Method for filling heat transport device with refrigerant, and refrigerant filling control device for heat transport device

Abstract

A method for filling a heat transport device (110) with a refrigerant comprises: a pre-filling step (step 902) in which an inert gas is filled into a refrigerant flow path (10) of the heat transport device (110) so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path (10) of the heat transport device (110) becomes a predetermined pressure; and a main filling step (step 904) in which, after the pre-filling step (step 902), the refrigerant flow path (10) of the heat transport device (110) is filled with the refrigerant until a prescribed amount required for the operation of the heat transport device (110) is reached.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant and a refrigerant filling control device for the heat transport device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a device for controlling a closed loop that operates according to a thermodynamic cycle. Such a device is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6660095, for example.

[0003] The above-mentioned Japanese Patent No. 6660095 Gazette describes a device that uses a Rankine cycle as a thermodynamic cycle to control a closed loop, and the closed loop uses the compression and expansion of a working fluid as a heat medium to exchange heat with an external heat source. A pump for circulating and compressing the working fluid and a tank for maintaining the working fluid in a liquid state flowing into the pump are arranged in the closed loop. The pressure source of the pressurized gas is connected to the tank via a pressure regulating valve. In order to prevent cavitation of gas in the pump, the device described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent No. 6660095 Gazette controls the action of the pressure regulating valve during the action of the closed loop, so that gas flows from the pressure source independently of the working fluid to pressurize the tank.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6660095 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, in the device described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Gazette No. 6660095, the refrigerant is pressurized by allowing a gas (inert gas) to flow from a pressure source independently of the refrigerant into a closed-loop flow path (refrigerant flow path) filled with a working fluid (refrigerant). In this case, in addition to the inert gas being dissolved in the refrigerant in a liquid phase, the amount of the inert gas dissolved in the refrigerant changes depending on the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant, making it difficult to grasp the inflow amount (filling amount) of the inert gas into the refrigerant flow path. Since the evaporation and condensation temperatures of the refrigerant change depending on the filling amount of the inert gas, it is desirable to easily grasp the filling amount of the inert gas filled independently of the refrigerant in a heat transfer device using a thermodynamic cycle.

[0009] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a filling method for filling refrigerant into a heat transport device using a thermodynamic cycle, which can easily grasp the filling amount of inert gas filled independently of the refrigerant, and a refrigerant filling control device for the heat transport device.

[0010] Solutions for solving problems

[0011] The first aspect of the present invention provides a method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant, comprising: a preliminary filling step of filling an inert gas into a refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device is a predetermined pressure; and a formal filling step of filling the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device with a predetermined amount of refrigerant required for the operation of the heat transport device after the preliminary filling step. In addition, the "heat transport device" referred to herein refers to a concept described as including a cooling device for cooling an object and a heating device for heating an object.

[0012] A refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a control unit that performs control to obtain the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device detected by a pressure detection unit, and the control unit performs the following control: before performing formal filling of the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device to fill the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device to a prescribed amount required for the operation of the heat transport device, when performing preliminary filling of the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device to fill an inert gas to make the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device a prescribed pressure, the control unit determines whether the filling of the inert gas is completed based on the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device detected by the pressure detection unit.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] In the first aspect of the present invention, in the method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant, after filling an inert gas into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device is a predetermined pressure, the refrigerant is filled into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device until the predetermined amount required for the operation of the heat transport device is formally filled. In addition, in the refrigerant filling control device for the heat transport device of the second aspect of the present invention, before formal filling, the inert gas is filled into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device is a predetermined pressure. Thus, unlike the case where the inert gas is filled after the refrigerant is filled, it is possible to suppress the difficulty in grasping the filling amount of the inert gas due to the dissolution of the inert gas in the refrigerant. As a result, it is possible to easily grasp the filling amount of the inert gas filled independently of the refrigerant in the heat transport device using the thermodynamic cycle. In addition, in the present invention, since the inert gas is filled before the refrigerant is formally filled into the refrigerant flow path, the pressure of the inert gas required at the time of filling can be reduced compared to the case where the inert gas is filled after the refrigerant is filled. Therefore, since there is no need to provide a relatively high-pressure inert gas source, the refrigerant flow path can be easily filled with the inert gas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing a cooling device using carbon dioxide refrigerant and inert gas.

[0016] Figure 2 1 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the method for filling a cooling device with refrigerant according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerant filling control device and a cooling device according to a second embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 1 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the method for filling a cooling device with refrigerant according to the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerant filling control device and a cooling device according to a third embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the method for filling a cooling device with refrigerant according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0022] [First embodiment]

[0023] First, as a first embodiment, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A method of charging the cooling device 110 (heat transfer device) with the refrigerant (carbon dioxide refrigerant) by an operator will be described.

[0024] (Structure of cooling device)

[0025] Cooling device 110 (see Figure 1 ) is a cooling device using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant. The cooling device 110 is a device that uses carbon dioxide in a gas-liquid two-phase state formed by a mixture of gas and liquid for cooling. The cooling device 110 includes a condenser 1, a tank 2, a pump 3, an evaporator 4, and a device control unit 5. The cooling device 110 pressurizes carbon dioxide as a refrigerant using an inert gas, thereby preventing cavitation from occurring in the pump 3. Cavitation refers to the generation of gas in the pump 3 disposed in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 when the cooling device 110 is in operation. When the pressure of the refrigerant in the liquid phase state flowing into the pump 3 is less than the saturated vapor pressure in the pump 3, cavitation occurs due to the generation of gas. A predetermined amount of inert gas is filled so that the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the pump 3 disposed in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 when the cooling device 110 is in operation is greater than the saturated vapor pressure of the refrigerant. In addition, the cooling device 110 is an example of a "heat transport device" in the present disclosure.

[0026] In cooling device 110 , refrigerant flow path 10 is formed by condenser 1 , tank 2 , pump 3 , evaporator 4 , and pipes respectively connected to condenser 1 , tank 2 , pump 3 , and evaporator 4 .

[0027] The condenser 1 condenses the refrigerant (carbon dioxide). The condenser 1 is configured to cool the refrigerant using a cooler to condense it. The refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 1 is sent to the tank 2. The tank 2 is a container for storing the refrigerant. The refrigerant condensed by the condenser 1 flows into the tank 2. The tank 2 stores the refrigerant that has become a liquid or a gas-liquid two-phase. The refrigerant stored in the tank 2 is sent to the pump 3. In addition, the refrigerant and the inert gas are stored in the tank 2.

[0028] The pump 3 delivers the refrigerant (carbon dioxide) stored in the tank 2 to the evaporator 4. The operation of the pump 3 is controlled by the device control unit 5. The evaporator 4 cools a cooling object (not shown) by evaporating the refrigerant ejected from the pump 3. Then, the refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator 4 returns to the condenser 1 and is condensed in the condenser 1.

[0029] The device control unit 5 is configured to control the entire cooling device 110. The device control unit 5 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, etc. The device control unit 5 is configured to control the entire cooling device 110 using control software (program) recorded (saved) in an internal or external memory (storage device).

[0030] The cooling device 110 includes a temperature sensor 61 and a temperature sensor 62 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path. In addition, the cooling device 110 includes a pressure sensor 63 and a pressure sensor 64 for detecting the pressure in the refrigerant flow path. In addition, the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64 are examples of the "pressure detection unit" of the present disclosure.

[0031] The temperature sensor 61 is disposed between the tank 2 and the pump 3 to detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing out of the tank 2. In addition, the temperature sensor 62 is disposed between the evaporator 4 and the condenser 1 to detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator 4.

[0032] The pressure sensor 63 is disposed between the tank 2 and the pump 3 to detect the pressure of the refrigerant flowing between the tank 2 and the pump 3. In addition, the pressure sensor 64 is disposed between the evaporator 4 and the condenser 1 to detect the pressure of the refrigerant flowing between the evaporator 4 and the condenser 1.

[0033] The device control unit 5 is connected to the pump 3 for communication. The device control unit 5 is connected to the temperature sensor 61 and the temperature sensor 62 for communication. The device control unit 5 is connected to the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64 for communication.

[0034] The device control unit 5 is configured to acquire detection signals from the temperature sensor 61 , the temperature sensor 62 , the pressure sensor 63 , and the pressure sensor 64 , and to control the cooling device 110 .

[0035] In addition, the gas cylinder 121 , the gas cylinder 122 , and the vacuum pump 123 are connected to the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 via a manifold 7 , respectively.

[0036] The gas cylinder 121 is filled with carbon dioxide (refrigerant). A flow rate regulating valve 81 is provided between the gas cylinder 121 and the manifold 7. The flow rate regulating valve 81 regulates the flow rate of carbon dioxide flowing out of the gas cylinder 121 by adjusting the opening degree.

[0037] The gas cylinder 122 is filled with an inert gas. For example, the gas cylinder 122 is filled with nitrogen. A flow regulating valve 82 is provided between the gas cylinder 122 and the manifold 7. The flow regulating valve 82 regulates the flow rate of the inert gas (nitrogen) flowing out of the gas cylinder 122 by adjusting the opening.

[0038] The vacuum pump 123 is a pump for evacuating the refrigerant flow path of the cooling device 110. In addition, in this specification, "vacuum" does not mean an absolute vacuum, but indicates a state in which a specific space is filled with a gas having a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure.

[0039] The manifold 7 is connected to the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110. Specifically, the flow path inside the manifold 7 is connected to the piping on the upstream side of the tank 2 (the piping between the tank 2 and the condenser 1). In addition, the piping respectively connected to the gas cylinder 121, the gas cylinder 122 and the vacuum pump 123 is connected to the manifold 7. The manifold 7 can switch the piping connected to the refrigerant flow path 10 by adjusting the opening of the valve 7a and the valve 7b to close and open the flow path formed inside. Thus, the introduction of carbon dioxide (refrigerant) into the refrigerant flow path 10, the introduction of inert gas into the refrigerant flow path 10, and the vacuuming (exhausting) in the refrigerant flow path 10 can be switched through the manifold 7.

[0040] (Refrigerant Charging Method of First Embodiment)

[0041] Reference Figure 2 The processing flow (step 901 to step 904 ) of the method for filling the cooling device 110 with refrigerant according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0042] First, in step 901, the operator performs vacuuming in the refrigerant flow path 10. The operator operates the manifold 7 (valves 7a and 7b) and the vacuum pump 123 to perform vacuuming in the piping from the refrigerant flow path 10 to the gas cylinders 121 and 122. After the vacuuming in the refrigerant flow path 10 is completed, the operator performs the operation in step 902.

[0043] In step 902, the operator performs pre-filling. In step 902, after pre-filling the inert gas into the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110, the operator fills carbon dioxide into the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 at a filling speed that suppresses the generation of dry ice (solid) so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is greater than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide. That is, before filling the refrigerant flow path 10 with carbon dioxide, the inert gas is filled into the refrigerant flow path 10. As described above, the inert gas is filled into the refrigerant flow path 10 to prevent the occurrence of cavitation in the pump 3. In addition, the filling amount (set amount) of the inert gas required to prevent cavitation varies depending on the performance of the pump 3. That is, the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 after the inert gas required to prevent cavitation is filled into the refrigerant flow path 10 varies depending on the performance of the pump 3. In the first embodiment, the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 after the inert gas is filled is lower than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide.

[0044] In the first embodiment, in step 902 (pre-filling), before carbon dioxide is filled into the refrigerant flow path 10, an inert gas is pre-filled into the evacuated refrigerant flow path 10. When the inert gas is pre-filled into the evacuated refrigerant flow path 10, dry ice will not be generated. Therefore, by pre-filling the inert gas, the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 can be easily increased to a pressure close to the triple point of carbon dioxide, compared with the case where carbon dioxide is gradually filled into the evacuated refrigerant flow path 10 to gradually increase the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10. Thus, by pre-filling the inert gas into the refrigerant flow path 10 after the inert gas is pre-filled, carbon dioxide is filled into the refrigerant flow path 10, compared with the case where the inert gas is filled after the carbon dioxide is filled into the evacuated refrigerant flow path 10, the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 can be easily increased to a pressure above the triple point of carbon dioxide without generating dry ice in the refrigerant flow path 10.

[0045] In step 902, the operator fills carbon dioxide into the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 at a filling speed that suppresses the generation of dry ice so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is greater than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide (0.52MPa-a). That is, the operator fills carbon dioxide into the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 in a state where the internal pressure is less than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide (0.52MPa-a) and is filled with an inert gas so that the internal pressure is greater than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide (0.52MPa-a). For example, carbon dioxide is filled so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 changes from a state less than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide (0.52MPa-a) to greater than 0.7MPa-a. In addition, step 902 is an example of a "preliminary filling step" of the present disclosure.

[0046] In addition, the filling speed of carbon dioxide in step 902 (preliminary filling) is lower than the filling speed of carbon dioxide in step 904 (formal filling) described later. In addition, the ratio of the filling speed of carbon dioxide in the preliminary filling to the filling speed of carbon dioxide in the formal filling corresponds to the internal volume of the cooling device 110 (refrigerant flow path 10). The operator adjusts the opening of the valve 7a of the manifold 7 and the flow regulating valve 81 to gradually fill the refrigerant flow path 10 with carbon dioxide in a manner that does not generate dry ice in the refrigerant flow path 10.

[0047] In step 903, the operator confirms whether the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is within a predetermined temperature range. The operator confirms the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 detected by the temperature sensor 61 and the temperature sensor 62. Then, the operator confirms that dry ice is not generated in the refrigerant flow path 10 based on the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 detected by the temperature sensor 61 and the temperature sensor 62. The operator can confirm the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 using a display unit and a gauge (meter) not shown in the figure provided in the cooling device 110, or can confirm the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 using a device for a filling operation as in the second embodiment described later.

[0048] When the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is not within the prescribed temperature range, the operator waits until the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 becomes within the prescribed temperature range. Then, when the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 becomes within the prescribed temperature range, the operator starts the formal filling of carbon dioxide (step 904).

[0049] That is, step 904 is started based on the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 becoming a temperature within a predetermined temperature range. In addition, step 904 is an example of the "main charging step" of the present disclosure.

[0050] In step 904, the operator performs the formal filling of carbon dioxide. Specifically, when the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is equal to or higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide, the operator fills the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 with carbon dioxide until the prescribed amount required for the operation of the cooling device 110 is reached. Specifically, the operator adjusts the openings of the valve 7a of the manifold 7 and the flow regulating valve 81 to fill the refrigerant flow path 10 with the prescribed amount of carbon dioxide required for the operation of the cooling device 110.

[0051] (Effects of the First Embodiment)

[0052] In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0053] In the first embodiment, after the inert gas is filled into the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) is a predetermined pressure, the refrigerant is filled into the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 until the predetermined amount required for the operation of the cooling device 110 is formally filled. Thus, unlike the case where the inert gas is filled after the refrigerant is filled, it is possible to suppress the difficulty in grasping the filling amount of the inert gas due to the inert gas dissolving in the refrigerant. As a result, it is possible to easily grasp the filling amount of the inert gas filled independently of the refrigerant in the cooling device 110 using the thermodynamic cycle. In addition, in the first embodiment, since the inert gas is filled before the refrigerant is formally filled into the refrigerant flow path 10, the pressure of the inert gas required for filling can be reduced compared to the case where the inert gas is filled after the refrigerant is filled. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a relatively high-pressure inert gas source, so it is possible to easily fill the refrigerant flow path 10 with inert gas.

[0054] In addition, since the amount of inert gas filled into the refrigerant flow path 10 can be grasped by filling the inert gas until the predetermined pressure is reached, the amount of inert gas filled can be grasped more easily than when the amount of inert gas is measured based on the weight. In particular, when the amount of inert gas required is small, it is sometimes difficult to measure the amount of inert gas based on the weight. Therefore, the amount of inert gas filled can be grasped more effectively by filling the inert gas until the predetermined pressure is reached.

[0055] In the first embodiment, in the pre-filling step (step 902), the inert gas is filled to a predetermined pressure at which cavitation of the gas does not occur in the pump 3 disposed in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 when the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) is operated. If configured in this way, the filling amount of the inert gas can be easily grasped by filling the inert gas in the pre-filling step (step 902) before the step 904 of formally filling the refrigerant (carbon dioxide). Therefore, by filling the inert gas in the pre-filling step to a predetermined pressure at which cavitation does not occur, the filling amount of the inert gas filled to prevent the occurrence of cavitation can be effectively and easily grasped.

[0056] In the first embodiment, in the pre-filling step (step 902), the inert gas is filled so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 becomes a predetermined pressure, so that the pressure of the refrigerant (carbon dioxide) flowing into the pump 3 disposed in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 when the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) is operated becomes equal to or higher than the saturated vapor pressure of the refrigerant. If configured in this way, since the inert gas is filled in the pre-filling step (step 902), it is possible to more effectively and easily grasp the amount of inert gas filled in such a manner that the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the pump 3 when the cooling device 110 is operated becomes equal to or higher than the saturated vapor pressure of the refrigerant.

[0057] In the first embodiment, in the pre-filling step (step 902), nitrogen as an inert gas is filled so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) is a predetermined pressure. If configured in this way, by filling nitrogen, which is a relatively stable substance, as an inert gas, the occurrence of cavitation due to the inert gas can be more stably suppressed. Therefore, by filling nitrogen as an inert gas in the pre-filling step (step 902), the operation of the cooling device 110 can be made more stable, and the filling amount of the inert gas for making the operation of the cooling device 110 more stable can be further effectively and easily grasped.

[0058] In the first embodiment, after the inert gas is preliminarily filled into the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device), carbon dioxide (refrigerant) is filled into the evacuated refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 at a filling speed that suppresses the generation of dry ice (solid) so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is equal to or higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide. Thus, the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 can be filled with carbon dioxide until the carbon dioxide reaches a predetermined amount required for the operation of the cooling device 110 in a state where the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 is equal to or higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide. As a result, when the carbon dioxide is filled, the refrigerant flow path 10 can be filled with carbon dioxide in a pressure state where dry ice is not generated, so that the generation of clogging of the refrigerant flow path 10 due to the generation of dry ice can be suppressed without heating or cooling the carbon dioxide. Therefore, unlike the case where carbon dioxide is heated or cooled when filling carbon dioxide, there is no need to add a device for heating or cooling carbon dioxide, so it is possible to suppress the complexity of the device structure of the device for filling carbon dioxide refrigerant into the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 while suppressing the occurrence of blockage of the refrigerant flow path 10 due to the generation of dry ice.

[0059] In addition, in the method of charging the cooling device 110 (heat transfer device) with the refrigerant according to the first embodiment described above, by carrying out the method as follows, further effects as described below can be obtained.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the main filling step (step 904) is started based on the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) becoming a temperature within a predetermined temperature range. Thus, the main filling of carbon dioxide can be started after confirming that the temperature drop due to the generation of dry ice has not occurred in the refrigerant flow path 10. As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress the clogging of the refrigerant flow path 10 due to the generation of dry ice during the main filling of carbon dioxide.

[0061] In addition, in the first embodiment, the filling speed of carbon dioxide in the pre-filling step (step 902) is less than the filling speed of carbon dioxide in the formal filling step (step 904). As a result, compared with the case where the filling speed of carbon dioxide in the pre-filling step is approximately the same as the filling speed of carbon dioxide in the formal filling step, the rapid temperature drop of carbon dioxide caused by adiabatic expansion can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the carbon dioxide from becoming dry ice in the refrigerant flow path 10 due to the rapid temperature drop caused by adiabatic expansion. In addition, since the filling speed of carbon dioxide in the formal filling step is greater than the filling speed of carbon dioxide in the pre-filling step, the time required for the formal filling of carbon dioxide can be shortened. As a result, the time until carbon dioxide is filled to the specified amount required for the operation of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) can be shortened.

[0062] [Second embodiment]

[0063] As a second embodiment, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 A method of filling the cooling device 110 with refrigerant, in which the refrigerant filling control device 100 displays a message prompting an operator to perform an operation of the method of filling the cooling device 110 with refrigerant, will be described.

[0064] The refrigerant filling control device 100 includes a control unit 101 and a display unit 102. The refrigerant filling control device 100 is an example of a "refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device" of the present disclosure. The display unit 102 is an example of a "notification unit" of the present disclosure.

[0065] The control unit 101 is configured to perform overall control of the refrigerant filling control device 100. The control unit 101 includes a processor such as a CPU, a memory, etc. The control unit 101 is configured to perform control related to filling the cooling device 110 with carbon dioxide refrigerant using control software (program) recorded (saved) in an internal or external memory (storage device).

[0066] The control unit 101 performs control to obtain the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 detected by the temperature sensor 61 and the temperature sensor 62. The control unit 101 performs control to obtain the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 detected by the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64. That is, the control unit 101 performs control to obtain the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 detected by the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64.

[0067] The display unit 102 displays (notifies) the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 acquired by the control unit 101. In addition, the display unit 102 displays (notifies) the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 acquired by the control unit 101. That is, the display unit 102 displays (notifies) information for filling the refrigerant (carbon dioxide) into the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110. The display unit 102 includes a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. In addition, the display unit 102 may also include a gauge (meter).

[0068] The control unit 101 performs control as follows: it is determined whether the pre-filling of the inert gas and the refrigerant (carbon dioxide) into the evacuated refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is equal to or higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide is completed. In the second embodiment, the control unit 101 performs control as follows: when the pre-filling is performed, it is determined whether the pre-filling is completed based on the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10) detected by the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64.

[0069] Specifically, the control unit 101 performs the following control: when performing a preliminary filling in which the inert gas is filled to a predetermined pressure before the formal filling, the control unit 101 determines whether the filling of the inert gas is completed based on the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 detected by the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64. For example, the control unit 101 pre-stores the value of the predetermined pressure in the preliminary filling of the inert gas corresponding to the filling amount that does not cause cavitation. Moreover, during the period of the inert gas being filled in the preliminary filling, it is determined whether the filling of the inert gas is completed based on whether the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 detected by the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64 rises to a predetermined pressure set in advance. After that, the control unit 101 similarly determines whether the filling of the refrigerant in the preliminary filling is completed based on whether the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 detected by the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64 (the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 10) rises to a value greater than the triple point pressure of the refrigerant set in advance.

[0070] In addition, the control unit 101 determines whether the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 becomes within the prescribed temperature range after pre-filling. Specifically, the control unit 101 determines whether the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 detected by the temperature sensor 61 and the temperature sensor 62 becomes within the prescribed temperature range. For example, the control unit 101 determines whether the difference in the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 respectively detected by the temperature sensor 61 and the temperature sensor 62 converges to less than a few degrees Celsius. In addition, the control unit 101 may also determine whether the temperatures in the refrigerant flow path 10 respectively detected by the temperature sensor 61 and the temperature sensor 62 all converge to the prescribed temperature range.

[0071] When the control unit 101 determines that the pre-filling is completed, it performs control related to formal filling of the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 with carbon dioxide filled until the specified amount required for the operation of the cooling device 110 is reached, while the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is above the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide.

[0072] In the second embodiment, when the control unit 101 determines that the filling of the inert gas is completed during the pre-filling, the control unit 101 uses the display unit 102 to display (notify) information indicating that the filling of the inert gas is completed. For example, the control unit 101 controls the display unit 102 to display a text (text) such as "The filling of the inert gas is completed." In addition, the control unit 101 uses the display unit 102 to display (notify) the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 obtained from the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64 as information indicating that the filling of the inert gas is completed. In addition, the control unit 101 uses the display unit 102 to display (notify) information indicating that the filling of the inert gas is completed and a text (text) urging the continuation of the filling of the carbon dioxide (refrigerant) during the pre-filling.

[0073] In the second embodiment, when the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 after the pre-filling becomes within the prescribed temperature range, the control unit 101 controls the display unit 102 to display (notify) the operator to perform formal filling as control related to formal filling. For example, the control unit 101 controls the display unit 102 to display a text (text) such as "Please start formal filling". Thus, the refrigerant filling control device 100 (display unit 102) prompts the operator to start formal filling.

[0074] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the operator operates the manifold 7 (valve 7 a ) and the flow rate regulating valve 81 based on the display on the display unit 102 to perform the main filling of the refrigerant flow path 10 with carbon dioxide (refrigerant).

[0075] (Refrigerant Charging Method of Second Embodiment)

[0076] Reference Figure 4 The following describes the processing flow of the method for filling the cooling device 110 (heat transfer device) with refrigerant according to the second embodiment. In the method for filling the cooling device 110 with refrigerant according to the second embodiment, Figure 2 The processing of steps 931 to 934 is performed in the pre-filling step of step 902. In addition, the processing in steps 901, 903 and 904 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0077] In step 931, the inert gas is filled in the pre-filling. Then, in step 932, it is determined whether the inert gas is filled to a predetermined pressure at which cavitation does not occur, based on the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 detected by the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64. If it is determined that the inert gas is filled to the predetermined pressure, the display unit 102 displays information indicating that the filling of the inert gas is completed, and the process proceeds to step 933. If it is not determined that the inert gas is filled to the predetermined pressure, the process waits until the predetermined pressure is reached.

[0078] Then, in step 933, the refrigerant (carbon dioxide) that is previously filled is filled. Then, in step 934, based on the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 detected by the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64, it is determined whether the refrigerant is filled to a pressure higher than the triple point pressure. For example, it is determined whether the refrigerant is filled to a pressure higher than 0.7 MPa-a above the triple point pressure. In the case where it is determined that the refrigerant (carbon dioxide) that is previously filled is filled to a pressure higher than the triple point pressure, the process proceeds to step 903. In the case where it is not determined that the refrigerant (carbon dioxide) is filled to a pressure higher than the triple point pressure, the process is on standby.

[0079] In the process flow of the method for charging the cooling device 110 with refrigerant according to the second embodiment, in step 903, after the display (notification) on the display unit 102 is performed, the operator confirms the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10. The other process flows are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0080] (Effects of the Second Embodiment)

[0081] In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0082] In the second embodiment, the control unit 101 fills the inert gas into the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 before the formal filling so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transfer device) is a specified pressure. Thus, as in the first embodiment, unlike the case where the inert gas is filled after the refrigerant is filled, it is possible to suppress the difficulty in grasping the filling amount of the inert gas due to the inert gas dissolving in the refrigerant. As a result, in the cooling device 110 using a thermodynamic cycle, it is possible to easily grasp the filling amount of the inert gas filled independently of the refrigerant. In addition, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, there is no need to provide a relatively high-pressure inert gas source, so the inert gas can be easily filled into the refrigerant flow path.

[0083] In addition, in the second embodiment, the control unit 101 performs control to determine whether the filling of the inert gas is completed based on the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transfer device) detected by the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64 when performing preliminary filling before the formal filling. Therefore, compared with the case where the filling of the inert gas is determined by visually confirming a gauge (meter) or the like, the inert gas can be filled more accurately.

[0084] In the second embodiment, after the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 is made equal to or higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide by pre-filling, the control unit 101 can perform control related to the formal filling of the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 until the carbon dioxide reaches a predetermined amount required for the operation of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device). As a result, carbon dioxide can be filled into the refrigerant flow path 10 in a pressure state where dry ice is not generated during the formal filling of carbon dioxide, so that the occurrence of blockage in the refrigerant flow path 10 due to the generation of dry ice can be suppressed without heating or cooling the carbon dioxide. As a result, unlike the case where heating or cooling of carbon dioxide is performed when filling carbon dioxide, there is no need to add a device for heating or cooling carbon dioxide, so the occurrence of blockage in the refrigerant flow path 10 due to the generation of dry ice can be suppressed while suppressing the complexity of the device structure of the device for filling the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 with carbon dioxide refrigerant. Furthermore, the operator can easily understand whether the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 is equal to or higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide by displaying the display unit 102 (notification unit) for displaying (notifying) the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 10 .

[0085] Furthermore, in the refrigerant filling control device 100 of the second embodiment described above, by configuring as follows, further effects as described below are obtained.

[0086] In the second embodiment, the refrigerant filling control device 100 includes a display unit 102 (notification unit) for notifying information for filling the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) with carbon dioxide (refrigerant). When the control unit 101 determines that the filling of the inert gas is completed, the display unit 102 is used to notify the information indicating that the filling of the inert gas is completed. With this configuration, the operator can easily recognize that the filling of the inert gas is completed by recognizing the information indicating that the filling of the inert gas is completed notified by the display unit 102.

[0087] In the second embodiment, the control unit 101 performs control as follows: the acquired pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) is notified by the display unit 102 (notification unit) as information indicating that the filling of the inert gas is completed. If configured in this way, the operator can easily recognize the specific value indicating the magnitude of the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 by recognizing the information indicating that the filling of the inert gas is completed notified by the display unit 102. Therefore, the operator can easily confirm that the inert gas is filled to the specified pressure.

[0088] In the second embodiment, the control unit 101 determines whether the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) has become within a prescribed temperature range after the prior filling. Then, when the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 has become within a prescribed temperature range, the display unit 102 (notification unit) is used to control the display (notification) that prompts the operator to perform formal filling, as a control related to the formal filling. Thus, the operator can visually confirm (confirm) the display of the display unit 102 to easily confirm that the temperature drop caused by the generation of dry ice has not occurred in the refrigerant flow path 10. In addition, the operator can start the formal filling of carbon dioxide after confirming that the temperature drop caused by the generation of dry ice has not occurred in the refrigerant flow path 10 through the display of the display unit 102. As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress the blockage of the refrigerant flow path 10 due to the generation of dry ice during the formal filling of carbon dioxide.

[0089] In addition, other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0090] [Third Embodiment]

[0091] A method for filling the cooling device 110 with refrigerant in the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the refrigerant filling control device 200 (see Figure 5) automatically performs the preliminary filling of the inert gas and carbon dioxide and the actual filling of carbon dioxide into the cooling device 110. In addition, the refrigerant filling control device 200 is an example of the "refrigerant filling control device for the heat transport device" of the present disclosure.

[0092] The control unit 101 of the refrigerant filling control device 200 is configured to control the manifold 7 (valves 7a and 7b), the flow regulating valve 81, the flow regulating valve 82, and the vacuum pump 123. Thus, the operation performed by the operator in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above is automatically performed by the control of the control unit 101 of the refrigerant filling control device 200.

[0093] In the third embodiment, for example, the control unit 101 controls the operation of the vacuum pump 123 and the manifold 7 to evacuate the refrigerant flow path 10. Then, the control unit 101 starts filling with inert gas by controlling the operation of the manifold 7 and the flow regulating valve 82, thereby starting the preliminary filling. During the preliminary filling, when it is determined that the filling of the inert gas is completed, the control unit 101 controls the operation of the manifold 7 and the flow regulating valve 82, thereby performing control to stop the filling of the inert gas. Then, the control unit 101 controls the operation of the manifold 7 and the flow regulating valve 81 to fill the refrigerant based on the preliminary filling, thereby completing the preliminary filling.

[0094] In the third embodiment, when the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 becomes within a predetermined temperature range, the control unit 101 controls the filling of carbon dioxide as control related to the formal filling. Specifically, when the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 becomes within a predetermined temperature range after the preliminary filling, the control unit 101 controls the manifold 7 (valve 7a) and the flow regulating valve 81 so that the carbon dioxide filled in the gas cylinder 121 flows into the refrigerant flow path 10.

[0095] In addition, the other structures of the third embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment. In addition, in the processing flow of the method for filling the cooling device 110 with refrigerant in the third embodiment, except that the refrigerant filling control device 200 automatically performs each step instead of the operator performing each step, the rest is the same as the processing flow in the first embodiment.

[0096] (Effects of the Third Embodiment)

[0097] In the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0098] In the third embodiment, the control unit 101 performs control to stop the filling of the inert gas when it is determined that the filling of the inert gas is completed. With this configuration, even when the inert gas is automatically filled under the control of the control unit 101, the filling amount of the inert gas can be easily and accurately grasped by filling the inert gas before filling the refrigerant. Therefore, the inert gas can be filled more easily and accurately by the control unit 101.

[0099] In addition, in the third embodiment, similarly to the above-mentioned second embodiment, it is possible to suppress the complication of the device structure of the device for filling the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transfer device) with carbon dioxide refrigerant while suppressing the occurrence of blockage of the refrigerant flow path 10 due to the generation of dry ice.

[0100] Furthermore, in the refrigerant filling control device 200 of the third embodiment described above, by configuring as follows, further effects as described below are obtained.

[0101] In addition, in the third embodiment, the control unit 101 determines whether the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) becomes within a predetermined temperature range after the pre-filling. Then, when the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 becomes within a predetermined temperature range, the control of the filling of carbon dioxide is performed as a control related to the formal filling. Thus, the control unit 101 can perform the control of the filling of carbon dioxide (formal filling) after confirming that the temperature drop caused by the generation of dry ice does not occur in the refrigerant flow path 10. As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress the blockage of the refrigerant flow path 10 due to the generation of dry ice during the formal filling of carbon dioxide. In addition, the control of the filling of carbon dioxide (formal filling) is automatically performed by the control unit 101, so compared with the case where the operator starts the formal filling of carbon dioxide after confirming that the temperature drop caused by the generation of dry ice does not occur in the refrigerant flow path 10, the control of the filling of carbon dioxide (formal filling) can be started quickly.

[0102] In addition, other effects of the third embodiment are the same as those of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0103] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0104] A method of charging the cooling device 110 with the carbon dioxide refrigerant in the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0105] The fourth embodiment is a method for filling the cooling device 110 with carbon dioxide refrigerant when the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 can be increased to or above the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide when the inert gas in the amount required to prevent cavitation from occurring in the pump 3 is filled. In the method for filling the cooling device 110 with carbon dioxide refrigerant in the fourth embodiment, unlike the first embodiment in which the inert gas and carbon dioxide are filled in the pre-filling, the pre-filling is performed only with the inert gas.

[0106] (Carbon Dioxide Refrigerant Charging Method According to Fourth Embodiment)

[0107] Reference Figure 6 The processing flow (step 911 to step 913 ) of the method for charging the cooling device 110 with the carbon dioxide refrigerant according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0108] First, in step 911, the operator performs vacuuming in the refrigerant flow path 10. After the vacuuming in the refrigerant flow path 10 is completed, the operator performs the operation in step 912. In addition, step 911 is the same processing as step 901 in the first embodiment.

[0109] In step 912, the operator performs pre-filling using an inert gas. In step 912, the operator fills the inert gas into the evacuated refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is greater than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide (0.52MPa-a). For example, the operator fills the inert gas into the refrigerant flow path 10 so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is greater than 0.7MPa-a. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the prescribed pressure of the inert gas that does not cause cavitation in the pre-filling is greater than the triple point pressure of the refrigerant. In other words, at the time point when the inert gas is filled to the prescribed pressure at which cavitation does not occur, the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is greater than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide (0.52MPa-a). In addition, step 912 is an example of the "pre-filling step" of the present disclosure.

[0110] In step 913, the operator performs the formal filling of carbon dioxide. Specifically, in a state where the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 is above the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide, the operator fills carbon dioxide into the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 until the specified amount required for the operation of the cooling device 110. In the fourth embodiment, since only inert gas (nitrogen) is filled in the pre-filling, dry ice is not generated during the pre-filling. Therefore, after the pre-filling is completed, the formal filling can be performed without confirming the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10. In addition, the temperature drop in the refrigerant flow path 10 caused by the adiabatic expansion of the inert gas can also be considered to confirm the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 after the pre-filling (step 912) in the same way as the first embodiment. In addition, step 913 is an example of the "formal filling step" of the present disclosure.

[0111] (Effects of the Fourth Embodiment)

[0112] In the fourth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0113] In the fourth embodiment, inert gas is filled into the evacuated refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 in advance so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) is higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide. Thus, the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 can be filled with carbon dioxide until the prescribed amount required for the operation of the cooling device 110 is filled with carbon dioxide in a state where the pressure in the refrigerant flow path 10 is higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide. As a result, carbon dioxide can be filled into the refrigerant flow path 10 in a pressure state where dry ice is not generated during the formal filling of carbon dioxide, so that the generation of blockage of the refrigerant flow path 10 due to the generation of dry ice can be suppressed without heating or cooling the carbon dioxide. Thus, the generation of blockage of the refrigerant flow path 10 due to the generation of dry ice can be suppressed while suppressing the complexity of the device structure of the device for filling the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 with carbon dioxide refrigerant.

[0114] [Modifications]

[0115] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above, and includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0116] For example, in the second embodiment described above, an example is shown in which the control unit 101 of the refrigerant filling control device 100 performs control to obtain the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 10 detected by the pressure sensor 63 and the pressure sensor 64 (pressure detection unit) provided by the cooling device 110 (heat transport device), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the refrigerant filling control device may also be provided with a pressure detection unit, and the control unit of the refrigerant filling control device may perform control to obtain the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path detected by the pressure detection unit of the refrigerant filling control device. Furthermore, the control unit of the refrigerant filling control device may also perform control related to the filling of the carbon dioxide refrigerant based on the detection result of the pressure detection unit provided by the refrigerant filling control device.

[0117] In addition, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, an example is shown in which the control unit 101 of the refrigerant filling control device 100 performs control to obtain the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 10 detected by the temperature sensor 61 and the temperature sensor 62 provided in the cooling device 110 (heat transport device), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, it is also possible that the refrigerant filling control device is provided with a temperature sensor, and the control unit of the refrigerant filling control device performs control to obtain the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path detected by the temperature sensor of the refrigerant filling control device. Moreover, the control unit of the refrigerant filling control device can also perform control related to the filling of the carbon dioxide refrigerant based on the detection result of the temperature sensor provided in the refrigerant filling control device.

[0118] In addition, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, an example of controlling the display unit 102 (notification unit) to display (notification) to prompt the operator to perform formal filling is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the notification unit may also use sound to notify the operator to perform formal filling. In addition, in the case where the notification unit is set as a display unit that uses visual information to notify, the display unit may not be set as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display or a gauge (meter), but the display unit may be set as a backlit indicator, or the display unit may be set as a display using micro LEDs. In addition, the notification unit may also be configured to perform both auditory notification using sound and visual notification using a display unit or the like.

[0119] In addition, in the fourth embodiment described above, an example is shown in which an operator performs a carbon dioxide refrigerant filling operation without using the refrigerant filling control device 100 or the refrigerant filling control device 200, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, in a method for filling a carbon dioxide refrigerant by pre-filling an inert gas into a refrigerant flow path of a heat transport device after evacuation so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device is equal to or greater than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide, the refrigerant filling control device 100 may also perform control of displaying (notifying) by using the display unit 102 (notifying unit) to prompt the operator to perform formal filling, as in the second embodiment. In addition, as in the fourth embodiment, when formal filling is performed without confirming the temperature in the refrigerant flow path after the pre-filling is completed, the control unit of the refrigerant filling control device performs control of notification by using the notification unit based on the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the cooling device (heat transport device) becoming equal to or greater than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide. In addition, as in the third embodiment, the refrigerant filling control device 200 may automatically implement part or all of the operations in the method of filling the pre-filled carbon dioxide refrigerant by filling the inert gas into the evacuated refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device is higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide.

[0120] In addition, in the third embodiment, the control unit 101 of the refrigerant filling control device 200 controls the filling of carbon dioxide when the temperature in the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) becomes within a predetermined temperature range as an example of control related to formal filling, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the refrigerant filling control device may also include an operating unit such as a touch panel, a keyboard, or a mouse, and the control unit of the refrigerant filling control device controls the filling of carbon dioxide (formal filling) based on the input operation of the operator to the operating unit. In addition, the cooling flow path may be evacuated or pre-filled by the control unit of the refrigerant filling control device based on the input operation of the operator to the operating unit.

[0121] In addition, in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the examples in which the refrigerant filling control device 100 and the refrigerant filling control device 200 are provided independently from the device control unit 5 are shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the control performed by the refrigerant filling control device 100 and the refrigerant filling control device 200 may also be performed by the device control unit 5.

[0122] In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, an example is shown in which the flow path inside the manifold 7 is connected to the piping on the upstream side of the tank 2 (the piping between the tank 2 and the condenser 1), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the flow path inside the manifold 7 may also be connected to piping other than the piping on the upstream side of the tank 2 (the piping between the tank 2 and the condenser 1) of the refrigerant flow path 10.

[0123] In addition, in the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the carbon dioxide refrigerant filling method of the present invention is explained using a process-driven flowchart in which processing is performed sequentially according to the processing flow, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the operations (processing actions) in the carbon dioxide refrigerant filling method can also be performed by event-driven processing in which processing is performed in units of events. In this case, the operations (processing actions) in the carbon dioxide refrigerant filling method can be performed either completely event-driven or by combining event-driven and process-driven.

[0124] In addition, in the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, an example is shown in which carbon dioxide is filled as a refrigerant after nitrogen is filled as an inert gas into the refrigerant flow path 10 after being evacuated, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the refrigerant is not limited to carbon dioxide, and fluorocarbons may be used as refrigerants, and natural refrigerants such as ammonia and water may be used as refrigerants. In addition, the inert gas is not limited to nitrogen, and the inert gas may be a rare gas, a fluorocarbon, or carbon dioxide. In addition, the atmosphere may be used as an inert gas. In addition, evacuation may not be performed before the preliminary filling. That is, the refrigerant flow path at atmospheric pressure may be filled with an inert gas until a predetermined pressure is reached. In addition, when a refrigerant other than carbon dioxide is used, when no solid is generated during the filling of the refrigerant, the preliminary filling may be completed regardless of whether it is above the triple point pressure, and the formal filling may be performed. That is, even when the predetermined pressure obtained by filling the inert gas in the preliminary filling is less than the triple point pressure of the refrigerant, the filling of the refrigerant based on the formal filling may be started when the filling of the inert gas is completed. That is, it is also possible to omit Figure 4 In this case, the temperature in the refrigerant flow path may not be measured. Figure 4 Step 903 in .

[0125] In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, an example is shown in which the inert gas is filled into the refrigerant flow path 10 in the pre-filling to a predetermined pressure at which cavitation does not occur so that the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the pump 3 when the cooling device 110 (heat transfer device) is operated is equal to or higher than the saturated vapor pressure of the refrigerant, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, a predetermined pressure may be set as the filling amount of the inert gas in the pre-filling so that the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the pump 3 when the heat transfer device is operated is equal to or higher than the saturated vapor pressure in the state where the refrigerant and the inert gas are combined.

[0126] In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments, an example of filling the refrigerant flow path 10 of the cooling device 110 (heat transfer device) with inert gas and carbon dioxide (refrigerant) is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the refrigerant flow path may be filled with inert gas and refrigerant in a heating device as a heat transfer device.

[0127] In addition, in the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, an example is shown including a preliminary filling step (step 902) of filling including an inert gas and a formal filling step (step 904) of filling a refrigerant (carbon dioxide), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a step of filling refrigeration oil into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device may also be included. The step of filling the refrigeration oil may be performed before the preliminary filling step, or after the preliminary filling step, or after filling the inert gas during the preliminary filling step. In addition, the step of filling the refrigeration oil may also be performed after the formal filling step.

[0128] In the first to fourth embodiments, the cooling device 110 (heat transport device) includes the tank 2 for storing the refrigerant, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the heat transport device may include a reservoir instead of a tank.

[0129] [Way]

[0130] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0131] (Item 1)

[0132] A method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant, comprising:

[0133] a pre-filling step of filling an inert gas into a refrigerant flow path of a heat transport device so that a pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device becomes a predetermined pressure; and

[0134] The main filling step is to fill the refrigerant into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device to a predetermined amount required for the operation of the heat transfer device after the preliminary filling step.

[0135] (Item 2)

[0136] The method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant according to item 1, wherein:

[0137] In the pre-filling step, the inert gas is filled to the predetermined pressure at which gas cavitation does not occur in a pump disposed in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device when the heat transfer device is operated.

[0138] (Item 3)

[0139] The method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant according to item 1 or 2, wherein:

[0140] In the pre-filling step, the inert gas is filled so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device becomes the specified pressure, thereby making the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the pump arranged in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device when the heat transfer device is operated equal to or higher than the saturated vapor pressure of the refrigerant.

[0141] (Item 4)

[0142] The method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein:

[0143] In the pre-charging step, nitrogen as the inert gas is charged so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device becomes the predetermined pressure.

[0144] (Item 5)

[0145] The method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein:

[0146] In the pre-filling step, after the inert gas is pre-filled into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device is the specified pressure, the refrigerant is filled into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device at a filling speed that suppresses the generation of solids so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device is greater than the triple point pressure of the refrigerant.

[0147] (Item 6)

[0148] A refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device, wherein:

[0149] A control unit is provided for controlling the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device detected by the pressure detection unit.

[0150] The control unit performs the following control: before performing formal filling of the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device to fill the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device to a specified amount required for the operation of the heat transport device, in the case where preliminary filling of the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device to fill the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device with an inert gas so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device becomes a specified pressure is performed, whether the filling of the inert gas is completed is determined based on the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device detected by the pressure detection unit.

[0151] (Item 7)

[0152] A refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device according to item 6, wherein:

[0153] The control unit performs control to stop the filling of the inert gas when determining that the filling of the inert gas is completed.

[0154] (Item 8)

[0155] A refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device according to item 6 or 7, wherein:

[0156] further comprising a notification unit configured to notify information for filling the refrigerant into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device,

[0157] When the control unit determines that the filling of the inert gas is completed, the control unit uses the notification unit to notify information indicating that the filling of the inert gas is completed.

[0158] (Item 9)

[0159] A refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device according to item 8, wherein:

[0160] The control unit performs control such that the notification unit notifies the acquired pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device as information indicating completion of charging of the inert gas.

[0161] (Item 10)

[0162] The refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device according to any one of items 6 to 9, wherein:

[0163] The control unit performs control related to the main filling of filling the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device with the refrigerant up to a predetermined amount required for operation of the heat transport device, when it is determined that the preliminary filling is completed based on the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device detected by the pressure detection unit.

[0164] Description of Reference Numerals

[0165] 10: refrigerant flow path; 63, 64: pressure sensor (pressure detection unit); 100, 200: refrigerant filling control device; 101: control unit; 102: display unit (notification unit); 110: cooling device (heat transfer device).

Claims

1. A method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant, comprising: A pre-filling step of filling an inert gas into a refrigerant flow path of a heat transport device so that a pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device reaches a predetermined pressure; as well as The main filling step is to fill the refrigerant into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device to a predetermined amount required for the operation of the heat transfer device after the preliminary filling step.

2. The method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant according to claim 1, wherein: In the pre-filling step, the inert gas is filled to the predetermined pressure at which gas cavitation does not occur in a pump disposed in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device when the heat transfer device is operated.

3. The method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant according to claim 1, wherein: In the pre-filling step, the inert gas is filled so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device becomes the specified pressure, thereby making the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the pump arranged in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device when the heat transfer device is operated equal to or higher than the saturated vapor pressure of the refrigerant.

4. The method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant according to claim 1, wherein: In the pre-charging step, nitrogen as the inert gas is charged so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device becomes the predetermined pressure.

5. The method for filling a heat transport device with a refrigerant according to claim 1, wherein: In the pre-filling step, after the inert gas is pre-filled into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device is the specified pressure, the refrigerant is filled into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device at a filling speed that suppresses the generation of solids so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device is greater than the triple point pressure of the refrigerant.

6. A refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device, wherein: A control unit is provided for controlling the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device detected by the pressure detection unit. The control unit performs the following control: before performing formal filling of the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device to fill the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device to a specified amount required for the operation of the heat transport device, in the case where preliminary filling of the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device to fill the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device with an inert gas so that the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device becomes a specified pressure is performed, whether the filling of the inert gas is completed is determined based on the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device detected by the pressure detection unit.

7. The refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device according to claim 6, wherein: The control unit performs control to stop the filling of the inert gas when determining that the filling of the inert gas is completed.

8. The refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device according to claim 6, wherein: further comprising a notification unit configured to notify information for filling the refrigerant into the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device, When the control unit determines that the filling of the inert gas is completed, the control unit uses the notification unit to notify information indicating that the filling of the inert gas is completed.

9. The refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device according to claim 8, wherein: The control unit performs control such that the notification unit notifies the acquired pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer device as information indicating completion of charging of the inert gas.

10. The refrigerant filling control device for a heat transport device according to claim 6, wherein: The control unit performs control related to the main filling of filling the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device with the refrigerant up to a predetermined amount required for operation of the heat transport device, when it is determined that the preliminary filling is completed based on the pressure in the refrigerant flow path of the heat transport device detected by the pressure detection unit.

Images