阅读说明：本技术 集成维护制冷剂泵 (Integrated maintenance refrigerant pump ) 是由 M·D·布赖恩特 李熙华 A·熊 于 2018-05-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供一种冷却器系统,且其包括冷却器、润滑组件和控制器。冷却器包括彼此流体连通的压缩机、冷凝器、膨胀组件和蒸发器。润滑组件能够操作地耦合到压缩机、冷凝器和蒸发器,并且形成为经由三通阀限定第一至第三通路,并且形成为限定第四通路。第一通路配置为泵送制冷剂通过冷却器,第二通路配置为将制冷剂预存储在冷却器中,第三通路配置为从冷却器移除制冷剂,并且第四通路配置为将制冷剂充入冷却器中。控制器配置为控制润滑组件,以选择性地接合第一至第四通路中的一个。(A chiller system is provided and includes a chiller, a lubrication assembly, and a controller. The chiller includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion assembly, and an evaporator in fluid communication with each other. The lubrication assembly is operatively coupled to the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator, and is formed to define first to third passages via a three-way valve, and is formed to define a fourth passage. The first passage is configured to pump refrigerant through the cooler, the second passage is configured to pre-store refrigerant in the cooler, the third passage is configured to remove refrigerant from the cooler, and the fourth passage is configured to charge refrigerant into the cooler. The controller is configured to control the lubrication assembly to selectively engage one of the first through fourth passages.)

1. A chiller system comprising:

a chiller including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion assembly, and an evaporator in fluid communication with one another;

a lubrication assembly operably coupled to the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator, the lubrication assembly configured to define first through third passages via a three-way valve and configured to define a fourth passage,

the first passage is configured to pump refrigerant through the cooler, the second passage is configured to pre-store refrigerant in the cooler, the third passage is configured to remove refrigerant from the cooler, and the fourth passage is configured to charge refrigerant into the cooler; and

a controller in communication with the lubrication assembly, the controller configured to control the lubrication assembly to selectively engage one of the first through fourth passages.

2. The chiller system of claim 1, wherein the three-way valve comprises first, second, and third branches, and the lubrication assembly further comprises:

a first conduit upstream from the second branch;

a second line diverted from the third branch; and

a third line leading from the second line to the first branch.

3. The chiller system of claim 2, wherein:

the first passage is configured to pump refrigerant through the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first and third legs,

the second passage is configured to pre-store refrigerant in the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first line, the second and third branches, and the second and third lines,

the third circuit is configured to remove refrigerant from the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first branch and the first line, the second and third branches, and the second line, and

the fourth line is configured to charge refrigerant to the cooler along the first line.

4. The chiller system of claim 2, wherein the lubrication assembly further comprises a pump disposed along the third line to drive refrigerant along the first through third lines.

5. The chiller system of claim 2, wherein the lubrication assembly further comprises:

a charge port provided at an inlet to the fourth passage; and

a removing portion provided at an end of the third passage.

6. A lubrication assembly for a cooler, the lubrication assembly comprising:

a three-way valve having first, second and third branches;

a first conduit upstream from the second branch;

a second line diverted from the third branch;

a third line leading from the second line to the first branch;

a first passage through which refrigerant is pumped through the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first and third branches;

a second passage through which refrigerant is pre-stored in the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first line, the second and third branches, and the second and third lines;

a third passage through which refrigerant is removed from the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first branch and the first line, the second and third branches, and the second line, and

a fourth passage through which the refrigerant is charged into the cooler along the first line.

7. The lubrication assembly according to claim 6, wherein the three-way valve and the first through fourth passages are operable by a controller.

8. The lubrication assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a pump disposed along the third line to drive refrigerant along the first through third lines.

9. The lubrication assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a charge port provided at an inlet to the fourth passage; and

a removing portion provided at an end of the third passage.

10. A method of operating a chiller system including a chiller, a lubrication assembly, and a controller, the lubrication assembly formed to define first through third passages via a three-way valve and formed to define a fourth passage, the method comprising:

configuring the first passage to pump refrigerant through the cooler;

configuring the second passage to pre-store refrigerant in the cooler;

configuring the third passage to remove refrigerant from the cooler;

configuring the fourth passage to charge refrigerant into the cooler; and is

Operating the controller to selectively engage one of the first through fourth pathways.

11. The method of claim 11, wherein the three-way valve includes first, second, and third branches, and the lubrication assembly further comprises:

a first conduit upstream from the second branch;

a second line diverted from the third branch; and

a third line leading from the second line to the first branch.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the configuring of the first passage includes configuring the first passage to pump refrigerant through the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first and third legs,

the configuring of the second passage includes configuring the second passage to pre-store refrigerant in the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first line, the second and third branches, and the second and third lines,

the configuring of the third passage includes configuring the third passage to remove refrigerant from the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first branch and the first line, the second and third branches, and the second line, and

the configuring of the fourth passage includes configuring the fourth passage to charge refrigerant into the cooler along the first line.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the lubrication assembly further comprises a pump disposed along the third line to drive refrigerant along the first through third lines.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the lubrication assembly further comprises:

a charge port provided at an inlet to the fourth passage; and

a removing portion provided at an end of the third passage.

Background

The following description relates to chillers and, more particularly, to chillers with refrigerant handling systems having an integrated maintenance refrigerant pump.

When handling low pressure refrigerant during maintenance operations of the chiller, a refrigerant handling system is required to deliver the refrigerant into a storage location before the chiller is opened to atmospheric pressure. This is performed by a refrigerant pumping system from outside the chiller. The refrigerant pumping system pushes the refrigerant vapor into the cooler, thereby pushing the liquid refrigerant into the storage container. Such "push/pull" systems require multiple hoses and are a common practice in the industry.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a chiller system is provided that includes a chiller, a lubrication assembly, and a controller. The chiller includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion assembly, and an evaporator in fluid communication with each other. The lubrication assembly is operatively coupled to the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator, and is formed to define first to third passages via a three-way valve, and is formed to define a fourth passage. The first passage is configured to pump refrigerant through the cooler, the second passage is configured to pre-store refrigerant in the cooler, the third passage is configured to remove refrigerant from the cooler, and the fourth passage is configured to charge refrigerant into the cooler. The controller is configured to control the lubrication assembly to selectively engage one of the first through fourth passages.

According to an additional or alternative embodiment, the three-way valve comprises a first, a second and a third branch (leg), and the lubrication assembly further comprises a first line upstream from the second branch, a second line diverted from the third branch and a third line leading from the second line to the first branch.

According to additional or alternative embodiments, the first passage is configured to pump refrigerant through the cooler via a three-way valve and along the first and third legs, the second passage is configured to pre-store refrigerant in the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first line, the second and third legs, and the second and third lines, the third passage is configured to remove refrigerant from the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first leg and the first line, the second and third legs, and the second line, and the fourth passage is configured to charge refrigerant into the cooler along the first line.

According to additional or alternative embodiments, a pump is disposed along the third line to drive the refrigerant along the first through third lines.

According to an additional or alternative embodiment, the fill port is provided at an inlet to the fourth passage and the removal portion is provided at an end of the third passage.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a lubrication assembly of a cooler, and the lubrication assembly includes: a three-way valve having first, second and third branches; a first conduit upstream from the second branch; a second line diverted from the third branch; a third line leading from the second line to the first branch; a first passage through which refrigerant is pumped through the cooler via a three-way valve and along first and third branches; a second passage through which the refrigerant is previously stored in the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first line, the second and third branch lines, and the second and third lines; a third passage through which the refrigerant is removed from the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first branch and the first line, the second and third branches, and the second line; and a fourth path through which the refrigerant is charged into the cooler along the first path.

According to additional or alternative embodiments, the three-way valve and the first to fourth paths are operable by the controller.

According to additional or alternative embodiments, a pump is disposed along the third line to drive the refrigerant along the first through third lines.

According to an additional or alternative embodiment, the fill port is provided at an inlet to the fourth passage and the removal portion is provided at an end of the third passage.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a chiller system including a chiller, a lubrication assembly formed to define first through third passages via a three-way valve and formed to define a fourth passage, and a controller is provided. The method includes configuring a first passage to pump refrigerant through the cooler, configuring a second passage to pre-store refrigerant in the cooler, configuring a third passage to remove refrigerant from the cooler, configuring a fourth passage to charge refrigerant into the cooler and operating the controller to selectively engage one of the first through fourth passages.

According to an additional or alternative embodiment, the three-way valve comprises a first, a second and a third branch, and the lubrication assembly further comprises a first line upstream from the second branch, a second line diverted from the third branch and a third line leading from the second line to the first branch.

According to additional or alternative embodiments, the configuring of the first passage includes configuring the first passage to pump refrigerant through the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first and third legs, the configuring of the second passage includes configuring the second passage to pre-store refrigerant in the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first line, the second and third legs, and the second and third lines, the configuring of the third passage includes configuring the third passage to remove refrigerant from the cooler via the three-way valve and along the first leg and the first line, the second and third legs, and the second line, and the configuring of the fourth passage includes configuring the fourth passage to charge refrigerant into the cooler along the first line.

According to additional or alternative embodiments, the chiller system further comprises a pump disposed along the third line to drive the refrigerant along the first through third lines.

According to an additional or alternative embodiment, the cooler system further comprises a charge port provided at the inlet to the fourth passage and a removal portion provided at an end of the third passage.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The subject matter which is regarded as the disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a chiller system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first operating configuration of a lubrication assembly of the chiller system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second operating configuration of a lubrication assembly of the chiller system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third operating configuration of a lubrication assembly of the chiller system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth operating configuration of a lubrication assembly of the chiller system of FIG. 1; and

fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a chiller system according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

As will be described below, the integrated lubrication pump on the chiller is effectively reused in the refrigerant delivery pump used during chiller maintenance. This provides a direct pump system and allows liquid refrigerant to be pumped directly and quickly between the chiller and the storage vessel without the need for an external system. Chiller valves and controls already included in chiller systems can be used to enable such direct pumping systems during maintenance operations, which would greatly simplify and speed up the refrigerant delivery process.

Referring to fig. 1, a chiller system 10 is provided and includes a chiller 20, a lubrication assembly 30, and a controller 50. The cooler 20 includes a compressor 21, a condenser 22, an expansion assembly 23, and an evaporator 24. For example, the compressor 21 may include a motor generator element, a drive shaft 211 rotatable by the motor generator element, first and second compressor stages 212 and 213 configured to be driven by rotation of the drive shaft 211. The driving of the first and second compressor stages 212 and 213 can be used to compress the inlet refrigerant vapor received into the compressor 21 from the evaporator 24. The compressed refrigerant is then transferred as a vapor to the condenser 22, whereupon heat is removed from the vapor, causing the vapor to condense into a liquid. The liquid is then sent to an expansion assembly 23 which expands the volume of the liquid to produce a relatively low temperature and pressure liquid and vapor mixture which is delivered to an evaporator 24 where the remaining liquid is evaporated before being returned to the compressor 21.

According to an embodiment, a portion of the refrigerant of the chiller system 10 is used as a lubricant for various components of the chiller 20. These components include, but are not limited to, bearings 214 and 215 of compressor 21 that support the rotation of drive shaft 211. Thus, as will be described below, the controller 50 is capable of controlling the lubrication assembly 30 such that the chiller system 10 is capable of operating in a variety of operating configurations that support the use of refrigerant as a lubricant. These various operating configurations include, but are not limited to, compressor operation, pre-storage operation, charge removal operation, and charge operation.

For these purposes, as shown in fig. 1, the lubrication assembly 30 comprises a three-way valve 31 having a first branch 310, a second branch 311 and a third branch 312, a first line 32 fluidly disposed upstream from the second branch 311, a second line 33 diverted from the third branch 312, and a third line 34 leading from the second line 33 to the first branch 310. The lubrication assembly 30 further includes a pump 39 and a two-way valve 41. A pump 39 is operatively arranged on the third branch 312. A two-way valve 41 is operatively arranged on the third line 34. The controller 50 is operably coupled to each of the three-way valve 31, the pump 39, and the two-way valve 41.

With continuing reference to fig. 1 and with additional reference to fig. 2-5, the lubrication assembly 30 also includes or otherwise defines first-fourth passages 35-38.

The first passage 35 (see fig. 2) is engaged with the chiller system 10 performing compressor operations and is configured to pump refrigerant through the chiller 20 (i.e., from the condenser 22 to the compressor 21) via the three-way valve 31 and along the first and third legs 310 and 312. Here, the controller 50 controls the three-way valve 31 to fluidly connect the first and third branches 310 and 312, activate the pump 39 and close the two-way valve 41.

The second passage 36 (see fig. 3) is engaged with the cooler system 20 that performs the pre-storing operation, and is configured to pre-store the refrigerant in the cooler 20 (i.e., move the refrigerant from the evaporator 24 to pre-store it in the condenser 22) via the three-way valve 31 and along the first line 32, the second and third branch lines 311 and 312, and the second and third lines 33 and 34. Here, the controller 50 controls the three-way valve 31 to fluidly connect the second and third branches 311 and 312, activate the pump 39 and open the two-way valve 41.

The third passage 37 (see fig. 4) is engaged with the chiller system 10 that performs the charge removal operation, and is configured to remove refrigerant from the chiller 20 (i.e., from the condenser 22 and the evaporator 24) via the three-way valve 31 and along the first branch 310 and the first line 32, the second and third branches 311 and 312, and the second line 33. Here, the controller 50 controls the three-way valve 31 to fluidly connect the first, second and third branches 310, 311 and 312, activate the pump 39 and close the two-way valve 41.

The fourth passage 38 (see fig. 5) is engaged with the chiller system 10 performing a charging operation and is configured to charge refrigerant into the chiller 20 (i.e., into the evaporator 24) along the first line 32. Here, the controller 50 closes the three-way valve 31 to fluidly isolate the first line 32.

The lubrication assembly 30 still further comprises a charging port 43 and a removal port 44. The charge inlet 43 is provided at an inlet to the fourth passage 38 and is configured to be coupled to a passive refrigerant storage tank 430, whereby the fourth passage 38 receives refrigerant for a charge operation. A removal port 44 is provided at an end or outlet of the third passage 37 and is configured to be coupled to a passive refrigerant storage tank 440, whereby the third passage 37 is provided for removal operation.

First to fourth operating configurations of the lubrication assembly 30 will now be described with reference to fig. 2 to 5.

As shown in fig. 2, the first passage 35 is engaged with the chiller system 10 performing a compressor operation and is configured to pump refrigerant from the condenser 22 to the compressor 21 via the three-way valve 31 and along the first and third branches 310 and 312. As noted above, this is accomplished by the controller 50 controlling the three-way valve 31 to fluidly connect the first and third branches 310 and 312, activating the pump 39 and closing the two-way valve 41. Accordingly, the refrigerant received from the condenser 22 flows through the first branch passage 310 to the three-way valve 31, and flows through the three-way valve 31 to the third branch passage 312. The refrigerant is then pumped by the pump 39 to flow through the third branch 312 and is prevented from flowing through the third line 34 by closing the two-way valve 41 and may be allowed to flow into the second line 33 but prevented from escaping from the second line 33.

As shown in fig. 3, the second passage 36 is engaged with the chiller system 10 performing the pre-storage operation to rebalance the distribution of refrigerant in the chiller 20, for example at startup, and is configured to pump refrigerant from the evaporator 24 to the condenser 22 via the three-way valve 31 and along the first line 32, the second and third branches 311 and 312, and the second and third lines 33 and 34. As noted above, this is accomplished by the controller 50 controlling the three-way valve 31 to fluidly connect the second and third branches 311 and 312, activating the pump 39 and opening the two-way valve 41. Accordingly, the refrigerant received from the evaporator 24 flows through the first line 32 and the second branch 311 to the three-way valve 31, and flows through the three-way valve 31 to the third branch 312. Then, due to the opening of the two-way valve 41, the refrigerant is pumped by the pump 39 to flow from the third branch 312 to the second line 33, and from the second line 33 to the third line 34. Therefore, the refrigerant is restricted from flowing through the third branch 312 to the compressor 21 by the orifice 216 (see fig. 1), and the refrigerant can be prevented from escaping from the second line 33.

As shown in fig. 4, the third passage 37 is engaged with the chiller system 10 that performs the charge removal operation to remove low-pressure refrigerant from the chiller 20 during the maintenance operation, and is configured to pump refrigerant from the condenser 22 and the evaporator 24 via the three-way valve 31 and along the first branch 310 and the first line 32, the second and third branches 311 and 312, and the second and third lines 33 and 34. As noted above, this is accomplished by the controller 50 controlling the three-way valve 31 to fluidly connect the first, second and third branches 310, 311 and 312, activating the pump 39 and closing the two-way valve 41. Therefore, the refrigerant received from the condenser 22 flows through the first branch 310 to the three-way valve 31, while the refrigerant received from the evaporator 24 flows through the first line 32 and the second branch 311 to the three-way valve 31, and flows through the three-way valve 31 to the third branch 312. Then, due to the closing of the two-way valve 41, the refrigerant is pumped by the pump 39, flows from the third branch 312 to the second line 33, and flows to the passive refrigerant storage tank 440 through the removal port 44.

As shown in fig. 5, the fourth line 38 interfaces with the chiller system 10 performing a recharge operation to recharge refrigerant to the chiller 20 after a maintenance operation and is configured to push refrigerant into the evaporator 24 along the first line 32. As noted above, this is accomplished by the controller 50 closing the three-way valve 31 to fluidly isolate the first line 32. Therefore, the refrigerant received from the passive refrigerant storage tank 430 flows through the first line 32 to the evaporator 24 through the charge inlet 43, without passing through the second branch 311 of the three-way valve 31.

Referring to fig. 6, a method of operating the chiller system 10 as described above is provided. As shown in fig. 6, the method includes configuring the first passage 35 to pump refrigerant through the cooler 20 (block 601), configuring the second passage 36 to pre-store refrigerant in the cooler 20 (block 602), configuring the third passage 37 to remove refrigerant from the cooler 20 (block 603), configuring the fourth passage 38 to charge refrigerant into the cooler 20 (block 604), and operating the controller 50 to selectively engage one of the first through fourth passages 35-38 (block 605).

Advantages of the above-described systems and methods include the fact that the integrated pump can be configured to efficiently move liquid refrigerant into and out of the chiller, thereby enabling the chiller system as a whole to be turned on for maintenance. At the same time, pumping liquid refrigerant directly through a single hose is simpler and faster than conventional push/pull methods, and reduces the chance of contamination through multiple hose connections and venting operations typically associated with conventional push/pull methods.

While the disclosure has been presented in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiment(s) may include only some of the described exemplary aspects. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.