WO2017137380A1

WO2017137380A1 - Glycol sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2017137380A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/052609
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jörg KÖCHER; Ulrich ZIEGLTRUM
Original assignee: Güntner Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2016-02-10
Filing date: 2017-02-07
Publication date: 2017-08-17
Also published as: DE102016102332A1; DE112017000734A5

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid retention device (1) for a unit (2) that is at risk of leakage, in particular a heat exchanger (2) which can be operated using a coolant. The fluid retention device (1) comprises a catching trough (3) with at least one outflow (31) and, for collecting the coolant and a liquid medium, a collecting pipe (4) having an inlet (41) and an outlet (42), a sensor device (5), a shutoff element (6), wherein the collecting pipe (4) with the inlet (41) is arranged on the outflow (31) of the catching trough (3) and is fluidically connected to the catching trough (3) such that the coolant and/or the liquid medium can be supplied from the catching trough (3) to the collecting pipe (4). The sensor device (5) is provided in the collecting pipe (4) and/or in the catching trough (3), and the shutoff element (6) is arranged downstream of the sensor device (5) at the outflow (31) and/or between the outflow (31) and the outlet (42) of the collecting pipe (4). The sensor device (5) comprises a first fill level sensor (51), a second fill level sensor (52) and a leakage sensor (53), wherein the leakage sensor (53) is arranged between the first fill level sensor (51) and the second fill level sensor (52), and the sensor device (5) is configured such that the leakage sensor (53) can detect the coolant in the collecting pipe (4) and/or the catching trough (3), and the shutoff element (6) can be controlled by means of a sensor signal from the sensor device (5) such that it is possible to prevent egress of the coolant from the collecting pipe (4) and/or from the catching trough (3). The invention also relates to a fluid retention device, to a collecting pipe and to a sensor device for a fluid retention device, and to a method for operating a fluid retention device.

Description

Glycol sensor The invention relates to a liquid retention device for a

Leakage endangered unit according to the preamble of independent claims 1 and 2, a manifold according to the preamble of

independent claim 16, a sensor device for a

Fluid retention device according to the preamble of independent claim 17 and a method for operating a

Fluid retention device according to the preamble of independent claim 26.

Externally installed units, in particular heat exchangers, for cooling machines, systems or for air conditioning, cool a refrigerant, in a closed circuit. The extracted heat is released to the air or water recirculation circuits. Being large, heavy, and not mobile, they remain outside in winter and are thus exposed to temperatures well below freezing. This can include temperatures below -40 ° C. To prevent the refrigerant from freezing in the piping, glycol is added to the refrigerant as an antifreeze, thus lowering the freezing point. To lower the freezing point, for example to below - 18 ° C, the refrigerant is mixed with about 40% glycol. Depending on the temperature range, the ratio may vary. In the case of leakage of such aggregates, but also during maintenance, a leakage of the refrigerant threatens or it was previously common practice to dispose of the refrigerant, for example via a drain or even the "gutter".

Because such a refrigerant or located in the refrigerant glycol but classified as a water pollutant and moreover harmful to health, leakages of the refrigerant or otherwise transfer of the refrigerant into the environment must be prevented.

The previous solutions for preventing leakage of refrigerant into the environment are therefore based on the use of drip pans, which are built under the respective leakage-endangered units or in which the respective leakage-prone units are placed. A collecting tray is always so dimensioned that a certain amount of a liquid medium, such as water, especially rainwater, in addition to any leaked refrigerant

can be recorded without causing an overflow. The dimensioning of a drip pan results in particular from the maximum rainfall observed at the site in the past on the one hand and a realistic maintenance / test cycle on the other hand. In the event of a leak, the drip tray must be emptied and then disposed of properly in the drip tray

Trapped refrigerant required. To avoid rigid maintenance / test cycles requiring visual inspection of the sump (s) by appropriately trained personnel, pressure monitoring in the leak-risk aggregate or conductivity measurement in the sump may be provided, with a pressure reading measured in the unit falling below a predetermined threshold indicates a leakage of the unit and from it an alarm signal for

Maintenance staff is generated, which then checks the drip tray (s) and, where appropriate, for disposal of a collected there

Refrigerant provides.

However, pressure monitoring of the unit must always take into account operational or environmental pressure fluctuations, for example pressure fluctuations due to time of day or day Seasonal variations in temperature result. This means that a pressure monitor must not react to any changes in pressure, but only during a significant pressure change. Until the for the

Responding to such a pressure monitoring predetermined limit is reached, but occurs continuously refrigerant and thus glycol or the like and may possibly already flow out of the sump and enter the environment. The same applies mutatis mutandis in the case of

Conductivity measurement, because the conductivity of a substance is also known to be dependent on environmental factors, in particular the ambient temperature or even impurities, for example. through rainwater, from.

From EP 2 717 051 A2 a liquid retention device is known, which comprises a glycol sensor, in particular a semiconductor gas or a diffusion sensor, a shut-off element for use with a

Drip tray under a risk of leakage unit provides. It is by means of the glycol sensor, the water-polluting refrigerant in the

Catch basin detected and prevented by means of the shutoff an escape of the refrigerant from the sump. The glycol sensor is arranged in a housing which is open on one side and is reset in the housing by a water-impermeable, but vapor-permeable and / or gas-diffusion-open membrane from the housing opening. Gases to be detected,

in particular above a water surface with impurities in the form of glycol or the like ascending vapors, the vapor and / or gas diffusion open membrane happen and thus reach the glycol sensor.

Disadvantage of this fluid retention device, in particular the

Glycol sensor and its structure is the structurally very complex and complicated design. As a result, the entire assembly is very maintenance-intensive, for example, a defective glycol sensor is very difficult to replace, or even cause the glycol sensor to provide erroneous measurements due to a clogged membrane. After

Installation and commissioning of the liquid retention device is For example, the cleaning of a dirty glycol sensor and / or the membrane due to the above construction very complex and maintenance-intensive. Another disadvantage is the detection of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium with a semiconductor gas or

Diffusion sensor, since with these only gases or rising vapors of the refrigerant and / or a liquid medium can be detected.

In addition, a concentration of 2% glycol is already classified as hazardous to the liquid medium, such as water, must be accurate according to the detection of the refrigerant, which by means of a semiconductor gas or diffusion sensor, due to their execution and due to environmental influences, for example, fluctuations in the

Ambient temperature or strong wind, sometimes not guaranteed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is a

Liquid retention device for a unit at risk of leakage as well as a collection tube for a liquid retention device and a

To suggest sensor device that allows accurate detection of the refrigerant, structurally simple design, flexible can be arranged and allows easy maintenance. The object is therefore also to propose a method for operating a fluid retention device that is simple, accurate and inexpensive, in particular easy maintenance of the

Fluid retention device, in particular the sensor device allows.

This object is achieved by a liquid retention device for a leakage-prone unit with the features of claim 1 and 2, a collecting pipe for a liquid retaining device with the features of claim 16, a sensor device for a

Fluid retention device with the features of

Claim 17 and a method having the features of claim 26 solved. The dependent claims relate to particularly advantageous

Embodiments of the invention.

The invention thus relates to a liquid retention device for a leakage-endangered unit, in particular a heat exchanger, which is operable with a refrigerant. It includes the

Liquid retention device a collecting tray with at least one drain and for collecting the refrigerant and a liquid medium, a manifold with an inlet and an outlet, a sensor device and a shut-off. The collecting tube is arranged with the inlet at the end of the collecting trough and connected to the collecting trough so that the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium can be supplied to the collecting tube from the collecting trough. The sensor device is provided in the manifold and / or in the drip pan and the shut-off is downstream of the sensor device at the outlet and / or between the drain and the outlet of the manifold.

According to the invention, the sensor device comprises a first

Level sensor, a second level sensor and a leakage sensor, wherein the leakage sensor between the first level sensor and the second level sensor is arranged, and the sensor device is configured such that with the leakage sensor, the refrigerant in the collecting tube and / or the collecting tray is detectable, and the shut-off by means a sensor signal of the sensor device can be controlled such that an exit of the refrigerant from the collecting tube and / or the collecting trough can be prevented. The invention also relates to a liquid retention device for a leakage-prone unit, in particular a heat exchanger, which is operable with a refrigerant. The

Liquid retention device comprises a collecting trough with at least one drain and for collecting the refrigerant and a liquid

Medium, a manifold with an inlet and an outlet, a Sensor device and a shut-off element. In this case, the collecting pipe with the inlet is arranged at the outlet of the collecting trough and is connected in flow communication with the collecting trough so that the refrigerant and / or liquid medium can be supplied to the collecting pipe from the collecting trough. The

Sensor device is provided in the manifold and / or in the drip pan and the shut-off is at the outlet and / or between the drain and the outlet of the manifold of the sensor device

downstream. According to the invention, the sensor device comprises a first fill level sensor and a leakage sensor, which differs from the first fill level sensor, in the form of an optical sensor, wherein the

Sensor device is designed such that with the optical sensor, the refrigerant in the manifold and / or the drip tray is detectable, and the shut-off element by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device can be controlled such that leakage of the refrigerant from the manifold and / or the sump can be prevented.

The following embodiments and description as well as the description of the specific embodiments relate both to the invention according to claim 1 and according to claim 2, as cited above.

It is thus an essential realization of the invention that by the

Fluid retention device, the sensor device and their

constructive design and execution as well as the special choice of

Arrangement of the sensor device and the shutoff on the

Fluid retention device, first a

Liquid retention device may be provided, which has the advantage of accurate detection and / or analysis of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium and a flexible arrangement of the sensor device and / or the shutoff. In addition, the

Fluid retention device, in particular the sensor device, due to the arrangement of the leakage sensor between the first

Level sensor and the second level sensor or the Sensor device with the first level sensor and the leakage sensor in the form of an optical sensor, advantageously structurally simple ausgestaltetet and / or aligned to a detection of a first and / or second level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium in connection with the detection of the refrigerant. Also, due to the configuration of the liquid retention device, in particular the sensor device, a simple maintenance and a simple replacement of a component of the liquid retention device, for example the sensor device or the shutoff element is possible. Furthermore, it is essential for the invention that, when the leakage sensor is arranged between the first and second level sensor, it is to be assumed on detection of a first level with the first level sensor that the leakage sensor is completely covered by the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium is and upon detection of a second level with the second level sensor is assumed that the leakage sensor is not covered with the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium. It is also important that the sensor device can also be configured such that, if the sensor device comprises only the first fill level sensor, ie no second fill level sensor, and the leakage sensor in the form of an optical sensor, the first

Level sensor and the leakage sensor are arranged such that it can be assumed in the detection of the first level that the

Leakage sensor is completely covered with the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium. In this case, the sensor device can be configured such that, if the first fill level can be detected by means of the first fill level sensor, the leakage sensor can be activated such that the refrigerant can be detected by the leak sensor. The shut-off element can be designed such that it is in a closed state, that is, an escape of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium from the collecting tube and / or the collecting trough can be prevented if 1 . ) with the first level sensor, no first level and with the second level sensor, a second level is detectable, or

2.) with the first level sensor and / or second level sensor no first level and / or second level can be detected, or 3.) with the first level sensor and / or second level sensor, a first level and / or second level is detectable and with the leakage sensor the refrigerant is detectable, wherein the shut-off element can be controlled by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device. But the shut-off can also be designed such that it is in an open state, ie the liquid

Medium from the manifold and / or drip tray is expired, if

1 . ) With the first level sensor, a first level and with the

Leakage sensor no refrigerant is detectable, or

2.) with the first and second level sensor, a first and second level and with the leakage sensor no refrigerant is detectable, wherein the shut-off element by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device can be controlled. However, the sensor device can also be configured such that when the second fill level can be detected by means of the second fill level sensor, no refrigerant can be detected by the leak sensor.

The first and / or second level sensor can also be used as a

Sensor array may be formed, that is, the first level sensor and / or the second level sensor may include a plurality, ie a group of sensors which are arranged in a certain geometric pattern to each other. Depending on your position in the geometric pattern, the sensors of the group may have the first fill level and / or the second fill level and / or a sensor fill level and / or any number of additional ones Fill levels, in particular discrete levels represent, so that with the sensor array in particular the first level and / or the second level and / or the sensor level of the liquid medium and / or the

Refrigerants are detectable. The group of sensors may include capacitive sensors and / or ultrasonic sensors and / or a light barrier and / or photometric sensors. The sensor array can

For example, be designed as a sensor mat on the soft

Sensors of the group of sensors are arranged linearly, and / or be formed as a sensor ring on which the sensors are annular

are arranged. The sensor device can therefore also include, in particular, the first fill level sensor, which is designed as a sensor array, and the leakage sensor, which is different from the first fill level sensor, in the form of an optical sensor. But the first and / or second level sensor can also be designed such that with the first

Level sensor and / or the second level sensor a plurality of levels are continuously and / or continuously detectable, in particular the first level and / or the second level and / or the sensor level of the liquid medium and / or the refrigerant can be detected. The first and / or second level sensor can be configured in particular as capacitive sensors. Advantageously, so with the first

Level sensor and / or the second level sensor a plurality of levels are detected, so that can be dispensed with additional additional sensors.

In this case, the level of the liquid medium and / or the refrigerant in relation to the sensor device can be understood as the sensor level, in which the leakage sensor is completely covered with the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium during the detection process. The first fill level can be understood to be the fill level of the liquid medium and / or the refrigerant with respect to the sensor device, in which the sensor device is completely filled with the liquid medium and / or or refrigerant is covered, so a maximum level. In this case, the second fill level can be understood to be the fill level of the liquid medium and / or of the refrigerant in relation to the sensor device, in which the sensor device minimally interacts with the liquid medium and / or

Refrigerant is covered.

The liquid retention device, in particular the sensor device, can therefore also be configured as follows. When the fill level rises, if the sensor fill level can be detected with the first fill level sensor, the leak sensor can be activated such that the refrigerant can be detected by the leak sensor. The shut-off element can be configured such that it is in a closed state, that is, an exit of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium from the

Collecting tube and / or the sump can be prevented, as long as the first level sensor, no first level is detected, wherein the shut-off by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device

is controllable. If the first level can be detected with the first level sensor, the shut-off element can be opened, so that the liquid medium and / or the refrigerant can be drained from the collecting tube and / or collecting trough, in particular if the first level

Level sensor is a first level and with the leakage sensor no refrigerant is detected, the shut-off by means of a

Sensor signal of the sensor device can be controlled. In the case of a falling fill level, the sensor device can be designed in such a way that if the sensor fill level can be detected with the first fill level sensor, the leak sensor can be deactivated, that is, no refrigerant is detected.

The closing of the shut-off can be time-controlled. The refrigerant can only be reliably detected if the level is above the sensor level. As soon as the sensor level falls below and then a level settles between the second level and the sensor level, any amount of liquid medium and / or or refrigerant flow out uncontrolled. For this reason, a timed closure of the drain valve takes place. In this case, a first timer is started with a time interval T1 as soon as the sensor fill level is undershot. When the time interval T1 has elapsed and the second level has not been reached, the shut-off element is closed so that the liquid medium and / or the refrigerant can continue to accumulate and be analyzed. The closure of the shut-off but also after the second level was below. In this case, a second timer is started with a time interval T2, as soon as the second level is reached. Both the second level and time intervals T1 and T2 may be adjusted to increase the amount of uncontrollably discharged liquid medium and / or refrigerant

restrict.

In particular, the first timer can start as soon as the detection process of the leakage sensor is ended and ensures that the shut-off element can remain open only for a limited time. This is the case when a level between the second level and the sensor level

levels off, e.g. with constantly flowing liquid medium and / or refrigerant. In this way it can be ensured that only a limited amount of unchecked liquid medium and / or refrigerant can run off. The first time interval can be designed so that as little as possible can flow through unchecked liquid medium and / or refrigerant. In particular, the second timer can start as soon as the second fill level is undershot and ensures that the remaining unchecked liquid medium and / or refrigerant can flow away. The shut-off element becomes automatic after the expiration of the time interval T2

closed. An essential advantage of the inventive

Liquid retention device is that the shut-off is always in a closed state, so that no refrigerant from the manifold and / or from the drip pan as a contamination in the Environment, for example into sewage. Even in the case of one

faulty or failed leak sensor can thus reach no refrigerant into the environment and impurities are avoided.

Advantageously, a plausibility check of the sensor signal can be achieved due to the design and arrangement of the first and / or second level sensor and the leakage sensor.

In the following, for a simple and more legible description, all systems or units which deliver refrigerant in the event of a fault, in particular glycol or the like, without renouncing further general validity as a unit liable to leakage, are preferred

Heat exchanger or air conditioning called.

The proposed fluid retention device comprises a

Drip tray, the drip pan can be open at the top and this can be easily positioned under a risk of leakage aggregate. As a result, the refrigerant, in particular glycol or a glycol mixture which can be released by the unit liable to leakage, for example in the event of a fault, drain or drip off into the collecting trough. Any type of drip tray or container that can be placed in whole or in part under such a system and for

Collection or collection of refrigerant and / or the liquid medium or the like is determined or suitable, is hereinafter referred to as

Drip tray called. The term "under" is not necessarily to be understood spatially and means rather also an arrangement in the direction of a resulting due to gravity flow direction of the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium, such as when below the unit is a baffle or the like, the exiting Refrigerant below the unit in an area below, but next to the

Unit and in a local drip tray leads. The sump may be a single sump or may comprise a plurality of mechanically and / or hydraulically interconnected individual sumps. The drip tray includes at least one drain but may also include multiple drains through which the refrigerant and / or liquid medium may drain.

Under a manifold with an inlet and an outlet, any type of pipe, hose or object for guiding or guiding the

Refrigerant and / or liquid medium to be understood. The inlet of the collecting tube can be arranged at the outlet of the collecting trough and can be connected to it, for example, the inlet and the outlet can be screwed together or inserted into one another, so that the

Collecting tube and the sump are connected to the flow and the manifold the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium from the

Drip tray is fed.

The sensor device can be arranged in the drip pan, in particular at the outlet, and / or in the manifold. The shut-off element can be a safety device or comprise a safety device by means of which an outlet of the refrigerant or a mixture of refrigerant and liquid medium or only the liquid medium from the sump and / or the collecting tube can be prevented. The shut-off element may be an actuator, preferably a valve or comprise a valve. The shut-off can be arranged in the interior of the drip pan on the drain, and / or in the manifold. Furthermore, sensor device and

Shut off be two separate units or be combined into a single unit.

The sensor device comprises the first fill level sensor, the second fill level sensor, and the leak sensor, individually or in one

Sensor housing can be arranged. The leakage sensor, with which the refrigerant, in particular glycol, can be detected, as a

Glycol sensor be formed. The sensor housing can in turn be arranged in the drip pan and / or in the manifold. advantageously, Thus, due to the sensor housing, the first fill level sensor, the second fill level sensor, and the leak sensor can be accessible to the refrigerant and / or liquid medium, and at the same time the electronics,

For example, the electrical connections and a

Processing device in the form of a microprocessor or the like for controlling and monitoring the sensor device and / or the

Shut off be protected from the refrigerant and / or liquid medium. In addition, this embodiment of the sensor device, with or without sensor housing, enables an uncomplicated and flexible attachment and arrangement of the sensor device or the first fill level sensor and / or the second fill level sensor and the leakage sensor on the

Drip tray and / or the manifold so that advantageously a simple construction of the liquid retention device and / or a simple arrangement of the sensor device and / or the shut-off element is possible.

The sensor device may be provided in the collecting tube and / or in the drip pan, and the shut-off element may be located at the outlet and / or between the outlet and the outlet of the collecting tube

Subordinate sensor device. The refrigerant and / or the liquid medium is trappable through the sump and / or the collection tube. In the closed state of the shut-off may lead to backflow of the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium in the manifold and / or the sump and / or the drainage of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium from the sump and / or the manifold is by means of the shutoff preventable. As already mentioned, the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium can reach the first fill level, which is detectable with the first fill level sensor, and reach the second fill level that matches the second fill level sensor

is detectable. The leakage sensor or optical sensor is designed such that, if no refrigerant is detectable, that Shut-off element by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device can be controlled such that leakage of the liquid medium from the manifold and / or the drip pan can take place, and if refrigerant is detectable, then the shut-off element by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device can be controlled such that an outlet of the liquid

Medium from the manifold and / or the sump can be prevented. With the leakage sensor of the sensor device of

Liquid retention device, the content of the sump and / or the collection tube, preferably the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium, for example water or rainwater, for presence, preferably a concentration of the refrigerant, in particular of the glycol, detectable or analyzable. In this case, the sensor device can be designed such that a predeterminable limit value of the refrigerant in the collecting tube and / or the collecting trough can be detected. Likewise, the sensor device can be designed such that when a concentration of the refrigerant is detected above the limit value, the shut-off element can be controlled in such a way that an exit of the refrigerant from the collecting tube and / or the

Drip tray can be prevented, so the shut-off is in a closed state. However, the sensor device can also be designed such that when a concentration of the refrigerant is detected below the threshold value, the shut-off element can be controlled such that the liquid medium can be discharged from the collecting tube and / or the collecting trough, ie the shut-off element is in an open state located. The first and / or the second fill level can be capacitively, by means of ultrasound, a light barrier or photometrically detectable by means of the first and / or second fill level sensor. The detection of the refrigerant in the collecting tube and / or the collecting trough can also be carried out cyclically, in particular as long as the first

Level sensor is wetted with refrigerant and / or liquid medium. As already mentioned, the first and / or second fill level sensor can also be designed as a sensor array. The sensor array can, for example, as a sensor mat may be formed, on which the sensors of the group of sensors are arranged linearly, and / or be formed as a sensor ring on which the sensors are arranged in a ring.

In contrast to known liquid retention devices, the liquid device according to the invention has the advantage that, always both the refrigerant, and the liquid medium in the collection tube and / or the collecting tray are first collectable and detectable by means of the leakage sensor, there, if no refrigerant and / or liquid medium is detectable with the first level sensor and / or with the second level sensor, by means of the shutoff an escape of the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium from the manifold and / or the

Drip tray is preventable.

Advantageously, due to the structural design of the

Liquid retention device, in particular the sensor device, be ensured that the refrigerant, in particular up to very low concentrations, preferably in the manifold, detectable and an outflow of the refrigerant from the sump and / or the manifold is guaranteed and is reliably prevented. In addition, false alarms are avoided and the maintenance of the fluid restraint device is reduced. Another essential advantage of the invention is that with the sensor device of the liquid retention device a simple and continuous monitoring of the sump and / or the collecting tube is possible for a possible presence of the refrigerant. The monitoring by means of the sensor device is very safe, because in

Error case directly the presence of refrigerant, even in the smallest amounts, can be detected. Since the shut-off element is already in a closed state upon detection of the refrigerant, must in

Contrary to known device not additionally closing the drain of the sump and / or the collecting tube with the

Shut off be caused. The reaction time from the detection of the Refrigerant, ie the glycol or glycol mixture, is systemically much cheaper than can be the case in a previously used in the prior art fluid retention devices or a pressure monitoring or a conductivity measurement. The leakage sensor, in particular if the leakage sensor is designed in the form of an optical sensor, with which the content of the collecting trough and / or the collecting tube to a presence of the refrigerant, preferably optically, detectable or

can be analyzed, has the advantage that the refrigerant or a proportion of refrigerant in the liquid medium can be detected much more accurately than for example with a semiconductor gas or a diffusion sensor or a pressure sensor in the heat exchanger.

As mentioned earlier, unlike known ones

Liquid retention devices, the drain or outlet of the refrigerant from the manifold and / or the catch pan always preventable because the shut-off element is always in a closed state in the ground state. In addition, however, this also ensures that the leakage sensor is always completely wetted with a detection with the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium, since due to the closed state of the shut-off the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium in the manifold and / or the Collection tray collects and the level of the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium increases and the detection of the refrigerant with the leakage sensor takes place only after reaching the first level, so that it can be advantageously ensured that the leakage sensor always completely with the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium wetted and erroneous measurements can be avoided.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor device comprises

Liquid restraint and a second level sensor with which, as already described, a second level is detected. Thus, advantageously ensured with the second level sensor be that by means of the shutoff the flow and / or the

Can be closed manifold if no refrigerant and / or liquid medium can be detected with the second level sensor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the leakage sensor is an optical sensor, preferably a glycol sensor, particularly preferably a refractometer. The leakage sensor, ie the optical sensor, preferably the refractometer, is a measuring device for detecting the refrigerant. By means of the

Leakage sensor, the concentration and / or a refractive index of the refrigerant, in particular the glycol in the refrigerant, and / or in the liquid medium or a mixture of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium can be detected or analyzed. Advantageously, it can thus be detected and / or analyzed much more accurately and with simpler means in which concentration the refrigerant is present in the drip pan and / or the collecting tube. Likewise, advantageously, with the detected refractive index, the concentration of the refrigerant can be determined in which the refrigerant in the drip pan and / or the collecting pipe is present.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor device comprises a

Cleaning unit. With the cleaning unit of the leakage sensor can be cleaned, in particular with a nozzle of the cleaning unit, a gas at high pressure to a measuring point of the leakage sensor can be conducted. Under a high pressure in this case a pressure> 2 bar, preferably a pressure of 2 bar to 5 bar are understood. In addition, a use of the cleaning unit and / or the cleaning of the sensor device with the detection of the first

Fill level be combined by means of the first level sensor and / or the detection of the second level by means of the second level sensor, so that, for example, the leakage sensor can be cleaned, if only the second level can be detected. Likewise, but also the

Sensor device with the liquid medium, preferably water, to be rinsed. Advantageously, so dirt or residue on the Leakage sensor such as drops of the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium or a solid can be removed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the liquid retention device comprises a drive unit and the drive unit is signal-connected to the sensor device, in particular the leakage sensor, and / or the shut-off. In addition, the drive unit is designed such that by means of the drive unit, a sensor signal from the sensor device, in particular the leakage sensor, is receivable and / or the

Shut-off element can be controlled by means of a shut-off signal of the drive unit. The control unit may be a control unit or a control unit, in particular with a data processing system that can control and regulate, or a programmable memory element with a fixed programmable function. By means of the drive unit, an actual value and / or a desired value of the sensor device and / or the shutoff element can be received and / or adjusted, in particular a sensor signal can be received by the sensor device and / or a shutoff signal of the shutoff element can be set. Thus, one or more actual values and / or setpoint values can be received and sent, one or more setpoint values can be set by means of the control unit, and technical values can be set

Calculations are performed.

The drive unit may be formed as part of the liquid retention device, that is, for example, be attached inside or outside of the liquid retention device, or, for example, be designed and arranged as a component of the heat exchanger. The drive unit may be connected to a further drive unit and communicate with it, for example by means of a cable, or preferably wirelessly, for example by radio. Under setting is to be understood thereby taxes and rules. Under control is to be understood that, for example, an operating mode and / or the desired value and / or a function of the shut-off element and / or the sensor device and / or Cleaning unit is adjustable or changeable. By rules is to be understood that the actual value is detectable or measurable or a

Predeterminable setpoint, which can thus be a control value for the drive unit, can be set or influenced. With the drive unit can advantageously, if the refrigerant with the sensor device, in particular with the leakage sensor, detectable, an alarm message can be generated, for example by means of an optical signal, or the alarm message can be sent to a further drive unit. Advantageously, the drive unit can

Sensor signal of the sensor device, in particular the leakage sensor, received and the shut-off can be controlled by means of a Absperrsignals the drive unit such that leakage of the refrigerant from the manifold and / or the sump can be prevented, so the drain and / or the manifold by means of the shut-off

is lockable.

With the control unit, actual values can be received, for example, from one or more sensors with which the actual values

for example, measured or calculated. However, the drive unit can also receive further actual values, for example from further sensors or a further drive unit. With the drive unit but also setpoints can be sent, for example, to one or more actuators, with which the setpoints are set, that is controlled and regulated. By means of the control unit but also one or more setpoints can be sent to other actuators or another control unit.

In addition, the drive unit may be signal-connected to the first fill level sensor and / or the second fill level sensor and / or the cleaning unit and / or a temperature sensor. The control unit can thus also an actual value and / or a setpoint values of the first Receive and / or adjust level sensor and / or the second level sensor and / or the cleaning unit and / or the temperature sensor. Advantageously, a simple and quick maintenance of the liquid retention device can be ensured due to the drive unit, since by means of the drive unit, a cleaning signal from the

Cleaning unit is receivable and a maintenance signal with the

Control unit is adjustable and / or shipped, so that, for example, an optical signal can be generated, or the maintenance message can be sent to another control unit. In an embodiment of the invention, the liquid retention device comprises a separator and the separator is arranged in the drip pan, in particular at the outlet, and / or the sensor device is arranged on the separator. With the separator, the non-water-soluble substances are separable and retainable. The sensor device and / or the

Shut-off can on the separator, especially in the interior of the

Abscheiders be arranged. Advantage of this arrangement of

Sensor device and / or the shut-off is that thus the

Retention of non-water-soluble substances and a detection of the refrigerant is simultaneously possible. In addition, such a simple constructive arrangement of the sensor device and / or the

Absperrrelements and a simple integrative construction of the liquid retention device can be achieved.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first filling level sensor is arranged on or above a central axis of the collecting tube such that a first filling level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium is detectable, and / or the second filling level sensor is arranged on or below the central axis of the collecting tube such that a second level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium is detectable. In particular, the first fill level sensor may be above, the second fill level sensor may be below it, and the leakage sensor may be between the first and second Level sensor, preferably on or near the center axis of the

Collection tube, be arranged. Specifically, the first level sensor is located at 30% to 100 percent of a radius of the manifold, preferably at 60% to 100 percent of the radius of the manifold, above the central axis of the manifold and / or the second level sensor is at 30% to 100 percent of the radius of the manifold, preferably 60% to 100

Percent of the radius of the manifold, below the central axis of the

Collecting tube arranged. In addition, the shut-off of the

Sensor device to be downstream in the direction of the outlet of the manifold. Advantageously, an embodiment of the first and second level sensor and the leakage sensor can thus be achieved, in which it can be assumed that the manifold is filled with refrigerant and / or liquid medium, when the first level with the first

Level sensor is detected and the manifold is almost empty when no second level is measured with the second level sensor. In addition, thus easy positioning of the

Sensor device can be achieved in the manifold of the liquid retention device.

In a practical preferred embodiment, the first level sensor is at a greater distance from a bottom of the

Drip pan disposed when the leakage sensor and / or the second level sensor is located at a smaller distance to the bottom of the drip pan, as the leakage sensor and / or the first level sensor is arranged at a greater distance to the bottom of the drip pan, as the second level sensor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor device comprises a

Temperature sensor and / or the liquid retention device comprises a heater. The heater can by means of a

Temperature signal of the temperature sensor be controlled such that by means of the heating device, the liquid retention device is heated. However, the heating device can also be designed such that the

Liquid retention device by means of the heater without

Control of the temperature sensor is heated. Advantageously, thus a frost-proof operation of the liquid retention device

be guaranteed.

The invention further relates to a manifold for a

Liquid restraint. The manifold may include an inlet and an outlet. The sensor device and / or the

Shut-off can be arranged in the manifold, the

Shut off of the sensor device in the direction of the outlet of the

Can be arranged downstream manifold. Advantageously, therefore, the collecting tube can be easily replaced as a replacement component of the liquid retention device.

The invention further relates to a sensor device for a

Liquid retention device, as already described, and / or for a manifold, comprising a first level sensor for detecting a refrigerant and / or liquid medium and a leakage sensor for detecting a refrigerant. The sensor device is in the

Liquid retention device used. In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor device comprises a second filling level sensor for detecting the refrigerant and / or liquid medium. As already indicated, the leakage sensor can be arranged between the first fill level sensor and the second fill level sensor. In practice, the leakage sensor is an optical sensor, preferably a

Glycol sensor, more preferably a refractometer.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first fill level sensor and / or the second fill level sensor are a capacitive fill level sensor, an inductive fill level sensor or a conductivity sensor or an ultrasonic sensor, a photometric fill level sensor or a light sensor. As already indicated, the sensor device comprises a cleaning unit and the leakage sensor can be cleaned with the cleaning unit, in particular with a nozzle of the cleaning unit, a gas can be passed at high pressure to a measuring point of the leakage sensor and / or a temperature sensor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor device comprises a

Refraktometeranordnung. The refractometer arrangement comprises a

Light source, a photosensitive photodiode line and an optical disk. In this case, the light source and the photodiode line are arranged in a plane at the bottom of the optical disk and the top of the optical disk is designed as a support surface for a sample to be examined, in particular the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium.

By means of the refractometer arrangement, the refractive index of the refrigerant and / or of the liquid medium can be detectable. The detection can be done by means of a measurement of the critical angle of total reflection.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor device comprises the

Refractometer arrangement for detecting refrigerant, in particular of glycol or refrigerant in the liquid medium in the collecting tube and / or the collecting trough, comprising the light source, the photosensitive photodiode row and the optical disk, wherein the light source and the photodiode array in a plane at the Bottom of the optical disk are arranged. The top of the optical disk is designed as a contact surface for the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium, wherein the optical disk in or on the manifold and / or in or on the

Drip pan is arranged, parallel to a flow direction of the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium. In this case, the first fill level sensor is located above the optical disk and / or the second fill level sensor is arranged below the optical disk. With the first and / or second level sensor, the coverage, so the wetting, the optical disc by the collecting tube and / or the collecting trough flowing through refrigerant and / or liquid medium with respect to the vertically arranged optical disc recognizable.

The sensor device has the in connection with the

Liquid device described advantages.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for operating a

Liquid retention device, wherein a sensor device is provided which a leakage sensor, in particular in the form of an optical

Includes sensor, and by means of the leakage sensor, a refrigerant in a collecting tube and / or a collecting trough the

Liquid retention device is detected, and a shut-off element is controlled by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device such that leakage of the refrigerant from the sump, in particular a drain of the sump, and / or the manifold is prevented. The method described below for operating a

Liquid retention device can with the described

Liquid retention device are performed.

The method for operating the liquid retention device is characterized in that the collecting trough, preferably the drain, and / or the collecting tube are closed in a ground state by the shut-off element, which is in a closed state, so that neither the refrigerant nor the liquid medium flow can. Thus, if refrigerant and / or liquid medium collected by the drip pan and collects in the drip pan and / or the manifold, then there is a backflow of the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium. If a refrigerant in a collecting tube and / or a collecting trough of the liquid retention device is detected by means of the leakage sensor, then the shut-off element by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device so controlled that leakage of the refrigerant from the sump and / or the manifold is prevented. If, on the other hand, no refrigerant is detected, the liquid medium, for example rainwater, can flow out of the sump and / or the collecting tube. Advantage of

described method is on the one hand, the improved detection of the

Refrigerant, in particular the glycol or a glycol mixture, and on the other hand, the closure of the sump and / or the

Sammelrohrs through the shut-off in the ground state or in

closed state of the shutoff, thereby ensuring that both the refrigerant, and the liquid medium are first detected and / or analyzed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor device comprises a first level sensor and detects a refrigerant with the leakage sensor after the first level sensor detects a first level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium. However, the sensor device may also include a first level sensor and a second level sensor and with the leakage sensor, a refrigerant is detected after the first level sensor detects a first level and the second level sensor detects a second level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium. The sensor device may include a first

Fill level sensor and / or comprise a second level sensor, wherein the first level sensor, a first level and / or with the second level sensor, a second level is detected. Of the

Leakage sensor can be arranged between the first level sensor and the second level sensor. This arrangement of the first and second level sensor and the leakage sensor advantageously allows a simple construction of the liquid retention device and simplifies the method for detecting the refrigerant. It is also advantageous that the refrigerant and / or that the liquid medium are detected and / or analyzed before the shut-off in an open Condition passes, so the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium can drain from the manifold and / or the sump.

In an embodiment which is particularly preferred for practice, the shut-off element in the collecting tube and / or the collecting trough, in particular at the outlet of the collecting trough, is opened or is in an open state when the leakage sensor does not detect any refrigerant. The

Shut-off closes the manifold and / or the drip pan, in particular the drain pan, so it is in a closed state when the leak sensor detects the refrigerant. In addition, the shut-off element closes the collecting pipe and / or the collecting trough, in particular the drainage trough, when the first filling level sensor does not detect a first filling level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium and / or closes the closing element

Collecting tube and / or the expiry of the drip pan when the second level sensor detects no second level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium.

Reaches the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium, which is collected in the drip pan and / or the manifold, the first level sensor, so the first level, then advantageously ensures that the leakage sensor is completely wetted with the refrigerant and / or liquid medium , After reaching the first level, the refrigerant can be detected or analyzed with the leakage sensor, in particular in the form of an optical sensor. The detection or the analysis with the leakage sensor and / or the detection with the first fill level sensor can be carried out cyclically repeatedly as long as the first fill level sensor is wetted with refrigerant and / or liquid medium. If the refrigerant is detected with the leakage sensor, a

Sensor signal are sent directly to the shut-off and / or by a drive unit with the sensor device and / or the

Absperrelement signal is connected to be received. The Shut-off can then be controlled by means of a shut-off signal of the drive unit such that leakage of the refrigerant from a drain of the sump and / or the manifold is prevented, ie with the shut-off the drain pan and / or the

Collecting tube is closed. The collected refrigerant can be disposed of, for example, by a separate drain line. With the drive unit advantageously, when the refrigerant is detected, an alarm message can be generated, for example by means of an optical signal, or the alarm message can be sent to another control unit. Advantageously, the drive unit can receive the sensor signal of the sensor device, in particular the leakage sensor, and the shutoff element can be controlled by means of a shutoff signal of the drive unit such that leakage of the refrigerant from the collection tube and / or the sump can be prevented, ie the drain and / or the drain Collecting tube is closed with the shut-off. Will with the

Leakage sensor detected no refrigerant, the shut-off is opened so that the accumulated liquid medium can drain. If the second level sensor is used, if the second level is undershot, so with the second level sensor, no second level is detected, the shut-off is closed, so that it again

Collecting of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium comes. Similarly, if the second level sensor is used, if no first level is detected but the second level is detected, the

Closing be closed, so that it to a renewed

Collecting of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium comes. If additional refrigerant and / or liquid medium nachströmt, this control cycle starts from the beginning. Furthermore, if for a fixed

Time interval no second level, so no refrigerant and / or liquid medium is detected with the second level sensor and the

Leakage sensor no refrigerant detected, the shut-off are opened, in particular, with the drive unit, an opening signal to the Absperrelement be sent so that the liquid medium can drain. As already mentioned, the process steps allow

Advantageously, it is ensured that even the smallest amounts of refrigerant are retained, since the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium are detected and / or analyzed before the shut-off element is opened or the shut-off element is closed before the detection and / or analysis.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor device comprises a

Cleaning unit and by means of the cleaning unit, the leakage sensor is cleaned. The cleaning unit cleans the leakage sensor after the first level sensor does not have a first level and / or the second level

Level sensor detects no second level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium.

The leakage sensor, in particular a measuring point of the leakage sensor, can be cleaned with a nozzle of the cleaning unit, in particular, a gas can be passed at high pressure to the measuring point of the leakage sensor. The leakage sensor can be cleaned with the cleaning unit if no first and / or second fill level are detected, or if increased contamination is detected with the sensor device. The

Cleaning unit can be adjusted by means of the drive unit or

be controlled. Advantageously, residues such as

For example, drops of the refrigerant or the liquid medium are removed from the leakage sensor.

Furthermore, the sensor device or the leakage sensor can advantageously communicate a degree of contamination, in particular a degree of contamination of the measuring point, to the control unit. If a constantly high degree of contamination is detected, which by cleaning with the

Cleaning unit can not be reduced and this to a

Can cause impairment of detection with the leakage sensor, a Cleaning signal generated by the cleaning unit and by the

Control unit are received. In addition, the maintenance unit can set and / or send a maintenance signal so that, for example, an optical signal is generated or a maintenance message, for example, is sent to a further control unit.

Advantageously, such a simple and quick maintenance of

Liquid retention device can be ensured.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor device comprises a

Temperature sensor, and a heater of the

Liquid retention device is controlled by means of a temperature signal of the temperature sensor such that the

Liquid retention device is heated by means of the heater. Of advantage, therefore, a frost-proof operation of

Liquid retention device can be ensured. By the present invention has been shown that just by the choice of the sensor device or the first and / or second level sensor and the leakage sensor of the above-described constructive

Embodiment and the arrangement of the sensor device and the

Absperrelements on the liquid retaining device reaches the described advantages or depending on the specific embodiment in practice by a suitable choice of parameters in the specified limits by the

Professional are optimizable.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. In a schematic representation: 1 shows an inventive liquid retention device with a heat exchanger in a first perspective view;

FIG. 2 shows the liquid retention device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a second perspective illustration; FIG. Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of an inventive

Sensor device;

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of an inventive

Sensor device;

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an inventive device

Liquid retention device 1 with a leakage-prone unit 2, here a heat exchanger 2, in a first and second perspective view. The liquid restraint device 1 comprises a

Drip pan 3, a manifold 4, a sensor device (see Figure 2, reference numeral 5) and a shut-off (see Figure 2, reference numeral 6). The heat exchanger 2 is arranged in the drip pan 3, so that an escaping refrigerant in the drip pan 3 and / or the manifold 4 is collectable. It is understood that in practice, the heat exchanger 2 usually in a conventional manner has other components, such as fans, manifolds, supply and discharge lines for a

Refrigerant, which flows through the heat exchanger 2 for the exchange of heat, etc., but which are of minor importance for the understanding of the present invention. The sump 3 with at least one outlet 31 and for collecting the refrigerant and a liquid medium, is arranged below the heat exchanger. The

Collector 4 has an inlet 41 and an outlet 42 and is arranged with the inlet 41 at the outlet 31 of the sump 3 and connected to the drip pan 3 stromungsverbunden that the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium to the manifold 4 from the drip pan 3 can be fed is. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the sensor device 5 is provided in the manifold 4 and / or in the drip pan 3. The shut-off element 6 is arranged downstream of the drainage device 31 and / or between the outlet 31 and the outlet 42 of the collecting tube 4 of the sensor device 5 (see FIG. 2). In the inventive liquid retention device 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensor device 5 comprises a first fill level sensor (see FIG. 3, reference numeral 51), a second fill level sensor (see FIG. 3, reference numeral 52) and a leakage sensor (see FIG.

53), wherein the leakage sensor 53 is disposed between the first level sensor 51 and the second level sensor 52. However, the inventive liquid restraint device 1 according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 can also have a sensor device 5 which has a first level sensor 51 and a first level sensor 51

different leakage sensor 53 in the form of an optical sensor 53 includes. In an embodiment of the invention, this embodiment of the

Sensor device 5 also include a second level sensor 52. In both embodiments, the sensor device 5 is designed such that the leakage sensor 53 and the optical sensor 53, the

Refrigerant in the manifold 4 and / or the sump 3 is detected, and the shut-off 6 by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device 5 can be controlled such that an exit of the refrigerant from the

Collector 4 and / or the sump 3 can be prevented.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 further show the liquid restraint device 1 comprising a drive unit 8 (not shown in FIG. 1). The

Drive unit 8 is connected to the sensor device 5 and / or the

Shut-off 6 signal connected and / or the drive unit 8 is configured such that by means of the drive unit 8, a sensor signal from the sensor device 5 is receivable and / or the shut-off 6 by means of a shut-off of the drive unit 8 can be controlled. If the sensor device 5 is arranged in the manifold 4, the

Level sensor 51 so on or above a central axis (not shown) of Sannnnelrohrs 4 may be arranged that a first level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium is detectable. The second

Level sensor 52 may also be arranged on or below the central axis (not shown) of the manifold 4, that a second level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium is detectable.

Advantageously, the first level sensor 51 may be located at 30% to 100% of a radius of the manifold 4, preferably at 60% to 100% of the radius of the manifold 4, above the central axis of the manifold 4 and / or the second level sensor 52 may be at 30%. to 100 percent of the radius of the manifold 4, preferably 60% to 100 percent of the radius of the manifold 4, below the central axis of the manifold 4th

be arranged.

In a special embodiment not shown is the

Sensor device 5 in the drip pan 3 of

Liquid retention device 1 is arranged. This is the first one

Level sensor 51 is arranged at a greater distance to a bottom of the drip pan 3, as the leakage sensor 53 and / or the second level sensor 52 is at a smaller distance to the bottom of

Drip pan 3 is arranged as the leakage sensor 53 and / or the first level sensor 51 is at a greater distance to the bottom of

In addition, the liquid retaining device 1 may comprise a separator (not shown), wherein the separator (not shown) in the

Drip pan 3, in particular at the outlet 31, may be arranged. In a further embodiment, not shown, the sensor device 5 may be arranged on the separator (not shown). Not in the

Liquid retainer 1 of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, but the sensor device 5 may also include a temperature sensor and the liquid restraint device comprises a heater. In this case, the heating means by means of a temperature signal of the temperature sensor can be controlled such that means of the heater

Liquid retention device 1 is heated. In Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a sensor device is shown. The sensor device 5 comprises a cleaning unit 7 with which the leakage sensor 53 can be cleaned. The

Cleaning unit 7 has in particular a nozzle 71, wherein with the nozzle 71, a gas at high pressure to a measuring point (see Fig. 4, reference numeral 531) of the leakage sensor 53 is conductive.

4 shows a schematic illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of a sensor device 5 according to the invention. FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG

Essentially Fig. 3, which is why only addresses the differences. The sensor device 5 includes a first level sensor 51 and / or a second level sensor 52 for detecting the refrigerant and / or liquid medium and a leakage sensor 53 for detecting a

Refrigerant. The leakage sensor 53 is in this case between the first

Level sensor 51 and the second level sensor 52 is arranged. The leakage sensor 53 is in practice an optical sensor 53, preferably a glycol sensor, particularly preferably a refractometer. The first level sensor 51 and / or the second level sensor 52 are a capacitive level sensor, an inductive level sensor or a

Conductivity sensor. In addition, the sensor device 5 a

Temperature sensor (not shown) include. The sensor device 5 shown in FIG. 3 and / or FIG. 4 is in the inventive

Liquid restraint device, in particular according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, can be used.

Claims

claims:

1 . Liquid retention device (1) for a unit (2) at risk of leakage, in particular a heat exchanger (2) which can be operated with a refrigerant, comprising

- A collecting trough (3) with at least one outlet (31) and for collecting the refrigerant and a liquid medium

a collecting pipe (4) having an inlet (41) and an outlet (42)

a sensor device (5)

a shut-off element (6),

wherein the collecting pipe (4) with the inlet (41) arranged on the outlet (31) of the collecting trough (3) and with the drip pan (3) is connected, that the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium from the collecting pipe (4) the collecting trough (3) can be supplied, wherein the sensor device (5) in the collecting tube (4) and / or in the collecting trough (3) is provided, and the shut-off (6) at the outlet (31) and / or between the outlet (31 ) and the outlet (42) of the collecting tube (4) is arranged downstream of the sensor device (5),

characterized in that

the sensor device (5)

a first level sensor (51),

- A second level sensor (52) and

a leakage sensor (53)

comprising, wherein the leakage sensor (53) between the first

Level sensor (51) and the second level sensor (52) is arranged, and the sensor device (5) is configured such that with the leakage sensor (53) the refrigerant in the collecting tube (4) and / or the collecting trough (3) is detectable, and the shut-off element (6) can be controlled by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device (5) in such a way that an escape of the refrigerant from the collecting tube (4) and / or the collecting trough (3) can be prevented. Liquid retention device (1) for a unit (2) at risk of leakage, in particular a heat exchanger (2) which can be operated with a refrigerant, comprising

a collecting pipe (4) having an inlet (41) and an outlet (42)

a sensor device (5)

a shut-off element (6),

characterized in that

the sensor device (5)

- A first level sensor (51) and

comprising a leakage sensor (53), which differs from the first filling level sensor (51), in the form of an optical sensor (53),

wherein the sensor device (5) is designed such that the refrigerant in the collecting tube (4) and / or the collecting trough (3) can be detected with the optical sensor (53), and the shut-off element (6) is detected by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device (5). is controllable such that an exit of the refrigerant from the collecting pipe (4) and / or the collecting trough (3) can be prevented.

A liquid restraint device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said

Sensor device (5) comprises a second level sensor (52).

4. Liquid retention device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the leakage sensor (53) is an optical sensor (53), preferably a glycol sensor, particularly preferably a refractometer.

5. Liquid retention device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (5) comprises a cleaning unit (7) and with the cleaning unit (7) the leakage sensor (53) can be cleaned, in particular with a nozzle (71) of the cleaning unit (7 ) is a gas at high pressure to a measuring point (531) of the leakage sensor (53) can be conducted. 6. The liquid restraint device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid restraint device (1) a

Drive unit (8) and the drive unit (8) with the

Sensor device (5) and / or the shut-off element (6)

is signal-connected. 7. Liquid retention device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive unit (8) is designed such that by means of the drive unit (8), a sensor signal from the

Sensor device (5) is receivable and / or the shut-off element (6) by means of a shut-off of the drive unit (8) can be controlled. 8. Liquid retention device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid retention device (1) has a

Includes separator and the separator in the drip pan (3), in particular on the outlet (31) is arranged.

9. fluid retention device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (5) is arranged on the separator.

10. A liquid restraint device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first level sensor (51) is arranged on or above a central axis of the collecting tube (4) such that a first level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium is detectable.

1 1. Fluid retention device (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein the second level sensor (52) is arranged on or below the central axis of the collecting tube (4) such that a second level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium

is detectable.

A liquid restraint (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first level sensor (51) is at 30% to 100%

Percent of a radius of the collecting tube (4), preferably at 60% to 100 percent of the radius of the collecting tube (4), above the central axis of the collecting tube (4) is arranged.

A liquid restraint (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second level sensor (52) is at 30% to 100% of the radius of the manifold (4), preferably 60% to 100% of the radius of the manifold (4), below the central axis of the manifold

Collecting tube (4) is arranged.

14. Liquid retention device (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein the first level sensor (51) is arranged at a greater distance to a bottom of the drip pan (3) than the leakage sensor (53) and / or the second level sensor (52) at a smaller distance from the bottom of the drip pan (3) is arranged as the leakage sensor (53) and / or the first level sensor (51) is arranged at a greater distance to the bottom of the sump (3), as the second level sensor (52).

15. Liquid retention device (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein the sensor device (5) comprises a temperature sensor and the liquid restraint device comprises a heating device, and the heating device by means of a temperature signal of the Temperature sensor is controlled such that by means of

Heating device, the liquid retention device (1) is heated.

16. collecting pipe (4) for a liquid retention device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. 17. Sensor device (5) for a fluid retention device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15 and / or for a collecting tube (4) according to claim 16, comprising

- A first level sensor (51) for detecting a refrigerant and / or liquid medium and

- A leakage sensor (53) for detecting a refrigerant.

18. Sensor device (5) according to claim 17, wherein the sensor device (5) comprises a second filling level sensor (52) for detecting the refrigerant and / or liquid medium.

19. Sensor device (5) according to claim 18, wherein the leakage sensor (53) between the first level sensor (51) and the second

Level sensor (52) is arranged.

20. Sensor device (5) according to one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the leakage sensor (53) is an optical sensor (53), preferably a

Glycol sensor, particularly preferably a refractometer. 21. Sensor device (5) according to one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the first level sensor (51) and / or the second level sensor (52) is a capacitive level sensor, an inductive level sensor or a conductivity sensor.

22. Sensor device (5) according to one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the sensor device (5) comprises a cleaning unit (7) and with the

Cleaning unit (7) of the leakage sensor (53) can be cleaned, in particular with a nozzle (71) of the cleaning unit (7), a gas at high pressure to a measuring point (531) of the leakage sensor (53) can be conducted.

23. Sensorvornchtung (5) according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the sensor device (5) comprises a temperature sensor.

The sensor device (5) according to any one of claims 17 to 23, comprising a refractometer assembly, the refractometer assembly comprising a light source, a photodiode photosensitive row and an optical disk, and the light source and photodiode array in a plane at the bottom of the optical disk are arranged, wherein the top of the optical disk as a support surface for a too

examining sample, in particular the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium is configured.

25. Sensor device (5) according to one of claims 17 to 24, comprising a Refraktometeranordnung for detecting refrigerant, in particular refrigerant in liquid medium in the collecting tube and / or the collecting trough, comprising the light source, the photosensitive

Photodiode line and the optical disk, wherein the light source and the photodiode line are arranged in a plane at the bottom of the optical disk, while the top of the optical disk as a contact surface for the refrigerant and / or the liquid medium

is executed, wherein the optical disk is arranged in or on the collecting tube and / or in or on the drip pan, parallel to a flow direction of the refrigerant and / or the liquid

Medium, wherein above the optical disk, the first level sensor and / or below the optical disk, the second level sensor is arranged, wherein the first and / or second level sensor, the covering of the optical disk by the collecting pipe and / or the collecting trough flowing through refrigerant and / or or liquid medium with respect to the vertically arranged optical disc is recognizable.

26. A method for operating a liquid retention device (1), wherein a sensor device (5) is provided which comprises a leakage sensor (53), in particular in the form of an optical sensor (53), and by means of the leakage sensor (53) a refrigerant in a collecting tube (4) and / or a collecting trough (3) of the liquid retention device (1) is detected, and a shut-off element (6) is controlled by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device (5) such that an exit of the refrigerant from the collecting trough (3), in particular a drain ( 31) of the collecting trough (3), and / or the collecting tube (4) is prevented.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the sensor device (5) has a

first level sensor (51), and with the leakage sensor (53), a refrigerant is detected after the first level sensor (51) detects a first level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27, wherein the sensor device (5) comprises a first level sensor (51) and a second level sensor (52), and with the leakage sensor (53), a refrigerant is detected after the first level sensor (51) first level and the second level sensor (52) detects a second level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium.

29. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the

Shut-off (6) in the manifold (4) and / or the sump (3), in particular at the outlet (31) of the sump (3), is opened when the leakage sensor (53) detects no refrigerant.

30. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the

Shut-off element (6) the collecting tube (4) and / or the collecting trough (3), in particular the outlet (31) of the collecting trough (3), closes when the leakage sensor (53) detects the refrigerant.

31. A method according to any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein said

Shut-off element (6) the collecting tube (4) and / or the collecting trough (3), in particular the outlet (31) of the collecting trough (3), closes when the first level sensor (51) detects no first level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium ,

32. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 31, wherein the

Shut-off element (6) the collecting tube (4) and / or the collecting trough (3), in particular the outlet (31) of the collecting trough (3), closes when the second level sensor (52) detects no second level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium ,

33. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 32, wherein the

Sensor device (5) comprises a cleaning unit (7), and by means of the cleaning unit (7) of the leakage sensor (53) is cleaned.

34. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 33, wherein the

Cleaning unit (7) the leakage sensor (53) cleans after the first level sensor (51) no first level and the second

Level sensor (52) detects no second level of the refrigerant and / or liquid medium.

35. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 34, wherein the

Sensor device (5) comprises a temperature sensor, and a

Heating device of the liquid retention device (1) is controlled by means of a temperature signal of the temperature sensor such that the liquid retention device (1) is heated by means of the heating device.