Refrigeration unit

Abstract

A refrigeration unit applied, for example, to an air conditioning system for a car has a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator interposed in a refrigerant circulation passage in the order named. The circulation passage includes a fluid-flowing area for a liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the expansion valve, and a gas-flowing area mainly for a gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor. The refrigeration unit is provided with a detector for detecting the presence of the gaseous refrigerant in the liquid-flowing area. If the detector detects the gaseous refrigerant, a warning light indicative of a refrigerant leak is turned on.

1 . A refrigeration unit comprising: 
 a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator interposed in a refrigerant circulation passage in the order named, the passage having a liquid-flowing area for a liquid refrigerant from said condenser to said expansion valve, and a gas-flowing area mainly for a gaseous refrigerant from said evaporator to said compressor;    detecting means for detecting presence of the gaseous refrigerant in said liquid-flowing area, said detecting means including a detector disposed in said liquid-flowing area; and    warning means for outputting a detection result when said detecting means detects the gaseous refrigerant.    
     
     
         2 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a receiver is interposed in said liquid-flowing area; and    said detector is disposed downstream from said receiver.    
     
     
         3 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said detector includes a self-heating type thermistor.    
     
     
         4 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant.    
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said warning means includes a warning light.    
     
     
         6 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said warning means includes a warning buzzer.    
     
     
         7 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said refrigerant circulation passage runs from an engine room to a passenger compartment of a vehicle.    
     
     
         8 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said detector includes a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device.    
     
     
         9 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 said refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant.    
     
     
         10 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said warning means includes a warning light.    
     
     
         11 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said warning means includes a warning buzzer.    
     
     
         12 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said refrigerant circulation passage runs from an engine room to a passenger compartment of a vehicle.    
     
     
         13 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said detector includes a microphone.    
     
     
         14 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant.    
     
     
         15 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said warning means includes a warning light.    
     
     
         16 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said warning means includes a warning buzzer.    
     
     
         17 . The refrigeration unit according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said refrigerant circulation passage runs from an engine room to a passenger compartment of a vehicle.