Indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan self-cleaning system and method

Abstract

The present application provides a self-cleaning system and method for an indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan. The system comprises: a water pan that receives water; a drain unit having a drain pipe and a drain valve, the drain valve being connected between the water outlet of the water pan and the drain pipe; a water level monitoring unit that detects the water level in the water pan; and a flushing unit comprising a nozzle and a water pump, the nozzle being disposed in the water pan and flushing the pan by outputting a water flow toward the pan; the water pump being connected to the nozzle to provide pressure for the water flow. According to embodiments of the present application, dirt in the water pan can be automatically cleaned, reducing the workload of operation and maintenance personnel. The present application may be used in the financial sector or other fields.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of artificial intelligence, and in particular to a self-cleaning system and method for an indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan. Background Art

[0002] This section is intended to provide a background or context to the embodiments of the invention that are recited in the claims. No statement herein is admitted to be prior art by virtue of its inclusion in this section.

[0003] Indirect evaporative cooling air conditioners are often used in data centers of financial institutions and other places. When combined with air conditioning distribution systems, they can bring huge energy-saving potential.

[0004] Indirect evaporative cooling air conditioners require a continuous flow of fresh air from outside, which will bring dust in the air into the air conditioner. This dust will continue to settle in the air conditioner water pan, forming dirt. This dirt needs to be cleaned regularly, otherwise it will cause the water pan drain to become clogged. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Currently, the cleaning of the water pan of the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner mostly relies on regular flushing by the operation and maintenance personnel with a water gun. However, the internal space of the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner is extremely narrow, which causes great inconvenience to the operation of the operation and maintenance personnel.

[0006] An embodiment of the present application provides a self-cleaning system and method for an indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan. In the system, a flushing portion outputs water toward the water pan to flush the water pan, thereby automatically cleaning dirt in the water pan and reducing the difficulty of work for operation and maintenance personnel.

[0007] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a self-cleaning system for a water pan of an indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner is provided, wherein the system comprises: a water pan for receiving water; a drain unit having a drain pipe and a drain valve, the drain valve being connected between a water outlet of the water pan and the drain pipe; and a water level monitoring unit for detecting the liquid level of water in the water pan;

[0008] The flushing part comprises a nozzle and a water pump. The nozzle is arranged on the water tray and flushes the water tray by outputting water flow toward the water tray. The water pump is connected to the nozzle to provide pressure for the water flow.

[0009] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a method for self-cleaning a water pan of an indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner is provided, wherein the method comprises: controlling a drain valve to open to drain water from the water pan; and

[0010] When it is detected that the water level in the water tray is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the flushing part is started to make the nozzle provided in the water tray output water flow toward the water tray to flush the water tray.

[0011] One beneficial effect of the present application is that it can automatically clean the dirt in the water tray, reducing the difficulty of the work of the operation and maintenance personnel.

[0012] With reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, specific embodiments of the present application are disclosed in detail, indicating the manner in which the principles of the present application can be employed. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited in scope. Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the embodiments of the present application include many variations, modifications and equivalents.

[0013] Features described and / or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, combined with features in other embodiments, or substituted for features in other embodiments.

[0014] It should be emphasized that the term “include / comprising” when used herein refers to the existence of a feature, an integer, an operation or a component, but does not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations or components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner of Example 1;

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan self-cleaning system of Example 1;

[0018] Figure 3 is a top view of the water pan in the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan self-cleaning system of Example 1;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a working diagram of the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan self-cleaning system of Example 1;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the change in water pressure output by the flushing unit water pump of Example 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] To make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the embodiments of the present invention are further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0022] It should be noted that the indirect evaporative cooling air-conditioning water pan self-cleaning system and method disclosed in this application can be used in the financial field, and can also be used in any field other than the financial field. The application field of the indirect evaporative cooling air-conditioning water pan self-cleaning system and method disclosed in this application is not limited.

[0023] The specific implementation of the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan self-cleaning system and method of the present application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] Embodiment 1 of the present application provides an indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan self-cleaning system.

[0026] First, through Figure 1 The structure of a conventional indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner will be described.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner. Figure 1 As shown, the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner 10 includes: a machine room hot air inlet 101, used to introduce indoor air into the interior of the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner 10; an external fresh air inlet 102, used to introduce outdoor fresh air into the interior of the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner 10; a spray device 103, an indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan 104, and a water pan drain valve 105; an indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner compressor 106; a machine room cold air inlet 107; a hot air outlet 108 after heat exchange; an exhaust fan 109; and an indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner heat exchanger 110.

[0028] The spray device 103 includes a nozzle 1031 and a water pump 1032. The water pump 1032 provides water pressure to the spray device 103, causing the nozzle 1031 to spray water mist to cool the fresh air entering from the outside. The indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan 104 recovers the water sprayed by the spray device 103. Specifically, when the external fresh air enters the air conditioner from the external fresh air inlet 102, it is first cooled by the spray device 103. Then, it passes through the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning heat exchanger 110 to exchange heat with the hot air entering the computer room from the hot air inlet 101. The hot air is converted into hot air and discharged outdoors through the hot air outlet 109. After the heat exchange, the hot air in the computer room is converted into cold air and sent back to the computer room through the cold air inlet 107.

[0029] Next, the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan self-cleaning system of Example 1 is described.

[0030] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan self-cleaning system of Example 1. Figure 2 As shown, the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan self-cleaning system 20 includes: a water pan 201 , a drainage unit 202 , a water volume monitoring unit 203 and a flushing unit 204 .

[0031] The water tray 201 receives water, for example, water sprayed from the nozzle 1031 and water sprayed from the nozzle 2041 of the flushing portion 204 .

[0032] The drain portion 202 includes a drain pipe 2021 and a drain valve 2022. The drain valve 2022 is connected between the drain port 2011 of the water tray 201 and the drain pipe 2021. For example, the water tray 201 is tilted, and the drain port 2011 of the water tray 201 is located at a lower side of the water tray 201.

[0033] The water level monitoring unit 203 detects the liquid level of water in the water tray 201 .

[0034] The flushing unit 204 includes a nozzle 2041 and a water pump 2042. The nozzle 2041 is provided at the water tray 201 and flushes the water tray 201 by outputting water toward the water tray 201. The water pump 2042 is connected to the nozzle 2041 to provide pressure for the water flow.

[0035] In Example 1, the flushing portion 204 flushes the water tray 201, thereby automatically cleaning the dirt in the water tray, thereby reducing the difficulty of the operation and maintenance personnel.

[0036] In addition, the indirect evaporative cooling air-conditioning water pan self-cleaning system of Example 1 may further include a control unit 205 , which at least controls the operation of the flushing unit 204 .

[0037] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a top view of the water pan in the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan self-cleaning system of Example 1. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, water tray 201 has nozzles 2041-1 and 2041-2 on the front and rear sides, respectively, and four nozzles 2041-3 on the left side. Water outlet 2011 and liquid level sensor 2031 are located on the right side of water tray 201. In other words, flushing unit 204 is located on at least one side of water tray 201, excluding the side with drain outlet 2011. The left side of water tray 201 can be positioned higher than the right side.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a working diagram of the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan self-cleaning system of Example 1. Figure 4 As shown, the process includes:

[0039] Operation 401: Input a command to start the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan self-cleaning system.

[0040] Operation 402: Open the drain valve.

[0041] In operation 402, the control unit 205 controls the drain valve 2022 to open to drain the water in the water pan 201. Specifically, the control unit 205 controls the drain valve 2022 to open according to a received cleaning instruction, or controls the drain valve 2022 to open at a predetermined first moment. This allows the indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan self-cleaning system 2 to be activated when necessary or at a predetermined time. That is, in operation 401, the input instruction can be a cleaning instruction input by an operator or other device, or a cleaning instruction issued by a timer at a predetermined time.

[0042] Operation 403: Monitor whether the water level in the water tray is equal to or lower than a predetermined value.

[0043] In operation 403, the water level in the water tray 201 is monitored in real time by the liquid level sensor 2031. When the water level monitoring unit 203 detects that the water level in the water tray 201 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the control unit 205 activates the flushing unit 204 to flush the water tray 201. Specifically, it is determined whether the water in the water tray has been drained. If the determination is yes, the process proceeds to operation 404 to activate the flushing unit 204. If the determination is no, the current operation 403 continues until the water in the water tray is completely drained.

[0044] Operation 404: Control the flushing unit to operate.

[0045] In operation 404, after the flushing unit 204 is activated, the control unit 205 controls the water pump 2042 to maintain the water pressure at a maximum value within a first predetermined time period. Following the first predetermined time period, within a second predetermined time period, the control unit 205 controls the water pump 2042 to gradually increase the water pressure from the first predetermined value to the maximum value, for example, increasing the water pressure in a stepwise manner. The first and second predetermined time periods are set based on actual flushing needs.

[0046] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the pressure change of the water flow output by the flushing part water pump of Example 1. Figure 5 As shown, when the flushing part 204 is just started, the pressure of the water flow output by the nozzle 2041 is at the maximum value, and the water tray 201 is flushed. At time t1, the pressure is reduced to 20% of the maximum value, and then the pressure is gradually increased from 20% of the maximum value to 100% of the maximum value. In this way, the mud and dirt scattered after the previous flushing can be collected at the drain outlet 2011 for easy discharge.

[0047] Operation 405: Close the flushing unit.

[0048] In operation 405, when the predetermined flushing time is reached, the control unit 205 controls the drain valve to close. The flushing time can be set according to actual conditions.

[0049] In addition, for Figure 2 Zhongyu Figure 1 For the description of the parts with the same reference numerals, reference can be made to Figure 1 Related instructions.

[0050] In Example 1 of the present application, the flushing portion 204 flushes the water tray 201, thereby automatically cleaning the dirt in the water tray, thereby reducing the difficulty of work for operation and maintenance personnel.

[0051] Example 2

[0052] Example 2 of the present application provides a self-cleaning method for an indirect evaporative cooling air-conditioning water pan, corresponding to the self-cleaning system for an indirect evaporative cooling air-conditioning water pan in Example 1.

[0053] In this embodiment, the self-cleaning method for the water pan of an indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner includes: controlling the opening of a drain valve to drain the water from the pan; and, when the water level in the pan is detected to be at or below a predetermined level, activating a flushing unit to direct a nozzle disposed in the pan toward the pan to flush the pan. Thus, the flushing unit automatically cleans the pan of dirt and debris, simplifying the work of operators and maintenance personnel.

[0054] In this embodiment, within a first predetermined time period after the flushing portion is activated, the water pump connected to the nozzle is controlled to maintain the pressure of the water flow at a maximum value.

[0055] In this embodiment, within a second predetermined time period after the first predetermined time period, the water pump is controlled to gradually increase the pressure of the water flow from the first predetermined value to a maximum value.

[0056] In this embodiment, when a predetermined time is reached, the flushing portion and the drain valve are closed.

[0057] In one or more embodiments of the present application, the flushing portion flushes the water tray, thereby automatically cleaning the dirt in the water tray, thereby reducing the difficulty of work for operation and maintenance personnel.

[0058] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present invention may be provided as methods or systems. Therefore, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware.

[0059] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan self-cleaning system, characterized in that: The indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan self-cleaning system includes: Water tray, which holds water; a drain portion comprising a drain pipe and a drain valve, wherein the drain valve is connected between the water outlet of the water pan and the drain pipe; a water level monitoring unit configured to detect the level of water in the water tray; A flushing unit comprising a nozzle and a water pump, wherein the nozzle is disposed on the water tray and flushes the water tray by outputting water toward the water tray, and the water pump is connected to the nozzle to provide pressure for the water flow; A control unit that at least controls the operation of the flushing unit; after starting the flushing unit, the control unit controls the water pump to maintain the pressure of the water flow at a maximum value within a first predetermined time period; within a second predetermined time period after the first predetermined time period, the control unit controls the water pump to gradually increase the pressure of the water flow from a first predetermined value to the maximum value; wherein the pressure of the water flow increases in a step-like manner.

2. The indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan self-cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the water level monitoring unit detects that the water level in the water tray is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the control unit activates the flushing unit to flush the water tray.

3. The indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan self-cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before starting the flushing unit, the control unit further controls the drain valve to open so that the water in the water tray is drained.

4. The indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan self-cleaning system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The control unit controls the drain valve to open according to the received cleaning instruction, or the control unit controls the drain valve to open at a predetermined first moment.

5. The indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan self-cleaning system according to claim 3, characterized in that: When a predetermined cleaning time is reached, the control unit controls the drain valve to close.

6. The indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning water pan self-cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flushing portion is provided on at least one side of the water tray except the side having the drain port.

7. A self-cleaning method for an indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan, characterized in that: Control the drain valve to open and drain the water in the water pan; as well as When it is detected that the water level in the water tray is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the flushing unit is activated to cause a nozzle provided on the water tray to output water toward the water tray to flush the water tray; Wherein, the method further includes: within a first predetermined time period after the flushing portion is activated, controlling a water pump connected to the nozzle to maintain the pressure of the water flow at a maximum value; In a second predetermined time period after the first predetermined time period, the water pump is controlled to gradually increase the pressure of the water flow from the first predetermined value to the maximum value; wherein the pressure of the water flow increases in a step-like manner.

8. The indirect evaporative cooling air conditioner water pan self-cleaning method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When a predetermined time is reached, the flushing portion and the drain valve are closed.

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