Three-temperature dual-medium water chiller
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522525654.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-15
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-11-28
AI Technical Summary
尤其在满足欧洲客户对无汞焊轮座焊机的冷却需求时,现有冷水机既无法兼顾多温区精准控温,也难以适配无汞介质与特殊乳化液,系统可靠性同样不足
[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This three-temperature dual-medium chiller can accurately meet the differentiated cooling needs of various components on the welding machine, with precise and stable temperature control, and the dual compression units serve as backups for each other to ensure continuous operation. It is safe, reliable, and adaptable to the needs of various production lines.
Smart Images

Figure CN224750423U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to cooling equipment, and in particular to a three-temperature dual-medium water chiller. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of high-speed resistance welding machines, the cooling system is crucial, and the equipment typically requires more than ten cooling water circuits. Most existing chillers are single-temperature single-medium or dual-temperature single-medium designs. However, these devices tend to generate large amounts of condensate during operation due to the temperature difference between the internal and external components. Furthermore, different components (such as compressors, transformers, and welding wheel holders) have significantly different water temperature requirements. Therefore, single-temperature single-medium models, when cooling at the lowest required temperature, result in wasted cooling capacity and a significant increase in energy consumption. If designed for high-temperature requirements, they cannot meet the cooling needs of precision components. Dual-temperature single-medium models also suffer from insufficient temperature control accuracy due to the single medium, making precise control of the temperature gradient difficult, and the load fluctuations in different temperature zones can interfere with each other.
[0003] In addition, traditional chillers lack redundant design and intelligent control. In the continuous operation scenario of high-speed resistance welding machines, once a certain link fails (such as the compressor stops), it is easy to cause the whole machine to stop, resulting in production losses. At the same time, their energy efficiency ratio is low and the long-term energy consumption cost is high.
[0004] On the other hand, traditional welding wheel holders use mercury as the current conduction medium, posing environmental and safety hazards and no longer suitable for modern industrial development trends. Existing resistance welding machines increasingly favor mercury-free environmentally friendly media for their lower and upper welding wheels, requiring special emulsions as coolants to accommodate these mercury-free media. Especially when meeting the cooling needs of European customers for mercury-free welding wheel holders, existing chillers cannot provide precise temperature control across multiple temperature zones, nor are they compatible with mercury-free media and special emulsions, resulting in insufficient system reliability. Utility Model Content
[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a three-temperature dual-medium chiller. This three-temperature dual-medium chiller can accurately meet the differentiated cooling needs of various components on the welding machine, with precise and stable temperature control. The dual compression units serve as backups for each other to ensure continuous operation. It is safe, reliable, and adaptable to the needs of various production lines.
[0006] To address the aforementioned technical issues, the following technical solution is adopted: A three-temperature dual-medium chiller, characterized in that it comprises a first refrigerant compression unit, a second refrigerant compression unit, a first evaporator, a second evaporator, a third evaporator, a first cooling medium circulation unit, a second cooling medium circulation unit, a third cooling medium circulation unit, and a control device; the first refrigerant compression unit forms a first closed-loop refrigerant circuit and a second closed-loop refrigerant circuit through pipes connected to the refrigerant inlets and outlets of the first and second evaporators respectively; the second refrigerant compression unit forms a third closed-loop refrigerant circuit through pipes connected to the refrigerant inlet and outlet of the third evaporator; the first cooling medium circulation unit forms a cold water zone circulation circuit through pipes connected to the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the first evaporator; the second cooling medium circulation unit forms a warm water zone circulation circuit through pipes connected to the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the second evaporator; the third cooling medium circulation unit forms an emulsion circulation circuit through pipes connected to the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the third evaporator; the signal input terminals of the first refrigerant compression unit, the second refrigerant compression unit, the first evaporator, the second evaporator, the third evaporator, the first cooling medium circulation unit, the second cooling medium circulation unit, and the third cooling medium circulation unit are electrically connected to the corresponding signal output terminals of the control device.
[0007] In the aforementioned three-temperature dual-medium chiller, typically, pure water or refrigerant flows through the cold water circulation loop and the warm water circulation loop, while emulsion flows through the emulsion circulation loop. Water from the cooling medium outlet of the first evaporator cools components requiring cold water cooling (e.g., transformers, upper welding wheels, lower welding arms, sizing gauges, can-opening seats, copper electrodes, inverters, etc. in a can-making production line); water from the cooling medium outlet of the second evaporator cools components requiring warm water cooling (e.g., flattening mechanisms, can-feeding platforms, etc. in a can-making production line); and emulsion from the cooling medium outlet of the third evaporator cools components requiring ice water cooling (e.g., mercury-free upper welding wheel seats, mercury-free lower welding wheels, etc. in a can-making production line). The first, second, and third closed-loop refrigerant circuits are independent of each other and can be independently temperature controlled, offering flexible and high precision. Since the target temperature difference between the chilled water and warm water circulation circuits is typically small, and both use water as the cooling medium, their cooling demand fluctuations are consistent. Therefore, the first and second closed-loop refrigerant circuits share a first refrigerant compression unit. This allows for independent temperature fine-tuning of the two temperature zones by adjusting the refrigerant flow through the first and second evaporators, meeting cooling requirements while reducing the number of compressors, lowering equipment costs and installation space. The target temperature of the emulsion circulation circuit is generally much lower than that of the chilled and warm water zones. Therefore, the third closed-loop refrigerant circuit uses an independently configured second refrigerant compression unit, allowing its operating parameters (such as compression ratio and operating frequency) to precisely match the low-temperature requirements of the chilled water zone. This avoids the reduction in cooling efficiency caused by "high-low temperature mixing" when sharing a compressor with the warm / chilled water zone. Furthermore, since the emulsion circulation circuit uses emulsion as the cooling medium, and the heat transfer coefficient of emulsion differs from that of water, a separate compressor can better adapt to the heat exchange characteristics of this circuit, ensuring stable low-temperature output. On the other hand, the first and second refrigerant compression units can also serve as backups for each other. When one of them fails, the control device can switch control, allowing the other to temporarily take over part of the load (or maintain operation in the core temperature zone), preventing a complete system shutdown. This is suitable for production lines with high requirements for continuous cooling. Furthermore, considering that welding machines sometimes require dual-temperature single-medium cooling and sometimes triple-temperature dual-medium cooling, this structure allows for matching the appropriate cooling method to different production requirements.
[0008] The aforementioned control devices typically employ PLC controllers.
[0009] In the preferred embodiment, the first, second, and third cooling medium circulation units each include a circulation pump and a circulation pipeline. The inlet and outlet of the circulation pump are connected in series with the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the corresponding evaporator through the circulation pipeline to form a corresponding circulation loop. The signal input terminal of each circulation pump is electrically connected to the corresponding signal output terminal of the control device. The circulation pump is the core power source for cooling medium circulation, and the circulation pipeline provides a closed channel for medium flow. The two work together to ensure directional and stable circulation of the cooling medium in each temperature zone. During use, the control device adjusts the operating frequency of the circulation pump in real time according to the temperature requirements of each temperature zone, thereby controlling the medium flow rate. That is, when the temperature deviation is large, the flow rate is increased to improve heat exchange efficiency, and when the temperature is stable, the flow rate is reduced to save energy. This structure not only ensures the independence of each circulation loop, but also further improves the temperature control accuracy of each temperature zone through precise flow control, while simplifying the overall structure of the cooling medium circulation unit and reducing maintenance difficulty.
[0010] In a further preferred embodiment, the first cooling medium circulation unit further includes a first cooling return water tank and a cold water tank. The cooling medium outlet of the first evaporator is connected to the inlet of the first cooling return water tank, the outlet of the first cooling return water tank is connected to the inlet of the cold water tank, and the outlet of the cold water tank is connected to the inlet of the circulation pump in the first cooling medium circulation unit. The second cooling medium circulation unit further includes a second cooling return water tank and a warm water tank. The cooling medium outlet of the second evaporator is connected to the inlet of the second cooling return water tank, the outlet of the second cooling return water tank is connected to the inlet of the warm water tank, and the outlet of the warm water tank is connected to the inlet of the circulation pump in the second cooling medium circulation unit. A first temperature sensor is provided in both the cold water tank and the warm water tank, and the signal output terminal of the first temperature sensor is electrically connected to the corresponding signal input terminal of the control device. The first and second cooling return water tanks are used to buffer the cooling medium flowing out from the corresponding evaporators, reducing the impact of medium flow rate fluctuations on circulation stability. The cold water tank and the warm water tank provide storage space for cold and warm water, ensuring sufficient medium storage in the circulation system, and ensuring that the medium temperature does not continuously rise even after long-term use. The first temperature sensor directly monitors the actual temperature of the cooling medium in the water tank and can provide real-time temperature data feedback to the control device. Compared to monitoring the temperature of the flowing medium in the pipeline, this is more accurate and stable. The control device can then quickly adjust the cooling capacity or circulation pump flow rate of the corresponding closed-loop refrigerant circuit based on this temperature signal, keeping the temperature of the cold water zone and the warm water zone within the set range and reducing temperature fluctuations. This is especially suitable for applications with high requirements for water temperature stability. The first and second cooling return water tanks can be constructed by dividing the same return water tank into two separate chambers; the cold water tank and the warm water tank can also be constructed by dividing the same water tank into two separate chambers.
[0011] In a further preferred embodiment, the third cooling medium circulation unit further includes a third cooling return water tank and an emulsion storage tank. The cooling medium outlet of the third evaporator is connected to the inlet of the third cooling return water tank, the outlet of the third cooling return water tank is connected to the inlet of the emulsion storage tank, and the outlet of the emulsion storage tank is connected to the inlet of the circulation pump in the third cooling medium circulation unit. A second temperature sensor is installed in the emulsion storage tank, and the signal output terminal of the second temperature sensor is electrically connected to the corresponding signal input terminal of the control device. The third cooling return water tank is used to buffer the low-temperature emulsion flowing out of the third evaporator, reducing the impact of high-viscosity emulsion flow rate fluctuations on circulation stability. The emulsion storage tank is specifically used to store the emulsion, ensuring sufficient medium storage in the circulation system, and ensuring that the emulsion temperature does not continuously rise even after long-term use. The second temperature sensor directly monitors the actual temperature of the cooling medium in the emulsion storage tank and can feed back temperature data to the control device in real time, which is more accurate and stable than monitoring the temperature of the flowing medium in the pipeline. The control device can then adjust the cooling capacity of the third closed-loop refrigerant circuit or the flow rate of the circulating pump based on this signal to ensure that the emulsion is always maintained at the target low temperature.
[0012] In a further preferred embodiment, the first, second, and third cooling medium circulation units also include an antifreeze switch and a water pressure gauge, respectively. Both the antifreeze switch and the water pressure gauge are connected in series between the circulation pump and the corresponding evaporator. The antifreeze switch is designed to withstand the low temperatures of each cooling medium and can monitor the medium temperature in the pipeline between the circulation pump and the evaporator in real time. When the medium temperature in the cold water circulation loop and the emulsion circulation loop approaches the freezing point, or when the temperature in the warm water circulation loop drops too low due to abnormal operating conditions, the antifreeze switch will quickly trigger a signal to the control device. The control device can then adjust the operating frequency of the circulation pump in a timely manner to prevent the medium from freezing and expanding, which could damage the pipeline, evaporator, and other components. The water pressure gauge monitors the medium pressure in the pipeline in real time, providing direct feedback on the flow status. Excessive pressure indicates potential pipeline blockage, while excessively low pressure indicates potential medium leakage or circulation pump failure, facilitating rapid troubleshooting by personnel.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the first refrigerant compression unit includes a first compressor, a first condenser, and two first throttling elements. The outlet of the first compressor is connected to the inlet of the first condenser, and the liquid outlet of the first condenser is connected to the liquid inlets of the two first throttling elements. The two first throttling elements correspond to the first and second evaporators, respectively, and the liquid outlet of the first throttling element is connected to the refrigerant liquid inlet of the corresponding evaporator. The refrigerant outlets of the first and second evaporators are connected to the inlet of the first compressor. The second refrigerant compression unit includes a second compressor, a second condenser, and a second throttling element. The outlet of the second compressor is connected to the inlet of the second condenser, and the liquid outlet of the second condenser is connected to the liquid inlet of the second throttling element. The liquid outlet of the second throttling element is connected to the refrigerant liquid inlet of the third evaporator, and the refrigerant outlet of the third evaporator is connected to the inlet of the second compressor. This connection method forms a closed-loop refrigerant circuit between the first and second refrigerant compression units and their corresponding evaporators. The first compressor and first condenser, serving as the "core of cooling capacity production" for the first and second closed-loop refrigerant circuits, control the refrigerant flow through two independent first throttling elements, supplying it to two independent evaporators to achieve independent temperature control and fine-tuning of the chilled water and warm water zones. The combination of the second compressor, second condenser, and second throttling element is specifically adapted to meet the lower temperature requirements of the third closed-loop refrigerant circuit, forming a functional zone with the first refrigerant compression unit, and serving as backups for each other when necessary.
[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, the first refrigerant compression unit further includes a first liquid receiver, a first drying transition device, and a first solenoid valve. The outlet of the first condenser is connected to the inlet of the first liquid receiver, the outlet of the first liquid receiver is connected to the inlet of the first drying transition device, and the outlet of the first drying transition device is connected to the inlet of the first solenoid valve. The first solenoid valve has two outlets, which are respectively connected to the inlets of the two first throttling elements. The second refrigerant compression unit further includes a second liquid receiver, a second drying transition device, and a second solenoid valve. The outlet of the second condenser is connected to the inlet of the second liquid receiver, the outlet of the second liquid receiver is connected to the inlet of the second drying transition device, the outlet of the second drying transition device is connected to the inlet of the second solenoid valve, and the outlet of the second solenoid valve is connected to the inlet of the second throttling element. The first and second liquid receivers respectively store liquefied refrigerant for their respective refrigerant circuits. The first and second drying transition devices can remove moisture and impurities from the refrigerant, preventing moisture from freezing at the throttling elements or impurities from wearing down compressor components. The first solenoid valve independently controls the flow of refrigerant to the two first throttling elements through two liquid outlets, and the second solenoid valve controls the flow of refrigerant to the second throttling element. Together with the control device, they can realize the individual start / stop or flow regulation of each refrigerant circuit, further improving the control accuracy and reliability of the refrigerant circuit.
[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the first refrigerant compression unit further includes a first high-pressure gauge, a first high-pressure switch, a three-way confluence valve, a first low-pressure gauge, and a first low-pressure switch. The first high-pressure gauge and the first high-pressure switch are both connected in series between the first compressor and the first condenser. The refrigerant outlets of the first and second evaporators are connected to the inlet of the first compressor via the three-way confluence valve. The first low-pressure gauge and the first low-pressure switch are both connected in series between the three-way confluence valve and the first compressor. The first high-pressure gauge monitors the high-pressure status of the first compressor's exhaust port in real time. The first high-pressure switch automatically cuts off the circuit when the pressure exceeds a safe threshold to prevent damage to the first compressor due to high-pressure overload. The first low-pressure gauge monitors the low-pressure status of the first compressor's inlet. The first low-pressure switch triggers protection when the pressure is too low to prevent the first compressor from running dry and wearing down. The three-way confluence valve smoothly merges the refrigerant gases flowing from the first and second evaporators and sends them to the first compressor, ensuring uniform refrigerant return and preventing unstable operation of the first compressor due to airflow impact. By adding pressure monitoring and safety protection components, the operational safety of the first refrigerant compression unit can be effectively improved, ensuring that the two circuits sharing the same compression unit can operate stably and collaboratively.
[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the second refrigerant compression unit also includes a second high-pressure gauge and a second high-pressure switch, both connected in series between the second compressor and the second condenser. The second refrigerant compression unit needs to adapt to the low-temperature requirements of the third closed-loop refrigerant circuit. During operation, the second compressor discharges at a higher pressure. The second high-pressure gauge can provide real-time feedback on the high-pressure status, facilitating user monitoring of equipment operation. The second high-pressure switch quickly cuts off the circuit when the pressure exceeds the limit, preventing damage to the second compressor due to high-pressure overload.
[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, the first and second condensers are either air-cooled or water-cooled condensers, and the first and second throttling devices are either electronic expansion valves or thermostatic expansion valves. Air-cooled condensers require no additional cooling water, offering flexible installation and suitability for scenarios with limited water resources or no cooling water circuits. Water-cooled condensers have high heat exchange efficiency, making them suitable for scenarios with high cooling capacity requirements or low noise requirements. Users can choose according to their actual installation environment. Typically, when the first and second condensers are water-cooled, they are connected to an external water tower via water pumps. Electronic expansion valves offer fast response times and can precisely regulate refrigerant flow, adapting to high-precision temperature control requirements. Thermostatic expansion valves have a simple structure and high reliability, making them suitable for cooling scenarios with relatively stable operating conditions, thus reducing equipment costs.
[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This three-temperature dual-medium chiller can accurately meet the differentiated cooling needs of various components on the welding machine, with precise and stable temperature control, and the dual compression units serve as backups for each other to ensure continuous operation. It is safe, reliable, and adaptable to the needs of various production lines. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the three-temperature dual-medium chiller in this embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the output and input of the three-temperature dual-medium chiller in this embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments: like Figure 1-2 The illustrated three-temperature dual-medium chiller includes a first refrigerant compression unit 1, a second refrigerant compression unit 2, a first evaporator 3, a second evaporator 4, a third evaporator 5, a first cooling medium circulation unit 6, a second cooling medium circulation unit 7, a third cooling medium circulation unit 8, and a control device 9. The first refrigerant compression unit 1 forms a first closed-loop refrigerant circuit and a second closed-loop refrigerant circuit via pipes to the refrigerant inlets and outlets of the first evaporator 3 and the second evaporator 4, respectively. The second refrigerant compression unit 2 forms a third closed-loop refrigerant circuit via pipes to the refrigerant inlet and outlet of the third evaporator 5. The first cooling medium circulation unit 6 forms a third closed-loop refrigerant circuit via pipes to the refrigerant inlet and outlet of the third evaporator 5. The first evaporator 3 forms a cold water circulation loop with the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the first evaporator 3; the second cooling medium circulation unit 7 forms a warm water circulation loop with the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the second evaporator 4 through a pipe; the third cooling medium circulation unit 8 forms an emulsion circulation loop with the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the third evaporator 5 through a pipe; the signal input terminals of the first refrigerant compression unit 1, the second refrigerant compression unit 2, the first evaporator 3, the second evaporator 4, the third evaporator 5, the first cooling medium circulation unit 6, the second cooling medium circulation unit 7, and the third cooling medium circulation unit 8 are electrically connected to the corresponding signal output terminals of the control device 9.
[0021] In the aforementioned three-temperature dual-medium chiller, typically, pure water or refrigerant flows through the cold water circulation loop and the warm water circulation loop, while emulsion flows through the emulsion circulation loop. Water from the cooling medium outlet of the first evaporator 3 cools components 10 requiring cold water cooling (e.g., transformers, upper welding wheels, lower welding arms, sizing gauges, can-opening seats, copper electrodes, inverters, etc. in a can-making production line); water from the cooling medium outlet of the second evaporator 4 cools components 11 requiring warm water cooling (e.g., flattening mechanisms, can-feeding platforms, etc. in a can-making production line); and emulsion from the cooling medium outlet of the third evaporator 5 cools components 12 requiring ice water cooling (e.g., mercury-free upper welding wheel seats, mercury-free lower welding wheels, etc. in a can-making production line). The first, second, and third closed-loop refrigerant circuits are independent of each other and can be independently temperature controlled, offering flexible and high precision. Since the target temperature difference between the cold water and warm water circulation circuits is typically small, and both use water as the cooling medium, their cooling demand fluctuations are consistent. Therefore, the first and second closed-loop refrigerant circuits share the first refrigerant compression unit 1. This allows for independent temperature fine-tuning of the two temperature zones by adjusting the refrigerant flow through the first evaporator 3 and the second evaporator 4, meeting cooling requirements while reducing the number of compressors, lowering equipment costs and installation space. The target temperature of the emulsion circulation circuit is generally much lower than that of the cold and warm water zones. Therefore, the third closed-loop refrigerant circuit uses an independently configured second refrigerant compression unit 2, allowing its operating parameters (such as compression ratio and operating frequency) to precisely match the low-temperature requirements of the chilled water zone. This avoids the decrease in cooling efficiency caused by "high-low temperature mixing" when sharing a compressor with the warm / cold water zone. Furthermore, since the emulsion circulation circuit uses emulsion as the cooling medium, and the heat transfer coefficient of emulsion differs from that of water, a separate compressor can better adapt to the heat exchange characteristics of this circuit, ensuring stable low-temperature output. On the other hand, the first refrigerant compression unit 1 and the second refrigerant compression unit 2 can also serve as backups for each other. When one of them fails, the control device 9 can switch control, allowing the other to temporarily take on part of the load (or maintain the operation of the core temperature zone), thus avoiding a complete system shutdown. This is suitable for production lines with high requirements for cooling continuity. Considering that welding machines sometimes require dual-temperature single-medium cooling and sometimes triple-temperature dual-medium cooling, this structure allows for matching the appropriate cooling method according to different production requirements.
[0022] The aforementioned control device 9 uses a PLC controller.
[0023] The first cooling medium circulation unit 6, the second cooling medium circulation unit 7, and the third cooling medium circulation unit 8 each include a circulation pump 13 and a circulation pipeline 14. The inlet and outlet of the circulation pump 13 are connected in series with the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the corresponding evaporator through the circulation pipeline 14 to form a corresponding circulation loop. The signal input terminal of each circulation pump 13 is electrically connected to the corresponding signal output terminal of the control device 9. The circulation pump 13 is the power core of the cooling medium circulation, and the circulation pipeline 14 provides a closed channel for the medium flow. The two work together to ensure the directional and stable circulation of the cooling medium in each temperature zone. During use, according to the temperature requirements of each temperature zone, the control device 9 controls the medium flow by adjusting the operating frequency of the circulation pump 13 in real time. That is, when the temperature deviation is large, the flow rate is increased to improve heat exchange efficiency, and when the temperature is stable, the flow rate is reduced to save energy. This structure not only ensures the independence of each circulation loop, but also further improves the temperature control accuracy of each temperature zone through precise flow control, while simplifying the overall structure of the cooling medium circulation unit and reducing maintenance difficulty.
[0024] The first cooling medium circulation unit 6 further includes a first cooling water return tank 601 and a cold water tank 602. The cooling medium outlet of the first evaporator 3 is connected to the inlet of the first cooling water return tank 601, the outlet of the first cooling water return tank 601 is connected to the inlet of the cold water tank 602, and the outlet of the cold water tank 602 is connected to the inlet of the circulation pump 13 in the first cooling medium circulation unit 6. The second cooling medium circulation unit 7 further includes a second cooling water return tank 701 and a warm water tank 702. The cooling medium outlet of the second evaporator 4 is connected to the inlet of the second cooling water return tank 701, the outlet of the second cooling water return tank 701 is connected to the inlet of the warm water tank 702, and the outlet of the warm water tank 702 is connected to the inlet of the circulation pump 13 in the second cooling medium circulation unit 7. The cold water tank 602 and the warm water tank 702 are respectively provided with a first temperature sensor 15, and the signal output terminal of the first temperature sensor 15 is electrically connected to the corresponding signal input terminal of the control device 9. The first cooling water return tank 601 and the second cooling water return tank 701 are used to buffer the cooling medium flowing out from the corresponding evaporator, reducing the impact of medium flow rate fluctuations on circulation stability. The cold water tank 602 and the warm water tank 702 provide storage space for cold and warm water, ensuring sufficient medium storage in the circulation system and preventing the medium temperature from continuously rising even after long-term use. The first temperature sensor 15 directly monitors the actual temperature of the cooling medium in the water tank and can feed back temperature data to the control device 9 in real time. Compared with monitoring the temperature of the flowing medium in the pipeline, it is more accurate and stable. The control device 9 can quickly adjust the cooling capacity of the corresponding closed-loop refrigerant circuit or the flow rate of the circulation pump 13 based on the temperature signal, so that the temperature of the cold water zone and the warm water zone is maintained within the set range, reducing temperature fluctuations. It is especially suitable for application scenarios with high requirements for water temperature stability. The first cooling water return tank 601 and the second cooling water return tank 701 are constructed by dividing the same return tank into two separate chambers; the cold water tank 602 and the warm water tank 702 are constructed by dividing the same water tank into two separate chambers.
[0025] The third cooling medium circulation unit 8 also includes a third cooling water return tank 801 and an emulsion storage tank 802. The cooling medium outlet of the third evaporator 5 is connected to the inlet of the third cooling water return tank 801, and the outlet of the third cooling water return tank 801 is connected to the inlet of the emulsion storage tank 802. The outlet of the emulsion storage tank 802 is connected to the inlet of the circulation pump 13 in the third cooling medium circulation unit 8. A second temperature sensor 16 is provided in the emulsion storage tank 802, and the signal output terminal of the second temperature sensor 16 is electrically connected to the corresponding signal input terminal of the control device 9. The third cooling water return tank 801 is used to buffer the low-temperature emulsion flowing out of the third evaporator 5, reducing the impact of high-viscosity emulsion flow rate fluctuations on circulation stability. The emulsion storage tank 802 is specifically used to store emulsion, ensuring sufficient medium storage in the circulation system, and ensuring that the emulsion temperature does not continuously rise even after long-term use. The second temperature sensor 16 directly monitors the actual temperature of the cooling medium inside the emulsion storage tank 802 and can provide real-time temperature data feedback to the control device 9. This is more accurate and stable than monitoring the temperature of the flowing medium in the pipeline. The control device 9 can then adjust the cooling capacity of the third closed-loop refrigerant circuit or the flow rate of the circulating pump 13 based on this signal to ensure that the emulsion is always maintained at the target low temperature.
[0026] The first cooling medium circulation unit 6, the second cooling medium circulation unit 7, and the third cooling medium circulation unit 8 also include an antifreeze switch 17 and a water pressure gauge 18, respectively. Both the antifreeze switch 17 and the water pressure gauge 18 are connected in series between the circulation pump 13 and the corresponding evaporator. The antifreeze switch 17 is designed to withstand the low temperatures of each cooling medium and can monitor the medium temperature in the pipeline between the circulation pump 13 and the evaporator in real time. When the medium temperature in the cold water circulation loop and the emulsion circulation loop approaches the freezing point, or when the temperature in the warm water circulation loop becomes too low due to abnormal operating conditions, the antifreeze switch 17 will quickly trigger a signal to the control device 9. The control device 9 can then adjust the operating frequency of the circulation pump 13 in a timely manner to prevent the medium from freezing and expanding, which could damage the pipeline, evaporator, and other components. The water pressure gauge 18 monitors the medium pressure in the pipeline in real time, providing direct feedback on the flow status. When the pressure is too high, it indicates a possible blockage in the pipeline; when the pressure is too low, it indicates a possible medium leak or a malfunction of the circulation pump 13, facilitating quick troubleshooting by personnel.
[0027] The first refrigerant compression unit 1 includes a first compressor 101, a first condenser 102, and two first throttling elements 103. The outlet of the first compressor 101 is connected to the inlet of the first condenser 102, and the outlet of the first condenser 102 is connected to the inlet of each of the two first throttling elements 103. The two first throttling elements 103 correspond to the first evaporator 3 and the second evaporator 4, respectively, and the outlet of each first throttling element 103 is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the corresponding evaporator. The first evaporator 3 and the second evaporator 4... The refrigerant outlet is connected to the inlet of the first compressor 101. The second refrigerant compression unit 2 includes a second compressor 201, a second condenser 202, and a second throttling element 203. The outlet of the second compressor 201 is connected to the inlet of the second condenser 202, the liquid outlet of the second condenser 202 is connected to the liquid inlet of the second throttling element 203, the liquid outlet of the second throttling element 203 is connected to the refrigerant liquid inlet of the third evaporator 5, and the refrigerant outlet of the third evaporator 5 is connected to the inlet of the second compressor 201. This connection method forms a corresponding closed-loop refrigerant circuit between the first refrigerant compression unit 1, the second refrigerant compression unit 2, and the corresponding evaporators. The first compressor 101 and the first condenser 102, as the "cold capacity production core" of the first and second closed-loop refrigerant circuits, control the refrigerant flow through two independent first throttling elements 103, supplying the refrigerant to two independent evaporators respectively, realizing independent temperature control and fine-tuning of the cold water zone and the warm water zone. The combination of the second compressor 201, the second condenser 202 and the second throttling element 203 is specifically adapted to meet the lower temperature requirements of the third closed-loop refrigerant circuit, forming a functional partition with the first refrigerant compression unit 1, and serving as backups for each other when necessary.
[0028] The first refrigerant compression unit 1 also includes a first liquid storage tank 104, a first drying transition device 105, and a first solenoid valve 106. The outlet of the first condenser 102 is connected to the inlet of the first liquid storage tank 104, the outlet of the first liquid storage tank 104 is connected to the inlet of the first drying transition device 105, and the outlet of the first drying transition device 105 is connected to the inlet of the first solenoid valve 106. The first solenoid valve 106 has two outlets, and the two outlets of the first solenoid valve 106 are respectively connected to two first throttling devices. The first liquid storage tank 104 and the second liquid storage tank 205 are connected to the inlet of the second condenser 202. The second liquid storage tank 204 is connected to the inlet of the second liquid storage tank 204. The second liquid storage tank 204 is connected to the inlet of the second liquid storage tank 205. The second liquid storage tank 205 is connected to the inlet of the second solenoid valve 206. The second solenoid valve 206 is connected to the inlet of the second throttling device 203. The first liquid storage tank 104 and the second liquid storage tank 204 respectively store liquefied refrigerant for the corresponding refrigerant circuit. The first liquid storage tank 105 and the second liquid storage tank 205 can remove moisture and impurities from the refrigerant to prevent moisture from freezing at the throttling device or impurities from wearing down the compressor components. The first solenoid valve 106 independently controls the flow of refrigerant to the two first throttling elements 103 through two liquid outlets, and the second solenoid valve 206 controls the flow of refrigerant to the second throttling element 203. Together with the control device 9, it can realize the individual start / stop or flow regulation of each refrigerant circuit, further improving the control accuracy and reliability of the refrigerant circuit.
[0029] The first refrigerant compression unit 1 also includes a first high-pressure gauge 107, a first high-pressure switch 108, a three-way confluence valve (not shown in the figure), a first low-pressure gauge 109, and a first low-pressure switch 110. The first high-pressure gauge 107 and the first high-pressure switch 108 are both connected in series between the first compressor 101 and the first condenser 102. The refrigerant outlets of the first evaporator 3 and the second evaporator 4 are connected to the inlet of the first compressor 101 through the three-way confluence valve. The first low-pressure gauge 109 and the first low-pressure switch 110 are both connected in series between the three-way confluence valve and the first compressor 101. The first high-pressure gauge 107 monitors the high-pressure status of the exhaust port of the first compressor 101 in real time. The first high-pressure switch 108 automatically cuts off the circuit when the pressure exceeds a safety threshold to prevent damage to the first compressor 101 due to high-pressure overload. The first low-pressure gauge 109 monitors the low-pressure status of the inlet of the first compressor 101. The first low-pressure switch 110 triggers protection when the pressure is too low to prevent the first compressor 101 from running dry and wearing out. The three-way confluence valve smoothly merges the refrigerant gases flowing from the first evaporator 3 and the second evaporator 4 before sending them into the first compressor 101, ensuring uniform refrigerant return and preventing unstable operation of the first compressor 101 due to airflow impact. By adding pressure monitoring and safety protection components, the operational safety of the first refrigerant compression unit 1 can be effectively improved, ensuring that the two circuits sharing the same compression unit can operate stably and collaboratively.
[0030] The second refrigerant compression unit 2 also includes a second high-pressure gauge 207 and a second high-pressure switch 208, both of which are connected in series between the second compressor 201 and the second condenser 202. The second refrigerant compression unit 2 needs to adapt to the low-temperature requirements of the third closed-loop refrigerant circuit. During operation, the second compressor 201 has a higher discharge pressure. The second high-pressure gauge 207 can provide real-time feedback on the high-pressure status, facilitating user monitoring of equipment operation. The second high-pressure switch 208 quickly cuts off the circuit when the pressure exceeds the limit, preventing damage to the second compressor 201 due to high-pressure overload.
[0031] The first condenser 102 and the second condenser 202 are water-cooled condensers, and the first throttling element 103 and the second throttling element 203 are electronic expansion valves or thermostatic expansion valves. Water-cooled condensers have high heat exchange efficiency and are suitable for scenarios with large cooling capacity requirements or low equipment noise requirements. Users can choose according to the actual installation environment. The first condenser 102 and the second condenser 202 are connected to the external water tower 20 via water pump 19. Electronic expansion valves have fast response speed and can accurately adjust the refrigerant flow, adapting to high-precision temperature control requirements; thermostatic expansion valves have a simple structure and high reliability, suitable for cooling scenarios with relatively stable operating conditions, and can reduce equipment costs.
Claims
1. A three-temperature dual-medium chiller, characterized in that: The system includes a first refrigerant compression unit, a second refrigerant compression unit, a first evaporator, a second evaporator, a third evaporator, a first cooling medium circulation unit, a second cooling medium circulation unit, a third cooling medium circulation unit, and a control device. The first refrigerant compression unit forms a first closed-loop refrigerant circuit and a second closed-loop refrigerant circuit through pipes connected to the refrigerant inlets and outlets of the first and second evaporators, respectively. The second refrigerant compression unit forms a third closed-loop refrigerant circuit through pipes connected to the refrigerant inlet and outlet of the third evaporator. The first cooling medium circulation unit forms a cold water circulation circuit through pipes connected to the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the first evaporator. The second cooling medium circulation unit forms a warm water circulation circuit through pipes connected to the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the second evaporator. The third cooling medium circulation unit forms an emulsion circulation circuit through pipes connected to the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the third evaporator. The signal input terminals of the first refrigerant compression unit, the second refrigerant compression unit, the first evaporator, the second evaporator, the third evaporator, the first cooling medium circulation unit, the second cooling medium circulation unit, and the third cooling medium circulation unit are electrically connected to the corresponding signal output terminals of the control device.
2. A three-temperature dual-medium chiller as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first cooling medium circulation unit, the second cooling medium circulation unit, and the third cooling medium circulation unit each include a circulation pump and a circulation pipeline. The inlet and outlet of the circulation pump are connected in series with the cooling medium inlet and outlet of the corresponding evaporator through the circulation pipeline to form a corresponding circulation loop. The signal input terminal of each circulation pump is electrically connected to the corresponding signal output terminal of the control device.
3. A three-temperature dual-medium chiller as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The first cooling medium circulation unit further includes a first cooling return water tank and a cold water tank. The cooling medium outlet of the first evaporator is connected to the inlet of the first cooling return water tank, the outlet of the first cooling return water tank is connected to the inlet of the cold water tank, and the outlet of the cold water tank is connected to the inlet of the circulation pump in the first cooling medium circulation unit. The second cooling medium circulation unit further includes a second cooling return water tank and a warm water tank. The cooling medium outlet of the second evaporator is connected to the inlet of the second cooling return water tank, the outlet of the second cooling return water tank is connected to the inlet of the warm water tank, and the outlet of the warm water tank is connected to the inlet of the circulation pump in the second cooling medium circulation unit. The cold water tank and the warm water tank are respectively equipped with a first temperature sensor, and the signal output terminal of the first temperature sensor is electrically connected to the corresponding signal input terminal of the control device.
4. A three-temperature dual-medium chiller as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The third cooling medium circulation unit further includes a third cooling return water tank and an emulsion storage tank. The cooling medium outlet of the third evaporator is connected to the inlet of the third cooling return water tank, the outlet of the third cooling return water tank is connected to the inlet of the emulsion storage tank, and the outlet of the emulsion storage tank is connected to the inlet of the circulation pump in the third cooling medium circulation unit. A second temperature sensor is provided in the emulsion storage tank, and the signal output terminal of the second temperature sensor is electrically connected to the corresponding signal input terminal of the control device.
5. A three-temperature dual-medium chiller as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The first cooling medium circulation unit, the second cooling medium circulation unit, and the third cooling medium circulation unit also include an antifreeze switch and a water pressure gauge, which are connected in series between the circulation pump and the corresponding evaporator.
6. A three-temperature dual-medium chiller as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first refrigerant compression unit includes a first compressor, a first condenser, and two first throttling elements. The outlet of the first compressor is connected to the inlet of the first condenser, and the liquid outlet of the first condenser is connected to the liquid inlets of the two first throttling elements. The two first throttling elements correspond to the first and second evaporators, respectively, and the liquid outlet of the first throttling element is connected to the refrigerant liquid inlet of the corresponding evaporator. The refrigerant outlets of the first and second evaporators are connected to the inlet of the first compressor. The second refrigerant compression unit includes a second compressor, a second condenser, and a second throttling element. The outlet of the second compressor is connected to the inlet of the second condenser, and the liquid outlet of the second condenser is connected to the liquid inlet of the second throttling element. The liquid outlet of the second throttling element is connected to the refrigerant liquid inlet of the third evaporator, and the refrigerant outlet of the third evaporator is connected to the inlet of the second compressor.
7. A three-temperature dual-medium chiller as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The first refrigerant compression unit further includes a first liquid storage tank, a first drying transition device, and a first solenoid valve. The liquid outlet of the first condenser is connected to the liquid inlet of the first liquid storage tank, the liquid outlet of the first liquid storage tank is connected to the liquid inlet of the first drying transition device, and the liquid outlet of the first drying transition device is connected to the liquid inlet of the first solenoid valve. The first solenoid valve has two liquid outlets, and the two liquid outlets of the first solenoid valve are respectively connected to the liquid inlets of the two first throttling elements. The second refrigerant compression unit further includes a second liquid storage tank, a second drying transition device, and a second solenoid valve. The liquid outlet of the second condenser is connected to the liquid inlet of the second liquid storage tank, the liquid outlet of the second liquid storage tank is connected to the liquid inlet of the second drying transition device, the liquid outlet of the second drying transition device is connected to the liquid inlet of the second solenoid valve, and the liquid outlet of the second solenoid valve is connected to the liquid inlet of the second throttling element.
8. A three-temperature dual-medium chiller as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The first refrigerant compression unit further includes a first high-pressure gauge, a first high-pressure switch, a three-way confluence valve, a first low-pressure gauge, and a first low-pressure switch. The first high-pressure gauge and the first high-pressure switch are both connected in series between the first compressor and the first condenser. The refrigerant outlets of the first and second evaporators are connected to the inlet of the first compressor through the three-way confluence valve. The first low-pressure gauge and the first low-pressure switch are both connected in series between the three-way confluence valve and the first compressor.
9. A three-temperature dual-medium chiller as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The second refrigerant compression unit also includes a second high-pressure gauge and a second high-pressure switch, both of which are connected in series between the second compressor and the second condenser.
10. A three-temperature dual-medium chiller as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The first condenser and the second condenser are air-cooled condensers or water-cooled condensers, and the first throttling device and the second throttling device are electronic expansion valves or thermal expansion valves.