EP1659351A2 - Système de récupération d'huile et climatiseur à unités multiples associé à ce système - Google Patents

Système de récupération d'huile et climatiseur à unités multiples associé à ce système Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1659351A2
EP1659351A2 EP05024655A EP05024655A EP1659351A2 EP 1659351 A2 EP1659351 A2 EP 1659351A2 EP 05024655 A EP05024655 A EP 05024655A EP 05024655 A EP05024655 A EP 05024655A EP 1659351 A2 EP1659351 A2 EP 1659351A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
oil
compressor
recovering
compressors
oil recovering
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP05024655A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1659351A3 (fr
EP1659351B1 (fr
Inventor
Jong Jeong Ho
Yong Ha Do
Hyun Yoon Pil
Ha Choi Jin
Chul Kang Won
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LG Electronics Inc
Original Assignee
LG Electronics Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP1659351A2 publication Critical patent/EP1659351A2/fr
Publication of EP1659351A3 publication Critical patent/EP1659351A3/fr
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Publication of EP1659351B1 publication Critical patent/EP1659351B1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B31/00—Compressor arrangements
    • F25B31/002—Lubrication
    • F25B31/004—Lubrication oil recirculating arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
    • F25B43/02—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat for separating lubricants from the refrigerant
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/025—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple outdoor units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/07—Details of compressors or related parts
    • F25B2400/075—Details of compressors or related parts with parallel compressors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/21—Temperatures
    • F25B2700/2105—Oil temperatures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/21—Temperatures
    • F25B2700/2115—Temperatures of a compressor or the drive means therefor
    • F25B2700/21155—Temperatures of a compressor or the drive means therefor of the oil

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to a compressor oil recovering apparatus and a multi-unit air conditioner equipped with the same.
  • air conditioners perform procedures of compressing, condensing, expanding and evaporating a refrigerant to cool and/or heat a confined space.
  • Such air conditioners are classified into a cooling type wherein a refrigerant flows only in one direction through a refrigerant cycle, to supply cold air to a confined space, and a cooling and heating type wherein a refrigerant flows bidirectionally in a selective manner through a refrigerant cycle, to selectively supply cold air or hot air to a confined space.
  • air conditioners are classified into a general type wherein one indoor unit is connected to one outdoor unit, and a multi-unit type wherein a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit.
  • an air conditioner may be implemented which includes at least one outdoor unit.
  • the outdoor unit of such a multi-unit air conditioner includes at least one compressor corresponding to the load of the indoor units, and an oil separator connected to a refrigerant discharge line of the compressor, and adapted to separate oil from a refrigerant discharged from the compressor.
  • the compressor sucks low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant gas, compresses the sucked refrigerant gas into high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas, and discharges the resulting refrigerant gas.
  • high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas is discharged from the compressor, oil present in the compressor is also discharged together with the refrigerant.
  • the oil contained in the discharged refrigerant is again fed to the compressor after being separated from the refrigerant in the oil separator.
  • the oil separated by the oil separator may be re-discharged together with the refrigerant discharged from the compressor via the refrigerant discharge line, without being returned to the compressor via the refrigerant suction line.
  • shortage of oil may occur in the compressor.
  • Such oil shortage may cause abrasion and performance degradation of the compressor. As a result, the compressor exhibits a degradation in reliability.
  • the performance degradation of the compressor results in a degradation in the efficiency of the multi-unit air conditioner using the compressor, thereby causing a degradation in cooling/heating performance.
  • the present invention is directed to a compressor oil recovering apparatus and a multi-unit air conditioner equipped with the same that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a compressor oil recovering apparatus which is capable of smoothly re-supplying, to a compressor, oil separated in an oil separator after emerging from the compressor, thereby achieving an enhancement in the reliability of the compressor, and thus, an enhancement in the performance of an air conditioner using the compressor oil recovering apparatus, and to provide a multi-unit air conditioner using the compressor oil recovering apparatus.
  • a compressor oil recovering apparatus comprises: an oil separator adapted to separate oil from a refrigerant discharged from a compressor; an oil recovering port provided at the compressor; and an oil recovering tube having one end connected to the oil separator, and the other end connected to the oil recovering port.
  • the providing of the oil recovering port may be achieved at positions where oil recovered through the oil recovering tube does not interfere with refrigerant flows respectively sucked along a refrigerant suction tube of the compressor and discharged along a refrigerant discharge line of the compressor.
  • the oil recovering port may be arranged at a position of the compressor corresponding to a level of oil initially sealed in the compressor.
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus may further comprise an adjuster adapted to adjust an amount of oil recovered from the oil separator to the compressor in accordance with an oil storage state of the compressor.
  • the adjuster may comprise an oil sensor adapted to sense an amount of oil stored in the compressor, and a solenoid valve adapted to control supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to the compressor, and an amount of the supplied oil, based on the sensed oil amount.
  • the oil sensor may be arranged in the compressor.
  • the solenoid valve may be arranged at the oil recovering tube.
  • the adjuster may comprise a float adapted to sense a level of oil stored in the compressor, and a float valve adapted to control supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to the compressor, and an amount of the supplied oil, based on the sensed oil level.
  • the float valve may be arranged at the oil recovering tube.
  • a multi-unit air conditioner comprises: an outdoor unit comprising a plurality of compressors, and an outdoor heat exchanger; a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, each of the indoor units comprising an indoor heat exchanger; a plurality of oil separators each adapted to separate oil from a refrigerant discharged from an associated one of the compressors; a plurality of oil recovering port provided at the plurality of compressors, respectively; and a plurality of oil recovering tubes each having one end connected to an associated one of the oil separators, and the other end connected to the associated oil recovering port corresponding to the associated oil separator.
  • each of the oil recovering ports may be achieved at positions where oil recovered through the oil recovering tube does not interfere with refrigerant flows respectively sucked along a refrigerant suction tube of the associated compressor and discharged along a refrigerant discharge line of the associated compressor.
  • the oil recovering port may be arranged at a position of the compressor corresponding to a level of oil initially sealed in the compressor.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner may further comprise an adjuster adapted to adjust an amount of oil recovered from each of the oil separators to the compressor associated with the oil separator in accordance with an oil storage state of the associated compressor.
  • the adjuster may comprise oil sensors each adapted to sense an amount of oil stored in an associated one of the compressors, and solenoid valves each adapted to control supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to an associated one of the compressors, and the amount of the supplied oil in accordance with the oil amount sensed by the oil sensor corresponding to the associated compressor.
  • the oil sensors may be arranged in the associated compressors, respectively.
  • the solenoid valves may be arranged at the oil recovering tubes, respectively.
  • the adjuster may comprise floats each adapted to sense a level of oil stored in an associated one of the compressors, and float valves each adapted to control supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to an associated one of the compressors, and an amount of the supplied oil, based on the oil level sensed by the float corresponding to the associated compressor.
  • the float valves may be arranged at the oil recovering tubes, respectively.
  • a multi-unit air conditioner may further comprise strainers each arranged at an associated one of the oil recovering tubes, and adapted to filter the oil recovered to the compressor corresponding to the associated oil recovering tube through the associated oil recovering tube to remove foreign matter contained in the oil.
  • a multi-unit air conditioner comprises: an outdoor unit comprising a plurality of compressors, and an outdoor heat exchanger; a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, each of the indoor units comprising an indoor heat exchanger; a plurality of oil separators each adapted to separate oil from a refrigerant discharged from an associated one of the compressors; a plurality of oil recovering port provided at the plurality of compressors, respectively; a plurality of oil recovering tubes each having one end connected to an associated one of the oil separators, and the other end connected to the associated oil recovering port corresponding to the associated oil separator; a plurality of temperature sensors each arranged in an associated one of the compressors, and adapted to sense an internal temperature of the associated compressor; and a uniform distribution tube
  • the multi-unit air conditioner may further comprise a strainer arranged at the uniform distribution tube, and adapted to filter oil flowing through the uniform distribution tube to remove foreign matter contained in the oil.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a first embodiment of a compressor oil recovering apparatus according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a second embodiment of a compressor oil recovering apparatus according to the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a partially-broken perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of a multi-unit air conditioner according to the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a refrigerant cycle established during a cooling operation of the multi-unit air conditioner shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a compressor oil recovering structure included in an outdoor unit shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating another compressor oil recovering structure included in the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 7 is a partially-broken perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of a multi-unit air conditioner according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a refrigerant cycle established during a cooling operation of the multi-unit air conditioner shown in FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a compressor oil recovering structure included in an outdoor unit shown in FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating another compressor oil recovering structure included in the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 7.
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus includes a compressor 83, which is included in an air conditioner, an oil separator 85 for separating oil from a refrigerant discharged from the compressor 83, and an oil recovering port 830 provided at the compressor 83.
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus also includes an oil recovering tube 163 having one end connected to the oil separator 85, and the other end connected to the oil recovering port 830.
  • the connection of the oil recovering port 830 is achieved at positions where oil recovered through the oil recovering tube 163 does not interfere with refrigerant flows respectively sucked along a refrigerant suction tube 83b of the compressor 83 and discharged along a refrigerant discharge line 83a of the compressor 83. That is, the oil recovering port 830 communicates with a lower portion of the compressor 83 at a position lower than the refrigerant suction line 83b. In accordance with this arrangement, it is possible to prevent oil, which is re-introduced into the compressor 83 through the oil recovering tube 163, from being discharged from the compressor 83, together with the refrigerant flowing in the compressor 83, before the oil is stored in the compressor 83.
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus further includes a strainer 163a arranged at the oil recovering tube 163, and adapted to filter the oil recovered to the compressor to remove foreign matter contained in the oil.
  • the oil recovering port 830 be formed at a position of the compressor 83 corresponding to the level of the surface of oil initially sealed in the compressor 83.
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus further includes an adjuster for adjusting the amount of oil supplied from the oil separator 85 to the compressor 83 in accordance with the oil storage state of the compressor 83.
  • the adjuster includes an oil sensor 173a adapted to sense the amount of oil stored in the compressor 83, and a solenoid valve 173b adapted to control the supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to the compressor 83, and the amount of the supplied oil in accordance with the oil amount sensed by the oil sensor 173a.
  • the oil sensor 173a is arranged in the compressor 83, and the solenoid valve 173b is arranged at the oil recovering tube 163.
  • oil present in the compressor 83 is also discharged together with the refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant is then introduced into the oil separator 85 which, in turn, separates oil from the refrigerant.
  • the oil separated by the oil separator 85 is stored in the oil separator 85.
  • the stored oil is subsequently supplied to the compressor 83 via the oil recovering tube 163 connected to the oil recovering port 830.
  • the oil recovering tube 163 communicates with the lower portion of the compressor 83 at a position lower than the refrigerant suction tube 83b, as described above, the oil in the oil separator 85 can be supplied to the compressor 83 through the oil recovering tube 163 without any interference with the refrigerant which flows in the compressor 83. Accordingly, the oil supplied to the compressor 83 is smoothly received in the lower portion of the compressor 83.
  • the oil which is re-introduced into the compressor through the oil recovering tube 163, as described above, can be selectively supplied to the compressor 83 only when the supply of the oil is required, using the adjuster. That is, the oil sensor 173a senses the oil storage state of the compressor 83 during the operation of the compressor 83. Based on the sensed oil storage state, the opening degree of the solenoid valve 173b can be adjusted to adjust the amount of oil supplied to the compressor 83. Thus, it is possible to not only supply the oil stored in the oil separator 85 at the point of time when shortage of oil occurs in the compressor 83, but also to smoothly store the supplied oil in the lower portion of the compressor 83.
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus includes a compressor 83, an oil separator 85, an oil recovering port 830, an oil recovering tube 163, a strainer 163a, and an adjuster, identically to the above-described first embodiment.
  • the adjuster of the second embodiment includes a float 183a adapted to sense the level of oil stored in the compressor 83, and a float valve 183b for controlling the supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to the compressor 83, and the amount of the supplied oil in accordance with the oil level sensed by the float 183a.
  • the float valve 183b is arranged at the oil recovering tube 163.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit 80, which includes a plurality of compressors 83 and 84, and an outdoor heat exchanger 82, and a plurality of indoor units 51, 52, 53, and 54 connected to the outdoor unit 80.
  • Each of the indoor units 51, 52, 53, and 54 includes an indoor heat exchanger 74.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner also includes a plurality of oil separators 85 and 86 each adapted to separate oil from a refrigerant discharged from an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84, a plurality of oil recovering port 830 and 840 each provided to an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84, and a plurality of oil recovering tubes 163 and 164 each having one end connected to an associated one of the oil separators 85 and 86, and the other end connected to an associated one of the oil recovering port 830 and 840 corresponding to the associated oil separator 85 or 86.
  • each of the oil recovering port 830 and 840 is achieved at positions where oil recovered through the oil recovering tube 163 does not interfere with refrigerant flows respectively sucked along a refrigerant suction tube 83b or 84b of the associated compressor 83 or 84 and discharged along a refrigerant discharge line 83a 84a of the associated compressor 83 or 84. That is, each of the oil recovering port 830 and 840 communicates with a lower portion of the associated compressor 83 or 84 at a position lower than the associated refrigerant suction line 83b or 84b.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner further includes strainers 163a and 164a respectively arranged at the oil recovering tubes 163 and 164, and adapted to filter the oil recovered to the compressors 83 and 84 through the oil recovering tubes 163 and 164 to remove foreign matter contained in the oil.
  • the oil recovering port 830 and 840 be formed at a position of the associated compressor 83 or 84 corresponding to the level of the surface of oil initially sealed in the associated compressor 83 or 84.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner further includes an adjuster for adjusting the amount of oil supplied from each of the oil separators 85 and 86 to the associated compressor 83 or 84 in accordance with the oil storage state of the associated compressor 83 or 84.
  • the adjuster includes oil sensors 173a and 174a each adapted to sense the amount of oil stored in an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84, and solenoid valves 173b and 174b each adapted to control the supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84, and the amount of the supplied oil in accordance with the oil amount sensed by the oil sensor 173a or 174b corresponding to the associated compressor 83 or 84.
  • the oil sensors 173a and 174a are arranged in the compressors 83 and 84, respectively, and the solenoid valves 173b and 174b are arranged at the oil recovering tubes 163 and 164, respectively.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating another compressor oil recovering structure in the outdoor unit of FIG. 3.
  • This compressor oil recovering structure includes an adjuster having a configuration different from that of the above-described adjuster.
  • the adjuster includes floats 183a and 184a, and float valves 183b and 184b, contrary to the above-described oil sensors 173a and 174a, and solenoid valves 173b and 174b.
  • Each of the floats 183a and 184a senses the level of oil stored in an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84.
  • Each of the float valves 183b and 184b controls the supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84, and the amount of the supplied oil in accordance with the oil level sensed by the float 183a or 184b corresponding to the associated compressor 83 or 84.
  • the float valves 183b and 184b are arranged at the oil recovering tubes 163 and 164, respectively.
  • the compressors 83 and 84 suck low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant gas through the refrigerant suction lines 83b and 84b, respectively.
  • the sucked refrigerant is compressed to a high-temperature and high-pressure state while passing through the compressors 83 and 84, and is then discharged from the compressors 83 and 84 through the refrigerant discharge lines 83a and 84a, respectively.
  • oil present in the compressors 83 and 84 is also discharged together with the refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant is then introduced into the oil separators 85 and 86 which, in turn, separate oil from the refrigerant.
  • the oil separated by each oil separator 85 or 86 is stored in the oil separator 85 or 86.
  • the oil stored in each of the oil separators 85 and 86 is subsequently supplied to an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84 via an associated one of the oil recovering tubes 163 and 164 connected to an associated one of the oil recovering ports 830 and 840.
  • each of the oil recovering tubes 163 and 164 communicates with the lower portion of the associated compressor 83 or 84 at a position lower than the associated refrigerant suction tube 83b or 84b, as described above, the oil can be supplied to the associated compressor 83 or 84 through the oil recovering tube 163 or 164 without any interference with the refrigerant which flows in the associated compressor 83 or 84. Accordingly, the oil supplied to each compressor 83 or 84 is smoothly received in the lower portion of the compressor 83 or 84.
  • each of the oil sensors 173a and 174a which are arranged in respective compressors 83 and 84, senses the oil storage state of the associated compressor 83 or 84 during the operation of the associated compressor 83 or 84. Based on the sensed oil storage state, the opening degree of the associated solenoid valve 173b or 174b can be adjusted to adjust the amount of oil supplied to the associated compressor 83 or 84.
  • the refrigerant from which oil has been separated in the oil separators 85 and 86, is introduced into the indoor heat exchangers 74 of the indoor units 51, 52, 534, and 54, which operate in cooling mode, after passing through a 4-way valve (designated by "87b" in FIG. 4), the outdoor heat exchanger 82, and an expansion device 88a, in this order.
  • the refrigerant, which passes through the indoor heat exchangers 74, is evaporated while cooling air present around the indoor heat exchangers 74, thereby causing the indoor unit 51, 52, 53, and 54 to function as coolers.
  • the refrigerant is then returned to the compressors 83 and 84 after passing through the 4-way valve 87b and an accumulator (designated by "87a" in FIG. 4).
  • an accumulator designated by "87a" in FIG. 4
  • this can be achieved by changing the flow of the refrigerant via the 4-way valve 87b such that the refrigerant flows in a direction reverse to that of the cooling mode.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit 80, a plurality of indoor units 51, 52, 53, and 54, a plurality of oil separators 85 and 86, a plurality of oil recovering ports 830 and 840, a plurality of oil recovering tubes 163 and 164, strainers 163a and 164a, and an adjuster, identically to those of the multi-unit air conditioner according to the first embodiment.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner according to the second embodiment can not only supply the oil stored in each oil separator 85 or 86 immediately at the point of time when shortage of oil occurs in the associated compressor 83 or 84, but also can smoothly store the supplied oil in the lower portion of the associated compressor 83 or 84.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner according to the second embodiment also includes a plurality of temperature sensors 153 and 154 each arranged in an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84, and adapted to sense an internal temperature of the associated compressor 83 or 84.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner further includes a uniform distribution tube 150 which communicates with the compressors 83 and 84, and uniformly distributes oil to the compressors 83 and 84, based on the temperatures respectively sensed by the temperature sensors 153 and 154.
  • Each of the temperature sensors 153 and 154 is arranged in an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84 while being adjacent to an end of the uniform distribution tube 150 corresponding to the associated compressor 83 or 84.
  • each end of the uniform distribution tube 150 be arranged at a level not lower than a lower limit of the oil level of the associated compressor 83 or 84.
  • each end of the uniform distribution tube 150 is arranged at a level lower than the position where an end of the associated oil recovering tube 163 or 164 communicating with the associated oil recovering port 830 or 840.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner of the second embodiment accordingly, it is possible to prevent oil from being non-uniformly distributed in the compressors 83 and 84 due to a difference between the amounts of oil stored in the compressors 83 and 84 caused by a variation in operation load occurring during the operation of the multi-unit air conditioner.
  • the suction pressures of the compressors 83 and 84 may be different from each other due to a variation in operation load occurring during the operation of the multi-unit air conditioner.
  • oil may be non-uniformly distributed to the compressors 83 and 84.
  • Such non-uniform oil distribution can be prevented by the temperature sensors 153 and 154 arranged in respective compressors 83 and 84, and the uniform distribution tube 150 communicating with the compressors 83 and 84 in common.
  • the temperature sensors 153 and 154 arranged in respective compressors 83 and 84 sense respective internal temperatures of the compressors 83 and 84.
  • the critical temperature of the compressors 83 and 84 corresponds to the internal temperature of the compressors 83 and 84 exhibited during the operation of the compressors 83 and 84 when a minimal amount of oil required in each of the compressors 83 and 84 is stored.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating another compressor oil recovering structure in the outdoor unit of FIG. 7.
  • This compressor oil recovering structure includes an adjuster having a configuration different from that of the above-described adjuster.
  • the adjuster includes floats 183a and 184a, and float valves 183b and 184b, contrary to the above-described oil sensors 173a and 174a, and solenoid valves 173b and 174b.
  • Each of the floats 183a and 184a senses the level of oil stored in an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84.
  • Each of the float valves 183b and 184b controls the supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84, and the amount of the supplied oil in accordance with the oil level sensed by the float 183a or 184b corresponding to the associated compressor 83 or 84.
  • the float valves 183b and 184b are arranged at the oil recovering tubes 163 and 164, respectively. Using this adjuster, it is possible to not only supply the oil stored in each oil separator 85 or 86 immediately at the point of time when shortage of oil occurs in the associated compressor 83 or 84, but also to smoothly store the supplied oil in the lower portion of the associated compressor 83 or 84, similarly to the case using the above-described adjuster.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner according to the present invention which has been described, has various effects.
  • the oil which is separated from the refrigerant in the oil separators, is smoothly supplied to the oil storing section of each compressor without any interference. Accordingly, there are advantages of preventing abrasion and noise from being generated in the compressors, increasing the life of the compressors, and enhancing the system efficiency of the air conditioner.
  • the oil discharged from each compressor together with the refrigerant is directly recovered to the compressor via a single oil path defined by the oil separator, oil recovering port, and oil recovering tube associated with the compressor. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that it is possible to efficiently recover compressor oil.
  • oil can be uniformly distributed to the compressors immediately at the point of time when shortage of oil occurs in one of the compressors. Accordingly, there are advantages of preventing abrasion and noise from being generated in the compressors, and increasing the life of the compressors.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Compressors, Vaccum Pumps And Other Relevant Systems (AREA)
  • Compressor (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
  • Compression-Type Refrigeration Machines With Reversible Cycles (AREA)
EP05024655A 2004-11-19 2005-11-11 Système de récupération d'huile et climatiseur à unités multiples associé à ce système Ceased EP1659351B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020040094996A KR20060055830A (ko) 2004-11-19 2004-11-19 압축기 오일 회수장치

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1659351A2 true EP1659351A2 (fr) 2006-05-24
EP1659351A3 EP1659351A3 (fr) 2006-07-26
EP1659351B1 EP1659351B1 (fr) 2009-03-04

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EP05024655A Ceased EP1659351B1 (fr) 2004-11-19 2005-11-11 Système de récupération d'huile et climatiseur à unités multiples associé à ce système

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US20060107686A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1659351B1 (fr)
KR (1) KR20060055830A (fr)
CN (1) CN1776228A (fr)
DE (1) DE602005013044D1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

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WO2009149803A3 (fr) * 2008-06-10 2010-02-04 Ixetic Mac Gmbh Système de climatisation
EP2525170A1 (fr) * 2011-05-19 2012-11-21 LG Electronics Inc. Climatiseur
EP2730862A1 (fr) * 2012-11-12 2014-05-14 LG Electronics Inc. Climatiseur avec un séparateur d'huile
EP2889556A1 (fr) * 2013-12-26 2015-07-01 LG Electronics Inc. Climatiseur

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KR101380036B1 (ko) * 2007-10-25 2014-04-01 엘지전자 주식회사 공기 조화기
KR101480546B1 (ko) * 2007-10-25 2015-01-08 엘지전자 주식회사 공기 조화기
KR101509575B1 (ko) * 2008-06-23 2015-04-06 엘지전자 주식회사 오일분배장치 및 이를 포함하는 공기 조화기
CN102645056A (zh) * 2011-02-16 2012-08-22 广东美芝制冷设备有限公司 用于可燃制冷剂的制冷装置
CN102734169A (zh) * 2011-04-12 2012-10-17 广东美芝制冷设备有限公司 旋转式压缩机的油面提升装置
KR101342649B1 (ko) * 2011-10-21 2013-12-17 엘지전자 주식회사 공기조화기
JP2014020661A (ja) * 2012-07-18 2014-02-03 Panasonic Corp 空気調和装置
CN103673398B (zh) * 2012-09-07 2015-12-16 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 压缩机回油系统及压缩机的回油状态检测方法
CN105135768A (zh) * 2015-09-30 2015-12-09 海信容声(广东)冷柜有限公司 一种制冷装置及其控制方法
CN105649991A (zh) * 2015-12-31 2016-06-08 深圳市共济科技有限公司 一种变频空调器及其压缩机回油系统
CN105649994B (zh) * 2016-02-24 2021-03-26 格力电器（重庆）有限公司 一种消声器、制冷系统以及空调设备

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009149803A3 (fr) * 2008-06-10 2010-02-04 Ixetic Mac Gmbh Système de climatisation
EP2525170A1 (fr) * 2011-05-19 2012-11-21 LG Electronics Inc. Climatiseur
EP2730862A1 (fr) * 2012-11-12 2014-05-14 LG Electronics Inc. Climatiseur avec un séparateur d'huile
US9500396B2 (en) 2012-11-12 2016-11-22 Lg Electronics Inc. Oil separator and air conditioner using the same
EP2889556A1 (fr) * 2013-12-26 2015-07-01 LG Electronics Inc. Climatiseur
CN104748443A (zh) * 2013-12-26 2015-07-01 Lg电子株式会社 空气调节器
US20150184910A1 (en) * 2013-12-26 2015-07-02 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioner
CN104748443B (zh) * 2013-12-26 2017-05-03 Lg电子株式会社 空气调节器
US9726408B2 (en) 2013-12-26 2017-08-08 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1659351A3 (fr) 2006-07-26
DE602005013044D1 (de) 2009-04-16
CN1776228A (zh) 2006-05-24
US20060107686A1 (en) 2006-05-25
EP1659351B1 (fr) 2009-03-04
KR20060055830A (ko) 2006-05-24

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