Cooling Tower Valve Structure, Control Method, Air Conditioner and Computer-Readable Storage Medium

Abstract

The present invention discloses a cooling tower valve structure, a control method, an air conditioner and a computer-readable storage medium, including: a main inlet pipe connected to the water inlet end and a main outlet pipe connected to the water return end, a plurality of branch pipes connected in parallel between the main inlet pipe and the main outlet pipe, cooling towers arranged on each branch pipe, and a proportional-integral valve arranged on the branch pipe of the cooling tower closest to the water inlet and return ends, and on-off valves arranged on the remaining branch pipes. In the present invention, a proportional-integral valve is arranged on the branch pipe of the cooling tower closest to the water inlet and return ends, and on-off valves are arranged on the remaining branch pipes. By adjusting one proportional-integral valve, the water flow of all cooling towers can be balanced, the cooling efficiency of the cooling tower is improved, and the energy consumption of the refrigeration system is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of waterway control, and particularly to a cooling tower valve structure, a control method, an air conditioner and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] A central air-conditioning system includes several refrigeration hosts, a cooling water circuit, several cooling water pumps connected in parallel to the cooling water circuit, cooling water branches connected in parallel to the cooling water circuit, and several cooling towers connected in parallel to the cooling water branches. A fan is provided in each cooling tower. In the traditional configuration where multiple cooling towers are connected in parallel, one cooling tower corresponds to one electric valve, and the function can only be switched on and off. When the cooling water flow rate is low, the valve remains fully open, resulting in most of the cooling water flow concentrating on the first cooling tower, and the water flow rate of the remaining cooling towers being very small. This greatly reduces the cooling efficiency of the cooling towers and increases the energy consumption of the refrigeration system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the technical problem of unbalanced water flow caused by unreasonable setting of cooling tower valves in the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention provides a cooling tower valve structure, a control method, an air conditioner and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0005] The present invention provides a cooling tower valve structure, which includes: a water inlet main pipe connected to the water inlet end and a water outlet main pipe connected to the water return end, a plurality of branch pipes connected in parallel between the water inlet main pipe and the water outlet main pipe, cooling towers provided on each branch pipe, and a proportional-integral valve provided on the branch pipe of the cooling tower closest to the water inlet and water return ends, and a switching valve provided on the remaining branch pipes.

[0006] Specifically, the switching valve is an electric valve.

[0007] Furthermore, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature on the water outlet side of the cooling tower is provided on each branch pipe.

[0008] The present invention also provides an air conditioner including the above-mentioned cooling tower valve structure.

[0009] Furthermore, the air conditioner includes: a host provided with a water inlet end and a water return end for cooling water.

[0010] The present invention also provides a control method for the above-mentioned cooling tower valve structure, which includes the steps of:

[0011] Judging whether the temperature on the water outlet side of the cooling tower closest to the water inlet and water return ends is within a preset temperature range; if so, the system control remains unchanged; if not, controlling the opening degree of the proportional-integral valve according to the magnitude of the temperature on the water outlet side.

[0012] The specific steps of controlling the opening degree of the proportional integral valve according to the temperature on the water outlet side are as follows: determining whether the temperature on the water outlet side of the cooling tower closest to the water inlet and return ends is greater than the maximum value of the preset temperature range;

[0013] If so, controlling the proportional integral valve to reduce the opening degree until the temperature on the water outlet side of the cooling tower closest to the water inlet and return ends returns within the preset temperature range;

[0014] If not, controlling the proportional integral valve to increase the opening degree until the temperature on the water outlet side of the cooling tower closest to the water inlet and return ends returns within the preset temperature range.

[0015] The maximum value of the preset temperature range is t + △t °C, and the minimum value of the preset temperature range is t - △t °C, where △t is a preset value and t is the average value of the temperatures on the water outlet sides of the other cooling towers.

[0016] The present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, and when the computer program runs, it executes the control method of the cooling tower valve structure described above.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, in the present invention, a proportional integral valve is provided on the branch pipeline of the cooling tower closest to the water inlet and return ends, and a switching valve is provided on the other branch pipelines. By adjusting one proportional integral valve, the water flow of all cooling towers can be balanced, the cooling efficiency of the cooling tower is improved, and the energy consumption of the refrigeration system is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings without creative efforts based on these drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 It is a flowchart in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0022] In the traditional configuration where multiple cooling towers are connected in parallel, each cooling tower corresponds to an electric valve, and the function is limited to on-off control. When the cooling water flow rate is low, the valve remains fully open, causing most of the cooling water flow to concentrate on the first cooling tower, while the water flow in the remaining cooling towers is very small. This significantly reduces the cooling efficiency of the cooling towers and increases the energy consumption of the refrigeration system. If all the electric valves are replaced with manual valves, manual adjustment is required frequently during the continuous change of the cooling water flow rate, which is time-consuming and laborious. In response to this, in the present invention, a proportional-integral valve is provided on the branch pipeline of the cooling tower closest to the inlet and return water ends, and on-off valves are provided on the remaining branch pipelines. By adjusting a single proportional-integral valve, the water flow in all cooling towers can be balanced, improving the cooling efficiency of the cooling towers and reducing the energy consumption of the refrigeration system.

[0023] The principle and structure of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0024] As Figure 1 shown, the present invention proposes a valve structure for a cooling tower, which specifically includes: a water inlet main pipe 11, a water outlet main pipe 12, a branch pipeline 21, and a cooling tower 2. The water inlet main pipe 11 is connected to the cooling water inlet end of the air conditioning system, and the water outlet main pipe 12 is connected to the cooling water return end of the air conditioning system. The branch pipeline 21 is connected between the water inlet main pipe 11 and the water outlet main pipe 12 at the same time, and the closer the branch pipeline 21 is to the left, the farther it is from the inlet end and the return end. Each branch pipeline 21 is provided with a cooling tower 2. The cooling water to be cooled flowing in from the water inlet main pipe 11 flows from right to left, and then is divided by each branch pipeline 21 and flows through each cooling tower 2, and then returns to the cooling water return end of the air conditioning system through the water outlet main pipe 12. Each branch pipeline 21 is provided with a valve. A proportional-integral valve is provided on the branch pipeline of the cooling tower 2 closest to the inlet and return water ends, and on-off valves are provided on the remaining branch pipelines. That is, by adjusting a single proportional-integral valve, the water flow can evenly flow through each branch pipeline.

[0025] Specifically, the above on-off valve is an electric valve, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature on the outlet side of the cooling tower is provided on each branch pipeline, which is convenient for subsequent pipeline control together.

[0026] The valves on the branch pipelines are all arranged on the inlet side of the cooling tower, and the temperature sensors on the branch pipelines are all arranged on the outlet side of the cooling tower to prevent water accumulation in the cooling tower and at the same time be able to measure the temperature on the outlet side in real time.

[0027] In a specific embodiment, a total of three cooling towers 2 are provided, arranged from left to right in sequence, and the cooling tower 2 on the far right is closest to the cooling water inlet and return ends of the air conditioning system.

[0028] In other embodiments, the number of cooling towers can also be two, four, five or more.

[0029] Each cooling tower is correspondingly equipped with a fan to dissipate heat and cool down the cooling tower. Since the heat dissipation and cooling structure of the cooling tower is not the focus of the present invention, it will not be described in detail.

[0030] The present invention also proposes an air conditioner, specifically a central air conditioner, which includes the above-mentioned cooling tower valve structure, and specifically further includes: a controller and a refrigeration host. The cooling water inlet end and the cooling water return end of the refrigeration host are respectively connected to the inlet main pipe and the outlet main pipe. The controller can control the operation of the refrigeration host, the opening and closing of each electric valve, and the opening degree of the proportional integral valve.

[0031] The present invention also proposes a control method for the cooling tower valve structure, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0032] When the system is running, it is judged whether the outlet side temperature of the cooling tower closest to the inlet and return water ends is within the preset temperature range; if so, it means that the water flow temperature is normal, and the system control remains unchanged; if not, the opening degree of the proportional integral valve is controlled according to the magnitude of the outlet side temperature.

[0033] Controlling the opening degree of the proportional integral valve according to the magnitude of the outlet side temperature specifically includes the following steps: judging whether the outlet side temperature of the cooling tower closest to the inlet and return water ends is greater than the maximum value of the preset temperature range; if so, controlling the proportional integral valve to reduce the opening degree until the outlet side temperature of the cooling tower closest to the inlet and return water ends returns to within the preset temperature range; if not, controlling the proportional integral valve to increase the opening degree until the outlet side temperature of the cooling tower closest to the inlet and return water ends returns to within the preset temperature range.

[0034] The maximum value of the preset temperature range is t + △t °C, and the minimum value of the preset temperature range is t - △t °C. △t is a preset value, and t is the average value of the outlet side temperatures of the other cooling towers. That is, as long as the outlet side temperature of the cooling tower closest to the inlet and return water ends is not within the preset range, it means that the water flow rate of this cooling tower is too high or too low at this time, and it is necessary to control the proportional integral valve to control the flow rate to make the entire cooling system operate in balance.

[0035] As Figure 1 、 2 shown, in a specific embodiment, there are three cooling towers in total, namely Cooling Tower No. 1, Cooling Tower No. 2, and Cooling Tower No. 3. There is an electric valve M1 and a temperature sensor T1 on Cooling Tower No. 1, and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor T1 is set as t1; there is an electric valve M2 and a temperature sensor T2 on Cooling Tower No. 2, and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor T2 is set as t2; there is a proportional integral valve and a temperature sensor T3 on Cooling Tower No. 3, and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor T3 is set as t3. After the cooling branch roads of the three cooling towers discharge water, they converge to the cooling main pipe and return to the cooling side of the host.

[0036] The specific control logic process of the valves of the multi-cooling tower parallel system when the cooling water flow rate is low is as follows:

[0037] Set the default cooling water temperature of Cooling Tower No. 3 as t = (t1 + t2) / 2.

[0038] When the temperature sensor T3 measures the temperature t3 of Cooling Tower No. 3 respectively, if the temperature difference between t3 and t is within ±△t °C, the system control remains unchanged.

[0039] If the difference between t3 and t is not equal to △t °C, then determine whether t3 is greater than t + △t °C.

[0040] If t3 is greater than t + △t °C, then the proportional-integral valve M3 is adjusted to a smaller opening. After five minutes, determine again whether t3 is greater than t + △t °C. If it is greater, continue to adjust the opening of the proportional-integral valve M3 every five minutes until t3 is less than t + △t °C, and then determine again whether the difference between t3 and t is within ±△t °C. If so, keep the system unchanged; if not, determine whether t3 is greater than t + △t °C.

[0041] If t3 is not greater than t + △t °C, then the proportional-integral valve M3 is adjusted to a larger opening. After five minutes, determine whether t3 is less than t - △t °C. If it is less, repeat the above operation until t3 is greater than t - △t °C, and then determine again whether the difference between t3 and t is within ±△t °C. If so, keep the system unchanged; if not, determine whether t3 is greater than t + △t °C to start a new round of adjustment.

[0042] The present invention also proposes a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, and when the computer program runs, it executes the control method of the cooling tower valve structure described above.

[0043] The present invention will optimize the traditional method of controlling the parallel connection of multiple cooling towers with multiple electric valves, adopt the combination of proportional-integral valves and electric valves to achieve uniform water distribution for the parallel connection of multiple cooling towers, and provide a control method to solve the problem of low efficiency of cooling towers with low cooling water flow. The present invention saves costs in engineering and has high feasibility.

[0044] It should be noted that the terms used above are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0045] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangements, numerical expressions, and numerical values of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present application. At the same time, it should be understood that, for the sake of convenience of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn in actual proportional relationships. Technologies, methods, and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the said technologies, methods, and devices should be regarded as part of the authorization specification. In all the examples shown and discussed here, any specific value should be construed as merely exemplary and not as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that: like reference numerals and letters denote like items in the following drawings, and thus, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0046] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by orientation words such as "front, rear, upper, lower, left, right", "lateral, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal", and "top, bottom" are generally based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description. Without contrary statements, these orientation words do not indicate and imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be construed as limiting the protection scope of the present application; the orientation words "inside, outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contours of the respective components.

[0047] For the convenience of description, spatial relative terms such as "above...", "over...", "on the upper surface of...", "above" and the like can be used here to describe the spatial positional relationships between a device or feature shown in the drawings and other devices or features. It should be understood that the spatial relative terms are intended to cover different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawing is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "over other devices or structures" will then be positioned "below other devices or structures" or "under other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above..." can include both the orientation of "above..." and "below...". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and corresponding interpretations should be made for the spatial relative descriptions used here.

[0048] In addition, it should be noted that the use of words such as "first", "second", etc. to limit components is only for the convenience of differentiating the corresponding components. Without additional statements, the above words have no special meanings, and thus cannot be construed as limiting the protection scope of the present application.

[0049] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cooling tower valve structure, characterized in that, Comprising: An inlet main pipe connected to the inlet end and an outlet main pipe connected to the return water end, a plurality of branch pipes connected in parallel between the inlet main pipe and the outlet main pipe, cooling towers provided on each branch pipe, and a proportional-integral valve provided on the branch pipe of the cooling tower closest to the inlet and return water ends, and a switch valve provided on the remaining branch pipes; The control method of the cooling tower valve structure includes the steps: Judging whether the outlet side temperature of the cooling tower closest to the inlet and return water ends is within the preset temperature range; if so, the system control remains unchanged; if not, controlling the opening degree of the proportional-integral valve according to the magnitude of the outlet side temperature; The maximum value of the preset temperature range is t + △t °C, the minimum value of the preset temperature range is t - △t °C, △t is a preset value, and t is the average value of the outlet side temperatures of the remaining cooling towers.

2. The cooling tower valve structure according to claim 1, wherein, The switch valve is an electric valve.

3. The cooling tower valve structure according to claim 1, wherein, A temperature sensor for detecting the outlet side temperature of the cooling tower is provided on each of the branch pipes.

4. An air conditioner, characterized in that, Comprising the cooling tower valve structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes: a main unit provided with an inlet end and a return water end for cooling water.

6. A control method for the cooling tower valve structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The controlling the opening degree of the proportional-integral valve according to the magnitude of the outlet side temperature specifically includes the steps: judging whether the outlet side temperature of the cooling tower closest to the inlet and return water ends is greater than the maximum value of the preset temperature range; if so, controlling the proportional-integral valve to reduce the opening degree until the outlet side temperature of the cooling tower closest to the inlet and return water ends returns within the preset temperature range.

7. The control method of the cooling tower valve structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, If not, controlling the proportional-integral valve to increase the opening degree until the outlet side temperature of the cooling tower closest to the inlet and return water ends returns within the preset temperature range.

8. A computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, characterized in that, The computer program, when running, executes the control method of the cooling tower valve structure according to any one of claims 6 to 7.

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