Refrigerant circulation device
The refrigerant circulation device addresses maintainability issues by incorporating filters with internal brushes and handles, facilitating easier maintenance and enhancing operational efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NIDEC CORP(JP)
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-18
Smart Images
Figure JP2025043509_18062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Refrigerant circulation device 【0001】 The disclosed embodiment relates to a refrigerant circulation device. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-218843 filed in Japan on December 13, 2024, and incorporates its content herein by reference. 【0002】 There is a refrigerant circulation device including a primary pipe through which a primary refrigerant flows, a secondary pipe through which a secondary refrigerant flows, a primary filter connected to the secondary pipe, a secondary filter connected to the secondary pipe, and a housing that houses these (see, for example, Patent Document 1). 【0003】 Specification of Chinese Patent No. 114967885 【0004】 However, for a refrigerant circulation device provided with a housing, there may be a need for improvement in the maintainability of the components arranged inside the housing. 【0005】 The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a refrigerant circulation device capable of improving maintainability. 【0006】 The refrigerant circulation device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a primary pipe, a secondary pipe, a primary filter, a secondary filter, and a housing. A primary refrigerant flows through the primary pipe. A secondary refrigerant flows through the secondary pipe. The primary filter is connected to the primary pipe. The secondary filter is connected to the secondary pipe. The housing houses the primary pipe, the secondary pipe, the primary filter, and the secondary filter. The primary filter and the secondary filter include a brush and a handle. The brush is arranged inside the primary filter and the secondary filter. The handle drives the brush. The handle is arranged at a position facing the first side surface of the housing. 【0007】 The refrigerant circulation device according to one aspect of the embodiment has an effect of being able to improve maintainability. 【0008】Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a refrigerant circulation device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerant circulation device according to an embodiment. Figure 3 is a front view of the refrigerant circulation device according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a left side view of the refrigerant circulation device according to an embodiment. Figure 5 is a right side view of the refrigerant circulation device according to an embodiment. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection configuration of the pump according to an embodiment. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a cutaway of the peripheral portion of the pump according to an embodiment. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the primary filter and external filter device according to an embodiment. 【0009】 The embodiments for implementing the refrigerant circulation device according to this disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "Embodiments") will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined as appropriate. In the following embodiments, components that perform the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. 【0010】 Furthermore, in the embodiments described below, expressions such as "constant," "orthogonal," "perpendicular," or "parallel" may be used, but these expressions do not require strict adherence to "constant," "orthogonal," "perpendicular," or "parallel" conditions. In other words, each of the above expressions allows for deviations, for example, in manufacturing accuracy or installation accuracy. 【0011】 Furthermore, in the drawings referenced below, for the sake of clarity, mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axis directions are sometimes defined, and a Cartesian coordinate system is shown with the positive Z axis pointing vertically upward. 【0012】 Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a refrigerant circulation device 2 according to an embodiment. Note that in Figure 1, some components, such as a pressure sensor for detecting the refrigerant pressure and valves provided in the refrigerant circulation path, are not shown. 【0013】The refrigerant circulation device 2 is a device that circulates primary and secondary refrigerants in order to cool the device to be cooled 102. The device to be cooled 102 is, for example, a heat-generating device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the device to be cooled 102 is not limited to a CPU. 【0014】 The refrigerant circulation device 2 comprises a primary pipe 3 through which the primary refrigerant flows and a secondary pipe 4 through which the secondary refrigerant flows. In Figure 1, the primary pipe 3 is shown by a thick dotted arrow, and the secondary pipe 4 is shown by a thick solid arrow. The primary pipe 3 is connected to the cooling tower 101. The cooling tower 101 is a device that cools the primary refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant circulation device 2 and sends the cooled primary refrigerant back to the refrigerant circulation device 2 for circulation. 【0015】 The secondary piping 4 is connected to the cooling plate 100. The cooling plate 100 is attached to the device to be cooled 102. The refrigerant circulation device 2 delivers secondary refrigerant to the cooling plate 100. Secondary refrigerant that has absorbed heat from the device to be cooled 102 during its passage through the cooling plate 100 flows into the refrigerant circulation device 2. 【0016】 The refrigerant circulation device 2 can be connected to multiple cooling plates 100. Furthermore, the refrigerant circulation device 2 can be connected to multiple cooling target devices 102. Additionally, the refrigerant circulation device 2 can be connected to multiple server racks. 【0017】 In this case, the forward path of the secondary piping 4, which carries the secondary refrigerant from the refrigerant circulation device 2 to the server racks, is distributed to multiple server racks and then further distributed to multiple cooling plates 100. The return path of the secondary piping 4, which carries the secondary refrigerant from the server racks to the refrigerant circulation device 2, is collected from multiple cooling plates 100 and then collected from multiple server racks before being connected to the refrigerant circulation device 2. 【0018】 The refrigerant circulation device 2 includes a heat exchanger 5. The heat exchanger 5 is a device that cools the secondary refrigerant by absorbing the heat of the secondary refrigerant flowing in from the cooling plate 100 into the primary refrigerant. The refrigerant circulation device 2 cools the device to be cooled 102 by returning the secondary refrigerant cooled in the heat exchanger 5 to the cooling plate 100. 【0019】 The refrigerant circulation device 2 includes a primary filter 6, a primary flow sensor 7, a pump 8, a secondary filter 9, a secondary flow sensor 10, an expansion tank 11, and a display 12, etc. The primary filter 6 is connected to the primary piping 3. The primary filter 6 filters the primary refrigerant flowing through the primary piping 3 to remove foreign matter from the primary refrigerant. 【0020】 The primary filter 6 comprises a primary brush 60 (described later) located inside the primary filter 6, and a primary handle 61 that drives the primary brush 60 (see Figure 8). When the primary handle 61 is rotated, the primary brush 60 rotates, cleaning the inside of the filter 6. 【0021】 In one example, the primary brush 60 rotates to detach foreign matter adhering to the inside of the filter. The detached foreign matter is then removed by an external filter device 103 (see Figure 8), which will be described later, or it is discharged outside the primary filter 6 along with the primary refrigerant, thereby being removed from the secondary piping 4. 【0022】 The timing for cleaning the primary filter 6 is determined, in one example, based on the pressure of the primary refrigerant detected by pressure sensors 110 and 111 located upstream of the primary filter 6 and pressure sensor 112 located downstream of the primary filter 6. When the primary filter 6 becomes clogged, the flow resistance of the primary refrigerant in the primary filter 6 increases, and the pressure difference of the primary refrigerant between the upstream and downstream sides of the primary filter 6 becomes larger. 【0023】 Therefore, in one example, the controller (not shown) of the refrigerant circulation device 2 can notify the user to perform maintenance when the difference in the pressure of the primary refrigerant detected by pressure sensors 110 and 111 located upstream of the primary filter 6 and pressure sensor 112 located downstream of the primary filter 6 exceeds a certain threshold. In one example, the controller displays the maintenance request notification on the display 12. An example of the configuration of the primary filter 6 will be explained with reference to Figure 7, along with the configuration of the external filter device 103 which will be described later. 【0024】The primary flow sensor 7 detects the flow rate of the primary refrigerant flowing through the primary piping 3. The primary flow sensor 7 outputs the detected flow rate of the primary refrigerant to the display 12. The display 12 displays information indicating the operating status of the refrigerant circulation device 2, such as the flow rate of the primary refrigerant. 【0025】 Pump 8 delivers the secondary refrigerant cooled by the heat exchanger 5 toward the cooling plate 100. In the example shown in Figure 1, three pumps 8 are connected in parallel to the secondary piping 4. The secondary filter 9 filters the secondary refrigerant flowing through the secondary piping 4 to remove foreign matter from the secondary refrigerant. 【0026】 The secondary filter 9 has the same configuration as the primary filter 6. That is, the secondary filter 9 comprises a secondary brush located inside the secondary filter 9 and a secondary handle that drives the secondary brush. When the secondary handle is rotated, the secondary brush rotates and the inside of the filter is cleaned. 【0027】 The cleaning method for the secondary filter 9, the method for determining the timing of cleaning, and the method for notifying the system of maintenance requests are the same as for the primary filter 6. Therefore, redundant explanations regarding the cleaning method for the secondary filter 9, the method for determining the timing of cleaning, and the method for notifying the system of maintenance requests will be omitted. 【0028】 The secondary flow sensor 10 detects the flow rate of the secondary refrigerant flowing through the secondary piping 4. The secondary flow sensor 10 outputs the detected flow rate of the secondary refrigerant to the display 12. The display 12 displays information indicating the operating status of the refrigerant circulation device 2, such as the flow rate of the secondary refrigerant. 【0029】 The expansion tank 11 is connected to the secondary piping 4. The expansion tank 11 is equipped with regulating valves 142 and 143 that adjust the pressure inside the expansion tank 11. The expansion tank 11 adjusts the pressure of the secondary refrigerant flowing through the secondary piping 4 by adjusting the opening of the regulating valves 142 and 143. 【0030】The expansion tank 11 is pre-filled with a predetermined pressure. When the refrigerant expands due to heat, the pressure of the secondary refrigerant increases. In this case, the control valves 142 and 143, located upstream of the expansion tank 11, are opened. If the pressure of the secondary refrigerant is greater than the filling pressure of the expansion tank 11, the secondary refrigerant flows from the secondary piping 4 into the expansion tank 11 until its pressure equals the filling pressure. In this way, the expansion tank 11 can absorb the expansion of the secondary refrigerant, thereby suppressing damage to the secondary piping 4 due to an increase in internal pressure. 【0031】 Furthermore, if the internal pressure of the expansion tank 11 decreases, valves 144 and 145, located between the expansion tank 11 and the tank 160, are opened. Then, secondary refrigerant pressurized by the fill pump 161 is injected from the tank 160 into the expansion tank 11 until the internal pressure of the expansion tank 11 reaches a predetermined sealing pressure. This prevents gas from entering the expansion tank 11. 【0032】 Furthermore, the refrigerant circulation device 2 is equipped with pressure sensors 110, 111 and a temperature sensor 121 at the inlet where primary refrigerant flows in from the cooling tower 101. A pressure sensor 112 is provided between the primary filter 6 and the primary flow sensor 7. In addition, pressure sensors 113, 114 and a temperature sensor 122 are provided at the outlet where primary refrigerant flows out to the cooling tower 101. 【0033】 Furthermore, the primary piping 3 is equipped with a bypass channel that flows from downstream of the primary filter 6 to the outlet without flowing into the heat exchanger 5. An electric valve 134 is provided in the bypass channel. By adjusting the opening of the electric valve 134, the flow rate of the primary refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger 5 through the bypass channel can be adjusted. In addition, an electric valve 133 is provided between the primary flow sensor 7 and the heat exchanger 5. 【0034】 In addition, the primary piping 3 is provided with several valves 130, 131, and 132. Valves 130 and 131 are connected to an external filter device 103 (see Figure 8), which will be described later. When valve 132 is opened, the primary refrigerant can be discharged from the upstream side of the heat exchanger 5 in the primary piping 3 to the outside of the refrigerant circulation device 2. 【0035】 Furthermore, the refrigerant circulation device 2 is equipped with pressure sensors 115, 116 and a temperature sensor 123 at the inlet where secondary refrigerant flows in from the cooling plate 100. In addition, pressure sensors 119, 120 and a temperature sensor 124 are provided at the outlet where secondary refrigerant flows out to the cooling plate 100. 【0036】 A pressure sensor 117 is provided between the secondary flow sensor 10 and the pump 8. Check valves 150, 151, and 152 are provided downstream of each pump 8. A pressure sensor 118 is provided between each check valve 150, 151, and 152 and the secondary filter 9. 【0037】 Furthermore, the secondary piping 4 is equipped with multiple valves 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 146, and 147. Valve 135 is provided between the secondary flow sensor 10 and the heat exchanger 5. By opening valve 135, secondary refrigerant can be discharged from the upstream side of the heat exchanger 5 in the secondary piping 4 to the outside of the refrigerant circulation device 2. 【0038】 Valves 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, and 141 are normally open and are closed, for example, when the pump 8 is being inspected or replaced. Valves 146 and 147 are connected to an external filter device 103 (see Figure 8), which will be described later. In addition, the aforementioned control valves 142 and 143 are provided between the heat exchanger 5 and the expansion tank 11. 【0039】 The expansion tank 11 is positioned downstream of the heat exchanger 5 and upstream of the pump 8. This allows the refrigerant circulation system 2 to adjust the pressure upstream of the pump 8 using the expansion tank 11, even if negative pressure occurs upstream of the pump 8, thereby preventing damage to the pump 8 due to cavitation. 【0040】Further, in the refrigerant circulation device 2, a fill pump 161 and a check valve 153 are provided between the tank 160 and the pump 8. When the internal pressure of the tank 160 decreases, the fill pump 161 presses the secondary refrigerant into the tank 160 to increase the internal pressure. Also, by closing the check valve 153, the refrigerant circulation device 2 can prevent the refrigerant pumped from the fill pump 161 from flowing toward the tank 160 and looping within the refrigerant circulation device 2. 【0041】 Further, the refrigerant circulation device 2 includes an air vent 162 between the heat exchanger 5 and the tank 160. The air vent 162 discharges the air that has entered the secondary piping 4 to the outside of the refrigerant circulation device 2. The refrigerant circulation device 2 also includes level sensors 170 and 171 that detect the amount of the secondary refrigerant in the tank 160, and a relief valve 172. When the amount of the secondary refrigerant in the tank 160 exceeds the threshold value, the refrigerant circulation device 2 discharges the secondary refrigerant from the tank 160 to the secondary piping 4 through the relief valve 172. 【0042】 The level sensor 170 is provided in a header pipe 54 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) described later. The level sensor 170 measures the water level of the secondary refrigerant at the inlet of the pump 8 in order to prevent the pump 8 from running idle. When the water level of the secondary refrigerant is below the threshold value, the refrigerant circulation device 2 can stop the operation of the pump 8. 【0043】 The level sensor 171 measures the water level of the secondary refrigerant in the tank 160. When the water level of the secondary refrigerant in the tank 160 falls below the threshold value, the refrigerant circulation device 2 can, for example, notify the replenishment of the secondary refrigerant through the display 12. 【0044】 Next, referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, an arrangement example of the components of the refrigerant circulation device 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerant circulation device 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of the refrigerant circulation device 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the refrigerant circulation device 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the refrigerant circulation device 2 according to the embodiment. 【0045】As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, each component of the refrigerant circulation device 2 is housed in a box-shaped housing 20. That is, the primary pipe 3, the secondary pipe 4, the primary filter 6, the primary flow sensor 7, the pump 8, the secondary filter 9, the secondary flow sensor 10, the expansion tank 11, and the display 12 of the refrigerant circulation device 2 are housed inside the housing 20. On the top plate of the housing 20, an inlet 31 for the primary refrigerant, an outlet 32 for the primary refrigerant, an inlet 41 for the secondary refrigerant, and an outlet 42 for the secondary refrigerant are arranged. 【0046】 Among the components of such a refrigerant circulation device 2, the primary handle 61 of the primary filter 6 and the secondary handle 91 of the secondary filter 9 are arranged at positions facing the first side surface 21 which is the front surface of the housing 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Here, the position facing the first side surface 21 of the housing 20 means a position where there is nothing intervening between the primary handle 61 and the secondary handle 91 and the first side surface 21 of the housing 20. 【0047】 The first side surface 21 of the housing 20 is a door 22 that can be opened and closed. Therefore, an operator (hereinafter simply referred to as "operator") who performs maintenance work on the refrigerant circulation device 2 can open the door 22 and rotate the primary handle 61 and the secondary handle 91 arranged at the frontmost position. Thereby, the operator can easily perform maintenance work on the primary filter 6 and the secondary filter 9. 【0048】 Also, the regulating valves 142, 143 of the expansion tank 11 are arranged at positions facing the first side surface 21 of the housing 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. Here, the position facing the first side surface 21 of the housing 20 means a position where there is nothing intervening between the regulating valves 142, 143 and the first side surface 21 of the housing 20. Thereby, the operator can easily perform the pressure adjustment work inside the expansion tank 11. 【0049】Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the primary flow sensor 7 and the secondary flow sensor 10 are positioned facing the second side surface 23, which is the rear of the housing 20, opposite the first side surface 21 of the housing 20. Here, the position facing the second side surface 23 of the housing 20 is the position where there is nothing interposed between the primary flow sensor 7 and the secondary flow sensor 10 and the second side surface 23 of the housing 20. While other devices may be placed on the sides (left and right sides) other than the first side surface 21, which is the front of the housing 20, and the second side surface 23, which is the rear of the housing 20, the possibility of other devices being placed on the rear side of the housing 20 is low. 【0050】 Furthermore, in the refrigerant circulation device 2, the refrigerant inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger 5 are all located on the second side surface 23, and the suction port of the pump 8 is also located on the second side surface 23. As a result, the primary piping 3 and secondary piping 4 of the refrigerant circulation device 2 can be concentrated on the second side surface 23, so that maintenance of the primary piping 3 and secondary piping 4 can be performed all at once from the second side surface 23, improving work efficiency. 【0051】 Therefore, since the primary flow sensor 7 and secondary flow sensor 10 are positioned facing the second side surface 23, which is the back of the housing 20, the worker can easily replace the primary flow sensor 7 and secondary flow sensor 10 by going around to the back of the housing 20. 【0052】 Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the door 22 of the housing 20 is made of perforated metal that allows visibility into the inside of the housing 20. Note that the door 22 may be made of any material that allows visibility into the inside of the housing 20, such as glass. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the display 12 is positioned on the outer surface of the door 22 with its display surface facing outwards from the housing 20. This allows the operator to view the display 12 from outside the housing 20 and easily perform maintenance by opening the door 22. 【0053】The display 12 may have a touch panel function and be capable of input operations. The display 12 may also be positioned inside the housing 20 relative to the door 22. In one example, the door 22 is configured to open and close around the pivot axis, with a hinge having a rotation axis extending parallel to the Z-axis direction on one side of the first side surface 21 of the housing 20 in the X-axis direction. In this case, the display 12 may be positioned inside the housing 20 on the other side in the X-axis direction. This reduces the amount of opening and closing movement required for input operations on the display 12. 【0054】 Furthermore, the pump 8 according to this embodiment is a magnetic pump and comprises a motor section 81 equipped with a motor and a pump section 82 connected to a flow path and pumping refrigerant by an impeller, with the motor section 81 and the pump section 82 being detachably connected. 【0055】 As shown in Figures 2 to 5, each pump 8 is positioned so that its motor unit 81 faces the first side surface 21 of the housing 20. Here, the position facing the first side surface 21 of the housing 20 means a position where there is nothing interposed between the motor unit 81 of the pump 8 and the first side surface 21 of the housing 20. This allows the operator to easily replace the motor unit 81 of the pump 8 if it malfunctions. 【0056】 Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the heat exchanger 5 is positioned below the pump 8 inside the housing 20. Preferably, the heat exchanger 5 is positioned at the very bottom of the housing 20. In this way, the refrigerant circulation device 2 has the heat exchanger 5, which is heavier than other components, positioned near the bottom of the housing 20, which makes it easier to hold the heat exchanger 5 and improves the stability of the housing 20. 【0057】 In the refrigerant circulation device 2, the heat exchanger 5 is located at the lowest end of the housing 20, and the pump 8 is located above the heat exchanger 5. Furthermore, the pump 8 is not directly located on top of the heat exchanger 5, but is instead placed on a support plate member that extends from a beam provided in the housing 20. 【0058】Furthermore, in the refrigerant circulation device 2, the heat exchanger 5 is positioned below the housing 20, and the primary refrigerant inlet 31, primary refrigerant outlet 32, secondary refrigerant inlet 41, and secondary refrigerant outlet 42 are positioned on the upper surface of the housing 20. This allows the refrigerant circulation device 2 to have longer primary and secondary piping 3 and 4, making routing easier and facilitating connections with other components. 【0059】 Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the primary handle 61 of the primary filter 6, the secondary handle 91 of the secondary filter 9, and the control valves 142 and 143 of the expansion tank 11 are positioned above the center in the height direction of the housing 20. This allows the operator to operate the primary handle 61, the secondary handle 91, and the control valves 142 and 143 in a comfortable posture without having to bend over significantly. 【0060】 Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the primary handle 61 and the secondary handle 91 are positioned at different levels with their positions offset in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. In this way, because the rotational positions of the primary handle 61 and the secondary handle 91 are offset, contact between the primary handle 61 and the secondary handle 91 can be suppressed even when the primary handle 61 and the secondary handle 91 are operated simultaneously. In addition, this arrangement of the primary handle 61 and the secondary handle 91 in the refrigerant circulation device 2 allows the primary filter 6 and the secondary filter 9 to be brought closer together in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. 【0061】 Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the primary handle 61 has a rotation axis 62 that extends in a horizontal direction. The secondary handle 91 also has a rotation axis 92 that extends in a horizontal direction. It is preferable that the rotation axes 62 and 92 are parallel in their extension directions. 【0062】 As a result, the refrigerant circulation device 2 is less likely to interfere with other parts, as the rotation shaft 62 of the primary handle 61 and the rotation shaft 92 of the secondary handle 91 are less likely to interfere with other parts, and it is possible to save space compared to when the rotation shafts 62 and 92 are arranged at an angle. 【0063】Next, the connection configuration of the pumps 8 will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection configuration of the pumps 8 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the three pumps 8 are connected in parallel to the secondary piping 4. These three pumps 8 are arranged in a line along the first direction (for example, the X-axis direction shown in Figure 1). 【0064】 The refrigerant circulation device 2 includes a first pipe 51 that connects the secondary refrigerant inlets of the multiple pumps 8 to the secondary piping 4, and a second pipe 52 that connects the secondary refrigerant outlets of the multiple pumps 8 to the secondary piping 4. The first pipe 51 includes an extension pipe 53, a manifold pipe 54, and a connecting pipe 55. The second pipe 52 includes an extension pipe 56, a manifold pipe 57, and a connecting pipe 58. 【0065】 Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a section of the surrounding area of the pump 8 according to the embodiment. In Figure 7, the direction of flow of the secondary refrigerant is indicated by thick arrows. As shown in Figure 7, the first pipe 51 is a pipe that branches into three and allows the secondary refrigerant to flow into the inlet of each pump 8 from the horizontal direction (parallel to the Y-axis). 【0066】 The extension pipes 53 of the first piping 51 extend from each pump 8 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (for example, the Y-axis direction as shown in Figure 1). The manifold pipe 54 of the first piping 51 extends in a direction parallel to the first direction and connects to the multiple extension pipes 53. The connecting pipe 55 of the first piping 51 extends from the manifold pipe 54 in a direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions (vertical direction: normal direction of the X-Y plane) and connects the manifold pipe 54 to the secondary piping 4. 【0067】 The second piping 52 extends vertically from the outlet of each pump 8 and has a flow path that merges the three branches. The extension pipes 56 of the second piping 52 extend from each pump 8 in directions perpendicular to the first and second directions (vertical direction: normal direction of the X-Y plane). The manifold pipe 57 of the second piping 52 extends in a direction parallel to the first direction and connects to the multiple extension pipes 56. The connecting pipe 58 of the second piping 52 extends from the manifold pipe 57 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (for example, the Y-axis direction shown in Figure 1) and connects the manifold pipe 57 to the secondary piping 4. 【0068】As a result, the refrigerant circulation device 2 can have, for example, an inverter 83 for the pump 8 (see Figure 2) placed in the space on the first side 21 side, which is partitioned by the motor section 81 of the pump 8 and the extension pipe 56 of the second piping 52 that extends vertically from the pump 8. 【0069】 Furthermore, the manifold pipes 54 and 57, which form three-way channels for merging and branching, contribute to space saving by having the middle channel pipe extend straight and the channel pipes on both sides bend 90 degrees to connect to the middle channel. 【0070】 Furthermore, when the manifold pipes 54 and 57 are connected to connecting pipes 55 and 58 at one end, the flow path of the pump 8 connected to the other end via extension pipes 53 and 56 becomes longer than the flow path of the other pump 8. 【0071】 In contrast, the manifold pipes 54 and 57 according to this embodiment are connected to the connecting pipes 55 and 58 at their central portions in the longitudinal direction, thus preventing the flow path of a single pump 8 from becoming excessively long. 【0072】 Furthermore, the refrigerant circulation device 2 has a second side 23 of the flow path connected to the inlet of the pump 8, and a flow path pipe connected to the outside of the refrigerant circulation device 2 is piped to the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger 5, as well as to the flow path pipe connected to the outside of the refrigerant circulation device 2 (see Figures 4 and 5). This allows the refrigerant circulation device 2 to be space-saving and to suppress the complexity of the piping. 【0073】 Furthermore, the second pipe 52 connected to the pump 8 functions as a confluence pipe that combines the secondary refrigerants output from the three pumps 8. The secondary filter 9 is connected downstream of the confluence point 50 of the secondary refrigerants in the second pipe 52, which functions as a confluence pipe. As a result, the refrigerant circulation device 2 can pass all of the secondary refrigerant circulating in the secondary pipe 4 through the secondary filter 9. 【0074】 Next, with reference to Figure 8, the primary filter 6, the secondary filter 9, and the external filter device 103 will be described. The primary filter 6 and the secondary filter 9 have the same configuration. Therefore, the configurations of the primary filter 6 and the external filter device 103 will be described, and the configuration of the secondary filter 9 will be omitted to avoid redundant explanation. 【0075】 As shown in Figure 8, the primary filter 6 comprises a filter section 63, a discharge section 64, and a return section 65. A primary brush 60 is arranged inside the filter section 63. The discharge section 64 discharges the primary refrigerant from the filter section 63 toward the external filter device 103. Specifically, the primary refrigerant that flows into the primary filter 6 passes through the filter section 63 and is then discharged from the primary filter 6. 【0076】 The external filter device 103 collects foreign matter accumulated in the primary filter 6. The refrigerant circulation device 2 can eliminate clogging of the primary filter 6 even when the refrigerant circulation device 2 is in operation because the external filter device 103 is attached to the primary filter 6. In addition, the flow path for discharging the primary refrigerant from the primary filter 6 to the external filter device 103 is a different flow path from the flow path for the primary refrigerant to circulate under normal circumstances. 【0077】 The return unit 65 returns the filtered primary refrigerant, which is returned from the external filter device 103 that filters the primary refrigerant discharged from the discharge unit 64, to the primary piping 3. In this way, the refrigerant circulation device 2 filters the primary refrigerant discharged from the primary filter 6 by the external filter device 103 and returns it to the primary piping 3, thereby reducing the amount of primary refrigerant waste liquid. 【0078】 Furthermore, the discharge section 64 and return section 65 of the primary filter 6, and the discharge section and return section of the secondary filter 9 are positioned facing the first side surface 21 of the housing 20. Here, the position facing the first side surface 21 of the housing 20 is a position where there is nothing interposed between the discharge section 64 and return section 65 and the first side surface 21 of the housing 20. As a result, the operator can install and remove the external filter device 103 from the front side of the refrigerant circulation device 2, making maintenance work using the external filter device 103 easy. 【0079】Furthermore, the discharge section 64 and return section 65 of the primary filter 6 and the discharge section and return section of the secondary filter 9 are connected to the external filter device 103 via a coupling 14. This allows workers to easily install and remove the external filter device 103. 【0080】 Furthermore, the return section 65 of the primary filter 6 is provided downstream of the connection point of the primary filter 6 in the primary piping 3. Also, the return section of the secondary filter 9 is provided downstream of the connection point of the secondary filter 9 in the secondary piping 4. 【0081】 As a result, the refrigerant circulation device 2 can prevent the primary refrigerant from circulating upstream of the primary filter 6, which would make it difficult for the primary refrigerant to flow into the primary filter 6. In addition, the refrigerant circulation device 2 can prevent the secondary refrigerant from circulating upstream of the secondary filter 9, which would make it difficult for the secondary refrigerant to flow into the secondary filter 9. 【0082】 The external filter device 103 comprises a filter 16 and a pump 15 connected in series to the piping through which the refrigerant flows. The filter 16 of the external filter device 103 is located upstream of the connection point of the pump 15 in the piping. This allows the external filter device 103 to suppress the entry of foreign matter into the pump 15. 【0083】 Furthermore, if the external filter device 103 is not equipped with a pump 15, and the filter 16 becomes clogged, increasing the flow resistance, there is a risk that the primary refrigerant will not circulate from the primary filter 6 to the external filter device 103, which has higher flow resistance, and foreign matter will not be discharged. For this reason, the external filter device 103 is equipped with a pump 15. This allows the external filter device 103 to circulate the primary refrigerant from the primary filter 6 to the external filter device 103 even when the filter 16 is clogged and the flow resistance increases. 【0084】Although this description explains the case where the external filter device 103 is separate from the refrigerant circulation device 2, the refrigerant circulation device 2 and the external filter device 103 may be integrated. In this case, the discharge section 64 of the primary filter 6 is connected directly to the filter 16 without going through the coupling 14. The return section 65 of the primary filter 6 is connected directly to the pump 15 without going through the coupling 14. 【0085】 Furthermore, the discharge section of the secondary filter 9 is connected directly to the filter 16 without going through the coupling 14. The return section of the secondary filter 9 is connected directly to the pump 15 without going through the coupling 14. Note that the filter 16 and pump 15 connected to the primary filter 6 and the filter 16 and pump 15 connected to the secondary filter 9 are different filters 16 and pump 15, respectively. 【0086】 As a result, the refrigerant circulation device 2 is configured to include a primary return path that filters the refrigerant discharged from the primary filter 6 and returns it to the primary piping 3, and a secondary return path that filters the refrigerant discharged from the secondary filter 9 and returns it to the secondary piping 4. 【0087】 This allows workers to easily perform maintenance on the primary filter 6 and secondary filter 9 without having to attach an external filter device 103 to the refrigerant circulation device 2. 【0088】Furthermore, this technology can take the following configurations: (1) A refrigerant circulation device comprising: a primary pipe through which a primary refrigerant flows; a secondary pipe through which a secondary refrigerant flows; a primary filter connected to the primary pipe; a secondary filter connected to the secondary pipe; and a housing housing the primary pipe, the secondary pipe, the primary filter, and the secondary filter, wherein the primary filter comprises a primary brush disposed inside the primary filter and a primary handle for driving the primary brush; the secondary filter comprises a secondary brush disposed inside the secondary filter and a secondary handle for driving the secondary brush; and the primary handle and the secondary handle are positioned facing the first side surface of the housing. (2) The refrigerant circulation device according to (1) above, comprising: an expansion tank connected to the secondary pipe; the expansion tank comprises a control valve for adjusting the pressure inside the expansion tank; and the control valve is positioned facing the first side surface of the housing. (3) The refrigerant circulation device according to (1) or (2), comprising: a primary flow sensor for detecting the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the primary piping; and a secondary flow sensor for detecting the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the secondary piping, wherein the primary flow sensor and the secondary flow sensor are positioned facing a second side surface of the housing opposite to the first side surface. (4) The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of (1) to (3), comprising: a display, wherein the first side surface of the housing is a door, and the display is positioned on the door. (5) The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of (1) to (4), comprising: a pump connected to the secondary piping, wherein the motor portion of the pump is positioned facing the first side surface of the housing. (6) The refrigerant circulation device according to (5), comprising: a heat exchanger connected to the primary piping and the secondary piping, wherein the heat exchanger is positioned below the pump inside the housing. (7) The refrigerant circulation device according to (2) wherein the primary handle, the secondary handle, and the control valve are positioned above the center in the height direction of the housing.(8) The refrigerant circulation device according to (5) or (6), comprising a plurality of pumps connected in parallel and a confluence pipe for confluence of the secondary refrigerants output from each of the pumps, wherein the secondary filter is connected downstream of the confluence point of the secondary refrigerants in the confluence pipe. (9) The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the primary handle and the secondary handle have a rotation axis extension direction that is horizontal. (10) The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the primary filter and the secondary filter comprise a filter section, a discharge section from which refrigerant is discharged from the filter section, and a return section for returning the filtered refrigerant, which is returned from an external filter device that filters the refrigerant discharged from the discharge section, to the primary pipe or the secondary pipe. (11) The refrigerant circulation device according to (10), wherein the discharge section and the return section are positioned facing the first side surface of the housing. (12) The refrigerant circulation device according to (10) or (11), wherein the discharge section and the return section are connected to the external filter device via a coupling. (13) The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of (10) to (12), wherein the return section is provided downstream of the connection position of the primary filter in the primary piping and downstream of the connection position of the secondary filter in the secondary piping. (14) The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of (10) to (13), wherein the external filter device comprises a filter and a pump connected to a pipe through which the refrigerant flows, and the filter is connected upstream of the connection position of the pump in the piping. (15) The refrigerant circulation device according to (5) or (6), comprising a first pipe connecting the refrigerant inlets of a plurality of pumps arranged in a line along a first direction to the secondary piping, wherein the first pipe includes extension pipes extending from each of the pumps in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a manifold pipe extending in a direction parallel to the first direction and connected to the plurality of extension pipes, and a connecting pipe extending vertically from the manifold pipe and connecting the manifold pipe to the secondary piping.(16) The refrigerant circulation device according to (5) or (6), comprising a second pipe connecting the refrigerant outlets of a plurality of pumps arranged in a line along a first direction to the secondary piping, wherein the second pipe includes an extension pipe extending vertically from each of the pumps, a manifold pipe extending in a direction parallel to the first direction and connected to the plurality of extension pipes, and a connecting pipe extending from the manifold pipe in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and connecting the manifold pipe to the secondary piping. (17) A refrigerant circulation device comprising: a primary pipe through which a primary refrigerant flows; a secondary pipe through which a secondary refrigerant flows; a primary filter connected to the secondary pipe; a secondary filter connected to the secondary pipe; a housing housing the primary pipe, the secondary pipe, the primary filter, and the secondary filter; a primary return path for filtering the refrigerant discharged from the primary filter and returning it to the primary pipe; and a secondary return path for filtering the refrigerant discharged from the secondary filter and returning it to the secondary pipe, wherein the primary filter comprises a primary brush disposed inside the primary filter and a primary handle for driving the primary brush; the secondary filter comprises a secondary brush disposed inside the secondary filter and a secondary handle for driving the secondary brush; and the primary handle and the secondary handle are positioned facing the first side surface of the housing. 【0089】 Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Accordingly, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 【0090】2 Refrigerant circulation system 3 Primary piping 4 Secondary piping 5 Heat exchanger 6 Primary filter 7 Primary flow sensor 8 Pump 9 Secondary filter 10 Secondary flow sensor 11 Expansion tank 12 Display 142, 143 Control valve 14 Coupling 15 Pump 16 Filter 20 Housing 21 First side 23 Second side 31, 41 Inlet 32, 42 Outlet 50 Confluence point 51 First piping 52 Second piping 53, 56 Extension pipe 54, 57 Manifold pipe 55, 58 Connecting pipe 60 Primary brush 61 Primary handle 62 Rotating shaft 63 Filter section 64 Discharge section 65 Return section 81 Motor section 91 Secondary handle 92 Rotating shaft 100 Cooling plate 101 Cooling tower 102 Cooling target device 103 External filter device
Claims
1. A refrigerant circulation device comprising: a primary pipe through which a primary refrigerant flows; a secondary pipe through which a secondary refrigerant flows; a primary filter connected to the primary pipe; a secondary filter connected to the secondary pipe; and a housing housing the primary pipe, the secondary pipe, the primary filter, and the secondary filter, wherein the primary filter comprises a primary brush disposed inside the primary filter and a primary handle for driving the primary brush; the secondary filter comprises a secondary brush disposed inside the secondary filter and a secondary handle for driving the secondary brush; and the primary handle and the secondary handle are positioned facing the first side surface of the housing.
2. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 1, comprising an expansion tank connected to the secondary piping, wherein the expansion tank is equipped with a control valve for adjusting the pressure inside the expansion tank, and the control valve is positioned facing the first side surface of the housing.
3. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 1, comprising: a primary flow sensor for detecting the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the primary piping; and a secondary flow sensor for detecting the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the secondary piping, wherein the primary flow sensor and the secondary flow sensor are positioned facing a second side surface of the housing opposite to the first side surface.
4. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 1, comprising a display, wherein the first side surface of the housing is a door, and the display is disposed on the door.
5. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 1, comprising a pump connected to the secondary piping, wherein the motor portion of the pump is positioned to face the first side surface of the housing.
6. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 5, comprising a heat exchanger connected to the primary piping and the secondary piping, wherein the heat exchanger is positioned below the pump inside the housing.
7. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 2, wherein the primary handle, the secondary handle, and the control valve are positioned above the center in the height direction of the housing.
8. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 5, comprising a plurality of pumps connected in parallel, and a confluence pipe for confluence of the secondary refrigerants output from each of the pumps, wherein the secondary filter is connected downstream of the confluence point of the secondary refrigerants in the confluence pipe.
9. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 1, wherein the primary handle and the secondary handle have a rotation axis that extends in a horizontal direction.
10. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 1, wherein the primary filter and the secondary filter each comprise a filter section, a discharge section from which refrigerant is discharged from the filter section, and a return section for returning the filtered refrigerant, which is returned from an external filter device that filters the refrigerant discharged from the discharge section, to the primary piping or the secondary piping.
11. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 10, wherein the discharge unit and the return unit are positioned facing the first side surface of the housing.
12. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 10, wherein the discharge unit and the return unit are connected to the external filter device via a coupling.
13. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 10, wherein the return section is provided downstream of the connection position of the primary filter in the primary piping and downstream of the connection position of the secondary filter in the secondary piping.
14. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 10, wherein the external filter device comprises a filter and a pump connected to a pipe through which the refrigerant flows, and the filter is connected upstream of the pump connection point in the pipe.
15. A refrigerant circulation device according to claim 5, comprising a first pipe connecting the refrigerant inlets of a plurality of pumps arranged in a line along a first direction to the secondary piping, wherein the first pipe includes extension pipes extending from each of the pumps in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a manifold pipe extending in a direction parallel to the first direction and connected to the plurality of extension pipes, and a connecting pipe extending vertically from the manifold pipe and connecting the manifold pipe to the secondary piping.
16. A refrigerant circulation device according to claim 5, comprising a second pipe connecting the refrigerant outlets of a plurality of pumps arranged in a line along a first direction to the secondary piping, wherein the second pipe includes an extension pipe extending vertically from each of the pumps, a manifold pipe extending in a direction parallel to the first direction and connected to the plurality of extension pipes, and a connecting pipe extending from the manifold pipe in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and connecting the manifold pipe to the secondary piping.
17. A refrigerant circulation device comprising: a primary pipe through which a primary refrigerant flows; a secondary pipe through which a secondary refrigerant flows; a primary filter connected to the secondary pipe; a secondary filter connected to the secondary pipe; a housing housing the primary pipe, the secondary pipe, the primary filter, and the secondary filter; a primary return path for filtering the refrigerant discharged from the primary filter and returning it to the primary pipe; and a secondary return path for filtering the refrigerant discharged from the secondary filter and returning it to the secondary pipe, wherein the primary filter comprises a primary brush disposed inside the primary filter and a primary handle for driving the primary brush; the secondary filter comprises a secondary brush disposed inside the secondary filter and a secondary handle for driving the secondary brush; and the primary handle and the secondary handle are positioned facing the first side surface of the housing.