JPH0268470A - Refrigerant recovery device and tank therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid excessive filling or refrigerant discharge and hence improve the prevention of public hazards by rotating a cam so as to close both valves simultaneously, taking out a recovery tank where recovered refrigerant is automatically filled in based on a positional release of a refrigerant recovery device, and enabling a recovery device to be removed from a tank easily, and valve handling to be carried out. CONSTITUTION:When a liquid level in a recovery tank 11 reaches a specified position, revaporized refrigerant is filled in an air phase space 15 so that no more liquid refrigerant may not be allowed to enter the tank 11. As a result, the liquid refrigerant is collected on the bottom of a condensation chamber 31; a float switch 41 will be actuated in a liquid level a little higher than that, thereby shutting down a relay 54. Consequently, a relay 52 shuts down a power supply cable way, halts the operation of a compressor and a fan for refrigerating cycle, closes a passage of recycled refrigerant by solenoid valves 59 and 60, and stops the operation of a recovery device in automatic mode, which makes it possible to fill a specified volume of recycled refrigerant into the tank automatically. Then, if an attempt is made to rotate a lever 37 by 1/4, valves 12 and 32 will be closed simultaneously, which makes it possible to lower the tank 11 by a manipulation handle 23.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention can be used for low boiling point fluids in boat fishing, but especially for fluids with a risk of environmental damage such as Freon (registered trademark). The present invention relates to a refrigerant recovery device for safely recovering a certain refrigerant from a device holding it without releasing it into the atmosphere, and a refrigerant recovery tank compatible with the refrigerant recovery device.

[Conventional technology]

For example, fluorocarbon gas used as a refrigerant in air conditioners must be replaced if air or moisture gets mixed in with it, so it is necessary to remove the entire amount from the refrigerant circuit.

In the past, the gas extracted by vacuum pumps was released directly into the atmosphere, but recently the destruction of the ozone layer surrounding the earth due to decomposition products has become a problem, so the gas extracted It is now possible to safely dispose of it by compressing it and liquefying it by heat radiation, or by cooling it and liquefying it using a separate refrigeration cycle and storing it in a recovery tank.

Fig. 4 shows an outline of a conventional recovery device. A condensation chamber 7 is cooled by an evaporator 6, and the recovered fluorocarbon gas sucked in from a passage 8 in the chamber is condensed and liquefied and stored in a recovery tank 9.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The recovery tank used in conventional recovery equipment is nothing more than an ordinary pressure-tight container with a valve, and the liquefied refrigerant is injected into the recovery tank from the condensing chamber by the hands of a skilled worker, and when it seems that the appropriate amount has been injected, it is recovered. The reality is that the operation of the recovery device is stopped at the same time as the valve on the device side is closed, and the valve of the recovery tank is also closed, which is a cumbersome operation.

However, according to the High Pressure Gas Control Law, in order to prevent danger, the tank containing 100g of refrigerant (R12) must leave at least 86c1 of gas space in order to be exempted from the application of the law. Because of this, manual injections such as this require even the most experienced person to be extremely careful not to overfill, and during the operation a significant amount of refrigerant must be released into the atmosphere. There was a problem that it would be released inside.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above problem is solved by one of the following.

1. A condensing chamber for cooling and condensing the recovered refrigerant, a first valve seat provided at the bottom of the condensing chamber, and a first valve seat biased by a rear spring to engage the first valve seat. a refrigerant recovery tank connected to a lower part of the condensing chamber;
a second valve seat provided at the top of the refrigerant recovery tank;
a second valve biased by a rear spring to engage the second valve seat; and positioning the refrigerant recovery tank such that the first valve and the second valve are located opposite each other. a positioning means provided between the first valve and the second valve, which are positioned oppositely by the positioning means, and a positioning means for positioning the first valve and the second valve behind each other. A refrigerant recovery device comprising: a cam that opens and closes against a spring; and operating means that rotates the cam to simultaneously open and close the first valve and the second valve.

2. A condensing chamber for cooling and condensing the recovered refrigerant; a float switch provided at the bottom of the condensing chamber to stop the operation of the recovery device; a refrigerant recovery tank connected to the lower part of the condensing chamber; A receiving part provided at the top of the recovery tank to receive the liquid refrigerant from the condensing chamber, and a cylindrical guide hanging from the receiving part into the inside of the refrigerant recovery tank and having an open lower end. Features of refrigerant recovery equipment.

3. A receiving part provided at the top of the tank so as to be connected to the lower part of the condensing chamber of the refrigerant recovery device that cools and condenses the recovered refrigerant, and receiving liquid refrigerant from the condensing chamber;
A refrigerant recovery tank comprising: a cylindrical guide that hangs down from the receiving portion into the tank and has an open lower end.

[For production]

Since the present invention has the above configuration, the refrigerant recovery tank is accurately positioned and connected to the lower part of the condensing chamber by the positioning means of the refrigerant recovery device, and the first valve seat at the bottom of the condensing chamber and the first valve seat at the top of the recovery tank are connected to each other. The two valve seats are abutted to form one flow path, and the first valve and second valve that engage with these valve seats take opposite positions, and at the same time, the common cam They will come into contact symmetrically. Therefore, when the cam is rotated by the operating means, the first and second valves simultaneously assume the open or closed position due to the pressing action of the spring and the cam behind them, and simultaneously by a single operation. Opening and closing operations are possible.

Next, when the refrigerant recovery device is operated to cool the condensing chamber, the refrigerant introduced into the chamber to be recovered is condensed and liquefied, and the refrigerant is collected at the top of the refrigerant recovery tank connected to the lower part of the condensing chamber. flow down by gravity through a cylindrical guide,
It is stored in a refrigerant recovery tank. When the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant in the tank rises and closes the lower end opening of the cylindrical guide, the space (
Its volume is set to fit the legal gas space) is filled with re-vaporized refrigerant gas.
Beyond this point, refrigerant will no longer be able to enter the tank. Therefore, liquefied refrigerant begins to accumulate in the condensing chamber, and the liquid level rises to 200 degrees, activating the float switch and stopping the operation of the recovery device.

Therefore, when the means for opening and closing the valves is rotated to close both valves at the same time and the positioning means of the refrigerant recovery device is released, the recovery tank filled with a specified amount of recovered refrigerant is automatically removed. The recovery device stops at the same time as the prescribed amount is filled, without continuing unnecessary operation.

Even when the refrigerant recovery tank of the present invention is connected to a device other than the refrigerant recovery device of the present invention, when a refrigerant or an equivalent low-boiling point liquid is allowed to flow into the tank from the receiving portion, the liquid level closes the lower end of the cylindrical guide. When this happens, a predetermined gas space is left around the guide, so if the inflow is stopped there, it can be used separately as a tank with a metering function.

(Example) An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The figure shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which 11 is a pressure-resistant recovery tank, 12 is a valve provided on the top plate 11' of the tank, and 13 is the valve 12 and its upward force. Spring 1
It is a cylindrical guide that guides the guide 13 and extends downward integrally from the top plate 11', and its length β is equal to that of the guide 13.
The volume of the space (gas phase space) 15 formed by the outer surface of the recovery tank 11, the peripheral wall of the recovery tank 11, and the inner surface of the top plate 11' is equal to the volume of the space (liquid phase space) 16 in the recovery tank 11 excluding the space 15. It is calculated and determined so that a gas volume sufficient to qualify for the above-mentioned exemption of the High Pressure Gas Control Law remains based on the weight of the liquefied refrigerant that can be accommodated. 17 is a valve seat fixed to the top plate 11' in an airtight manner with screws, etc.;
For example, a papilla-shaped projection is formed at the tip of the valve 12 so that the tip of the valve 12 can enter the valve opening in the closed state. Note that 18 indicates the liquid level, and 19 indicates a ball valve attached between the top plate 11' and the valve seat 17.

Next, a refrigerant recovery device for injecting liquefied refrigerant into the recovery tank 11 will be explained. 21 is a circular lifting platform on which the recovery tank 11 is placed, and the bottom surface 11'' of the recovery tank 11 is placed in the center.
The recovery tank 11
A projection 22 is provided for positioning. Reference numeral 23 denotes an operation handle for raising and lowering the lifting platform 21, and it may be either a radial rod shape or a rod with an annular portion attached thereto.

If a structure is adopted in which the lifting platform 21 is raised and lowered by the power of a motor, the handle 23 can be replaced with a motor switch. As a mechanism for raising and lowering the table 21, although not shown, conventionally known mechanisms such as a mechanism using a screw, a rack and pinion type, and a mechanism having a fluid pressure cylinder can be used.

Note that 24 is a support shaft of the lifting platform 21.

In the upper part of Fig. 1, the evaporator 6 of the refrigeration cycle is
The condensing chamber 31 in this embodiment has a valve 32 having substantially the same structure as the valve 12 at the lower part thereof. That is, the valve 32 is biased downward by a spring 34 housed in a spring guide 33. Reference numeral 35 denotes a valve seat fixed in an airtight manner to the lower end of the condensing chamber 31, and the valve seat has a valve opening so that the papillary projection at the tip of the valve 32 enters into the valve opening when the valve is closed. is set to .

A valve operating shaft 36 extends from the side of the valve seat 35 toward the center in an airtight manner, and an operating lever 37 is attached to the outer end of the valve operating shaft 36 . The shaft 36 is located at the center of the valve seat 35.
In other words, it has an elliptical cam 38 that can rotate at the opening position of the valve port of the valve seat 35, and the valve seat 35
When the valve seat 17 of the recovery tank 11 is abutted and connected to the valve 5, the cam 38 is rotated by operating the lever 37, so that the valves 12 and 32 can be opened and closed at the same time. A space corresponding to the rotation locus of the cam 38 is provided in the valve seats 17 and 35 in such a manner that a portion of each valve port can be cut open from the outside.

39 is a guide attached to the lower end of the valve seat 35, and the recovery tank 1 is placed in a recess 40 provided on the lower surface of the valve seat 35.
The upper end of one valve seat 17 fits into the valve seat 1 and guides the valve ports of each valve seat so that they are properly aligned on the same axis.

41 is a float switch provided at a position slightly higher than the bottom of the condensing chamber 31, and 42 is a through hole opened in the guide 33, one or more of which are provided at the bottom of the condensing chamber.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the valves 12 and 32 and the oval cam 38 that simultaneously engages them.

The valve seat and its valve mouth are omitted. Turn lever 37 to 9
When rotated by 0°, the oval cam 38 is in the solid line position (valve closed).
It can selectively take two positions: and the chain line position (valve open). In order to securely hold each position, a click mechanism is provided on the shaft 36, or chamfers are applied to the major and minor diameter ends of the elliptical cam 38. In extreme cases, the rectangular cam is replaced with the elliptical cam 38. It is recommended to use it instead.

FIG. 3 shows the flow 1 provided near the bottom of the condensing chamber 31.
- This shows an electric circuit that receives a signal from a switch 41 and controls driving and stopping of the fan motor 4 of the compressor and condenser used in the refrigeration cycle of the recovery device. In the figure, 1' is a motor that drives the compressor 1, 50 is a power supply, 51 is a main switch, and 5
2 is a main relay, 53 and 54 are relays, 55 is an inverter, 56 is a differential pressure switch, and although the applicable parts are not shown, 57 is a relay in the condensing chamber 31 to detect the condensing pressure of the refrigerant to be recovered. Similarly, 58 is a pressure sensor provided in the evaporator 6 to detect the evaporation pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle, 59 is a solenoid valve provided in the path of the refrigerant to be recovered, and 60 is a refrigeration valve. The solenoid valve installed in the cycle is shown. Note that the parts not explained are the same as those of the conventional recovery device.

Prior to operation of the refrigerant recovery device, the recovery tank 11 is placed on the lifting platform 21, the handle 23 is operated to lift the recovery tank 11, and the pedestal 17 on the top of the recovery tank 11 is placed in the lower recess of the valve seat 35 on the recovery device side. Make sure that it fits in place 40. By this operation, the valve 12 of the recovery tank 11 is changed to the valve 3 on the recovery device side.
2, the valve seats 17 and 35 of both valve seats abut against each other, and the gap therebetween is sealed. When the lever 37 is operated to rotate the oval cam 38 to the chain line position in FIG. 2, the valves 12 and 32 move away from each other against the springs 14 and 34 behind each, opening each valve port. let

After the air in the space through which the refrigerant to be recovered passes is removed by a vacuum pump (not shown), the recovery device is connected to the target device, and when the main switch 51 shown in FIG. 3 is turned on, the recovery device starts operating. That is, initially the condensing chamber 3
Since there is no liquid refrigerant in No. 1, the float switch 41 is inactive and the contacts of the relay 54 remain closed.Although detailed explanation will be omitted, the differential pressure switch 56 is also inactive and the contacts of the relay 53 remain closed. Therefore, the main relay 52 is energized and the compressor motor 1' and fan motor 4 of the refrigeration cycle are driven, and the refrigeration cycle sends refrigerant to the evaporator 6 to cool the condensing chamber 31. Therefore, the recovered refrigerant absorbed in the condensing chamber 31 is cooled and condensed into liquid.
It flows down by gravity, passes through the through hole 42, the valve 32, and the valve 12, and is collected in the recovery tank 11.

When the liquid level IB in the recovery tank 11 reaches the position shown in FIG. cannot contain any more liquid refrigerant. Therefore, liquid refrigerant accumulates at the bottom of the condensing chamber 31, and when the liquid level rises a little, the float switch 41 is activated to shut off the relay 54 shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the main relay 52 cuts off the power supply path to stop the compressor 1, fan 3, etc. of the refrigeration cycle, and the electromagnetic valve 5960 closes the recovery refrigerant passage and automatically stops the operation of the recovery device. As a result, the recovery tank 11 is automatically and accurately metered and filled with recovered refrigerant that does not exceed the legal amount.

After that, when the lever 37 is turned 1/4 turn again, the valves 12 and 32 are closed at the same time, and the operation is completed by lowering the recovery tank 11 using the operation handle 23.

〔effect〕

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is easy to connect the recovery device and the recovery tank, and the valves of both the recovery device and the recovery tank can be opened and closed simultaneously by means of operating a cam. Since the recovery tank can be easily attached and detached from the recovery device and the valves can be operated, even non-experts can easily perform refrigerant recovery work.

Even if you leave the recovery device unattended after it has started operating, the cylindrical guide and float switch will automatically stop the recovery device once the recovery tank is filled with the specified amount of refrigerant, preventing overfilling and refrigerant leakage. There is no need to worry about failures such as release,
It is also beneficial from the point of view of pollution prevention.

Even if the refrigerant recovery tank of the present invention is connected to a device other than the refrigerant recovery device of the present invention, a refrigerant or an equivalent low boiling point liquid can be easily injected while leaving a predetermined gas space.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a joint sectional view showing an embodiment of the refrigerant recovery device and refrigerant recovery tank of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged conceptual diagram illustrating the structure and operation of the valve part, and Fig. 3 is a control of the refrigerant recovery device. The circuit diagram and FIG. 4 are conceptual diagrams showing the configuration of a conventional refrigerant recovery device. 1... Compressor, 2... Capacitor, 3
...Fan, 4...Fan motor, 6
... Evaporator, 7... Condensation chamber (conventional),
9... Refrigerant recovery tank (conventional), 11... Refrigerant recovery tank, 12... Valve, 13...
Cylindrical guide, 14... Spring, 15... Gas phase space, 16... Liquid phase space, 17... Valve seat,
18...Liquid level, 21...Elevating platform,
22...Protrusion, 23...Operation handle, 31.
...Condensation chamber, 32...Valve, 34...
Spring, 37... Lever 40... Recess, Tsuchi, 52... Main relay 55... Inverter, 57, 58... Pressure sensor, 35... Valve seat, 38... Oval shape Cam, 41... Float switch 42... Through hole, 53, 54... Relay 56... Differential pressure switch, 59, 60... Solenoid valve.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A condensing chamber for cooling and condensing the recovered refrigerant, a first valve seat provided at the bottom of the condensing chamber, and a spring biased by a rear spring to open the first valve. a first valve engaging a seat; a refrigerant recovery tank connected to a lower portion of the condensing chamber; a second valve seat provided at a top of the refrigerant recovery tank; and a valve biased by a spring behind the valve. a second valve that engages with the second valve seat; a positioning means for positioning the refrigerant recovery tank so that the first valve and the second valve are positioned facing each other; and the positioning means. a cam that is provided between the first valve and the second valve, which are positioned opposite each other, and opens and closes the first valve and the second valve against springs behind each; and an operating means that rotates the cam to simultaneously open and close the first valve and the second valve. 2. A condensing chamber that cools and condenses the recovered refrigerant, a float switch provided at the bottom of the condensing chamber to stop the operation of the recovery device, a refrigerant recovery tank connected to the lower part of the condensing chamber, and the refrigerant A receiving part provided at the top of the recovery tank to receive the liquid refrigerant from the condensing chamber, and a cylindrical guide hanging from the receiving part into the inside of the refrigerant recovery tank and having an open lower end. Features of refrigerant recovery equipment. 3. A receiving part provided at the top of the tank to be connected to the lower part of the condensing chamber of the refrigerant recovery device that cools and condenses the recovered refrigerant, and receiving liquid refrigerant from the condensing chamber; A refrigerant recovery tank characterized by comprising a cylindrical guide that hangs down into the tank and has an open bottom end.