Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling module and a cooling apparatus.
Background Art
[0002] A condensing unit is carried to an installation location with compressors and a heat
exchanger for heat radiation housed in a housing. The number of the compressors and/or
the size of the heat exchanger increases depending on the cooling capacity of the
condensing unit. Accordingly, in comparison with a condensing unit with low cooling
capacity, a condensing unit with high cooling capacity is larger in external size,
and smaller in loadable amount in transportation (e.g., a truck or a ship).
[0003] In addition, to deliver condensing units of various cooling capacities in a short
period, it is necessary to stock a certain number of condensing units of various cooling
capacities.
[0004] In view of this, there are various techniques for achieving the desired cooling capacity
by coupling appropriate number of modularized small condensing units (hereinafter
referred to as "freezing module") with a relatively low cooling capacity (e.g., PTL
1).
[0005] By assembling freezing modules at an installation location after carrying the freezing
modules to the installation location, small freezing modules can be loaded to the
transportation in an efficient installation manner, and the amount of the modules
per transportation can be increased. In addition, various cooling capacities can be
set by coupling freezing modules in accordance with the desired cooling capacity,
and thus the numbers of the types of the freezing modules to be stocked can be reduced.
Citation List
Patent Literature
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0007] Regarding such a configuration of coupling freezing modules to configure a condensing
unit of a different capacity, it has been conventionally desired to optimize the arrangements
of components that highly require maintenance such that maintenance of such components
can be easily performed when the freezing modules are coupled.
[0008] In response to the above-mentioned desire, an object of the present invention is
to increase the ease of maintenance of cooling apparatuses having a configuration
in which cooling modules are coupled to each other.
Solution to problem
[0009] To solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, a cooling module of the present
invention includes: a first frame member including an upper section and a lower section;
a refrigerant compressor installed on a front side in the first frame member in one
of the upper section and the lower section; and an electrical component box installed
on the front side in the first frame member in the other of the upper section and
the lower section.
[0010] To solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, a cooling apparatus of the present
invention includes the above-mentioned cooling module.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0011] According to the present invention, when cooling modules are coupled with each other,
maintenance of components that highly require maintenance can be easily performed.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a freezing module;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the freezing module;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a heat exchanging module;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view for describing adjustment of an oil level of a compressor
between freezing modules coupled with each other;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a freezing apparatus;
FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of the freezing apparatus;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the freezing apparatus;
and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the freezing apparatus
in which illustration of an upper wall of the heat exchanging module is omitted.
Description of Embodiments
[0013] A cooling module and a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention are described below with reference to the drawings. While the invention
made by the present inventor will be specifically described based on the preferred
embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention to the following preferred
embodiments but the present invention may be further modified within the scope and
spirit of the invention defined by the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
[0014] In the following embodiment, the cooling apparatus is a freezing apparatus, and the
cooling module is a freezing module. Note that the cooling apparatus is a concept
including a freezing apparatus, a refrigeration apparatus, an ultra-low temperature
freezer and a combination thereof, and the same similarly applies to the cooling module.
[0015] In addition, in the following description, the front side is the side on which refrigerant
compressors 4S and 4L described later are disposed, and the rear side is opposite
to the front side. In addition, the left and right are set with respect to the direction
from the front side to the rear side.
[0016] Basically, in the diagrams for describing the embodiment, the same elements are denoted
with the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.
1. Configuration
[0017] Configurations of an embodiment of the present invention are described below with
reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration
of freezing module 1S. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of
freezing module 1L of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective
view illustrating a configuration of heat exchanging module 1H of the embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic view for describing adjustment of oil
levels of refrigerant compressors 4S between freezing modules 1S coupled with each
other.
1-1. Configuration of Freezing Module
[0018] Rated output P of freezing module 1S illustrated in FIG. 1 is output PS (P=PS), and,
in freezing module 1S, components are appropriately mounted in frame member 2S of
two sections built-up in the vertical direction as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0019] Specifically, electrical component box 3S in which an electrical component substrate
and the like are housed is disposed on the front side in upper section 2Su of frame
member 2S, and one refrigerant compressor (hereinafter referred to as "compressor")
4S is installed on the front and right side in lower section 2Sd of frame member 2S.
A refrigerant pipe connected with compressor 4S is branched into a plurality of refrigerant
pipes LS so as to be arranged to upper section 2Su and connected to air-cooling heat
exchanger 5H or water-cooling heat exchangers 7a and 7b as a condenser through a connector
as described later.
[0020] With respect to the height of the bottom surface of the leg part fixed at the installation
position, the height of the top surface of upper section 2Su is set to Hu, and the
height of the top surface of lower section 2Sd is set to Hd.
[0021] In freezing module 1L illustrated in FIG. 2, rated output P is output PL higher than
PS that is the rated output of freezing module 1S (P=PL, PL>PS). In addition, in freezing
module 1L, components are appropriately mounted in frame member 2L of two sections
built-up in the vertical direction as in freezing module 1S as illustrated in FIG.
2.
[0022] Specifically, two compressors 4L are arranged side by side in the lateral direction
on the front side in lower section 2Ld of frame member 2L, and electrical component
box 3L in which electrical component substrate and the like are housed is disposed
on the front side in upper section 2Lu of frame member 2L. The refrigerant pipe connected
with each compressor 4L is branched into a plurality of refrigerant pipes LL so as
to be arranged to upper section 2Lu and connected to water-cooling heat exchangers
7a and 7b or air-cooling heat exchanger 5H as described later.
[0023] With respect to the height of the bottom surface fixed at the installation position,
the heights of the top surfaces of upper section 2Lu and lower section 2Ld are identical
to the heights of the top surfaces of upper section 2Su and lower section 2Sd of freezing
module 1S. In other words, the height of the top surface of upper section 2Lu is set
to Hu, and the height of the top surface of lower section 2Ld is set to Hd.
[0024] It is preferable that the height of upper section 2Su of freezing module 1S and the
height of upper section 2Lu of freezing module 1L be close to each other, but may
not be identical to each other. Likewise, it is preferable that the height of lower
section 2Sd of freezing module 1S and the height of lower section 2Ld of freezing
module 1L be close to each other, but may not be identical to each other.
[0025] In addition, each of freezing modules 1S and 1L is provided with an oil system composed
of an oil level sensor, an oil separator, an oil returning valve and the like (omitted
in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The oil system is described later.
[0026] In the following description, freezing module 1S and freezing module 1L are referred
to as "freezing module 1" when they are not discriminated from each other, and compressor
4S and compressor 4L are referred to as "compressor 4" when they are not discriminated
from each other.
[0027] Note that freezing module 1 may be used not only in a configuration in which a plurality
of freezing modules 1 are coupled to each other to serve as a freezing apparatus as
described later, but also in a configuration in which single freezing module 1 serves
as a freezing apparatus.
1-2. Configuration of Heat Exchanging Module
[0028] Heat exchanging module 1H illustrated in FIG. 3 includes frame member 2H, air-cooling
heat exchanger 5H disposed in the rear, left and right frames of frame member 2H,
and blower 6H serving as the upper wall of frame member 2H.
[0029] Frame member 2H is configured to have a size capable of accommodating two freezing
modules 1 arranged side by side in the lateral direction. Specifically, frame member
2H can accommodate freezing modules 1S and 1L in any of the following three states:
(1) a state where two freezing modules 1S are arranged side by side in the lateral
direction, (2) a state where two freezing modules 1L are arranged side by side in
the lateral direction, and (3) a state where freezing module 1S and freezing module
1L are arranged side by side in the lateral direction. In addition, the front side
of frame member 2H is open, and thus freezing modules 1S and 1L may be installed from
the front side.
[0030] Blower 6H includes two air blasting apparatuses 60 arranged side by side in the lateral
direction. When air blasting apparatuses 60 are activated, air passes through air-cooling
heat exchanger 5H, and then the air is discharged from frame member 2H. When passing
through air-cooling heat exchanger 5H, the air exchanges heat with refrigerant flowing
in air-cooling heat exchanger 5H, and thus cools and condenses the refrigerant.
1-3. Adjustment of Oil Level
[0031] With reference to FIG. 4, a method of adjusting the oil level of compressor 4 between
a plurality of freezing modules 1 coupled with each other is described. Here, a case
where two freezing modules 1S are coupled with each other is described. In FIG. 4,
the solid line indicates a refrigerant pipe and the broken line indicates an oil pipe.
Note that, in FIG. 4, illustration of the system of the refrigerant pipe is simplified
for convenience of description.
[0032] Each compressor 4S is provided with oil level sensor 40. Oil level sensor 40 detects
the oil level in the casing of compressor 4S. In the present embodiment, oil level
sensor 40 is a float sensor, and detects the upper limit level and the lower limit
level of the oil in the casing of compressor 4S.
[0033] Intake pipe LS0 (refrigerant pipe LS) is connected with the intake port of each compressor
4S. In addition, one end of discharge pipe LS1 (refrigerant pipe LS) is connected
with the discharge port of each compressor 4S, and the other end of discharge pipe
LS1 is connected with an intermediate portion of oil separator 41 in the height direction.
In addition, high-pressure pipe LS2 is fixed at an upper portion of each oil separator
41.
[0034] Oil separator 41 captures oil contained in high-pressure refrigerant discharged from
compressor 4S by separating the oil from the refrigerant. Oil pipe LRa is fixed at
a lower portion of each oil separator 41, and oil returning pipe LR for returning
the captured oil to compressor 4S is branched from oil pipe LRa. Oil returning valve
42 whose opening can be changed in accordance with the oil returning amount is interposed
in each oil returning pipe LR.
[0035] Here, refrigerant intake pipes LS0 of freezing modules 1S are connected with each
other with connector C1 therebetween, and refrigerant high-pressure pipes LS2 are
connected with each other with connector C2 therebetween. In addition, communication
pipe 41a communicated with the interior of oil separator 41 is fixed at an upper portion
of each oil separator 41, and communication pipes 41a are connected with each other
with connector C3 therebetween. In addition, oil returning pipes LR of freezing modules
1S are connected with each other with connector C4 therebetween.
[0036] The flow rate of oil supplied from oil separator 41 to compressor 4S is adjusted
by controlling the opening of oil returning valve 42 connected with the compressor,
such that the oil surface in the compressor case is set between the upper limit and
the lower limit, according to a detection result of the oil level sensor 40.
[0037] In addition, when the oil surfaces in two oil separators 41 differ from each other,
connector C4 connecting the oil part of oil separator 41 serves as a siphon and thus
the heights of the oil surfaces in oil separators 41 are substantially equalized.
1-4. Freezing Apparatus 10A
[0038] Freezing apparatus 10A is described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 5 is
a perspective view illustrating a configuration of freezing apparatus 10A. FIG. 6
is a plan view illustrating a configuration of freezing apparatus 10A.
[0039] In freezing apparatus 10A illustrated in FIG. 5, two freezing modules 1L are coupled
with each other in the lateral direction. Specifically, frame members 2L of freezing
modules 1L are connected with each other with metal coupling fitting 20 at same height
or substantially same height as those of upper section 2Lu and lower section 2Ld on
the front and rear sides. Metal coupling fittings 20 are fixed to frame members 2L
of freezing modules 1L at at least left and right both ends by a publicly known method
such as a bolting or welding.
[0040] Freezing modules 1L are coupled with each other with electrical component box 3L
and compressor 4L facing forward. As a result, electrical component boxes 3L are arranged
side by side in the lateral direction at the same height (or at substantially the
same height) on the front side in freezing apparatus 10A, and compressors 4L are arranged
side by side in the lateral direction at the same height (or at substantially the
same height) at lower section 2Ld.
[0041] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 6, on the rear side in upper section 2Lu in each
freezing module 1L, two water-cooling heat exchangers 7a and 7b are arranged side
by side in the lateral direction.
[0042] Each of connecting parts (ends) of refrigerant pipes LL of each freezing module 1L
extends upward through a rear portion of upper section 2Lu of frame member 2L. Refrigerant
pipes LL are connected, by connector C5, C6, C7 and C8, with water-cooling heat exchangers
7a and 7b installed in the corresponding freezing module 1L. In addition, water-cooling
heat exchangers 7a and 7b are connected with two headers H arranged in the vertical
direction with branched pipe h therebetween. With this configuration, water supplied
from one of two headers H and refrigerant supplied from refrigerant pipe LL exchange
heat, and the refrigerant is cooled. Then, the heated water is collected at the other
header H, and discharged to the outside.
[0043] In addition, refrigerant pipe LL that outputs, to the cooling load side, refrigerant
having been subjected to heat exchange at water-cooling heat exchangers 7a and 7b
in each freezing module 1L is joined at the coupling part (connector C9), and refrigerant
coming back from the cooling load is branched at the coupling part (connector C1)
and taken by each freezing module 1L through intake-refrigerant pipe LL.
[0044] In addition, on the rear side in electrical component box 3L, shielding plate 8 is
formed in an L-shape with an upper wall and a rear wall extending downward from the
rear end of the upper wall. The upper and rear walls are integrally formed.
1-5. Freezing Apparatus 10B
[0045] Freezing apparatus 10B is described with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. FIG. 7 is
a perspective view illustrating a configuration of freezing apparatus 10B. FIG. 8
is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of freezing apparatus 10B in which
illustration of the upper wall of heat exchanging module 1H is omitted.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 7, freezing apparatus 10B includes freezing modules 1S and
1L arranged side by side in the lateral direction in heat exchanging module 1H. Freezing
modules 1S and 1L are housed in heat exchanging module 1H in the state where electrical
component boxes 3S and 3L and compressors 4S and 4L face forward. As a result, at
the front frame where air-cooling heat exchanger 5H is not disposed, electrical component
boxes 3S and 3L are arranged side by side in the lateral direction at the same height
(or substantially same height) in the upper section, and compressors 4S and 4L are
arranged side by side in the lateral direction at the same height (or substantially
same height) in the lower section.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 8, a plurality of connecting parts (ends) of refrigerant pipes
LS and LL of freezing modules 1S and 1L extend upward through rear portions of upper
sections 2Su and 2Lu of frame members 2S and 2L. Of the extending connecting parts,
connecting parts of some refrigerant pipe LS and refrigerant pipe LL are connected
by connectors C2, C10, C11 and C12. The connecting parts of the remaining refrigerant
pipes LS and LL are closed with plugs. Note that connector C10 connects refrigerant
pipes LS and LL of the inter cooler entrance of compressors 4S and 4L. Connector C11
connects refrigerant pipes LS and LL of the inter cooler outlet of compressors 4S
and 4L. Connector C12 connects refrigerant pipes LS and LL of the air-cooling heat
exchanger 5H (gas cooler) outlet.
[0048] In the case where freezing modules 1S and 1L are combined with heat exchanging module
1H, the refrigerant pipe, that is provided at the side surface, the back surface or
the front surface of a lower portion of freezing modules 1S and 1L, is used as a refrigerant
pipe to output refrigerant to the cooling load, and therefore refrigerant pipes LS
and LL having an ejection port (connection port) on upper sections 2Su and 2Lu of
freezing modules 1S and 1L are not used. For this reason, the ejection port (connection
port) is closed with a plug.
[0049] Other configurations are similar to those of freezing apparatus 10A, and therefore
the description thereof is omitted.
2. Operation and Effect
[0050]
- (1) In upper sections 2Su and 2Lu or lower sections 2Sd and 2Ld of frame members 2S
and 2L of freezing modules 1S and 1L, compressors 4S and 4L and electrical component
boxes 3S and 3L are arranged on the front side in frame members 2S and 2L. With this
configuration, when freezing apparatus 10A and 10B are configured by coupling a plurality
of freezing modules 1S and 1L, compressors 4S and 4L can be arranged side by side
on the front side in the same section (in the present embodiment, lower section),
and electrical component boxes 3S and 3L can be arranged side by side on the front
side in the same section (in the present embodiment, upper section). That is, in freezing
apparatus 10A and 10B, it is possible to easily access compressors 4S and 4L and electrical
component boxes 3S and 3L that highly require maintenance because of their high importance
and high cost. Accordingly, according to the embodiment of the present invention,
maintenance of components that highly require maintenance can be easily performed.
- (2) Since compressors 4S and 4L, which are heavy members, are disposed in lower sections
2Sd and 2Ld of frame members 2S and 2L of freezing modules 1S and 1L, the gravity
centers of freezing modules 1S and 1L and freezing apparatuses 10A and 10B are located
near the bottom, and thus a stable and hard-to-fall structure can be achieved.
- (3) Since refrigerant pipes LS and LL of freezing modules 1S and 1L and/or the connection
port of the oil system of compressors 4S and 4L are aligned on the rear side, connection
between refrigerant pipes LS and LL and the oil system can be easily performed in
freezing modules 1S and 1L.
- (4) Since electrical component boxes 3S and 3L are provided with L-shaped shielding
plate 8, electrical component boxes 3S and 3L can be protected from rain, coolant
leaked from water-cooling heat exchangers 7a and 7b and the like even when electrical
component boxes 3S and 3L are provided in upper sections 2Su and 2Lu of freezing modules
1S and 1L as in the present embodiment.
3. Other points
[0051]
- (1) In contrast to the embodiment, electrical component boxes 3S and 3L may be disposed
in lower sections 2Sd and 2Ld, and compressors 4S and 4L may be disposed in upper
sections 2Su and 2Lu.
- (2) While two freezing modules 1 are coupled to each other in the embodiment, three
or more freezing modules 1 may be coupled to each other.
- (3) While two freezing modules 1, and one heat exchanging module 1H are mounted to
configure a cooling apparatus in the embodiment, one freezing module 1, and one heat
exchanging module 1H may be mounted to configure a cooling apparatus.
Industrial Applicability
[0052] According to the present invention, maintenance of components that highly require
maintenance can be easily performed, and thus the present invention provides high
industrial applicability.
Reference Signs List
[0053]
1, 1S, 1L Freezing module (Cooling module)
1H Heat exchanging module
2S, 2L, 2H Frame member
2Su, 2Lu Upper section
2Sd, 2Ld Lower section
3S, 3L Electrical component box
4S, 4L Refrigerant compressor
5H Air-cooling heat exchanger
6H Blower
7a, 7b Water-cooling heat exchanger
8 Shielding plate
20 Metal coupling fitting
10, 10A, 10B Freezing apparatus (Cooling apparatus)
40 Oil level sensor
41 Oil separator
42 Oil returning valve
60 Air blasting apparatus
C1 to C12 Connector
H Header
h Branched pipe
LS, LL Refrigerant pipe
LS0 Intake pipe
LS1 Discharge pipe
LS2 High-pressure pipe
LR Oil returning pipe
LRa Oil pipe
1. A cooling module comprising:
a first frame member (2S, 2L) including an upper section (2Su, 2Lu) and a lower section
(2Sd, 2Ld);
a refrigerant compressor (4S, 4L) installed on a front side in the first frame member
(2S, 2L) in one of the upper section (2Su, 2Lu) and the lower section (2Sd, 2Ld);
and
an electrical component box (3S, 3L) installed on the front side in the first frame
member (2S, 2L) in the other of the upper section (2Su, 2Lu) and the lower section
(2Sd, 2Ld).
2. The cooling module according to claim 1,
wherein the refrigerant compressor (4S, 4L) is installed in the lower section (2Sd,
2Ld); and
wherein the electrical component box (3S, 3L) is installed in the upper section (2Su,
2Lu).
3. The cooling module according to claim 2, further comprising a shielding member (8)
configured to shield at least a part of the electrical component box (3S, 3L).
4. The cooling module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the refrigerant
compressors (4S, 4L) are arranged side by side in a lateral direction.
5. The cooling module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in the upper section
(2Su, 2Lu) or the lower section (2Sd, 2Ld), a refrigerant pipe (LS, LL) is provided
on a rear side of the first frame member (2S, 2L).
6. A cooling apparatus comprising the cooling module (1S, 1L) according to any one of
claims 1 to 5.
7. The cooling apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a heat exchanging module
(1H),
wherein the heat exchanging module (1H) comprises:
a second frame member (2H) including an upper section (2Su, 2Lu) and a lower section
(2Sd, 2Ld);
an air-cooling heat exchanger (5H) disposed in a rear frame part, a left frame part
and a right frame part of the second frame member (2H), the air-cooling heat exchanger
(5H) being configured to cause heat exchange between air and refrigerant fed by the
refrigerant compressor (4S, 4L); and
an air blower (6H) provided at an upper part of the second frame member (2H) and configured
to send air to the air-cooling heat exchanger (5H), and
wherein the cooling module (1S, 1L) is disposed in the second frame member (2H).
8. The cooling apparatus according to claim 6 or 7,
wherein a plurality of the cooling modules (1S, 1L) are arranged side by side in a
lateral direction, and
wherein the plurality of cooling modules (1S, 1L) are coupled with each other such
that the refrigerant compressors (4S, 4L) of the plurality of cooling modules (1S,
1L) are arranged side by side in the lateral direction in a line and that the electrical
component boxes (3S, 3L) of the plurality of cooling modules (1S, 1L) are arranged
side by side in the lateral direction in a line.