JP7579685B2 - Condensers and refrigerators - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a condenser and a refrigerator equipped with a condenser.

The refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. In the refrigerator's refrigeration cycle, the compressor compresses the refrigerant, the condenser condenses the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant through heat exchange, the expansion valve expands the condensed liquid refrigerant, and the evaporator exchanges heat between the expanded refrigerant and a medium to be cooled to evaporate the refrigerant. The evaporator is used, for example, to cool the inside of a freezer.

When the refrigerant used in a refrigerator is a low-pressure refrigerant, the evaporator, which is at a particularly low pressure in the refrigeration cycle, becomes negative pressure, and this can lead to non-condensable gas (air) being mixed into the refrigerant. The non-condensable gas that has mixed into the evaporator passes through the compressor and accumulates in the condenser, reducing the heat transfer performance in the condenser and causing a decline in the performance of the refrigerator. The condenser condenses the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor, so if non-condensable gas is mixed into the refrigerant, the heat transfer performance in the heat exchanger deteriorates and the performance of the refrigerator declines.

One solution to this problem is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 below. In the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, non-condensable gas mixed into the refrigerant in the evaporator passes through the compressor and accumulates in the condenser, so the refrigerator extracts part of the refrigerant containing the non-condensable gas that accumulates in the condenser, cools the extracted refrigerant to condense it, and separates the non-condensable gas from the refrigerant.

JP 2018-66543 A

The conventional chillers described above have an issue in that the condenser is connected to an air extraction device system, which leads to an increase in the size and cost of the device. Furthermore, conventional chillers use an air extraction device system to extract part of the refrigerant from the condenser and separate non-condensable gas from the refrigerant, but it is difficult to separate all of the non-condensable gas remaining in the condenser. As a result, the non-condensable gas containing the refrigerant is exhausted.

The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a condenser and a refrigerator that prevent the device from becoming large and expensive, while improving the performance of separating non-condensable gas from the refrigerant.

To achieve the above object, the condenser of the present disclosure comprises a casing having a refrigerant inlet portion and a refrigerant outlet portion, a heat transfer portion that condenses the refrigerant inside the casing, and a separation filter that separates non-condensable gas from the refrigerant inside the casing.

The refrigerator of the present disclosure also includes a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, an expander that expands the refrigerant condensed by the condenser, and an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expander.

The condenser and refrigerator disclosed herein can prevent the device from becoming too large and expensive, while improving the performance of separating non-condensable gas from the refrigerant.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the condenser of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a condenser according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a condenser according to the third embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a condenser according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a condenser according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the operation control of the condenser. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a condenser according to the sixth embodiment.

Below, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and when there are multiple embodiments, the present disclosure also includes configurations that combine the various embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art would easily imagine, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range.

[First embodiment]
<Refrigerator configuration>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 10 includes a compressor 11, a condenser 12, an expansion valve (expander) 13, and an evaporator 14. A subcooler (heat exchanger) may be provided between the condenser 12 and the expansion valve 13.

The compressor 11 is a single-stage compressor, and is driven by, for example, an electric motor 21. The compressor 11 may be a multi-stage compressor. The compressor 11 is connected to the condenser 12 by a refrigerant path 31. The compressor 11 compresses a refrigerant gas (refrigerant) to generate a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas (refrigerant). The condenser 12 has a heat transfer section 22. The heat transfer section 22 is, for example, a path through which a cooling medium flows. The condenser 12 is connected to the expansion valve 13 by a refrigerant path 32. The condenser 12 condenses the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 11 by cooling it with the heat transfer section 22 to generate a refrigerant liquid (refrigerant). The expansion valve 13 is connected to the evaporator 14 by a refrigerant path 33. The expansion valve 13 expands the refrigerant liquid condensed by the condenser 12 by reducing the pressure, thereby generating a low-pressure refrigerant liquid (refrigerant). The evaporator 14 is connected to the compressor 11 by a refrigerant path 34. The evaporator 14 evaporates the low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been reduced in pressure and expanded by the expansion valve 13 to produce refrigerant gas (refrigerant).

<Condenser configuration>
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the condenser of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the condenser 12 includes a casing 41, a heat transfer section 22, and a separation filter 42.

The casing 41 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The casing 41 has a cylindrical outer tube portion 41a and a pair of disk-shaped ends 41b, 41c provided at each end of the outer tube portion 41a in the axial direction. The casing 41 has a refrigerant inlet portion 51 provided at the top of the outer tube portion 41a and a refrigerant outlet portion 52 provided at the bottom of the outer tube portion 41a. The casing 41 has a refrigerant path 31 connected to the refrigerant inlet portion 51 and a refrigerant path 32 connected to the refrigerant outlet portion 52. As described above, the heat transfer portion 22 is a path through which the cooling medium flows, and is arranged inside the casing 41, but is omitted in FIG. 2.

The separation filter 42 separates non-condensable gas from the refrigerant gas inside the casing 41. In the first embodiment, the separation filter 42 is disposed inside the casing 41. The separation filter 42 has a rectangular first filter 42a and a substantially semicircular second filter 42b. The first filter 42a and the second filter 42b are connected so as to be perpendicular to each other to form an L-shape. The periphery of the first filter 42a is fixed to the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion 41a and the end portion 41b of the casing 41, and the periphery of the second filter 42b is fixed to the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion 41a of the casing 41. Therefore, the casing 41 is partitioned into a refrigerant introduction space portion R1 and a refrigerant separation space portion R2 by disposing the separation filter 42 inside. The refrigerant introduction space portion R1 communicates with the refrigerant path 31 through the refrigerant inlet portion 51 and communicates with the refrigerant path 32 through the refrigerant outlet portion 52. On the other hand, the refrigerant separation space R2 is connected to a discharge path 53, one end of which is connected to the end 41b of the casing 41. The other end of the discharge path 53 is open to the atmosphere.

The separation filter 42 is a nanoporous separation membrane. The nanoporous separation membrane controls the pore size on a nanoscale according to the molecular size of the noncondensable gas to be separated, and allows only the noncondensable gas to pass through, so that the noncondensable gas can be selectively separated from the refrigerant gas. Examples of materials for nanoporous separation membranes with such functions include, but are not limited to, organic polymer-based aromatic polyimides, fluorine-based polymers, and silica-based and zeolite-based ceramics.

<Refrigeration cycle of refrigerator>
In the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 10, as shown in Fig. 1, the compressor 11 compresses the refrigerant gas from the evaporator 14 to produce a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas (compression stroke). The condenser 12 condenses the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas to produce a refrigerant liquid (condensation stroke). The expansion valve 13 reduces the pressure of the condensed refrigerant liquid and expands it to produce a low-pressure refrigerant liquid (expansion stroke). The evaporator 14 evaporates the refrigerant liquid to produce a refrigerant gas (evaporation stroke), and the refrigerant gas is supplied to the compressor 11.

When using a low-pressure refrigerant (e.g., R1233zd(E)) as the refrigerant, negative pressure occurs in the evaporator 14, and there is a risk of non-condensable gas (air) being mixed into the refrigerant. The condenser 12 is a heat exchanger that condenses high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas, and if non-condensable gas is mixed into the refrigerant gas, the heat transfer performance decreases. Therefore, the condenser 12 separates the non-condensable gas mixed into the refrigerant gas and discharges it to the outside.

2, the refrigerant gas containing non-condensable gas is introduced from the refrigerant path 31 into the refrigerant introduction space R1 of the casing 41 through the refrigerant inlet 51. Here, the refrigerant introduction space R1 is at a higher pressure than the atmospheric pressure outside the casing 41 because the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 11 is introduced into it. On the other hand, the refrigerant separation space R2 is at a lower pressure than the refrigerant introduction space R1 because it is connected to the outside (atmosphere) through the discharge path 53. In addition, the molecules of the non-condensable gas (air) 111 are smaller than the molecules of the refrigerant gas. Therefore, of the refrigerant gas containing non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1, only the non-condensable gas flows through the separation filter 42 to the refrigerant separation space R2. In other words, the separation filter 42 separates the non-condensable gas from the refrigerant gas. Then, the refrigerant gas is condensed into a refrigerant liquid inside the condenser 12, and then discharged from the refrigerant introduction space R1 through the refrigerant outlet 52 to the refrigerant path 32. Meanwhile, non-condensable gas is discharged from the refrigerant separation space R2 through the discharge path 53 to the outside.

[Second embodiment]
3 is a schematic diagram showing a condenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same reference numerals are used to designate members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the condenser 12A includes a casing 41, a heat transfer section 22 (see FIG. 1), and a separation filter 61. The casing 41 and the heat transfer section 22 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The separation filter 61 separates non-condensable gas from the refrigerant gas inside the casing 41. In the second embodiment, the separation filter 61 is disposed outside the casing 41. The separation filter 61 has a filter casing 62 and a filter body 63. The filter casing 62 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and the filter body 63 is attached inside. The filter casing 62 is partitioned into a refrigerant introduction space portion R1 and a refrigerant separation space portion R2 by disposing the filter body 63 inside. The separation filter 61 has one end connected to the casing 41 by a connecting path 64, and an opening/closing valve 65 is provided on the connecting path 64. In addition, the separation filter 61 has one end connected to a discharge path 66, and the other end of the discharge path 66 is opened to the atmosphere. The refrigerant introduction space portion R1 is connected to the inside of the casing 41 via the connecting path 64. On the other hand, the refrigerant separation space portion R2 is opened to the atmosphere via the discharge path 66. The filter body 63 of the separation filter 61 is a nanoporous separation membrane.

Therefore, the refrigerant gas containing the non-condensable gas is introduced into the inside of the casing 41 from the refrigerant path 31 through the refrigerant inlet portion 51. Then, when the opening and closing valve 65 is opened, the refrigerant gas containing the non-condensable gas in the casing 41 is introduced into the refrigerant introduction space portion R1 of the separation filter 61 through the connection path 64. Here, since the inside of the casing 41 is under high pressure, only the non-condensable gas flows through the filter body 63 into the refrigerant separation space portion R2 of the refrigerant gas containing the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space portion R1. That is, the non-condensable gas is separated from the refrigerant gas by the separation filter 61. Then, the refrigerant gas condenses inside the casing 41 to become a refrigerant liquid, and is discharged to the refrigerant path 32 through the refrigerant outlet portion 52. On the other hand, the non-condensable gas is discharged from the refrigerant separation space portion R2 to the outside through the discharge path 66.

[Third embodiment]
4 is a schematic diagram showing a condenser according to a third embodiment. Note that members having the same functions as those in the second embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the condenser 12B includes a casing 41, a heat transfer section 22 (see FIG. 1), and a separation filter 71. The casing 41 and the heat transfer section 22 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The separation filter 71 separates non-condensable gas from the refrigerant gas inside the casing 41. In the third embodiment, the separation filter 71 is disposed inside the casing 41. The separation filter 71 has a hollow shape. The casing 41 is partitioned into a refrigerant introduction space portion R1 and a refrigerant separation space portion (storage portion) R2 by disposing the separation filter 71 inside. One end of the discharge path 72 is connected to the separation filter 71. The discharge path 72 passes through the end portion 41b of the casing 41, one end is connected to the separation filter 71, and the other end is open to the atmosphere. The discharge path 72 is provided with an opening/closing valve 73. The refrigerant introduction space portion R1 is connected to a refrigerant inlet portion and a refrigerant outlet portion, not shown. On the other hand, the refrigerant separation space portion R2 is opened to the atmosphere through the discharge path 72. The separation filter 71 is a nanoporous separation membrane.

Also provided is a pressure measuring unit 74 that measures the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2. The pressure measuring unit 74 is provided in the discharge path 72 and measures the pressure of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 via the internal flow path of the discharge path 72. A control device 75 is provided that controls the opening and closing of the on-off valve 73 in accordance with the pressure measured by the pressure measuring unit 74. The control device 75 opens the on-off valve 73 when the pressure measured by the pressure measuring unit 74 becomes equal to or higher than a preset upper limit pressure.

Therefore, the refrigerant gas containing non-condensable gas is introduced into the inside of the casing 41 from the refrigerant inlet. Here, because the inside of the casing 41 is under high pressure, only the non-condensable gas flows from the refrigerant introduction space R1 into the refrigerant separation space R2 through the separation filter 71. In other words, the non-condensable gas is separated from the refrigerant gas by the separation filter 71. In addition, the refrigerant gas from which the non-condensable gas has been separated condenses inside the casing 41 to become a refrigerant liquid, and is discharged into the refrigerant path 32 through the refrigerant outlet 52.

At this time, the pressure measuring unit 74 measures the pressure of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 through the internal flow path of the discharge path 72, and outputs the measurement result to the control device 75. When the pressure measured by the pressure measuring unit 74 is lower than the upper limit pressure, the control device 75 closes the on-off valve 73. Then, the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 continues to flow through the separation filter 71 to the refrigerant separation space R2, and the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 increases. Then, when the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 measured by the pressure measuring unit 74 becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit pressure, the control device 75 opens the on-off valve 73. Then, the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 is discharged to the outside through the discharge path 72. Then, when the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 decreases and reaches the lower limit pressure, the control device 75 closes the on-off valve 73.

[Fourth embodiment]
5 is a schematic diagram showing a condenser according to a fourth embodiment. Note that members having the same functions as those in the third embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the condenser 12C includes a casing 41, a heat transfer section 22 (see FIG. 1), and a separation filter 71. The casing 41, the heat transfer section 22, and the separation filter 71 have the same configuration as in the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The separation filter 71 separates non-condensable gas from the refrigerant gas inside the casing 41. The separation filter 71 is disposed inside the casing 41, dividing the casing 41 into a refrigerant introduction space R1 and a refrigerant separation space (storage space) R2. The discharge path 72 passes through the end 41b of the casing 41, with one end connected to the separation filter 71 and the other end open to the atmosphere. The discharge path 72 is provided with an opening/closing valve 73.

In addition, a concentration measuring unit is provided that measures the concentration of non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1. The concentration measuring unit has a temperature measuring unit 76 and a pressure measuring unit 77. The temperature measuring unit 76 measures the temperature of the refrigerant introduction space R1, i.e., the temperature of the refrigerant gas containing non-condensable gas introduced into the inside of the casing 41. The pressure measuring unit 77 measures the pressure of the refrigerant introduction space R1, i.e., the pressure of the refrigerant gas containing non-condensable gas introduced into the inside of the casing 41. A control device 75 is provided that controls the opening and closing of the on-off valve 73 in accordance with the temperature and pressure measured by the temperature measuring unit 76 and the pressure measuring unit 77.

That is, the control device 75 calculates the saturation temperature by converting the pressure of the refrigerant introduction space R1 measured by the pressure measuring unit 77, and determines the concentration of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 based on the deviation between the calculated saturation temperature and the temperature of the refrigerant introduction space R1 measured by the temperature measuring unit 76. The control device 75 opens the on-off valve 73 when the deviation between the saturation temperature and the temperature in the refrigerant introduction space R1 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, that is, when the concentration of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit concentration.

Therefore, the refrigerant gas containing non-condensable gas is introduced into the inside of the casing 41 from the refrigerant inlet. Here, because the inside of the casing 41 is under high pressure, only the non-condensable gas flows from the refrigerant introduction space R1 into the refrigerant separation space R2 through the separation filter 71. In other words, the non-condensable gas is separated from the refrigerant gas by the separation filter 71. In addition, the refrigerant gas from which the non-condensable gas has been separated condenses inside the casing 41 to become a refrigerant liquid, and is discharged into the refrigerant path 32 through the refrigerant outlet 52.

At this time, the temperature measuring unit 76 measures the temperature of the refrigerant introduction space R1, and the pressure measuring unit 77 measures the pressure of the refrigerant introduction space R1, and outputs the measurement results to the control device 75. The control device 75 calculates the saturation temperature based on the pressure measured by the pressure measuring unit 77, and obtains the concentration of the non-condensable gas based on the deviation between the calculated saturation temperature and the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit 76. When the concentration of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 is lower than the upper limit concentration, the control device 75 closes the on-off valve 73. Then, the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 continues to flow through the separation filter 71 to the refrigerant separation space R2, and the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 increases. When the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 increases, it becomes difficult for the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 to flow through the separation filter 71 to the refrigerant separation space R2, and the concentration of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 increases. When the concentration of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit concentration, the control device 75 opens the on-off valve 73. Then, the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 is discharged to the outside through the discharge path 72. When the concentration of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 decreases and reaches the lower limit concentration, the control device 75 closes the on-off valve 73.

[Fifth embodiment]
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a condenser of the fifth embodiment, and Fig. 7 is a time chart showing the operation control of the condenser. Note that members having the same functions as those in the third embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the condenser 12D includes a casing 41, a heat transfer section 22 (see FIG. 1), and a separation filter 71. The casing 41, the heat transfer section 22, and the separation filter 71 have the same configuration as in the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The separation filter 71 separates non-condensable gas from the refrigerant gas inside the casing 41. The separation filter 71 is disposed inside the casing 41, dividing the casing 41 into a refrigerant introduction space R1 and a refrigerant separation space (storage space) R2. The discharge path 72 passes through the end 41b of the casing 41, with one end connected to the separation filter 71 and the other end open to the atmosphere. The discharge path 72 is provided with an on-off valve 73, an exhaust pump 81, and an on-off valve 82. The on-off valve 73, the exhaust pump 81, and the on-off valve 82 are disposed in this order along the discharge direction of the non-condensable gas in the discharge path 72 (leftward in FIG. 6).

Further, a pressure measuring unit 74 is provided for measuring the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2. The pressure measuring unit 74 is provided in the discharge path 72 and measures the pressure of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 via the internal flow path of the discharge path 72. A control device 75 is provided for controlling the opening and closing of the on-off valve 73 and the on-off valve 82 in accordance with the pressure measured by the pressure measuring unit 74, and for controlling the drive of the exhaust pump 81. The control device 75 opens and closes the on-off valve 73 and the on-off valve 82 and drives the exhaust pump 81 when the pressure measured by the pressure measuring unit 74 becomes equal to or higher than a preset upper limit pressure.

Therefore, the refrigerant gas containing non-condensable gas is introduced into the inside of the casing 41 from the refrigerant inlet. Here, because the inside of the casing 41 is under high pressure, only the non-condensable gas flows from the refrigerant introduction space R1 into the refrigerant separation space R2 through the separation filter 71. In other words, the non-condensable gas is separated from the refrigerant gas by the separation filter 71. In addition, the refrigerant gas from which the non-condensable gas has been separated condenses inside the casing 41 to become a refrigerant liquid, and is discharged into the refrigerant path 32 through the refrigerant outlet 52.

At this time, the pressure measuring unit 74 measures the pressure of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 through the internal flow path of the discharge path 72, and outputs the measurement result to the control device 75. When the pressure measured by the pressure measuring unit 74 is lower than the upper limit pressure, the control device 75 closes the on-off valve 73 and the on-off valve 82 and stops driving the exhaust pump 81. Then, the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 continues to flow through the separation filter 71 to the refrigerant separation space R2, and the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 increases. Then, when the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 measured by the pressure measuring unit 74 becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit pressure, the control device 75 opens the on-off valve 73 and the on-off valve 82 and drives the exhaust pump 81. Then, the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 is discharged to the outside through the discharge path 72. Then, the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 drops and reaches the lower limit pressure. The control device 75 closes the on-off valve 73 and the on-off valve 82 and stops the operation of the exhaust pump 81.

That is, as shown in Fig. 7, when the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 measured by the pressure measuring unit 74 becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit pressure P1 at time t1, the control unit 75 opens the on-off valve 73 and the on-off valve 82 and drives the exhaust pump 81. Then, the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust path 72, and the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 decreases. When the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 measured by the pressure measuring unit 74 reaches the lower limit pressure P2 at time t2, the control unit 75 closes the on-off valve 73 and the on-off valve 82 and stops driving the exhaust pump 81. Similarly, when the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit pressure P1 at time t3, the control unit 75 opens the on-off valve 73 and the on-off valve 82 and drives the exhaust pump 81. Then, the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust path 72, and the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 decreases. At time t4, when the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 reaches the lower limit pressure P2, the control device 75 closes the on-off valve 73 and the on-off valve 82 and stops the operation of the exhaust pump 81. Here, periods T1 and T3 are periods during which the non-condensable gas is discharged, and period T2 is a period during which the non-condensable gas remains.

In the fifth embodiment, the control device 75 controls the opening and closing of the on-off valve 73 and the on-off valve 82 and the drive of the exhaust pump 81 based on the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 measured by the pressure measuring unit 74, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, as in the fourth embodiment, the control device 75 may control the opening and closing of the on-off valve 73 and the on-off valve 82 and the drive of the exhaust pump 81 based on the concentration of non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 measured by the concentration measuring unit .

Sixth Embodiment
8 is a schematic diagram showing a condenser according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Note that members having the same functions as those in the third embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the condenser 12E includes a casing 41, a heat transfer section 22 (see FIG. 1), and a separation filter 71. The casing 41, the heat transfer section 22, and the separation filter 71 have the same configuration as in the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The separation filter 71 separates non-condensable gas from the refrigerant gas inside the casing 41. The separation filter 71 is placed inside the casing 41, dividing the casing 41 into a refrigerant introduction space R1 and a refrigerant separation space (storage space) R2. The discharge path 72 passes through the end 41b of the casing 41, one end of which is connected to the separation filter 71, and the other end of which is provided with a safety valve 91. The safety valve 91 opens when the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 reaches or exceeds a preset upper limit pressure.

The safety valve 91 has a cylinder portion 92, a piston 93, and a compression spring 94. The cylinder portion 92 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The other end of the exhaust path 72 is connected to one end of the cylinder portion 92 in the longitudinal direction, and an opening 95 to the atmosphere is formed at the other end. A ring-shaped stopper portion 96 is fixed to the cylinder portion 92 in the middle part in the longitudinal direction. The piston 93 is supported inside the cylinder portion 92 between the opening 95 and the stopper portion 96 so as to be freely movable in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder portion 92. The compression spring 94 is disposed inside the cylinder portion 92 between the end on the opening 95 side and the piston 93. The compression spring 94 applies a biasing force in the direction in which the piston 93 abuts against the stopper portion 96. The inside of the cylinder portion 92 is divided into a first space R11 and a second space R12 by the piston 93 and the stopper portion 96.

Therefore, the refrigerant gas containing non-condensable gas is introduced into the inside of the casing 41 from the refrigerant inlet. Here, because the inside of the casing 41 is under high pressure, only the non-condensable gas flows from the refrigerant introduction space R1 into the refrigerant separation space R2 through the separation filter 71. In other words, the non-condensable gas is separated from the refrigerant gas by the separation filter 71. In addition, the refrigerant gas from which the non-condensable gas has been separated condenses inside the casing 41 to become a refrigerant liquid, and is discharged into the refrigerant path 32 through the refrigerant outlet 52.

At this time, the pressure of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 acts on the first space R11 through the exhaust path 72, pressing the piston 93 against the biasing force of the compression spring 94. However, if the pressure of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 is lower than the upper limit pressure, the piston 93 abuts against the stopper portion 96, and the first space R11 and the second space R12 do not communicate with each other. Then, the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant introduction space R1 continues to flow through the separation filter 71 into the refrigerant separation space R2, and the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 rises. Then, when the pressure of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 exceeds the upper limit pressure, the pressing force of the piston 93 becomes greater than the biasing force of the compression spring 94, and the piston 93 moves to communicate the first space R11 with the second space R12. Then, the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 is discharged from the discharge path 72 through the first space R11 and the second space R12 of the piston 93 to the outside through the opening 95. Then, when the pressure in the refrigerant separation space R2 decreases, the pressure of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2 becomes lower than the upper limit pressure, the pressing force of the piston 93 becomes smaller than the biasing force of the compression spring 94, the piston 93 abuts against the stopper portion 96, and the communication between the first space R11 and the second space R12 is blocked.

[Effects of this embodiment]
The condenser comprises a casing 41 having a refrigerant inlet portion 51 and a refrigerant outlet portion 52, a heat transfer portion 22 that condenses the refrigerant gas inside the casing 41, and separation filters 42, 61, 71 that separate non-condensed gas from the refrigerant gas inside the casing 41.

The condenser according to the first aspect has a separation filter 42 disposed inside a casing 41 into which refrigerant gas containing non-condensable gas is introduced, so that the non-condensable gas contained in the refrigerant gas is separated through the separation filter 42. Therefore, a device for extracting and cooling the refrigerant gas from the condenser is not required separately from the condenser, which makes it possible to suppress the increase in size and cost of the device. In addition, because only the non-condensable gas is separated and discharged from the refrigerant gas, the refrigerant gas is not discharged, and the performance of separating the non-condensable gas from the refrigerant can be improved.

In the condenser according to the first aspect, the separation filter 42 is disposed inside the casing 41. This eliminates the need to place a separate device outside the casing 41, simplifying the device.

In the condenser according to the second aspect, the separation filter 61 is disposed outside the casing 41, and a connection path 64 is provided between the casing 41 and the separation filter 61. This eliminates the need to place a separate device inside the casing 41, and allows for simplification of the casing 41 and the heat transfer section 22.

The condenser according to the third aspect includes a refrigerant separation space portion (storage portion) R2 that stores non-condensable gas separated from the refrigerant gas by the separation filter 71, a discharge path 72 that discharges the non-condensable gas stored in the refrigerant separation space portion R2, an on-off valve 73 provided in the discharge path 72, a pressure measuring portion 74 that measures the pressure in the refrigerant separation space portion R2, and a control device 75 that opens the on-off valve 73 when the pressure measured by the pressure measuring portion 74 becomes equal to or higher than a preset upper limit pressure. This makes it possible to efficiently discharge the non-condensable gas separated from the refrigerant gas into the refrigerant separation space portion R2 by the separation filter 71.

The condenser according to the fourth aspect has a refrigerant separation space (storage section) R2 that stores non-condensable gas separated from the refrigerant gas by the separation filter 71, a discharge path 72 that discharges the non-condensable gas stored in the refrigerant separation space R2, an on-off valve 73 provided in the discharge path 72, a temperature measurement section 76 and a pressure measurement section 77 as concentration measurement sections that measure the concentration of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2, and a control device 75 that opens the on-off valve 73 when the concentration measured by the concentration measurement section becomes equal to or higher than a preset upper limit concentration. This makes it possible to efficiently discharge the non-condensable gas separated from the refrigerant gas into the refrigerant separation space R2 by the separation filter 71.

The condenser according to the fifth aspect includes a refrigerant separation space (storage section) R2 that stores non-condensable gas separated from the refrigerant gas by the separation filter 71, a discharge path 72 that discharges the non-condensable gas stored in the refrigerant separation space R2, an exhaust pump 81 provided in the discharge path 72, a pressure measuring section 74 that measures the pressure of the non-condensable gas in the refrigerant separation space R2, and a control device 75 that drives the exhaust pump 81 when the pressure measured by the pressure measuring section 74 reaches or exceeds a preset upper limit pressure. This allows the non-condensable gas separated from the refrigerant gas by the separation filter 71 into the refrigerant separation space R2 to be actively and efficiently discharged by the exhaust pump 81.

The condenser according to the sixth aspect has a refrigerant separation space portion (storage portion) R2 that stores the non-condensable gas separated from the refrigerant gas by the separation filter 71, a discharge path 72 that discharges the non-condensable gas stored in the refrigerant separation space portion R2, and a safety valve 91 that is provided in the discharge path 72 and opens when the pressure in the refrigerant separation space portion R2 reaches or exceeds a preset upper limit pressure. This allows the non-condensable gas separated from the refrigerant gas into the refrigerant separation space portion R2 by the separation filter 71 to be efficiently discharged with a simple configuration.

The refrigerator includes a compressor 11 that compresses the refrigerant, a condenser 12 that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 11, an expansion valve (expander) 13 that expands the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 12, and an evaporator 14 that evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 13. This makes it possible to prevent the condenser 12 from becoming too large and expensive, and also improves the performance of separating non-condensable gas from the refrigerant.

In the above-described embodiment, the refrigerator 10 is configured with a compressor 11, condensers 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E, an expansion valve 13, and an evaporator 14, but is not limited to this configuration.

REFRIGERATION MACHINE 11 COMPRESSOR 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E CONDENSATOR 13 EXPANSION VALVE 14 EVAPORATOR 21 ELECTRIC MOTOR 22 HEAT TRANSFER SECTION 31, 32, 33, 34 REFRIGERANTE PATH 41 CASING 41a OUTER CYLINDER 41b, 41c END 42, 61, 71 SEPARATION FILTER 42a FIRST FILTER 42b SECOND FILTER 51 REFRIGERANTE INLET 52 REFRIGERANTE INLET 53, 66, 72 DISC PATH 62 FILTER CASING 63 FILTER BODY 64 CONNECTION PATH 65, 73, 82 ON/OFF VALVE 74, 77 PRESSURE MEASURING SECTION
75 Control device 76 Temperature measurement unit
Reference Signs List 81 Exhaust pump 91 Safety valve 92 Cylinder portion 93 Piston 94 Compression spring 95 Opening 96 Stopper portion R1 Refrigerant introduction space portion R2 Refrigerant separation space portion R11 First space R12 Second space

Claims (5)

a casing having a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet;
A heat transfer section that condenses a refrigerant inside the casing;
a separation filter that separates non-condensable gas from the refrigerant inside the casing;
Equipped with
the non-condensable gas separating unit separates the non-condensable gas from the refrigerant by the separation filter; a discharge path for discharging the non-condensable gas stored in the storage unit; an on-off valve provided in the discharge path; a concentration measuring unit for measuring a concentration of the non-condensable gas in the storage unit; and a control device for opening the on-off valve when the concentration measured by the concentration measuring unit becomes equal to or higher than a preset upper limit concentration.
Condenser. a casing having a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet;
A heat transfer section that condenses a refrigerant inside the casing;
a separation filter that separates non-condensable gas from the refrigerant inside the casing;
Equipped with
the non-condensable gas separated from the refrigerant by the separation filter; a discharge path for discharging the non-condensable gas stored in the storage portion; a discharge pump provided in the discharge path; a measuring portion for measuring a pressure or a concentration of the non-condensable gas in the storage portion; and a control device for operating the discharge pump when the pressure or the concentration measured by the measuring portion reaches or exceeds a preset upper limit pressure or upper limit concentration.
Condenser. The separation filter is disposed inside the casing.
The condenser according to claim 1 or 2 . The separation filter is disposed outside the casing, and a communication path is provided between the casing and the separation filter.
The condenser according to claim 1 or 2 . A compressor that compresses a refrigerant;
A condenser according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , which condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor;
an expander that expands the refrigerant condensed by the condenser;
an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expander;
A refrigerator equipped with

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