Refrigerant circuit assembly system and check valve opening unit

Abstract

Refrigerant circuit assembly system for assembling a refrigerant circuit comprising a plurality of elements (500) and a plurality of pipes (100), with a protective gas supply unit (1200) for providing protective gas, a unit (1000) for the material-bonded connection of elements (500) and pipes of the refrigerant circuit, wherein a check valve (500) represents an element of the refrigerant circuit, and a check valve opening unit (2000) for insertion into one end of the check valve (500) and for opening a check flap (505) of the check valve (500), so that protective gas from the protective gas supply unit (1200) can flow through the at least one pipe (100) to be connected to the check valve (500) and the check valve (500).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerant circuit assembly system and a check valve opening unit.

[0002] A refrigerant circuit, for example for a heat pump, consists of various pipes and components such as a check valve, a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, and an expansion valve. These components and pipes are connected to each other, for example, by soldering.

[0003] The elements in a refrigerant circuit may contain elements that are extremely sensitive to heat.

[0004] Document DE 20 2005 009 825 U1 describes a check valve arrangement for installation in a pipeline in which, downstream of the check valve arrangement, in particular an explosive gas mixture flows, with at least two identical check valves connected in parallel to each other.

[0005] Document DE 10 2009 010 858 A1 describes a check valve for a fluid line, with at least one housing and a valve body mounted in the housing so as to be movable in the axial direction.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerant circuit assembly system which enables effective assembly of a refrigerant circuit with temperature-sensitive elements.

[0007] This task is solved by a refrigerant circuit assembly system for assembling a refrigerant circuit comprising multiple elements and multiple pipes. The assembly system includes a protective gas supply unit for providing protective gas and a unit for the metallurgical connection of the elements and pipes of the refrigerant circuit. A check valve is one element of the refrigerant circuit. The assembly system also includes a check valve opening unit for insertion into one end of the check valve and for opening a check valve flap, allowing protective gas to flow from the protective gas supply unit through the at least one pipe to be connected to the check valve and through the check valve itself.

[0008] The invention also relates to a check valve opening unit for opening a check valve flap. The opening unit has a rod and a first end which is designed to adhere to a check valve flap, so that the check valve flap can be opened by actuating the opening unit.

[0009] The invention also relates to the use of a check valve opening unit during the installation of a check valve in a refrigerant circuit. The check valve opening unit has a first end for adhering to a check flap of the check valve. The first end of the opening unit can be inserted into an end of the check valve to open the check flap, allowing protective gas to flow through the check valve during the installation of the refrigerant circuit.

[0010] According to the invention, a refrigerant circuit comprises a plurality of pipes (e.g., copper pipes) that connect various elements (compressor, evaporator, expansion valve, condenser, etc.). During the assembly of the pipes and elements of a refrigerant circuit, a protective gas is introduced into the refrigerant circuit or the pipes or elements, according to the invention. The various pipes and elements of the refrigerant circuit are joined by a material bond, e.g., by soldering, welding, gluing, etc. To prevent oxidation or reaction of the pipes or elements of the refrigerant circuit during assembly, a protective gas is introduced or passed through the circuit, according to the invention.

[0011] According to the invention, a check valve is to be installed in a refrigerant circuit. The check valve is a very sensitive and, in particular, heat-sensitive element. Due to the function of the check valve, however, it is only possible for inert gas to flow through the check valve in one direction. According to the invention, a check valve opening unit is provided with an end that can be inserted into the check valve and open the check valve, so that inert gas can enter or pass through the check valve in both directions.

[0012] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a refrigerant circuit with a plurality of pipes and at least one check valve. A check valve opening unit is inserted from one side of the check valve and serves to open the flap or valve body of the check valve. Subsequently, protective gas is passed through the check valve, and pipes are attached to both ends of the check valve by means of a metallurgical connection (e.g., brazing, welding, gluing, etc.). The flow of protective gas through the check valve during the assembly of the refrigerant circuit pipes at both ends of the check valve prevents oxidation or reduction as well as scaling. Passing the protective gas through the check valve during the assembly of the refrigerant circuit also serves to cool the check valve during brazing or welding.

[0013] Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0014] The advantages and embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a check valve during the assembly of a refrigerant circuit according to a first embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a check valve during the assembly of a refrigerant circuit according to the first embodiment, and Fig. Figures 3A - 3D show different schematic views of a check valve during the assembly of a refrigerant circuit according to a second embodiment.

[0015] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a check valve during the assembly of a refrigerant circuit according to a first embodiment. The refrigerant circuit has a plurality of pipes which connect various elements of the refrigerant circuit (e.g., compressor, evaporator, condenser, expansion valve, check valve). In Fig. Figure 1 shows a check valve 500 with a first and second end 501, 502, and a check unit 503 consisting of a valve plate cage 504 and a valve body or check flap 505. A tube 100 is soldered to the first and second ends 501, 502 of the check valve 500, for example, using a soldering rod 1000 and solder 1100. Alternatively, the connection between the first and second ends 501, 502 of the check valve 500 and the respective tubes 100 can be made by welding or another metallurgical connection.

[0016] Fig. Figure 2 shows a check valve during the assembly of a refrigerant circuit according to the first embodiment. The check valve 500 and the pipes 100 correspond to the check valve 500 and the pipes 100 of Fig. 1. According to the first embodiment, a check valve opening unit 2000 is provided with a rod 2100 and a first end 2200. A magnet, an adhesive, a suction unit, a mechanical locking or gripping unit, etc., can be provided at the first end 2200 to secure, hold, and open the check valve. The first end 2200 serves to dock with or plug the check valve.

[0017] Thus, the opening unit 2000 is inserted, for example, into the first end 501 of the check valve 500, and the first end 2200 of the opening unit is fixed to the check valve 505, so that the check valve 505 can be opened and closed by means of the opening unit 2000. According to the invention, the opening unit 2000 is actuated to open the check valve 505. Subsequently, a shielding gas from the shielding gas supply unit 1200 can be passed through the check valve 500.

[0018] The flow of the protective gas through the pipes 100 and the check valve 500 prevents oxidation, reaction, or scaling at the connection points between the check valve and the pipes 100 during the metallurgical connection process. The flow of the protective gas through the check valve and the pipes 100 is also advantageous because it allows cooling on the inside of the pipes and the check valve during the assembly of the refrigerant circuit. According to the invention, a flow of the protective gas in both directions is possible, so that sensitive parts of the check valve can be flooded with protective gas accordingly.

[0019] Fig. Figures 3A-3D each show a schematic view of a check valve in a refrigerant circuit according to a second embodiment. The check valve and the opening unit according to the second embodiment can correspond to or be based on the check valve and opening unit according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 3A shows a check valve 500 with a first and second end 501, 502. The check valve allows flow from the second to the first end 502, 501.

[0020] In Fig. Figure 3B shows the situation where a flow from the first to the second end 501, 502 is attempted. However, due to the design of the check valve, no flow in this direction is possible.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 3C again shows the situation that allows a flow from the second to the first end 502, 501 of the check valve 500.

[0022] Fig. The 3D drawing shows a check valve into which an opening unit 2000 is inserted through the first end 501. The opening unit 2000 has a rod 2001 and a first end 2200. A magnet or an adhesive surface can be provided at the end 2200. The first end 2200 is designed to adhere to the check valve. The first end 2200 is inserted into the check valve 500 and can be used to open the check valve 505, thus allowing the flow of protective gas from the first to the second end 501, 502. This enables the flow of protective gas in both directions.

[0023] This is particularly advantageous because it ensures that a protective gas can fill the entire volume within the check valve during the assembly of the refrigerant circuit. This prevents oxidation, reaction, or scaling, as there is no oxygen within the check valve's volume, or any oxygen present is only present in a non-hazardous amount.

[0024] Furthermore, the flow of protective gas through the check valve during the assembly of the refrigerant circuit is advantageous because it allows for cooling of the check valve and its sensitive components.

[0025] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a refrigerant circuit comprising a plurality of pipes connecting elements of the refrigerant circuit. One element of the refrigerant circuit is a check valve. To assemble the check valve with at least one pipe of the refrigerant circuit, a check valve opening unit 2000 is inserted into one end of the check valve such that a first end of the opening unit comes into contact with a check flap of the check valve. The check flap is opened by means of the opening unit 2000. Inert gas is passed through the check valve and the opened check flap, while a first and / or second end of the check valve is bonded to a pipe of the refrigerant circuit.

Claims

[1] Refrigerant circuit assembly system for assembling a refrigerant circuit comprising a plurality of elements (500) and a plurality of pipes (100), with a protective gas supply unit (1200) for providing protective gas, a unit (1000) for the material-bonded connection of elements (500) and pipes of the refrigerant circuit, wherein a check valve (500) represents an element of the refrigerant circuit, and a check valve opening unit (2000) for insertion into one end of the check valve (500) and for opening a check flap (505) of the check valve (500), so that protective gas from the protective gas supply unit (1200) can flow through the at least one pipe (100) to be connected to the check valve (500) and the check valve (500). [2] Check valve opening unit for opening a check valve (505) of a check valve (500), comprising a rod (2100) and a first end (2200) which is designed to adhere to a check valve (505) of the check valve (500) so that the check valve (505) is opened by actuating the opening unit. [3] Use of a check valve opening unit (2000) during the installation of a check valve (500) in a refrigerant circuit, wherein the opening unit (200) has a first end (2200) for adhering to a check flap (505) of the check valve (500), wherein the first end (2200) of the opening unit can be inserted into one end of the check valve (500) to open the check valve (505) so that protective gas can flow through the check valve (500).

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