US20260029181A1 - Control method, control device, refrigeration cycle device, program - Google Patents

Control method, control device, refrigeration cycle device, program

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Publication number
US20260029181A1
US20260029181A1 US19/343,801 US202519343801A US2026029181A1 US 20260029181 A1 US20260029181 A1 US 20260029181A1 US 202519343801 A US202519343801 A US 202519343801A US 2026029181 A1 US2026029181 A1 US 2026029181A1
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Prior art keywords
light
refrigeration cycle
circuit
working fluid
disproportionation reaction
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US19/343,801
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English (en)
Inventor
Hironori Tsunoyama
Naoki Hayashi
Nobuaki Nagao
Takahiko HASHIMOTO
Akira Hiwata
Hikaru Murakami
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Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
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Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
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Publication of US20260029181A1 publication Critical patent/US20260029181A1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B35/00—Piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by the driving means to their working members, or by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors, not otherwise provided for
    • F04B35/04—Piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by the driving means to their working members, or by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors, not otherwise provided for the means being electric
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B45/00—Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • C09K5/00—Heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants; Materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion
    • C09K5/02—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used
    • C09K5/04—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa
    • C09K5/041—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa for compression-type refrigeration systems
    • C09K5/044—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa for compression-type refrigeration systems comprising halogenated compounds
    • C09K5/045—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa for compression-type refrigeration systems comprising halogenated compounds containing only fluorine as halogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B49/00—Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
    • F04B49/02—Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B49/00—Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
    • F04B49/06—Control using electricity
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B49/00—Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
    • F04B49/10—Other safety measures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25B49/005—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices of safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02P—CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS
    • H02P29/00—Arrangements for regulating or controlling electric motors, appropriate for both AC and DC motors
    • H02P29/02—Providing protection against overload without automatic interruption of supply
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • C09K2205/00—Aspects relating to compounds used in compression type refrigeration systems
    • C09K2205/10—Components
    • C09K2205/12—Hydrocarbons
    • C09K2205/126—Unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/02—Compressor control
    • F25B2600/025—Compressor control by controlling speed
    • F25B2600/0251—Compressor control by controlling speed with on-off operation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/11—Fan speed control
    • F25B2600/111—Fan speed control of condenser fans
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/11—Fan speed control
    • F25B2600/112—Fan speed control of evaporator fans
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/15—Power, e.g. by voltage or current
    • F25B2700/151—Power, e.g. by voltage or current of the compressor motor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M1/00—Details of apparatus for conversion
    • H02M1/32—Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M5/00—Conversion of AC power input into AC power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases
    • H02M5/40—Conversion of AC power input into AC power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases with intermediate conversion into DC
    • H02M5/42—Conversion of AC power input into AC power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases with intermediate conversion into DC by static converters
    • H02M5/44—Conversion of AC power input into AC power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases with intermediate conversion into DC by static converters using discharge tubes or semiconductor devices to convert the intermediate DC into AC
    • H02M5/453—Conversion of AC power input into AC power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases with intermediate conversion into DC by static converters using discharge tubes or semiconductor devices to convert the intermediate DC into AC using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal
    • H02M5/458—Conversion of AC power input into AC power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases with intermediate conversion into DC by static converters using discharge tubes or semiconductor devices to convert the intermediate DC into AC using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M7/00—Conversion of AC power input into DC power output; Conversion of DC power input into AC power output
    • H02M7/42—Conversion of DC power input into AC power output without possibility of reversal
    • H02M7/44—Conversion of DC power input into AC power output without possibility of reversal by static converters
    • H02M7/48—Conversion of DC power input into AC power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode
    • H02M7/483—Converters with outputs that each can have more than two voltages levels
    • H02M7/487—Neutral point clamped inverters

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to control methods, control devices, refrigeration cycle devices, and programs.
  • R410A has been widely used as a working fluid (heat medium, refrigerant) for refrigeration cycle devices.
  • the global warming potential (GWP) of R410A is as high as 2090. Therefore, from the viewpoint of preventing global warming, research and development of working fluids with smaller GWPs has been conducted.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO1123) as a working fluid with a smaller GWP than R410A.
  • Patent Document 2 discloses 1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO1132) as a working fluid with a smaller GWP than R410A.
  • HFO1123 and HFO1132 have a smaller GWP than R410A, but are therefore less stable than R410A.
  • the generation of radicals may cause a disproportionation reaction of HFO1123 or HFO1132, resulting in the conversion of HFO1123 and HFO1132 to other compounds.
  • Patent document 3 discloses “The disproportionation reaction occurs under an excessively high-temperature and high-pressure atmosphere (in a compressor, in particular), triggered by a starting point when higher energy is added to the refrigerant, or when an excessive collision between refrigerant molecules and electrons occurs due to electric discharge caused by a layer short or the like.”
  • Patent document 3 discloses “The present disclosure suppresses the occurrence of a disproportionation reaction by preventing addition of high energy to the refrigerant in the compressor or by preventing an excessive collision between refrigerant molecules and electrons in the discharge space. As a result, the present disclosure provides a more reliable refrigeration cycle device including a working fluid that contains an ethylene-based fluorohydrocarbon having a double bond.”
  • the refrigeration cycle device disclosed in patent document 3 has a protective device that interrupts the supply of power to the compressor and/or reduces the rotational speed of the compressor when at least one of the following cases occurs: when the current value of the input current of the electric motor of the compressor exceeds a first predetermined value that is set to be three times or more the maximum current value during normal operation other than the startup of the compressor; when the current value of the input current of the electric motor of the compressor exceeds a second predetermined value that is set to be two times or more the current value during the startup of the compressor; and when the number of discharge electrons in the discharge space, which is calculated based on the amount of change in the current value of the input current of the electric motor of the compressor, exceeds a third predetermined value that is set to be 1.0 ⁇ 10 19 electrons/second or more.
  • the refrigeration cycle device disclosed in patent document 1 detects a sign of a disproportionation reaction by using a current value of an input current of an electric motor of a compressor, and suppresses the disproportionation reaction by performing at least one of interrupting the supply of electric power to the compressor and reducing the rotational speed of the compressor by a protective device.
  • the present disclosure provides a control method, a control device, a refrigeration cycle device, and a program which enable improvement of accuracy of detection of a disproportionation reaction of a working fluid and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • a control method is a control method for a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid containing a refrigerant component capable of undergoing a disproportionation reaction, includes interrupting or limiting an operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit in response to detecting a sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of a first state regarding a drive circuit for driving a compressor of the refrigeration cycle circuit or a second state regarding the working fluid.
  • a control device for controlling a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid containing a refrigerant component capable of undergoing a disproportionation reaction, includes: a drive circuit configured to drive a compressor of the refrigeration cycle circuit; and a control circuit configured to interrupt or limit an operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit in response to detecting a sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of a first state regarding a drive circuit for driving the compressor of the refrigeration cycle circuit or a second state regarding the working fluid.
  • a refrigeration cycle device includes: the control device; and the refrigeration cycle circuit.
  • a program is a program executable by a computer system included in a control device for controlling a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid containing a refrigerant component capable of undergoing a disproportionation reaction, the program enabling the computer system to perform a process of interrupting or limiting an operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit in response to detecting a sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of a first state regarding a drive circuit for driving a compressor of the refrigeration cycle circuit or a second state regarding the working fluid.
  • aspects of the present disclosure enable improvement of accuracy of detection of a disproportionation reaction of a working fluid and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a compressor and a control device, of the refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a waveform chart of a voltage of a smoothing circuit of a drive circuit of the control device according to embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a part of a flowchart of an operation of the control device according to embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 5 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 6 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 7 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 8 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 9 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a compressor and a control device, of a refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an electric motor of the compressor according to embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of results of an experiment for verifying whether or not a disproportionation reaction occurs.
  • FIG. 23 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 4.
  • FIG. 24 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 4.
  • FIG. 25 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 4.
  • FIG. 26 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 4.
  • FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 5.
  • FIG. 28 is a schematic view of a compressor and a control device, of the refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 5.
  • FIG. 29 is a schematic view of an inside of the compressor of the refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 5.
  • FIG. 30 is a schematic view of a light detection circuit according to embodiment 5.
  • FIG. 31 is a part of a flowchart of an operation of the control device according to embodiment 5.
  • FIG. 32 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 5.
  • FIG. 33 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 5.
  • FIG. 34 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 5.
  • FIG. 35 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 5.
  • FIG. 36 is another part of the flowchart of the operation of the control device according to embodiment 5.
  • FIG. 37 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 6.
  • FIG. 38 is a schematic view of a compressor and a control device, of the refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 6.
  • FIG. 39 is a schematic view of a light detection circuit according to embodiment 6.
  • FIG. 40 is a schematic view of a compressor and a control device, of a refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 7.
  • FIG. 41 is a schematic view of a light detection circuit according to embodiment 7.
  • FIG. 42 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 8.
  • FIG. 43 is a schematic view of a compressor and a control device, of the refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 8.
  • FIG. 44 is a graph of examples of wavelength changes of absorbance of a dye.
  • FIG. 45 is a schematic view of a light detection circuit according to embodiment 8.
  • FIG. 46 is a schematic view of a compressor and a control device, of a refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 9.
  • FIG. 47 is a schematic view of a light detection circuit according to embodiment 9.
  • FIG. 48 is a schematic view of a compressor and a control device, of a refrigeration cycle device according to embodiment 10.
  • FIG. 49 is a schematic view of a control device according to a variation.
  • FIG. 50 is a schematic view of a compressor and a control device, of a refrigeration cycle device according to another variation.
  • prefixes such as, “first”, “second”, or the like are attached to names of such components.
  • prefixes such as, “first”, “second”, or the like, may be omitted in consideration of readability of texts.
  • suffixes such as, “ ⁇ 1”, “ ⁇ 2”, or the like are attached to reference signs of such components. if there is no need to distinguish such components from each other, such suffixes, such as, “ ⁇ 1”, “ ⁇ 2”, or the like, may be omitted in consideration of readability of texts.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle device 1 according to the present embodiment.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 constitutes an air conditioner enabling a cooling operation and a heating operation, for example.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 includes a refrigeration cycle circuit 2 and a control device 3 .
  • the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 constitutes a fluidic pathway where a working fluid 20 (see FIG. 2 ) circulates.
  • the working fluid 20 contains ethylene-based fluoroolefin as a refrigerant component.
  • the ethylene-based fluoroolefin may be ethylene-based fluoroolefin likely to undergo a disproportionation reaction.
  • the working fluid 20 may include a plurality of types of refrigerant components.
  • the working fluid 20 may contain ethylene-based fluoroolefin as a main refrigerant component, and additionally contain one or more chemical compounds other than ethylene-based fluoroolefin as one or more auxiliary refrigerant components.
  • auxiliary refrigerant components may include hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), hydrofluoroolefins (HFO), saturated hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide.
  • hydrofluorocarbons may include difluoromethane, difluoroethane, trifluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane, pentafluoroethane, pentafluoropropane, and heptafluorocyclopentane.
  • hydrofluoroolefins may include monofluoropropene, trifluoropropene, tetrafluoropropene, pentafluoropropene, and hexafluorobutene.
  • saturated hydrocarbons may include ethane, n-propane, cyclopropane, n-butane, cyclobutane, isobutane (2-methylpropane), methylcyclopropane, n-pentane, isopentane (2-methylbutane), neopentane (2,2-dimethylpropane), and methylcyclobutane.
  • the working fluid 20 may further contain a disproportionation inhibitor for suppressing a disproportionation reaction of the ethylene-based fluoroolefin.
  • the disproportionation inhibitor may include a saturated hydrocarbon or a haloalkane.
  • saturated hydrocarbons may include ethane, n-propane, cyclopropane, n-butane, cyclobutane, isobutane (2-methylpropane), methylcyclopropane, n-pentane, isopentane (2-methylbutane), neopentane (2,2-dimethylpropane), and methylcyclobutane.
  • n-propane is preferred.
  • haloalkanes may include haloalkanes having one or two carbon atoms.
  • haloalkanes having one carbon atom may include (mono) iodomethane (CH 3 I), diiodomethane (CH 2 I 2 ), dibromomethane (CH 2 Br 2 ), bromomethane (CH 3 Br), dichloromethane (CH 2 Cl 2 ), chloroiodomethane (CH 2 ClI), dibromochloromethane (CHBr 2 Cl), tetraiodomethane (CI 4 ), carbon tetrabromide (CBr 4 ), bromotrichloromethane (CBrCl 3 ), dibromodichloromethane (CBr 2 Cl 2 ), tribromofluoromethane (CBr 3 F), fluorodiiodomethane (CHFI 2 ), difluorodiiodomethanethan
  • haloalkanes with two carbon atoms may include 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-iodoethane (CF 3 CH 2 I), monoiodoethane (CH 3 CH 2 I), monobromoethane (CH 3 CH 2 Br), and 1,1,1-triiodoethane (CH 3 CI 3 ).
  • the working fluid 20 may contain one or more types of haloalkanes having 1 or 2 carbon atoms. In other words, the haloalkanes having 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.
  • a sealed, pressure-resistant container (stainless steel sealed container, internal volume: 50 mL) was equipped with a pressure sensor (GC61, manufactured by Nagano Keiki Co., Ltd.) for measuring the internal pressure of the pressure-resistant container, a thermocouple (PL Thermocouple Grand PL-18-K-A 4-T, manufactured by Conax Technologies) for measuring the internal temperature of the pressure-resistant container, and a discharge device for generating discharge inside the pressure-resistant container.
  • a gas cylinder of 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene was connected so that the pressure could be adjusted.
  • a mantle heater was installed to heat the entire pressure-resistant container, and a ribbon heater (Flexible Ribbon Heater 1 m, 200 W, manufactured by Tokyo Research Institute Co., Ltd.) was installed to heat the piping section as well. In this way, the experimental system for the disproportionation reaction was constructed.
  • TABLE 1 below shows the occurrence or non-occurrence of a disproportionation reaction when using as the working fluid: pure 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (Examples 1 and 2); a mixed gas adjusted so that the content of 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene is 80 mass % and that of n-propane is 20 mass % (Example 3); a mixed gas adjusted so that the content of 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene is 91.5 mass %, n-propane is 7.5 mass %, and difluoroiodomethane is 1.0 mass % (Example 4); and a mixed gas adjusted so that the content of 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene is 69.5 mass %, difluoromethane is 22 mass %, n-propane is 7.5 mass %, and difluoroiodomethane is 1.0 mass % (Example 5).
  • the pressure was adjusted to 2 MPa for Examples 1 and 2, and to 6 MPa for Examples 3 to 5.
  • the accumulated energy in TABLE 1 is the electrostatic energy accumulated in the capacitor section installed inside the discharge device.
  • the number of discharge occurrences is the number of times that discharge has been generated at fixed intervals under the given conditions, and if a disproportionation reaction was observed after that number of times, “Yes” is indicated under “Occurrence of Disproportionation Reaction”; if no disproportionation reaction was observed, “No” is indicated.
  • Example 1 From TABLE 1, in Example 1, no disproportionation reaction was observed. Therefore, it was confirmed that the possibility of a disproportionation reaction occurring during a minor discharge with accumulated energy of less than 0.5 J is extremely low. In addition, from TABLE 1, a disproportionation reaction was observed in Example 2. Therefore, it was confirmed that when the accumulated energy is large, there is a high possibility that a disproportionation reaction will occur after two consecutive discharge occurrences. TABLE 1 shows that the larger the accumulated energy—that is, the greater the energy expended in the discharge—the higher the likelihood of a disproportionation reaction occurring. This indicates that, in order to suppress the disproportionation reaction, it is preferable to keep the system in a state of minor discharge, that is, to detect early and suppress the disproportionation reaction.
  • Example 4 used a larger accumulated energy compared to Example 2, where disproportionation was observed in pure 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene. Therefore, even when the accumulated energy is increased by the presence of disproportionation inhibitors such as n-propane and difluoroiodomethane in the working fluid—that is, when two or more inhibitors are present—the possibility of a disproportionation reaction occurring during minor discharge remains extremely low. This indicates that, in a working fluid of a mixed gas containing two or more disproportionation inhibitors, it is preferable to keep the system in a state of minor discharge, that is, to detect early and suppress the disproportionation reaction.
  • disproportionation inhibitors such as n-propane and difluoroiodomethane
  • Example 5 From TABLE 1, in Example 5, no disproportionation reaction was observed in the working fluid of a mixed gas containing n-propane, difluoromethane as a different disproportionation inhibitor, and difluoroiodomethane as an auxiliary refrigerant component.
  • Example 5 used a larger accumulated energy compared to Example 2, where disproportionation was observed in pure 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene. Therefore, even when the accumulated energy is increased by the presence of two or more disproportionation inhibitors and the working fluid includes one or more auxiliary refrigerant components that do not cause disproportionation, the possibility of a disproportionation reaction occurring during minor discharge remains extremely low.
  • the present inventors thoroughly t studied the mechanism of the disproportionation reaction and found that, for ethylene-based fluoroolefins, decomposition proceeds via an almost common reaction pathway, the generated radical species are the same and only their composition varies, and their thermal decomposition temperatures are nearly the same.
  • ethylene-based fluoroolefins other than 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene
  • a small amount of radicals are generated in minor discharges; however, disproportionation reaction does not occur if only such small-scale, intermittent discharges take place several times.
  • the disproportionation reaction proceeds only when a large amount of radicals is generated through a discharge of substantial energy.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 includes an outdoor unit 1 a and an indoor unit 1 b .
  • the outdoor unit 1 a includes the control device 3 , the compressor 4 , the first heat exchanger 5 , the expansion valve 6 , and the four-way valve 8 .
  • the outdoor unit 1 a further includes a first air blower 5 a for facilitating heat exchange at the first heat exchanger 5 .
  • the indoor unit 1 b includes the second heat exchanger 7 .
  • the indoor unit 1 b further includes a second air blower 7 a for facilitating heat exchange at the second heat exchanger 7 .
  • the compressor 4 compresses the working fluid to increase a pressure of the working fluid.
  • the compressor 4 would be described in detail later.
  • the first heat exchanger 5 and the second heat exchanger 7 enable heat exchange between the working fluid circulating in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 and external air (e.g., the outdoor air or the indoor air).
  • the expansion valve 6 regulates the pressure (evaporation pressure) of the working fluid and regulates a flow volume of the working fluid.
  • the four-way valve 8 switches a direction of the working fluid circulating in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 between a first direction corresponding to the cooling operation and a second direction corresponding to the heating operation.
  • the first direction is a direction in which the working fluid circulates in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 in the order of the compressor 4 , the first heat exchanger 5 , the expansion valve 6 , and the second heat exchanger 7 .
  • the compressor 4 compresses and discharges the gaseous working fluid, and thus the gaseous working fluid is sent to the first heat exchanger 5 through the four-way valve 8 .
  • the first heat exchanger 5 conducts heat exchange between the outdoor air and the gaseous working fluid and then the gaseous working fluid is condensed to be liquefied.
  • the liquid working fluid is decompressed by the expansion valve 6 and is sent to the second heat exchanger 7 .
  • the second heat exchanger 7 conducts heat exchange between the liquid working fluid and the indoor air, and then the liquid working fluid evaporates to become the gaseous working fluid.
  • the gaseous working fluid returns to the compressor 4 through the four-way valve 8 .
  • the first heat exchanger 5 functions as a condenser
  • the second heat exchanger 7 functions as an evaporator.
  • the indoor unit 1 b sends air cooled via heat exchange at the second heat exchanger 7 to an interior during cooling.
  • the compressor 4 compresses and discharges the gaseous working fluid, and thus the gaseous working fluid is sent to the second heat exchanger 7 through the four-way valve 8 .
  • the second heat exchanger 7 conducts heat exchange between the indoor air and the gaseous working fluid and then the gaseous working fluid is condensed to be liquefied.
  • the liquid working fluid is decompressed by the expansion valve 6 and is sent to the first heat exchanger 5 .
  • the first heat exchanger 5 conducts heat exchange between the liquid working fluid and the outdoor air, and then the liquid working fluid evaporates to become the gaseous working fluid.
  • the gaseous working fluid returns to the compressor 4 through the four-way valve 8 .
  • the second heat exchanger 7 functions as a condenser, and the first heat exchanger 5 functions as an evaporator.
  • the indoor unit 1 b sends air warmed via heat exchange at the second heat exchanger 7 to an interior during the heating.
  • the control device 3 is configured to control the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the compressor 4 and the control device 3 .
  • the compressor 4 is, for example, a hermetically sealed compressor.
  • the compressor 4 may be of a rotary type, a scroll type, or other well-known type.
  • the compressor 4 includes a sealed container 40 , a compression mechanism 41 , and an electric motor 42 .
  • the sealed container 40 constitutes a fluidic pathway for the working fluid 20 .
  • the sealed container 40 includes a suction pipe 401 and a discharge pipe 402 .
  • the working fluid 20 is suctioned into the sealed container 40 via the suction pipe 401 and then is compressed by the compression mechanism 41 and thereafter is discharged to an exterior of the sealed container 40 via the discharge pipe 402 .
  • the inside of the sealed container 40 is filled with the working fluid 20 with a high temperature and a high pressure together with a lubricating oil.
  • the sealed container 40 has a bottom portion which constitutes an oil reservoir for storing a mixed liquid of the working fluid 20 and the lubricating oil.
  • the compression mechanism 41 is positioned inside the sealed container 40 to compress the working fluid.
  • the compression mechanism 41 may have a conventional configuration.
  • the compression mechanism 41 may include a cylinder forming a compression chamber, a rolling piston disposed in the compression chamber inside the cylinder, and a crank shaft coupled to the rolling piston.
  • the electric motor 42 is positioned inside the sealed container 40 to operate the compression mechanism 41 .
  • the electric motor 42 is a blushless motor (three-phase brushless motor).
  • the electric motor 42 includes a rotator fixed to the crank shaft of the compression mechanism 41 and a stator provided in a vicinity of the rotator, for example.
  • the stator is configured by concentrated or distributed winding of the stator windings (magnet wires) around a stator core (electrical or magnetic steel sheet or the like) with an insulation paper in-between.
  • the stator windings are covered with insulating material. Examples of the insulating material may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), aramid polymer, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
  • the compressor 4 may include an accumulator for preventing liquid compression in the compression chamber of the compression mechanism 41 .
  • the accumulator separates the working fluid into the gaseous working fluid and the liquid working fluid and directs only the gaseous working fluid to the sealed container 40 via the suction pipe 401 .
  • the control device 3 includes a drive circuit 31 and a control circuit 35 .
  • the drive circuit 31 is configured to drive the electric motor 42 based on input power from a power supply 10 .
  • the power supply 10 is an alternating current power supply and the input power is AC power.
  • the drive circuit 31 includes a converter circuit 311 and an inverter circuit 312 .
  • the converter circuit 311 is configured to output DC power based on the input power from the power supply 10 so that a voltage of the DC power becomes a first voltage. This means that the converter circuit 311 converts the input power into the DC power so that the voltage of the DC power becomes the first voltage.
  • the first voltage corresponds to a rated voltage of the drive circuit 31 .
  • the converter circuit 311 includes a rectification circuit 311 a and a smoothing circuit 311 b.
  • the rectification circuit 311 a is a diode bridge constituted by a plurality of diodes D 1 to D 4 .
  • the power supply 10 is connected between input terminals (a connecting point between the diodes D 1 , D 2 and a connecting point between the diodes D 3 , D 4 ) of the rectification circuit 311 a and the smoothing circuit 311 b is connected between output terminals (a connecting point between the diodes D 1 , D 3 and a connecting point between the diodes D 2 , D 4 ) of the rectification circuit 311 a.
  • the smoothing circuit 311 b smooths a voltage between the output terminals of the rectification circuit 311 a to output it.
  • the voltage of the DC power is set to the first voltage.
  • the smoothing circuit 311 b includes a series circuit of an inductor L 1 and smoothing capacitors C 1 and C 2 .
  • a connecting point between the inductor L 1 and the smoothing capacitor C 1 corresponds to a first output point P 1 outputting a voltage corresponding to the first voltage.
  • a connecting point between the connecting point between the diodes D 2 , D 4 and the smoothing capacitor C 2 corresponds to a second output point P 2 outputting a voltage lower than the voltage at the first output point P 1 .
  • a connecting point between the smoothing capacitor C 1 and the smoothing capacitor C 2 corresponds to a third output point P 3 outputting a voltage between the voltage at the first output point P 1 and the voltage at the second output point P 2 .
  • the first output point P 1 is a high voltage point
  • the second output point P 2 is a low voltage point
  • the third output point P 3 is a intermediate voltage point.
  • the smoothing capacitor C 1 and the smoothing capacitor C 2 have the same capacitance. Therefore, a voltage between the first output point P 1 and the third output point P 3 and a voltage between the second output point P 2 and the third output point P 3 are equal.
  • the drive circuit 31 is capable of providing five voltage levels: E, E/2, 0, ⁇ E/2, and ⁇ E.
  • the inverter circuit 312 outputs AC power to the electric motor 42 based on the DC power from the converter circuit 311 .
  • the AC power is three-phase AC power.
  • the inverter circuit 312 includes a plurality of semiconductor switching elements U 1 to U 4 , V 1 to V 4 , and W 1 to W 4 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements U 1 to U 4 , V 1 to V 4 , and W 1 to W 4 are, for example, transistors or the like.
  • Each set of the semiconductor switching elements U 1 to U 4 , V 1 to V 4 , and W 1 to W 4 forms a series circuit and is connected between the first output point P 1 and the second output point P 2 .
  • a connecting point between the semiconductor switching elements U 1 and U 2 , a connecting point between the semiconductor switching elements V 1 and V 2 , and a connecting point between the semiconductor switching elements W 1 and W 2 are connected to the third output point P 3 via diodes D 5 , D 7 , and D 9 , respectively.
  • Anodes of the diodes D 5 , D 7 , and D 9 are connected to the third output point P 3 , and cathodes of the diodes D 5 , D 7 , and D 9 are connected to a connecting point between the semiconductor switching elements U 1 and U 2 , a connecting point between the semiconductor switching elements V 1 and V 2 , and a connecting point between the semiconductor switching element W 1 and W 2 , respectively.
  • a connecting point between the semiconductor switching elements U 2 and U 3 constitutes a U-phase output terminal Pu, which is connected to a U-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • a connecting point between the semiconductor switching elements V 2 and V 3 constitutes a V-phase output terminal Pv, which is connected to a V-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • the connecting point between the semiconductor switching elements W 2 and W 3 constitutes a W-phase output terminal Pw, which is connected to a W-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • a connecting points between the semiconductor switching elements U 3 and U 4 , a connecting points between the semiconductor switching elements V 3 and V 4 , and a connecting points between the semiconductor switching elements W 3 and W 4 are connected to the third output point P 3 via diodes D 6 , D 8 , and D 10 , respectively.
  • Cathodes of the diodes D 6 , D 8 , and D 10 are connected to the third output point P 3 , and anodes of the diodes D 6 , D 8 , and D 10 are connected to a connecting points between the semiconductor switching elements U 3 and U 4 , a connecting points between the semiconductor switching elements V 3 and V 4 , and a connecting points between the semiconductor switching elements W 3 and W 4 , respectively.
  • the semiconductor switching elements U 1 , U 2 , V 1 , V 2 , W 1 , and W 2 constitute a first semiconductor switching element group connected between the first output point P 1 and the electric motor 42 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements U 1 and U 2 constitute a U-phase first semiconductor switching element group connected between the first output point P 1 and the U-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements V 1 and V 2 constitute a V-phase first semiconductor switching element group connected between the first output point P 1 and the V-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements W 1 and W 2 constitute a W-phase first semiconductor switching element group connected between the first output point P 1 and the W-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements U 3 , U 4 , V 3 , V 4 , W 3 , and W 4 constitute a second semiconductor switching element group connected between the second output point P 2 and the electric motor 42 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements U 3 and U 4 constitute a U-phase second semiconductor switching element group connected between the second output point P 2 and the U-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements V 3 and V 4 constitute a V-phase second semiconductor switching element group connected between the second output point P 2 and the V-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements W 3 and W 4 constitute a W-phase second semiconductor switching element group connected between the second output point P 2 and the W-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements U 2 , U 3 , V 2 , V 3 , W 2 , and W 3 constitute a third semiconductor switching element group connected between the third output point P 3 and the electric motor 42 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements U 2 and U 3 constitute a U-phase third semiconductor switching element group connected between the third output point P 3 and the U-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements V 2 and V 3 constitute a V-phase third semiconductor switching element group connected between the third output point P 3 and the V-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • the semiconductor switching elements W 2 and W 3 constitute a W-phase third semiconductor switching element group connected between the third output point P 3 and the W-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 .
  • the converter circuit 311 has a plurality of output points, including the first to third output points P 1 to P 3 .
  • the inverter circuit 312 includes a plurality of semiconductor switching element groups: the first semiconductor switching element group (the semiconductor switching elements U 1 , U 2 , V 1 , V 2 , W 1 , W 2 ) connected between the first output point P 1 and the electric motor 42 ; the second semiconductor switching element group (the semiconductor switching elements U 3 , U 4 , V 3 , V 4 , W 3 , W 4 ) connected between the second output point P 2 and the electric motor 42 ; and the third semiconductor switching element group (the semiconductor switching elements U 2 , U 3 , V 2 , V 3 , W 2 , W 3 ) connected between the third output point P 3 and the electric motor 42 .
  • the drive circuit 31 is a so-called multilevel inverter, specifically a three-level inverter.
  • a voltage detector 32 detects the DC power of the converter circuit 311 and outputs a detection voltage indicating the voltage of the DC power.
  • the voltage detector 32 includes a voltage divider circuit connected between the output terminals of the smoothing circuit 311 b of the converter circuit 311 , that is, between the first output point P 1 and the second output point P 2 , and outputs the detection voltage based on a voltage obtained from the voltage divider circuit.
  • the voltage detector 32 may also output the detection voltage based on outputs of the voltage divider circuit and a differential amplifier.
  • a non-inverting input terminal and an inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier are connected to both ends of a resistor of the voltage divider circuit, respectively, so that the differential amplifier can output the voltage across the resistor as the detection voltage.
  • a differential amplifier it is possible to detect the potential difference in a floating state, thereby improving the accuracy of the detection voltage.
  • the position at which the voltage detector 32 is connected to the drive circuit 31 is not particularly limited as long as the DC power of the converter circuit 311 can be detected.
  • the position for detecting the DC power of the converter circuit 311 is not limited to inside the converter circuit 311 ; it may also be at a position inside the inverter circuit 312 that is circuit-equivalent to each of the first output point P 1 and the second output point P 2 .
  • the voltage divider circuit of the voltage detector 32 may adopt a conventionally known configuration, so detailed explanation is omitted.
  • a first protective device 33 is provided to interrupt outputting the AC power.
  • the first protective device 33 includes switches Su, Sv, and Sw, which are interposed between the drive circuit 31 and the electric motor 42 .
  • the switches Su, Sv, and Sw are connected between the input terminals of the U phase, V phase, and W phase of the electric motor 42 and the U-phase output terminal Pu, the V-phase output terminal Pv, and the W-phase output terminal Pw, respectively.
  • the switches Su, Sv, and Sw may be, for example, controllable switches such as semiconductor switches, electromagnetic relays.
  • the first protective device 33 In an ON state, where the switches Su, Sv, and Sw are closed, the first protective device 33 allows outputting the AC power from the drive circuit 31 to the electric motor 42 , and in an OFF state, where the switches Su, Sv, and Sw are open, it interrupts outputting the AC power from the drive circuit 31 to the electric motor 42 .
  • a second protective device 34 is provided to interrupt inputting the input power.
  • the second protective device 34 includes switches S 1 and S 2 , which are interposed between the drive circuit 31 and the power supply 10 .
  • the switches S 1 and S 2 are connected between the input terminals of the rectification circuit 311 a and the power supply 10 , respectively.
  • the switches S 1 and S 2 may be, for example, controllable switches such as semiconductor switches, electromagnetic relays.
  • the second protective device 34 In an ON state, where the switches S 1 and S 2 are closed, the second protective device 34 allows inputting the input power from the power supply 10 to the drive circuit 31 , and in an OFF state, where the switches S 1 and S 2 are open, it interrupts inputting the input power from the power supply 10 to the drive circuit 31 .
  • the control circuit 35 may be implemented by a computer system including at least one processor (microprocessor) and at least one memory.
  • the computer system may also include one or more A/D converters.
  • one or more A/D converters may be used to convert the detection voltage from the voltage detector 32 from analog format to digital format.
  • the control circuit 35 controls the drive circuit 31 , the first protective device 33 , and the second protective device 34 .
  • the control circuit 35 performs PWM control of the plurality of semiconductor switching element groups of the inverter circuit 312 of the drive circuit 31 to allow the drive circuit 31 to operate the electric motor 42 .
  • control circuit 35 controls the switching of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements U 1 to U 4 , V 1 to V 4 , and W 1 to W 4 of the inverter circuit 312 of the drive circuit 31 so that the inverter circuit 312 supplies AC power (three-phase AC power) to the electric motor 42 based on the DC power from the smoothing circuit 311 b.
  • the semiconductor switching elements U 1 to U 4 have a first state in which the semiconductor switching elements U 1 and U 2 are ON and the semiconductor switching elements U 3 and U 4 are OFF, a second state in which the semiconductor switching elements U 3 and U 4 are ON and the semiconductor switching elements U 1 and U 2 are OFF, and a third state in which the semiconductor switching elements U 2 and U 3 are ON and the semiconductor switching elements U 1 and U 4 are OFF.
  • the voltage at the U-phase output terminal Pu is E/2 in the first state, ⁇ E/2 in the second state, and 0 in the third state.
  • the semiconductor switching elements V 1 to V 4 have a first state in which the semiconductor switching elements V 1 and V 2 are ON and the semiconductor switching elements V 3 and V 4 are OFF, a second state in which the semiconductor switching elements V 3 and V 4 are ON and the semiconductor switching elements V 1 and V 2 are OFF, and a third state in which the semiconductor switching elements V 2 and V 3 are ON and the semiconductor switching elements V 1 and V 4 are OFF.
  • the voltage at the V-phase output terminal Pv is E/2 in the first state, ⁇ E/2 in the second state, and 0 in the third state.
  • the semiconductor switching elements W 1 to W 4 have a first state in which the semiconductor switching elements W 1 and W 2 are ON and the semiconductor switching elements W 3 and W 4 are OFF, a second state in which the semiconductor switching elements W 3 and W 4 are ON and the semiconductor switching elements W 1 and W 2 are OFF, and a third state in which the semiconductor switching elements W 2 and W 3 are ON and the semiconductor switching elements W 1 and W 4 are OFF.
  • the voltage at the W-phase output terminal Pw is E/2 in the first state, ⁇ E/2 in the second state, and 0 in the third state.
  • the drive circuit 31 can provide five voltage levels: E, E/2, 0, ⁇ E/2, and ⁇ E.
  • the control circuit 35 controls the switching of the semiconductor switching elements U 1 to U 4 , V 1 to V 4 , and W 1 to W 4 of the inverter circuit 312 of the drive circuit 31 , based on, for example, the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase output voltage command values respectively corresponding to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase sinusoidal AC voltages of the three-phase AC, as well as first and second carrier triangular waves.
  • a value of the first carrier triangular wave is greater than or equal to 0, and a value of the second carrier triangular wave is less than or equal to 0.
  • the drive circuit 31 can provide five-level voltages of E, E/2, 0, ⁇ E/2, and ⁇ E, the voltage between the U-phase input terminal and the V-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 , the voltage between the V-phase input terminal and the W-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 , and the voltage between the W-phase input terminal and the U-phase input terminal of the electric motor 42 can each be made closer to a sinusoidal waveform.
  • the control circuit 35 further performs a process for suppressing the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 that circulates in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 , based on the detected voltage from the voltage detector 32 .
  • radicals are generated under high temperature and high pressure, it is assumed that the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 proceeds.
  • the radicals may possibly be generated by a discharge phenomenon occurring, for example, when some abnormality happens in the compressor 4 or the drive circuit 31 .
  • thermodynamically stable refers to compounds whose type and composition do not change when exposed to high temperatures of 2000 K or more for a predetermined period (e.g., about 10 minutes) at 1 atm, and then returned to room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
  • the intermediate products are chemical species, generated in the disproportionation of the working fluid 20 , that are thermodynamically unstable.
  • “Thermodynamically unstable” means that at least one of the type or composition of the compounds change when exposed to 2000 K or more at 1 atm.
  • Thermodynamically unstable species include so-called metastable species.
  • the intermediate products are species that can exist with a lifetime of 1 ms or more, but can decompose at high temperatures (e.g., 2000 K or higher) to produce the final products. Naturally, the final products are not included in the intermediate products.
  • the lifetime herein refers to the measured lifetime under conditions corresponding to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • One example of lifetime measurement is under a maximum temperature of 500 K and a maximum pressure of 6 MPa.
  • examples of the intermediate product includes carbene, carbene insertion products (compounds formed by carbene insertion reaction), tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroolefins, and fluorobenzene.
  • examples of the final product includes soot, hydrogen fluoride, and tetrafluoromethane.
  • the first state refers to a state of the drive circuit 31 capable of being used to determine occurrence of a discharge phenomenon in the compressor 4 .
  • the second state refers to a state of the working fluid 20 capable of being used for judgment such as emission due to generation of plasma or reaction fireballs, or the quantity of the products formed from the working fluid 20 .
  • the “sign of the disproportionation reaction” here refers not to a local disproportionation sign in the working fluid 20 , but to a sign of propagation of the disproportionation reaction throughout the working fluid 20 . In other words, frequent occurrence of local disproportionation eventually risks spreading the reaction throughout the entire working fluid 20 .
  • FIG. 3 shows a waveform diagram of the DC output voltage of the converter circuit 311 .
  • the DC output voltage gently decreases, which is due to switching of the semiconductor switching elements U 1 to U 4 , V 1 to V 4 , W 1 to W 4 of the inverter circuit 312 .
  • the switching frequency of the inverter circuit 312 is, for example, 1.0 kHz to 5.0 kHz
  • the time between the times t 11 and t 21 is about 0.2 to 1.0 ms.
  • a steep drop in the DC output voltage is observed, and this is considered to result from the occurrence of a discharge phenomenon.
  • control circuit 35 determines whether a discharge phenomenon has occurred based on the detection voltage from the voltage detector 32 , and when it is determined that a discharge phenomenon is occurring, the control circuit 35 interrupts or limits the operation of the drive circuit 31 so as to suppress the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid circulating in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • detection of the sign of the disproportionation reaction is carried out not based on changes in the actual current flowing from the drive circuit 31 to the electric motor 42 , but instead based on changes in the DC power (the voltage of the smoothing circuit 311 b ) within the drive circuit 31 .
  • the timescale of a discharge phenomenon is shorter than the timescale for smoothing (rectification) in the drive circuit 31 .
  • the timescale of a discharge phenomenon is on the order of microseconds. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether a discharge phenomenon has occurred by monitoring the DC power within the drive circuit 31 .
  • measurement of the DC power (the voltage of the smoothing circuit 311 b ) within the drive circuit 31 can be conducted in a shorter time and with shorter cycles than measurement of the actual current flowing from the drive circuit 31 to the electric motor 42 .
  • This enables earlier detection of the sign of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 .
  • suppression of the disproportionation reaction can also be initiated earlier, thereby improving the effectiveness of the disproportionation reaction suppression.
  • the control circuit 35 interrupts or limits the operation of the drive circuit 31 .
  • the second voltage is set in order to determine whether a discharge phenomenon has occurred due to some abnormality in the compressor 4 or the drive circuit 31 .
  • the normal voltage (the first voltage) of the DC output current is taken as E, it is observed that, due to a discharge phenomenon, the voltage of the DC output current drops to 0.8 E or less, and sometimes as low as 0.3 E or less. From this point, it is preferable that the second voltage be between 0.3 and 0.8 times the first voltage, inclusive. In the present embodiment, the second voltage is set at 0.8 times the first voltage.
  • the voltage detector 32 detects the DC power to output the detection voltage, which indicates the voltage of the DC power, as the first state.
  • the control circuit 35 detects the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 , it interrupts or limits the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • the control circuit 35 determines the number of occurrences of the discharge phenomenon at the compressor 4 depending on the number of times that the detection voltage falls below the second voltage equal to or lower than the first voltage.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is when the number of occurrences of the discharge phenomenon reaches or exceeds a predetermined number of times.
  • the interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 may include interrupting the operation of the drive circuit 31 , increasing the rotational speed of a fan of the condenser, decreasing the rotational speed of a fan of the evaporator, increasing an opening degree of the expansion valve, opening the expansion valve of at least one indoor unit 1 b among multiple indoor units 1 b which are not in operation (if the refrigeration cycle device 1 has multiple indoor units 1 b ), or, in the heating operation, switching to the cooling operation with the four-way valve 8 and opening the expansion valve 6 .
  • the interrupting the operation of the drive circuit 31 can be realized by any of interrupting outputting the AC power, interrupting outputting the DC power, or interrupting inputting the input power.
  • the control circuit 35 sets the first protective device 33 to the OFF state to electrically disconnect the electric motor 42 from the drive circuit 31 and thereby interrupt outputting the AC power.
  • the control circuit 35 sets the first protective device 33 to the ON state to connect the electric motor 42 to the drive circuit 31 .
  • the control circuit 35 sets the second protective device 34 to the OFF state to electrically disconnect the power supply 10 from the drive circuit 31 and thereby interrupt outputting the AC power.
  • the control circuit 35 sets the second protective device 34 to the ON state to connects the power supply 10 to the drive circuit 31 .
  • the limiting the operation of the drive circuit 31 can be realized by reducing a setting value of an amplitude of the AC power or reducing a setting value of a frequency of the AC power.
  • the control circuit 35 controls the drive circuit 31 to decrease the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power.
  • the drive circuit 31 can provide five voltage levels of E, E/2, 0, ⁇ E/2, and ⁇ E, the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power is changed from E to E/2. In this case, the rotational speed of the electric motor 42 decreases compared to when the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power is E.
  • control circuit 35 sets the second protective device 34 to the OFF state to electrically disconnect the power supply 10 from the drive circuit 31 and thereby interrupt outputting the AC power.
  • control circuit 35 sets the second protective device 34 to the ON state to connect the power supply 10 to the drive circuit 31 .
  • the control circuit 35 also interrupts or limits the operation of the drive circuit 31 in a different way according to a time difference between a first time when the detection voltage first falls below the second voltage and a second time when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage next time.
  • the control circuit 35 performs a process with a higher degree of suppression of the disproportionation reaction as the time difference becomes shorter.
  • the control device 3 can suppress the disproportionation reaction even if relatively minor discharge phenomena occur continuously in a short time. For example, this prevents induction of a disproportionation reaction by exceeding a certain energy due to continuously occurring low-energy abnormal states (discharges), improving safety in the use of the working fluid 20 .
  • the process for suppressing the disproportionation reaction may include, for example, a first process to a third process.
  • the first process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and after a lapse of a waiting period, restarting outputting the AC power.
  • the second process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and after a lapse of a waiting period, restarting the operation with a reduced setting value of the amplitude of the AC power.
  • the third process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and interrupting inputting the input power.
  • the degree of suppression of the disproportionation reaction is higher in the order of the third, the second, and the first processes. Even in the first or second processes, the longer the waiting period, the higher the degree of the disproportionation suppression.
  • FIGS. 4 to 9 represents a part of a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit 35 of the control device 3 , and a complete flowchart is obtained by combining FIGS. 4 to 9 .
  • the control circuit 35 outputs the AC power to the electric motor 42 based on the input power from the power supply 10 by use of the drive circuit 31 , thereby driving the compressor 4 .
  • the control circuit 35 sets an abnormality count to zero (S 10 ).
  • the abnormality count indicates the number of times that the detection voltage has fallen below the second voltage.
  • a higher abnormality count serves as an indicator of a higher likelihood of occurrence of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control circuit 35 obtains the detection voltage from the voltage detector 32 (S 11 ). The control circuit 35 determines whether the detection voltage falls below the second voltage (S 12 ).
  • the control circuit 35 determines, at a predetermined interval, whether the detection voltage falls below the second voltage. It is preferable that this predetermined interval be shorter than the period corresponding to the reference frequency (e.g., 1000 to 5000 Hz) of the inverter circuit 312 .
  • step S 12 If, in step S 12 , the detection voltage falls below the second voltage (S 12 : YES), the control circuit 35 increments the abnormality count by one (S 13 ) and determines whether the abnormality count is one or less (S 14 ).
  • step S 14 If, in step S 14 , the abnormality count is one or less (S 14 : YES), the control circuit 35 sets the first protective device 33 to the OFF state to interrupt outputting the AC power (S 15 ). The control circuit 35 then determines whether first waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power (S 16 ). The first waiting period is, for example, 1 second. When the first waiting period has elapsed (S 16 : YES), the control circuit 35 sets the first protective device 33 to the ON state to restart outputting the AC power (S 17 ), thereby restarting the operation of the compressor 4 (S 18 ). Thereafter, the process returns to step S 11 .
  • control circuit 35 interrupts outputting the AC power when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage, and restarts outputting the AC power after the first waiting period has elapsed.
  • step S 14 the abnormality count is greater than one (S 14 : NO)
  • the control circuit 35 determines whether the time difference between the first time when the detected voltage first falls below the second voltage and the second time when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage next time is within a first predetermined period (step S 19 ).
  • a shorter time difference serves as an indicator of a higher likelihood of occurrence of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the first predetermined period is, for example, about 100 times the period corresponding to the reference frequency of the inverter circuit 312 , i.e., about 20 to 100 ms.
  • step S 19 If in step S 19 the time difference is within the first predetermined period (step S 19 : YES), the control circuit 35 sets the first protective device 33 to the OFF state to interrupt outputting the AC power (S 20 ). The control circuit 35 sets the second protective device 34 to the OFF state to interrupt inputting the input power (S 21 ). The control circuit 35 outputs a first abnormality notification (S 22 ).
  • the first abnormality notification indicates that an abnormality with a very high likelihood of causing the disproportionation reaction in the refrigeration cycle device 1 has occurred.
  • the first abnormality notification is output to, for example, a control circuit of the indoor unit 1 b and a remote controller, etc. After this, the control circuit 35 interrupts the operation of the compressor 4 (S 23 ).
  • the control circuit 35 interrupts outputting the AC power (S 20 ) and interrupts inputting the input power (S 21 ).
  • step S 19 determines whether the time difference is within a second predetermined period that is longer than the first predetermined period (step S 24 ).
  • the second predetermined period is, for example, about 1,000 times the period corresponding to the reference frequency of the inverter circuit 312 , i.e., about 200 ms to 1 s.
  • step S 24 If in step S 24 the time difference is within the second predetermined period (S 24 : YES), the control circuit 35 sets the first protective device 33 to the OFF state to interrupt outputting the AC power (S 25 ).
  • the control circuit 35 changes the switching control of the semiconductor switching elements of the drive circuit 31 so that the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power is reduced from E to E/2 (S 26 ).
  • the control circuit 35 outputs a second abnormality notification (S 27 ).
  • the second abnormality notification indicates that an abnormality with a high likelihood of causing the disproportionation reaction has occurred in the refrigeration cycle device 1 .
  • the second abnormality notification is output, for example, to the control circuit of the indoor unit 1 b and to a remote controller.
  • the control circuit 35 determines whether fourth waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power (S 28 ).
  • the fourth waiting period is longer than the first waiting period and is, for example, 60 seconds.
  • the control circuit 35 sets the first protective device 33 to the ON state to restart outputting the AC power (S 29 ), thereby restarting the operation of the compressor 4 (S 30 ).
  • the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power remains reduced from E to E/2.
  • the control circuit 35 interrupts outputting the AC power (S 25 ) and reduces the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 26 ). If the fourth waiting period, which is longer than the first waiting period, elapses after the interruption of outputting the AC power, the control circuit 35 restarts outputting the AC power while keeping the setting value of the amplitude reduced (S 29 ).
  • control circuit 35 obtains the detection voltage from the voltage detector 32 (S 31 ) and determines whether the detection voltage falls below the second voltage (S 32 ).
  • step S 32 If in step S 32 the detection voltage falls below the second voltage (S 32 : YES), the process proceeds to step S 20 in FIG. 5 .
  • step S 32 determines whether a second monitoring period has elapsed since restart of the operation of the compressor 4 (S 33 ).
  • step S 33 If in step S 33 the second monitoring period has elapsed since restart of the operation of the compressor 4 (S 33 : YES), the control circuit 35 cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power and returns the setting value of the amplitude to E (S 34 ), and the process proceeds to step S 11 in FIG. 4 .
  • step S 33 If in step S 33 the second monitoring period has not elapsed since restart of the operation of the compressor 4 (S 33 : NO), the process returns to step S 31 .
  • steps S 31 to S 33 if the detection voltage falls below the second voltage before the second monitoring period has elapsed since restart of the operation of the compressor 4 , the process proceeds to step S 20 in FIG. 5 . If the detection voltage does not fall below the second voltage before the end of the second monitoring period after the restart of the operation of the compressor 4 , the process proceeds to step S 34 .
  • the control circuit 35 cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 34 ). If the detection voltage falls below the second voltage before the second monitoring period elapses after the restart (S 29 ) of outputting the AC power after a lapse of the fourth waiting period (S 32 : YES), the control circuit 35 interrupts outputting the AC power (S 20 ) and interrupts inputting the input power (S 21 ).
  • step S 24 determines whether the time difference is within a third predetermined period, which is longer than the second predetermined period (step S 35 ).
  • the third predetermined period is, for example, about 10,000 times the period corresponding to the reference frequency of the inverter circuit 312 , that is, about 2 to 10 s.
  • step S 35 If in step S 35 the time difference is not within the third predetermined period (S 35 : NO), the process returns to step S 10 , and the control circuit 35 sets the abnormality count to zero (see FIG. 4 ). That is, if sufficient time has passed since the last abnormality detection, it is considered that the possibility of occurrence of a discharge phenomenon is low, and the abnormality count is reset to zero.
  • step S 35 determines whether the abnormality count is two or less (S 36 ).
  • step S 36 If in step S 36 the abnormality count is two or less (S 36 : YES), the control circuit 35 sets the first protective device 33 to the OFF state to interrupt outputting the AC power (S 37 ).
  • the control circuit 35 outputs a third abnormality notification (S 38 ).
  • the third abnormality notification indicates that an abnormality that may cause a disproportionation reaction has occurred in the refrigeration cycle device 1 .
  • the third abnormality notification is output, for example, to the control circuit of the indoor unit 1 b and to a remote controller.
  • the control circuit 35 determines whether a second waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power (S 39 ).
  • the second waiting period is longer than the first waiting period and is, for example, 10 seconds.
  • the control circuit 35 sets the first protective device 33 to the ON state to restart outputting the AC power (S 40 ), thereby restarting the operation of the compressor 4 (S 41 ). Thereafter, the process returns to step S 11 .
  • the control circuit 35 interrupts outputting the AC power. If the second waiting period, which is longer than the first waiting period, has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power, the control circuit 35 restarts outputting the AC power (S 40 ).
  • step S 36 if the abnormality count is not two or less (S 36 : NO), that is, if the abnormality count is three or more, the control circuit 35 sets the first protective device 33 to the OFF state to interrupt outputting the AC power (S 42 ).
  • the control circuit 35 changes the switching control of the semiconductor switching elements of the drive circuit 31 so that the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power is reduced from E to E/2 (S 43 ).
  • the control circuit 35 outputs the second abnormality notification (S 44 ).
  • the control circuit 35 determines whether third waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power (S 45 ).
  • the third waiting period is longer than the second waiting period and is, for example, 60 seconds.
  • the control circuit 35 sets the first protective device 33 to the ON state to restart outputting the AC power (S 46 ), thereby restarting the operation of the compressor 4 (S 47 ). In this case, the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power remains reduced from E to E/2.
  • the control circuit 35 interrupts outputting the AC power (S 42 ) and reduces the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 43 ). If the third waiting period, which is longer than the second waiting period, has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power, the control circuit 35 restarts outputting the AC power while keeping the setting value of the amplitude reduced (S 47 ).
  • control circuit 35 obtains the detection voltage from the voltage detector 32 (S 48 ) and determines whether the detection voltage falls below the second voltage (S 49 ).
  • step S 49 If in step S 49 the detection voltage falls below the second voltage (S 49 : YES), the process proceeds to step S 20 in FIG. 5 .
  • step S 49 the detection voltage does not fall below the second voltage (S 49 : NO)
  • the control circuit 35 determines whether a first monitoring period has elapsed since restart of the operation of the compressor 4 (S 50 ).
  • the first monitoring period may be the same as or different from the second monitoring period in step S 33 .
  • step S 50 If in step S 50 the first monitoring period has elapsed since restart of the operation of the compressor 4 (S 50 : YES), the control circuit 35 cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power and returns the setting value of the amplitude to E (S 51 ), and then the process proceeds to step S 11 in FIG. 4 .
  • step S 50 If in step S 50 the first monitoring period has not elapsed since restart of the operation of the compressor 4 (S 50 : NO), the process returns to step S 48 .
  • steps S 48 to S 50 if the detection voltage falls below the second voltage before the first monitoring period has elapsed since restart of the operation of the compressor 4 , the process proceeds to step S 20 in FIG. 5 , and if the detection voltage does not fall below the second voltage before the end of the first monitoring period, the process proceeds to step S 51 .
  • the control circuit 35 cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 51 ). If the detection voltage falls below the second voltage before the first monitoring period elapses after the restart (S 47 ) of outputting the AC power after a lapse of the third waiting period (S 49 : YES), the control circuit 35 interrupts outputting the AC power (S 20 ) and interrupts inputting the input power (S 21 ).
  • the aforementioned control device 3 is a control device for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 containing the refrigerant component capable of undergoing the disproportionation reaction, includes: the drive circuit 31 configured to drive the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 ; and the control circuit 35 configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the drive circuit 31 includes the converter circuit 311 configured to output the DC power so that the voltage of the DC power is equal to the first voltage, based on the input power from the power supply 10 , and the inverter circuit 312 configured to output the AC power to the electric motor 42 , based on the DC power.
  • the control device 3 includes the voltage detector 32 configured to detect the DC power to output the detection voltage indicative of the voltage of the DC power, as the first state.
  • the control circuit 35 is configured to determine the number of discharge occurrences in the compressor 4 by the number of times that the detection voltage falls below the second voltage equal to or smaller than the first voltage.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the number of the discharge occurrences is equal to or larger than the predetermined number of times. This configuration enables earlier detection of the sign of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 , and enables improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 seems to perform the following control method.
  • the control method includes interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control method further includes determining the number of discharge occurrences in the compressor 4 , based on the second state.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the number of the discharge occurrences is equal to or larger than the predetermined number of times. This configuration enables earlier detection of the sign of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 , and enables improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control method performed by the control device 3 can be realized by a computer system executing a program.
  • This program is a program executed by a computer system included in the control device 3 for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 containing the refrigerant component capable of undergoing the disproportionation reaction, and enables the computer system to perform a process of interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 controls the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • the working fluid 20 contains ethylene-based fluoroolefin as a refrigerant component.
  • the control device 3 includes the drive circuit 31 including the converter circuit 311 configured to output DC power so that the voltage of the DC power is equal to the first voltage, based on input power from the power supply 10 , and the inverter circuit 312 configured to output AC power to the electric motor 42 , based on the DC power, the voltage detector 32 configured to detect the DC power to output the detection voltage indicative of the voltage of the DC power, and the control circuit 35 configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage equal to or smaller than the first voltage.
  • This configuration enables earlier detection of the sign of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 , and enables improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • interrupting the operation of the drive circuit includes at least one of interrupting outputting the AC power, interrupting outputting the DC power, or interrupting inputting the input power.
  • limiting the operation of the drive circuit includes at least one of decreasing a setting value of an amplitude of the AC power, or, decreasing a setting value of a frequency of the AC power.
  • control circuit 35 is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the drive circuit in a different way depending on a time difference between first time when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage and second time when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage. This configuration makes it possible to suppress the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 , even when a discharge phenomenon occurs continuously.
  • control circuit 35 is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the drive circuit 31 in a different way depending on a number of times that the detection voltage falls below the second voltage. This configuration makes it possible to suppress the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 , even when a discharge phenomenon occurs continuously.
  • control circuit 35 is configured to interrupt outputting the AC power when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage, and restart outputting the AC power after first waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power. This configuration makes it possible to continue the operation of the compressor 4 while suppressing the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 .
  • control circuit 35 is configured to interrupt outputting the AC power when the detection volage falls below the second voltage before predetermined time elapses after the restart of outputting the AC power after the first waiting period has elapsed, and restart outputting the AC power when second waiting period longer than the first waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power.
  • control circuit 35 is configured to interrupt outputting the AC power and decrease at least one of a setting value of an amplitude of the AC power when the detection volage falls below the second voltage before predetermined time elapses after the restart of outputting the AC power after the second waiting period has elapsed, and restart outputting the AC power while keeping decreasing the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, when third waiting period longer than the second waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power.
  • control circuit 35 is configured to cancel decreasing the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power when the detection voltage does not fall below the second voltage during monitoring period after the restart of outputting the AC power after the third waiting period has elapsed, and interrupt outputting the AC power and interrupt inputting the input power when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage before the monitoring period elapses after the restart of outputting the AC power after the third waiting period has elapsed.
  • This configuration makes it possible to continue the operation of the compressor 4 while suppressing the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 .
  • control circuit 35 is configured to interrupt outputting the AC power and decrease a setting value of an amplitude of the AC power when the detection volage falls below the second voltage before predetermined time elapses after the restart of outputting the AC power after the first waiting period has elapsed, and restart outputting the AC power while keeping decreasing the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, when fourth waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power.
  • control circuit 35 is configured to cancel decreasing the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power when the detection voltage does not fall below the second voltage during monitoring period after the restart of outputting the AC power after the fourth waiting period has elapsed, and interrupt outputting the AC power and interrupt inputting the input power when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage before the monitoring period elapses after the restart of outputting the AC power after the fourth waiting period has elapsed.
  • the second voltage is between 0.3 times and 0.8 times the rated voltage, inclusive. This configuration enables earlier detection of the sign of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 , and enables improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the aforementioned refrigeration cycle device 1 includes the control device 3 and the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 . This configuration enables earlier detection of the sign of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 , and enables improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the ethylene-based fluoroolefin contains ethylene-based fluoroolefin likely to undergo a disproportionation reaction. This configuration makes it possible to enhance the suppression of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 .
  • the ethylene-based fluoroolefin is 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene, trans-1,2-difluoroethylene, cis-1,2-difluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, or monofluoroethylene. This configuration makes it possible to enhance the suppression of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 .
  • the working fluid 20 contains difluoromethane as the refrigerant component. This configuration makes it possible to enhance the suppression of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 .
  • the working fluid 20 further contains a saturated hydrocarbon. This configuration makes it possible to enhance the suppression of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 .
  • the working fluid 20 contains a haloalkane with 1 or 2 carbon atoms as a disproportionation inhibitor for suppressing a disproportionation reaction of the ethylene-based fluoroolefin. This configuration makes it possible to enhance the suppression of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 .
  • the saturated hydrocarbon contains n-propane. This configuration makes it possible to enhance the suppression of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 .
  • the aforementioned control device 3 seems to perform the following control method.
  • the control method is performed by the control device 3 for controlling the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • the working fluid 20 contains ethylene-based fluoroolefin as a refrigerant component.
  • the control device 3 includes the drive circuit 31 including the converter circuit 311 configured to output DC power so that the voltage of the DC power is equal to the first voltage, based on input power from the power supply 10 , and the inverter circuit 312 configured to output AC power to the electric motor 42 , based on the DC power.
  • the control method includes interrupting or limiting the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the voltage of the DC power falls below the second voltage equal to or smaller than the first voltage. This configuration enables earlier detection of the sign of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 , and enables improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control method performed by the control device 3 can be implemented by a computer system executing a program. This program is executed by a computer system included in the control device 3 for controlling the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • the working fluid 20 contains ethylene-based fluoroolefin as a refrigerant component.
  • the control device 3 includes the drive circuit 31 including the converter circuit 311 configured to output DC power so that the voltage of the DC power is equal to the first voltage, based on input power from the power supply 10 , and the inverter circuit 312 configured to output AC power to the electric motor 42 , based on the DC power.
  • the program enables the computer system to interrupt or limit the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the voltage of the DC power falls below the second voltage equal to or smaller than the first voltage. This configuration enables earlier detection of the sign of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 , and enables improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the Present Embodiment Provides a Control Device, a Refrigeration Cycle Device, a Control method, and, a program which enable improvement of accuracy of detection of a disproportionation reaction of a working fluid and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the compressor 4 and a control device 3 A of a refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 2.
  • the refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 2 includes the same configuration as the refrigeration cycle device 1 according to Embodiment 1, and therefore, with respect to the same configuration, FIG. 1 and the reference numerals will be employed as appropriate.
  • the control device 3 A is configured to control the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the electric motor 42 .
  • the electric motor 42 includes a rotator 421 fixed to the crank shaft of the compression mechanism 41 and a stator 422 provided in a vicinity of the rotator 421 , for example.
  • the stator 422 is configured by concentrated or distributed winding of the stator windings (magnet wires) Wu, Wv, Ww around a stator core (electrical or magnetic steel sheet or the like) 422 a with an insulation member such as insulation paper in-between.
  • the stator windings magnet wires
  • Wv electrical or magnetic steel sheet or the like
  • the stator 422 includes total six stator windings including two stator windings Wu corresponding to the U-phase, two stator windings Wv corresponding to the V-phase, and two stator windings Ww corresponding to the W-phase.
  • the control device 3 A includes the drive circuit 31 , a light detection device 32 A, the first protective device 33 , the second protective device 34 , and a control circuit 35 A.
  • the light detection device 32 A is configured to detect light inside the sealed container 40 to output an intensity of that light.
  • Factors of a disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 are considered to include heat and radicals.
  • a disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 may progress when radicals are generated under a high temperature and high pressure environment. Radicals may be generated by a discharge phenomenon at the compressor 4 or the drive circuit 31 , for example. The present inventors have found that, when a disproportionation reaction occurs in the compressor 4 , light is generated within the sealed container 40 .
  • a sealed, pressure-resistant container (stainless steel sealed container, internal volume: 50 mL) was equipped with a pressure sensor (GC61, manufactured by Nagano Keiki Co., Ltd.) for measuring the internal pressure of the pressure-resistant container, a thermocouple (PL Thermocouple Grand PL-18-K-A 4-T, manufactured by Conax Technologies) for measuring the internal temperature of the pressure-resistant container, and discharge electrodes D for generating discharge inside the pressure-resistant container. Furthermore, a gas cylinder of 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene was connected so that the pressure could be adjusted.
  • a mantle heater was installed to heat the entire pressure-resistant container (but its window plate), and a ribbon heater (Flexible Ribbon Heater 1 m, 200 W, manufactured by Tokyo Research Institute Co., Ltd.) was installed to heat the piping section as well.
  • a digital camera commercially available product, 240 fps was installed at a position facing the window plate of the pressure-resistant container. In this way, the experimental system for the disproportionation reaction was constructed.
  • FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the results of an experiment for verifying whether or not a disproportionation reaction occurs.
  • FIG. 12 when 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene was used as the working fluid, images of representative frames were illustrated from left to right in chronological order, in which the behavior of plasma and a reaction fireball generated by a discharge of approximately 0.2 J was captured at 4.2 ms per frame.
  • FIG. 12 schematic diagrams are shown below the images. Each schematic diagram schematically illustrates the central portion W of the corresponding upper image.
  • D denotes parallel discharge electrodes of the discharge device
  • P denotes a discharge location.
  • the elapsed time is indicated above the images. The time is shown by defining the frame in which plasma generated by the discharge was captured as 0 ms, and indicating elapsed time from the discharge.
  • the reddish-orange emission was observed to weaken, and after 100 ms it scarcely exhibited any light emission, eventually returning to a darkness level comparable to that before discharge ( ⁇ 4 ms) after about 1000 ms.
  • the light emission (bluish-white) due to plasma at 0 ms appeared in all cases, disappeared within 4 ms, and its emission intensity increased with increasing discharge energy.
  • the duration of the subsequent emission of the reaction fireball (reddish-orange) varied between several milliseconds and several tens of milliseconds, and increased with increasing discharge energy.
  • the intensity of the reddish-orange emission appearing in the 8 ms frame also slightly increased with increasing discharge energy.
  • the light emission in the visible to near-infrared region tended to have a stronger integrated emission intensity due to its longer duration, but had a characteristic of being less likely to be observed in weak discharges with low discharge energy. Accordingly, in order to suppress propagation of the disproportionation reaction, it is preferable to utilize the respective characteristics of these light emissions and to detect slight light emission states at an early stage and with high sensitivity.
  • the light detection device 32 A detects first light having a wavelength greater than 600 nm and equal to or less than 2000 nm.
  • first light light having a wavelength greater than 600 nm and equal to or less than 2000 nm is referred to as “first light.”
  • the wavelength of the first light is mainly included in the near-infrared wavelength region.
  • the light detection device 32 A includes a plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A configured to detect the first light.
  • the plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A are disposed inside the sealed container 40 .
  • the disproportionation reaction may be caused by a discharge phenomenon in the stator windings, or by sliding of the crankshaft of the compression mechanism 41 . Therefore, the light detector 321 A is disposed on a first end side (front side of the drawing) in the direction of the rotational axis A 11 of the electric motor 42 .
  • the light detector 322 A is disposed on a second end side (rear side of the drawing) in the direction of the rotational axis A 11 of the electric motor 42 .
  • each of the six stator windings i.e., the two stator windings Wu corresponding to the U-phase, the two stator windings Wv corresponding to the V-phase, and the two stator windings Ww corresponding to the W-phase
  • one light detector 321 A and one light detector 322 A are disposed. Accordingly, the light detectors 321 A and 322 A are disposed on both sides of each stator winding in the direction of the rotational axis A 11 of the electric motor 42 .
  • the light detectors 321 A and 322 A are disposed on the first end side or the second end side in the direction of the rotational axis A 11 of the electric motor 42 , where the possibility of occurrence of a discharge phenomenon is high, it becomes possible to achieve the required sensitivity while reducing the number of the light detectors 321 A and 322 A.
  • the light detectors 321 A and 322 A are positioned with respect to the stator windings on the first end side or the second end side in the direction of the rotational axis A 11 of the electric motor 42 , light generated due to a discharge phenomenon can be efficiently detected.
  • the light detectors 321 A and 322 A may be selected from, for example, PN-type photodiodes, PIN-type photodiodes, and avalanche photodiodes.
  • the light detectors 321 A and 322 A are, for example, InGaAs photodiodes or PbS photodiodes.
  • the control circuit 35 A may be implemented by a computer system including at least one processor (microprocessor) and at least one memory.
  • the computer system may also include one or more A/D converters.
  • one or more A/D converters may be used to convert the detection voltage from the light detection device 32 A from analog format to digital format.
  • the control circuit 35 A similarly to the control circuit 35 , controls the drive circuit 31 , the first protective device 33 , and the second protective device 34 .
  • the control circuit 35 A further executes processing for suppressing a disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 circulating through the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 , based on the intensity of light detected by the light detection device 32 A.
  • the present inventors have found that, when a disproportionation reaction occurs in the compressor 4 , the first light is generated within the sealed container 40 . From this viewpoint, the control circuit 35 A determines, based on the intensity of the first light in the sealed container 40 , whether or not a disproportionation reaction has occurred, and when it is determined that a disproportionation reaction is occurring, the operation of the drive circuit 31 is interrupted or limited in order to suppress the progress of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid circulating through the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • the light detection device 32 A is configured to detect light inside the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 to output the intensity of the light as the second state.
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to determine the number of light emissions from the working fluid 20 at the compressor 4 based on the number times the intensity of the light exceeds the threshold value for the light.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the number of the light emissions from the working fluid 20 is equal to or larger than the predetermined number of times.
  • the detection of the disproportionation reaction is performed based on the intensity of the light generated inside the sealed container 40 , rather than on changes occurring in the current actually flowing from the drive circuit 31 to the electric motor 42 . Therefore, the control device 3 A can detect the disproportionation reaction without being affected by the physical or electrical state of the circuits constituting the refrigeration cycle device 1 . In this manner, if the accuracy of detecting the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 can be improved, the suppression of the progress of the disproportionation reaction can be carried out with higher accuracy, thereby making it possible to further improve the suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control circuit 35 A interrupts or limits the operation of the drive circuit 31 .
  • the light detection device 32 A includes the plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A.
  • the control circuit 35 A interrupts or limits the operation of the drive circuit 31 .
  • the threshold value for the first light is set in order to determine whether or not a disproportionation reaction has occurred.
  • the threshold value for the first light is three times or more the intensity of the first light obtained from the light detection device 32 A during rated driving of the electric motor 42 .
  • the intensity of the first light obtained from the light detection device 32 A during rated driving of the electric motor 42 corresponds, for example, to a baseline current that appears in the light detection device 32 A during the rated driving of the electric motor 42 .
  • the threshold value for the first light a first threshold value, a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value, and a third threshold value smaller than the second threshold value are used.
  • the third threshold value is greater than a detection lower limit value of the first light.
  • the detection lower limit value of the first light is a value that serves as a reference for whether or not the first light itself exists.
  • the process for suppressing the disproportionation reaction includes, for example, first process and second process.
  • the first process is a process in which a setting value of the amplitude of the AC power is reduced, and if, before a monitoring period elapses from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the intensity of the light exceeds a determination value which is not greater than the threshold value for the light, at least one of outputting the AC power and inputting the input power is interrupted, and if the intensity of the light does not exceed the determination value even after the monitoring period elapses from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power is canceled.
  • the second process is a process for interrupting at least one of outputting the AC power and inputting the input power.
  • the degree of suppression of the disproportionation reaction is higher in the second process than in the first process. In the first process as well, the longer the monitoring period, the higher the degree of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • FIGS. 13 to 15 shows a part of a flowchart of the operation of the control circuit 35 A of the control device 3 A, and by combining FIGS. 13 to 15 , a single flowchart is completed.
  • control circuit 35 A outputs the AC power to the electric motor 42 based on the input power of the power supply 10 via the drive circuit 31 , thereby driving the compressor 4 .
  • the control circuit 35 A obtains the intensity of the first light from the light detection device 32 A (S 110 ). The control circuit 35 A determines whether or not the intensity of the first light exceeds the first threshold value (S 111 ).
  • step S 111 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the first threshold value (step S 111 : YES), the control circuit 35 A sets the first protective device 33 to an OFF state to interrupt outputting the AC power (S 112 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A sets the second protective device 34 to an OFF state to interrupt inputting the input power (S 113 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A outputs a first abnormality notification (S 114 ).
  • the first abnormality notification indicates that there is a very high possibility that a disproportionation reaction is occurring in the refrigeration cycle device 1 .
  • the control circuit 35 A interrupts the operation of the compressor 4 (S 115 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A interrupts outputting the AC power and interrupts inputting the input power.
  • step S 111 when the intensity of the first light does not exceed the first threshold value (step S 111 : NO), referring to FIG. 14 , the control circuit 35 A determines whether or not the intensity of the first light exceeds the second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value (step S 116 ).
  • step S 116 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the second threshold value (step S 116 : YES), the control circuit 35 A changes switching control of the semiconductor switching elements of the drive circuit 31 so that the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power decreases from E to E/2 (S 117 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A outputs a second abnormality notification (S 118 ).
  • the second abnormality notification indicates that there is a high possibility that a disproportionation reaction is occurring in the refrigeration cycle device 1 .
  • the control circuit 35 A obtains the intensity of the first light from the light detection device 32 A (S 119 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A determines whether or not the intensity of the first light exceeds a first determination value (S 120 ).
  • the first determination value is equal to or less than the second threshold value. In the present embodiment, the first determination value is smaller than the second threshold value.
  • step S 120 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the first determination value (S 120 : YES), the process proceeds to step S 112 in FIG. 13 .
  • step S 120 when the intensity of the first light does not exceed the first determination value (S 120 : NO), the control circuit 35 A determines whether the first monitoring period has elapsed from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 121 ).
  • the first monitoring period corresponds, for example, to about 100,000 times a cycle corresponding to a reference frequency of the inverter circuit 312 , and is approximately 20 s to 100 s.
  • step S 121 if the first monitoring period has elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 121 : YES), the control circuit 35 A cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to return the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to E (S 122 ), and the process proceeds to step S 110 of FIG. 13 .
  • step S 121 if the first monitoring period has not elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 121 : NO), the process returns to step S 119 .
  • steps S 119 to S 121 if the intensity of the first light exceeds the first determination value before the first monitoring period elapses from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the process proceeds to step S 112 of FIG. 13 . If the intensity of the first light does not exceed the first determination value before the first monitoring period elapses from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the process proceeds to step S 122 .
  • step S 116 when the intensity of the first light does not exceed the second threshold value (step S 116 : NO), referring to FIG. 15 , the control circuit 35 A determines whether or not the intensity of the first light exceeds the third threshold value smaller than the second threshold value (step S 123 ).
  • the third threshold value is equal to the first determination value.
  • step S 123 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the third threshold value (step S 123 : YES), the control circuit 35 A changes switching control of the semiconductor switching elements of the drive circuit 31 so that the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power decreases from E to E/2 (S 124 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A outputs a third abnormality notification (S 125 ).
  • the third abnormality notification indicates that there is a possibility that a disproportionation reaction is occurring in the refrigeration cycle device 1 .
  • control circuit 35 A obtains the intensity of the first light from the light detection device 32 A (S 126 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A determines whether or not the intensity of the first light exceeds a second determination value (S 127 ).
  • the second determination value is equal to or less than the third threshold value. In the present embodiment, the second determination value is equal to the third threshold value.
  • step S 127 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the second determination value (S 127 : YES), the process proceeds to step S 112 of FIG. 13 .
  • step S 127 when the intensity of the first light does not exceed the second determination value (S 127 : NO), the control circuit 35 A determines whether a second monitoring period has elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 128 ).
  • the second monitoring period is shorter than the first monitoring period.
  • the second monitoring period corresponds, for example, to about 10,000 times a cycle corresponding to the reference frequency of the inverter circuit 312 , and is approximately 2 s to 10 s.
  • step S 128 if the second monitoring period has elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 128 : YES), the control circuit 35 A cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to return the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to E (S 129 ), and the process proceeds to step S 110 of FIG. 13 .
  • step S 128 if the second monitoring period has not elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 128 : NO), the process returns to step S 126 .
  • steps S 126 to S 128 if the intensity of the first light exceeds the second determination value before the second monitoring period elapses from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the process proceeds to step S 112 of FIG. 13 . If the intensity of the first light does not exceed the second determination value before the second monitoring period elapses from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the process proceeds to step S 129 .
  • the control circuit 35 A cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 129 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A interrupts outputting the AC power (S 113 ) and interrupts inputting the input power (S 114 ).
  • the aforementioned control device 3 A is a control device for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 containing the refrigerant component capable of undergoing the disproportionation reaction, includes: the drive circuit 31 configured to drive the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 ; and the control circuit 35 A configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control device 3 A includes the light detection device 32 A configured to detect light inside the sealed container 40 to output the intensity of the light as the second state.
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to determine the number of light emissions from the working fluid 20 at the compressor 4 based on the number times the intensity of the light exceeds the threshold value for the light.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the number of the light emissions from the working fluid 20 is equal to or larger than the predetermined number of times. This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 A seems to perform the following control method.
  • the control method includes interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control method includes determining the number of light emissions from the working fluid 20 at the compressor 4 based on the second state.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the number of light emissions from the working fluid 20 is equal to or larger than the predetermined number of times. This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control method performed by the control device 3 A can be realized by a computer system executing a program.
  • This program is a program executed by a computer system included in the control device 3 A for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 containing the refrigerant component capable of undergoing the disproportionation reaction, and enables the computer system to perform a process of interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 A controls the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • the working fluid 20 contains ethylene-based fluoroolefin as a refrigerant component.
  • the compressor 4 includes the sealed container 40 constituting a fluidic pathway for the working fluid 20 , the compression mechanism 41 positioned inside the sealed container 40 to compress the working fluid 20 , and the electric motor 42 positioned inside the sealed container 40 to operate the compression mechanism 41 .
  • the control device 3 A includes the drive circuit 31 configured to drive the electric motor 42 , the light detection device 32 A configured to detect light inside the sealed container 40 to output an intensity of the light, and the control circuit 35 A configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the intensity of the light exceeds the threshold value for the light. This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the light detection device 32 A includes the plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A configured to detect light inside the sealed container 40 .
  • the plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A are located on at least one of the first end side or the second end side of the electric motor 42 in the direction of its rotational axis A 11 inside the sealed container 40 . This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the light detection device 32 A includes at least one of a PN-type photodiode, a PIN-type photodiode, or avalanche photodiode. This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the light has a wavelength that is longer than 600 nm and is equal to or shorter than 2000 nm. This configuration makes it possible to interrupt or limit the operation of the drive circuit 31 based on light emitted from a fireball generated by the disproportionation reaction.
  • the threshold value for the light is equal to or larger than three times the intensity of the light obtained from the light detection device 32 A during a rated operation of the electric motor 42 . This configuration makes it possible to improve the accuracy of determination as to whether or not suppression of the disproportionation reaction is to be performed.
  • the drive circuit 31 includes the converter circuit 311 configured to output the DC power based on the input power from the power supply 10 , and the inverter circuit 312 configured to output the AC power to the electric motor 42 based on the DC power. Stopping the operation of the drive circuit 31 includes at least one of interrupting outputting the AC power, interrupting outputting the DC power, or, interrupting inputting the input power. Limiting the operation of the drive circuit 31 includes at least one of decreasing the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, or, decreasing the setting value of the frequency of the AC power. This configuration makes it possible to enhance the suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • control circuit 35 A is configured to limit the operation of the drive 31 circuit when the intensity of the light exceeds the threshold value for the light.
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to interrupt the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the intensity of the light exceeds a determination value lower than the threshold value for the light before the monitoring period elapses after limit of the operation of the drive circuit 31 .
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to cancel limiting the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the intensity of the light does not exceed the determination value until the monitoring period elapses after limit of the operation of the drive circuit 31 . This configuration makes it possible to continue the operation of the compressor 4 while suppressing the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 .
  • the aforementioned control device 3 A seems to perform the following control method.
  • the control method is performed by the control device 3 A for controlling the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • the working fluid 20 contains ethylene-based fluoroolefin as a refrigerant component.
  • the compressor 4 includes the sealed container 40 constituting a fluidic pathway for the working fluid 20 , the compression mechanism 41 positioned inside the sealed container 40 to compress the working fluid 20 , and the electric motor 42 positioned inside the sealed container 40 to operate the compression mechanism 41 .
  • the control device 3 A includes the drive circuit 31 configured to drive the electric motor 42 .
  • the control method includes interrupting or limiting the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the intensity of the light inside the sealed container 40 exceeds the threshold value for the light. This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control method performed by the control device 3 A can be realized by a computer system executing a program. This program is executed by a computer system included in the control device 3 A for controlling the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • the working fluid 20 contains ethylene-based fluoroolefin as a refrigerant component.
  • the compressor 4 includes the sealed container 40 constituting a fluidic pathway for the working fluid 20 , the compression mechanism 41 positioned inside the sealed container 40 to compress the working fluid 20 , and the electric motor 42 positioned inside the sealed container 40 to operate the compression mechanism 41 .
  • the control device 3 A includes the drive circuit 31 configured to drive the electric motor 42 .
  • a refrigeration cycle device includes the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 and a control device 3 A, similarly to the refrigeration cycle device 1 according to Embodiment 2 but is different from Embodiment 2 in configurations of the light detection device 32 A and the control circuit 35 A of the control device 3 A.
  • the light detection device 32 A is configured to detect light inside the sealed container 40 to output an intensity of the light, but a wavelength of the light to be detected differs from that in Embodiment 2.
  • the present inventors have found that, when a discharge phenomenon occurs in the compressor 4 , light is generated inside the sealed container 40 .
  • This light uses plasma generated by the discharge phenomenon as a light source, and it has been confirmed that at least a portion of its wavelength range is included in the visible light region or in a range of 200 nm to 600 nm.
  • the light generated by the discharge phenomenon has a relatively short emission time and a relatively small emission amount; however, since it can be observed before the occurrence of the disproportionation reaction, it may be more preferable than the first light (light having a wavelength greater than 600 nm and equal to or less than 2000 nm) of Embodiment 2 in terms of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the light detection device 32 A is configured to detect second light having a wavelength between 200 nm to 600 nm, inclusive.
  • second light light having a wavelength between 200 nm and 600 nm, inclusive.
  • the wavelength of the second light mainly falls within a wavelength region including ultraviolet rays and visible light.
  • the light detection device 32 A includes the plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A configured to detect the second light.
  • the light detectors 321 A and 322 A may be selected from, for example, PN-type photodiodes, PIN-type photodiodes, and avalanche photodiodes.
  • the light detectors 321 A and 322 A are, for example, Si photodiodes or Ge photodiodes.
  • the control circuit 35 A executes processing for suppressing a disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 circulating through the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 , based on the intensity of light detected by the light detection device 32 A. As described above, the present inventors have found that, when a disproportionation reaction occurs in the compressor 4 , the second light is generated within the sealed container 40 . From this viewpoint, the control circuit 35 A determines, based on the intensity of the second light in the sealed container 40 , whether or not a disproportionation reaction has occurred, and when it is determined that a disproportionation reaction is occurring, the operation of the drive circuit 31 is interrupted or limited in order to suppress the progress of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid circulating through the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • the control circuit 35 A interrupts or limits the operation of the drive circuit 31 .
  • the light detection device 32 A includes the plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A.
  • the control circuit 35 A interrupts or limits the operation of the drive circuit 31 .
  • the threshold value for the second light is set in order to determine whether or not a disproportionation reaction has occurred.
  • the threshold value for the second light is three times or more the intensity of the second light obtained from the light detection device 32 A during rated driving of the electric motor 42 .
  • the intensity of the second light obtained from the light detection device 32 A during rated driving of the electric motor 42 corresponds, for example, to a baseline current that appears in the light detection device 32 A during the rated driving of the electric motor 42 .
  • the control circuit 35 A interrupts or limits the operation of the drive circuit 31 in different ways according to the magnitude of the intensity of the second light. In particular, the control circuit 35 A executes a process with a higher degree of suppression of the disproportionation reaction as the intensity of the second light increases. In this manner, the control device 3 A can appropriately execute suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • FIGS. 16 to 18 shows a part of a flowchart of the operation of the control circuit 35 A of the control device 3 A, and by combining FIGS. 16 to 18 , a single flowchart is completed.
  • control circuit 35 A outputs the AC power to the electric motor 42 based on the input power of the power supply 10 via the drive circuit 31 , thereby driving the compressor 4 .
  • the control circuit 35 A obtains the intensity of the second light from the light detection device 32 A (S 130 ). The control circuit 35 A determines whether or not the intensity of the second light exceeds the fourth threshold value (S 131 ).
  • step S 131 when the intensity of the second light exceeds the fourth threshold value (step S 131 : YES), the control circuit 35 A changes switching control of the semiconductor switching elements of the drive circuit 31 so that the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power decreases from E to E/2 (S 133 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A outputs a fourth abnormality notification (S 133 ).
  • the fourth abnormality notification indicates that there is a high possibility that a disproportionation reaction is occurring in the refrigeration cycle device 1 .
  • the fourth abnormality notification is output to, for example, a control circuit of the indoor unit 1 b and a remote controller, etc.
  • control circuit 35 A obtains the intensity of the second light from the light detection device 32 A (S 134 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A determines whether or not the intensity of the second light exceeds a third determination value (S 135 ).
  • the third determination value is equal to or less than the fourth threshold value. In the present embodiment, the third determination value is smaller than the fourth threshold value.
  • step S 135 when the intensity of the second light exceeds the third determination value (step S 135 : YES), referring to FIG. 17 , the control circuit 35 A sets the first protective device 33 to an OFF state to interrupt outputting the AC power (S 138 ). The control circuit 35 A sets the second protective device 34 to an OFF state to interrupt inputting the input power (S 139 ). The control circuit 35 A outputs a fifth abnormality notification (S 140 ). The fifth abnormality notification indicates that there is a very high possibility that a disproportionation reaction is occurring in the refrigeration cycle device 1 . Thereafter, the control circuit 35 A interrupts the operation of the compressor 4 (S 141 ).
  • step S 135 when the intensity of the second light does not exceed the third determination value (S 135 : NO), the control circuit 35 A determines whether a third monitoring period has elapsed from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 136 ).
  • the third monitoring period corresponds, for example, to about 100,000 times a cycle corresponding to a reference frequency of the inverter circuit 312 , and is approximately 20 s to 100 s.
  • step S 136 if the third monitoring period has elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 136 : YES), the control circuit 35 A cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to return the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to E (S 137 ), and the process proceeds to step S 130 .
  • step S 136 if the third monitoring period has not elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 136 : NO), the process returns to step S 134 .
  • steps S 134 to S 136 if the intensity of the second light exceeds the third determination value before the third monitoring period elapses from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the process proceeds to step S 138 of FIG. 17 . If the intensity of the second light does not exceed the third determination value before the third monitoring period elapses from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the process proceeds to step S 137 .
  • the control circuit 35 A decreases the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 132 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 137 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A interrupts outputting the AC power (S 138 ) and interrupts inputting the input power (S 139 ).
  • step S 131 when the intensity of the second light does not exceed the fourth threshold value (step S 131 : NO), referring to FIG. 18 , the control circuit 35 A determines whether or not the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth threshold value smaller than the fourth threshold value (step S 142 ).
  • step S 142 when the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth threshold value (step S 142 : YES), the control circuit 35 A changes switching control of the semiconductor switching elements of the drive circuit 31 so that the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power decreases from E to E/2 (S 143 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A outputs a sixth abnormality notification (S 144 ).
  • the sixth abnormality notification indicates that there is a possibility that a disproportionation reaction is occurring in the refrigeration cycle device 1 .
  • the sixth abnormality notification is output to, for example, a control circuit of the indoor unit 1 b and a remote controller, etc.
  • the control circuit 35 A obtains the intensity of the second light from the light detection device 32 A (S 145 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A determines whether or not the intensity of the second light exceeds a fourth determination value (S 146 ).
  • the fourth determination value is equal to or less than the fourth threshold value. In the present embodiment, the fourth determination value is equal to the fourth threshold value.
  • step S 146 when the intensity of the second light exceeds the fourth determination value (S 146 : YES), the process proceeds to step S 138 .
  • step S 146 when the intensity of the second light does not exceed the fourth determination value (S 146 : NO), the control circuit 35 A determines whether a fourth monitoring period has elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 147 ).
  • the fourth monitoring period is shorter than the third monitoring period.
  • the fourth monitoring period corresponds, for example, to about 10,000 times a cycle corresponding to the reference frequency of the inverter circuit 312 , and is approximately 2 s to 10 s.
  • step S 147 if the fourth monitoring period has elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 147 : YES), the control circuit 35 A cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to return the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to E (S 129 ), and the process proceeds to step S 130 of FIG. 16 .
  • step S 147 if the fourth monitoring period has not elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 147 : NO), the process returns to step S 145 .
  • steps S 145 to S 147 if the intensity of the second light exceeds the fourth determination value before the fourth monitoring period elapses from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the process proceeds to step S 138 of FIG. 17 . If the intensity of the second light does not exceed the fourth determination value before the fourth monitoring period elapses from the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the process proceeds to step S 148 .
  • the control circuit 35 A cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 148 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A interrupts outputting the AC power (S 138 ) and interrupts inputting the input power (S 139 ).
  • the aforementioned control device 3 A controls the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 containing the refrigerant component capable of undergoing the disproportionation reaction, includes: the drive circuit 31 configured to drive the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 ; and the control circuit 35 A configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the light has a wavelength between 200 nm and 600 nm, inclusive. This configuration makes it possible to interrupt or limit the operation of the drive circuit 31 based on light generated by a discharge phenomenon that may cause a disproportionation reaction.
  • a refrigeration cycle device includes the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 and the control device 3 A, similarly to the refrigeration cycle device 1 according to Embodiment 2 but is different from Embodiment 2 in configurations of the light detection device 32 A and the control circuit 35 A of the control device 3 A.
  • the light detection device 32 A is configured to detect light inside the sealed container 40 to output the intensity of the light; however, there are two types of wavelengths of light to be detected.
  • the first light uses a fireball generated by a disproportionation reaction as a light source, and at least a portion of its wavelength range is included in the near-infrared region or in a range greater than 600 nm and equal to or less than 2000 nm.
  • the first light tends to have a relatively long emission time and a relatively large emission amount; however, since it is light from a fireball generated by the disproportionation reaction, it is preferable that measures against the disproportionation reaction be taken promptly.
  • the second light uses plasma generated by a discharge phenomenon as a light source, and at least a portion of its wavelength range is included in the visible light region or in a range of 200 nm to 600 nm.
  • the second light has a relatively short emission time and a relatively small emission amount compared to the first light; however, since it can be observed before the occurrence of the disproportionation reaction, it may enable suppression of the disproportionation reaction at an earlier stage in terms of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the light detection device 32 A is configured to detect both the first light having a wavelength greater than 600 nm and equal to or less than 2000 nm, and the second light having a wavelength between 200 nm to 600 nm inclusive.
  • the light detection device 32 A includes a plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A configured to detect the first light, and a plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A configured to detect the second light. Examples of the light detectors 321 A and 322 A are as described in Embodiments 2 and 3.
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to perform a process for suppressing a disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 circulating through the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 , based on the intensity of the first light or the second light detected by the light detection device 32 A.
  • the control circuit 35 A interrupts or limits the operation of the drive circuit 31 in different ways depending on whether the intensity of the first light exceeds the threshold value for the first light or the intensity of the second light exceeds the threshold value for the second light.
  • the threshold value for the first light includes a first threshold value, a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value, and a third threshold value that is smaller than the second threshold value.
  • the threshold value for the second light includes a fourth threshold value, and a fifth threshold value that is smaller than the fourth threshold value.
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to interrupt the operation of the drive circuit 31 when an intensity of the first light exceeds the first threshold value.
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to interrupt the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the second threshold value and when an intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth threshold value.
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to interrupt the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the third threshold value and when an intensity of the second light exceeds the fourth threshold value.
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to limit the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the third threshold value and when the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth threshold value.
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to limit the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the intensity of the first light does not exceed the third threshold value and when the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth threshold value.
  • FIGS. 19 to 26 shows a part of a flowchart of the operation of the control circuit 35 A of the control device 3 A, and by combining FIGS. 19 to 26 , a single flowchart is completed.
  • control circuit 35 A outputs the AC power to the electric motor 42 based on the input power of the power supply 10 via the drive circuit 31 , thereby driving the compressor 4 .
  • Steps S 150 to S 155 of FIG. 19 are the same as steps S 110 to S 155 of FIG. 12 , respectively. Accordingly, the control circuit 35 A interrupts the operation of the drive circuit 31 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the first threshold value.
  • step S 151 when the intensity of the first light does not exceed the first threshold value (step S 151 : NO), referring to FIG. 20 , the control circuit 35 A determines whether the intensity of the first light exceeds the second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value (step S 156 ).
  • step S 156 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the second threshold value (step S 156 : YES), the control circuit 35 A obtains the intensity of the second light from the light detection device 32 A (S 157 ). The control circuit 35 A determines whether the intensity of the second light exceeds the detection lower limit value (S 158 ).
  • step S 158 when the intensity of the second light exceeds the detection lower limit value of the second light (step S 158 : YES), the process proceeds to step S 152 . That is, when the intensity of the first light is not more than the first threshold value and exceeds the second threshold value, if the second light is detected, the control circuit 35 A interrupts the operation of the drive circuit 31 in the same manner as when the intensity of the first light exceeds the first threshold value.
  • step S 158 when the intensity of the second light does not exceed the detection lower limit value of the second light (step S 158 : NO), referring to FIG. 21 , the control circuit 35 A changes the switching control of the semiconductor switching elements of the drive circuit 31 so that the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power decreases from E to E/2 (S 159 ).
  • Steps S 160 to S 164 of FIG. 21 correspond to steps S 118 to S 122 of FIG. 14 , respectively.
  • step S 162 of FIG. 21 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the first determination value, the process proceeds to step S 152 of FIG. 19 . After step S 164 of FIG. 21 , the process proceeds to step S 150 of FIG. 19 .
  • step S 156 of FIG. 20 when the intensity of the first light does not exceed the second threshold value (step S 156 : NO), referring to FIG. 22 , the control circuit 35 A determines whether the intensity of the first light exceeds the third threshold value, which is smaller than the second threshold value (step S 165 ).
  • step S 165 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the third threshold value (step S 165 : YES), the control circuit 35 A obtains the intensity of the second light from the light detection device 32 A (S 166 ). The control circuit 35 A determines whether the intensity of the second light exceeds the detection lower limit value of the second light (S 167 ).
  • step S 167 when the intensity of the second light does not exceed the detection lower limit value (step S 167 : NO), referring to FIG. 23 , the control circuit 35 A changes the switching control of the semiconductor switching elements of the drive circuit 31 so that the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power decreases from E to E/2 (S 168 ).
  • Steps S 169 to S 173 of FIG. 23 correspond to steps S 125 to S 129 of FIG. 15 , respectively.
  • step S 171 of FIG. 23 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the second determination value, the process proceeds to step S 152 of FIG. 19 . After step S 173 of FIG. 23 , the process proceeds to step S 150 of FIG. 19 .
  • step S 167 of FIG. 22 when the intensity of the second light exceeds the detection lower limit value of the second light (step S 167 : YES), referring to FIG. 24 , the control circuit 35 A determines whether the intensity of the second light exceeds the fourth threshold value (S 174 ).
  • step S 174 when the intensity of the second light exceeds the fourth threshold value (step S 174 : YES), the process proceeds to step S 152 of FIG. 19 .
  • step S 174 when the intensity of the second light does not exceed the fourth threshold value (step S 174 : NO), the control circuit 35 A determines whether the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth threshold value which is smaller than the fourth threshold value (S 175 ).
  • step S 175 when the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth threshold value (S 175 : YES), the control circuit 35 A changes the switching control of the semiconductor switching elements of the drive circuit 31 so that the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power decreases from E to E/2 (S 176 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A outputs a seventh abnormality notification (S 177 ).
  • the seventh abnormality notification indicates that both a disproportionation reaction and a discharge phenomenon may be occurring in the refrigeration cycle device 1 .
  • the seventh abnormality notification is output, for example, to a control circuit of the indoor unit 1 b and to a remote controller or the like.
  • the control circuit 35 A obtains the intensities of the first light and the second light from the light detection device 32 A (S 178 ).
  • the control circuit 35 A determines whether the intensity of the first light exceeds the second determination value and whether the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth determination value (S 179 ).
  • the fifth determination value is equal to or less than the fourth threshold value. In the present embodiment, the fifth determination value is equal to the lower detection limit value of the second light.
  • step S 179 when the intensity of the first light exceeds the second determination value, or the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth determination value (S 179 : YES), the process proceeds to step S 152 of FIG. 19 .
  • step S 179 when neither the intensity of the first light exceeds the second determination value nor the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth determination value (S 179 : NO), the control circuit 35 A determines whether the fifth monitoring period has elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 180 ).
  • the fifth monitoring period is shorter than the third monitoring period.
  • the fifth monitoring period corresponds, for example, to about 10,000 times a cycle corresponding to the reference frequency of the inverter circuit 312 , and is approximately 2 s to 10 s.
  • step S 180 if the fifth monitoring period has elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 180 : YES), the control circuit 35 A cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to return the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to E (S 181 ), and the process proceeds to step S 150 of FIG. 19 .
  • step S 180 if the fifth monitoring period has not elapsed since the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 180 : NO), the process returns to step S 178 .
  • steps S 178 to S 180 if the intensity of the first light exceeds the second determination value, or the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth determination value before the fifth monitoring period elapses after the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the process proceeds to step S 152 of FIG. 19 . If neither the intensity of the first light exceeds the second determination value nor the intensity of the second light exceeds the fourth determination value before the fifth monitoring period elapses after the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, the process proceeds to step S 181 .
  • step S 174 when the intensity of the second light does not exceed the fifth threshold value (step S 175 : NO), the process proceeds to step S 150 of FIG. 19 .
  • step S 165 of FIG. 22 when the intensity of the first light does not exceed the third threshold value (step S 165 : NO), referring to FIG. 25 , the control circuit 35 A obtains the intensity of the second light from the light detection device 32 A (S 182 ). Steps S 183 to S 189 of FIG. 25 correspond to steps S 131 to S 137 of FIG. 16 , respectively.
  • step S 187 of FIG. 25 when the intensity of the second light exceeds the third determination value, the process proceeds to step S 152 of FIG. 19 . After step S 189 of FIG. 25 , the process proceeds to step S 150 of FIG. 19 .
  • step S 183 when the intensity of the second light does not exceed the fourth threshold value (step S 183 : NO), referring to FIG. 26 , the control circuit 35 A determines whether the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth threshold value, which is smaller than the fourth threshold value (step S 190 ).
  • Steps S 191 to S 196 of FIG. 26 correspond to steps S 143 to S 148 of FIG. 18 , respectively.
  • step S 194 of FIG. 26 when the intensity of the second light exceeds the fourth determination value, the process proceeds to step S 152 of FIG. 19 .
  • step S 196 of FIG. 26 the process proceeds to step S 150 of FIG. 19 .
  • step S 190 when the intensity of the second light does not exceed the fifth threshold value (step S 190 : NO), the process proceeds to step S 150 of FIG. 19 .
  • the aforementioned control device 3 A is a control device for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 containing the refrigerant component capable of undergoing the disproportionation reaction, includes: the drive circuit 31 configured to drive the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 ; and the control circuit 35 A configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the light includes first light with a wavelength that is longer than 600 nm but is not longer than 2000 nm and second light with a wavelength between 200 nm and 600 nm, inclusive.
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the drive circuit in different ways depending on whether an intensity of the first light exceeds a threshold value for the first light or an intensity of the second light exceeds a threshold value for the second light. This configuration makes it possible to appropriately select between interrupting and limiting the operation of the drive circuit 31 , and thereby extend the period during which driving of the compressor 4 can be continued.
  • the light includes first light with a wavelength that is longer than 600 nm but is not longer than 2000 nm and second light with a wavelength between 200 nm and 600 nm, inclusive.
  • a threshold value for the first light includes a first threshold value, a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value, and a third threshold value that is smaller than the second threshold value but is larger than a detection lower limit of the first light.
  • a threshold value for the second light includes a fourth threshold value, and a fifth threshold value that is smaller than the fourth threshold value but is larger than a detection lower limit of the second light.
  • the control circuit 35 A is configured to: interrupt the operation of the drive circuit when an intensity of the first light exceeds the first threshold value; interrupt the operation of the drive circuit when the intensity of the first light exceeds the second threshold value and when an intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth threshold value; interrupt the operation of the drive circuit when the intensity of the first light exceeds the third threshold value and when an intensity of the second light exceeds the fourth threshold value; limit the operation of the drive circuit when the intensity of the first light exceeds the third threshold value and when the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth threshold value; and limit the operation of the drive circuit when the intensity of the first light does not exceed the third threshold value and when the intensity of the second light exceeds the fifth threshold value.
  • the present embodiment provides a refrigeration cycle device, a light detection circuit, a control device, a control method, and a program that make it possible to achieve earlier detection of an abnormality in a refrigeration cycle circuit.
  • FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle device 1 B according to the present embodiment.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 B constitutes an air conditioner enabling a cooling operation and a heating operation, for example.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 B includes a refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B and a control device 3 B.
  • the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B includes the compressor 4 , the first heat exchanger 5 , the expansion valve 6 , the second heat exchanger 7 , the four-way valve 8 , an accumulator 9 , and a bubble removing mechanism 21 .
  • the accumulator 9 is provided for preventing liquid compression in the compression chamber of the compression mechanism 41 .
  • the accumulator 9 is positioned closer to the suction pipe 401 of the compressor 4 .
  • the accumulator 9 is positioned between the suction pipe 401 of the compressor 4 and the four-way valve 8 .
  • the accumulator 9 separates the working fluid 20 into the gaseous working fluid 20 and the liquid working fluid 20 and directs only the gaseous working fluid 20 to the sealed container 40 via the suction pipe 401 .
  • the bubble removing mechanism 21 is provided to remove or break up bubbles that may be contained in the working fluid 20 .
  • a structure for removing or breaking up bubbles a mesh structure can be used, but the structure is not particularly limited and any conventionally known structure can be utilized.
  • the bubble removing mechanism 21 is located between the compressor 4 and the accumulator 9 .
  • the control device 3 B is configured to control the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the control device 3 B is configured to control the compressor 4 and the expansion valve 6 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • FIG. 28 is a schematic view of the compressor 4 and the control device 3 B.
  • FIG. 29 is a schematic view of an inside of the compressor 4 .
  • the control device 3 B includes the drive circuit 31 , a light detection circuit 32 B, the first protective device 33 , the second protective device 34 , and a control circuit 35 B.
  • the light detection circuit 32 B is a light detection circuit for the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • the light detection circuit 32 B is provided to detect an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B by utilizing changes in the transmittance of the working fluid 20 .
  • the factors of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 are considered to be heat and radicals. For example, it is considered that, when radicals are generated under high temperature and high pressure, the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 proceeds.
  • Radicals may be generated by a discharge phenomenon, which can occur, for example, when an abnormality arises in the compressor 4 or in the drive circuit 31 .
  • a discharge phenomenon occurs, relatively stable compounds are generated from the working fluid 20 and circulate as insoluble components together with the working fluid 20 in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the working fluid contains ethylene-based fluoroolefin, soot or hydrogen fluoride (HF) may be generated as insoluble components.
  • HF hydrogen fluoride
  • Such unnecessary components are examples of the products generated from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction.
  • the discharge phenomenon is repeated, the amount of insoluble components such as soot increases. An increase in such insoluble components can also cause an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the present inventors have found that, due to such an increase in insoluble components, the transmittance of the working fluid 20 decreases. That is, by focusing on the transmittance of the working fluid 20 , it is possible to quantitatively evaluate the increase in insoluble components, thereby enabling earlier detection of abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the light detection circuit 32 B enables evaluation of changes in the transmittance of the working fluid based on changes in an intensity of light. As shown in FIG. 29 , the light detection circuit 32 B includes a light source device 321 B and a light detection device 322 B.
  • the light source device 321 B is configured to emit light L 32 B to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the light L 32 B is directional light (for example, laser light, or collimated parallel light generated by converging light emitted from a light-emitting diode (LED) using a lens or double slit).
  • the color of the light L 32 B is not particularly limited and may be white light or red light having a wavelength of 650 nm to 690 nm.
  • the light detection device 322 B receives the light L 32 B and outputs the intensity of the received light L 32 B. In the present embodiment, the light detection device 322 B outputs a light detection signal indicating the intensity of the light L 32 B to the control circuit 35 B.
  • the light source device 321 B emits light to the working fluid 20
  • the light detection device 322 B receives light L 32 B through the working fluid 20
  • the location in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B where the light source device 321 B irradiates the working fluid 20 with light is not particularly limited; however, in the present embodiment, the light source device 321 B irradiates the working fluid 20 in the compressor 4 with light L 32 B. Since the discharge phenomenon described above may occur in the electric motor 42 of the compressor 4 , it is considered that a decrease in transmittance due to insoluble components such as soot can be readily detected in the working fluid 20 inside the compressor 4 .
  • the light detection circuit 32 B is located inside the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 .
  • the light source device 321 B irradiates the working fluid 20 in the region between the electric motor 42 and the suction pipe 401 with light L 32 B.
  • the light source device 321 B is arranged beneath the electric motor 42 , but is not limited thereto.
  • the light source device 321 B may also be arranged above the electric motor 42 .
  • the working fluid 20 may contain bubbles. Bubbles in the working fluid 20 scatter light L 32 B and may cause a decrease in transmittance, thereby adversely affecting evaluation using transmittance.
  • the region between the electric motor 42 and the suction pipe 401 is considered to have a small amount of bubbles. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in accuracy due to bubbles.
  • FIG. 30 is a schematic view of the light detection circuit 32 B.
  • the light source device 321 B includes a first light source 3211 - 1 and a second light source 3211 - 2 .
  • the first light source 3211 - 1 and the second light source 3211 - 2 are LED emitting white light, for example.
  • the light detection device 322 B includes a first light detector 3220 - 1 and a second light detector 3220 - 2 .
  • the first light detector 3220 - 1 is placed to receive to the light L 32 B- 1 emitted from the first light source 3211 - 1 .
  • the second light detector 3220 - 2 is placed to receive the light L 32 B- 2 emitted from the second light source 3211 - 2 .
  • the first light detector 3220 - 1 is placed to face the first light source 3211 - 1 and the second light detector 3220 - 2 is placed to face the second light source 3211 - 2 .
  • the light detection signal output from the light detection device 322 B to the control circuit 35 B may include one or more light detection signals indicative of intensities of the light L 32 B- 1 and L 32 B- 2 .
  • the first light detector 3220 - 1 includes a light detection element 3221 - 1 and an optical system 3222 - 1 .
  • the second light detector 3220 - 2 includes a light detection element 3221 - 2 and an optical system 3222 - 2 .
  • the light detection elements 3221 - 1 and 3221 - 2 include photodiodes, for example.
  • the optical systems 3222 - 1 and 3222 - 2 include lenses (focusing lenses), for example.
  • the optical designs of the optical systems 3222 - 1 and 3222 - 2 are configured such that a light receiving region D 32 - 1 of the first light detector 3220 - 1 is larger (i.e., has a greater aperture ratio) than a light receiving region D 32 - 2 of the second light detector 3220 - 2 .
  • bubbles B in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B can scatter the light L 32 B- 1 and L 32 B- 2 from the light source device 321 B.
  • the first light detector 3220 - 1 is less susceptible to the effects of scattering due to bubbles B than the second light detector 3220 - 2
  • the second light detector 3220 - 2 is more susceptible to the effects of scattering due to bubbles B than the first light detector 3220 - 1 .
  • the intensity of the light L 32 B- 1 received by the first light detector 3220 - 1 and the intensity of the light L 32 B- 2 received by the second light detector 3220 - 2 will be substantially equal.
  • the intensity of the light L 32 B- 2 received by the second light detector 3220 - 2 will be smaller than the intensity of the light L 32 B- 1 received by the first light detector 3220 - 1 .
  • the difference in intensity between the light L 32 B- 1 and L 32 B- 2 received by the first and second light detectors 3220 - 1 and 3220 - 2 can be used as an indicator of scattering due to bubbles B, i.e., as an indicator of the presence of bubbles B.
  • the control circuit 35 B may be implemented by a computer system including at least one processor (microprocessor) and at least one memory.
  • the computer system may also include one or more A/D converters.
  • one or more A/D converters may be used to convert the detection voltage from the light detection circuit 32 B from analog format to digital format.
  • the control circuit 35 B similarly to the control circuit 35 , controls the drive circuit 31 , the first protective device 33 , and the second protective device 34 .
  • the control circuit 35 B is configured to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B based on the light detection signal from the light detection circuit 32 B, and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, interrupts or limits the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the control circuit 35 B causes the light source device 321 B to emit the light L 32 B to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B, and obtains the intensity of the light L 32 B that has passed through the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B by means of the light detection device 322 B.
  • the control circuit 35 B executes a process to adjust the rotational speed of the compressor 4 .
  • the control circuit 35 B makes the rotational speed of the compressor 4 in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B, during at least a portion of the time period in which the light detection device 322 B receives light L 32 B, smaller than the maximum value of the rotational speed during the time period in which the light detection device 322 B does not receive light L 32 B.
  • the time period in which the light detection device 322 B does not receive light L 32 B is a time period of the normal operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the control circuit 35 B sets the rotational speed of the compressor 4 in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B, during the entire time period in which the light detection device 322 B receives light L 32 B, to half or less of the maximum value of the rotational speed during the time period in which the light detection device 322 B does not receive light L 32 B.
  • the amount of bubbles B generated can be expected to decrease. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the influence of bubbles B that may be contained in the working fluid 20 , thereby improving the accuracy in detecting abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • control circuit 35 B is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B when the intensity of the light L 32 B indicated by the light detection signal from the light detection circuit 32 B satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • a predetermined condition may be that the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 B is equal to or less than a threshold value. This predetermined condition corresponds to the case where the amount of the product generated from the working fluid 20 due to the disproportionation reaction reaches or exceeds a predetermined amount.
  • the threshold value may be determined by evaluating the transmittance of the working fluid 20 , at which an abnormality is likely to occur in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B, through testing or simulation.
  • the threshold value may, for example, be set at 95% or less of the index value of the intensity of light L 32 B in the initial rated operation state.
  • the predetermined condition may be that the index value of the intensity of light L 32 B is equal to or less than 95% of the index value of the intensity of light L 32 B in the initial rated operation state.
  • the index value of the intensity of the light is a value derived directly or indirectly from the intensity of the light, and may be either the intensity of the light itself or the transmittance of the light.
  • the index value of the intensity of the light is also an index value indicating the amount of the product generated from the working fluid 20 due to the disproportionation reaction.
  • the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 B in the initial rated operation state may be set, for example, based on a representative value of the index value of the intensity of the light detected by the light detection device 322 B when the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B is first operated.
  • the representative value may be selected from the average value, mode value, maximum value, minimum value, median value, or the like.
  • the predetermined condition may be that the ratio of an index value of the intensity of the light L 32 B at a second time point after predetermined time from a first time point, to the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 B at the first time point is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio.
  • This predetermined condition corresponds to the amount of increase, within a predetermined period, in a product generated from the working fluid 20 due to a disproportionation reaction reaching or exceeding a predetermined amount.
  • the predetermined ratio may be determined by evaluation through testing or simulation, based on the transmittance of the working fluid 20 at which there is a high possibility that an abnormality occurs in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B. For example, the predetermined ratio may be 95% or less.
  • the predetermined condition may be that the ratio of the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 B at the second time point (after predetermined time from the first time point) to the index value at the first time point is 95% or less.
  • the first time point may be, for example, the time of start of the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B, and the second time point may be any time during the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the light detection circuit 32 B receives the light L 32 B from the inside of the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B to output the intensity of the light L 32 B received, as the second state.
  • the control circuit 35 B detects the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on the second state regarding the working fluid 20 , it interrupts or limits the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the control circuit 35 B determines an index value of the amount of the product generated from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction, based on the intensity of the light L 32 B.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the amount of the product or the increase in the amount of the product within a predetermined period becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.
  • the light detection circuit 32 B is provided with the first light detector 3220 - 1 and the second light detector 3220 - 2 .
  • the control circuit 35 B can use the difference between the intensities of the light L 32 B- 1 and L 32 B- 2 received by the first and second light detectors 3220 - 1 and 3220 - 2 as an index of the amount of bubbles B.
  • the control circuit 35 B can correct the index value based on the amount of bubbles B. That is, it is possible to perform a correction to eliminate the decrease caused by the bubbles B from the intensity of the light L 32 B.
  • a table may be prepared in advance by experimentally or through simulation defining the relationship between the difference in intensity of the light L 32 B- 1 and L 32 B- 2 received by the first and second light detectors 3220 - 1 and 3220 - 2 , and the amount of bubbles B, and associating the difference in intensity with a correction amount for the intensity of the light L 32 B.
  • the control circuit 35 B determines the correction amount by referring to the table based on the difference between the intensities of the light L 32 B- 1 and L 32 B- 2 received by the first and second light detectors 3220 - 1 and 3220 - 2 , and then obtains the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 B by taking into account the correction amount in the intensities of the light L 32 B- 1 and L 32 B- 2 .
  • control circuit 35 B improves the accuracy of abnormality detection by reducing measurement errors caused by bubbles B flowing together with the working fluid 20 , by first calculating the time-averaged values of the intensities of the light L 32 B- 1 and L 32 B- 2 received by the first and second light detectors 3220 - 1 and 3220 - 2 (for example, taking averages with a time constant of about 0.1 s to 1 s), and then calculating the difference between those averages.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 B is provided with the bubble removing mechanism 21 .
  • the bubble removing mechanism 21 is disposed between the compressor 4 and the accumulator 9 , and is located closer to an upstream side than a portion to which the light source device 321 B emits the light L 32 B in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B (i.e., the inside of the compressor 4 ). Therefore, it is possible to reduce the influence of bubbles B that may be contained in the working fluid 20 , and to improve the accuracy of detecting abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the interrupting or limiting of the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B may include interrupting the operation of the drive circuit 31 , increasing the rotational speed of a fan of the condenser, decreasing the rotational speed of a fan of the evaporator, increasing the opening degree of the expansion valve, (in the case where the refrigeration cycle device 1 B is provided with a plurality of indoor units 1 b ) opening the expansion valve of at least one indoor unit 1 b of the indoor units 1 b that are not in operation, and, (in the case of the heating operation) switching to the cooling operation by the four-way valve 8 and opening the expansion valve 6 .
  • the control circuit 35 B interrupts or limits the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B in different ways according to the number of times that the intensity of the light L 32 B satisfies the predetermined condition.
  • the control circuit 35 B performs the process for interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B at a higher degree. This enables earlier detection of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B, and therefore improves the safety of using the working fluid 20 .
  • the control circuit 35 B interrupts or limits the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B in different ways depending on the time difference between a first time at which the intensity of the light L 32 B first satisfies the predetermined condition and a second time at which the intensity of the light L 32 B next satisfies the predetermined condition.
  • the shorter the time difference the higher the degree of the process performed for interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B. This allows the control device 3 to detect an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B at an earlier stage, and hence improves the safety of using the working fluid 20 .
  • the process for interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B includes, for example, a first process to a third process.
  • the first process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and then restarting outputting the AC power after a waiting period elapses.
  • the second process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and after a waiting period elapses, restarting it with a reduced setting value of the amplitude of the AC power.
  • the third process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and interrupting inputting the input power.
  • the third process, the second process, and the first process are in order of higher degree of interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B. Even in the first process or the second process, the longer the waiting time, the higher the degree of interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • FIGS. 31 to 36 represents a part of a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit 35 B of the control device 3 B, and a complete flowchart is obtained by combining FIGS. 31 to 36 .
  • the control circuit 35 B outputs the AC power to the electric motor 42 based on the input power from the power supply 10 by the drive circuit 31 , thereby driving the compressor 4 .
  • the control circuit 35 B sets the abnormality count to zero (S 210 ).
  • the abnormality count indicates the number of times that the intensity of the light L 32 B has satisfied the predetermined condition.
  • a greater abnormality count serves as an index of a higher possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the control circuit 35 B obtains the light detection signal from the light detection circuit 32 B (S 211 ). The control circuit 35 B then determines whether the intensity of the light L 32 B indicated by the light detection signal satisfies the predetermined condition (S 212 ).
  • step S 212 the control circuit 35 B determines, at a predetermined cycle, whether the intensity of the light L 32 B satisfies the predetermined condition.
  • step S 212 If, in step S 212 , the intensity of the light L 32 B satisfies the predetermined condition (S 212 : YES), the control circuit 35 B increments the abnormality count by one (S 213 ), and determines whether the abnormality count is one or less (S 214 ).
  • step S 214 if the abnormality count is one or less (S 214 : YES), the control circuit 35 B sets the first protective device 33 to the OFF state to interrupt outputting the AC power (S 215 ). The control circuit 35 B then determines whether a first waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power (S 216 ). The first waiting period is, for example, 1 second. When the first waiting period elapses (S 216 : YES), the control circuit 35 B sets the first protective device 33 to the ON state to restart outputting the AC power (S 217 ). Consequently, the operation of the compressor 4 is restarted, thereby restarting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B (S 218 ). Thereafter, the process returns to step S 211 .
  • the control circuit 35 B interrupts outputting the AC power, and when the first waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power, the control circuit 35 B restarts outputting the AC power.
  • step S 214 if the abnormality count is not one or less (S 214 : NO), referring to FIG. 32 , the control circuit 35 B determines whether the time difference between the first time at which the intensity of the light L 32 B first satisfies the predetermined condition and the second time at which the intensity of the light L 32 B next satisfies the predetermined condition is within first predetermined time (step S 219 ).
  • the shortness of the time difference serves as an index of a higher possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the first predetermined time is, for example, about 20 to 100 ms.
  • step S 219 if the time difference is within the first predetermined time (step S 219 : YES), the control circuit 35 B sets the first protective device 33 to the OFF state to interrupt outputting the AC power (S 220 ). The control circuit 35 B then sets the second protective device 34 to the OFF state to interrupt inputting the input power (S 221 ). The control circuit 35 B outputs a first abnormality notification (S 222 ). The first abnormality notification indicates that there is a very high possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B of the refrigeration cycle device 1 B. Thereafter, the control circuit 35 B interrupts the operation of the compressor 4 to interrupt the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B (S 223 ).
  • the control circuit 35 B interrupts outputting the AC power (S 220 ) and interrupts inputting the input power (S 221 ).
  • step S 219 if the time difference is not within the first predetermined time (step S 219 : NO), referring to FIG. 33 , the control circuit 35 B determines whether the time difference is within a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time (step S 224 ).
  • the second predetermined time is, for example, about 200 ms to 1 s.
  • step S 224 if the time difference is within the second predetermined time (step S 224 : YES), the control circuit 35 B sets the first protective device 33 to the OFF state to interrupt outputting the AC power (S 225 ).
  • the control circuit 35 B changes the switching control of the semiconductor switching elements of the drive circuit 31 so that the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power decreases from E to E/2 (S 226 ).
  • the control circuit 35 B outputs a second abnormality notification (S 227 ).
  • the second abnormality notification indicates that there is a high possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 of the refrigeration cycle device 1 .
  • the control circuit 35 B determines whether a fourth waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power (S 228 ).
  • the fourth waiting period is longer than the first waiting period.
  • the fourth waiting period is, for example, 60 s.
  • the control circuit 35 B sets the first protective device 33 to the ON state to restart outputting the AC power (S 229 ). Consequently, the operation of the compressor 4 is restarted (S 230 ). In this case, the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power remains decreased from E to E/2.
  • the control circuit 35 B interrupts outputting the AC power (S 225 ) and decreases the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 226 ).
  • the control circuit 35 B restarts outputting the AC power with the setting value of the amplitude kept decreased (S 229 ).
  • control circuit 35 B obtains the light detection signal from the light detection circuit 32 B (S 231 ).
  • the control circuit 35 B determines whether the intensity of the light L 32 B satisfies the predetermined condition (S 232 ).
  • step S 232 if the intensity of the light L 32 B satisfies the predetermined condition (S 232 : YES), the process proceeds to step S 220 in FIG. 32 .
  • step S 232 if the intensity of the light L 32 B does not satisfy the predetermined condition (S 232 : NO), the control circuit 35 B determines whether the second monitoring period has elapsed from restart of the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B (S 233 ).
  • step S 233 if the second monitoring period has elapsed from restart of the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B (S 233 : YES), the control circuit 35 B cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to return the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power to E (S 234 ), and the process proceeds to step S 211 in FIG. 31 .
  • step S 233 if the second monitoring period has not elapsed from restart of the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B (S 233 : NO), the process returns to step S 231 .
  • the control circuit 35 B cancels the reduction of the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 234 ).
  • the control circuit 35 B interrupts outputting the AC power (S 220 ) and interrupts inputting the input power (S 221 ).
  • step S 244 if the time difference is not within the second predetermined time (step S 224 : NO), referring to FIG. 35 , the control circuit 35 B determines whether the time difference is within a third predetermined time longer than the second predetermined time (step S 235 ).
  • the third predetermined time is, for example, about 2 s to 10 s.
  • the control circuit 35 B sets the first protective device 33 to the ON state to restart outputting the AC power (S 240 ). Consequently, the compressor 4 restart to operate and the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B restarts to operate (S 241 ). Thereafter, the process returns to step S 211 .
  • step S 236 if the abnormality count is not two or less (S 236 : NO), i.e., if the abnormality count is three or more, the control circuit 35 B sets the first protective device 33 to the OFF state to interrupt outputting the AC power (S 242 ).
  • the control circuit 35 B changes the switching control of the semiconductor switching elements of the drive circuit 31 so that the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power decreases from E to E/2 (S 243 ).
  • the control circuit 35 B outputs the second abnormality notification (S 244 ).
  • the control circuit 35 B determines whether a third waiting period has elapsed after the interruption of outputting the AC power (S 245 ).
  • the third waiting period is longer than the second waiting period.
  • the third waiting period is, for example, 60 s.
  • the control circuit 35 B sets the first protective device 33 to the ON state to restart outputting the AC power (S 246 ). Consequently, the compressor 4 restarts to operate and the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B restarts to operate (S 247 ). In this case, the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power remains decreased from E to E/2.
  • the control circuit 35 B interrupts outputting the AC power (S 242 ) and decreases the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power (S 243 ).
  • the control circuit 35 B restarts outputting the AC power with the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power kept decreased (S 247 ).
  • step S 249 if the intensity of the light L 32 B does not satisfy the predetermined condition (S 249 : NO), the control circuit 35 B determines whether a first monitoring period has elapsed from the restart of the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B (S 250 ).
  • the first monitoring period may be the same as, or different from, the second monitoring period in step S 233 .
  • step S 248 to S 250 if the intensity of the light L 32 B satisfies the predetermined condition before the lapse of the first monitoring period from the restart of the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B, the process proceeds to step S 220 in FIG. 33 . If the intensity of the light L 32 B does not satisfy the predetermined condition before the lapse of the first monitoring period from the restart of the operation of the compressor 4 , the process proceeds to step S 251 .
  • the control method performed by the control device 3 B can be realized by a computer system executing a program.
  • This program is a program executed by the computer system included in the control device 3 B for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 containing the refrigerant component capable of undergoing the disproportionation reaction and enables the computer system to perform a process of interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the aforementioned refrigeration cycle device 1 B includes the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 , the light source device 321 B configured to emit the light L 32 B to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B, and the light detection device 322 B configured to receive the light L 32 B to output the intensity of the light L 32 B received. This configuration makes it possible to enable earlier detection of abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the light source device 321 B is configured to emit light L 32 B to the working fluid 20 and the light detection device 322 B is configured to receive light L 32 B passing through the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration makes it possible to enable earlier detection of abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the compressor 4 includes the suction pipe 401 for the working fluid 20 , the discharge pipe 402 for the working fluid 20 , and the electric motor 42 located between the suction pipe 401 and the discharge pipe 402 , and the light source device 321 B is configured to emit the light L 32 B to a portion of the working fluid 20 present in a region between the electric motor 42 and the suction pipe 401 .
  • This configuration makes it possible to improve the accuracy of detecting abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the light detection device 322 B includes the first light detector 3220 - 1 and the second light detector 3220 - 2 , and the light receiving region D 32 - 1 of the first light detector 3220 - 1 is larger than the light receiving region D 32 - 2 of the second light detector 3220 - 2 .
  • This configuration makes it possible to reduce the influence of bubbles B that may be contained in the working fluid 20 and to improve the accuracy of detecting abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 B further includes the bubble removing mechanism 21 which is located closer to an upstream side than a portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B irradiated by the light source device 321 B with the light L 32 B to remove or break up bubbles B within the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration makes it possible to reduce the influence of bubbles B that may be contained in the working fluid 20 and to improve the accuracy of detecting abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 B further includes the control circuit 35 B configured to control the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the control circuit 35 B is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B when the intensity of the light L 32 B detected by the light detection device 322 B satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • the control circuit 35 B is configured to make the rotational speed of the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B during at least a portion of a time period when the light detection device 322 B receives the light L 32 B, smaller than a maximum value of the rotational speed during a time period when the light detection device 322 B does not receive the light 32 B.
  • the predetermined condition is that an index value of the intensity of the light L 32 B is not greater than 95% of an index value of the intensity of the light L 32 B at an initial rated operation state. This configuration makes it possible to enable earlier detection of abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the predetermined condition is that a ratio of an index value of the intensity of the light L 32 B at a second time point after predetermined time from a first time point, to an index value of the intensity of the light L 32 B at the first time point is 95% or less.
  • the aforementioned light detection circuit 32 B is a light detection circuit for the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 and includes the light source device 321 configured to emit light L 32 B to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B and the light detection device 322 B configured to receive the light L 32 B to output the intensity of the light L 32 B received. This configuration makes it possible to enable earlier detection of abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 B includes the aforementioned light detection circuit 32 B; and the control circuit 35 B configured to control the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the control circuit 35 B is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B when the intensity of the light L 32 B detected by the light detection device 322 B of the light detection circuit 32 B satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 B seems to perform the following control method.
  • the control method is a control method performed by the control device 3 B for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 and includes: receiving, by the light detection device 322 B, light L 32 B emitted to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B to output the intensity of the light L 32 B received; and interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B when the intensity of the light L 32 B detected by the light detection device 322 B satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • This configuration makes it possible to enable earlier detection of abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B. Furthermore, this configuration makes it possible to suppress disproportionation reactions of the working fluid 20 .
  • the light detection device 322 B includes the first light detector 3220 - 1 and the second light detector 3220 - 2 .
  • the light receiving region D 32 - 1 of the first light detector 3220 - 1 is larger than the light receiving region D 32 - 2 of the second light detector 3220 - 2 .
  • the control method includes: correcting an index value of the intensity of the light detected by the light detection device 322 B based on a difference between an intensity of the light L 32 B- 1 detected by the first light detector 3220 - 1 and an intensity of the light L 32 B- 2 detected by the second light detector 3220 - 2 ; and interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B when the corrected index value of the intensity of the light satisfies the predetermined condition.
  • This configuration makes it possible to reduce the influence of bubbles B that may be contained in the working fluid 20 and to improve the accuracy of detecting abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the control method performed by the control device 3 B can be realized by a computer system executing a program.
  • This program is a program executed by a computer system included in the control device 3 B for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation 2 B of the working fluid 20 and includes: receiving, by the light detection device 322 B, light L 32 B emitted to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B to output the intensity of the light L 32 B received; and interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B when the intensity of the light L 32 B detected by the light detection device 322 B satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • This configuration makes it possible to enable earlier detection of abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B. Furthermore, this configuration makes it possible to suppress disproportionation reactions of the working fluid 20 .
  • the light detection device 322 B includes the first light detector 3220 - 1 and the second light detector 3220 - 2 .
  • the light receiving region D 32 - 1 of the first light detector 3220 - 1 is larger than the light receiving region D 32 - 2 of the second light detector 3220 - 2 .
  • the program includes correcting an index value of the intensity of the light detected by the light detection device L 322 B based on a difference between an intensity of the light L 32 B- 1 detected by the first light detector 3220 - 1 and an intensity of the light L 32 B- 2 detected by the second light detector 3220 - 2 , and interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B when the corrected index value of the intensity of the light satisfies the predetermined condition.
  • This configuration makes it possible to reduce the influence of bubbles B that may be contained in the working fluid 20 and to improve the accuracy of detecting abnormalities in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the present embodiment provides a refrigeration cycle device, a light detection method, a control method, and a program which make it possible to enable earlier detection of an abnormality in a refrigeration cycle circuit.
  • FIG. 37 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle device 1 C according to Embodiment 6.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 C constitutes an air conditioner enabling a cooling operation and a heating operation, for example.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 C includes a refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C and a control device 3 C.
  • the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C includes the compressor 4 , the first heat exchanger 5 , the expansion valve 6 , the second heat exchanger 7 , the four-way valve 8 , and the accumulator 9 .
  • the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C further includes a phosphor 11 C (see FIG. 38 ).
  • the control device 3 C is configured to control the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the control device 3 C is configured to control the compressor 4 and the expansion valve 6 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • FIG. 38 is a schematic view of the compressor 4 and the control device 3 C.
  • the control device 3 C includes the drive circuit 31 , a light detection circuit 32 C, the first protective device 33 , the second protective device 34 , and a control circuit 35 C.
  • the light detection circuit 32 C is used for detecting an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • the light detection circuit 32 C is provided in order to detect an abnormality of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C by utilizing a fluorescent dye.
  • the working fluid 20 has relatively low stability, for example, disproportionation reactions of compounds contained in the working fluid 20 may proceed due to radical generation, thereby causing the compounds to change into different compounds.
  • Factors of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 are considered to be heat and radicals. For example, when radicals are generated under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, it is believed that the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 proceeds.
  • Radicals may be generated, for example, by discharge phenomena that occur when some abnormality arises in the compressor 4 or the drive circuit 31 .
  • a discharge phenomenon occurs, products generated by chemical reactions of the working fluid 20 may circulate within the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C together with the working fluid 20 .
  • the working fluid contains ethylene-based fluoroolefins
  • hydrogen fluoride (HF) is one example of a product (hereinafter also referred to as product (A)) generated by a chemical reaction of the working fluid 20 .
  • product (A) is an example of a product generated from the working fluid 20 by a disproportionation reaction.
  • the increase of the product (A) can also become a cause of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • a fluorescent dye can be used for quantitative evaluation of the product (A). That is, if the fluorescent dye has a property of reacting with the product (A) such that at least one of the fluorescence wavelength or the quantum yield changes, the increase of the product (A) can be observed as a change in the intensity of light having a wavelength corresponding to the fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye. By focusing on the intensity of light having a wavelength corresponding to the fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye, the product (A) can be quantitatively evaluated. Accordingly, cumulative minor damage to the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C can be determined, and early detection of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C becomes possible.
  • FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram of the light detection circuit 32 C.
  • the light detection circuit 32 C enables evaluation of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C by means of the phosphor 11 C.
  • the phosphor 11 C contains a fluorescent dye and is located inside the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C to be contactable with the working fluid 20 .
  • the phosphor 11 C is a refrigerating machine oil in which the fluorescent dye is dissolved. That is, the phosphor 11 C is constituted by dissolving the fluorescent dye into the refrigerating machine oil of the compressor 4 .
  • the phosphor 11 C circulates through the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C together with the working fluid 20 . Therefore, the probability that the fluorescent dye of the phosphor 11 C comes into contact with and reacts with the product (A) can be increased.
  • the fluorescent dye has a property of reacting with the product (A) generated by chemical reactions of the working fluid 20 , such that at least one of a fluorescence wavelength or a quantum yield changes. Therefore, depending on the type of fluorescent dye, the reaction between the fluorescent dye and the product (A) may cause either an increase or a decrease in the quantity of light at the fluorescence wavelength.
  • the fluorescent dye examples are described below.
  • the following examples of the fluorescent dye are particularly preferable in cases where the product (A) is a substance (for example, hydrogen fluoride) that generates fluoride ions.
  • the fluorescent dye may be a triarylfluorosilane compound.
  • the triarylfluorosilane compound is, for example, represented by SiFR 1 R 2 R 3 (see Formula (1)).
  • R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are each anthracene or a derivative thereof, or R 1 and R 2 are anthracene or derivatives thereof and R 3 is benzene or a derivative thereof.
  • the fluorescent dye may be a compound having a structure in which a donor group and an acceptor group are bonded.
  • the donor group has a donor property in an excited state.
  • the donor group is a chromophore.
  • the acceptor group has a high acceptor property in a free state and has a low acceptor property in a state in which it is bound to the product (A) or ions derived from the product (A).
  • the acceptor group is an acceptor.
  • the acceptor group may be selected from the group consisting of: a compound (hereinafter referred to as compound (B)) having a structure in which two or more amino groups are bonded to each other via one or two methylene groups; a compound (hereinafter referred to as compound (C)) having a structure in which two or more pyrrole groups or indole groups are bonded to each other via two methylene groups; benzamide; bis(methylidene) hydrazine; and calixarene.
  • compound (B) a compound having a structure in which two or more amino groups are bonded to each other via one or two methylene groups
  • compound (C)) having a structure in which two or more pyrrole groups or indole groups are bonded to each other via two methylene groups
  • benzamide bis(methylidene) hydrazine
  • calixarene arene
  • Examples of compound (B) include urea and derivatives thereof, thiourea and derivatives thereof, and polyamine macrocycles.
  • Examples of compound (C) include 1,2-ethandiyl-bis(pyrrole) and 1,2-ethandiyl-bis(indole).
  • the donor group may be selected from the group consisting of anthracene, naphthalimide, pyrene, BODIPY, fluorescein, rhodamine, resorufin, coumarin, and cyanine.
  • some of the above-mentioned fluorescent dyes undergo a change in a fluorescence wavelength as a result of reaction with the product (A).
  • the fluorescence wavelength for an excitation wavelength of 366 nm changes from 416 nm to 396 nm. Accordingly, the presence of the product (A) can be detected by a decrease in the intensity of the light at the fluorescence wavelength of 416 nm or an increase in the intensity of the light at the fluorescence wavelength of 396 nm.
  • the light detection circuit 32 C includes a light source device 321 C and a light detection device 322 C.
  • the light source device 321 C is configured to emit excitation light Le with a wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the fluorescent dye to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the excitation light Le is directional light (for example, laser light).
  • a wavelength range of the excitation light Le only needs to include the excitation wavelength of the fluorescent dye. However, it is preferable that the wavelength range of the excitation light Le does not include the fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye.
  • the light source device 321 C is, for example, a laser diode.
  • the light detection device 322 C is configured to receive light Lf with a wavelength corresponding to the fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye to output an intensity of the received light Lf. In the present embodiment, the light detection device 322 C outputs a light detection signal indicating an intensity of the light Lf to the control circuit 35 C.
  • a wavelength range in which the light detection device 322 C is sensitive only needs to include the fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye. However, when the fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye changes, it is preferable that the wavelength range in which the light detection device 322 C is sensitive includes only one of the fluorescence wavelength before the change and the fluorescence wavelength after the change. Furthermore, it is preferable that the wavelength range in which the light detection device 322 C is sensitive does not include the excitation wavelength of the fluorescent dye.
  • the light detection device 322 C includes, for example, a photodiode and an optical system (such as a lens).
  • the arrangement of the light source device 321 C and the light detection device 322 C will be described below.
  • the light source device 321 C emits the excitation light Le to a portion between the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 and the condenser (the first heat exchanger 5 during the cooling operation and the second heat exchanger 7 during the heating operation), of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the light source device 321 C emits the excitation light Le to a portion between the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 and the four-way valve 8 .
  • the light source device 321 C emits the excitation light Le to a portion which is closer to the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 than the four-way valve 8 . In this way, the possibility of the excitation light Le striking the fluorescent element is increased. This configuration enables improvement of the accuracy of abnormality detection in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the light detection device 322 C receives the light Lf from the portion between the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 and the condenser (the first heat exchanger 5 during the cooling operation and the second heat exchanger 7 during the heating operation), of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C. Particularly, in the present embodiment, the light detection device 322 C receives the light Lf from the portion between the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 and the four-way valve 8 . The light detection device 322 C receives the light Lf from the portion closer to the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 than the four-way valve 8 . In this way, the intensity of the light Lf received by the light detection device 322 C can be increased. This configuration enables improvement of the accuracy of abnormality detection in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the control circuit 35 C may be implemented by a computer system including at least one processor (microprocessor) and at least one memory.
  • the computer system may also include one or more A/D converters.
  • one or more A/D converters may be used to convert the detection voltage from the light detection circuit 32 C from analog format to digital format.
  • the control circuit 35 C similarly to the control circuit 35 , controls the drive circuit 31 , the first protective device 33 , and the second protective device 34 .
  • the control circuit 35 C is configured to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C based on the light detection signal from the light detection circuit 32 C, and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, interrupts or limits the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • control circuit 35 C is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C when the intensity of the light Lf indicated by the light detection signal from the light detection circuit 32 C satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • the predetermined condition is set according to the type of the fluorescent dye.
  • the reaction between the fluorescent dye and the product (A) causes an increase in the amount of the light Lf at the fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye.
  • the fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye changes due to the reaction
  • the predetermined condition may be that a ratio of an index value of the intensity of the light Lf at a second time point after predetermined time from a first time point, to an index value of the intensity of the light Lf at the first time point is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio.
  • the index value of the intensity of the light Lf is a value derived directly or indirectly from the intensity of the light Lf, and may be the intensity of the light Lf itself, or a representative value of the intensity of the light Lf within a certain period.
  • the representative value may be selected from an average value, mode value, maximum value, minimum value, median value, etc.
  • the index value of the intensity of the light Lf is also an index value of the amount of the product generated from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction.
  • the predetermined ratio may be determined by evaluation through testing or simulation based on an amount of the product (A) at which there is a high possibility of abnormality occurring in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C. For example, the predetermined ratio may be 110%.
  • the predetermined condition may be that the ratio of the index value of the intensity of the light Lf at the second time point after predetermined time from the first time point, to the index value of the intensity of the light Lf at the first time point is equal to or larger than 110%.
  • the first time point may be, for example, the start of the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C, and the second time point may be at any time during the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the predetermined condition corresponds to an amount of the product generated from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction being equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.
  • the first time point may be any time during the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C, and the second time point may be a time point after predetermined period from the first time point.
  • the predetermined condition corresponds to an increase in the amount of the product generated from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction within the predetermined period being equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.
  • a predetermined condition may be that the ratio of the index value of the intensity of the light Lf at the second time point after predetermined time from the first time point, to the index value of the intensity of the light Lf at the first time point is equal to or smaller than a predetermined ratio.
  • the predetermined ratio may be determined by evaluation through testing or simulation based on an amount of the product (A) at which there is a high possibility of abnormality occurring in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the predetermined ratio may be 90%. That is, the predetermined condition may be that the ratio of the index value of the intensity of the light Lf at the second time point after predetermined time from the first time point, to the index value of the intensity of the light Lf at the first time point is not greater than 90%.
  • the first time point may be, for example, the start of the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C, and the second time point may be at any time during the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the light detection circuit 32 C receives the light Lf from the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C to output the intensity of the received light Lf as the second state.
  • the control circuit 35 C detects the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on the second state regarding the working fluid 20 , it interrupts or limits the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the control circuit 35 C determines the index value of the amount of the product generated from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction based on the intensity of the light Lf.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the amount of the product or the increase in the amount of the product within a predetermined period is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.
  • the present embodiment detects a change in the light Lf from the fluorescent dye which may occur when a discharge phenomenon occurs, by use of the fluorescent dye. Therefore, when a discharge phenomenon does not occur, the light Lf does not change. This reduces the possibility that an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C is erroneously detected when a discharge phenomenon does not occur.
  • the interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C may include interrupting the operation of the drive circuit 31 , increasing the rotational speed of a fan of the condenser, decreasing the rotational speed of a fan of the evaporator, increasing an opening degree of the expansion valve, opening the expansion valve of at least one indoor unit 1 b among multiple indoor units 1 b which are not in operation (if the refrigeration cycle device 1 has multiple indoor units 1 b ), or, in the heating operation, switching to the cooling operation with the four-way valve 8 and opening the expansion valve 6 .
  • the control circuit 35 C is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C in different ways according to the number of times that the intensity of the light Lf satisfies the predetermined condition.
  • the control circuit 35 C performs a higher-degree process for interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C as the number of times that the intensity of the light Lf satisfies the predetermined condition increases. This enables early detection of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C. Therefore, the safety of using the working fluid 20 can be improved.
  • the control circuit 35 C is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C in different ways according to the time difference between the first time at which the intensity of the light Lf first satisfies the predetermined condition and the second time at which the intensity of the light Lf next satisfies the predetermined condition.
  • the control circuit 35 C performs a higher-degree process for interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C as the time difference becomes shorter.
  • the control device 3 C enables early detection of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C. Therefore, the safety of using the working fluid 20 can be improved.
  • the process for interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C may include, for example, a first process to a third process.
  • the first process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and after a lapse of a waiting period, restarting outputting the AC power.
  • the second process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and after a lapse of a waiting period, restarting the operation with a reduced setting value of the amplitude of the AC power.
  • the third process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and interrupting inputting the input power.
  • the degree of interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C is higher in the order of the third, the second, and the first processes. Even in the first or second processes, the longer the waiting period, the higher the degree of interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the operation of the control circuit 35 C may be similar to the operation of the control circuit 35 B described with reference to FIG. 31 to FIG. 36 . More specifically, the operation of the control circuit 35 C may be an operation in which the part concerning the light detection circuit 32 B in the description of the operation of the control circuit 35 B with reference to FIG. 31 to FIG. 36 is replaced with the part concerning the light detection circuit 32 C.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 C is a control device for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 containing the refrigerant component capable of undergoing the disproportionation reaction, and includes: the drive circuit 31 configured to drive the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B; and the control circuit 35 C configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C includes the phosphor 11 C containing the fluorescent dye.
  • the control device 3 C includes the light detection device 322 C configured to detect light Lf with a wavelength corresponding to a fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye to output the intensity of the light Lf detected, as the second state.
  • the control circuit 35 C is configured to determine the index value of the amount of the product produced from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction, based on the intensity of the light Lf detected by the light detection device 322 C.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is an amount of the product or an increase in the amount of the product during a predetermined period is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount. This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 C seems to perform the following control method.
  • the control method includes interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control method includes determining the index value of the amount of the product produced from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction, based on the second state.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the amount of the product or an increase in the amount of the product during a predetermined period is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount. This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control method performed by the control device 3 C can be realized by a computer system executing a program.
  • This program is a program executed by the computer system included in the control device 3 C for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 containing the refrigerant component capable of undergoing the disproportionation reaction and enables the computer system to perform a process of interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the aforementioned refrigeration cycle device 1 C includes the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 and the phosphor 11 C located inside the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C to be contactable with the working fluid 20 .
  • the phosphor 11 C contains a fluorescent dye with a property of reacting with the product (A) produced by a chemical reaction of the working fluid 20 to cause a change in at least one of a fluorescence wavelength or a quantum yield. This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the light source device 321 C is configured to emit the excitation light Le to a portion between the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 and the condenser (the first heat exchanger 5 , the second heat exchanger 7 ), of the refrigeration cycle circuit. This configuration enables improvement of the detection accuracy of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the fluorescent dye includes a triarylfluorosilane compound. This configuration enables improvement of the detection accuracy of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the fluorescent dye is a compound having a structure in which an acceptor group and a donor group are combined.
  • the acceptor group is selected from the group consisting of: a compound having a structure in which two or more amino groups are connected via one or two methylene groups, a compound having a structure in which two or more pyrrole groups or indole groups are connected via two methylene groups, benzamide, bis(methylidene)hydrazine, and calixarene.
  • the donor group is selected from a group consisting of anthracene, naphthalimide, pyrene, BODIPY, fluorescein, rhodamine, resorufin, coumarin, and cyanine. This configuration enables improvement of the detection accuracy of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the phosphor 11 C is a refrigerating machine oil in which the fluorescent dye is dissolved. This configuration can increase the possibility that the fluorescent dye in the phosphor 11 C comes into contact with and reacts with the product (A).
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 C includes: the light source device 321 C configured to emit the excitation light Le with a wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the fluorescent dye, to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C; and the light detection device 322 C configured to detect light Lf with a wavelength corresponding to the fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye to output an intensity of detected light Lf. This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 C includes the control device 35 C configured to control the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C
  • the control circuit 35 C is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C when the intensity of the light Lf detected by the light detection device 322 C satisfies a predetermined condition. This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C. Furthermore, this configuration makes it possible to suppress disproportionation reactions of the working fluid 20 .
  • the reaction between the fluorescent dye and the product (A) causes an increase in amount of light with the fluorescence wavelength.
  • the predetermined condition is that the ratio of the index value of the intensity of the light Lf at the second time point after predetermined time from the first time point, to the index value of the intensity of the light Lf at the first time point is 110% or more. This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the reaction between the fluorescent dye and the product (A) causes an increase in amount of light with the fluorescence wavelength.
  • the predetermined condition is that the ratio of the index value of the intensity of the light Lf at the second time point after predetermined time from the first time point, to the index value of the intensity of the light Lf at the first time point is 110% or more. This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the aforementioned refrigeration cycle device 1 C performs the light detection method for the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • This light detection method includes: emitting, to the phosphor 11 C which contains the fluorescent dye and is located inside the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C to be contactable with the working fluid 20 , the excitation light Le with a wavelength corresponding to the excitation wavelength of the fluorescent dye; and detecting light Lf with a wavelength corresponding to the fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye to output the intensity of the detected light. This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 C seems to perform the following control method.
  • the control method is a control method performed by the control device 3 C for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C which allows circulation of the working fluid 20 and inside which the phosphor 11 C containing the fluorescent dye exists.
  • the control device 3 C includes the light detection device 322 .
  • the control method includes: by the light detection device 322 C, detecting light Lf with a wavelength corresponding to a fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye to output the intensity of light detected; and interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C when the intensity of the light Lf detected by the light detection device 322 C satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C. Furthermore, this configuration makes it possible to suppress disproportionation reactions of the working fluid 20 .
  • the control method performed by the control device 3 C can be realized by a computer system executing a program.
  • This program is a program executed by the computer system included in the control device 3 C for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C which allows circulation of the working fluid 20 and inside which the phosphor 11 C containing the fluorescent dye exists.
  • the control device 3 C includes the light detection device 322 .
  • the program includes: by the light detection device 322 C, detecting light Lf with a wavelength corresponding to a fluorescence wavelength of the fluorescent dye to output the intensity of light detected; and interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C when the intensity of the light Lf detected by the light detection device 322 C satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C. Furthermore, this configuration makes it possible to suppress disproportionation reactions of the working fluid 20 .
  • FIG. 40 is a schematic view of the compressor 4 and a control device 3 D of a refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 7.
  • the refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 7 includes the same configuration as the refrigeration cycle device 1 C according to Embodiment 6, and therefore, with respect to the same configuration, FIG. 37 and the reference numerals will be employed as appropriate.
  • the control device 3 D includes the drive circuit 31 , a light detection circuit 32 D, the first protective device 33 , the second protective device 34 , and the control circuit 35 .
  • FIG. 41 is a schematic view of the light detection circuit 32 D.
  • the light detection circuit 32 D enables evaluation of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C by means of the phosphor 11 D.
  • the phosphor 11 D contains a fluorescent dye and is located inside the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C to be contactable with the working fluid 20 .
  • the phosphor 11 D is a support carrying a fluorescent dye.
  • the support is, for example, a porous material.
  • the porous material may be either inorganic or organic porous material. Examples of inorganic porous material include mesoporous silica. Examples of organic porous material include synthetic resin membranes or paper. Since the porous material can secure a larger surface area, it is possible to increase the likelihood that the fluorescent dye comes into contact with the working fluid 20 .
  • the phosphor 11 D is fixed at a predetermined location of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the phosphor 11 D is located in the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 .
  • the phosphor 11 D is located in a region between the electric motor 42 and the discharge pipe 402 .
  • the fluorescent dye is present at a predetermined position without being dispersed throughout the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C, so although the possibility of contact with the working fluid 20 decreases, the fluorescent dye can be reliably irradiated with the excitation light Le.
  • the light detection circuit 32 D includes the light source device 321 C and the light detection device 322 C.
  • the light source device 321 C is configured to emit the excitation light Le to the inside of the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C. As a result, the excitation light Le is emitted to the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 , and the excitation light Le strikes the phosphor 11 D in the sealed container 40 .
  • the light source device 321 C is located in the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 .
  • the light source device 321 C is located in a region between the electric motor 42 and the discharge pipe 402 . In this way, the possibility that the fluorescent element is irradiated with the excitation light Le can be increased.
  • the light detection device 322 C is configured to receive the light Lf from the inside of the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the light detection device 322 C is located in the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 .
  • the light source device 321 C is located in a region between the electric motor 42 and the discharge pipe 402 . In this way, the intensity of the light Lf received by the light detection device 322 can be increased. This configuration enables improvement of the detection accuracy of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the light source device 321 C is configured to emit the excitation light Le to the inside of the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C. This configuration enables improvement of the detection accuracy of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the phosphor 11 D is a support carrying the fluorescent dye. This configuration enables the fluorescent dye to be present at a predetermined position without being dispersed throughout the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C and thus to be reliably irradiated with the excitation light Le.
  • the support includes the porous material. This configuration can increase the likelihood that the fluorescent dye comes into contact with the working fluid 20 .
  • FIG. 42 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle device 1 E according to Embodiment 8.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 E constitutes an air conditioner enabling a cooling operation and a heating operation, for example.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 E includes a refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E and a control device 3 E.
  • the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E includes the compressor 4 , the first heat exchanger 5 , the expansion valve 6 , the second heat exchanger 7 , the four-way valve 8 , and the accumulator 9 .
  • the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E further includes a light absorber 11 E (see FIG. 43 ).
  • the control device 3 E is configured to control the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the control device 3 E is configured to control the compressor 4 and the expansion valve 6 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • FIG. 43 is a schematic view of the compressor 4 and the control device 3 E.
  • the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E further includes the light absorber 11 E.
  • the control device 3 E includes the drive circuit 31 , a light detection circuit 32 E, the first protective device 33 , the second protective device 34 , and the control circuit 35 E.
  • the light detection circuit 32 E is used for detecting an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • the light detection circuit 32 E is provided to detect an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E by utilizing a dye.
  • a disproportionation reaction of a compound contained in the working fluid 20 may proceed due to radical generation, causing the compound to be transformed into another compound.
  • Factors of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 are believed to be heat and radicals. For example, when radicals are produced under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, it is considered that the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 proceeds.
  • Radicals may be generated, for example, by discharge phenomena that occur when some abnormality arises in the compressor 4 or the drive circuit 31 .
  • products generated by chemical reactions of the working fluid 20 may circulate within the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E together with the working fluid 20 .
  • a product generated by a chemical reaction of the working fluid 20 include tetrafluoroethylene (C 2 F 4 ) or hydrogen fluoride (HF).
  • HF hydrogen fluoride
  • the amount of the product (D) increases, and an increase in the amount of the product (D) can also become a cause of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the present inventors have found that a dye can be used for the quantitative evaluation of the product (D). That is, if the dye has a property of reacting with the product (D) such that its absorption maximum wavelength changes, the increase of the product (D) can be observed as a change in the intensity of the light having a wavelength band including the absorption wavelength of the dye.
  • FIG. 44 is a graph of examples of wavelength changes of absorbance of a dye.
  • the horizontal axis represents a wavelength and the vertical axis represents absorbance.
  • F1 is a graph showing a wavelength change of absorbance of the dye before reaction with the product (D)
  • F2 is a graph showing a wavelength change of absorbance of the dye after reaction with the product (D).
  • FIG. 44 shows that the absorbance at the absorption maximum wavelength ⁇ 1 of the dye decreases from A 1 to A 2 due to the reaction with the product (D).
  • F1 may show the wavelength change of the absorbance of the dye after reaction with the product (D)
  • F2 may show the wavelength change of the absorbance of the dye before reaction with product (D). This means that the absorbance at the absorption maximum wavelength ⁇ 1 of the dye increases from A 1 to A 2 due to the reaction with the product (D).
  • the difference between the absorption maximum wavelength ⁇ 1 of the dye and the absorption maximum wavelength of the dye after reaction with the product (D) be large enough to clearly distinguish between the waveform of the wavelength change of the absorbance of the dye and the waveform of the wavelength change of the absorbance after reaction with the product (D).
  • the product (D) By focusing on an intensity of light in a wavelength band including the absorption wavelength of the dye, the product (D) can be quantitatively evaluated. Thus, cumulative minor damage to the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E can be determined, enabling earlier detection of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • FIG. 45 is a schematic view of the light detection circuit 32 E.
  • the light detection circuit 32 E enables evaluation of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E by means of the light absorber 11 E.
  • the light absorber 11 E contains a dye and is located inside the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E to be contactable with the working fluid 20 .
  • the light absorber 11 E is a refrigerating machine oil in which the dye is dissolved. That is, the light absorber 11 E is constituted by dissolving the dye into the refrigerating machine oil of the compressor 4 .
  • the light absorber 11 E circulates through the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E together with the working fluid 20 . Therefore, the probability that the dye of the light absorber 11 E comes into contact with and reacts with the product (D) can be increased.
  • the dye has a property of reacting with the product (D) generated by a chemical reaction of the working fluid 20 such that its absorption maximum wavelength changes. Therefore, depending on the type of dye, the reaction between the dye and the product (D) may either increase or decrease the amount of light at the absorption wavelength.
  • the first example of the dye is preferable in cases where the product (D) is tetrafluoroethylene.
  • the first example of the dye may include a nickel complex.
  • the nickel complex can react with tetrafluoroethylene to cause a change in absorbance.
  • the presence of tetrafluoroethylene as the product (D) can be detected by the change in the intensity of the light at the wavelength where absorbance changes.
  • nickel complex examples include bis(triphenylphosphine)nickel(0) (see Chemical formula (2)); bis(ortho-diphenylphosphanylphenyl)ether nickel(0) (see Chemical formula (3)); 2,2′-bis(ortho-diphenylphosphino)trans-stilbene nickel(0) (see Chemical formula (4)); 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)biphenyl nickel(0) (see Chemical formula (5)); 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)diphenylmethane nickel(0) (see Chemical formula (6)); and 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)diphenylpropane nickel(0) (see Chemical formula (7)).
  • the second example of the dye is preferable in cases where the product (D) is hydrogen fluoride.
  • the second example of the dye may include a boron compound having an aromatic substituent.
  • the boron compound having an aromatic substituent can react with hydrogen fluoride and cause a change in absorbance.
  • the presence of hydrogen fluoride as the product (D) can be detected by monitoring the change in intensity of light at the wavelength where the absorbance changes.
  • An example of a boron compound having an aromatic substituent is diarylnaphthylborane represented by Chemical formula (8).
  • R 1 and R 2 are each selected from the group consisting of a naphthyl group represented by Chemical formula (9) or a mesityl group represented by Chemical formula (10).
  • the light detection circuit 32 E includes a light source device 321 E and a light detection device 322 E.
  • the light source device 321 E is configured to emit light L 32 E- 1 and L 32 E- 2 with wavelength bands including the absorption wavelength of the dye, to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the light source device 321 E includes a first light source 3213 - 1 and a second light source 3213 - 2 .
  • the first light source 3213 - 1 and the second light source 3213 - 2 emit the light L 32 E- 1 and the L 32 E- 2 to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the wavelength bands of the light L 32 E- 1 and the light L 32 E- 2 differ from each other, meaning that the light L 32 E- 1 and the light L 32 E- 2 correspond to different absorption wavelengths of the dye.
  • the light source device 321 E emits a plurality of rays of light L 32 E- 1 and L 32 E- 2 with different wavelength bands.
  • the light L 32 E- 1 and the light L 32 E- 2 may be directional light (such as laser light).
  • the first light source 3213 - 1 and the second light source 3213 - 2 are, for example, laser diodes.
  • the light detection device 322 E is configured to receive the light L 32 E- 1 and L 32 E- 2 from the light source device 321 E to output the intensities of the received light L 32 E- 1 and L 32 E- 2 .
  • the light detection device 322 E outputs a light detection signal indicating the intensity of the received light L 32 E- 1 and L 32 E- 2 to the control circuit 35 E.
  • the light detection signal output from the light detection device 322 E to the control circuit 35 E may include one or more light detection signals indicating the intensities of the light L 32 E- 1 and light L 32 E- 2 .
  • the influence of colors of substances other than the dye in the light absorber 11 E for example, the influence of color tone changes in the refrigerating machine oil, can be reduced.
  • the light detection device 322 E includes a first light detector 3223 - 1 and a second light detector 3223 - 2 .
  • the first light detector 3223 - 1 is placed to receive the light L 32 E- 1 emitted from the first light source 3213 - 1 .
  • the second light detector 3223 - 2 is placed to receive the light L 32 E- 2 emitted from the second light source 3213 - 2 .
  • the first light detector 3223 - 1 is placed to face the first light source 3213 - 1
  • the second light detector 3223 - 2 is placed to face the second light source 3213 - 2 .
  • Each of the first and second light detectors 3223 - 1 and 3223 - 2 includes a light detection element and an optical system.
  • the light detection element includes, for example, a photodiode.
  • the optical system includes, for example, a lens (such as a focusing lens).
  • the arrangement of the light source device 321 E and the light detection device 322 E will be described below.
  • the light source device 321 E emits the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 to a portion between the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 and the condenser (the first heat exchanger 5 during the cooling operation and the second heat exchanger 7 during the heating operation), of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the light source device 321 E emits the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 to a portion 22 between the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 and the four-way valve 8 .
  • the light source device 321 E emits the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 to a portion which is closer to the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 than the four-way valve 8 . In this way, the possibility of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 striking the dye is increased. This configuration enables improvement of the accuracy of abnormality detection in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the light detection device 322 E receives the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 from the portion between the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 and the condenser (the first heat exchanger 5 during the cooling operation and the second heat exchanger 7 during the heating operation), of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E. Particularly, in the present embodiment, the light detection device 322 E receives the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 from the portion 22 between the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 and the four-way valve 8 . The light detection device 322 E receives the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 from the portion closer to the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 than the four-way valve 8 . In this way, the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 received by the light detection device 322 E can be increased. This configuration enables improvement of the accuracy of abnormality detection in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the control circuit 35 E may be implemented by a computer system including at least one processor (microprocessor) and at least one memory.
  • the computer system may also include one or more A/D converters.
  • one or more A/D converters may be used to convert the detection voltage from the light detection circuit 32 E from analog format to digital format.
  • the control circuit 35 E similarly to the control circuit 35 , controls the drive circuit 31 , the first protective device 33 , and the second protective device 34 .
  • the control circuit 35 E is configured to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E based on the light detection signal from the light detection circuit 32 E, and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, interrupts or limits the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the control circuit 35 E is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E when the intensity of the light L 32 E indicated by the light detection signal from the light detection circuit 32 E satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • the light detection signal from the light detection circuit 32 E includes intensities of a plurality of rays of light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 which have different wavelength bands.
  • the control circuit 35 E interrupts or limits the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E when at least one of the intensities of the plurality of rays of light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • the predetermined condition is set according to the type of the dye.
  • the predetermined condition may be that a ratio of an index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E at a second time point after predetermined time from a first time point, to an index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E at the first time point is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio.
  • the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 is a value derived directly or indirectly from the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 , and may be the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 itself, or a representative value of the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 within a certain period.
  • the representative value may be selected from an average value, mode value, maximum value, minimum value, median value, etc.
  • the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 is also an index value of the amount of the product generated from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction.
  • the predetermined ratio may be determined by evaluation through testing or simulation based on an amount of the product (D) at which there is a high possibility of abnormality occurring in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the predetermined ratio may be 110%. That is, the predetermined condition may be that the ratio of the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 at the second time point after predetermined time from the first time point, to the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 at the first time point is equal to or larger than 110%.
  • the first time point may be, for example, the start of the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E or any time during the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the predetermined time is not particularly limited, but is preferably set so as to allow observation of changes in the absorbance of the dye resulting from the generation of product (D).
  • the predetermined condition corresponds to an amount of the product generated from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction being equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.
  • the predetermined condition corresponds to an increase in the amount of the product generated from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction within the predetermined period being equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.
  • a predetermined condition may be that the ratio of the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E at the second time point after predetermined time from the first time point, to the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E at the first time point is equal to or smaller than a predetermined ratio.
  • the predetermined ratio may be determined by evaluation through testing or simulation based on an amount of the product (D) at which there is a high possibility of abnormality occurring in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the predetermined ratio may be 90%. That is, the predetermined condition may be that the ratio of the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E at the second time point after predetermined time from the first time point, to the index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E at the first time point is not greater than 90%.
  • the light detection circuit 32 E receives the light L 32 E from the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E to output the intensity of the received light L 32 E as the second state.
  • the control circuit 35 E detects the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on the second state regarding the working fluid 20 , it interrupts or limits the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the control circuit 35 E determines the index value of the amount of the product generated from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction based on the intensity of the light L 32 E.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the amount of the product or the increase in the amount of the product within a predetermined period is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.
  • the dye is used to detect a change in the absorbance of the dye that may occur when a discharge phenomenon arises. Therefore, by using absorbance variability with respect to the absorption wavelength as a probe, it is possible to evaluate the accumulation of products originating from the discharge phenomenon while reducing the influence of emission-suppressing substances such as metals.
  • the interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E may include interrupting the operation of the drive circuit 31 , increasing the rotational speed of a fan of the condenser, decreasing the rotational speed of a fan of the evaporator, increasing an opening degree of the expansion valve, opening the expansion valve of at least one indoor unit 1 b among multiple indoor units 1 b which are not in operation (if the refrigeration cycle device 1 has multiple indoor units 1 b ), or, in the heating operation, switching to the cooling operation with the four-way valve 8 and opening the expansion valve 6 .
  • the control circuit 35 E is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E in different ways according to the number of times that the intensity of the light L 32 E satisfies the predetermined condition.
  • the control circuit 35 E performs a higher-degree process for interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E as the number of times that the intensity of the light L 32 E satisfies the predetermined condition increases. This enables early detection of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E. Therefore, the safety of using the working fluid 20 can be improved.
  • the control circuit 35 E is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E in different ways according to the time difference between the first time at which the intensity of the light L 32 E first satisfies the predetermined condition and the second time at which the intensity of the light L 32 E next satisfies the predetermined condition.
  • the control circuit 35 E performs a higher-degree process for interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E as the time difference becomes shorter.
  • the control device 3 E enables early detection of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E. Therefore, the safety of using the working fluid 20 can be improved.
  • the process for interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E may include, for example, a first process to a third process.
  • the first process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and after a lapse of a waiting period, restarting outputting the AC power.
  • the second process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and after a lapse of a waiting period, restarting the operation with a reduced setting value of the amplitude of the AC power.
  • the third process is a process of interrupting outputting the AC power and interrupting inputting the input power.
  • the degree of interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E is higher in the order of the third, the second, and the first processes. Even in the first or second processes, the longer the waiting period, the higher the degree of interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the operation of the control circuit 35 E may be similar to the operation of the control circuit 35 B described with reference to FIG. 31 to FIG. 36 . More specifically, the operation of the control circuit 35 E may be an operation in which the part concerning the light detection circuit 32 B in the description of the operation of the control circuit 35 B with reference to FIG. 31 to FIG. 36 is replaced with the part concerning the light detection circuit 32 E.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 E is a control device for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 containing the refrigerant component capable of undergoing the disproportionation reaction, and includes: the drive circuit 31 configured to drive the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B; and the control circuit 35 E configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E includes the light absorber 11 E containing the dye.
  • the control device 3 E includes the light detection device 322 E configured to receive light L 32 E with the wavelength band containing the absorption wavelength of the dye to output the intensity of the light L 32 E received, as the second state.
  • the control circuit 35 E is configured to determine the index value of the amount of the product produced from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction, based on the intensity of the light L 32 E detected by the light detection device 322 E.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the amount of the product or the increase in the amount of the product during the predetermined period is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount. This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 E seems to perform the following control method.
  • the control method includes interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control method includes determining the index value of the amount of the product produced from the working fluid 20 by the disproportionation reaction, based on the second state.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the amount of the product or an increase in the amount of the product during a predetermined period is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount. This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the control method performed by the control device 3 E can be realized by a computer system executing a program.
  • This program is a program executed by the computer system included in the control device 3 E for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 containing the refrigerant component capable of undergoing the disproportionation reaction and enables the computer system to perform a process of interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E in response to detecting the sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of the first state regarding the drive circuit 31 for driving the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E or the second state regarding the working fluid 20 .
  • This configuration enables improvement of accuracy of detection of the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 and improvement of suppression of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the aforementioned refrigeration cycle device 1 E includes the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 and the light absorber 11 E located inside the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E to be contactable with the working fluid 20 .
  • the light absorber 11 E contains a dye with a property of reacting with the product (D) produced by a chemical reaction of the working fluid 20 to cause a change in an absorbance. This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the dye includes a nickel complex. This configuration enables improvement of the detection accuracy of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the dye includes a boron compound having an aromatic substituent. This configuration enables improvement of the detection accuracy of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the light absorber 11 E is a refrigerating machine oil in which the dye is dissolved. This configuration can increase the possibility that the fluorescent dye in the light absorber 11 E comes into contact with and reacts with the product (D).
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 E includes the light source device 321 E configured to emit light L 32 E with the wavelength band containing the absorption wavelength of the dye to the inside of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E and the light detection device 322 E configured to receive the light L 32 E to output an intensity of the light L 32 E received. This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the wavelength band contains the absorption maximum wavelength of the dye. This configuration enables improvement of the detection accuracy of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the light source device 321 E is configured to emit a plurality of rays of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 with different wavelength bands and the light detection device 322 E is configured to receive the plurality of rays of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 to output intensities of the plurality of rays of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 received.
  • This configuration uses the intensities of the plurality of rays of light L 32 E- 1 and L 32 E- 2 having different wavelength bands, and therefore makes it possible to reduce influence of colors of substances other than the dye in the light absorber 11 E, for example, the influence of color tone changes in the refrigerating machine oil.
  • the light source device 321 E is configured to emit the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 to the portion 22 between the discharge pipe 402 of the compressor 4 and the condenser (the first heat exchanger 5 , the second heat exchanger 7 ), of the refrigeration cycle circuit. This configuration enables improvement of the detection accuracy of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the refrigeration cycle device 1 E includes the control circuit 35 E configured to control the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the control circuit 35 E is configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E when the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 detected by the light detection device 322 E satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E. Furthermore, this configuration makes it possible to suppress disproportionation reactions of the working fluid 20 .
  • the wavelength band contains an absorption wavelength at which a reaction between the dye and the product (D) causes a decrease in the absorbance of the dye.
  • the predetermined condition is that a ratio of an index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 at a second time point after predetermined time from a first time point, to an index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 at the first time point is 110% or more. This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the wavelength band contains an absorption wavelength at which a reaction between the dye and the product (D) causes an increase in the absorbance of the dye.
  • the predetermined condition is that a ratio of an index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 at a second time point after predetermined time from a first time point, to an index value of the intensity of the light L 32 E- 1 , L 32 E- 2 at the first time point is 90% or less.
  • the aforementioned refrigeration cycle device 1 E performs the light detection method for the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • This light detection method includes: emitting, to the light absorber 11 E which contains the dye and is located inside the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E to be contactable with the working fluid 20 , the light L 32 E with the wavelength band containing the absorption wavelength of the dye; and receiving the light L 32 E to output the intensity of the light L 32 E received.
  • the dye has a property of reacting with the product (D) produced by a chemical reaction of the working fluid 20 to cause a change in an absorbance. This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the aforementioned control device 3 E seems to perform the following control method.
  • the control method is a control method performed by the control device 3 E for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E which allows circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E includes the light absorber 11 E containing the dye, and the control device 3 E includes the light detection device 322 E.
  • the control method includes: receiving, by the light detection device 322 E, the light L 32 E with the wavelength band containing the absorption wavelength of the dye to output the intensity of the light L 32 E received; and interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E when the intensity of the light L 32 E detected by the light detection device 322 E satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E. Furthermore, this configuration makes it possible to suppress disproportionation reactions of the working fluid 20 .
  • the control method performed by the control device 3 E can be realized by a computer system executing a program.
  • This program is a program performed by a computer system included in a control device for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E allowing circulation of the working fluid 20 .
  • the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E includes the light absorber 11 E containing the dye, and the control device 3 E includes the light detection device 322 E.
  • the program includes: receiving, by the light detection device 322 E, the light L 32 E with the wavelength band containing the absorption wavelength of the dye to output the intensity of the light L 32 E received; and interrupting or limiting the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E when the intensity of the light L 32 E detected by the light detection device 322 E satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • This configuration enables earlier detection of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E. Furthermore, this configuration makes it possible to suppress disproportionation reactions of the working fluid 20 .
  • FIG. 46 is a schematic view of the compressor 4 and a control device 3 F of a refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 9.
  • the refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 9 includes the same configuration as the refrigeration cycle device 1 E according to Embodiment 8, and therefore, with respect to the same configuration, FIG. 42 and the reference numerals will be employed as appropriate.
  • the control device 3 F includes the drive circuit 31 , a light detection circuit 32 F, the first protective device 33 , the second protective device 34 , and the control circuit 35 E.
  • FIG. 46 is a schematic view of the light detection circuit 32 F.
  • the light detection circuit 32 F enables evaluation of an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E by means of the light absorber 11 F.
  • the light absorber 11 F contains the dye and is located inside the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E to be contactable with the working fluid 20 .
  • the light absorber 11 F is a support carrying the dye.
  • the support is, for example, a porous material.
  • the porous material may be either inorganic or organic porous material. Examples of inorganic porous material include mesoporous silica. Examples of organic porous material include synthetic resin membranes or paper. Since the porous material can secure a larger surface area, it is possible to increase the likelihood that the dye comes into contact with the working fluid 20 . It is preferable that the porous material has a property of transmitting light L 32 without blocking it.
  • the light absorber 11 F is fixed at a predetermined location of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the light detection circuit 32 F includes the light source device 321 F and the light detection device 322 F.
  • the light source device 321 F is configured to emit the light L 32 E to the inside of the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E. As a result, the light L 32 E is emitted to the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 , and the light L 32 E strikes the light absorber 11 F in the sealed container 40 .
  • the light source device 321 F is located in the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 .
  • the light source device 321 F is located in a region between the electric motor 42 and the discharge pipe 402 . In this way, the possibility that the dye is irradiated with the light L 32 E can be increased.
  • the light detection device 322 E is configured to receive the light L 32 E from the inside of the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the light detection device 322 E is located in the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 .
  • the light source device 321 F is located in a region between the electric motor 42 and the discharge pipe 402 .
  • the light detection device 322 E may be located based on a relation between the compression mechanism 41 and the electric motor 42 of the compressor.
  • the light detection device 322 E may be located to allow the electric motor 42 to be positioned between the light detection device 322 E and the compression mechanism 41 of the compressor 4 . In this way, the intensity of the light L 32 E received by the light detection device 322 E can be increased.
  • This configuration enables improvement of the detection accuracy of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the light source device 321 F is configured to emit the light L 32 E to the inside of the compressor 4 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E. This configuration enables improvement of the detection accuracy of abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the light absorber 11 F is a support carrying the dye. This configuration enables the dye to be present at a predetermined position without being dispersed throughout the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E and thus to be reliably irradiated with the excitation light L 32 E.
  • the support includes the porous material. This configuration can increase the likelihood that the dye comes into contact with the working fluid 20 .
  • FIG. 48 is a schematic view of the compressor 4 and a control device 3 G of a refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 10.
  • the refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 10 includes the same configuration as the refrigeration cycle device 1 according to Embodiment 1, and therefore, with respect to the same configuration, FIG. 1 and the reference numerals will be employed as appropriate.
  • the control device 3 G includes the drive circuit 31 , a temperature detection device 32 G, the first protective device 33 , the second protective device 34 , and the control circuit 35 G.
  • the temperature detection device 32 G is configured to detect a temperature [K] of a working fluid at a portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • the second state is the temperature [K] of the working fluid 20 at the portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • the portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 refers to the inside of the compressor 4 .
  • the temperature detection device 32 G detects a temperature within the sealed container 40 and outputs a temperature signal indicating the temperature to the control circuit 35 G. That is, the temperature detection device 32 G is configured to detect the temperature of the working fluid 20 within the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 , which is a portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 , to output the detected temperature as the second state.
  • the temperature detection device 32 G may have a well-known configuration such as a thermocouple. It should be noted that the portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 is not limited to the inside of the compressor 4 , but may be the suction pipe 401 or the discharge pipe 402 of the sealed container 40 , or any portion of a piping path of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • the control circuit 35 G may be implemented by a computer system including at least one processor (microprocessor) and at least one memory.
  • the computer system may also include one or more A/D converters.
  • one or more A/D converters may be used to convert the detection voltage from the temperature detection device 32 G from analog format to digital format.
  • the control circuit 35 G similarly to the control circuit 35 , controls the drive circuit 31 , the first protective device 33 , and the second protective device 34 .
  • the control circuit 35 G further performs a process to suppress a disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 circulating in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 , based on the temperature indicated by the temperature signal output from the temperature detection device 32 G.
  • Factors contributing to the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 are considered to be heat and radicals. For example, it is believed that the disproportionation reaction of the working fluid 20 proceeds when radicals are generated under high temperature and high pressure conditions. Furthermore, when the temperature of the working fluid 20 is extremely high, it is highly likely that radicals have been produced.
  • control circuit 35 G detects a sign of the disproportionation reaction based on the second state (in the present embodiment, the temperature [K] of the working fluid 20 at the portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 ) regarding the working fluid 20 , it interrupts or limits the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 (the drive circuit 31 ).
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the temperature [K] of the working fluid 20 at the portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 is equal to or higher than a threshold temperature [K].
  • the threshold temperature [K] can be determined based on a temperature during rated operation.
  • the threshold temperature [K] is set to be at least 10 times higher than the maximum value [K] within the temperature range during the rated operation.
  • the threshold temperature can be set to 3930 K or higher.
  • the threshold temperature [K] may be determined based on an absolute standard.
  • the threshold temperature [K] may be 2000.
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the temperature [K] of the working fluid at the portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit becomes 2000 K or higher.
  • the second state is a temperature [K] of the working fluid 20 at a portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the temperature [K] of the working fluid 20 at the portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 becomes at least ten times higher than the maximum value [K] within the temperature range during the rated operation.
  • the second state is a temperature [K] of the working fluid 20 at a portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • the sign of the disproportionation reaction is that the temperature [K] of the working fluid 20 at the portion of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 becomes equal to or larger than 2000 K.
  • Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments described above.
  • the above embodiments may be variously modified in accordance with design and other factors, provided that the objects of the present disclosure can be achieved.
  • variations of the above embodiments will be enumerated.
  • the variations described below may be applied in appropriate combinations.
  • the interruption of operation of the drive circuit 31 may include at least one of interrupting outputting the AC power, interrupting outputting the DC power, or interrupting inputting the input power.
  • the limiting of the operation of the drive circuit 31 may include at least one of decreasing the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, or decreasing the setting value of the frequency of the AC power.
  • control circuit 35 may perform the interrupting or decelerating the electric motor 42 stepwise. As one example, the control circuit 35 may reduce an effective value of the AC power supplied to the electric motor 42 stepwise by decreasing at least one of the amplitude or the frequency of the AC power stepwise
  • the operation of the control circuit 35 is not necessarily limited to the operation represented by the flowcharts shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 .
  • the flowcharts shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 are merely examples.
  • the processes of steps S 19 to S 23 namely, the processes to interrupt outputting the AC power and interrupt inputting the input power
  • the processes of steps S 24 to S 28 namely, the processes to interrupt outputting the AC power and, after the lapse of the waiting period, operate by lowering the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power
  • the processes of steps S 29 to S 34 the processes of steps S 35 to S 41 , or the processes of steps S 42 to S 51 , are not essential.
  • the control circuit 35 need not necessarily interrupt or limit the operation of the drive circuit 31 in different ways depending on the time difference between the first time when the detected voltage first falls below the second voltage and the second time when the detected voltage falls below the second voltage again, or depending on the number of times that the detected voltage falls below the second voltage.
  • the operation of the control circuit 35 A is not necessarily limited to the operation represented by the flowcharts shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 26 .
  • the flowcharts shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 26 are merely examples.
  • the threshold value for the first light is not limited to the first to third threshold values, and may be only a single threshold value or two or more threshold values. The same applies to the threshold value for the second light.
  • the operation of the control circuit 35 B is not necessarily limited to the operation represented by the flowcharts shown in FIG. 31 to FIG. 36 .
  • the flowcharts shown in FIG. 31 to FIG. 36 are merely examples.
  • the processes of steps S 219 to S 223 namely, the processes to interrupt outputting the AC power and interrupt inputting the input power
  • the processes of steps S 224 to S 228 namely, the processes to interrupt outputting the AC power and, after the lapse of the waiting period, operate by lowering the setting value of the amplitude of the AC power, are not essential.
  • control circuit 35 B the processes of steps S 229 to S 234 , the processes of steps S 235 to S 241 , or the processes of steps S 242 to S 251 , are not essential. The same applies to the control circuit 35 C and 35 E.
  • the control circuit 35 B need not necessarily interrupt or limit the operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B in different ways depending on the time difference between the first time when the intensity of the light L 32 B first satisfies the predetermined condition and the second time when the intensity of the light L 32 B subsequently satisfies the predetermined condition, or depending on the number of times that the intensity of the light L 32 B satisfies the predetermined condition. The same applies to the control circuits 35 C and 35 E.
  • the light detection device 32 A is not limited to a configuration including a plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A, and may include a single light detector.
  • the arrangement of the plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A is not particularly limited, and they may be arranged in any position inside the sealed container 40 , as long as they can detect light that may contribute to occurrence of a disproportionation reaction.
  • the plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A need not necessarily all be located at positions where light can be detected, and it suffices if light can be detected by at least one of the plurality of light detectors 321 A and 322 A.
  • the light detection circuit 32 B may be configured to emit the light L 32 B to the working fluid 20 at different positions of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy in detecting an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 .
  • the light detection circuit 32 B is not necessarily required to be disposed inside the sealed container 40 .
  • a window may be provided in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B to allow radiation of light and detection of light intensity, in which case the light detection circuit 32 B itself may be disposed outside the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B.
  • the light source device 321 B need not necessarily include the first light source 3211 - 1 and the second light source 3211 - 2 , but may be configured such that light from a single light source is divided by a beam splitter, an optical fiber, or the like, and radiated.
  • the number of light sources 3211 of the light source device 321 B is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.
  • the light source device 321 B may emit a plurality of rays of light L 32 B having different wavelength bands.
  • the light detection device 322 B may receive the plurality of rays of lights L 32 B and output the intensities of the received plurality of rays of lights L 32 B respectively.
  • the light detection signal output from the light detection device 322 B to the control circuit 35 B may include one or more light detection signals indicating the intensities of the plurality of rays of lights having different wavelength bands.
  • the number of light detectors 3220 of the light detection device 322 B is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more.
  • the first light detector 3220 - 1 need not necessarily be disposed so as to face the first light source 3211 - 1 , but may simply be located on the optical path of the light L 32 B- 1 from the first light source 3211 - 1 .
  • the optical path of the light L 32 B- 1 may be bent by a mirror or the like, and in such case, the first light detector 3220 - 1 need not necessarily face the first light source 3211 - 1 .
  • the position of the bubble removing mechanism 21 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 27 . Since the bubble removing mechanism 21 is intended to reduce an influence on the light detection circuit 32 B caused by bubbles B, it suffices if the bubble removing mechanism 21 is disposed on an upstream side in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 B from the portion irradiated by the light source device 321 B with the light L 32 B.
  • the bubble removing mechanism 21 may be disposed inside the compressor 4 .
  • the bubble removing mechanism 21 may be disposed inside the sealed container 40 of the compressor 4 or in the suction pipe 401 .
  • the light detection circuit 32 C may be configured to emit the excitation light Le to a plurality of positions of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy in detecting an abnormality of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the light detection circuit 32 C is not necessarily required to be disposed inside the sealed container 40 .
  • a window may be provided in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C to allow radiation of light and detection of light intensity, in which case the light detection circuit 32 C itself may be disposed outside the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 C.
  • the light detection circuit 32 E may be configured to radiate the light L 32 E to the working fluid 20 at different positions of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy in detecting an abnormality in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the light detection circuit 32 E is not necessarily required to be disposed inside the sealed container 40 .
  • a window may be provided in the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E to allow radiation of light and detection of light intensity, in which case the light detection circuit 32 E itself may be disposed outside the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 E.
  • the light source device 321 E does not necessarily need to include the first light source 3213 - 1 and the second light source 3213 - 2 ; it may be configured to split and emit light from a single light source using a beam splitter, optical fiber, or the like.
  • the number of light sources 3213 in the light source device 321 E may be one instead of two, or may be three or more.
  • the number of light detectors 3223 in the light detection device 322 E may be one instead of two, or may be three or more.
  • the first light detector 3223 - 1 does not necessarily need to be arranged to face the first light source 3213 - 1 , as long as it is located on the optical path of light L 32 E- 1 from the first light source 3213 - 1 .
  • the optical path of light L 32 E- 1 may be bent by a mirror or the like.
  • the first light detector 3223 - 1 does not necessarily need to face the first light source 3213 - 1 .
  • the light source device 321 B does not necessarily need to be included in the control device 3 E.
  • An external light source outside the refrigeration cycle device 1 B may be used as the light source device 321 B. The same applies to the light source devices 321 C and 321 E.
  • the first protective device 33 is not limited to a circuit configuration including the switches Su, Sv, and Sw, and may include a circuit configuration that adjusts the magnitude of the AC power, such as the voltage, output from the drive circuit 31 to the electric motor 42 .
  • the first protective device 33 may be disposed within the drive circuit 31 .
  • the second protective device 34 is not limited to a circuit configuration including the switches S 1 and S 2 , and may include a circuit configuration that adjusts the magnitude of the input power, such as the voltage, input from the power supply 10 to the drive circuit 31 .
  • the second protective device 34 may be disposed within the drive circuit 31 .
  • the control device 3 does not necessarily need to include both the first protective device 33 and the second protective device 34 ; it may include either the first protective device 33 or the second protective device 34 . If the drive circuit 31 has a function to adjust the AC power, the first protective device 33 and the second protective device 34 may be omitted.
  • the control circuit 35 may interrupt outputting the AC power to the electric motor 42 by turning on the semiconductor switching elements V 1 to V 4 of the inverter circuit 312 and turning off the remaining semiconductor switching elements U 1 to U 4 and W 1 to W 4 . In this case, the first protective device 33 may be omitted.
  • FIG. 49 shows a control device 3 H according to one variation.
  • the control device 3 H includes a third protective device 36 .
  • the third protective device 36 is provided to interrupt outputting the DC power.
  • the third protective device 36 includes switches S 3 , S 4 , and S 5 interposed between the converter circuit 311 and the inverter circuit 312 of the drive circuit 31 .
  • the switch S 3 is commonly connected between the first output point P 1 and the semiconductor switching elements U 1 , V 1 , and W 1 .
  • the switch S 4 is commonly connected between the second output point P 2 and the semiconductor switching elements U 4 , V 4 , and W 4 .
  • the switch S 5 is commonly connected between the third output point P 3 and the connection point between the diodes D 5 and D 6 , the connection point between the diodes D 7 and D 8 , as well as the connection point between the diodes D 9 and D 10 .
  • the switches S 3 , S 4 , and S 5 may be any controllable switches, such as semiconductor switches or electromagnetic relays.
  • the third protective device 36 In the ON state where the switches S 3 , S 4 , and S 5 are closed, the third protective device 36 enables outputting the DC power from the converter circuit 311 to the inverter circuit 312 .
  • the third protective device 36 In the OFF state where the switches S 3 , S 4 , and S 5 are open, the third protective device 36 interrupts outputting the DC power from the converter circuit 311 to the inverter circuit 312 .
  • the third protective device 36 may be operated before operating the second protective device 34 .
  • the second protective device 34 may be omitted.
  • the third protective device 36 is not limited to a circuit configuration including the switches S 3 , S 4 , and S 5 , and may include a circuit configuration for adjusting the magnitude of the DC power, such as the voltage, output from the converter circuit 311 to the inverter circuit 312 .
  • FIG. 50 is a schematic view of a compressor 41 and a control device 3 I of a refrigeration cycle device according to one variation.
  • the control device 3 I like the control device 3 A of Embodiment 2, includes the drive circuit 31 , the light detection device 32 A, the first protective device 33 , the second protective device 34 , and the control circuit 35 A.
  • the control device 3 I includes a third protective device 36 .
  • the compressor 41 includes a light guide 43 .
  • the light guide 43 is provided to guide light from the inside of the sealed container 40 to the outside of the sealed container 40 .
  • the light detection device 32 A is disposed outside the sealed container 40 , rather than inside the sealed container 40 , and detects light guided from the inside of the sealed container 40 by the light guide 43 .
  • the light guide 43 may be a window section such as a sight glass provided to the sealed container 40 .
  • the light detection device 32 A is placed to face the light guide 43 and detects light extracted from the inside of the sealed container 40 through the light guide 43 . Since the light detection device 32 A can be placed outside the sealed container 40 , this enhances lifespan compared to being exposed to the working fluid 20 inside the sealed container 40 . On the other hand, since the distance between the light source inside the sealed container 40 and the light guide 43 increases, detection sensitivity tends to decrease.
  • the light guide 43 may include an optical fiber. An input end of the optical fiber is disposed inside the sealed container 40 , and an output end is disposed outside the sealed container 40 .
  • the light guide 43 may include a plurality of optical fibers, and the input ends of the plurality of optical fibers may be disposed at both ends in the direction of the rotational axis A 11 of the electric motor 42 . This allows improvement in the detection accuracy of the disproportionation reaction.
  • the output ends of the plurality of optical fibers may be gathered together, thereby collecting light detected at the input ends of the plurality of optical fibers and outputting it to the light detection device 32 A.
  • the light detection device 32 A can be disposed outside the sealed container 40 , lifespan can be increased compared to being exposed to the working fluid 20 inside the sealed container 40 . Further, as in Embodiment 1, it is not necessary to use multiple light detectors 321 A and 322 A, so the number of light detectors can be reduced. On the other hand, depending on the arrangement of the optical fibers, there is a possibility that the flow of the working fluid 20 inside the sealed container 40 may be obstructed.
  • the power supply 10 may be any of various AC power sources, particularly commercial power supplies.
  • the voltage and frequency of commercial power supplies differ depending on the country or the like, but the drive circuit 31 may be configured to drive the electric motor 42 using any of various commercial power supplies.
  • the drive circuit 31 may be configured to supply the AC power corresponding to the type or the like of the electric motor 42 .
  • the AC power may not only be three-phase AC power, but also single-phase AC power.
  • the converter circuit 311 may have a plurality of third output points.
  • the plurality of third output points may output mutually different voltages.
  • the inverter circuit 312 may have a plurality of groups of semiconductor switching elements respectively connected between the plurality of third output points and the electric motor 42 . If the total number of the first output point P 1 , the second output point P 2 , and the plurality of third output points P 3 is n, the drive circuit 31 can provide (2 ⁇ n ⁇ 1) voltage levels. By increasing n, the voltage waveform applied to the electric motor 42 by the drive circuit 31 can be made closer to a sine wave.
  • the circuit configuration of the inverter circuit 312 is not limited to the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the circuit configuration of the inverter circuit 312 in FIG. 2 is a so-called NPC (Neutral-Point-Clamped) type, but it may also be an ANPC (Advanced-NPC) type.
  • the inverter circuit 312 may include a plurality of groups of semiconductor switching elements respectively connected between the plurality of output points with different voltages and the electric motor.
  • the plurality of semiconductor switching elements constituting the plurality of semiconductor switching element groups may include semiconductor switching elements commonly included in two or more semiconductor switching element groups.
  • the refrigeration cycle device is not limited to an air conditioner in which one indoor unit is connected to one outdoor unit (so-called room air conditioner (RAC)).
  • the refrigeration cycle device may be an air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one or more outdoor units (so-called package air conditioner (PAC), a variable refrigerant flow system (VRF)), or may be a refrigeration or refrigerating device such as a refrigerator or freezer, and is not limited to air conditioners.
  • PAC package air conditioner
  • VRF variable refrigerant flow system
  • abnormality notifications such as first to seventh abnormality notifications may be issued directly or indirectly.
  • Direct issuing means that the air conditioner outputs directly using the outdoor unit 1 a , indoor unit 1 b , or remote controller or the like.
  • abnormality notifications may be output using light from a light source device (LEDs, red lamps, warning display lamps, etc.) provided in the outdoor unit 1 a , indoor unit 1 b , or remote controller of the air conditioner; sound from a sound generation device (speakers, buzzers, alarms, sounders, alarm devices, etc.); or visual displays (message displays, backlight blinking, etc.) from a display device (displays, display panels, etc.).
  • Indirect issuing means outputting and/or saving externally via a communications network such as the Internet or a server.
  • Examples of indirect issuing include push notifications (notifications to mobile phones or smartphones), notifications to voice assistants (Alexa Echo, Google Home, etc.), automatic notifications to the manufacturer or maintenance company, message delivery to monitoring equipment of a management company, notifications to a service center, reports to fire trucks or security companies, and recording in an abnormality history of memory devices.
  • the control device 3 may obtain various index values (state values).
  • the index values used in diagnosis of abnormalities of the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 may include suction pressure/evaporation saturation temperature, discharge pressure/condensation saturation temperature, suction gas refrigerant temperature, discharge gas refrigerant temperature, condenser outlet refrigerant temperature, evaporator inlet refrigerant temperature, evaporator outlet refrigerant temperature, load-side supply air temperature, receiver liquid level height, pre-discharge sign detection count, discharge plasma detection count, leakage current detection count, cumulative discharge reaction product amount, warning issue count, operation limitation count, and operation interruption count.
  • diagnosis results by the control device 3 are preferably stored for a predetermined period (for example, 1 to 3 years or longer) in an internal memory of the control device 3 or an external server or the like.
  • the history of abnormality notifications by the control device 3 is preferably stored for a predetermined period (for example, 1 to 3 years or longer) in an internal memory of the control device 3 or an external server or the like.
  • the present disclosure includes the following aspects.
  • a control method for a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid containing a refrigerant component capable of undergoing a disproportionation reaction, comprising interrupting or limiting an operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit in response to detecting a sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of a first state regarding a drive circuit for driving a compressor of the refrigeration cycle circuit or a second state regarding the working fluid.
  • control method of aspect 1 comprising determining a number of light emissions from the working fluid at the compressor based on the second state
  • control method of aspect 1 comprising determining an index value of an amount of a product produced from the working fluid by the disproportionation reaction, based on the second state,
  • control method of aspect 1 further comprising determining a number of discharge occurrences in the compressor, based on the first state,
  • a control device for controlling a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid containing a refrigerant component capable of undergoing a disproportionation reaction comprising:
  • control device of aspect 8 wherein:
  • control device of aspect 8 wherein:
  • control device of aspect 8 wherein:
  • control device of aspect 8 wherein:
  • control device of aspect 8 wherein:
  • a refrigeration cycle device comprising:
  • ethylene-based fluoroolefin is 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene, trans-1,2-difluoroethylene, cis-1,2-difluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, or monofluoroethylene.
  • a program executable by a computer system included in a control device for controlling a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid containing a refrigerant component capable of undergoing a disproportionation reaction the program enabling the computer system to perform a process of interrupting or limiting an operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit in response to detecting a sign of the disproportionation reaction based on at least one of a first state regarding a drive circuit for driving a compressor of the refrigeration cycle circuit or a second state regarding the working fluid.
  • Aspects 2 to 7, 9 to 13, and 15 to 21 are optional and are not essential. Aspects 2 to 7, 9 to 13, and 15 to 21 can be combined with aspect 22 appropriately.
  • the present disclosure includes the following aspects.
  • interrupting the operation of the drive circuit includes at least one of interrupting outputting the AC power, interrupting outputting the DC power, or interrupting inputting the input power.
  • limiting the operation of the drive circuit includes at least one of decreasing a setting value of an amplitude of the AC power, or, decreasing a setting value of a frequency of the AC power.
  • control circuit configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the drive circuit in a different way depending on a time difference between first time when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage and second time when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage.
  • control circuit configured to interrupt or limit the operation of the drive circuit in a different way depending on a number of times that the detection voltage falls below the second voltage.
  • control circuit configured to
  • control circuit configured to
  • control circuit configured to
  • control circuit configured to
  • control circuit configured to
  • control circuit configured to
  • control circuit configured to interrupt outputting the AC power and interrupt at least one of outputting the DC power or inputting the input power when the detection voltage falls below the second voltage before predetermined time elapses after the restart of outputting the AC power after the first waiting period has elapsed.
  • the second voltage is between 0.3 times and 0.8 times a rated voltage, inclusive.
  • control device of any one of aspects 31 to 43, wherein:
  • a refrigeration cycle device comprising:
  • Aspects 32 to 44 are optional and not essential. Aspects 32 to 44 can be combined with aspect 46 or 47 appropriately. Aspects 16 to 21 can be combined with aspects 4 to 47 appropriately.
  • the present disclosure includes the following aspects.
  • control device of aspect 51 wherein:
  • control device of aspect 51 wherein:
  • the light detection device includes at least one of a PN-type photodiode, a PIN-type photodiode, or avalanche photodiode.
  • control device of any one of aspects 51 to 54 wherein the light has a wavelength that is longer than 600 nm and is equal to or shorter than 2000 nm.
  • control device of any one of aspects 51 to 54 wherein a wavelength of the light falls within a wavelength region of near infrared.
  • control device of any one of aspects 51 to 54 wherein a wavelength of the light is included in wavelength region including near ultraviolet and visible light.
  • control device of any one of aspects 51 to 60 wherein the threshold value for the light is equal to or larger than three times the intensity of the light obtained from the light detection device during a rated operation of the electric motor.
  • control device of any one of aspects 51 to 61, wherein:
  • control device of any one of aspects 51 to 63, wherein:
  • control device of any one of aspects 51 to 63, wherein:
  • a refrigeration cycle device comprising:
  • Aspects 52 to 65 are optional and not essential. Aspects 52 to 65 can be combined with aspect 67 or 68 appropriately. Aspects 16 to 21 can be combined with aspects 66 to 68 appropriately.
  • the present disclosure includes the following aspects.
  • a refrigeration cycle device comprising:
  • the refrigeration cycle device of aspect 72 wherein the light source device is configured to emit the light to the working fluid present in a compressor of the refrigeration cycle circuit.
  • the refrigeration cycle device of any one of aspects 71 to 75 further comprising a bubble removing mechanism which is located closer to an upstream side than a part of the refrigeration cycle circuit irradiated by the light source device with the light to remove or break up bubbles within the working fluid.
  • the refrigeration cycle device of any one of aspects 71 to 77 further comprising a control circuit configured to control an operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit
  • control circuit is configured to make a rotational speed of a compressor of the refrigeration cycle circuit during at least a portion of a time period when the light detection device receives the light, smaller than a maximum value of the rotational speed during a time period when the light detection device does not receive the light.
  • the refrigeration cycle device of aspect 78 or 79 wherein the predetermined condition is that a ratio of an index value of the intensity of the light at a second time point after predetermined time from a first time point, to an index value of the intensity of the light at the first time point is 95% or less.
  • a light detection circuit for a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid comprising:
  • a control device comprising:
  • a control method performed by a control device for controlling a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid comprising:
  • a program executed by a computer system included in a control device for controlling a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid comprising:
  • Aspects 72 to 81 are optional and not essential. Aspects 72 to 81 can be combined with aspect 84 or 86 appropriately. Aspects 16 to 21 can be combined with aspects 71 to 83 appropriately.
  • the present disclosure includes the following aspects.
  • a refrigeration cycle device comprising:
  • the refrigeration cycle device of aspect 91 wherein the fluorescent dye includes a triarylfluorosilane compound.
  • the refrigeration cycle device of any one of aspects 91 to 96 further comprising:
  • the refrigeration cycle device of aspect 97 wherein the light source device is configured to emit the excitation light to an inside of a compressor or a portion between a discharge pipe and a condenser of the refrigeration cycle circuit.
  • the refrigeration cycle device of aspect 97 or 98 further comprising a control device configured to control an operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit
  • a light detection method for a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid comprising:
  • Aspects 92 to 101 are optional and not essential. Aspects 92 to 101 can be combined with aspects 102 to 104 appropriately. Aspects 16 to 21 can be combined with aspects 91 to 101 appropriately.
  • the present disclosure includes the following aspects.
  • a refrigeration cycle device comprising:
  • the refrigeration cycle device of aspect 111 wherein the dye includes a boron compound having an aromatic substituent.
  • the refrigeration cycle device of aspect 117 wherein the wavelength band contains an absorption maximum wavelength of the dye.
  • the refrigeration cycle device of any one of aspects 117 to 119 wherein the light source device is configured to emit the light to at least one of an inside of a compressor or a portion between a discharge pipe and a condenser of the refrigeration cycle circuit.
  • the refrigeration cycle device of any one of aspects 117 to 120 comprising a control circuit configured to control an operation of the refrigeration cycle circuit
  • a light detection method for a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid comprising:
  • a control method performed by a control device for controlling a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid comprising:
  • a program performed by a computer system included in a control device for controlling a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a working fluid comprising:
  • Aspects 112 to 123 are optional and not essential. Aspects 112 to 123 can be combined with aspect 124 or 126 appropriately. Aspects 16 to 21 can be combined with aspects 111 to 123 appropriately.
  • the present disclosure can be applied to control methods, control devices, refrigerator cycle devices, and programs.
  • the present disclosure is applicable to a control method for a refrigeration cycle circuit allowing circulation of a refrigerant component capable of undergoing a disproportionation reaction, a control device of the refrigeration cycle circuit, a refrigeration cycle device including the refrigeration cycle circuit and the control device, and a program (computer program) used in the control device.

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  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
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US19/343,801 2023-03-31 2025-09-29 Control method, control device, refrigeration cycle device, program Pending US20260029181A1 (en)

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JP2023-059435 2023-03-31
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PCT/JP2024/011446 WO2024203931A1 (ja) 2023-03-31 2024-03-22 制御方法、制御装置、冷凍サイクル装置、プログラム

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