WO2008049940A1 - Compact, automated unit for discharging and recharging gases of an installation - Google Patents

Abstract

Compact, automated unit for discharging and recharging gases of an installation which consists of a single framework structure (1) formed by at least individual lateral casings (1a), there being between same: a) a lower level, which is a support for scales (2) for a gas-recharge cylinder (3); b) an intermediate level, which is a support for a plurality of regulation components for a discharge circuit (C1) with an exterior intake (8) towards a vacuum pump (8a) and a gas-recharge circuit (C2) with an outer connection (11) towards the gas-recharge cylinder (3), and there being a communication (U) between the two discharge (C1) and recharge (C2) circuits that communicates with the installation (7a) via a single exterior connection (7b); c) an upper level, with a display (61) for pre-selecting the discharge and charge values and for displaying errors during work, which is associated with programmable CPU (6).

Description

 "COMPACT AND AUTOMATED UNIT, FOR VACUUM AND GAS RECHARGING OF AN INSTALLATION"

D E S C R I P C I Ó N

The object of the invention is a compact and automated unit for vacuuming and refueling of an installation.

Gas draining is necessary, and prior step, for example to clean cooling systems. Regardless of its specific use, the refilling of gases is necessary, as a final step, after performing the maintenance of this type of facilities.

Discharge and fill assemblies for refrigeration systems are known and described in, for example, US Patents US5715692 and EP1 197712.

Unresolved problems in known gas discharge and recharge assemblies lie precisely in that they are assemblies and not compact units, which implies the handling of the components separately, with the consequent multiplication of connections and wiring, which have to be coupled "in situ" and the commissioning of these components also separately and with a fully autonomous operation between them.

The unit object of the invention overcomes these limitations and problems because it is of compact structuring and automated operation; Which significantly reduces both the components (avoiding duplication or multiplicity) and the wiring and the conduits between them. The compact unit object of the invention is presented as an authentic portable machine with fixed and internal connections between components, with the particularity that a single conduction, depending on the phase or the moment, acts as discharge conduction, vacuum conduction or conduction of gas refill

Its structuring allows you to easily work with any type of refrigerant gas, in the simplest way.

To better understand the object of the present invention, a preferred form of practical embodiment is shown in the drawings, susceptible to accessory changes that do not distort its foundation.

Figure 1 represents a general scheme of the compact and automated unit, for vacuum and refill of gases object of the invention, with its basic components and its inter-relation between them.

Figure 2 represents a general perspective view of the compact unit object of the invention.

Figure 3 represents a front view corresponding to Figure 2.

Figure 4 represents a section, according to indication B: B of Figure 3.

Figure 4 represents a section, according to indication F: F of

Figure 3.

An example of practical, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention is described below. The object of the invention is a compact and automated unit for vacuuming and refueling of an installation which, according to the embodiment represented, consists of a single frame structure (1) composed of at least two lateral housings (1 a); including a lower level, an intermediate level and a higher level.

The lower level consists of a lower plate (1 b) constituted in support of a removable scale (2) for a gas refill bottle (3).

The intermediate level consists of an intermediate plate (1 c) constituted in support of a plurality of control components of

- a circuit for vacuum (Ci) with an external socket (8) towards a vacuum pump (8a);

- a gas recharge circuit (C2) with an external connection (1 1) to the gas refill bottle (3), and providing a communication (U) between both circuits for vacuum (Ci) and recharge (C2) that It communicates with the installation (7a) by a single external connection (7b).

These regulation and control components are at least:

- a plurality of solenoid valves (4a), (4b), (4c), all of them unidirectional anti-return

- a pressure switch (4d), and

- a vacuestato (4e). Said regulation and control components (4) are connected to each other and involve, at least:

- The external connection (1 1), through which gas is accessed from a gas bottle (3); being this unidirectional conduction of entry by action of the solenoid valve (4a)

- The external outlet (8) with a vacuum pump (8a), this unidirectional output line being operated by the solenoid valve (4c)

- the only external connection (7b) to the installation (7a) to be unloaded or recharged; this bidirectional connection being: it acts as an inlet conduit to perform the discharge and the vacuum when the solenoid valves (4b), (4c) are open and acts as an outgoing conduit to perform the gas recharge when, at least, the solenoid valve (4b ) is closed

- a direct connection (1 2) between said CPU (6) and said scale (2)

- an auxiliary socket (10) that is used, for example, to connect the vacuum pump (8a) indirectly to the power supply network; so that with a single power supply (9) other connections are possible through auxiliary sockets (1 0).

Particularly, the lower plate (1 b) is constituted in support of the scale (2) which is removable to place in it the gas refill bottle (3). In transport or "non-use" position, the scale (2) is housed in the unit, retained by a front clip (C) -see figures 2 and 3-. On the upper level, a display (61) is available to preset the vacuum and load values, and to display errors during work; said display (61) being associated with a programmable CPU (6) that controls the elements of the unit and on them, between both lateral housings (1 a) there is an upper crossbar (1 d), constituted in a carrying handle.

Through said programmable CPU (6), both the work phases and one or several weights in the scale (2) can also be programmed, so that, due to weight differences, it is possible to pre-determine exactly the amount of gas to be used in the recharge of the installation.

Claims

1 .- Compact and automated unit for vacuuming and refueling of an installation, characterized in that it consists of a single frame-structure (1) composed of at least two lateral housings (1 a), including: a) a lower level consisting of a lower plate (1 b) constituted in support of a scale (2) for a gas refill bottle (3); b) an intermediate level consisting of an intermediate plate (1 c), constituted in support of a plurality of regulating components of bi) a vacuum circuit (Ci) with an external socket (8) towards a vacuum pump (8a); b2) a gas recharge circuit (C2) with an external connection (1 1) to the gas refill bottle (3), and providing a communication (U) between both circuits for vacuum (Ci) and recharge (C2) that communicates with the installation (7a) by a single external connection (7b); c) a higher level in which a display (61) is available frontally to preselect the vacuum and load values, and to display errors during work, associated with d) a programmable CPU (6) that controls the elements of the unit. 2. Compact and automated unit for vacuuming and refueling of an installation, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said regulation and control components are at least one pressure switch (4d), a vacuestate (4e) and several solenoid valves (4a ), (4b), (4c); the pressure switch (4d) being arranged in a multifunctional line (7); the vacuestato (4e) in the outer socket (8) between two solenoid valves (4b), (4c); and the solenoid valves one (4a) in the external connection (1 1), another (4c) in the external socket (8) and the other (4b) between the pressure switch (4d) and the vacuestate (4e); and each of these direct connection elements being provided to the control CPU (6). 3.- Compact and automated unit, for vacuuming and refueling of an installation, according to previous claims, characterized in that in said lateral housings (1 a) of the frame structure (1) an upper crossbar (1 d) is provided constituted in a handle to transport the compact unit. 4. Compact and automated unit for vacuuming and refueling of an installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the valves (4a), (4b), (4c) are unidirectional anti-return. 5.- Compact and automated unit, for vacuum and gas refilling of an installation, according to previous claims, characterized in that the vacuum pump (8) is of double effect.