EP2942585A1 - Refrigeration cycle device - Google Patents
Refrigeration cycle device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2942585A1 EP2942585A1 EP13868444.4A EP13868444A EP2942585A1 EP 2942585 A1 EP2942585 A1 EP 2942585A1 EP 13868444 A EP13868444 A EP 13868444A EP 2942585 A1 EP2942585 A1 EP 2942585A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- refrigerant
- evaporator
- ejector
- heat exchanger
- refrigeration cycle
- 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
Links
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 61
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 294
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 83
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007792 gaseous phase Substances 0.000 claims 3
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 21
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 15
- 230000001965 increasing effect Effects 0.000 description 15
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 13
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 10
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004904 shortening Methods 0.000 description 1
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation 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
- F25B2341/00—Details of ejectors not being used as compression device; Details of flow restrictors or expansion valves
- F25B2341/001—Ejectors not being used as compression device
- F25B2341/0012—Ejectors with the cooled primary flow at high pressure
-
- 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
- F25B25/00—Machines, plants or systems, using a combination of modes of operation covered by two or more of the groups F25B1/00 - F25B23/00
- F25B25/005—Machines, plants or systems, using a combination of modes of operation covered by two or more of the groups F25B1/00 - F25B23/00 using primary and secondary systems
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a refrigerant circuit.
- a conventional chilling unit is known that is composed of a plurality of compressors that are connected in parallel and a plurality of evaporators of a water heat exchanger type.
- the evaporators are connected in series with each other via water pipes. Coolant water is gradually cooled through heat exchange with refrigerant in the evaporators, and thus, the evaporating temperature of the refrigerant gradually decreases from the inlet side. Consequently, an average evaporating temperature is higher than that in the case of cooling with a refrigerating machine composed of one compressor.
- This configuration contributes to improving the COP of a refrigeration cycle and efficient operation of the refrigeration cycle (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).
- Patent Literature 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-329601
- the conventional chilling unit described above requires a plurality of compressors, and thus increased cost is required.
- a plurality of control boards need to be mounted in accordance with the number of the compressors, resulting in an increase in size and cost of the unit.
- a refrigeration cycle apparatus includes: a first refrigerant circuit connected to a refrigerant discharging part of a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion valve, a first evaporator, and a refrigerant suction portion of an ejector; a second refrigerant circuit branching off from connection piping between an outlet side of the condenser and the first expansion valve and connected to a refrigerant inflow portion of the ejector; and a third refrigerant circuit connected to a refrigerant outflow portion of the ejector, a second evaporator, and a refrigerant suction portion of the compressor, wherein the first evaporator is a water heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant flowing in a refrigerant circuit including the first evaporator and a liquid heat medium different from the refrigerant, the second evaporator is a water heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant flowing in a refrigerant
- the evaporating temperature of the second evaporator can be higher than the evaporating temperature of the first evaporator by utilizing a pressure rise effect of the ejector.
- the temperature of the liquid heat medium can be gradually reduced. In this manner, refrigerant at an evaporating temperature higher than that of refrigerant in the first evaporator is sucked into the compressor, and thus, the COP of the refrigeration cycle increases, resulting in enhancement of the operation efficiency.
- the resulting refrigerant circuit is more economic than a conventional system using two compressors.
- FIG. 1 A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is described with reference to Fig. 1 .
- the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 is configured as an outdoor unit 100 including a compressor 101, a condenser 102, a first expansion valve 103, first and second evaporators 104 and 106 that perform heat exchange between refrigerant and a liquid heat medium different from the refrigerant, and an ejector 105.
- the condenser 102 is an air heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant and air.
- the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106 exchange heat between refrigerant and a liquid heat medium (liquid such as water or brine) and will be hereinafter also referred to as water heat exchangers.
- a liquid heat medium liquid such as water or brine
- the compressor 101, the condenser 102, the first expansion valve 103, the first evaporator 104, and a refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105 are connected together by refrigerant pipes and form a first refrigerant circuit.
- a pipe branching off from the refrigerant pipe between the condenser 102 and the first expansion valve 103 is connected to a refrigerant inflow portion 204 of the ejector 105 and constitutes a second refrigerant circuit.
- a refrigerant outflow portion 203 of the ejector 105, the second evaporator 106, and a refrigerant suction portion of the compressor 101 are connected together by refrigerant pipes and form a third refrigerant circuit.
- the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106 are configured such that refrigerant and the liquid heat medium flow in opposite directions so as to exchange heat.
- Inlet/outlet parts of the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106 for the liquid heat medium project from the casing in order to establish connection to the outside (e.g., an indoor unit 108).
- the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106 are connected to an indoor heat exchanger 109 of the indoor unit 108 on a heat load side, and form a liquid heat medium circulation circuit together with a water supply 107 for transferring the liquid heat medium.
- the water supply 107 is disposed such that the liquid heat medium flows from the second evaporator 106 to the first evaporator 104.
- Fig. 2 illustrates an example of the ejector 105.
- Fig. 2 also shows an internal pressure distribution corresponding to the configuration of the ejector 105.
- the ejector 105 includes a nozzle 201, a mixer 202, a diffuser (a refrigerant outflow portion) 203, a refrigerant inflow portion 204, and a refrigerant suction portion 205.
- the nozzle 201 includes a pressure reducing portion 201 a, a nozzle throat 201 b, and a flared portion 201 c.
- "e" and "f” denote points in a mollier chart that will be described later.
- the ejector 105 illustrated in Fig. 2 operates in the following manner. Refrigerant that has flowed from the refrigerant inflow portion 204 expands in the pressure reducing portion 201 a under reduced pressure as the channel area decreases. Thereafter, the speed of the refrigerant increases under reduced pressure and reaches an acoustic speed in the nozzle throat 201 b. The pressure of the refrigerant at the acoustic speed decreases with a further increase in the speed in the flared portion 201 c. In this manner, ultrafast two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flows out of the nozzle 201.
- refrigerant sucked from the refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105 is drawn into the ultrafast refrigerant (suction refrigerant) due to the pressure difference between the refrigerant suction portion 205 and the outlet of the nozzle 201.
- the ultrafast refrigerant and the low-speed suction refrigerant start being mixed (a refrigerant mixture).
- the pressure of the refrigerant mixture restores (increases) through exchange of momenta between the ultrafast refrigerant and the suction refrigerant.
- the speed reduction due to the channel enlargement causes a dynamic pressure to be converted into a static pressure and the pressure increases. Consequently, the refrigerant mixture flows out of the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203.
- the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106 may be plate heat exchangers as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-2425 .
- heat transmission plates 1042 and heat transmission plates 1043 are alternately stacked.
- a reinforcing side plate 1041 is disposed as the frontmost plate, and a reinforcing side plate 1044 is disposed as the rearmost plate.
- the reinforcing side plate 1041 is a substantially rectangular plate and includes a first inlet pipe 1045, a first outlet pipe 1046, a second outlet pipe 1047, and a second inlet pipe 1048 at the four corners, respectively.
- each of the heat transmission plates 1042 and 1043 is also a substantially rectangular plate and includes a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet at the four corners, respectively.
- the heat transmission plates 1042 and 1043 have wave shapes that are substantially V shaped when viewed from the direction in which the heat transmission plates 1042 and 1043 are stacked, and the heat transmission plates 1042 and 1043 are so stacked that the wave shapes of one of the heat transmission heat transmission plates 1042 and 1043 are displaced from those of the other one.
- the substantially V shaped form of the wave shapes of the heat transmission plates 1042 are inverted from those of the wave shapes of the heat transmission plates 1043.
- the rearmost reinforcing side plate 1044 is a substantially rectangular plate.
- the rearmost reinforcing side plate 1044 includes none of a first inlet pipe, a first outlet pipe, a second inlet pipe, and a second outlet pipe.
- the inversely oriented V-shaped wave shapes are overlaid on each other, so that channels where a complicated flow occurs are formed between the heat transmission plates 1042 and the heat transmission plates 1043.
- a first channel through which first fluid (e.g., water) that has flowed from the first inlet pipe 1045 flows out of the first outlet pipe 1046 is formed between the rear surface of the heat transmission plates 1043 and the front surface of the heat transmission plates 1042.
- second fluid e.g., refrigerant
- the first fluid that has flowed from the outside into the first inlet pipe 1045 flows through passages formed by overlaying the first inlets of the heat transmission plates 1042 and 1043 on each other, and flows into the first channels.
- the first fluid that has flowed into the first channels gradually expands along the shorter axis flows along the longer axis, and flows out of the first outlets.
- the first fluid that has flowed out from the first outlets flows in passages formed by overlaying the first outlets on each other, and flows out through the first outlet pipe 1046.
- the second fluid that has flowed from the outside into the second inlet pipe 1048 flows through passages formed by overlaying the second inlets of the heat transmission plates 1042 and 1043 on each other, and flows into the second channels.
- the second fluid that has flowed into the second channels gradually expands along the shorter axis flows along the longer axis, and flows out of the second outlets.
- the second fluid that has flowed out from the second outlets flows in passages formed by overlaying the second outlets on each other, and flows out through the second outlet pipe 1047.
- the first fluid flowing in the first channels and the second fluid flowing in the second channels exchange heat through the heat transmission plates 1042 and 1043 when passing through the portions of wave shapes.
- the portions of wave shapes will be referred to as heat exchange channels.
- the condenser 102 includes a fan 1026 and an air heat exchanger 1027.
- the fan 1026 is a combination of a wing type propeller and a motor that drives and rotates the propeller.
- the motor and the propeller rotate at predetermined numbers of revolution with electric power supplied from the outside.
- the air heat exchanger 1027 is made of a long refrigerant pipe which is bent into the shape of an L-shaped flat plate and with which a large number of fins made of aluminum thin plates are in close contact. Refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe and air around the fins exchange heat.
- the airflow rate of air passing between the fins is increased and adjusted by the fan 1026, and the amount of heat exchange is increased and adjusted.
- Fig. 5 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of a refrigeration cycle apparatus of Embodiment 1.
- Alphabets with black circles in Fig. 5 refer to the locations of the black circles in Fig. 1 .
- High-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant in a state that has been delivered by the compressor 101 is condensed through heat exchange with outdoor air in the condenser 102 and becomes high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant (in a state b).
- the refrigerant in the state b is divided into a portion flowing toward the first expansion valve 103 and a portion flowing toward the ejector 105.
- the refrigerant flowing toward the first expansion valve 103 is subjected to pressure reduction in the first expansion valve 103 and becomes a state c, then heated and vaporized by a liquid heat medium at a relatively low temperature cooled by the second evaporator 106 and becomes a state d in the first evaporator 104, and then is sucked into the refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105.
- the refrigerant flowing from the condenser 102 into the refrigerant inflow portion 204 of the ejector 105 is subjected to pressure reduction (state e) in the nozzle 201 of the ejector 105, and merges with refrigerant vaporized in the first evaporator 104 to be in a state f.
- the refrigerant is then subjected to a pressure rise in the mixer 202 of the ejector 105 and the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203 to be in a state g, and flows into the second evaporator 106.
- the refrigerant is vaporized through heat exchange with a liquid heat medium at a relatively high temperature heated by the indoor heat exchanger 109 to be in a state h, and is sucked into the compressor 101.
- the foregoing states are repeated, thereby forming a refrigeration cycle.
- Fig. 6 shows temperature distribution in the flow directions of refrigerant and a liquid heat medium in the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106 illustrated in Fig. 1 .
- reference numeral 601 denotes the temperature of a liquid heat medium
- reference numeral 602 denotes the refrigerant temperature of the first evaporator 104
- reference numeral 603 denotes a refrigerant temperature of the second evaporator 106.
- the liquid heat medium that has reached a high temperature in the indoor heat exchanger 109 and has returned to the outdoor unit 100 is cooled and has its temperature reduced while passing through the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106.
- the evaporating temperature in the first evaporator 104 is relatively lower than the evaporating temperature in the second evaporator 106.
- the evaporating temperature can be increased by ⁇ Teje. Then, the refrigerant that has flowed from the second evaporator 106 is caused to return to a suction side of the compressor 101.
- the pressure rise effect in the ejector 105 can cause the evaporating temperature in the second evaporator 106 to be higher than the evaporating temperature in the first evaporator 104.
- the heated liquid heat medium flows in the order from the second evaporator 106 to the first evaporator 104 so that the liquid heat medium can be gradually cooled. In this manner, the refrigerant whose evaporating temperature is higher than that in the first evaporator 104 can be sucked into the compressor 101.
- the COP of the refrigeration cycle is enhanced, and the operation efficiency can be increased.
- Embodiment 1 is advantageous in that a refrigerant circuit including one compressor can constitute an economically efficient refrigeration cycle.
- a refrigeration cycle apparatus is different from that of Embodiment 1 in that a first evaporator 104 and a second evaporator 106 have different capacities. Specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 22 , the capacity of the second evaporator 106 is larger than that of the first evaporator 104.
- the capacity difference between the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106 enhances the COP of the refrigeration cycle.
- the principle thereof is as follows.
- High-temperature high-pressure refrigerant that has flowed from a condenser 102 is divided into a portion flowing toward a first expansion valve 103 and a portion flowing toward an ejector 105.
- the performance of the first evaporator 104 degrades by a degree corresponding to a decrease in the capacity of the first evaporator 104, and thus, the amount of refrigerant flowing toward the first expansion valve 103 decreases.
- the performance of the second evaporator 106 increases by a degree corresponding to an increase in the capacity of the second evaporator 106, and thus, the amount of refrigerant flowing toward the ejector 105 increases.
- the degree of pressure rise obtained by power recovery in the ejector 105 is defined by the following equation, and the degree of the pressure rise increases as the amount of refrigerant flowing into the ejector 105 increases.
- Gn is the flow rate of refrigerant flowing into the ejector 105
- hg is an enthalpy of the refrigerant inflow portion 204 of the ejector 105
- he is an enthalpy obtained when the cross section expands from the inlet to the outlet of the nozzle 201 illustrated in Fig. 2
- Ge is the flow rate of refrigerant sucked by the ejector 105
- pe is the density of the refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105.
- the increase in the capacity of the second evaporator 106 increases the driven flow of the ejector 105, and the amount of collected power in the ejector 105 increases. Accordingly, the evaporating temperature of the second evaporator 106 increases, and the suction temperature of the compressor 101 increases. Consequently, the COP of the refrigeration cycle increases, thereby enhancing the operation efficiency.
- Fig. 7 shows COP characteristics of a refrigeration cycle in a case where the sum of the capacity of the first evaporator 104 and the capacity of the second evaporator 106 is fixed and the proportion of the first evaporator 104 is varied. With the COP at 50% on the abscissa, the capacity of the first evaporator 104 is equal to that of the second evaporator 106. As shown in Fig. 7 , the COP is increased by reducing the capacity of the first evaporator 104 and increasing the capacity of the second evaporator 106, independently of the ejector efficiency. Specifically, the COP is effectively increased when the capacity of the first evaporator 104 is in the range from 30% to 50%, especially when the first evaporator 104 is around 40% of the entire capacity.
- the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106 of Embodiment 1 or 2 are vertically stacked.
- Fig. 8 illustrates an example of installation of the first evaporator 104, the second evaporator 106, and the ejector 105 in the first example.
- the first evaporator 104 is positioned higher than the second evaporator 106.
- the ejector 105 is disposed such that a refrigerant inflow portion 204 is positioned higher 104 and 106 than a diffuser (a refrigerant outflow portion) 203.
- a refrigerant outlet 802 of the first evaporator 104 is connected to a refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105 by a pipe 805.
- a diffuser (a refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of the ejector 105 is connected to the second evaporator 106 by a pipe 806.
- a liquid heat medium inlet 811 of the first evaporator 104 is connected to a liquid heat medium outlet 814 of the second evaporator 106 by a pipe 815.
- Single-phase liquid or two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the first evaporator 104 flows from a lower portion to an upper portion of the first evaporator 104 while being heated and vaporized with a liquid heat medium flowing in a liquid heat medium circulation circuit.
- the refrigerant that has flowed from the refrigerant outlet 802 of the first evaporator 104 is sucked into the refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105 through the pipe 805.
- the refrigerant that has flowed from the refrigerant inflow portion 204 and refrigerant sucked from the first evaporator 104 into the refrigerant suction portion 205 sequentially flow in a mixer 202 of the ejector 105, the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203, and the pipe 806 in this order, and then flows into the refrigerant inlet 803 of the second evaporator 106.
- the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the second evaporator 106 flows toward an upper portion of the second evaporator 106 while being heated and vaporized with the liquid heat medium flowing in the liquid heat medium circulation circuit, and then flows out from the refrigerant outlet 804.
- the liquid heat medium of the liquid heat medium circulation circuit flows from the liquid heat medium inlet 813 into the second evaporator 106. Then, the liquid heat medium is cooled with relatively high-temperature refrigerant whose pressure has been increased in the ejector 105, and flows out from the liquid heat medium outlet 814. Then, the liquid heat medium flows from the liquid heat medium inlet 811 of the first evaporator 104 into the first evaporator 104 through the pipe 815. Thereafter, the liquid heat medium is cooled with relatively low-temperature refrigerant immediately before the pressure rise in the ejector 105, and flows out from the liquid heat medium outlet 812.
- the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium flow in opposite directions, that is, a counterflow is formed.
- the second evaporator 106 is disposed at a lower level, and the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of the ejector 105 is disposed below the refrigerant inflow portion 204 and the refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105, the pipe 805 and the pipe 806 are shortened.
- a pressure loss in connection piping is reduced so that the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle can be increased.
- the ejector 105, the first evaporator 104, and the second evaporator 106 can be made compact, thereby reducing the space and cost.
- the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106 are disposed in a horizontal line, that is, arranged side by side, and the refrigerant inflow portion 204 of the ejector 105 is positioned higher than the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of the ejector 105.
- the other parts of the configuration and operation are the same as those in Embodiment 1 and the first example of Embodiment 3.
- Fig. 11 illustrates an example of installation of the first evaporator 104, the second evaporator 106, and the ejector 105 in the second example.
- the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106 are arranged side by side.
- the ejector 105 is disposed such that the refrigerant inflow portion 204 is positioned higher than the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203.
- the refrigerant outlet 802 of the first evaporator 104 is connected to the refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105 by the pipe 805.
- the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of the ejector 105 is connected to the second evaporator 106 by the pipe 806.
- the liquid heat medium outlet 812 of the first evaporator 104 is connected to the liquid heat medium inlet 813 of the second evaporator 106 by the pipe 815.
- the first evaporator 104 and the second evaporator 106 are arranged side by side, and the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of the ejector 105 is located below the refrigerant inflow portion 204 and the refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105.
- the pipe 805 and the pipe 806 are shortened.
- the connection method is effective when the configuration is restricted by the height of installation. In a manner similar to those illustrated in Figs. 8 through 10 , a pressure loss in connection piping is reduced, and the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle is enhanced.
- Fig. 12 illustrates a configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
- the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated in Fig. 12 is configured as an outdoor unit 100 including a first high and low pressure heat exchanger 1101 and a second high and low pressure heat exchanger 1102 that exchange heat between refrigerants in addition to a compressor 101, a condenser 102, a first expansion valve 103, a first evaporator 104, an ejector 105, and a second evaporator 106.
- the compressor 101, the condenser 102, a high-pressure side of the first high and low pressure heat exchanger 1101, a high-pressure side of the second high and low pressure heat exchanger 1102, the first expansion valve 103, the first evaporator 104, a low-pressure side of the second high and low pressure heat exchanger 1102, and a refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105 are connected in series to each other, thereby forming a first refrigerant circuit.
- the first refrigerant circuit of Embodiment 4 is obtained by adding a high-pressure side channel of the first high and low pressure heat exchanger 1101 and a high-pressure side channel of the second high and low pressure heat exchanger 1102 between the condenser 102 and the first expansion valve 103 of the first refrigerant circuit of one of Embodiments 1 to 3 and adding a low-pressure side channel of the second high and low pressure heat exchanger 1102 between the first evaporator 104 and the refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105.
- a pipe branching off from a refrigerant pipe between the condenser 102 and the first high and low pressure heat exchanger 1101 is connected to a refrigerant inflow portion 204 of the ejector 105 and forms a second refrigerant circuit.
- a diffuser (a refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of the ejector 105, the second evaporator 106, a low-pressure side of the first high and low pressure heat exchanger 1101, and a refrigerant suction portion of the compressor 101 are connected to each other by refrigerant pipes, thereby forming a third refrigerant circuit.
- the third refrigerant circuit of Embodiment 4 is obtained by adding a low-pressure side channel of the first high and low pressure heat exchanger 1101 between the second evaporator 106 and the compressor 101 of the third refrigerant circuit of one of Embodiments 1 to 3.
- Fig. 13 illustrates an example of the high and low pressure heat exchanger used in Embodiment 4.
- the high and low pressure heat exchangers 1101 and 1102 are composed of double pipes, low-pressure low-temperature refrigerant flows in an inner space 1201 of the inner pipe, and high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant flows in a ring space 1202 of an outer pipe located on an outer side of the inner pipe such that these refrigerants exchange heat.
- the high and low pressure heat exchanger illustrated in Fig. 13(b) is composed of double pipes of the outer pipe 2101 and the inner pipe 2102.
- the inner pipe 2102 is provided with a plurality of fins 2102a that are arranged around the axis such that heat exchange performance between the refrigerant flowing in the inner space 2104 of the inner pipe 2102 and the refrigerant flowing in the ring space 2103 of the outer pipe 2101 is enhanced.
- the inner pipe may be provided with a plurality of spiral pipes.
- Fig. 14 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated in Fig. 12 .
- the state of refrigerant at the outlet of the condenser 102 is the same as that in Embodiment 1.
- Refrigerant that has flowed from the condenser 102 toward the first expansion valve 103 is cooled to be in a state b' through heat exchange with low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed from the second evaporator 106 in the first high and low pressure heat exchanger 1101.
- this refrigerant becomes a state b" through heat exchange with low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed from the first evaporator 104 in the second high and low pressure heat exchanger 1102, and flows into the first expansion valve 103.
- the refrigerant subjected to pressure reduction in the first expansion valve 103 becomes a state c, and passes through the first evaporator 104 to be in a state d'.
- This refrigerant is heated with high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant in the second high and low pressure heat exchanger 1102 to be in a state d and is sucked into the ejector 105.
- the refrigerant passes through the ejector 105 and the second evaporator 106 to be in a state h, and then is heated by the first high and low pressure heat exchanger 1101 to be in a state h' and is sucked into the compressor 101.
- the refrigeration cycle apparatus of Embodiment 4 uses the high and low pressure heat exchangers 1101 and 1102 in order to change refrigerant that flows out of the first and second evaporators 104 and 106 into two-phase refrigerant.
- a configuration (b) including high and low pressure heat exchangers enables the refrigerant flowing out from the outlets of the first and second evaporators 104 and 106 to be in the two-phase state so that the refrigerant is in a superheat state in the high and low pressure heat exchangers.
- the heat transfer coefficient of the first and second evaporators 104 and 106 can be increased, resulting in increases in the pressure of the refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105 and the suction pressure of the compressor 101.
- the temperature of refrigerant sucked into the compressor 101 increases, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.
- the COP ratio gradually increases to a certain length, and thus, an appropriate length is preferably selected.
- Fig. 17 illustrates a configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
- the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated in Fig. 17 is configured as an outdoor unit 100 including a gas-liquid separator 1701 in addition to a compressor 101, a condenser 102, a first expansion valve 103, a first evaporator 104, an ejector 105, and a second evaporator 106.
- the compressor 101, the condenser 102, the first expansion valve 103, the first evaporator 104, and the ejector 105 are connected to each other by refrigerant pipes, thereby forming a first refrigerant circuit.
- the refrigeration cycle apparatus also includes a second refrigerant circuit that branches off from a refrigerant pipe between the condenser 102 and the first expansion valve 103 and is connected to the refrigerant inflow portion 204 of the ejector 105.
- a refrigerant outflow portion 203 of the ejector 105, a gas-liquid separator 1701, the second evaporator 106, a refrigerant suction portion of the compressor 101 are connected to each other by refrigerant pipes, thereby forming a third refrigerant circuit.
- the third refrigerant circuit of Embodiment 5 is obtained by inserting the gas-liquid separator 1701 between the ejector 105 of the third refrigerant circuit and the second evaporator 106 of one of Embodiments 1 to 3.
- the refrigeration cycle apparatus also includes a bypass circuit 1702 that connects a gas refrigerant outlet of the gas-liquid separator 1701 and an outlet of the second evaporator 106 through first flow control means 1703.
- the bypass circuit 1702 may be a capillary tube.
- the gas-liquid separator 1701 is composed of a refrigerant inlet, an outlet of gas refrigerant, and an outlet of liquid refrigerant.
- Fig. 18 illustrates an example of the gas-liquid separator 1701.
- the gas-liquid separator 1701 includes a container 301 having a cylindrical side wall 301 a, a top wall 301 b, and a bottom wall 301 c, an inlet pipe 302 penetrating through the top wall 301 b, an upper outlet pipe 303 arranged on the side of the inlet pipe 302 and attached to the top wall 301 b, and a lower outlet pipe 304 attached to the bottom wall 301 c of the container 301.
- the refrigerant liquid 307b is separated from refrigerant steam 308 and is dropped by gravity along the side wall 301 a, and accumulates as refrigerant liquid 307e on the bottom of the container 301.
- the refrigerant steam 308 flows out of the container 301 through the upper outlet pipe 303.
- the refrigerant liquid 307a that is not blown from the lateral hole in the inlet pipe 302 and flows to a lower portion accumulates on the bottom surface of the inlet pipe 302, and flows out downward as refrigerant liquid 307c through the lower hole. Then, the refrigerant liquid 307c merges with the refrigerant liquid 307e that has accumulated on the bottom of the container 301 together with the refrigerant liquid 307b, and flows out of the container 301 through the lower outlet pipe 304.
- Fig. 19 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated in Fig. 17 .
- Refrigerant in the state g that has flowed out of the ejector 105 is separated into liquid refrigerant (state g') and gas refrigerant (state g") in the gas-liquid separator 1701.
- the liquid refrigerant is heated by liquid heat medium in the second evaporator 106.
- the gas refrigerant is subjected to flow control in the first flow control means 1703, and then merges with refrigerant that has flowed out of the second evaporator 106 to be in a state h, and is sucked into the compressor 101.
- liquid refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator 1701 is caused to flow into the second evaporator 106 so that the refrigerant speed in the second evaporator 106 decreases and a pressure loss in the second evaporator 106 decreases.
- the decrease in pressure loss in the second evaporator 106 increases the evaporating temperature of the second evaporator 106 so that the suction pressure of the compressor 101 increases, thereby obtaining efficient operation of the refrigeration cycle.
- Fig. 20 illustrates a configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.
- the refrigeration cycle apparatus of Embodiment 6 is configured as an outdoor unit 100 including an internal heat exchanger 2001 and second flow control means 2002 in addition to a compressor 101, a condenser 102, a first expansion valve 103, a first evaporator 104, an ejector 105, and a second evaporator 106.
- the compressor 101, the condenser 102, a high-pressure side of the internal heat exchanger 2001, the first expansion valve 103, the first evaporator 104, and a refrigerant suction portion 205 of the ejector 105 are sequentially connected to each other, thereby forming a first refrigerant circuit (obtained by adding a high-pressure side channel of the internal heat exchanger 2001 between the condenser 102 and the first expansion valve 103 of the first refrigerant circuit of Embodiments 1 to 3).
- a pipe branching off from a refrigerant pipe between the condenser 102 and the internal heat exchanger 2001 is connected to the refrigerant inflow portion 204 of the ejector 105, thereby forming a second refrigerant circuit.
- a diffuser (a refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of the ejector 105, the second evaporator 106, a refrigerant suction portion of the compressor 101 are connected to each other by refrigerant pipes, thereby forming a third refrigerant circuit.
- the refrigeration cycle apparatus further includes an injection circuit 2003 branching off from between an outlet side of the condenser 102 and an inlet side of the internal heat exchanger 2001 and is connected to an intermediate pressure port of the compressor 101 through the second flow control means 2002 and the low-pressure side channel of the internal heat exchanger 2001.
- the internal heat exchanger 2001 may have the same configuration as that of the high and low pressure heat exchanger described above, and/or may use the water heat exchanger described above as an internal heat exchanger.
- Fig. 21 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated in Fig. 20 .
- the refrigerant in the high-temperature high-pressure state b that has flowed out from the condenser 102 is divided into refrigerant flowing toward the internal heat exchanger 2001 and refrigerant flowing toward the ejector 105.
- the refrigerant flowing toward the internal heat exchanger 2001 is then divided into refrigerant flowing toward the internal heat exchanger 2001 and refrigerant flowing toward the second flow control means 2002.
- the refrigerant in the state i subjected to flow control and pressure reduction in the second flow control means 2002 is heated through heat exchange with the high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant in the internal heat exchanger 2001 to be in a state j, and flows into portions around an intermediate pressure of the compressor 101.
- the refrigerant that has flowed into an intermediate pressure of the compressor 101 is mixed with refrigerant that has flowed from a suction portion of the compressor 101 and is compressed to be in a state k, and then is compressed again.
- refrigerant in the state b that has flowed into a high-pressure side of the internal heat exchanger 2001 is cooled through heat exchange with low-temperature refrigerant flowing in the low-pressure side of the internal heat exchanger 2001 to be in a state c', and flows into the first expansion valve 103. Subsequent operation is the same as that in Fig. 5 , and description thereof will not be repeated.
- Refrigerant that branches from the refrigerant pipe between the outlet side of the condenser 102 and the inlet side of the internal heat exchanger 2001 and has become a low temperature in the second flow control means 2002 exchanges heat with high-temperature refrigerant in the internal heat exchanger 2001.
- the refrigerant subjected to the heat exchange is caused to flow (injected) into the intermediate pressure port of the compressor 101, thereby temporarily cooling refrigerant compressed in the compressor 101 and compressing the refrigerant again.
- the discharge temperature of the compressor 101 is lower than that in the case of using no injection, and superheat of the motor of the compressor 101 can be reduced, thereby increasing the reliability.
- advantageously, low-temperature water that cannot be operated in order to protect the motor against superheat can be produced.
- 100 outdoor unit 101 compressor, 102 condenser, 103 first expansion valve, 104 first evaporator, 105 ejector, 106 second evaporator, 107 water supply, 108 indoor unit, 109 indoor heat exchanger, 201 nozzle of ejector, 202, mixer of ejector, 203 diffuser (refrigerant outflow portion) of ejector, 204 refrigerant inlet of ejector, 205 refrigerant suction portion of ejector, 1101 first high and low pressure heat exchanger, 1102 second high and low pressure heat exchanger, 1701 gas-liquid separator, 1702 bypass circuit, 1703 first flow control means, 2001 internal heat exchanger, 2002 second flow control means, 2003 injection circuit.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a refrigerant circuit.
- A conventional chilling unit is known that is composed of a plurality of compressors that are connected in parallel and a plurality of evaporators of a water heat exchanger type. In the chilling unit, to the evaporators are connected in series with each other via water pipes. Coolant water is gradually cooled through heat exchange with refrigerant in the evaporators, and thus, the evaporating temperature of the refrigerant gradually decreases from the inlet side. Consequently, an average evaporating temperature is higher than that in the case of cooling with a refrigerating machine composed of one compressor. This configuration contributes to improving the COP of a refrigeration cycle and efficient operation of the refrigeration cycle (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).
- Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2006-329601 - The conventional chilling unit described above requires a plurality of compressors, and thus increased cost is required. In addition, in the case of employing inverters in order to control the operation capacity of the compressors in accordance with a variation of a cooling load, a plurality of control boards need to be mounted in accordance with the number of the compressors, resulting in an increase in size and cost of the unit.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to increase the efficiency of a refrigeration cycle with reduced increase in size and cost of a system. Solution to Problem
- A refrigeration cycle apparatus according the present invention includes: a first refrigerant circuit connected to a refrigerant discharging part of a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion valve, a first evaporator, and a refrigerant suction portion of an ejector; a second refrigerant circuit branching off from connection piping between an outlet side of the condenser and the first expansion valve and connected to a refrigerant inflow portion of the ejector; and a third refrigerant circuit connected to a refrigerant outflow portion of the ejector, a second evaporator, and a refrigerant suction portion of the compressor, wherein the first evaporator is a water heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant flowing in a refrigerant circuit including the first evaporator and a liquid heat medium different from the refrigerant, the second evaporator is a water heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant flowing in a refrigerant circuit including the second evaporator and a liquid heat medium different from the refrigerant, and the liquid heat medium is supplied from outside, flows in the second evaporator and the first evaporator in this order, and then flows out to the outside.
- In the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention, the evaporating temperature of the second evaporator can be higher than the evaporating temperature of the first evaporator by utilizing a pressure rise effect of the ejector. In addition, since refrigerant flows in the water heat exchanger in the order from the second evaporator to the first evaporator, the temperature of the liquid heat medium can be gradually reduced. In this manner, refrigerant at an evaporating temperature higher than that of refrigerant in the first evaporator is sucked into the compressor, and thus, the COP of the refrigeration cycle increases, resulting in enhancement of the operation efficiency. In addition, since only one compressor is needed, the resulting refrigerant circuit is more economic than a conventional system using two compressors.
-
- [
Fig. 1] Fig. 1 illustrates a configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. - [
Fig. 2] Fig. 2 illustrates an ejector used inEmbodiment 1. - [
Fig. 3] Fig. 3 illustrates a water heat exchanger used inEmbodiment 1. - [
Fig. 4] Fig. 4 illustrates a condenser (an air heat exchanger) used inEmbodiment 1. - [
Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated inFig. 1 . - [
Fig. 6] Fig. 6 shows temperature distribution in flow directions of a liquid heat medium (water) and refrigerant in a first evaporator and a second evaporator illustrated inFig. 1 . - [
Fig. 7] Fig. 7 shows capacity characteristics of a first evaporator and a second evaporator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. - [
Fig. 8] Fig. 8 illustrates a first example of layout of a first evaporator, a second evaporator, and an ejector in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. - [
Fig. 9] Fig. 9 illustrates a second example of layout of the first evaporator, the second evaporator, and the ejector in Embodiment 3. - [
Fig. 10] Fig. 10 illustrates a third example of layout of the first evaporator, the second evaporator, and the ejector in Embodiment 3. - [
Fig. 11] Fig. 11 illustrates a fourth example of layout of the first evaporator, the second evaporator, and the ejector in Embodiment 3. - [
Fig. 12] Fig. 12 illustrates a configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. - [
Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a high and low pressure heat exchanger used in Embodiment 4. - [
Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated inFig. 12 . - [
Fig. 15] Fig. 15 shows comparison of operation between the case of using no high and low pressure heat exchanger and the case of using a high and low pressure heat exchanger in the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated inFig. 12 . - [
Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a graph showing a relationship between the length and the COP ratio in a heat exchange part of the high and low pressure heat exchanger. - [
Fig. 17] Fig. 17 illustrates a configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. - [
Fig. 18] Fig. 18 illustrates an example of a gas-liquid separator used in Embodiment 5. - [
Fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated inFig. 17 . - [
Fig. 20] Fig. 20 illustrates a configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. - [
Fig. 21] Fig. 21 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated inFig. 20 . - [
Fig. 22] Fig. 22 illustrates an example of configurations of the first evaporator and the second evaporator in Embodiment 2. - A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention is described with reference toFig. 1 . The refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated inFig. 1 is configured as anoutdoor unit 100 including acompressor 101, acondenser 102, afirst expansion valve 103, first andsecond evaporators ejector 105. Thecondenser 102 is an air heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant and air. Thefirst evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 exchange heat between refrigerant and a liquid heat medium (liquid such as water or brine) and will be hereinafter also referred to as water heat exchangers. - The
compressor 101, thecondenser 102, thefirst expansion valve 103, thefirst evaporator 104, and arefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105 are connected together by refrigerant pipes and form a first refrigerant circuit. A pipe branching off from the refrigerant pipe between thecondenser 102 and thefirst expansion valve 103 is connected to arefrigerant inflow portion 204 of theejector 105 and constitutes a second refrigerant circuit. Arefrigerant outflow portion 203 of theejector 105, thesecond evaporator 106, and a refrigerant suction portion of thecompressor 101 are connected together by refrigerant pipes and form a third refrigerant circuit. These elements and pipes connecting the elements are housed in a casing. - As illustrated in the drawing, the
first evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 are configured such that refrigerant and the liquid heat medium flow in opposite directions so as to exchange heat. Inlet/outlet parts of thefirst evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 for the liquid heat medium project from the casing in order to establish connection to the outside (e.g., an indoor unit 108). - The
first evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 are connected to anindoor heat exchanger 109 of theindoor unit 108 on a heat load side, and form a liquid heat medium circulation circuit together with awater supply 107 for transferring the liquid heat medium. Thewater supply 107 is disposed such that the liquid heat medium flows from thesecond evaporator 106 to thefirst evaporator 104. -
Fig. 2 illustrates an example of theejector 105.Fig. 2 also shows an internal pressure distribution corresponding to the configuration of theejector 105. Theejector 105 includes anozzle 201, amixer 202, a diffuser (a refrigerant outflow portion) 203, arefrigerant inflow portion 204, and arefrigerant suction portion 205. Thenozzle 201 includes apressure reducing portion 201 a, anozzle throat 201 b, and a flaredportion 201 c. InFig. 2 , "e" and "f" denote points in a mollier chart that will be described later. - The
ejector 105 illustrated inFig. 2 operates in the following manner. Refrigerant that has flowed from therefrigerant inflow portion 204 expands in thepressure reducing portion 201 a under reduced pressure as the channel area decreases. Thereafter, the speed of the refrigerant increases under reduced pressure and reaches an acoustic speed in thenozzle throat 201 b. The pressure of the refrigerant at the acoustic speed decreases with a further increase in the speed in the flaredportion 201 c. In this manner, ultrafast two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flows out of thenozzle 201. On the other hand, refrigerant sucked from therefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105 is drawn into the ultrafast refrigerant (suction refrigerant) due to the pressure difference between therefrigerant suction portion 205 and the outlet of thenozzle 201. From the outlet of thenozzle 201, that is, the inlet of themixer 202, the ultrafast refrigerant and the low-speed suction refrigerant start being mixed (a refrigerant mixture). The pressure of the refrigerant mixture restores (increases) through exchange of momenta between the ultrafast refrigerant and the suction refrigerant. In the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203, the speed reduction due to the channel enlargement causes a dynamic pressure to be converted into a static pressure and the pressure increases. Consequently, the refrigerant mixture flows out of the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203. - The
first evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 may be plate heat exchangers as disclosed in, for example,Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-2425 Fig. 3 , in a plate heat exchanger,heat transmission plates 1042 andheat transmission plates 1043 are alternately stacked. A reinforcingside plate 1041 is disposed as the frontmost plate, and a reinforcingside plate 1044 is disposed as the rearmost plate. The reinforcingside plate 1041 is a substantially rectangular plate and includes afirst inlet pipe 1045, afirst outlet pipe 1046, asecond outlet pipe 1047, and asecond inlet pipe 1048 at the four corners, respectively. - In a manner similar to the reinforcing
side plate 1041, each of theheat transmission plates heat transmission plates heat transmission plates heat transmission plates heat transmission plates heat transmission plates 1042 are inverted from those of the wave shapes of theheat transmission plates 1043. - In a manner similar to the reinforcing
side plate 1041, for example, the rearmost reinforcingside plate 1044 is a substantially rectangular plate. The rearmost reinforcingside plate 1044, however, includes none of a first inlet pipe, a first outlet pipe, a second inlet pipe, and a second outlet pipe. - In the stack of the
heat transmission plates 1042 and theheat transmission plates 1043, the inversely oriented V-shaped wave shapes are overlaid on each other, so that channels where a complicated flow occurs are formed between theheat transmission plates 1042 and theheat transmission plates 1043. - A first channel through which first fluid (e.g., water) that has flowed from the
first inlet pipe 1045 flows out of thefirst outlet pipe 1046 is formed between the rear surface of theheat transmission plates 1043 and the front surface of theheat transmission plates 1042. Similarly, a second channel through which second fluid (e.g., refrigerant) that has flowed from thesecond inlet pipe 1048 flows out of thesecond outlet pipe 1047 is formed between the rear surfaces of theheat transmission plates 1042 and the front surfaces of theheat transmission plates 1043. - The first fluid that has flowed from the outside into the
first inlet pipe 1045 flows through passages formed by overlaying the first inlets of theheat transmission plates first outlet pipe 1046. - Similarly, the second fluid that has flowed from the outside into the
second inlet pipe 1048 flows through passages formed by overlaying the second inlets of theheat transmission plates second outlet pipe 1047. - The first fluid flowing in the first channels and the second fluid flowing in the second channels exchange heat through the
heat transmission plates - As illustrated in, for example,
Fig. 4 , thecondenser 102 includes afan 1026 and anair heat exchanger 1027. Thefan 1026 is a combination of a wing type propeller and a motor that drives and rotates the propeller. The motor and the propeller rotate at predetermined numbers of revolution with electric power supplied from the outside. Theair heat exchanger 1027 is made of a long refrigerant pipe which is bent into the shape of an L-shaped flat plate and with which a large number of fins made of aluminum thin plates are in close contact. Refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe and air around the fins exchange heat. The airflow rate of air passing between the fins is increased and adjusted by thefan 1026, and the amount of heat exchange is increased and adjusted. -
Fig. 5 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of a refrigeration cycle apparatus ofEmbodiment 1. Alphabets with black circles inFig. 5 refer to the locations of the black circles inFig. 1 . High-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant in a state that has been delivered by thecompressor 101 is condensed through heat exchange with outdoor air in thecondenser 102 and becomes high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant (in a state b). The refrigerant in the state b is divided into a portion flowing toward thefirst expansion valve 103 and a portion flowing toward theejector 105. The refrigerant flowing toward thefirst expansion valve 103 is subjected to pressure reduction in thefirst expansion valve 103 and becomes a state c, then heated and vaporized by a liquid heat medium at a relatively low temperature cooled by thesecond evaporator 106 and becomes a state d in thefirst evaporator 104, and then is sucked into therefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105. On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing from thecondenser 102 into therefrigerant inflow portion 204 of theejector 105 is subjected to pressure reduction (state e) in thenozzle 201 of theejector 105, and merges with refrigerant vaporized in thefirst evaporator 104 to be in a state f. The refrigerant is then subjected to a pressure rise in themixer 202 of theejector 105 and the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203 to be in a state g, and flows into thesecond evaporator 106. In thesecond evaporator 106, the refrigerant is vaporized through heat exchange with a liquid heat medium at a relatively high temperature heated by theindoor heat exchanger 109 to be in a state h, and is sucked into thecompressor 101. The foregoing states are repeated, thereby forming a refrigeration cycle. -
Fig. 6 shows temperature distribution in the flow directions of refrigerant and a liquid heat medium in thefirst evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 illustrated inFig. 1 . InFig. 6 ,reference numeral 601 denotes the temperature of a liquid heat medium,reference numeral 602 denotes the refrigerant temperature of thefirst evaporator 104, andreference numeral 603 denotes a refrigerant temperature of thesecond evaporator 106. The liquid heat medium that has reached a high temperature in theindoor heat exchanger 109 and has returned to theoutdoor unit 100 is cooled and has its temperature reduced while passing through thefirst evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106. Since the refrigerant has not been subjected to the pressure rise yet in theejector 105, the evaporating temperature in thefirst evaporator 104 is relatively lower than the evaporating temperature in thesecond evaporator 106. However, when refrigerant that has flowed from thefirst evaporator 104 is subjected to a pressure rise in theejector 105 and is caused to flow into thesecond evaporator 106, the evaporating temperature can be increased by ΔTeje. Then, the refrigerant that has flowed from thesecond evaporator 106 is caused to return to a suction side of thecompressor 101. - The pressure rise effect in the
ejector 105 can cause the evaporating temperature in thesecond evaporator 106 to be higher than the evaporating temperature in thefirst evaporator 104. In addition, the heated liquid heat medium flows in the order from thesecond evaporator 106 to thefirst evaporator 104 so that the liquid heat medium can be gradually cooled. In this manner, the refrigerant whose evaporating temperature is higher than that in thefirst evaporator 104 can be sucked into thecompressor 101. Thus, the COP of the refrigeration cycle is enhanced, and the operation efficiency can be increased. - In a conventional refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus, water-side channels of two water heat exchangers are serially connected to each other and a refrigerant channel of each of the water heat exchangers includes one compressor so as to increase the operation efficiency (see, for example, Japanese Patent No.
4651627 Embodiment 1 is advantageous in that a refrigerant circuit including one compressor can constitute an economically efficient refrigeration cycle. - A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is different from that of
Embodiment 1 in that afirst evaporator 104 and asecond evaporator 106 have different capacities. Specifically, as illustrated inFig. 22 , the capacity of thesecond evaporator 106 is larger than that of thefirst evaporator 104. - The capacity difference between the
first evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 enhances the COP of the refrigeration cycle. The principle thereof is as follows. - High-temperature high-pressure refrigerant that has flowed from a
condenser 102 is divided into a portion flowing toward afirst expansion valve 103 and a portion flowing toward anejector 105. The performance of thefirst evaporator 104 degrades by a degree corresponding to a decrease in the capacity of thefirst evaporator 104, and thus, the amount of refrigerant flowing toward thefirst expansion valve 103 decreases. On the other hand, the performance of thesecond evaporator 106 increases by a degree corresponding to an increase in the capacity of thesecond evaporator 106, and thus, the amount of refrigerant flowing toward theejector 105 increases. - The degree of pressure rise obtained by power recovery in the
ejector 105 is defined by the following equation, and the degree of the pressure rise increases as the amount of refrigerant flowing into theejector 105 increases.
[Equation 1]
where Gn is the flow rate of refrigerant flowing into theejector 105, hg is an enthalpy of therefrigerant inflow portion 204 of theejector 105, he is an enthalpy obtained when the cross section expands from the inlet to the outlet of thenozzle 201 illustrated inFig. 2 , Ge is the flow rate of refrigerant sucked by theejector 105, and pe is the density of therefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105. - The increase in the capacity of the
second evaporator 106 increases the driven flow of theejector 105, and the amount of collected power in theejector 105 increases. Accordingly, the evaporating temperature of thesecond evaporator 106 increases, and the suction temperature of thecompressor 101 increases. Consequently, the COP of the refrigeration cycle increases, thereby enhancing the operation efficiency. -
Fig. 7 shows COP characteristics of a refrigeration cycle in a case where the sum of the capacity of thefirst evaporator 104 and the capacity of thesecond evaporator 106 is fixed and the proportion of thefirst evaporator 104 is varied. With the COP at 50% on the abscissa, the capacity of thefirst evaporator 104 is equal to that of thesecond evaporator 106. As shown inFig. 7 , the COP is increased by reducing the capacity of thefirst evaporator 104 and increasing the capacity of thesecond evaporator 106, independently of the ejector efficiency. Specifically, the COP is effectively increased when the capacity of thefirst evaporator 104 is in the range from 30% to 50%, especially when thefirst evaporator 104 is around 40% of the entire capacity. - When the capacity of the
first evaporator 104 is excessively reduced, the performance of thesecond evaporator 106 increases, and thus, the evaporating temperature of refrigerant flowing in thefirst evaporator 104 decreases. Consequently, the suction pressure of thecompressor 101 decreases but, as a result, the COP decreases. When the capacity of thefirst evaporator 104 is increased, the flow rate Gn of refrigerant flowing into theejector 105 decreases and the Ge increases. Thus, the degree of pressure rise decreases. Consequently, the COP is not increased. An excessively large difference between the capacity of thefirst evaporator 104 and the capacity of thesecond evaporator 106 is not appropriate. - In a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a first example of Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the
first evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 ofEmbodiment 1 or 2 are vertically stacked. -
Fig. 8 illustrates an example of installation of thefirst evaporator 104, thesecond evaporator 106, and theejector 105 in the first example. As illustrated inFig. 8 , thefirst evaporator 104 is positioned higher than thesecond evaporator 106. Theejector 105 is disposed such that arefrigerant inflow portion 204 is positioned higher 104 and 106 than a diffuser (a refrigerant outflow portion) 203. Arefrigerant outlet 802 of thefirst evaporator 104 is connected to arefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105 by apipe 805. A diffuser (a refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of theejector 105 is connected to thesecond evaporator 106 by apipe 806. - On the other hand, a liquid
heat medium inlet 811 of thefirst evaporator 104 is connected to a liquidheat medium outlet 814 of thesecond evaporator 106 by apipe 815. - Single-phase liquid or two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the
first evaporator 104 flows from a lower portion to an upper portion of thefirst evaporator 104 while being heated and vaporized with a liquid heat medium flowing in a liquid heat medium circulation circuit. The refrigerant that has flowed from therefrigerant outlet 802 of thefirst evaporator 104 is sucked into therefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105 through thepipe 805. In theejector 105, the refrigerant that has flowed from therefrigerant inflow portion 204 and refrigerant sucked from thefirst evaporator 104 into therefrigerant suction portion 205 sequentially flow in amixer 202 of theejector 105, the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203, and thepipe 806 in this order, and then flows into therefrigerant inlet 803 of thesecond evaporator 106. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that has flowed into thesecond evaporator 106 flows toward an upper portion of thesecond evaporator 106 while being heated and vaporized with the liquid heat medium flowing in the liquid heat medium circulation circuit, and then flows out from therefrigerant outlet 804. - The liquid heat medium of the liquid heat medium circulation circuit flows from the liquid
heat medium inlet 813 into thesecond evaporator 106. Then, the liquid heat medium is cooled with relatively high-temperature refrigerant whose pressure has been increased in theejector 105, and flows out from the liquidheat medium outlet 814. Then, the liquid heat medium flows from the liquidheat medium inlet 811 of thefirst evaporator 104 into thefirst evaporator 104 through thepipe 815. Thereafter, the liquid heat medium is cooled with relatively low-temperature refrigerant immediately before the pressure rise in theejector 105, and flows out from the liquidheat medium outlet 812. Here, the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium flow in opposite directions, that is, a counterflow is formed. - As described above, in the configuration in which the
first evaporator 104 is disposed at an upper level, thesecond evaporator 106 is disposed at a lower level, and the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of theejector 105 is disposed below therefrigerant inflow portion 204 and therefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105, thepipe 805 and thepipe 806 are shortened. Thus, a pressure loss in connection piping is reduced so that the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle can be increased. In addition, theejector 105, thefirst evaporator 104, and thesecond evaporator 106 can be made compact, thereby reducing the space and cost. - In addition, as illustrated in
Fig. 9 , similar advantages can also be obtained in a configuration in which the inlet and outlets of refrigerant and the liquid heat medium in thefirst evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 may be diagonally disposed. In this case, weldability of connection by pipes can be further enhanced. - In the configurations of
Figs. 8 and9 , the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium flow in opposite directions. Alternatively, as illustrated inFig. 10 , the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium may flow in parallel, In such a case, substantially the same advantages can be obtained. This configuration can be obtained only by changing the connection of pipes of the liquid heat medium as illustrated inFig. 10 without a change in connection of theejector 105. - In a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a second example of Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the
first evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 are disposed in a horizontal line, that is, arranged side by side, and therefrigerant inflow portion 204 of theejector 105 is positioned higher than the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of theejector 105. The other parts of the configuration and operation are the same as those inEmbodiment 1 and the first example of Embodiment 3. -
Fig. 11 illustrates an example of installation of thefirst evaporator 104, thesecond evaporator 106, and theejector 105 in the second example. As illustrated inFig. 11 , thefirst evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 are arranged side by side. Theejector 105 is disposed such that therefrigerant inflow portion 204 is positioned higher than the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203. Therefrigerant outlet 802 of thefirst evaporator 104 is connected to therefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105 by thepipe 805. The diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of theejector 105 is connected to thesecond evaporator 106 by thepipe 806. The liquidheat medium outlet 812 of thefirst evaporator 104 is connected to the liquidheat medium inlet 813 of thesecond evaporator 106 by thepipe 815. - In the second example of Embodiment 3, the
first evaporator 104 and thesecond evaporator 106 are arranged side by side, and the diffuser (the refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of theejector 105 is located below therefrigerant inflow portion 204 and therefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105. Thus, thepipe 805 and thepipe 806 are shortened. The connection method is effective when the configuration is restricted by the height of installation. In a manner similar to those illustrated inFigs. 8 through 10 , a pressure loss in connection piping is reduced, and the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle is enhanced. -
- (1) The configuration in which the
refrigerant inflow portion 204 of the driven flow in theejector 105 is positioned higher than therefrigerant outflow portion 203 of theejector 105 can shorten the connection pipe between theejector 105 and thesecond evaporator 106. The shortening of the pipe can reduce a pressure loss from therefrigerant outflow portion 203 of theejector 105 to thesecond evaporator 106, and the evaporating temperature of thesecond evaporator 106 increases. Thus, the suction pressure of thecompressor 101 increases, thereby increasing the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle. - (2) The configuration in which the suction portion of the
ejector 105 is linearly connected to the outlet of thefirst evaporator 104 can reduce a pressure loss from the outlet of thefirst evaporator 104 to therefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105. Thus, the pressure at therefrigerant outflow portion 203 of theejector 105 increases, and the suction pressure of thecompressor 101 increases. Thus, the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle is enhanced. - (3) The distance between each evaporator and the
ejector 105 is minimized so that materials for pipes can be reduced and cost reduction can be achieved. -
Fig. 12 illustrates a configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated inFig. 12 is configured as anoutdoor unit 100 including a first high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1101 and a second high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1102 that exchange heat between refrigerants in addition to acompressor 101, acondenser 102, afirst expansion valve 103, afirst evaporator 104, anejector 105, and asecond evaporator 106. - The
compressor 101, thecondenser 102, a high-pressure side of the first high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1101, a high-pressure side of the second high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1102, thefirst expansion valve 103, thefirst evaporator 104, a low-pressure side of the second high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1102, and arefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105 are connected in series to each other, thereby forming a first refrigerant circuit. The first refrigerant circuit of Embodiment 4 is obtained by adding a high-pressure side channel of the first high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1101 and a high-pressure side channel of the second high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1102 between thecondenser 102 and thefirst expansion valve 103 of the first refrigerant circuit of one ofEmbodiments 1 to 3 and adding a low-pressure side channel of the second high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1102 between thefirst evaporator 104 and therefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105. - A pipe branching off from a refrigerant pipe between the
condenser 102 and the first high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1101 is connected to arefrigerant inflow portion 204 of theejector 105 and forms a second refrigerant circuit. A diffuser (a refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of theejector 105, thesecond evaporator 106, a low-pressure side of the first high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1101, and a refrigerant suction portion of thecompressor 101 are connected to each other by refrigerant pipes, thereby forming a third refrigerant circuit. The third refrigerant circuit of Embodiment 4 is obtained by adding a low-pressure side channel of the first high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1101 between thesecond evaporator 106 and thecompressor 101 of the third refrigerant circuit of one ofEmbodiments 1 to 3. - These elements and pipes connecting the elements are housed in a casing.
-
Fig. 13 illustrates an example of the high and low pressure heat exchanger used in Embodiment 4. As illustrated inFig. 13(a) , the high and lowpressure heat exchangers inner space 1201 of the inner pipe, and high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant flows in aring space 1202 of an outer pipe located on an outer side of the inner pipe such that these refrigerants exchange heat. The high and low pressure heat exchanger illustrated inFig. 13(b) is composed of double pipes of theouter pipe 2101 and theinner pipe 2102. Theinner pipe 2102 is provided with a plurality offins 2102a that are arranged around the axis such that heat exchange performance between the refrigerant flowing in theinner space 2104 of theinner pipe 2102 and the refrigerant flowing in thering space 2103 of theouter pipe 2101 is enhanced. In addition, the inner pipe may be provided with a plurality of spiral pipes. -
Fig. 14 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated inFig. 12 . The state of refrigerant at the outlet of thecondenser 102 is the same as that inEmbodiment 1. Refrigerant that has flowed from thecondenser 102 toward thefirst expansion valve 103 is cooled to be in a state b' through heat exchange with low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed from thesecond evaporator 106 in the first high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1101. In addition, this refrigerant becomes a state b" through heat exchange with low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed from thefirst evaporator 104 in the second high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1102, and flows into thefirst expansion valve 103. The refrigerant subjected to pressure reduction in thefirst expansion valve 103 becomes a state c, and passes through thefirst evaporator 104 to be in a state d'. This refrigerant is heated with high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant in the second high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1102 to be in a state d and is sucked into theejector 105. Then, the refrigerant passes through theejector 105 and thesecond evaporator 106 to be in a state h, and then is heated by the first high and lowpressure heat exchanger 1101 to be in a state h' and is sucked into thecompressor 101. - The refrigeration cycle apparatus of Embodiment 4 uses the high and low
pressure heat exchangers second evaporators Fig. 15 , as compared to a configuration (a) including no high and low pressure heat exchangers, a configuration (b) including high and low pressure heat exchangers enables the refrigerant flowing out from the outlets of the first andsecond evaporators second evaporators refrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105 and the suction pressure of thecompressor 101. In addition, the temperature of refrigerant sucked into thecompressor 101 increases, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle. - As shown in
Fig. 16 , in regard to the relationship between the length and the COP ratio in heat exchange portions of the high and lowpressure heat exchangers -
Fig. 17 illustrates a configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated inFig. 17 is configured as anoutdoor unit 100 including a gas-liquid separator 1701 in addition to acompressor 101, acondenser 102, afirst expansion valve 103, afirst evaporator 104, anejector 105, and asecond evaporator 106. Thecompressor 101, thecondenser 102, thefirst expansion valve 103, thefirst evaporator 104, and theejector 105 are connected to each other by refrigerant pipes, thereby forming a first refrigerant circuit. The refrigeration cycle apparatus also includes a second refrigerant circuit that branches off from a refrigerant pipe between thecondenser 102 and thefirst expansion valve 103 and is connected to therefrigerant inflow portion 204 of theejector 105. In addition, arefrigerant outflow portion 203 of theejector 105, a gas-liquid separator 1701, thesecond evaporator 106, a refrigerant suction portion of thecompressor 101 are connected to each other by refrigerant pipes, thereby forming a third refrigerant circuit. The third refrigerant circuit of Embodiment 5 is obtained by inserting the gas-liquid separator 1701 between theejector 105 of the third refrigerant circuit and thesecond evaporator 106 of one ofEmbodiments 1 to 3. - In addition, the refrigeration cycle apparatus also includes a
bypass circuit 1702 that connects a gas refrigerant outlet of the gas-liquid separator 1701 and an outlet of thesecond evaporator 106 through first flow control means 1703. Thebypass circuit 1702 may be a capillary tube. - These elements and pipes connecting the elements are housed in a casing.
- The gas-
liquid separator 1701 is composed of a refrigerant inlet, an outlet of gas refrigerant, and an outlet of liquid refrigerant.Fig. 18 illustrates an example of the gas-liquid separator 1701. The gas-liquid separator 1701 includes acontainer 301 having acylindrical side wall 301 a, atop wall 301 b, and abottom wall 301 c, aninlet pipe 302 penetrating through thetop wall 301 b, anupper outlet pipe 303 arranged on the side of theinlet pipe 302 and attached to thetop wall 301 b, and alower outlet pipe 304 attached to thebottom wall 301 c of thecontainer 301. -
Refrigerant liquid 306 that has blown from a lateral hole in theinlet pipe 302 hits and is attached to theside wall 301 a of thecontainer 301 to be refrigerant liquid 307b. Therefrigerant liquid 307b is separated fromrefrigerant steam 308 and is dropped by gravity along theside wall 301 a, and accumulates asrefrigerant liquid 307e on the bottom of thecontainer 301. On the other hand, therefrigerant steam 308 flows out of thecontainer 301 through theupper outlet pipe 303. Therefrigerant liquid 307a that is not blown from the lateral hole in theinlet pipe 302 and flows to a lower portion accumulates on the bottom surface of theinlet pipe 302, and flows out downward asrefrigerant liquid 307c through the lower hole. Then, therefrigerant liquid 307c merges with therefrigerant liquid 307e that has accumulated on the bottom of thecontainer 301 together with therefrigerant liquid 307b, and flows out of thecontainer 301 through thelower outlet pipe 304. -
Fig. 19 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated inFig. 17 . Here, the difference fromEmbodiments 1 to 3 will be described. Refrigerant in the state g that has flowed out of theejector 105 is separated into liquid refrigerant (state g') and gas refrigerant (state g") in the gas-liquid separator 1701. The liquid refrigerant is heated by liquid heat medium in thesecond evaporator 106. On the other hand, the gas refrigerant is subjected to flow control in the first flow control means 1703, and then merges with refrigerant that has flowed out of thesecond evaporator 106 to be in a state h, and is sucked into thecompressor 101. - In the refrigeration cycle apparatus configured as described above, liquid refrigerant separated in the gas-
liquid separator 1701 is caused to flow into thesecond evaporator 106 so that the refrigerant speed in thesecond evaporator 106 decreases and a pressure loss in thesecond evaporator 106 decreases. The decrease in pressure loss in thesecond evaporator 106 increases the evaporating temperature of thesecond evaporator 106 so that the suction pressure of thecompressor 101 increases, thereby obtaining efficient operation of the refrigeration cycle. -
Fig. 20 illustrates a configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of Embodiment 6 is configured as anoutdoor unit 100 including aninternal heat exchanger 2001 and second flow control means 2002 in addition to acompressor 101, acondenser 102, afirst expansion valve 103, afirst evaporator 104, anejector 105, and asecond evaporator 106. - The
compressor 101, thecondenser 102, a high-pressure side of theinternal heat exchanger 2001, thefirst expansion valve 103, thefirst evaporator 104, and arefrigerant suction portion 205 of theejector 105 are sequentially connected to each other, thereby forming a first refrigerant circuit (obtained by adding a high-pressure side channel of theinternal heat exchanger 2001 between thecondenser 102 and thefirst expansion valve 103 of the first refrigerant circuit ofEmbodiments 1 to 3). - A pipe branching off from a refrigerant pipe between the
condenser 102 and theinternal heat exchanger 2001 is connected to therefrigerant inflow portion 204 of theejector 105, thereby forming a second refrigerant circuit. In addition, a diffuser (a refrigerant outflow portion) 203 of theejector 105, thesecond evaporator 106, a refrigerant suction portion of thecompressor 101 are connected to each other by refrigerant pipes, thereby forming a third refrigerant circuit. - The refrigeration cycle apparatus further includes an
injection circuit 2003 branching off from between an outlet side of thecondenser 102 and an inlet side of theinternal heat exchanger 2001 and is connected to an intermediate pressure port of thecompressor 101 through the second flow control means 2002 and the low-pressure side channel of theinternal heat exchanger 2001. - These elements and pipes connecting the elements are housed in a casing.
- The
internal heat exchanger 2001 may have the same configuration as that of the high and low pressure heat exchanger described above, and/or may use the water heat exchanger described above as an internal heat exchanger. -
Fig. 21 is a mollier chart showing an operating state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated inFig. 20 . Here, only portions different from those of the operation illustrated inFig. 1 will be described. The refrigerant in the high-temperature high-pressure state b that has flowed out from thecondenser 102 is divided into refrigerant flowing toward theinternal heat exchanger 2001 and refrigerant flowing toward theejector 105. The refrigerant flowing toward theinternal heat exchanger 2001 is then divided into refrigerant flowing toward theinternal heat exchanger 2001 and refrigerant flowing toward the second flow control means 2002. The refrigerant in the state i subjected to flow control and pressure reduction in the second flow control means 2002 is heated through heat exchange with the high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant in theinternal heat exchanger 2001 to be in a state j, and flows into portions around an intermediate pressure of thecompressor 101. The refrigerant that has flowed into an intermediate pressure of thecompressor 101 is mixed with refrigerant that has flowed from a suction portion of thecompressor 101 and is compressed to be in a state k, and then is compressed again. On the other hand, refrigerant in the state b that has flowed into a high-pressure side of theinternal heat exchanger 2001 is cooled through heat exchange with low-temperature refrigerant flowing in the low-pressure side of theinternal heat exchanger 2001 to be in a state c', and flows into thefirst expansion valve 103. Subsequent operation is the same as that inFig. 5 , and description thereof will not be repeated. - Refrigerant that branches from the refrigerant pipe between the outlet side of the
condenser 102 and the inlet side of theinternal heat exchanger 2001 and has become a low temperature in the second flow control means 2002 exchanges heat with high-temperature refrigerant in theinternal heat exchanger 2001. The refrigerant subjected to the heat exchange is caused to flow (injected) into the intermediate pressure port of thecompressor 101, thereby temporarily cooling refrigerant compressed in thecompressor 101 and compressing the refrigerant again. In this manner, the discharge temperature of thecompressor 101 is lower than that in the case of using no injection, and superheat of the motor of thecompressor 101 can be reduced, thereby increasing the reliability. In addition, advantageously, low-temperature water that cannot be operated in order to protect the motor against superheat can be produced. - 100 outdoor unit, 101 compressor, 102 condenser, 103 first expansion valve, 104 first evaporator, 105 ejector, 106 second evaporator, 107 water supply, 108 indoor unit, 109 indoor heat exchanger, 201 nozzle of ejector, 202, mixer of ejector, 203 diffuser (refrigerant outflow portion) of ejector, 204 refrigerant inlet of ejector, 205 refrigerant suction portion of ejector, 1101 first high and low pressure heat exchanger, 1102 second high and low pressure heat exchanger, 1701 gas-liquid separator, 1702 bypass circuit, 1703 first flow control means, 2001 internal heat exchanger, 2002 second flow control means, 2003 injection circuit.
Claims (10)
- A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising:a first refrigerant circuit connecting a refrigerant discharging portion of a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion valve, a first evaporator, and a refrigerant suction portion of an ejector;a second refrigerant circuit branching off from connection piping between an outlet side of the condenser and the first expansion valve, and connecting to a refrigerant inflow portion of the ejector; anda third refrigerant circuit connecting a refrigerant outflow portion of the ejector, a second evaporator, and a refrigerant suction portion of the compressor,the first evaporator being a water heat exchanger to exchange heat between refrigerant flowing in the first refrigerant circuit and a liquid heat medium different from the refrigerant,the second evaporator being a water heat exchanger to exchange heat between refrigerant flowing in the second refrigerant circuit and the liquid heat medium,the liquid heat medium being supplied from outside, flowing in the second evaporator and the first evaporator in this order, and then flowing out to the outside.
- The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the second evaporator has a capacity larger than that of the first evaporator. - The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 2, wherein
the capacity of the first evaporator is greater than or equal to 30% of a sum of the capacity of the first evaporator and the capacity of the second evaporator. - The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the first evaporator is disposed higher than the second evaporator, and
the ejector is disposed such that the refrigerant inflow portion of the ejector is positioned higher than the refrigerant outflow portion of the ejector. - The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the first evaporator and the second evaporator are disposed side by side in a horizontal direction, and
the ejector is disposed such that the refrigerant inflow portion of the ejector is positioned higher than the refrigerant outflow portion of the ejector. - The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 4 or 5, wherein
a refrigerant outlet of the first evaporator is connected to the refrigerant suction portion of the ejector by horizontal piping. - The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a first high and low pressure heat exchanger and a second high and low pressure heat exchanger to exchange heat between high-pressure side refrigerant and low-pressure side refrigerant, wherein
a high-pressure side channel of the first high and low pressure heat exchanger and a high-pressure side channel of the second high and low pressure heat exchanger are connected in series between a refrigerant outlet side of the condenser and a refrigerant inlet side of the first expansion valve in the first refrigerant circuit,
a low-pressure side channel of the second high and low pressure heat exchanger is connected between a refrigerant outlet side of the first evaporator and the refrigerant suction portion of the ejector, and
a low-pressure side channel of the first high and low pressure heat exchanger is connected between a refrigerant outlet side of the second evaporator and the refrigerant suction portion of the compressor. - The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:a gas-liquid separator to separate refrigerant into a gaseous-phase portion of refrigerant and a liquid-phase portion of refrigerant; anda bypass circuit to cause the gaseous-phase portion of refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator to bypass the second evaporator and flow into the refrigerant suction portion of the compressor, whereinthe gas-liquid separator is connected between the refrigerant outflow portion of the ejector and a refrigerant inlet side of the second evaporator in the third refrigerant circuit,the liquid-phase portion of refrigerant flows into the refrigerant suction portion of the compressor via the second evaporator, andthe gaseous-phase portion of refrigerant flows into the refrigerant suction portion of the compressor through the bypass circuit.
- The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an internal heat exchanger to exchange heat between high-pressure side refrigerant and low-pressure side refrigerant, wherein
a high-pressure side channel of the internal heat exchanger is connected between a refrigerant outlet side of the condenser and a refrigerant inlet side of the first expansion valve in the first refrigerant circuit, and
the refrigeration cycle apparatus includes an injection circuit that branches off from between the refrigerant outlet side of the condenser and a refrigerant inlet side of the internal heat exchanger and is connected to an intermediate pressure port of the compressor via second flow control means and a low-pressure side channel of the internal heat exchanger. - The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein
the first evaporator and the second evaporator are configured such that the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium flow in opposite directions with respect to each other.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2012285786 | 2012-12-27 | ||
PCT/JP2013/074012 WO2014103436A1 (en) | 2012-12-27 | 2013-09-06 | Refrigeration cycle device |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2942585A1 true EP2942585A1 (en) | 2015-11-11 |
EP2942585A4 EP2942585A4 (en) | 2016-11-30 |
EP2942585B1 EP2942585B1 (en) | 2021-03-17 |
Family
ID=51020540
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP13868444.4A Active EP2942585B1 (en) | 2012-12-27 | 2013-09-06 | Refrigeration cycle device |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2942585B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPWO2014103436A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN203704419U (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014103436A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102015009255A1 (en) * | 2015-07-16 | 2017-01-19 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Method for cooling a process stream |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN106016613B (en) * | 2016-05-31 | 2020-04-21 | 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 | Energy-saving air conditioning system |
JP6547781B2 (en) * | 2016-06-16 | 2019-07-24 | 株式会社デンソー | Refrigeration cycle device |
JP2019138577A (en) * | 2018-02-13 | 2019-08-22 | 株式会社デンソー | Refrigeration cycle device |
JP7135450B2 (en) * | 2018-05-31 | 2022-09-13 | 株式会社デンソー | refrigeration cycle equipment |
CN112815561B (en) * | 2019-10-31 | 2022-03-25 | 广东美的白色家电技术创新中心有限公司 | Refrigeration device |
CN114484946A (en) * | 2020-10-28 | 2022-05-13 | 江森自控科技公司 | Chiller system with series flow evaporator |
CN112594950B (en) * | 2020-12-29 | 2024-02-09 | 深圳市海吉源科技有限公司 | Low-temperature cold water refrigerating unit and control method |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2009133624A (en) * | 2005-03-14 | 2009-06-18 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Refrigerating/air-conditioning device |
US7779647B2 (en) * | 2005-05-24 | 2010-08-24 | Denso Corporation | Ejector and ejector cycle device |
JP4885481B2 (en) | 2005-05-30 | 2012-02-29 | 株式会社前川製作所 | Cooling device operation method |
JP2007051833A (en) * | 2005-08-18 | 2007-03-01 | Denso Corp | Ejector type refrigeration cycle |
JP2007057177A (en) * | 2005-08-25 | 2007-03-08 | Denso Corp | Vapor compression type refrigerating cycle device |
JP2007147198A (en) * | 2005-11-29 | 2007-06-14 | Denso Corp | Vapor compression type refrigeration cycle using ejector, and its low-pressure-system component |
JP4737001B2 (en) * | 2006-01-13 | 2011-07-27 | 株式会社デンソー | Ejector refrigeration cycle |
JP4651627B2 (en) | 2007-01-19 | 2011-03-16 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Refrigeration air conditioner |
JP5004645B2 (en) * | 2007-04-23 | 2012-08-22 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Refrigeration air conditioner |
JP2009138952A (en) * | 2007-12-03 | 2009-06-25 | Denso Corp | Brine type cooling device |
JP5526494B2 (en) * | 2008-05-14 | 2014-06-18 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Refrigeration equipment |
WO2011048662A1 (en) * | 2009-10-20 | 2011-04-28 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Heat pump device |
JP5819592B2 (en) | 2010-06-16 | 2015-11-24 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Plate heat exchanger and heat pump device |
-
2013
- 2013-09-06 EP EP13868444.4A patent/EP2942585B1/en active Active
- 2013-09-06 JP JP2014554186A patent/JPWO2014103436A1/en active Pending
- 2013-09-06 WO PCT/JP2013/074012 patent/WO2014103436A1/en active Application Filing
- 2013-12-27 CN CN201320897498.7U patent/CN203704419U/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102015009255A1 (en) * | 2015-07-16 | 2017-01-19 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Method for cooling a process stream |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPWO2014103436A1 (en) | 2017-01-12 |
EP2942585A4 (en) | 2016-11-30 |
WO2014103436A1 (en) | 2014-07-03 |
CN203704419U (en) | 2014-07-09 |
EP2942585B1 (en) | 2021-03-17 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2942585B1 (en) | Refrigeration cycle device | |
CN100416180C (en) | Vapor compression cycle having ejector | |
US9410728B2 (en) | Chiller system and control method thereof | |
CN100414221C (en) | Ejector cycle device | |
US9890977B2 (en) | Flash tank economizer for two stage centrifugal water chillers | |
JP2012237543A (en) | Freezing cycle device | |
US20140102131A1 (en) | Outdoor unit of refrigeration system | |
US9377226B2 (en) | Evaporator and turbo chiller including the same | |
CN101329115B (en) | Evaporator having ejector | |
JP2000249479A (en) | Heat exchanger | |
EP2932162A1 (en) | Low pressure chiller | |
JP3218289B2 (en) | Air conditioner and condenser used for it | |
CN202562136U (en) | Concurrent flow heat exchanger applied in heat pump air conditioner | |
CN102455090A (en) | Sub-cooling condenser | |
JP2007078317A (en) | Heat exchanger for cooling equipment, and cooling equipment | |
KR20130043977A (en) | Oil separator and air conditioner comprising the same | |
EP3734190A1 (en) | Heat exchanger and refrigeration cycle device | |
EP4040083A1 (en) | Freezing apparatus | |
US20220333834A1 (en) | Chiller system with multiple compressors | |
US20230288078A1 (en) | Cooling system with intermediate chamber | |
JP4814823B2 (en) | Refrigeration equipment | |
EP3795927B1 (en) | Refrigeration cycle device | |
US11747060B2 (en) | Vapor compression system and method for operating heat exchanger | |
KR102342956B1 (en) | High efficiency evaporative condenser | |
JP2017161088A (en) | Refrigeration cycle device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20150716 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20161027 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: F25B 1/00 20060101ALI20161021BHEP Ipc: F25B 5/04 20060101AFI20161021BHEP |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20201005 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602013076366 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1372611 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20210415 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG9D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210618 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210617 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210617 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1372611 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20210317 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20210317 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210717 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210719 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602013076366 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20211220 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20210930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210717 Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210906 Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210906 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210930 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20130906 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230512 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210317 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R084 Ref document number: 602013076366 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20230727 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20230808 Year of fee payment: 11 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230802 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: 746 Effective date: 20240327 |