Refrigeration cycle device

Abstract

To improve workability during servicing in a refrigeration cycle device comprising a fusible plug.SOLUTION: A refrigeration cycle device is configured such that at least part of a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant circulates is arranged inside a housing that forms an outer shell and has a detachable front face part. At least part of the refrigerant circuit comprises a condenser, a pressure vessel in which the refrigerant is stored, a first pipe that connects the condenser and the pressure vessel and through which the refrigerant circulates, and a pressure release device that has a fusible plug, is provided in the first pipe and releases the refrigerant when a pressure in the first pipe reaches a predetermined pressure. A portion of the first pipe where the pressure release device is provided is arranged inside the housing, toward the front face part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration cycle device, such as a heat pump chiller, that has a refrigerant circuit, and in particular to an attachment structure for a fusible plug in a refrigerant circuit. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in refrigeration cycle devices such as heat pump chillers, conventional methods of protecting against excessive pressure increases in the refrigerant circuit include protection using a pressure switch, protection using software that uses the detection value of a pressure sensor, or protection using a control device that does not use a pressure switch or pressure sensor.

[0003] However, in the United States, for example, for equipment that has a pressure vessel in its refrigerant circuit, such as air conditioners, chillers, and hot water heaters, the safety standard UL60335-2-40 requires a physical device, such as a fusible plug or safety valve, to safely release the refrigerant. To comply with UL60335-2-40, conventional pressure switches, pressure sensors, or pressure controls are insufficient; a pressure release device (i.e., a safety device) such as a fusible plug must be installed. Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator safety device equipped with a fusible plug. A fusible plug is a device that detects temperature and releases the refrigerant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 57-198472 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a fusible plug is used in the refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle device, the fusible plug is a device that detects temperature and releases the refrigerant, so workers must be careful not to cause the fusible plug to malfunction when performing servicing such as maintenance and regular inspections, or when assembling the equipment.In the refrigeration cycle device (refrigerating machine) of Patent Document 1, the fusible plug is located at the rear inside the main body casing, making it difficult to perform or check servicing, reducing workability.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in light of the above-described problems, and aims to improve the ease of servicing, etc., in a refrigeration cycle device equipped with a fusible plug. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The refrigeration cycle device of the present disclosure is a refrigeration cycle device in which at least a part of a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant circulates is arranged inside a housing that forms an outer shell and has a removable front face, and the at least part of the refrigerant circuit includes a condenser, a pressure vessel in which the refrigerant is stored, a first pipe that connects the condenser and the pressure vessel and through which the refrigerant flows, and a pressure release device that has a fusible plug and is provided in the first pipe and releases the refrigerant when the pressure in the first pipe reaches a predetermined pressure, and the part of the first pipe where the pressure release device is provided is arranged inside the housing on the side of the front face. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the workability during servicing, etc., in a refrigeration cycle apparatus equipped with a fusible plug. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of a heat pump chiller system including a refrigeration cycle device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is an external perspective view of a refrigeration cycle device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between a fusible plug and a pressure vessel inside the housing of the refrigeration cycle device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view showing an internal configuration of a refrigeration cycle device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fusible plug in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the pressure relief device of FIG. 3, and is a front view of the pressure relief device and a pipe in which the pressure relief device is provided. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure relief device and piping of FIG. 6 along line A. [Figure 8] 4 is a front view of a second modified example of the pressure release device of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 9] 1. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing another example of the configuration of the heat pump chiller system of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment in which a refrigeration cycle device according to the present disclosure is applied to a heat pump chiller (hereinafter referred to as a chiller unit 1) will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the present disclosure includes all possible combinations of the configurations shown in the following embodiments. In particular, the combinations of components are not limited to those in the respective embodiments, and components described in one embodiment can be applied to another embodiment. The refrigeration cycle device shown in the drawings is an example of an apparatus to which the refrigeration cycle device of the present disclosure can be applied, but the refrigeration cycle device shown in the drawings does not limit the applicable apparatus to which the present disclosure can be applied. The refrigeration cycle device may be an air conditioner, a water heater, a refrigerator, a freezer, or the like. In the following description, directional terms (e.g., "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," "rear," etc.) are used as appropriate to facilitate understanding, but these are for explanatory purposes and do not limit the present disclosure. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts, and this applies throughout the entire specification. In each drawing, the relative dimensional relationships or shapes of each component may differ from those in reality.

[0011] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of a heat pump chiller system 100 including a refrigeration cycle apparatus (chiller unit 1) according to a first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the heat pump chiller system 100 guides cold water or hot water from the chiller unit 1 to a load side to perform cooling or heating. The heat pump chiller system 100 includes a refrigerant circuit 20 that uses a flammable refrigerant such as a hydrocarbon. The refrigerant used in the refrigerant circuit 20 does not have to be a flammable refrigerant. The heat pump chiller system 100 also includes a water circuit 9 through which a heat medium such as water circulates.

[0012] In FIG. 1, the refrigerant circuit 20 includes a compressor 21 that compresses and discharges a refrigerant, a condenser 22 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 and water in a water circuit 9, an expansion valve 23 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant downstream of the condenser 22, and an evaporator 24 that evaporates the reduced-pressure refrigerant, all of which are connected in a ring shape by piping. The condenser 22 is, for example, a water heat exchanger such as a plate-type heat exchanger. The evaporator 24 is, for example, an air heat exchanger that exchanges heat between air (outside air) and the refrigerant, such as a fin-and-tube heat exchanger. The refrigerant circuit 20 also includes a pressure vessel 25 and a pressure relief device 6 that has a fusible plug 61.

[0013] The pressure vessel 25 is provided in the piping that connects the refrigerant outlet of the condenser 22 and the refrigerant inlet of the evaporator 24 in the refrigerant circuit 20. In FIG. 1, the pressure vessel 25 is provided in the piping between the condenser 22 and the expansion valve 23. The pressure vessel 25 may also be provided in the piping between the expansion valve 23 and the evaporator 24. The pressure vessel 25 temporarily stores the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 20.

[0014] The pressure relief device 6 is located in a liquid refrigerant piping portion through which liquid refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit 20. In Fig. 1, the pressure relief device 6 is provided in the piping 7 between the condenser 22 and the pressure vessel 25 in the refrigerant circuit 20. Hereinafter, this piping 7 connecting the condenser 22 and the pressure vessel 25 may be referred to as a first piping.

[0015] The pressure relief device 6 is set to operate when the refrigerant circuit 20 reaches a predetermined pressure, and is configured to leak refrigerant when an abnormality occurs and the refrigerant pressure in the refrigerant circuit 20 rises to the predetermined pressure. When the pressure in the refrigerant circuit 20 reaches the predetermined pressure, the refrigerant is released from this pressure relief device 6, which is the part of the refrigerant circuit 20 that is most likely to leak. The pressure relief device 6 releases refrigerant to relieve pressure in the refrigerant circuit 20, and therefore functions as a protective device (safety device) for the circuit parts other than the pressure relief device 6.

[0016] Pressure release device 6 has a fusible plug 61 and a branch pipe 62 branching off from the main pipe (piping 7) of refrigerant circuit 20. Generally, a fusible plug contains a fusible element (fusible alloy) that melts at a certain temperature and seals a container filled with gas; if the temperature of the container rises excessively, the fusible element melts and releases the gas, preventing accidents such as the container exploding.

[0017] Here, a fusible element appropriate for a specified pressure is used so that fusible plug 61 will activate when the refrigerant pressure in piping 7, where pressure release device 6 is located in refrigerant circuit 20, reaches a specified pressure. As a result, when the refrigerant pressure in refrigerant circuit 20 rises to a predetermined pressure, that is, when the refrigerant pressure in piping 7 reaches the specified pressure, refrigerant is released from fusible plug 61. Furthermore, because the refrigerant is released from the fusible plug 61 in refrigerant circuit 20 from which it is most likely to be released, the location of the refrigerant leak within refrigerant circuit 20 can be identified.

[0018] The specified pressure is determined according to the pressure resistance, for example, the configuration of the refrigerant circuit 20, the type of refrigerant used, and the maximum operating pressure of the refrigerant circuit 20. The fusible plug 61 is provided to satisfy, for example, 22.112DV.9 of Edition 3 of UL60335-2-40, a U.S. safety standard.

[0019] Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between fusible plug 61 and pressure vessel 25 inside housing 10 (see Fig. 2) of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to embodiment 1. The solid arrows in Fig. 3 indicate the direction in which the refrigerant flows. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to embodiment 1.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the refrigeration cycle device (chiller unit 1) has a housing 10 that forms the outer shell and has a maintenance surface on one side. The maintenance surface is a removable panel that opens part of the housing 10 to allow repair or inspection of components inside the housing 10 during service such as maintenance and periodic inspection, or when assembling the equipment. In the following, the front surface 13 of the housing 10 is defined as the maintenance surface, and terms indicating directions (e.g., "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," "rear," etc.) refer to the directions when viewing the chiller unit 1 with the maintenance surface facing forward.

[0021] The housing 10 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a top surface 11, a bottom surface 12, a right side surface 15, a left side surface 16, a back surface 14, and a removable front surface 13 which is the maintenance surface.

[0022] Chiller unit 1 is configured such that the above-described refrigerant circuit 20 is housed inside housing 10. An air outlet is formed in top surface 11, and a blower 30 is disposed at the outlet. Air inlets are formed in right side surface 15, rear surface 14, and left side surface 16 of housing 10. As shown in FIG. 4, an evaporator 24 is disposed inside right side surface 15, rear surface 14, and left side surface 16.

[0023] The refrigeration cycle device of the present disclosure does not necessarily have to have the entire refrigerant circuit 20. It is sufficient that the refrigeration cycle device has at least a part of the refrigerant circuit 20 (including the condenser 22, the pressure vessel 25, the piping 7 connecting the condenser 22 and the pressure vessel 25, and the pressure release device 6 provided on the piping 7). The refrigeration cycle device may be, for example, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner.

[0024] Incidentally, the US safety standard UL60335-2-40 also places some restrictions on the placement of the pressure relief device 6. For example, 22.112DV.11 of Edition 3 of the standard stipulates that "All pressure relief means shall be adjacent to or directly connected to the pressure vessel or part of the system being protected. Pressure relief devices shall be connected at a location above the refrigerant liquid level, shall be accessible for inspection and repair, and shall be installed to protect against conditions that may cause malfunction."

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, fusible plug 61 is positioned above pressure vessel 25 within housing 10. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4, pressure relief device 6 is provided in piping 7 between condenser 22 and pressure vessel 25 in refrigerant circuit 20. In this way, the configuration in Figs. 3 and 4 satisfies the above regulations and complies with UL60335-2-40.

[0026] 3 and 4, condenser 22 and pressure vessel 25 are installed on bottom surface 12 of casing 10, and fusible plug 61 is arranged in piping 7 between condenser 22 and pressure vessel 25 on the side of condenser 22, which is the taller of condenser 22 and pressure vessel 25. In FIGS. 3 and 4, piping 7 between condenser 22 and pressure vessel 25 has a first piping section 71 extending horizontally from the refrigerant outlet of condenser 22, a second piping section 72 extending horizontally from the refrigerant inlet of pressure vessel 25 and positioned lower than first piping section 71 (i.e., on the bottom surface 12 side), and a connecting piping section 73 connecting first piping section 71 and second piping section 72, and forms a substantially Z-shape.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, a portion of the piping 7 between the condenser 22 and the pressure vessel 25 is positioned on the front face 13 side of the casing 10, and a fusible plug 61 is positioned near the front face 13. In Figure 4, the condenser 22 and the compressor 21 are positioned on the front side of the casing 10, and the pressure vessel 25 is positioned behind the compressor 21. Therefore, in Figures 3 and 4, in the piping 7 between the condenser 22 and the pressure vessel 25, a first piping section 71 on the condenser 22 side is positioned forward of a second piping section 72 on the pressure vessel 25 side, along the front face 13 of the casing 10, and a fusible plug 61 is attached to the first piping section 71 via a branch pipe 62.

[0028] 3 and 4, a straight branch pipe 62 extending upward is provided above the first piping section 71 of the piping 7, and a fusible plug 61 is provided at the upper end of the branch pipe 62. By providing the branch pipe 62 in this manner, the fusible plug 61 can be positioned higher within the housing 10.

[0029] The pressure release device 6 may be configured such that the fusible plug 61 is attached directly to the pipe 7 between the condenser 22 and the pressure vessel 25. However, from a structural standpoint, it is preferable to use a configuration in which the fusible plug 61 is attached via a branch pipe 62 in order to make it easier to adjust the direction or position in which the refrigerant is released.

[0030] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a fusible plug 61 in a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 5, fusible plug 61 has plug attachment part 612 that is attached to branch pipe 62 (or to pipe 7 if fusible plug 61 is installed directly on pipe 7), and outlet part 611 on the side from which the refrigerant is released. Fusible plug 61 has hole 610 that connects the refrigerant inlet of plug attachment part 612 to the refrigerant outlet of outlet part 611, and hole 610 is normally blocked by a fusible element (not shown).

[0031] The operation of the heat pump chiller system 100 will now be described using Figures 1, 2, and 5. In the refrigerant circuit 20 of the heat pump chiller system 100, heated gas refrigerant, which has been heated to a high temperature and high pressure by the compressor 21, flows into the refrigerant piping (not shown) of the condenser 22 and exchanges heat with water on the water circuit 9 side passing through the water piping (not shown) of the condenser 22. The water is heated in the condenser 22, and the refrigerant, having transferred heat to the water, flows out of the condenser 22 and reaches the expansion valve 23, where it is decompressed and flows into the evaporator 24. The refrigerant that has flowed into the evaporator 24 absorbs heat from outside air blown by the blower 30 (see Figure 2), becomes evaporated and then returns to the compressor 21. An actuator of the refrigerant circuit 20 is controlled by a control device (not shown) according to the water temperature of the water circuit 9 and other factors.

[0032] When heat pump chiller system 100 is subjected to some external influence, for example, when the ambient temperature rises excessively, the refrigerant pressure in refrigerant circuit 20 increases, which may cause cracks in the piping that constitutes refrigerant circuit 20. If a crack occurs, the flammable refrigerant in refrigerant circuit 20 will leak to the outside. In this embodiment, when the refrigerant pressure in refrigerant circuit 20 increases and there is a risk of a crack in the piping that constitutes refrigerant circuit 20, that is, when the pressure in refrigerant circuit 20 increases and the refrigerant pressure in piping 7 reaches a specified pressure, pressure relief device 6 activates and the refrigerant is released from pressure relief device 6, the part of refrigerant circuit 20 that is most likely to release the refrigerant. More specifically, the temperature rises as the pressure in refrigerant circuit 20 increases abnormally. This causes a fusible element (not shown) in fusible plug 61 shown in FIG. 5 to melt, opening hole 610, through which the refrigerant is released to the outside, thereby relieving the internal pressure of refrigerant circuit 20 to the outside.

[0033] 5, fusible plug 61 has outer periphery 613 with a male thread. Specifically, the outer periphery of blow-out part 611 is threaded. By threading outer periphery 613 of fusible plug 61 in this way (male threads), it is possible to connect, for example, a refrigerant recovery device (not shown) for recovering refrigerant directly to fusible plug 61.

[0034] Therefore, for example, a refrigerant recovery device (not shown) can be connected to fusible plug 61 during assembly of equipment that contains a refrigerant, or during inspections where operation different from normal operation may be performed. Even if fusible plug 61 were to operate and accidentally release a refrigerant, it would be possible to prevent the refrigerant from scattering on the equipment around fusible plug 61. This protects the surrounding equipment and improves workability. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, fusible plug 61 is located on the maintenance side (front surface 13) inside housing 10, making it easy to secure work space when temporarily connecting a refrigerant recovery device or the like during equipment assembly or inspection.

[0035] Furthermore, if flammable materials (for example, resin structures) are provided within housing 10 near pipe 7 on which pressure release device 6 is installed, it is desirable to be able to adjust the position or direction in which refrigerant is released from fusible plug 61 so that the refrigerant does not come into contact with these flammable materials. Examples of flammable materials include covered wiring and control equipment. In Figure 3, pipe 7 and fusible plug 61 are connected via branch pipe 62 that extends upward, making it possible to adjust the height position of fusible plug 61 (particularly the refrigerant outlet).

[0036] The shape, direction, and length of branch pipe 62 are not limited to those described above. The shape, direction, and length of branch pipe 62 may be determined depending on the positional relationship between pressure release device 6 and the structures within chiller unit 1 in which pressure release device 6 is installed. Two modified examples of pressure release device 6 will be described below.

[0037] (First Modification) Figure 6 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the pressure relief device 6 in Figure 3, and is a front view of the pressure relief device 106 and the piping 7 in which the pressure relief device 106 is installed. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure relief device 106 and the piping 7 taken along line AA in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, in the first modified example, the branch pipe 162 is bent so that the refrigerant from the fusible plug 61 is not directed toward flammable materials.

[0038] 6 and 7, branch pipe 162 is L-shaped. Branch pipe 162 has a first straight pipe section 162a that extends parallel to pipe 7, a second straight pipe section 162b that is connected perpendicular to pipe 7, and a curved portion 162c that connects first straight pipe section 162a and second straight pipe section 162b. In addition, a mounting section 162d to which a fusible plug 61 is attached is provided at the tip of branch pipe 162 (i.e., the tip of first straight pipe section 162a). A plug mounting section 612 of fusible plug 61 (see FIG. 5) is disposed on the inner periphery of this mounting section 162d.

[0039] 6 and 7, as described above, first straight pipe section 162a extends parallel to pipe 7. In other words, the direction at the end of the bend in branch pipe 162 is the same as the direction of refrigerant flow in pipe 7, which is the main pipe of refrigerant circuit 20. This configuration allows fusible plug 61 to more accurately detect the temperature of the refrigerant. That is, even if the length of branch pipe 162 is increased because it is bent, fusible plug 61 can be positioned closer to pipe 7. As a result, the fusible element is sufficiently affected by the temperature increase that accompanies the pressure increase, causing it to melt appropriately, and pressure relief device 106 functions normally.

[0040] When branch pipe 162 of pressure release device 106 is configured to have bent portion 162c, as described above, it is possible to adjust the direction in which refrigerant is blown from fusible plug 61 so that it is not directed toward flammable materials. This effect is also effective when the refrigerant is non-flammable, but is particularly effective when the refrigerant is flammable, improving safety.

[0041] (Second Modification) Figure 8 is a front view showing a second modified example of pressure release device 206 of Figure 3. As shown in Figure 8, in the second modified example, a capillary tube (e.g., several tens of centimeters) is used as the connecting pipe (i.e., branch pipe 262) between pipe 7, in which pressure release device 206 is provided, and fusible plug 61. Fusible plug 61 is capillarily connected to pipe 7.

[0042] 8, branch pipe 262 has an annular portion 262c wound into a ring shape, branch pipe base 262b extending linearly from one end of annular portion 262c, and branch pipe tip 262a extending linearly from the other end of annular portion 262c. Branch pipe base 262b is connected to piping 7, and a fusible plug 61 is attached to branch pipe tip 262a.

[0043] In Figure 8, opposing parts (upper and lower sides in the figure) of the annular portion 262c have one end and the other end that open in the same direction (right side in the figure), and the branch pipe base 262b and the branch pipe tip 262a are each tangential to the annular portion 262c and extend in the same direction as each other.

[0044] The positional relationship between one end and the other end of annular portion 262c, and the shapes and extension directions of branch pipe base 262b and branch pipe tip 262a are not limited to those described above, and may be set appropriately so that the direction or position from which the refrigerant is released is desired. By using a capillary tube as branch pipe 262 of pressure release device 206 as shown in Fig. 8, it is easy to set the direction or position from which the refrigerant is released.

[0045] Also, although FIG. 3 shows a case where the pressure relief device 6 (particularly the branch pipe 62) is connected to the upper side of the pipe 7, the pressure relief device 6, 106, 206 (branch pipes 62, 162, 262) may be connected to any location on the pipe 7.

[0046] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing another example of the configuration of the heat pump chiller system 100 of FIG. 1. The chiller unit 1 shown in FIG. 9 is equipped with a high-pressure switch 40 as another safety device in addition to the pressure release device 206. The high-pressure switch 40 is activated when the high-pressure side pressure of the refrigerant circuit 20 reaches an upper limit. The high-pressure switch 40 may be an electrical type or a mechanical type using a diaphragm. The high-pressure switch 40 is provided in the piping 8 between the compressor 21 and the condenser 22 in the refrigerant circuit 20. Hereinafter, this piping 8 connecting the compressor 21 and the condenser 22 may be referred to as the second piping.

[0047] In the heat pump chiller system 100 shown in Figure 9, a high-pressure switch 40 and a pressure relief device 206 are provided in the refrigerant circuit 20. By using a capillary tube as the branch pipe 262 of the pressure relief device 206 as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the length of the piping from the piping 7 to the fusible plug 61 can be made longer relative to the distance between the piping 7 and the fusible plug 61, and the temperature of the refrigerant that reaches the fusible plug 61 can be lowered.

[0048] Therefore, for example, when the condition inside the refrigerant circuit 20 is high temperature but not a problem with pressure, and there is no need to operate the pressure release device 206 (fusible plug 61), the high-pressure switch 40, which should operate before the fusible plug 61, can be operated with priority. This prevents the fusible plug 61 from malfunctioning.

[0049] As described above, the refrigeration cycle apparatus (e.g., chiller unit 1) according to the first embodiment is a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which at least a portion of refrigerant circuit 20, through which a refrigerant circulates, is disposed inside housing 10, which forms an outer shell and has detachable front panel 13. At least a portion of refrigerant circuit 20 includes condenser 22, pressure vessel 25 in which the refrigerant is stored, first piping (piping 7) connecting condenser 22 and pressure vessel 25 and through which the refrigerant flows, and pressure relief device 6. Pressure relief device 6 has a fusible plug 61 and is provided in first piping (piping 7). Pressure relief device 6 releases the refrigerant when the pressure in the first piping reaches a predetermined pressure. The portion of first piping (piping 7) where pressure relief device 6 is provided (first piping portion 71 in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) is disposed inside housing 10 on the side of front panel 13. Specifically, fusible plug 61 is disposed in a position that is exposed to the outside when front panel 13 is removed, i.e., a position that is visible from the front.

[0050] This allows the fusible plug 61 to be positioned on the front face 13 side of the housing 10, which is the maintenance face, so that when servicing or assembling equipment, work can be easily performed while checking the fusible plug 61, improving workability.

[0051] Fusible plug 61 also has a male thread on outer periphery 613. By providing a male thread on outer periphery 613 of fusible plug 61 in this way, it is possible to directly connect fusible plug 61 to a refrigerant recovery device (e.g., a container) for recovering refrigerant, for example, and reduce the impact on surrounding equipment in the event of accidental release during work.

[0052] Additionally, pressure release device 6 has branch pipe 62 that connects fusible plug 61 to a portion of the first piping (first piping section 71). This makes it possible to adjust the position or direction in which refrigerant is released from fusible plug 61.

[0053] The branch pipe 162 also has a bent portion 162c. The bent portion 162c is formed in the branch pipe 162 so that the tip portion (first straight pipe portion 162a) of the branch pipe 162 extends in the extension direction of the first piping portion (first piping portion 71).

[0054] This allows the fusible plug 61 to be located close to the first piping (piping 7), even if the fusible plug 61 is connected to a section of the first piping (first piping section 71) by branch pipe 162 having bent section 162c. This allows the fusible plug 61 to more accurately detect the refrigerant temperature and activate.

[0055] Branch pipe 262 is a capillary tube, which makes it easy to adjust the position or direction in which refrigerant is released from fusible plug 61. At least a portion of refrigerant circuit 20 includes compressor 21 that compresses refrigerant, second piping (piping 8) that connects compressor 21 and condenser 22, and high-pressure switch 40 provided on the second piping.

[0056] In this way, in a configuration in which the refrigerant circuit 20 is provided with both the pressure release device 6 and the high-pressure switch 40, by using a capillary tube, which is easy to ensure a sufficient piping length, as the branch pipe 262, it is possible to make the sensitivity of the fusible plug 61 slightly less sensitive than the sensitivity of the high-pressure switch 40. Therefore, for example, when the condition inside the refrigerant circuit 20 is high temperature but there are no pressure issues and it becomes unnecessary to activate the pressure release device 6, the high-pressure switch 40, which should be activated first, can be activated before the pressure release device 6. In other words, it is possible to prevent the fusible plug 61 from malfunctioning.

[0057] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described below.

[0058] (Appendix 1) A refrigeration cycle device in which at least a part of a refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant circulates is disposed inside a housing that forms an outer shell and has a detachable front portion, The at least part of the refrigerant circuit A condenser; a pressure vessel in which the refrigerant is stored; a first pipe connecting the condenser and the pressure vessel and through which the refrigerant flows; a pressure release device having a fusible plug, the pressure release device being provided in the first pipe and releasing the refrigerant when the pressure in the first pipe reaches a predetermined pressure; The portion of the first pipe where the pressure release device is provided is disposed on the front side inside the housing. Refrigeration cycle equipment. (Appendix 2) The fusible plug has an outer periphery on which a male thread is provided. 2. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1. (Appendix 3) The pressure relief device has a branch pipe connecting the fusible plug and the portion of the first pipe. 3. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The branch pipe has a bent portion. 4. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 3. (Appendix 5) The branch pipe has a curved portion formed so that the tip thereof extends in the extension direction of the portion of the first pipe. 5. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 4. (Appendix 6) The branch tube is a capillary tube. 6. The refrigeration cycle device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 5. (Appendix 7) The at least part of the refrigerant circuit a compressor that compresses the refrigerant; a second pipe connecting the compressor and the condenser; and a high-pressure switch provided in the second pipe. 7. A refrigeration cycle device according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 chiller unit, 6 pressure relief device, 7 piping, 8 piping, 9 water circuit, 10 housing, 11 top portion, 12 bottom portion, 13 front portion, 14 rear portion, 15 right side portion, 16 left side portion, 20 refrigerant circuit, 21 compressor, 22 condenser, 23 expansion valve, 24 evaporator, 25 pressure vessel, 30 blower, 40 high pressure switch, 61 fusible plug, 62 branch pipe, 71 first piping section, 72 second piping section, 73 connecting piping section, 100 heat pump chiller system, 106 pressure relief device, 162 branch pipe, 162a first straight pipe section, 162b second straight pipe section, 162c bend section, 162d mounting section, 206 pressure relief device, 262 branch pipe, 262a branch pipe tip section, 262b Branch pipe base, 262c annular portion, 610 hole, 611 outlet portion, 612 plug mounting portion, 613 outer periphery.

Claims

1. A refrigeration cycle device in which at least a part of a refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant circulates is disposed inside a housing that forms an outer shell and has a detachable front portion, The at least part of the refrigerant circuit A condenser; a pressure vessel in which the refrigerant is stored; a first pipe connecting the condenser and the pressure vessel and through which the refrigerant flows; a pressure release device having a fusible plug, the pressure release device being provided in the first pipe and releasing the refrigerant when the pressure in the first pipe reaches a predetermined pressure; The portion of the first pipe where the pressure release device is provided is disposed on the front side inside the housing. Refrigeration cycle equipment.

2. The fusible plug has an outer periphery on which a male thread is provided. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1.

3. The pressure relief device has a branch pipe connecting the fusible plug and the portion of the first pipe. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The branch pipe has a bent portion. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 3.

5. The branch pipe has a curved portion formed so that the tip thereof extends in the extension direction of the portion of the first pipe. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 4.

6. The branch tube is a capillary tube. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 3.

7. The at least part of the refrigerant circuit a compressor that compresses the refrigerant; a second pipe connecting the compressor and the condenser; and a high-pressure switch provided in the second pipe. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 6.

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