EP3279580B1 - Dispositif de climatisation - Google Patents

Dispositif de climatisation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3279580B1
EP3279580B1 EP15887665.6A EP15887665A EP3279580B1 EP 3279580 B1 EP3279580 B1 EP 3279580B1 EP 15887665 A EP15887665 A EP 15887665A EP 3279580 B1 EP3279580 B1 EP 3279580B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerant
air
heat exchanger
conditioning apparatus
compressor
Prior art date
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Application number
EP15887665.6A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3279580A1 (fr
EP3279580A4 (fr
Inventor
Katsuhiro Ishimura
Osamu Morimoto
Takeshi Hatomura
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Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Publication of EP3279580A4 publication Critical patent/EP3279580A4/fr
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
    • F24F11/32—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
    • F24F11/36—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies to leakage of heat-exchange fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/89—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
    • F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
    • F24F11/83—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
    • F24F11/84—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers using valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
    • F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
    • F24F11/86—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • 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
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25B49/005—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices of safety devices
    • 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
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2140/00—Control inputs relating to system states
    • F24F2140/10—Pressure
    • F24F2140/12—Heat-exchange fluid pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2140/00—Control inputs relating to system states
    • F24F2140/20—Heat-exchange fluid temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2221/00—Details or features not otherwise provided for
    • F24F2221/54—Heating and cooling, simultaneously or alternatively
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
    • F25B2313/0233—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units in parallel 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
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/029—Control issues
    • F25B2313/0294—Control issues related to the outdoor fan, e.g. controlling speed
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/031—Sensor arrangements
    • F25B2313/0314—Temperature sensors near the indoor heat exchanger
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/04—Refrigeration circuit bypassing means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/19—Pumping down refrigerant from one part of the cycle to another part of the cycle, e.g. when the cycle is changed from cooling to heating, or before a defrost cycle is started
    • 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
    • F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25B2500/22—Preventing, detecting or repairing leaks of refrigeration fluids
    • 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
    • F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25B2500/22—Preventing, detecting or repairing leaks of refrigeration fluids
    • F25B2500/222—Detecting refrigerant leaks
    • 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
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/02—Compressor control
    • F25B2600/025—Compressor control by controlling speed
    • F25B2600/0253—Compressor control by controlling speed with variable speed
    • 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
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/25—Control of valves
    • F25B2600/2501—Bypass valves
    • 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
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/25—Control of valves
    • F25B2600/2513—Expansion valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/19—Pressures
    • F25B2700/193—Pressures of the compressor
    • F25B2700/1931—Discharge pressures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/19—Pressures
    • F25B2700/193—Pressures of the compressor
    • F25B2700/1933—Suction pressures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/21—Temperatures
    • F25B2700/2115—Temperatures of a compressor or the drive means therefor
    • F25B2700/21152—Temperatures of a compressor or the drive means therefor at the discharge side of the compressor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air-conditioning apparatus that minimizes the amount of leakage of refrigerant.
  • refrigerant pipes connecting an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units to each other may have a total length of several hundred meters, and as a result, a large amount of refrigerant is used.
  • a large amount of refrigerant may leak into a room.
  • EP 2 264 386 A1 provides an air conditioning apparatus and a refrigerant quantity determination method, in order to determine refrigerant quantity in a simple and accurate manner without compromising the reliability of a compressor.
  • a refrigerant circuit has a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger that functions as a condenser, an indoor expansion valve, an indoor heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator, an indoor unit interconnection pipe, a liquid refrigerant connection pipe, a gas refrigerant connection pipe, and an outdoor unit interconnection pipe.
  • a controller performs liquefaction control for liquefying refrigerant and placing the refrigerant in a portion extending from the indoor expansion valve to the outdoor heat exchanger.
  • the controller directly or indirectly regulates the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through a liquid bypass circuit from a liquid reserving portion toward the gas refrigerant connection pipe.
  • a liquid level detection sensor detects at least one of either a volume of liquid refrigerant in the portion where liquid refrigerant accumulates and a physical quantity equivalent to the volume.
  • Patent Literature 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-97527 ( Fig. 1 , etc.)
  • the amount of leakage of the refrigerant can be reduced when the refrigerant leaks, but a large amount of the refrigerant may still leak depending on the position of the shutoff valve for closing the flow of the refrigerant or the location where leakage of the refrigerant occurs.
  • the present invention provides an air-conditioning apparatus that further reduces the amount of leakage of refrigerant when a leakage of refrigerant occurs regardless of the operation mode such as a cooling operation or a heating operation.
  • An air-conditioning apparatus having a refrigerant circuit formed by connecting a compressor, a flow switching device, a first heat exchanger, a first expansion device, a second heat exchanger, and an accumulator by a pipe, the air-conditioning apparatus being configured to switch between a cooling operation in which the first heat exchanger serves as a condenser and the second heat exchanger serves as an evaporator and a heating operation in which the second heat exchanger serves as a condenser and the first heat exchanger serves as an evaporator by switching the flow switching device, the air-conditioning apparatus including a first opening-closing device provided on the pipe between the first heat exchanger and the expansion device, a bypass pipe branching from the pipe between the first opening-closing device and the expansion device and connected to the pipe between the flow switching device and the accumulator, a second opening-closing device provided on the bypass pipe, and a controller configured to perform a pump-down operation in which, when a leakage of refrigerant
  • the refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit is recovered into the first heat exchanger and the accumulator and then the recovered refrigerant is enclosed in the first heat exchanger and the accumulator, and as a result, the amount of the refrigerant that would leak into a room space can be further reduced.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagram of refrigerant circuit illustrating one example of the schematic configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • an air-conditioning apparatus 100 is a multi-air conditioner for a building, for example, provided with a refrigerant circuit composed of an outdoor unit 1 and two indoor units 2a, 2b connected to the outdoor unit 1 via a refrigerant main pipe 3.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100 allows refrigerant to circulate in the refrigerant circuit to perform air conditioning by using the refrigeration cycle, and is configured in such a manner that a cooling only operation mode, in which both indoor units 2a, 2b perform cooling, or a heating only operation mode, in which both indoor units 2a, 2b perform heating, can be selected arbitrarily.
  • the outdoor unit 1 includes a compressor 10, a flow switching device 11 formed of a four-way valve or another valve, a heat-side heat exchanger 12, a refrigerant shutoff device 13, and an accumulator 14, and these components are connected by a refrigerant pipe 4.
  • An outdoor fan 16 that sends air to the heat-side heat exchanger 12 is provided near the heat-side heat exchanger 12. Note that the heat-side heat exchanger 12 corresponds to the "first heat exchanger" of the present invention, the outdoor fan 16 corresponds to the "fan” of the present invention, and the refrigerant shutoff device 13 corresponds to the "first opening/closing device" of the present invention.
  • the compressor 10 sucks a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant and compresses the gas refrigerant to a high-temperature high-pressure state, and is formed of, for example, an inverter compressor capable of controlling capacity.
  • the flow switching device 11 switches between the flow of refrigerant in a cooling operation mode and the flow of refrigerant in a heating operation mode.
  • the heat-side heat exchanger 12 functions as a condenser in a cooling operation and functions as an evaporator in a heating operation, and exchanges heat between the air supplied from the outdoor fan 16 and the refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant shutoff device 13 is formed of, for example, a solenoid valve that blocks the flow of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipe 4. Note that the refrigerant shutoff device 13 is formed of a solenoid valve, but may be formed of any feature that can block the flow of refrigerant.
  • the outdoor unit 1 also includes a bypass pipe 5 that branches from the refrigerant pipe 4 on the side of the refrigerant shutoff device 13, the refrigerant pipe 4 being connected to one terminal of the refrigerant main pipe 3, and that is connected to the refrigerant pipe 4 connecting the flow switching device 11 and the suction side of the compressor 10 to each other, and a bypass opening/closing device 15 provided along the bypass pipe 5.
  • the bypass opening/closing device 15 corresponds to the "second opening/closing device" of the present invention, and is formed of, for example, a solenoid valve that blocks the flow of the refrigerant in the bypass pipe 5. Note that Fig.
  • bypass opening/closing device 15 is formed of a solenoid valve, but may be formed of any feature that can block the flow of refrigerant.
  • the outdoor unit 1 is provided with a first pressure detection device 20 and a second pressure detection device 21.
  • the first pressure detection device 20 is provided on the refrigerant pipe 4 connecting the discharge side of the compressor 10 and the flow switching device 11 to each other, and detects a pressure P1 of a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant that is compressed by and discharged from the compressor 10.
  • the second pressure detection device 21 is provided on the refrigerant pipe 4 connecting the flow switching device 11 and the suction side of the compressor 10 to each other, and detects a pressure P2 of a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that is sucked into the compressor 10.
  • the outdoor unit 1 is provided with a first temperature detection device 22 formed of, for example, a thermistor.
  • the first temperature detection device 22 is provided on the refrigerant pipe 4 connecting the discharge side of the compressor 10 and the flow switching device 11 to each other, and detects the temperature of a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant that is compressed by and discharged from the compressor 10.
  • the indoor units 2a, 2b respectively include load-side heat exchangers 40a, 40b, expansion devices 41a, 41b, and indoor fans 42a, 42b.
  • the indoor units 2a, 2b are connected to the outdoor unit 1 via the refrigerant main pipe 3 and allow refrigerant to flow in and out.
  • the load-side heat exchangers 40a, 40b exchange heat between the air supplied from the indoor fans 42a, 42b and the refrigerant to generate a heating air or a cooling air to be supplied to a room space.
  • the expansion devices 41a, 41b are formed of, for example, electronic expansion valves having functions of a pressure reducing valve and an expansion valve. Note that the load-side heat exchangers 40a, 40b correspond to the "second heat exchanger" of the present invention.
  • second temperature detection devices 50a, 50b are respectively provided on the refrigerant pipes connecting the load-side heat exchangers 40a, 40b and the expansion devices 41a, 41b to each other. Furthermore, third temperature detection devices 51a, 51b are respectively provided on the refrigerant pipes of the load-side heat exchangers 40a, 40b opposite to the expansion devices 41a, 41b. Moreover, fourth temperature detection devices 52a, 52b are respectively provided on the air suction side of the load-side heat exchangers 40a, 40b.
  • the second temperature detection devices 50a, 50b detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the load-side heat exchangers 40a, 40b in a cooling operation.
  • the third temperature detection devices 51a, 51b detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the load-side heat exchangers 40a, 40b.
  • the fourth temperature detection devices 52a, 52b detect the temperature of indoor air.
  • a thermistor for example, is used for each of the temperature detection devices.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100 has a controller 30 formed of a microcomputer or another device.
  • the controller 30 controls the flow switching device to switch the flow direction to a cooling operation direction so that the refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit is recovered into the heat-side heat exchanger 12 and the accumulator 14, and performs a pump-down operation by controlling the refrigerant shutoff device 13, the bypass opening/closing device 15 and the compressor 10.
  • the controller 30 controls the flow switching device 11 to switch the flow direction to a heating operation direction so that the recovered refrigerant is enclosed in the heat-side heat exchanger 12 and the accumulator 14, and performs a refrigerant leakage amount reduction operation by controlling the refrigerant shutoff device 13, the bypass opening/closing device 15 and the compressor 10.
  • the controller 30 controls the operation frequency of the compressor 10, the rotation speed (including ON/OFF) of the outdoor fan 16, the switching of the flow switching device 11, and the opening degrees of the expansion devices 41a, 41b on the basis of the detection values of various detection devices and the instructions received from a remote controller.
  • Fig. 1 shows an example in which the controller 30 is provided in the outdoor unit 1, however, a controller 30 may be provided in each unit of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor units 2a, 2b, or may be provided in any one of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor units 2a, 2b.
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram of refrigerant circuit illustrating the flow of refrigerant when the air-conditioning apparatus of Fig. 1 is in a cooling operation mode. Note that the solid line arrows illustrated in the figure indicate the directions of refrigerant flow.
  • a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that is sucked into the compressor 10 is compressed by the compressor 10 and is discharged therefrom as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
  • the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the heat-side heat exchanger 12 via the flow switching device 11.
  • the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant that flows into the heat-side heat exchanger 12 condenses while rejecting heat to outside air, and becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.
  • the high-pressure liquid refrigerant that flows out from the heat-side heat exchanger 12 passes through the refrigerant shutoff device 13, which is in an open state, flows out from the outdoor unit 1, and then passes through the refrigerant main pipe 3 and flows into the indoor units 2a, 2b.
  • the bypass opening/closing device 15 is set to a closed state to prevent the refrigerant from bypassing in the outdoor unit 1.
  • the refrigerant shutoff device 13 in a cooling operation mode is set to open if the device is a solenoid valve or another device of which the opening degree (opening area) cannot be regulated, or is set to an opening degree (e.g., fully open) that does not have a negative influence on an operation condition (e.g., cooling capacity) of the refrigeration cycle if the device is a device, such as an electronic expansion valve, of which the opening degree can be regulated.
  • an operation condition e.g., cooling capacity
  • bypass opening/closing device 15 in a cooling operation mode is set to open if the device is a solenoid valve or another device of which the opening degree cannot be regulated, or is set to an opening degree (e.g., fully open) that does not have a negative influence on an operation condition (e.g., cooling capacity) of the refrigeration cycle if the device is a device, such as an electronic expansion valve, of which the opening degree can be regulated.
  • an operation condition e.g., cooling capacity
  • the high-pressure liquid refrigerant that flows into the indoor unit 2 is decompressed by the expansion device 41, thereby becoming a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant having a low-temperature low-pressure, and then flows into the load-side heat exchanger 40 functioning as an evaporator to remove heat from the indoor air, thereby cooling the indoor air, and becomes a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant.
  • the low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that flows from the load-side heat exchanger 40 passes through the refrigerant main pipe 3 and flows into the outdoor unit 1.
  • the low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that flows into the outdoor unit 1 passes through the flow switching device 11 and the accumulator 14 and is then sucked into the compressor 10.
  • the opening degrees of the expansion devices 41a, 41b are controlled by the controller 30 in such a manner that the superheat (degree of superheat) obtained as a difference between the temperatures detected by the second temperature detection devices 50a, 50b and the temperature detected by the third temperature detection device 51 becomes constant.
  • Fig. 3 is a diagram of refrigerant circuit illustrating the flow of refrigerant when the air-conditioning apparatus of Fig. 1 is in a heating operation mode. Note that the solid line arrows illustrated in the figure indicate the directions of refrigerant flow.
  • a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that is sucked into the compressor 10 is compressed by the compressor 10 and is discharged therefrom as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
  • the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passes through the refrigerant main pipe 3 and flows into the indoor unit 2 via the flow switching device 11.
  • the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant that flows into the indoor unit 2 rejects heat to the indoor air at the load-side heat exchanger 40, becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, and then flows into the expansion device 41.
  • the refrigerant flows out from the indoor unit 2, passes through the refrigerant main pipe 3, and flows into the outdoor unit 1.
  • the low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that flows into the outdoor unit 1 passes though the refrigerant shutoff device 13, which is in an open state, and receives heat from the outside air at the heat-side heat exchanger 12, thereby becoming a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant.
  • the low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that flows out from the heat-side heat exchanger 12 passes through the flow switching device 11 and the accumulator 14 and is then sucked into the compressor 10.
  • the refrigerant shutoff device 13 in a heating operation mode is set to open if the device is a solenoid valve or another device of which the opening degree cannot be regulated, or is set to an opening degree (e.g., fully open) that does not have a negative influence on an operation condition (e.g., heating capacity) of the refrigeration cycle if the device is a device, such as an electronic expansion valve, of which the opening degree can be regulated.
  • an operation condition e.g., heating capacity
  • bypass opening/closing device 15 in a heating operation mode is set to open if the device is a solenoid valve or another device of which the opening degree cannot be regulated, or is set to an opening degree (e.g., fully open) that does not have a negative influence on an operation condition (e.g., heating capacity) of the refrigeration cycle if the device is a device, such as an electronic expansion valve, of which the opening degree can be regulated.
  • an operation condition e.g., heating capacity
  • the opening degrees of the expansion devices 41a, 41b are controlled by the controller 30 in such a manner that the subcooling (degree of subcooling) obtained as a difference between the saturated liquid temperature of the refrigerant calculated on the basis of the pressure detected by the first pressure detection device 20 and the temperatures detected by the second temperature detection devices 50a, 50b becomes constant.
  • Refrigerant leakage prevention control is one of the functions of the controller 30, as described above, and is a control function that is initiated when a leakage of refrigerant is detected by a gas sensor provided in a room or detected on the basis of detection values of various measurement sensors provided in the indoor units 2a, 2b.
  • a specific example of detecting an occurrence of refrigerant leakage will be described, however, a detection method is not limited thereto and any method may be used as long as the method is capable of detecting an occurrence of refrigerant leakage and capable of using the timing of the detected refrigerant leakage as a point of starting the control operation.
  • Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operations of refrigerant leakage prevention control in the air-conditioning apparatus of Fig. 1 .
  • the controller 30 When detecting an occurrence of refrigerant leakage (S1), the controller 30 starts the refrigerant leakage prevention control. That is, the controller 30 performs a pump-down operation for recovering the liquid refrigerant existing on the side of the indoor unit 2 into the outdoor unit 1 (S2). Then, the controller 30 performs a refrigerant leakage amount reduction operation that prevents the liquid refrigerant recovered in the outdoor unit 1 from returning to the indoor unit 2 (S3).
  • Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a pump-down operation when the air-conditioning apparatus of Fig. 2 is in a cooling operation mode.
  • the controller 30 makes the flow switching device 11 to keep the flow path of the cooling operation mode (S11), and then sets the operation frequency of the compressor 10 to a predetermined value (S12). Then, the controller 30 closes the refrigerant shutoff device 13 and opens the bypass opening/closing device 15 (S13, S14). The controller 30 then sets the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 16 to a predetermined value (S15), and at last, terminates the pump-down operation when a pressure P1 (or P2) detected by either one of the first pressure detection device 20 and the second pressure detection device 21 reaches a threshold (S16).
  • the predetermined value to be set in S12 for the operation frequency of the compressor 10 is set at a high frequency, the pressure of the refrigeration cycle may change abruptly, thereby causing an abnormal stoppage or another problem.
  • the predetermined value is set at a low frequency, the effects of the pump-down are reduced, and thus operating the compressor 10 at the allowable minimum operation frequency is not preferable. Therefore, it is preferable that a pump-down operation be performed at an operation frequency corresponding to a middle frequency between the minimum and maximum frequencies.
  • the predetermined value to be set in S15 for the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 16 be set to the maximum rotation speed.
  • the thresholds which have been set for terminating a pump-down operation in S16 if the high-pressure side threshold is set to a value as high as possible and the low-pressure side threshold is set to a value as low as possible, much refrigerant can be transferred from the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 1, and as a result, a higher degree of safety can be assured. Therefore, for the first pressure detection device 20, it is preferable that the threshold (first threshold) be a maximum pressure or a value near the maximum pressure allowed during operation of the compressor 10. For the second pressure detection device 21, it is preferable that the threshold (second threshold) be a minimum pressure or a value near the minimum pressure allowed during operation of the compressor 10. Note that, in S16 of Fig.
  • a pump-down operation is terminated when either one of the first pressure detection device 20 and the second pressure detection device 21 reaches the corresponding threshold, however, instead of this, a pump-down operation may be terminated when the detection pressure (P1) of the first pressure detection device 20 becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold and the detection pressure (P2) of the second pressure detection device 21 becomes equal to or less than the second threshold.
  • the refrigerant existing in the refrigerant pipe 4 which connects from the heat-side heat exchanger 12 to the expansion device 41 and in which much liquid refrigerant exists in a cooling operation mode, can be recovered to the heat-side heat exchanger 12 and the accumulator 14 via the bypass pipe 5. Therefore, the amount of the liquid refrigerant of the refrigerant existing in the indoor unit 2 and in the refrigerant main pipe 3 connected to the indoor unit 2 is reduced, and as a result, the amount of refrigerant leaking into a room space can be reduced.
  • Fig. 5 shows a specific operation order of the pump-down operation, however, the operation order is not limited thereto, and for S11 to S15, a similar effect can be obtained even if the operation order is reversed.
  • Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a refrigerant leakage mount reduction operation when the air-conditioning apparatus of Fig. 5 is in a cooling operation mode.
  • the controller 30 switches the flow switching device 11 to the flow path of the heating operation mode (S21), and then keeps the refrigerant shutoff device 13 close (S22). Then, the controller 30 closes the bypass opening/closing device 15 (S23), and terminates the operation of the compressor 10 (S24). The controller 30 then terminates the outdoor fan 16 (S25), and at last, fully closes the expansion device 41 (S26).
  • the refrigerant recovered in the heat-side heat exchanger 12 and the accumulator 14 can be enclosed in the outdoor unit 1, and as a result, transferring of the refrigerant to the indoor unit 2 can be prevented. Consequently, the amount of refrigerant that would leak into a room space can be reduced, thereby improving safety.
  • the upstream side and the downstream side of the expansion device 41 are separated from each other, and consequently, the amount of refrigerant that would leak can be further reduced, thereby improving safety.
  • Fig. 6 shows a specific operation order of the refrigerant leakage amount reduction operation, however, the operation order is not limited thereto, and a similar effect can be obtained even if the operation order is reversed.
  • Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a pump-down operation of the air-conditioning apparatus of Fig. 3 in a heating operation mode and a pump-down operation in a stop mode.
  • the controller 30 switches the flow switching device 11 to the flow path of the cooling operation mode (S31), and then sets the operation frequency of the compressor 10 to a predetermined value (S32). Then, the controller 30 closes the refrigerant shutoff device 13 (S33) and opens the bypass opening/closing device 15 (S34). Then, the controller 30 sets the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 16 to a predetermined value (S35), and at last, terminates the pump-down operation when a pressure P1 (or P2) detected by either one of the first pressure detection device 20 and the second pressure detection device 21 reaches a threshold. (S36).
  • the pump-down operation of the refrigerant leakage prevention control in a heating operation mode is the same operation as the pump-down operation in a cooling operation mode expect that the first step, which is the switching operation of the flow switching device 11 shown as S11, is different.
  • the refrigerant existing in the load-side heat exchanger 40 and in the refrigerant main pipe 3 connecting from the load-side heat exchanger 40 to the refrigerant shutoff device 13, the load-side heat exchanger 40 and the refrigerant main pipe 3 in which much liquid refrigerant exists in a heating operation mode, can be recovered to the heat-side heat exchanger 12 and the accumulator 14. Therefore, the amount of the liquid refrigerant of the refrigerant existing in the indoor unit 2 and in the refrigerant main pipe 3 is reduced, and as a result, the amount of refrigerant leaking into a room space can be reduced.
  • Fig. 7 shows a specific operation order of the pump-down operation, however, the operation order is not limited thereto, and for S31 to S35, a similar effect can be obtained even if the operation order is reversed.
  • the refrigerant leakage amount reduction operation in a heating operation mode is the same as the refrigerant leakage amount reduction operation in a cooling operation mode shown in Fig. 6 . Therefore, the refrigerant recovered in the heat-side heat exchanger 12 and the accumulator 14 can be enclosed in the outdoor unit 1, and as a result, transferring of the refrigerant to the indoor unit 2 can be prevented. Consequently, the amount of refrigerant that would leak into a room space can be reduced, thereby improving safety.
  • the upstream side and the downstream side of the expansion device 41 are separated from each other, and consequently, the amount of refrigerant that would leak can be further reduced, thereby improving safety.
  • stop mode Refrigerant leakage prevention control in a case where a leakage of refrigerant occurs while the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is being stopped (hereinafter referred to as stop mode) will be explained.
  • the pump-down operation of the refrigerant leakage prevention control to be executed when a leakage of refrigerant occurs in a stop mode is the same as the pump-down operation in a heating operation mode shown in Fig. 7 , and can obtain the same effect.
  • the compressor 10 since the compressor 10 is not being operated in a stop mode and the pressure in the refrigerant circuit is constant, operation of a device that is driven by using a pressure difference needs to be performed after the operation frequency of the compressor 10 is set to a predetermined value to generate a pressure difference in the refrigerant circuit.
  • a liquid refrigerant in a stop mode, where a liquid refrigerant is present in the air-conditioning apparatus 100 depends on temperature conditions of indoor and outdoor and an elapsed time after termination, and thus the location of a liquid refrigerant varies from time to time.
  • the pump-down operation shown in Fig. 7 the ratio of the liquid refrigerant existing in the indoor unit 2 and the refrigerant main pipe 3 is reduced, and as a result, the amount of refrigerant that would leak into a room space can be reduced.
  • the refrigerant leakage amount reduction operation of the refrigerant leakage prevention control in a stop mode is the same as the refrigerant leakage amount reduction operation in a cooling operation mode shown in Fig. 6 , and can obtain the same effect.
  • thermos-off mode Refrigerant leakage prevention control in a case where a leakage of refrigerant occurs when the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is in a thermos-off state (hereinafter referred to as thermos-off mode) will be explained.
  • the pump-down operation of the refrigerant leakage prevention control to be executed when a leakage of refrigerant occurs in a thermos-off mode is the same as the pump-down operation in a heating operation mode shown in Fig. 7 , and can obtain the same effect.
  • the compressor 10 since the compressor 10 is not being operated in a thermos-off mode and the pressure in the refrigerant circuit is constant, operation of a device that is driven by using a pressure difference needs to be performed after the operation frequency of the compressor 10 is set to a predetermined value to generate a pressure difference in the refrigerant circuit.
  • the refrigerant leakage amount reduction operation of the refrigerant leakage prevention control in a thermos-off mode is the same as the refrigerant leakage amount reduction operation in a cooling operation mode shown in Fig. 6 , and can obtain the same effect.
  • Embodiment 1 a case in which two indoor units 2 are connected to the outdoor unit 1 via the refrigerant main pipe 3 is illustrated as an example, but the number of the indoor units 2 to be connected is not limited to two, and only one indoor unit 2 or three or more indoor units 2 may be connected to the outdoor unit 1.
  • Embodiment 2 of the present invention only the points different from Embodiment 1 will be explained.
  • Fig. 8 is a diagram of refrigerant circuit illustrating one example of the schematic configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
  • Embodiment 2 is different from Embodiment 1 in that an internal heat exchanger 17 is provided on a refrigerant pipe 4 on which a refrigerant shutoff device 13 is installed, a diversion part of a bypass pipe 5 is formed by branching from the refrigerant pipe 4 between the internal heat exchanger 17 and an expansion device 41, and that a bypass opening/closing device 15 is provided on the bypass pipe 5 between the diversion point and the internal heat exchanger 17.
  • the internal heat exchanger 17 is used, and therefore, especially in a cooling operation mode, the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant main pipe 3 can be increased by bypassing some of a high-pressure liquid refrigerant generated by a heat-side heat exchanger 12 by the bypass pipe 5, reducing the pressure of the bypassed refrigerant to generate a low-pressure low-temperature gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and exchanging heat with the refrigerant at the inside of the internal heat exchanger 17.
  • a feature in which the opening degree can be freely changed such as an electronic expansion valve, is used. By using such a feature, the degree of subcooling at an outlet of the internal heat exchanger 17 can be controlled.
  • Fig. 9 is a diagram of refrigerant circuit illustrating the flow of refrigerant when the air-conditioning apparatus of Fig. 8 is in a cooling operation mode. Note that the solid line arrows illustrated in the figure indicate the directions of refrigerant flow.
  • Embodiment 1 The difference from Embodiment 1 is that, in a cooling operation mode, since the bypass opening/closing device 15 is in an open state, a refrigerant flow that is bypassed from the upstream of the expansion device 41 and passes through the bypass opening/closing device 15 and the internal heat exchanger 17, in this order, is added.
  • the flow of refrigerant in a heating operation mode is the same as Embodiment 1, and thus the explanation thereof is omitted.
  • Refrigerant leakage prevention control according to Embodiment 2 can obtain the same effect as Embodiment 1 by using the same operation in each operation mode as described in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the explanation is omitted.
  • a bypass pipe 5 and a bypass opening/closing device 15 which are not used in a normal cooling operation mode or a normal heating operation mode, are required to be installed to perform a pump-down operation of the refrigerant leakage prevention control.
  • a bypass pipe 5 and a bypass opening/closing device 15 are required to make the internal heat exchanger 17 function to increase the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant that flows into the indoor unit 2 in a cooling operation mode.
  • it is not required to increase the number of components only for the pump-down operation of the refrigerant leakage prevention control.
  • Embodiment 3 of the present invention only the points different from Embodiment 1 will be explained.
  • an outdoor unit 1 and a heat medium conversion unit 60 are connected by a refrigerant main pipe 3
  • the heat medium conversion unit 60 and an indoor unit 2 are connected by a heat medium pipe 64.
  • An outdoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 3 has the same configuration as the outdoor unit 1 of Embodiment 1, and therefore the explanation is omitted.
  • An indoor unit 2 in Embodiment 3 has the same configuration as the indoor unit 2 of Embodiment 1 except that a pipe for connecting components is a heat medium pipe 64, instead of a refrigerant pipe 4, and therefore the explanation is omitted.
  • a heat medium conversion unit 60 is formed by connecting, by a heat medium pipe 64, a heat medium heat exchanger 61, a pump 62 that feeds a heat medium such as water or brine, and a flow rate control device 63 that controls the flow rate of the heat medium flowing inside the heat medium pipe 64, and is provided in a space such as a machine room or above a ceiling.
  • the heat medium heat exchanger 61 exchanges heat between refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 1 and the heat medium, and is formed of, for example, a plate-type heat exchanger.
  • the indoor unit 2 can perform a cooling operation or a heating operation by using the heat exchanged from the refrigerant to the heat medium at the heat medium heat exchanger 61.
  • the flow rate control device 63 controls the flow rate of the heat medium supplied to the indoor unit 2, and a mechanism capable of arbitrarily controlling the degree of opening is used as the flow rate control device 63. In addition, by controlling the flow rate control device 63 in such a manner that a difference in temperature between a third temperature detection device 51 and a fourth temperature detection device 52 provided in the indoor unit 2 becomes constant, the capacity is controlled according to the indoor load, and thus is convenient.
  • Embodiment 3 a case in which there are one heat medium conversion unit 60 and one indoor unit 2 is illustrated as an example, but the numbers of the units are not limited thereto, and a plurality of heat medium conversion units 60 and indoor units 2 may be connected.
  • Refrigerant leakage prevention control according to Embodiment 3 can obtain the same effect as Embodiment 1 by using the same operation in each operation mode as described in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the explanation is omitted.
  • Embodiment 3 Even in an indirect air-conditioning system in which refrigerant does not flow through an indoor unit 2, as in Embodiment 3, the amount of refrigerant that would leak into a machine room or a space above a ceiling can be reduced by performing the refrigerant leakage prevention control, and as a result, a higher degree of safety is assured in the air-conditioning apparatus 100.
  • Embodiments 1 to 3 each show an example in which the bypass pipe 5 and the bypass opening/closing device 15 are provided inside the outdoor unit 1, but the location is not limited thereto, and the bypass pipe 5 and the bypass opening/closing device 15 may be provided outside the outdoor unit 1. In this case, too, the same effect can be obtained.
  • Embodiments 1 to 3 an example where the number of the outdoor unit 1 is one is explained, but the number of the outdoor unit 1 is not limited to one, and, when a leakage of refrigerant occurs, each of a plurality of outdoor units 1 performs the refrigeration leakage prevention control defined in each embodiment and the same effect can be obtained.
  • the same effect can be obtained by performing the refrigerant leakage prevention control for a cooling operation mode if the heat-side heat exchanger 12 of the outdoor unit 1 functions as a condenser, and performing the refrigerant leakage prevention control for heating operation mode if the heat-side heat exchanger 12 of the outdoor unit 1 functions as an evaporator.
  • Embodiments 1 to 3 an example where one compressor 10 is connected to the outdoor unit 1 is explained, but two or more compressors 10 may be connected to the outdoor unit 1.
  • Embodiments 1 to 3 each show an example where the refrigerant shutoff device 13 is provided in the outdoor unit 1, but the configuration is not limited thereto, and the refrigerant shutoff device 13 may be provided anywhere between the heat-side heat exchanger 12 and the expansion device 41.

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Claims (12)

  1. Appareil de climatisation (100) comprenant :
    un circuit de fluide frigorigène formé en reliant un compresseur (10), un dispositif de commutation d'écoulement (11), un premier échangeur de chaleur (12), un premier dispositif de détente (41a, 41b), un second échangeur de chaleur (40a, 40b) et un accumulateur (14) à l'aide d'un tuyau (3, 4), l'appareil de climatisation (100) étant conçu pour commuter entre une opération de refroidissement, dans laquelle le premier échangeur de chaleur (12) sert de condenseur et le second échangeur de chaleur (40a, 40b) sert d'évaporateur, et une opération de chauffage, dans laquelle le second échangeur de chaleur (40a, 40b) sert de condenseur et le premier échangeur de chaleur (12) sert d'évaporateur en commutant le dispositif de commutation d'écoulement (11), l'appareil de climatisation ;
    étant caractérisé par
    un premier dispositif d'ouverture-fermeture (13) prévu sur le tuyau (3, 4) entre le premier échangeur de chaleur (12) et le dispositif de détente (41a, 41b) ; et
    un tuyau de dérivation (5) partant du tuyau (3, 4) entre le premier dispositif d'ouverture-fermeture (13) et le dispositif de détente (41a, 41b) et reliée au tuyau (4) entre le dispositif de commutation d'écoulement (11) et l'accumulateur (14) ; et
    un second dispositif d'ouverture-fermeture (15) prévu sur le tuyau de dérivation (5) ;
    un dispositif de commande (30) conçu pour effectuer une opération d'évacuation dans laquelle, lorsqu'une fuite de fluide frigorigène est détectée, le dispositif de commutation d'écoulement (11) commute dans un état d'opération de refroidissement de sorte que le fluide frigorigène dans les tuyaux (3, 4) est récupéré dans le premier échangeur de chaleur (12) et l'accumulateur (14), et dans laquelle les premier et second dispositifs d'ouverture-fermeture (13, 15) et le compresseur (10) sont commandés, puis pour effectuer une opération de réduction de la quantité de fuite de fluide frigorigène dans laquelle le dispositif de commutation d'écoulement (11) commute dans un état d'opération de chauffage de sorte que le fluide frigorigène récupéré est enfermé dans le premier échangeur de chaleur (12) et l'accumulateur (14) et dans laquelle les premier et second dispositifs d'ouverture-fermeture (13, 15) et le compresseur (10) sont commandés.
  2. Appareil de climatisation (100) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel, lors de l'exécution de l'opération d'évacuation, le dispositif de commande (30) est conçu pour fermer le premier dispositif d'ouverturefermeture (13), et commander une fréquence de fonctionnement du compresseur (10).
  3. Appareil de climatisation (100) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel, lors de l'exécution de l'opération de réduction de la quantité de fuite de fluide frigorigène, le dispositif de commande (30) est conçu pour fermer le premier dispositif d'ouverture-fermeture (13), et mettre fin au fonctionnement du compresseur (10).
  4. Appareil de climatisation (100) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel, lors de l'exécution de l'opération d'évacuation, le dispositif de commande (30) est conçu pour fermer le premier dispositif d'ouverture-fermeture (13), ouvrir le second dispositif d'ouverture-fermeture (15), et commander une fréquence de fonctionnement du compresseur (10).
  5. Appareil de climatisation (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel, lors de l'exécution de l'opération de réduction de la quantité de fuite de fluide frigorigène, le dispositif de commande (30) est conçu pour fermer le premier dispositif d'ouverture-fermeture (13), fermer le second dispositif d'ouverture-fermeture (15) et mettre fin au fonctionnement du compresseur (10).
  6. Appareil de climatisation (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, comprenant en outre un ventilateur (16) conçu pour envoyer l'air extérieur vers le premier échangeur de chaleur (12),
    dans lequel le dispositif de commande (30) est conçu pour régler une vitesse de rotation du ventilateur (16) au maximum pendant l'opération d'évacuation.
  7. Appareil de climatisation (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, comprenant en outre :
    un premier dispositif de détection de pression (20) conçu pour détecter une pression d'un côté d'évacuation du compresseur (10) ; et
    un second dispositif de détection de pression (21) conçu pour détecter une pression d'un côté d'aspiration du compresseur (10),
    dans lequel, le dispositif de commande (30) est conçu pour établir une condition pour mettre fin à l'opération d'évacuation, avec l'une ou l'autre situation parmi une situation dans laquelle une valeur de détection du premier dispositif de détection de pression (20) devient supérieure ou égale à un premier seuil et une valeur de détection du second dispositif de détection de pression (21) devient inférieure ou égale à un second seuil, et une situation dans laquelle une valeur de détection du premier dispositif de détection de pression (20) devient supérieure ou égale à un premier seuil ou une valeur de détection du second dispositif de détection de pression (21) devient inférieure ou égale à un second seuil.
  8. Appareil de climatisation (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7,
    dans lequel, lors de l'exécution de l'opération de réduction de la quantité de fuite de fluide frigorigène, le dispositif de commande (30) ferme complètement le dispositif de détente (41a, 41b).
  9. Appareil de climatisation (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, comprenant en outre une unité extérieure (1) comportant au moins le compresseur (10), le dispositif de commutation d'écoulement (11), le premier échangeur de chaleur (12), l'accumulateur (14) et le premier dispositif d'ouverture-fermeture (13).
  10. Appareil de climatisation (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, comprenant en outre un échangeur de chaleur à fluide caloporteur (61) conçu pour échanger de la chaleur entre le fluide frigorigène et un fluide caloporteur,
    dans lequel le second échangeur de chaleur (40a, 40b) est conçu pour effectuer la climatisation d'une pièce à l'aide de la chaleur échangée par le fluide caloporteur avec l'échangeur de chaleur à fluide caloporteur (61).
  11. Appareil de climatisation (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 et 10,
    dans lequel une pluralité d'unités extérieures (1) sont prévues, et une opération d'évacuation et une opération de réduction de la quantité de fuite de fluide frigorigène sont effectuées dans chaque unité extérieure (1).
  12. Appareil de climatisation (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, comprenant en outre une pluralité d'unités intérieures (2) ayant chacune au moins un premier dispositif de détente (41a, 41b) et le second échangeur de chaleur (40a, 40b),
    dans lequel la pluralité d'unités intérieures (2) exécute un mode de fonctionnement dans lequel une opération de refroidissement et une opération de chauffage sont exécutées simultanément.
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EP3279580A1 (fr) 2018-02-07
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EP3279580A4 (fr) 2019-05-15
JP6479162B2 (ja) 2019-03-06

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