the compressor.

However, in the refrigeration apparatus including the oil separator and the oil recovery flow path, when the amount of oil discharged from the compressor is small, the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor is bypassed to the suction part of the compressor through the oil separator, When the refrigerant gas is bypassed to the compressor, there is a problem that the temperature of the compressor is increased and the compression capacity of the compressor is lowered.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the oil separation of the refrigeration machine can improve the reliability of the compressor to prevent the refrigerant gas of high temperature and high pressure to be bypassed to the compressor through the oil return flow path The purpose is to provide a device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control method of an oil separation device of a refrigerating device, which is capable of maximally recovering oil by blocking only a high temperature refrigerant gas which may substantially adversely affect a compressor.

An oil separation apparatus of a refrigerating device according to the present invention for solving the above problems is an oil separator for separating oil and refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor of the refrigerating device; The oil separated in the oil separator is configured to include an oil return flow path is recovered to the compressor. And detecting whether the refrigerant gas flows into the oil recovery flow path, and when the refrigerant gas flows into the oil recovery flow path, seals the oil recovery flow path and opens the oil recovery flow path when the refrigerant gas does not flow into the oil recovery flow path. And an opening and closing means.

An oil separation device of a refrigerating device according to the present invention includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of an oil recovery flow path, an oil recovery valve installed in the oil recovery flow path, and the temperature recovery when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a set temperature. And a control unit for closing the valve and opening the oil return valve when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is lower than a set temperature.

An oil separation device of a refrigerating device according to the present invention includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of an oil recovery flow path, a discharge temperature sensor for measuring a discharge part temperature of the compressor, an oil recovery valve provided in the oil recovery flow path, And a control unit for opening the oil recovery valve if the difference between the temperature of the oil recovery flow path and the discharge part temperature of the compressor is equal to or greater than a set value, and otherwise closing the oil recovery valve.

A control method of an oil separation device of a refrigerating device according to the present invention includes: a first step of opening an oil recovery valve installed in an oil recovery flow path for recovering oil separated from an oil separator by a compressor; A second step of measuring a temperature of the oil recovery flow path; And a third step of closing the oil return valve if the measured temperature of the oil return flow path is equal to or higher than a set temperature, otherwise maintaining the opening of the oil return valve.

A control method of an oil separation device of a refrigerating device according to the present invention includes: a first step of opening an oil recovery valve installed in an oil recovery flow path for recovering oil separated from an oil separator by a compressor; A second step of measuring a temperature of the oil recovery flow path and a temperature of a discharge part of the compressor; And a third step of maintaining the opening of the oil return valve if the difference between the measured temperature of the oil return flow path and the discharge part temperature of the compressor is equal to or greater than a set value, and otherwise closing the oil return valve.

The control method of the oil separation device of the refrigerating device repeats the second step and thereafter when the oil recovery valve is kept open in the third step.

The control method of the oil separation device of the refrigerating device, in the case where the oil return valve is closed in the third step, after the set time has elapsed after the oil return valve is closed, the first step and thereafter Repeat.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigeration apparatus to which the oil separation device first embodiment of the refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

 The refrigeration apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a compressor 2, an oil separator 10, a condenser 20, an expansion mechanism 30, and an evaporator 40. The oil separator 10, the condenser 20, the expansion mechanism 30, and the evaporator 40 are connected to the refrigerant pipe to form a cycle.

The compressor 2 is connected to a compressor suction pipe 4 through which the refrigerant evaporated from the evaporator 40 is sucked into the compressor 2, and the refrigerant gas and oil of high temperature and high pressure discharged from the compressor 2 are connected to the compressor 2. The compressor discharge pipe 6 leading to the oil separator 10 is connected.

The compressor 2 may be configured as a constant speed compressor having a constant compression capacity, and may also be configured as a variable capacity compressor such as an inverter compressor whose compression capacity is variable according to an input frequency.

The compressor (2), in particular, in the case of a variable displacement compressor, the oil discharge amount appears variously.

The oil separator 10 may separate the refrigerant gas of the high temperature and high pressure in such a way that the refrigerant gas of the high temperature and high pressure collides with the mesh embedded in the oil separator 10 together with the oil so that the oil is filtered through the mesh body. Of course, the refrigerant gas and the oil of high pressure may be separated in a cyclone manner while rotating the inner wall of the oil separator 10.

The oil separator 10 is connected to the condenser connecting pipe 12 for guiding the refrigerant gas of the high temperature and high pressure separated therein to the condenser 20, and the oil separated from the refrigerant gas of the high temperature and high pressure is connected to the compressor ( The oil return flow passage 14 leading to the compressor suction pipe 4 on the inlet side of 2) is connected.

The oil recovery flow passage 14 detects whether the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas passes through the oil recovery flow passage 14, and when the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas flows into the oil recovery flow passage 14, the oil recovery flow passage 14 is opened. When the refrigerant gas of high temperature and high pressure does not flow into the oil recovery channel 14, the sensing and opening / closing means 16 and 18 for opening the oil recovery channel 14 are installed.

The sensing and opening / closing means (16) and (18) may include an opening / closing mechanism (16) for opening and closing the oil recovery channel (14), and whether the fluid passing through the oil recovery channel (14) is oil or a refrigerant gas having a high temperature and high pressure. It is configured to include a detector (18) for detecting the.

The opening and closing mechanism 16 includes an oil recovery valve installed at one side of the oil recovery passage 14.

The oil separation device of the refrigerating device is different from the speed of the fluid and the temperature of the oil recovery channel 14 according to the viscosity of the fluid (oil or refrigerant gas) passing through the oil recovery channel 14, the detector 18 is made up of a flowmeter such as a pitot tube type flow meter or a heating wire flow meter installed in the oil recovery flow path 14, and can also detect the speed of the fluid, and a temperature sensor such as a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the oil recovery flow path 14. It is also possible to detect the temperature of the fluid consisting of.

Hereinafter, the sensing mechanism 18 will be described as being made of a temperature sensor.

In the oil separation device of the refrigerating device, when an appropriate amount of oil is discharged together with the refrigerant gas of a high temperature and high pressure in the compressor 2, the oil recovery passage 14 passes a high viscosity oil, and the high viscosity oil Since the flow rate is slow, the temperature decreases while the oil recovery passage 14 passes, and the oil is recovered to the compressor 2 through the compressor suction pipe 4 of the compressor 2 after the temperature decreases.

On the other hand, in the oil separation device of the refrigerating device, when only a small amount of oil is discharged from the compressor 2 or no oil is discharged, the oil recovery passage 14 has a high temperature and high pressure, which is typically lower in viscosity than oil. The refrigerant gas passes through, and the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas having a low viscosity has a high flow rate, so that the temperature decreases while passing through the oil recovery passage 14, and the refrigerant gas having a high temperature and high pressure does not have a large temperature change. Bypassed to the compressor (2) through the compressor suction pipe (4).

That is, the oil separation device of the refrigerating device may detect whether oil is recovered to the oil recovery channel 14 or the refrigerant gas of high temperature and high pressure is bypassed according to the temperature of the oil recovery channel 14, When oil is recovered to the oil recovery channel 14 (that is, the oil recovery channel 14 is at a low temperature), the oil recovery valve 16 is opened to separate the oil separated from the oil separator 10 by the compressor 2. When the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas is bypassed to the oil recovery flow path 14 (that is, the oil recovery flow path 14 is high temperature), the oil recovery valve 16 is sealed to provide a high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas. Is preferably not bypassed through the oil return flow passage 14.

That is, the refrigerating device controls the oil return valve 16 by the controller 50 according to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 18.

The controller 50 controls to close the oil recovery valve 16 when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 18 is equal to or greater than the set temperature, and when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 18 is less than the set temperature. The oil return valve 16 is controlled to open.

Here, the set temperature is a value determined by an experiment or the like, and may be determined at a constant value regardless of the capacity of the refrigeration apparatus or the type of compressor, or may be adjusted according to the capacity of the refrigeration apparatus. In the case of a variable displacement compressor, the value may be adjusted in conjunction with the input frequency of the compressor 2.

2 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a method for controlling an oil separation device of a refrigerating device according to the present invention.

First, when the refrigeration machine is operated, the controller 50 drives the compressor 2 and opens the oil return valve 16. (S1) (S2)

In operation of the compressor 2, the compressor 2 discharges high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas together with oil, and the discharged high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas and oil are separated while passing through the oil separator 10.

The refrigerant gas of the high temperature and high pressure separated from the oil in the oil separator 10 passes through the condenser 20, the expansion mechanism 30, and the evaporator 40 as a shield, and then the suction pipe 4 of the compressor 2. Through the compressor (2).

Meanwhile, the oil separated from the refrigerant gas of the high temperature and high pressure in the oil separator 10 passes through the oil return passage 14 and the oil return valve 16 and through the suction pipe 4 of the compressor 2. Recovered to the compressor (2).

The temperature sensor 18 periodically measures the temperature of the oil recovery flow path 14 during the circulation of the refrigerant and the recovery of the oil, and outputs the temperature to the controller 50 (S3).

The controller 50 compares the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 18 with a set temperature (S4).

When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 18 is equal to or higher than a set temperature, the controller 50 bypasses the refrigerant gas of high temperature and high pressure having a low viscosity to the oil recovery channel 14, and thus the oil recovery valve 16. ) Seal (S5)

That is, the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas is not bypassed to the compressor 2.

When the oil recovery valve 16 is closed, the controller 50 opens the oil recovery valve 16 again after a set time has elapsed since the oil recovery valve 16 is closed. S7)

On the other hand, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 18 is less than the set temperature, the control unit 50 passes the oil recovery valve 16 to the oil recovery channel 14 since the oil having a high viscosity passes. Continue to open (S8)

When the oil return valve 16 is closed and reopened or the oil return valve 16 is kept open, the controller 50 compares the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 18 with the set temperature again. The oil return valve 16 is opened or closed according to the comparison result.

3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the oil separation device of the refrigerating machine according to the present invention.

The oil separation device of the refrigerating device according to the present embodiment includes a discharge temperature sensor 19 for measuring the discharge portion temperature of the compressor 2, as shown in FIG.

The discharge temperature sensor 19 may be installed to measure the temperature of the compressor discharge pipe 6 connecting the compressor 2 and the oil separator 10, and connects the oil separator 10 and the condenser 20. It is also possible to be installed to measure the temperature of the condenser connecting pipe 12, which will be described below by only measuring the temperature of the compressor discharge pipe (6).

The controller 50 ′ opens or closes the oil recovery valve 16 by using the sensing temperature of the temperature sensor 18 measuring the temperature of the oil recovery channel 14 and the sensing temperature of the discharge temperature sensor 19. Determine.

That is, in the oil separation device of the refrigerating device, the detector port 18 'that detects whether the oil passes through the oil return passage 14 or the gas refrigerant having a high temperature and high pressure passes through the discharge temperature sensor (with the temperature sensor 18). 19).

In the oil separation device of the refrigerating device according to the present embodiment, other configurations and operations other than the sensing mechanism 18 'and the control unit 50' are the same as or similar to those of the first embodiment of the present invention, and therefore the same reference numerals are used. Detailed description will be omitted.

The oil separation device of the refrigerating device is when the appropriate amount of oil is discharged together with the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas in the compressor (2), the compressor discharge pipe 12 is a high temperature because the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas passes along with the oil, As the oil having a high viscosity passes through the oil recovery passage 14, the temperature decreases, and the temperature difference between the temperature of the compressor discharge pipe 12 and the oil recovery passage 14 increases.

On the other hand, in the oil separation device of the refrigerating device, if only a small amount of oil is discharged from the compressor 2 or no oil is discharged, the compressor discharge pipe 12 has a high temperature because the refrigerant gas of high temperature and high pressure passes along with the oil. In this case, as the refrigerant gas of a high temperature and high pressure having a low viscosity passes through the oil recovery passage 14, the temperature decrease is small, and the temperature difference between the temperature of the compressor discharge pipe 12 and the oil recovery passage 14 becomes small.

If the difference between the temperature of the oil recovery flow path 14 and the temperature of the discharge pipe 12 of the compressor is greater than or equal to a set value, the controller 50 'is configured to allow oil to pass through the oil recovery flow path 14. 1) is opened and, on the contrary, if the difference between the temperature of the oil recovery flow passage 14 and the temperature of the discharge pipe 12 of the compressor is less than the set value, a gas refrigerant having a high temperature and high pressure passes through the oil recovery flow passage 14. Therefore, the oil return valve 16 is sealed.

Here, the set value is a value determined by an experiment or the like, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, it may be determined as a constant value regardless of the capacity of the refrigeration device or the type of the compressor, and may be adjusted according to the capacity of the refrigeration device. In the case where the compressor 2 is a variable displacement compressor, the value of the compressor 2 may be adjusted in conjunction with the input frequency of the compressor 2.

4 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of a method for controlling an oil separation device of a refrigerating device according to the present invention.

First, when the refrigeration machine is operated, the controller 50 'drives the compressor 2 and opens the oil return valve 16. (S11) (S12)

Hereinafter, since the circulation of the refrigerant and the recovery of oil according to the driving of the compressor 2 are the same as in the first embodiment of the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

 The temperature sensor 18 and the discharge temperature sensor 19 periodically control the temperature of the oil recovery flow path 14 and the temperature of the compressor discharge pipe 12 during the circulation of the refrigerant and the recovery of the oil. 50 ') (S13)

The controller 50 ′ calculates a difference between the temperature of the compressor discharge pipe 12 detected by the discharge temperature sensor 19 and the temperature of the oil recovery flow path 14 detected by the temperature sensor 18. Compare the difference with the set value (S14).

If the detected difference between the two temperatures is less than a predetermined value, the controller 50 seals the oil recovery valve 16 because the refrigerant gas having a high temperature and high pressure passes through the oil recovery passage 14.

Thereafter, when the oil recovery valve 16 is closed, the control unit 50 closes the oil recovery valve 16 and opens the oil recovery valve 16 again when the set time has elapsed. S17)

On the other hand, the controller 50 continuously opens the oil recovery valve 16 because oil having a high viscosity passes through the oil recovery channel 14 when the detected difference between two temperatures is equal to or greater than a set value. (S18)

When the oil return valve 16 is closed and reopened or the oil return valve 16 is kept open, the controller 50 controls the temperature of the compressor discharge pipe 12 and the temperature sensor 18. The difference in temperature of the sensed oil return flow passage 14 is again compared with the set value, and the oil return valve 16 is opened or closed according to the comparison result.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the oil separation device of the refrigerating machine according to the present invention.

The oil separation device of the refrigerating device according to the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, is installed in the oil recovery flow path 14, the temperature-sensitive valve 16 to open and close the oil recovery flow path 14 in accordance with the temperature change ′), And other components other than the temperature sensitive open / close valve 16 ′ are the same as or similar to those of the first embodiment of the present invention, and therefore the same reference numerals will be omitted.

The temperature sensitive on / off valve 16 ′ is applicable to any one of an electronic on / off valve and a mechanical on / off valve, and hereinafter, an oil return flow path 14 automatically according to the temperature of a fluid (oil, refrigerant gas) without a separate control signal. It will be described as being made of a mechanical valve that opens and closes).

The temperature sensitive open / close valve 16 ′ is connected to the oil return flow passage 14 and has a valve body having a flow passage therein, and is installed inside the valve body to expand or contract according to a temperature change. It is also possible that the shape memory alloy itself, including the shape memory alloy, can open and close the flow path of the valve body, and a separate valve body which is operated by the shape memory alloy in addition to the valve body and the shape memory alloy to open and close the flow path of the valve body. Of course, it is possible to include.

On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, it is applicable to the case of a heat pump type refrigeration apparatus, of course, various implementations are possible within the technical scope to which the present invention belongs.

In the oil separation device of the refrigerating device according to the present invention configured as described above, when the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor is bypassed to the compressor through the oil separator and the oil recovery flow path, the oil recovery flow path is sealed to seal the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant. When the gas is bypassed, it is possible to prevent the rise of the temperature and efficiency of the compressor, and if not bypassed, it is possible to open the oil return flow path so that the oil of the compressor is not short, thereby improving the reliability of the compressor. .

In addition, the oil separation device of the refrigerating device according to the present invention includes a temperature-sensitive on-off valve for automatically opening and closing the oil return flow path in accordance with the temperature change, the number of parts is minimized, and a separate control component is unnecessary to open and close the oil return flow path. There is an advantage that no power is consumed.

In addition, the control method of the oil separation device of the refrigerating device according to the present invention detects whether the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas is bypassed to the oil recovery flow path by using the temperature of the oil recovery flow path, which may substantially adversely affect the compressor. Blocking the high temperature refrigerant gas and bypassing the refrigerant gas is not enough to adversely affect the compressor has the advantage that the oil recovery path can be opened to facilitate the smooth recovery of the oil.

Claims (9)

An oil separator for separating oil and refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor of the refrigerating device; An oil recovery flow path through which the oil separated in the oil separator is recovered by a compressor; Detects whether the refrigerant gas flows into the oil recovery flow path to seal the oil recovery flow path when the refrigerant gas flows into the oil recovery flow path, and to open the oil recovery flow path when the refrigerant gas does not flow into the oil recovery flow path. Oil separation apparatus of the refrigeration machine, characterized in that it comprises an opening and closing means. An oil separator for separating oil and refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor of the refrigerating device; An oil recovery flow path through which the oil separated in the oil separator is recovered by a compressor; A temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the oil recovery flow path; An oil separation device of a refrigeration machine, comprising an oil recovery valve installed in the oil recovery flow path. The method of claim 2, And refrigerating the oil return valve when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a set temperature, and opening the oil return valve when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is lower than the set temperature. The oil separator of the device. The method of claim 2, And a discharge temperature sensor configured to measure a discharge temperature of the compressor. The method of claim 4, wherein And a control unit which opens the oil return valve if the difference between the temperature of the oil return flow path and the discharge part temperature of the compressor is equal to or greater than a set value, and otherwise closes the oil return valve. A first step of opening an oil return valve installed in an oil return flow path for recovering oil separated from the oil separator by a compressor; A second step of measuring a temperature of the oil recovery flow path; A third step of closing the oil return valve if the measured temperature of the oil return flow path is equal to or higher than a set temperature; otherwise, maintaining the opening of the oil return valve. Control method. A first step of opening an oil return valve installed in an oil return flow path for recovering oil separated from the oil separator by a compressor; A second step of measuring a temperature of the oil recovery flow path and a temperature of a discharge part of the compressor; And maintaining the opening of the oil return valve if the difference between the measured temperature of the oil return flow path and the discharge part temperature of the compressor is equal to or greater than a set value, and otherwise closing the oil return valve. To control the oil separation unit of the refrigeration unit. The method according to claim 6 or 7, The control method of the oil separation device of the refrigerating device, the control of the oil separation device of the refrigerating device, characterized in that the second step and after that, when the opening of the oil return valve is maintained in the third step. Way. The method according to claim 6 or 7, In the method of controlling the oil separation device of the refrigerating device, when the oil return valve is closed in the third step, after the set time has elapsed after the oil return valve is closed, the first step and subsequent steps are repeated. The control method of the oil separation device of the refrigeration apparatus.

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