Redundant air conditioner cold water control device and control method for underwater vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of underwater vehicles, and provides a redundant air conditioner cold water control device and method for an underwater vehicle. The redundant air conditioner cold water control device for the underwater vehicle comprises multiple sets of refrigerating systems and pump valve control systems, each set of refrigerating system comprises a refrigerating unit, a refrigerating loop control unit and a compressor, the refrigerating unit is connected with the compressor, and the refrigerating loop control unit is used for controlling the refrigerating unit and the compressor to operate; the pump valve control system is in communication connection with the multiple refrigerating circuit control units and used for monitoring the states of pumps and stop valves in cooling circuits in the refrigerating units and controlling starting and stopping of the pumps and the stop valves. According to the redundant air conditioner cold water control device for the underwater vehicle, by arranging the multiple sets of refrigerating systems, when a certain component in one set of refrigerating system breaks down, other refrigerating systems can be started, the refrigerating systems are prevented from losing efficacy, and normal operation of the underwater vehicle is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater vehicle technology, and in particular to a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device and control method for underwater vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] During underwater navigation, many of the internal devices of an underwater vehicle generate a significant amount of heat, requiring effective water cooling. The air conditioning chiller, as a critical component providing the chilled water, directly impacts the safe operation of the vehicle's equipment. Failure of this cooling system can lead to overheating, shutdown, damage, and even disrupt the entire underwater mission. Therefore, extremely high reliability is required for the air conditioning chiller and its control system.

[0003] Currently, the control of air conditioning chiller systems mainly adopts a control scheme combining a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a touch screen. In this scheme, the touch screen is used to realize human-machine interaction functions. The PLC collects sensor signals such as temperature and pressure in the refrigeration circuit through analog input (AI) modules, receives switching signals such as buttons and flow switches through digital input (DI) modules, controls actuators such as solenoid valves and buzzers through digital output (DO) modules, and realizes the operation control of the frequency converter through a communication interface.

[0004] Existing control devices typically employ a "one-to-one" control architecture, meaning each refrigeration unit is equipped with an independent control device to control the operation of a single compressor. This approach presents a significant risk of single point of failure: a failure in the CPU module, AI module, AO module, DI module, DO module, or any field-connected sensor within the control device can lead to the malfunction of the entire refrigeration system's control function, thereby affecting the normal operation of the refrigeration system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device and control method for underwater vehicles, which solves the defect in the prior art that when any module or sensor in the control device fails, the control function of the entire refrigeration system will fail.

[0006] This invention provides a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for an underwater vehicle, comprising: multiple refrigeration systems, each refrigeration system comprising: a refrigeration unit, a refrigeration circuit control unit, and a compressor, wherein the refrigeration unit is connected to the compressor, and the refrigeration circuit control unit is used to control the operation of the refrigeration unit and the compressor; and a pump and valve control system, which is communicatively connected to the multiple refrigeration circuit control units, wherein the pump and valve control system is used to monitor the status of the pumps and shut-off valves in the cooling circuit of the refrigeration unit, and to control the start and stop of the pumps and shut-off valves.

[0007] According to the present invention, a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for an underwater vehicle is provided, wherein each refrigeration circuit control unit includes: a temperature sensor disposed in the cooling circuit, the temperature sensor being used to detect the outlet temperature of the chilled water in the cooling circuit; a main control board being used to control the start and stop of the compressor according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and to adjust the operating frequency of the compressor according to the temperature, the main control board being further used to control the start and stop of the compressor according to priority operating logic.

[0008] According to the present invention, a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for an underwater vehicle is provided, wherein the refrigeration circuit control unit further includes: a data processing unit, which is communicatively connected to the temperature sensor and the main control board; and a first ruggedized integrated unit, which is communicatively connected to the main control board and is used for human interaction.

[0009] According to the present invention, a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for an underwater vehicle includes a data processing unit comprising: a CAN module, communicatively connected to the main control board; a digital input module, communicatively connected to the main control board, for acquiring switch signals; a digital output module, communicatively connected to the main control board, for outputting switch signals; an analog input module, communicatively connected to the main control board, for acquiring analog signals; and an analog output module, communicatively connected to the main control board, for outputting analog signals.

[0010] According to the present invention, a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for an underwater vehicle is provided. The pump valve control system includes: a switch, which is communicatively connected to the main control board; and a second ruggedized integrated unit, which is communicatively connected to the switch. The second ruggedized integrated unit is used to display parameters of multiple refrigeration circuit control units.

[0011] This invention also provides a control method based on the redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for underwater vehicles as described above, comprising: a first control mode and a second control mode; when the first control mode is selected, controlling any one of the multiple refrigeration systems to operate; when the second control mode is selected, controlling all of the multiple refrigeration systems to operate, wherein the step of controlling all of the multiple refrigeration systems to operate includes: setting one of the multiple refrigeration systems as a priority unit and the other as a non-priority unit; during load increase operation, controlling the priority unit to start first, and the non-priority unit to start later; during load decrease operation, controlling the non-priority unit to shut down first, and the priority unit to shut down later.

[0012] According to the present invention, a control method based on a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for an underwater vehicle is provided. The step of controlling the priority unit to start first and the non-priority unit to start later during a load-increasing operation includes: obtaining the outlet temperature of the chilled water in the cooling circuit; controlling the priority unit to start when the outlet temperature is greater than or equal to a first preset value; increasing the operating frequency of the priority unit until it reaches the maximum operating frequency; and controlling the non-priority unit to start after the operating frequency of the priority unit reaches the maximum operating frequency.

[0013] According to the present invention, a control method based on a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for an underwater vehicle is provided. The step of controlling the non-priority unit to shut down first and the priority unit to shut down later during a load reduction operation includes: controlling the non-priority unit to shut down first when the outlet temperature of the chilled water is less than a second preset value, and controlling the priority unit to shut down after the non-priority unit shuts down, wherein the second preset value is less than the first preset value.

[0014] According to the present invention, a control method based on a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for an underwater vehicle is provided. The control method further includes: reducing the operating frequency of the priority unit and the non-priority unit when the outlet temperature of the chilled water is less than a third preset value; keeping the operating frequency of the priority unit and the non-priority unit unchanged when the outlet temperature of the chilled water is greater than or equal to the third preset value and less than or equal to a fourth preset value; and increasing the operating frequency of the priority unit and the non-priority unit when the outlet temperature of the chilled water is greater than the fourth preset value.

[0015] According to a control method based on a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for underwater vehicles provided by the present invention, the step of obtaining the outlet water temperature of the chilled water in the cooling circuit includes: obtaining the actual outlet water temperature of the chilled water in each cooling circuit of each refrigeration system; and taking the average value of the multiple actual outlet water temperatures as the outlet water temperature.

[0016] The redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for underwater vehicles provided by this invention, by setting up multiple refrigeration systems, can start other refrigeration systems when a component in one refrigeration system fails, thus avoiding refrigeration system failure and ensuring the normal operation of the underwater vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for underwater vehicles provided by the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the control method provided by the present invention.

[0020] Figure label: 10. Refrigeration circuit control unit; 11. Frequency converter; 20. Pump and valve control system; 21. Switch; 30. Monitor; 40. Diagnostic system; 50. Platform information network. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0022] The following is combined Figure 1 and Figure 2 The present invention describes a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device and control method for underwater vehicles.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, the redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for an underwater vehicle includes: multiple refrigeration systems and a pump and valve control system 20. Each refrigeration system includes: a refrigeration unit, a refrigeration circuit control unit 10, and a compressor. In this embodiment, the refrigeration unit has the same structure as the refrigeration unit in the prior art air conditioning system, including: an evaporator, an expansion valve, a condenser, a pump, a shut-off valve, and a cooling circuit, etc., which will not be described in detail here. The compressor is connected to the refrigeration unit, and the refrigeration circuit control unit 10 is electrically or communicatively connected to the compressor and the refrigeration unit. The refrigeration circuit control unit 10 is used to control the operation of the refrigeration unit and the compressor. The pump and valve control system 20 is communicatively connected to multiple refrigeration circuit control units 10. The pump and valve control system 20 is used to monitor the status of the pumps and shut-off valves in the cooling circuit of the refrigeration unit and to control the start and stop of the pumps and shut-off valves.

[0024] Specifically, in this embodiment, there are two refrigeration systems, each with the other as a backup. If a component in one refrigeration system fails, the other system can be activated, ensuring continuous operation and preventing system failure. Furthermore, when cooling demand is high, both systems can be started simultaneously to meet the requirement. In this embodiment, the pump and valve control system 20 can monitor and control the status of the refrigerant water pump and the refrigerant water shut-off valve in each refrigeration system.

[0025] The redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for underwater vehicles provided in this embodiment of the invention, by setting up multiple refrigeration systems, can start other refrigeration systems when a component in one refrigeration system fails, thus avoiding refrigeration system failure and ensuring the normal operation of the underwater vehicle.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration circuit control unit 10 includes a temperature sensor and a main control board. The temperature sensor is disposed in the cooling circuit and is used to detect the outlet temperature of the chilled water in the cooling circuit. The main control board is used to control the start and stop of the compressor according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. For example, when the outlet temperature of the chilled water is greater than or equal to a first preset value, the compressor is controlled to start; when the outlet temperature of the chilled water is less than a second preset value, the compressor is controlled to stop. Simultaneously, the main control board is also used to adjust the compressor frequency according to the outlet temperature of the chilled water. Furthermore, the main control board is also used to control the start and stop of the compressor according to priority operation logic, that is, to designate one of the multiple compressors in the multiple refrigeration systems as a priority unit and the other as a non-priority unit. When the cooling demand is high and two refrigeration systems need to be running, during load increase operations, the priority unit starts first, and the non-priority unit starts later; during load reduction operations, the non-priority unit shuts down first, and the priority unit shuts down later.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration circuit control unit 10 includes a housing, on which a flow switch, a button, and an indicator light are provided. The compressor can be manually started and stopped via the button. In this embodiment, the housing is made of cold-rolled steel plate, and a conductive sealing strip is provided at the connection between the housing and the door to improve the resistance to radio frequency interference. In this embodiment, the refrigeration circuit control unit 10 has functions such as automatic control, operation, protection, alarm, and parameter display.

[0028] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration circuit control unit 10 further includes a data processing unit and a first ruggedized integrated unit. The data processing unit, the first ruggedized integrated unit, and the main control board are all housed within a casing. The data processing unit includes a CAN module, a digital input module, a digital output module, an analog input module, and an analog output module. The CAN module enables communication between the inverter 11 and the main control board via CAN communication; the digital input module is used to collect switching signals from flow switches and buttons, and the digital output module is used to output switching signals to control indicator lights, expansion valves, etc.; the analog input module is used to collect analog signals from temperature sensors and pressure sensors, and the analog output module is used to output analog signals to control two-way regulating valves. The main control board collects information from the CAN module, the digital input module, and the analog input module, as well as instructions from the first ruggedized integrated unit. According to the control logic, it outputs control signals to the digital output module and the analog output module, and feeds the information back to the first ruggedized integrated unit for display. Simultaneously, the first ruggedized integrated unit is also used for human-machine interaction to receive instructions. In this embodiment, the refrigeration circuit control unit 10 monitors the cooling circuit parameters of the refrigeration unit and protects the compressor. Specifically, the cooling circuit parameters include: monitoring the compressor's suction pressure, discharge pressure, suction temperature, discharge temperature, refrigerant water inlet temperature and outlet temperature, inverter operating frequency, and the opening degree of the cooling water two-way regulating valve in the cooling circuit; and has compressor oil shortage protection, compressor oil filter differential pressure protection, compressor power supply protection, compressor discharge high temperature protection, and compressor discharge high pressure protection.

[0029] Furthermore, the refrigeration circuit control unit 10 also includes a power module, buzzer, filter, circuit breaker and electrical accessories installed inside the enclosure.

[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pump and valve control system 20 includes a housing and a switch 21, circuit breaker, relay, power module, second ruggedized integrated unit, and electrical accessories disposed within the housing. The switch 21 is communicatively connected to the refrigeration circuit control unit 10. The main control board of the refrigeration circuit control unit 10 can send collected information to the switch 21 and display it on the second ruggedized integrated unit of the pump and valve control system 20. Simultaneously, the pump and valve control system 20 can control the pump and shut-off valve in the cooling circuit based on the information sent by the main control board.

[0031] like Figure 1As shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, the switch 21 can also be connected to the monitor 30, the diagnostic system 40, and the platform information network 50. The monitor 30 is used to monitor the concentration of refrigerant in the cooling circuit and send the monitoring data to the switch 21. The diagnostic system 40 is used to issue an over-limit alarm when the temperature or pressure in the refrigeration system exceeds a set value. The switch 21 can upload the collected data to the platform information network 50 to enable remote data viewing.

[0032] In this embodiment, the pump and valve control system 20 is used to centrally display parameters of each cooling circuit, operating frequency information of each inverter, refrigerant concentration, and vibration acceleration. The pump and valve control system 20 can also adjust the speed of the air conditioning freshwater pump, monitor the inlet and outlet pressure of the freshwater pump, the outlet pressure of the chiller unit, the pressure and level of the freshwater tank, and issue alarms when the freshwater tank level exceeds the limit or the vibration acceleration exceeds the limit.

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a control method, including a first control mode and a second control mode. When the first control mode is selected, any one of the multiple refrigeration systems is controlled to operate; when the second control mode is selected, all of the multiple refrigeration systems are controlled to operate. The steps of controlling all of the multiple refrigeration systems to operate include: setting one of the multiple refrigeration systems as a priority unit and the other as a non-priority unit; during load increase operation, controlling the priority unit to start first and the non-priority unit to start later; during load decrease operation, controlling the non-priority unit to shut down first and the priority unit to shut down later.

[0034] Specifically, in the first control mode, only one of the multiple refrigeration systems operates; in the second control mode, all multiple refrigeration systems operate. When all multiple refrigeration systems are running, the compressors must be started and stopped according to priority. Specifically, one compressor in each system is designated as the priority unit, and the others as non-priority units. When the chilled water outlet temperature is high (e.g., above 7°C), a load increase operation is initiated. In this case, the priority unit is started first, followed by the non-priority unit. After multiple compressors have run for a certain period, the chilled water outlet temperature will decrease. When the outlet temperature is low (e.g., below 5°C), a load reduction operation is initiated. In this case, the non-priority unit is shut down first, followed by the priority unit.

[0035] In actual use, priority units can be flexibly set according to the operating time of the refrigeration system to avoid the long-term use of a certain refrigeration system and increase the risk of failure.

[0036] The control method provided in this invention can activate other refrigeration systems when a component in a refrigeration system fails, thus preventing refrigeration system failure and ensuring the normal operation of the underwater vehicle. At the same time, by setting priority control logic, it can prevent the long-term use of a single refrigeration system and reduce the risk of failure.

[0037] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the step of controlling the priority unit to start first and the non-priority unit to start later includes: obtaining the outlet water temperature of the chilled water in the cooling circuit; controlling the priority unit to start when the outlet water temperature is greater than or equal to a first preset value; after the priority unit starts, gradually increasing the operating frequency of the priority unit until the maximum operating frequency is reached; and controlling the non-priority unit to start after the operating frequency of the priority unit reaches the maximum operating frequency. Optionally, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first preset value can be 6 ± 2°C.

[0038] After the priority and non-priority units have been running for a certain period of time, the chilled water outlet temperature will drop. When the chilled water outlet temperature is lower than a second preset value, the non-priority units will be shut down first, followed by the priority units. In this embodiment, the second preset value is lower than the first preset value; optionally, the second preset value can be 6-1.5℃.

[0039] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the step of obtaining the outlet water temperature of the chilled water in the cooling circuit includes: obtaining the actual outlet water temperature of the chilled water in each cooling circuit of each refrigeration system, taking the average of multiple actual outlet water temperatures as the outlet water temperature, and controlling both priority units and non-priority units according to the outlet water temperature.

[0040] In embodiments of the present invention, the control method further includes: reducing the operating frequency of priority units and non-priority units when the outlet temperature of the chilled water is less than a third preset value; maintaining the operating frequency of priority units and non-priority units unchanged when the outlet temperature of the chilled water is greater than or equal to the third preset value and less than or equal to a fourth preset value; and increasing the operating frequency of priority units and non-priority units when the outlet temperature of the chilled water is greater than the fourth preset value. Optionally, the third preset value can be 5°C, and the fourth preset value can be 7°C. The compressor's operating frequency is controlled according to the chilled water outlet temperature to adjust the cooling capacity of the refrigeration system, thereby maintaining the chilled water outlet temperature within the range of 6±1°C.

[0041] It should be noted that when a single refrigeration system is running, the compressor will automatically start when the outlet temperature of the refrigerant water is greater than or equal to the first preset value; and the compressor will automatically stop when the outlet temperature of the refrigerant water is less than or equal to the second preset value.

[0042] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for an underwater vehicle, characterized in that, include: Multiple refrigeration systems are provided, each of which includes: a refrigeration unit, a refrigeration circuit control unit, and a compressor. The refrigeration unit is connected to the compressor, and the refrigeration circuit control unit is used to control the operation of the refrigeration unit and the compressor. The pump and valve control system is communicatively connected to multiple refrigeration circuit control units. The pump and valve control system is used to monitor the status of pumps and shut-off valves in the cooling circuit of the refrigeration unit and to control the start and stop of the pumps and shut-off valves.

2. The redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for underwater vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned refrigeration circuit control units includes: A temperature sensor is installed in the cooling circuit, and the temperature sensor is used to detect the outlet water temperature of the chilled water in the cooling circuit; The main control board is used to control the compressor to start and stop according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and to adjust the operating frequency of the compressor according to the temperature. The main control board is also used to control the compressor to start and stop according to priority operation logic.

3. The redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for underwater vehicles according to claim 2, characterized in that, The refrigeration circuit control unit also includes: The data processing unit is communicatively connected to the temperature sensor and the main control board. The first ruggedized integrated machine is communicatively connected to the main control board and is used for human interaction.

4. The redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for underwater vehicles according to claim 3, characterized in that, The data processing unit includes: The CAN module is connected to the main control board for communication. A digital input module is communicatively connected to the main control board, and the digital input module is used to acquire switch signals; A digital output module is communicatively connected to the main control board, and the digital output module is used to output switch signals; An analog input module is communicatively connected to the main control board, and the analog input module is used to acquire analog signals. An analog output module is communicatively connected to the main control board and is used to output analog signals.

5. The redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for underwater vehicles according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pump and valve control system includes: The switch is communicatively connected to the main control board; The second ruggedized integrated unit is communicatively connected to the switch and is used to display parameters of multiple refrigeration circuit control units.

6. A control method for a redundant air conditioning chilled water control device for an underwater vehicle based on any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, include: First control mode and second control mode; When the first control mode is selected, any one of the multiple refrigeration systems is controlled to operate; When the second control mode is selected, all of the multiple refrigeration systems are controlled to operate, wherein the steps of controlling all of the multiple refrigeration systems to operate include: One of the multiple refrigeration systems is designated as a priority unit, and the other is designated as a non-priority unit; During load increase operations, the priority units are controlled to start first, while the non-priority units are started later. During load reduction operations, the non-priority units are controlled to shut down first, while the priority units are shut down later.

7. The control method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The step of controlling the priority units to start first and the non-priority units to start later during the load increase operation includes: The outlet water temperature of the chilled water in the cooling circuit is obtained, and when the outlet water temperature is greater than or equal to a first preset value, the priority unit is controlled to start. Increase the operating frequency of the priority units until they reach the maximum operating frequency; After the operating frequency of the priority unit reaches the maximum operating frequency, the non-priority unit is controlled to start.

8. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The step of controlling the non-priority units to shut down first and the priority units to shut down later during load reduction operations includes: When the outlet temperature of the chilled water is less than the second preset value, the non-priority unit is controlled to shut down first. After the non-priority unit is shut down, the priority unit is controlled to shut down. The second preset value is less than the first preset value.

9. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control method further includes: When the outlet temperature of the chilled water is less than the third preset value, reduce the operating frequency of the priority unit and the non-priority unit; When the outlet temperature of the chilled water is greater than or equal to the third preset value and less than or equal to the fourth preset value, the operating frequency of the priority unit and the non-priority unit remains unchanged. When the outlet temperature of the chilled water is greater than the fourth preset value, the operating frequency of the priority unit and the non-priority unit is increased.

10. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The steps for obtaining the outlet temperature of the chilled water in the cooling circuit include: Obtain the actual outlet temperature of the chilled water in each cooling loop of each refrigeration system; The average of the multiple actual water outlet temperatures is taken as the water outlet temperature.

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