Abstract:
Disclosed are embodiments of heat pump systems and methods for operating such systems in the heating mode while a heat pump operating parameter reaches or is equal to a predetermined operating value at which it is not advisable to use conventional heat pump systems for heating an enclosed structure. In addition to ancillary components, the heat pump systems includes indoor, outdoor and auxiliary heat exchangers, reversing and flow diverting valves, compressors, refrigerant superheat controllers, and auxiliary energy sources. During the heating mode of operation, while the heat pump operating parameter reaches or is equal to the predetermined operating value, the flow of liquid refrigerant through the outdoor heat exchangers is inhibited and is diverted to flow through the auxiliary heat exchangers. Thermal energy from the auxiliary energy source is used for evaporating the liquid refrigerant flowing through the auxiliary heat exchangers.
Abstract:
Disclosed are embodiments of heat pump systems and methods for operating such systems in the heating mode while a heat pump operating parameter reaches or is equal to a predetermined operating value at which it is not advisable to use conventional heat pump systems for heating an enclosed structure. In addition to ancillary components, the heat pump systems includes indoor, outdoor and auxiliary heat exchangers, reversing and flow diverting valves, compressors, refrigerant superheat controllers, and auxiliary energy sources. During the heating mode of operation, while the heat pump operating parameter reaches or is equal to the predetermined operating value, the flow of liquid refrigerant through the outdoor heat exchangers is inhibited and is diverted to flow through the auxiliary heat exchangers. Thermal energy from the auxiliary energy source is used for evaporating the liquid refrigerant flowing through the auxiliary heat exchangers.
Abstract:
An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a first refrigerant flow switching device, a plurality of intermediate heat exchangers, a first expansion device, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger, through all of which a refrigerant circulates and all of which in combination form a refrigeration cycle; and a heat medium circuit including the plurality of intermediate heat exchangers, a pump, and a plurality of use-side heat exchangers, through all of which a heat medium circulates. The air-conditioning apparatus further includes a heat medium energy storage that is connected to the heat medium circuit and stores the heat medium; and an intra-storage heat exchanger that is connected to the refrigerant circuit and heats or cools the heat medium in the heat medium energy storage by using the heat-source-side refrigerant supplied thereto.
Abstract:
A heat source circuit (12) includes: a first gas port (31) constantly communicating with a discharge side of a compressor (14); a second gas port (32) constantly communicating with a suction side of the compressor (14); a third gas port (33) selectively communicating with one of a first gas line (25) and a second gas line (26); a liquid port (34) constantly communicating with a liquid inlet/outlet end of a heat-source heat exchanger (15); a first switching mechanism (17) which switches a state of communication of a gas inlet/outlet end of the heat-source heat exchanger (15); and a second switching mechanism (18) which switches a state of communication of a third gas line (27).
Abstract:
A heating and cooling system is provided having an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant compressor, an auxiliary heat exchanger in parallel with the outdoor heat exchanger, a solar collector unit, with the auxiliary heat exchanger disposed within a fluid contained in a storage tank wherein the fluid is heated by circulation through the solar collector. Heat from the solar collector is utilized to heat an interior space as long as the temperature of the fluid is sufficient and thereafterwards the heat pump system is utilized for supplying heat as needed. When the efficiency of the heat pump system is substantially impaired due to low ambient conditions, the auxiliary heat exchanger is utilized to supplement heat capacity to the heat pump system.
Abstract:
Air conditioner for conditioning a space inside a building includes a heat source unit and at least one indoor unit. The heat source unit has a heat exchanger unit and a compressor unit. The heat exchanger unit includes a first heat exchanger disposed in a first casing and configured to exchange heat with a heat source. The compressor unit includes a compressor disposed in a second casing separate from the first casing, the heat exchanger unit and the compressor unit being fluidly connected via a first liquid refrigerant pipe and a first gaseous refrigerant pipe. At least one indoor unit has a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the space to be conditioned and being fluidly communicated to the heat exchanger unit and/or the compressor unit via a second liquid refrigerant pipe and a second gaseous refrigerant pipe. The outer diameter of the first liquid refrigerant pipe is larger than the outer diameter of the second liquid refrigerant pipe and/or the outer diameter of the first gaseous refrigerant pipe is larger than the outer diameter of the second gaseous refrigerant pipe.
Abstract:
An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a first refrigerant flow switching device, a plurality of intermediate heat exchangers, a first expansion device, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger, through all of which a refrigerant circulates and all of which in combination form a refrigeration cycle; and a heat medium circuit including the plurality of intermediate heat exchangers, a pump, and a plurality of use-side heat exchangers, through all of which a heat medium circulates. The air-conditioning apparatus further includes a heat medium energy storage that is connected to the heat medium circuit and stores the heat medium; and an intra-storage heat exchanger that is connected to the refrigerant circuit and heats or cools the heat medium in the heat medium energy storage by using the heat-source-side refrigerant supplied thereto.
Abstract:
An air-conditioning apparatus including a check valve in a passage between a first flow switching device and a suction side of a compressor, an expansion valve midway of a liquid extension piping, and an additional unit having a first bypass and a second bypass that are branched off from a passage between an indoor unit and the liquid expansion valve, and are connected to a passage between the check valve and the suction side of the compressor. The first bypass has, midway thereof, a first bypass expansion valve capable of controlling a throughput of refrigerant and an auxiliary heat exchanger that has a heat source different from the refrigerant, the auxiliary heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator heating the refrigerant flowing in the first bypass. The second bypass has, midway thereof, a second bypass expansion valve capable of controlling a throughput of refrigerant.
Abstract:
An air-conditioning apparatus including a check valve in a passage between a first flow switching device and a suction side of a compressor, an expansion valve midway of a liquid extension piping, and an additional unit having a first bypass and a second bypass that are branched off from a passage between an indoor unit and the liquid expansion valve, and are connected to a passage between the check valve and the suction side of the compressor. The first bypass has, midway thereof, a first bypass expansion valve capable of controlling a throughput of refrigerant and an auxiliary heat exchanger that has a heat source different from the refrigerant, the auxiliary heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator heating the refrigerant flowing in the first bypass. The second bypass has, midway thereof, a second bypass expansion valve capable of controlling a throughput of refrigerant.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a heat source unit capable of being used in either an air conditioner for switchable cooling and heating operation or an air conditioner for simultaneous cooling and heating operation. An air conditioner principally includes one heat source unit, a plurality of utilization units, and a connecting unit provided for each utilization unit. The heat source unit uses water as the heat source, and principally includes a compressing means, a main heat exchanger, a first switching means, a main refrigerant switching means, an auxiliary heat exchanger connected in parallel with the main heat exchanger, a second switching means, an auxiliary refrigerant switching means, and a liquid receiver. The auxiliary heat exchanger is capable of switching between functioning as an evaporator and a condenser, by the second switching means.