Connecting unit for an operating fluid circuit of a compression engine

Abstract

A connecting unit (5) for an operating fluid circuit of a compression engine, in particular a compression refrigeration machine or a heat pump, is proposed, whereby at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art can be avoided, in particular the risk of leakage and / or the costs of manufacture and / or the required installation space can be reduced.This is achieved by the connecting unit (5) comprising at least one first line (I) between a first input opening and a first output opening, wherein the connecting unit (5) comprising at least one second line (II) between a second input opening and a second output opening, wherein the connecting unit (5) comprising at least one third line (III) between a third input opening and a third output opening, wherein the connecting unit (5) comprising at least one fourth line (IV) between a fourth input opening and a fourth output opening, wherein the connecting unit (5) is designed as a single-piece assembly (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connecting unit for an operating fluid circuit of a compression engine, in particular a compression refrigeration machine or a heat pump, according to claim 1, as well as a compression engine with a connecting unit according to claim 13 and a manufacturing method for manufacturing a connecting unit according to claim 14. State of the art

[0002] Compression engines are already widely in use. Firstly, as compression refrigeration machines, and secondly as heat pumps, where a Carnot cycle is typically used for cooling and a so-called reverse Carnot cycle for heating.

[0003] The compression refrigeration machine is a refrigeration machine that utilizes the physical effect of the enthalpy of vaporization during the change of state from liquid to gaseous; this very common design is used in most refrigerators. A refrigerant, circulated in a closed loop, undergoes various changes of state in succession. This process takes advantage of the fact that the condensation and boiling points of a gas or refrigerant change depending on its pressure. The gaseous refrigerant is first compressed by a compressor, which increases its boiling point. In the subsequent heat exchanger or condenser, it condenses / liquefies, releasing heat. The liquid refrigerant is then expanded due to the pressure change via a throttle, such as an expansion valve or a capillary tube, which lowers its boiling point. In the downstream second heat exchanger or condenser, the refrigerant is further compressed.The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant at a low temperature, absorbing heat in the process. The cycle can then begin again. This process must be maintained externally by supplying mechanical work or drive power to the compressor.

[0004] A heat pump is generally a combined heat and power (CHP) machine that, by expending technical work, extracts thermal energy from a lower-temperature reservoir, usually the environment, and—together with the drive energy—transfers it as usable heat at a higher temperature to a system to be heated. This is frequently used to implement heat pump heating systems, which are used, for example, in buildings for heating purposes. Other common applications include domestic hot water heating, the generation of process heat, and use in clothes dryers. In contrast to the refrigeration process mentioned above, in a heat pump, the usable energy is not the heat removed from the space being cooled, but rather the heat generated together with the drive energy, which is supplied to the environment or the medium being heated.

[0005] Thus, such operating fluid circuits of a compression engine are quite complex systems, which have numerous lines, such as copper pipe connections, and / or interfaces, especially soldered joints, so that the individual components of the operating fluid circuit of the compression engine are connected to each other and realize the closed circuit of the operating fluid or refrigerant or heat transfer medium.

[0006] Consequently, the cycle is complex and expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, there is a risk of leaks developing due to the numerous interfaces and soldered connections, which may require costly repairs or even necessitate replacing the compression compressor. Purpose and advantages of the invention

[0007] In contrast, the object of the invention is to propose a connecting unit which avoids at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular reducing the risk of leakage and / or the costs of manufacture and / or the required installation space.

[0008] This problem is solved, starting from a connecting unit of the type mentioned in the introduction, by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are possible by the measures mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0009] Accordingly, a connection unit according to the invention for an operating fluid circuit of a compression engine, in particular a compression refrigeration machine or a heat pump, comprises at least one first line between a first inlet opening and a first outlet opening, wherein the connection unit comprises at least one second line between a second inlet opening and a second outlet opening, wherein the connection unit comprises at least one third line between a third inlet opening and a third outlet opening, wherein the connection unit comprises at least one fourth line between a fourth inlet opening and a fourth outlet opening, wherein the first inlet opening is connectable to at least one compressor for compressing the operating fluid, and wherein the first outlet opening is connectable to at least one condenser for condensing / liquefying the operating fluid.wherein the second inlet opening is connectable at least to the condenser, wherein the second outlet opening is connectable at least to an expansion element for expanding the operating fluid in the condenser, wherein the third inlet opening is connectable at least to the expansion element, wherein the third outlet opening is connectable at least to an evaporator for evaporating the operating fluid, wherein the fourth inlet opening is connectable at least to the evaporator, wherein the fourth outlet opening is connectable at least to the compressor, wherein the connecting unit is designed as a single-piece assembly.

[0010] This single-piece assembly significantly reduces the effort and / or complexity required to implement a closed operating fluid circuit, integrating the necessary components for the compression engine, such as a compression chiller or heat pump. Compared to the state of the art, numerous interfaces and soldered joints, which are costly to manufacture and prone to leakage, are eliminated. The entire compression engine can also be designed to be considerably more compact.

[0011] The one-piece design of the assembly according to the invention represents a complete departure from the prior art, where, for example, manufacturing techniques and the highest possible standards of quality assurance during assembly were used to try to optimize the tightness and durability of the numerous connection points. The invention circumvents this with a completely different approach: the one-piece design of the assembly, which integrates the aforementioned lines as well as inlet and outlet openings. This significantly reduces or minimizes the number of interfaces, solder joints, or similar components that need to be manufactured or produced. Compared to the prior art with individual connecting lines or pipes that each had to be connected to or soldered to the various components, the invention can, for example, reduce the number of interfaces or connection points by approximately 60%.

[0012] The invention leads to significantly safer operation and extends the durability and service life of compression engines, especially compression refrigeration units or heat pumps. This saves costs and reduces repair expenses.

[0013] Furthermore, the single-piece design of the assembly according to the invention enables a significantly more compact construction. The length of the pipes and the distances between components are considerably reduced, so that the entire system or compression engine, especially a compression chiller or a heat pump, requires considerably less installation space. This allows for the implementation of particularly compact and space-saving compression chillers according to the invention.

[0014] The compact design and significantly smaller installation space, and consequently the reduced number of pipes, mean that less operating fluid or refrigerant is required. This increases the technical and financial efficiency as well as the environmental friendliness of the compression chiller. This saves costs and, in the event of a leak, significantly reduces the amount of operating fluid or refrigerant that can escape into the environment, which is particularly important with the operating fluids and refrigerants currently in use. Furthermore, the legally mandated emission limits can be met and complied with to a much greater extent.

[0015] The one-piece component according to the invention can consist of various materials, especially metals, and / or be manufactured using a wide variety of methods such as casting and / or milling, drilling or the like.

[0016] For example, the one-piece component is designed as a forged unit made of forged metal, particularly forged aluminum. Tests have shown that such a forged component is particularly leak-proof and effectively prevents leakage of operating fluid or refrigerant such as propane or similar substances. Consequently, this results in a particularly high level of operational reliability.

[0017] For example, the one-piece assembly or the forged unit has no coating or covering, in particular no external coating or coating on the outside of the one-piece assembly. This saving on additional coating material or an additional coating process step reduces manufacturing costs and leads to particularly cost-effective production of the one-piece assembly.

[0018] For example, at least the first, second, third, and fourth conductors have no coating or covering, in particular no internal coating or coating inside the single-piece assembly. This saving on internal coating material or an additional coating process step for the corresponding conductors reduces manufacturing costs and leads to particularly cost-effective production of the single-piece assembly. If necessary, the corresponding recesses or conductors of the single-piece assembly are drilled or milled, etc., after the forging process, without requiring / implementing an additional coating process for the corresponding conductors.

[0019] For example, at least one thermal insulation element is provided for thermal insulation / separation / decoupling, at least partially, between the first and second lines and / or the third and / or the fourth lines. This allows for the effective thermal insulation or decoupling of different temperature levels in the various lines. This is particularly efficient from a technical and economic perspective, especially in refrigeration machines or heat pumps with different operating temperatures within the closed circuit.

[0020] For example, several thermal insulation elements are provided between the first and the second and / or the third and / or the fourth conductor. In this way, thermal decoupling or insulation can be implemented at various locations or areas within the compact, one-piece assembly according to the invention.

[0021] The thermal insulation element(s) may consist at least partially of insulating material and / or foam and / or plastic or similar materials. This allows for an economically advantageous and thermally efficient decoupling or insulation.

[0022] For example, the thermal insulation element is designed as a recess in the assembly and / or as a recess in at least one of the walls, and / or the multiple thermal insulation elements are designed as recesses in the assembly and / or as recesses in at least one of the walls. A recess can be generated, for example, by milling or drilling, or, in the case of a cast material such as metal casting or the like, by casting using a suitable mold. The recess(s) are particularly efficient in a one-piece assembly according to the invention if the assembly consists at least partially or largely of metal. For example, air-filled recesses provide very good thermal insulation compared to metal. Stainless steel could also potentially be sufficient as a comparatively good thermal insulator.

[0023] For example, the fourth line includes at least a fifth inlet and a fifth outlet, wherein the fifth inlet and the fifth outlet can be connected to at least one filter and / or dryer and / or equalization device for filtering and / or drying and / or equalizing the operating fluid. This measure ensures that, if required, an additional filter and / or dryer and / or equalization device can be integrated into the operating fluid circuit. This improves the operation and efficiency of the compression engine.

[0024] For example, the one-piece assembly has at least one capacitor contact surface for a capacitor housing, so that the capacitor housing or the capacitor is in direct contact with the one-piece assembly when assembled. Optionally, the one-piece assembly has at least one filter and / or dryer and / or compensating contact surface for a device housing of the capacitor, so that the device housing or the filter / dryer / compensating device is in direct contact with the one-piece assembly when assembled. This eliminates the need for separate connecting pieces or leads between the one-piece assembly according to the invention and the capacitor housing or capacitor. This reduces or minimizes the number of necessary interfaces, solder joints, or the like, which, among other things,positively impacts complexity, operational reliability, and service life.

[0025] For example, the single-piece assembly has at least one sensor connection for a sensor to detect an operating parameter of the operating fluid, or at least one control connection for a control element, in particular a control valve, for monitoring / controlling / regulating the operating fluid. This measure allows for the integration of an additional sensor and / or a control element, in particular a control valve, into the operating fluid circuit if required. This also improves the operation and / or technical efficiency of the compression engine.

[0026] For example, a sensor connection has at least one sensor channel for receiving a sensor, wherein the sensor channel is oriented transversely or vertically with respect to one of the lines, and / or a control connection has at least one control channel for receiving a control element, wherein the control channel is oriented transversely or vertically with respect to one of the lines. This allows the sensor and / or the control element to be positioned relatively far inside and / or well within the one-piece assembly according to the invention, if required. This improves the operation and / or controllability of the compression refrigeration machine.

[0027] For example, the single-piece construction unit comprises at least a first wall of the first conduit, a second wall of the second conduit, a third wall of the third conduit, and a fourth wall of the fourth conduit, wherein the first wall at least partially encompasses the second wall and / or the third wall and / or the fourth wall. This further improves the construction density or compactness of the single-piece construction unit. Material and installation space are saved or reduced / optimized. Example of implementation

[0028] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a compression force machine with a connecting unit according to the invention, Figure 2 is a schematic sectional drawing of a one-piece assembly according to the invention, and Figure 3 is a schematic view of the one-piece assembly according to the invention. Figure 2 .

[0029] In Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a compression engine with a connecting unit 5 according to the invention. A closed circuit of the compression engine comprises at least a condenser 11, an (electronic) expansion valve 2, an evaporator 3, a compressor 4 or pump 4, which pumps the operating fluid or refrigerant (not shown) in the flow direction 6, and a connection 7 for an optional filter drier and / or expansion tank. Connections for control elements 81, 82 or (3 / 3-way) valves or the like are also provided.

[0030] Furthermore, a connecting unit 5 according to the invention or a one-piece assembly 5 according to the invention is shown schematically or by means of a dash-dot line. For example, corresponding interfaces 11, 12, 21, 22, 31, 32, 41, 42, 81, 82 as well as the corresponding connecting lines I, II, III, IV of the aforementioned components 1, 2, 3, 4 are marked.

[0031] In Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The single-piece assembly 5 is shown schematically in cross-section and in various views. In addition to the aforementioned components, recesses 14 and 15 are also visible, which provide thermal separation between the corresponding lines I, II, III, and IV. These recesses 14 and 15 can extend completely or partially through the assembly 5; in particular, recess 15 is continuous, i.e., extending from the bottom to the top.

[0032] Individual components such as the condenser 1 or condenser 1 can be directly flanged or arranged on the assembly 5 or the connections / interfaces 11, 12. This saves installation space. The (electronic) expansion valve 2 can protrude into the corresponding channel between lines II, III, forming a constriction, in particular an electronically controlled constriction.

[0033] Furthermore, various sensors can optionally be used, especially for pressure and / or temperature measurements. For this purpose, for example, corresponding optional recesses / bores 9, 10 are provided.

Claims

1. Connection unit (5) for an operating fluid circuit of a compression engine, in particular a compression refrigeration engine or a heat pump, wherein the connection unit (5) comprises at least one first line (I) between a first inlet opening and a first outlet opening, wherein the connection unit (5) comprises at least one second line (II) between a second inlet opening and a second outlet opening, wherein the connection unit (5) comprises at least one third line (III) between a third inlet opening and a third outlet opening, wherein the connection unit (5) comprises at least one fourth line (IV) between a fourth inlet opening and a fourth outlet opening, wherein the first inlet opening is connectable to at least one compressor (4) for compressing the operating fluid.wherein the first outlet opening is connectable to at least one condenser (1) for condensing / liquefying the operating fluid, wherein the second inlet opening is connectable to at least one condenser (1), wherein the second outlet opening is connectable to at least one expansion element (2) for expanding the operating fluid in the condenser (1), wherein the third inlet opening is connectable to at least one expansion element (2), wherein the third outlet opening is connectable to at least one evaporator (3) for evaporating the operating fluid, wherein the fourth inlet opening is connectable to at least one evaporator (3), wherein the fourth outlet opening is connectable to at least one compressor (4), wherein the connecting unit (5) is designed as a single-piece assembly (5).

2. Connecting unit according to claim 1, characterized by the fact thatthe one-piece construction unit (5) is designed as a forged unit (5) made of forged metal, in particular of forged aluminum.

3. Connecting unit according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact that the one-piece assembly (5) or the forging unit (5) has no coating or covering.

4. Connecting unit according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact that at least the first conductor (I), the second conductor (II), the third conductor (III), and the fourth conductor (IV) have no coating or occupancy.

5. Connecting unit according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact that at least one thermal insulation element (14, 15) is provided for thermal insulation / separation / decoupling at least partially between the first line (I) and the second line (II) and / or the third line (III) and / or the fourth line (IV).

6. Connecting unit according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact that Several thermal insulation elements (14, 15) are provided between the first line (I) and the second line (II) and / or the third line (III) and / or the fourth line (IV).

7. Connecting unit according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact that the thermal insulation element (14, 15) is designed as a recess (14, 15) of the building unit (5) and / or as a recess (14, 15) of at least one of the walls, or that the several thermal insulation elements (14, 15) are designed as recesses (14, 15) of the building unit (5) and / or as recesses (14, 15) of at least one of the walls.

8. Connecting unit according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact thatthe fourth line (IV) comprises at least a fifth inlet opening and a fifth outlet opening, wherein the fifth inlet opening and the fifth outlet opening can be connected at least to a filter and / or dryer and / or equalization device for filtering and / or drying and / or equalizing the operating fluid.

9. Connecting unit according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact that the one-piece assembly (5) has at least one capacitor contact surface for a capacitor housing of the capacitor (1), such that the capacitor housing or the capacitor (1) is in direct contact with the one-piece assembly (5) when assembled.

10. Connecting unit according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact thatthe one-piece assembly (5) has at least one filter and / or dryer and / or compensating contact surface for a device housing of the capacitor (1), such that the device housing or the filter / dryer / compensating device is in direct contact with the one-piece assembly (5) in the assembled state.

11. Connecting unit according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact that a sensor connection (9, 10) has at least one sensor channel for receiving a sensor, wherein the sensor channel is oriented transversely or vertically with reference to one of the lines and / or that a control connection has at least one control channel for receiving a control element, wherein the control channel is oriented transversely or vertically with reference to one of the lines.

12. Connecting unit according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact thatthe single-piece construction unit (5) comprises at least a first wall of the first conduit and a second wall of the second conduit and a third wall of the third conduit and a fourth wall of the fourth conduit, wherein the first wall comprises at least part of the second wall and / or the third wall and / or the fourth wall.

13. Compression engine, in particular compression refrigeration engine or heat pump, with at least one compressor for compressing an operating fluid and with at least one condenser for condensing / liquefying the operating fluid and with at least one expansion element for expanding the operating fluid and with at least one evaporator for evaporating the operating fluid, wherein an operating fluid circuit comprises at least the compressor, the condenser, the expansion element and the evaporator, characterized by the fact that at least one connecting unit according to one of the aforementioned claims is provided.

14. Manufacturing method for producing a connecting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the connecting unit (5) is forged as a one-piece building unit (5).

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