JP2007232322A - Refrigerating cycle device and control method for refrigerating cycle device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To operate a refrigerating cycle device with high efficiency by adjusting the amount of circulation flowing into an expansion mechanism, in a wider range without degrading the reliability of the expansion device in the refrigerating cycle device provided with the expansion device with its rotating speed changeable independently of the rotating speed of a compression mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerating cycle device comprises: the compression mechanism 2; a heat source side heat exchanger 6; the expansion mechanism 5 for recovering power, with its rotating speed changeable independently of the rotating speed of the compression mechanism 2; a utilization side heat exchanger 3; and a preliminary pressure reducer 11 reducing the pressure of a refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5. Consequently, when the high pressure side pressure cannot be regulated to a desired pressure unless the rotating speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated to the outside of its working range, the high pressure side pressure is regulated by operating the opening of the preliminary pressure reducer. Operation of high efficiency is thereby performed without degrading the reliability of the expansion mechanism. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus having an expansion mechanism for recovering power and a control method for the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

  A refrigeration cycle apparatus has been proposed in which an expansion mechanism is provided instead of a decompressor, and pressure energy at the time of expansion is recovered as power to improve COP (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such an expansion mechanism can be roughly divided into two types depending on the power recovery method. One is a type (hereinafter referred to as a mechanical energy recovery type) in which the rotation shafts of the expansion mechanism and the compression mechanism are connected to one shaft and the power generated by the expansion mechanism is transmitted to the compression mechanism as mechanical energy (rotational energy). The other is a type in which a generator is connected to the rotating shaft of the expansion mechanism, and the power generated by the expansion mechanism is recovered as electric energy (hereinafter referred to as an electric energy recovery type).

  Hereinafter, the rotation speed of the compression mechanism is Hzc, the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism is Hze, and both the compression mechanism and the expansion mechanism are positive displacement types. The cylinder volume of the compressor is VC and the cylinder volume of the expansion mechanism is VE. The density of the refrigerant flowing into the mechanism will be described as DC, and the density of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism will be described as DE. Since the mass circulation amounts flowing through the compression mechanism and the expansion mechanism are the same, “VC × DC × Hzc = VE × DE × Hze”, that is, “VC / VE = (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc)” The relationship is established. Since VC / VE (design volume ratio) is a constant determined at the time of device design, the refrigeration cycle tries to balance so that the product of DE / DC (density ratio) and Hze / Hzc (rotational speed ratio) is always constant. To do.

  In the case of the electric energy recovery type, the rotation speed Hze of the expansion mechanism can be set regardless of the rotation speed Hzc of the compression mechanism. Therefore, the rotation speed Hze of the expansion mechanism (that is, the generator torque) is adjusted, and the refrigeration cycle Methods have been proposed to best adjust the high side pressure of the device. Alternatively, there is a configuration and control method for adjusting to the best high-pressure side pressure by changing the density of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism by exchanging heat with the internal heat exchanger and controlling the circulation amount flowing into the expansion mechanism. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the case of the mechanical energy recovery type, the compression mechanism and the expansion mechanism rotate at the same rotational speed. Since the mass circulation amounts flowing through the compression mechanism and the expansion mechanism are equal, the relationship of “VC × DC = VE × DE”, that is, “VC / VE = DE / DC” is established. Since VC / VE (design volume ratio) is a constant determined at the time of designing the device, the refrigeration cycle tries to balance so that DE / DC (density ratio) is always constant. (Hereafter, this is referred to as “constant density ratio constant”.)
However, the usage conditions of the refrigeration cycle equipment are not necessarily constant. If the design volume ratio assumed at the time of design and the density ratio in the actual operation state are different, the best high pressure It becomes difficult to adjust to the side pressure.

Therefore, there is a configuration and control method for adjusting to the best high pressure side pressure by providing a bypass flow path for bypassing the expansion mechanism, a decompressor upstream and downstream of the expansion mechanism, and controlling the amount of circulation flowing into the expansion mechanism. Proposed. Alternatively, there is a configuration and control method for adjusting to the best high-pressure side pressure by changing the density of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism by exchanging heat with the internal heat exchanger and controlling the circulation amount flowing into the expansion mechanism. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP-A-56-112896 JP 2000-329416 A

  Patent Document 1 does not describe any specific method for adjusting the high-pressure side pressure. In Patent Document 2, in the case of the electric energy recovery type, the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism is out of the use range (from the viewpoint of reliability of the expansion mechanism, the minimum rotational speed or the predetermined maximum rotational speed or less). In this case, it is not described how to adjust the high-pressure side pressure. For this reason, there existed a subject which the case where the highly efficient driving | operation of a refrigerating-cycle apparatus cannot be performed, ensuring the reliability of an expansion mechanism occurred.

  Further, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, in the case of the mechanical energy recovery type, as a method for adjusting the high-pressure side pressure, a method using a change in the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger, a pre-decompressor is provided before the expansion mechanism. The method of providing, the method of providing the bypass flow path which bypasses an expansion mechanism, etc. are described. However, in the case of the electric energy recovery type, there is no description about the matter of combining with these methods. In the case of the mechanical energy recovery type, there is no description on how to use or combine these methods. Therefore, there is a problem that the high pressure side pressure cannot be adjusted by the best method and the refrigeration cycle apparatus cannot be operated efficiently.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a refrigeration cycle apparatus equipped with an electric energy recovery type expansion mechanism, which reduces the amount of circulation flowing into the expansion mechanism from the prior art without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism. The purpose is to adjust the refrigeration cycle apparatus over a wide range and operate it with high efficiency.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery whose rotation speed can be changed independently of the rotation speed of the compression mechanism, and utilization A side heat exchanger and a pre-depressurizer for depressurizing the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism are provided. According to this, if the high pressure side pressure cannot be adjusted to a desired pressure unless the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism is out of the range of use, the high pressure side pressure can be reduced by operating the opening of the pre-decompressor. Since it can be adjusted, efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism.

  Further, the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery whose rotation speed can be changed independently of the rotation speed of the compression mechanism, a utilization side heat exchanger, and an expansion mechanism. A bypass circuit for bypassing a part of the refrigerant flowing in is provided. According to this, if the high-pressure side pressure cannot be adjusted to a desired pressure unless the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism is out of its use range, the refrigerant circulation amount flowing into the bypass circuit is manipulated to control the high-pressure side pressure. Since the pressure can be adjusted, an efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism.

  In addition, the control method of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and a pre-depressurizer that depressurizes refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus, one of the high pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, and the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism is determined in advance even though the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism has reached a predetermined minimum rotation speed. When the target value is not reached, the refrigerant is depressurized by the pre-decompressor. According to this, even when the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism is the predetermined minimum rotation speed, when the high-pressure side pressure cannot be adjusted to a desired pressure, instead of decreasing the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism, the opening of the pre-reducer is reduced. By operating in the closing direction, the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure, so that an efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism.

  The control method of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and a bypass circuit that bypasses a part of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus provided, the high pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, or the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism is determined in advance even though the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism has reached a predetermined maximum rotation speed. When the predetermined target value is exceeded, a part of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism is bypassed. According to this, even if the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism is the predetermined maximum rotation speed, if the high-pressure side pressure cannot be adjusted to a desired pressure, the refrigerant circulation that flows into the bypass circuit instead of increasing the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism By increasing the amount, the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure, so that efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism.

  Further, the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery whose rotation speed can be changed independently of the rotation speed of the compression mechanism, a utilization side heat exchanger, and an expansion mechanism. An internal heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant flowing in is provided. According to this, if the high-pressure side pressure cannot be adjusted to the desired pressure unless the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism is out of its use range, the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger can be Since the side pressure can be adjusted, an efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism.

  The control method of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus, one of the high pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, and the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism is determined in advance even though the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism has reached a predetermined minimum rotation speed. When the set target value is not reached, the internal heat exchanger is not substantially operated. According to this, even when the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism is the predetermined minimum rotation speed, when the high-pressure side pressure cannot be adjusted to a desired pressure, instead of decreasing the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism, the heat in the internal heat exchanger is reduced. By reducing the exchange amount, the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure, so that an efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism.

  The control method of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus, the high pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, or the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism is determined in advance, even though the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism has reached the predetermined maximum rotation speed. When the target value is exceeded, the internal heat exchanger is substantially operated. According to this, even if the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism is the maximum rotation speed determined in advance, if the high-pressure side pressure cannot be adjusted to a desired pressure, instead of increasing the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism, the heat in the internal heat exchanger is increased. By increasing the exchange amount, the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure, so that efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism.

  The control method of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus, any one of the high pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, and the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism is determined in advance even though the internal heat exchanger is not substantially operated. Only when the value does not reach, the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism is reduced. According to this, when the amount of internal heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger is first reduced and the high pressure side pressure is adjusted, and then the internal heat exchange amount is substantially minimized, it cannot be adjusted to the optimum high pressure side pressure. Only by reducing the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism in the decreasing direction, the frequency of occurrence of a state that decreases the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism can be reduced as the reliability of the expansion mechanism is decreased. It is possible to perform an efficient operation without causing it to occur.

The control method of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus, any one of the high pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, and the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism is set to a predetermined target value even though the internal heat exchanger is substantially operated. Only when the value exceeds the value, the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism is increased. According to this, when the amount of internal heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger is first increased and the high pressure side pressure is adjusted, then even if the internal heat exchange amount is substantially maximum, it cannot be adjusted to the optimum high pressure side pressure However, by manipulating the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism in the increasing direction, the lower the reliability of the expansion mechanism, the lower the frequency with which the state of increasing the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism can occur. It is possible to perform an efficient operation without causing it to occur.

  According to the present invention, in a refrigeration cycle apparatus equipped with an expansion mechanism of an electric energy recovery type, the amount of circulation flowing into the expansion mechanism is adjusted in a wider range than in the prior art, without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism. The cycle apparatus can be operated with high efficiency.

  The first invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism for recovering power whose rotation speed can be changed independently of the rotation speed of the compression mechanism, a use side heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. By providing a pre-decompressor that depressurizes, if the high-pressure side pressure cannot be adjusted to a desired pressure without operating the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism to the extent that it is outside its operating range, the opening of the pre-decompressor is manipulated. Thus, since the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted, efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism.

  The second invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism for recovering power whose rotation speed can be changed independently of the rotation speed of the compression mechanism, a use side heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. By providing a bypass circuit that bypasses a part of the refrigerant, if the high-pressure side pressure cannot be adjusted to a desired pressure without operating the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism to the extent that it is out of its use range, the refrigerant circulation amount that flows into the bypass circuit Since the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted by operating, efficient operation can be performed without degrading the reliability of the expansion mechanism.

  A third invention is a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and a pre-depressurizer that depressurizes refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. Even if the number of rotations of the engine reaches the predetermined minimum number of rotations, any of the high-pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, and the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism does not reach the predetermined target value In this case, the high pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure by controlling the refrigerant to be depressurized by the pre-depressurizer, so that an efficient operation can be performed without degrading the reliability of the expansion mechanism.

  A fourth invention is a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and a bypass circuit that bypasses a part of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. Despite the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism reaching a predetermined maximum rotation speed, either the high-pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, or the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism exceeds a predetermined target value In this case, by controlling so that a part of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism is bypassed, the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure, so that efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism. It can be carried out.

The fifth invention includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism for recovering power whose rotation speed can be changed independently of the rotation speed of the compression mechanism, a use side heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. If the high-pressure side pressure cannot be adjusted to a desired pressure without operating the expansion mechanism so that the number of rotations of the expansion mechanism is out of its operating range by providing an internal heat exchanger for cooling, the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger Since the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted by operating, efficient operation can be performed without degrading the reliability of the expansion mechanism.

  A sixth invention relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. One of the high pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, and the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism does not reach the predetermined target value even though the rotation speed of the mechanism reaches the predetermined minimum rotation speed. In this case, by controlling so that the internal heat exchanger does not substantially act, the high pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure, so that an efficient operation can be performed without degrading the reliability of the expansion mechanism. Can do.

  A seventh invention is a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. When the number of rotations of the mechanism reaches a predetermined maximum number of rotations, but either the high-pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, or the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism exceeds a predetermined target value Therefore, by controlling the internal heat exchanger to act substantially, the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure, so that efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism. it can.

  An eighth invention is a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. Only when the high-pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, or the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism does not reach a predetermined target value even though the heat exchanger is not substantially operated, the expansion is performed. By controlling so as to reduce the rotation speed of the mechanism, the frequency of occurrence of a state that decreases the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism can be reduced as the reliability of the expansion mechanism is reduced, so that the reliability of the expansion mechanism is reduced. And efficient operation can be performed.

  A ninth invention is a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism. Only when the high-pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, or the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism exceeds a predetermined target value despite the fact that the heat exchanger is substantially operated, the expansion mechanism By controlling to increase the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism, the frequency of occurrence of a state that increases the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism can be reduced as the reliability of the expansion mechanism is decreased, so that the reliability of the expansion mechanism is not decreased. Efficient operation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. For example, in the following embodiment, a hot water heater will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the hot water heater, and may be an air conditioner or the like.

(Embodiment 1)
A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described using a refrigeration cycle apparatus whose schematic configuration is shown in FIG. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of FIG. 1 includes a compression mechanism 2 driven by an electric motor 1, a refrigerant flow path of a radiator 3 as a use side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism 5 that recovers power by a generator 4, and a heat source side heat exchanger. For example, a refrigerant circuit A in which a CO ₂ refrigerant is enclosed as a refrigerant, a water supply pump 7 as a utilization fluid conveying means, a fluid flow path of the radiator 3, a hot water supply tank 8, and the like. And a fluid circuit B. The refrigerant circuit A further includes the following components. The air blower 9 as the heat source fluid conveying means blows a heat source fluid (for example, outside air) to the evaporator 6. The pre-expansion valve 11 as a pre-depressurizer depressurizes the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 in advance, and reduces the density of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5.

  The first bypass flow path 12 connects the refrigerant outlet of the radiator 3 to the inlet of the expansion mechanism 5 and connects the outlet of the expansion mechanism 5 to the inlet of the compression mechanism 2 to bypass the refrigerant flowing through the expansion mechanism 5. The first bypass flow path 12 is provided with a first bypass valve 13 that adjusts the amount of refrigerant circulation to be bypassed. The internal heat exchanger 14 is configured such that the refrigerant from the refrigerant outlet of the radiator 3 flowing through the high-pressure channel 14a to the inlet of the expansion mechanism 5 passes from the refrigerant outlet of the evaporator 6 flowing through the low-pressure channel 14b to the inlet of the compression mechanism 2. It is configured to be cooled by the refrigerant up to.

  The discharge temperature detection means 20 is installed on the refrigerant pipe from the discharge of the compression mechanism 2 to the refrigerant inlet of the radiator 3 and detects the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism 2. The expansion mechanism rotational speed control means 21 controls the rotational speed of the generator 4, and the pre-expansion valve opening control means 22 adjusts the opening of the pre-expansion valve 11. The first bypass valve opening control means 23 adjusts the opening of the first bypass valve 13. The electronic control means 25 determines the state of the refrigeration cycle based on a signal from the discharge temperature detection means 20, etc., and the expansion mechanism rotation speed control means 21, the pre-expansion valve opening degree control means 22, and the first bypass valve opening degree control means. Give instructions to 23.

  Next, regarding the operation at the time of operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus configured as described above, first, the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) in the actual operation state is designed. A case will be described in which the design volume ratio (VC / VE) that is sometimes assumed is substantially equal.

In the refrigerant circuit A, the CO ₂ refrigerant is compressed by the compression mechanism 2 to a pressure exceeding the critical pressure (high pressure side pressure). The compressed refrigerant becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure state, and when it flows through the refrigerant flow path of the radiator 3, it dissipates heat to the water flowing through the fluid flow path of the radiator 3 and is cooled. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows into the high-pressure side passage 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14 and is further cooled by the low-pressure and low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure side passage 14b. In this case, the first bypass valve 13 is in a fully closed state, the refrigerant does not flow through the first bypass flow path 12, and all the refrigerant flows into the expansion mechanism 5 through the fully-expanded pre-expansion valve 11. Thereafter, the refrigerant is depressurized by the expansion mechanism 5 and becomes a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase state.

  At this time, the expansion mechanism 5 converts the pressure energy of the refrigerant into power, and the power is converted into electric power by the generator 4. Thus, the pressure energy at the time of expansion can be recovered as electric power to improve COP. The refrigerant decompressed by the expansion mechanism 5 is supplied to the evaporator 6. In the evaporator 6, the refrigerant is heated by the outside air sent by the blower 9, and enters a gas-liquid two-phase or gas state. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the evaporator 6 is heated in the low-pressure channel 14 b of the internal heat exchanger 14 and then sucked into the compression mechanism 2 again.

  On the other hand, in the fluid circuit B, the use fluid (for example, water) sent from the bottom of the hot water supply tank 8 to the fluid flow path of the radiator 3 by the water supply pump 7 is heated by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path of the radiator 3. The hot fluid (for example, hot water) is stored, and the hot fluid is stored from the top of the hot water supply tank 8. By repeating such a cycle, the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present embodiment can be used as a water heater.

  Next, the case where the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio in the actual operation state is different from the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design will be described. First, an operation when the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio in an actual operation state is larger than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design will be described. In this case, assuming that the rotation speed ratio is constant, the refrigeration cycle tries to balance in a state where the high-pressure side pressure is reduced so that the refrigerant density (DE) at the inlet of the expansion mechanism 5 becomes small.

However, in a state where the high-pressure side pressure is lower than the desired pressure, the discharge temperature is lowered, the heating capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is lowered, and the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is lowered. For this reason, first, the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is manipulated in the decreasing direction to reduce the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotational speed ratio. As a result, the high pressure side pressure does not decrease and the optimum state can be maintained.

  However, the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is determined in advance from the viewpoint of the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5. That is, if the operation is performed below a predetermined minimum number of rotations for a long period of time, there is a risk that the sliding portion may be worn due to difficulty in supplying oil to the sliding portion of the expansion mechanism. There is.

  Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, even when the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 reaches a predetermined minimum rotation speed, the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio in the actual operation state (DE / When DC) × (Hze / Hzc) is larger than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design, the pre-expansion valve 11 is operated in the closing direction to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5. Thereby, by falling below the minimum rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5, the refrigerant density (DE) can be reduced without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5, and the high-pressure side pressure can be kept low and the optimum state can be maintained.

  As described above, when the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 reaches the predetermined minimum rotation speed, the opening degree of the pre-expansion valve 11 is operated in the closing direction instead of decreasing the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5. Thus, since the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure, efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5.

  Conversely, the operation when the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) in the actual operation state is smaller than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design will be described. . In this case, assuming that the rotation speed ratio is constant, the refrigeration cycle tries to balance in a state where the high-pressure side pressure is increased so that the refrigerant density (DE) at the inlet of the expansion mechanism 5 is increased.

  However, when the high-pressure side pressure is higher than the desired pressure, the operating efficiency of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is reduced. For this reason, first, the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated in the increasing direction to increase the product of the density ratio and the rotational speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc). As a result, the high-pressure side pressure does not increase and the optimum state can be maintained.

  However, the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is determined in advance from the viewpoint of the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5. That is, if an operation exceeding a predetermined maximum rotational speed is performed for a long period of time, there is a possibility that problems such as wear of the bearing of the expansion mechanism and the sliding portion may occur. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, even when the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 reaches a predetermined maximum rotation speed, the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio (DE / When DC) × (Hze / Hzc) is smaller than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design, the first bypass valve 13 is operated in the opening direction, and a part of the refrigerant is passed through the first bypass flow path. 12 to flow.

  Thus, exceeding the maximum rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 can reduce the amount of refrigerant circulating into the expansion mechanism 5 without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5, and the high-pressure side pressure does not increase. The optimum state can be maintained.

  Thus, when the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 reaches a predetermined maximum rotation speed, instead of increasing the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5, by operating the first bypass valve 13 in the opening direction, Since the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure, an efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5.

Next, a control method will be described. The compression mechanism 2, substantially the electric motor 1 that is a drive source,
Outside air temperature detecting means (not shown), incoming water temperature detecting means (not shown), etc. detected by the outside air temperature, incoming water temperature, target boiling temperature set by the user (the temperature of hot water stored in the hot water tank, or It is controlled by a compression mechanism rotational speed control means (not shown) so as to be the rotational speed calculated by the electronic control device 25 from the target value of the fluid outlet temperature of the radiator 3).

  Further, as a specific operation method of the expansion mechanism 5, the pre-expansion valve 11 and the first bypass valve 13, the electronic control device 25, the expansion mechanism rotation speed control means 21, the pre-expansion valve opening control means 22 and the first The control performed by the bypass valve opening degree control means 23 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The control of this embodiment does not measure the high-pressure side pressure, which requires a high-cost sensor for measurement, and uses the correlation between the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature to enable discharge that can be measured relatively inexpensively. The expansion mechanism 5, the pre-expansion valve 11, and the first bypass valve 13 are controlled by the temperature.

  During the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus, the detection value (discharge temperature: Td) (100) from the discharge temperature detecting means 20 is taken in. The target discharge temperature (target Td) stored in advance in the ROM or the like is compared with the discharge temperature (Td) taken in (100) (110). When the discharge temperature (Td) is lower than the target discharge temperature (target Td), the high-pressure side pressure tends to be lower than the optimum pressure. Therefore, first, it is determined whether or not the first bypass valve 13 is fully closed. Determine (120). If the first bypass valve 13 is fully closed, it is determined whether the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined minimum rotation speed (minimum Hze) (130). When the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined minimum rotation speed (minimum Hze), the pre-expansion valve 11 is operated in the closing direction (140), and the refrigerant flows into the expansion mechanism 5 Is reduced, the refrigerant density is decreased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are increased.

  Alternatively, when the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has not reached the predetermined minimum rotation speed (minimum Hze), the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated in a decreasing direction (150), The refrigerant circulation amount flowing through the expansion mechanism 5 is decreased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are increased. In step 120, if the first bypass valve 13 is not fully closed, the first bypass valve 13 is operated in the closing direction (160), and the refrigerant flows into the first bypass flow path 12 that bypasses the expansion mechanism 5. Reduce the amount of circulation and increase the high-pressure side pressure and discharge temperature.

  On the other hand, when the discharge temperature (Td) is higher than the target discharge temperature (target Td) in step 110, the high-pressure side pressure tends to be higher than the optimum pressure, so the pre-expansion valve 11 is first fully opened. It is determined whether or not (170). If the pre-expansion valve 11 is fully open, it is determined whether or not the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined maximum rotation speed (maximum Hze) (180). When the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined maximum rotation speed (maximum Hze), the first bypass valve 13 is operated in the opening direction (190) to bypass the expansion mechanism 5. The refrigerant circulation amount flowing into the first bypass flow path 12 to be increased is increased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are decreased.

  When the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 does not reach the predetermined maximum rotation speed (maximum Hze), the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated in the increasing direction (200) The refrigerant circulation amount flowing through the mechanism 5 is increased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are decreased. Alternatively, if the pre-expansion valve 11 is not fully opened in step 170, the pre-expansion valve 11 is operated in the opening direction (210) so that the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 is not decompressed and the refrigerant density is not reduced. By doing so, the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are lowered. After the above steps, the process returns to step 100 and is repeated thereafter from steps 100 to 210, whereby the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5, the opening degree of the pre-expansion valve 11 and the first bypass valve 13, as shown in FIG. Controls that are linked.

As described above, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus having the configuration of the present embodiment, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus provided with the electric energy recovery type expansion mechanism, even if the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is reduced within the use range, the discharge is performed. When the temperature (Td) does not reach the target discharge temperature (target Td), the operating range of the expansion mechanism 5 is exceeded by operating the pre-expansion valve 11 in the closing direction based on the discharge temperature to depressurize the refrigerant. Therefore, the pressure can be adjusted to a desired high-pressure side pressure, and the operation can be performed without reducing the operation efficiency and capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

  Conversely, if the discharge temperature (Td) exceeds the target discharge temperature (target Td) even if the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is increased within the use range, the first bypass valve 13 is opened based on the discharge temperature. The refrigerant circulation amount that flows into the expansion mechanism 5 is decreased by flowing a part of the refrigerant through the first bypass flow path 12 to a desired high pressure side pressure without exceeding the use range of the expansion mechanism 5. It can be adjusted and operated without reducing the operating efficiency and capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

(Embodiment 2)
A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using a refrigeration cycle apparatus whose schematic configuration is shown in FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of FIG. 4 includes a second bypass passage 31 that bypasses the high-pressure side passage 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14, and a second bypass valve 32 that adjusts the amount of refrigerant circulating through the second bypass passage 31. ing. The second bypass valve opening degree control means 33 adjusts the opening degree of the second bypass valve 32.

  Next, regarding the operation at the time of operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus configured as described above, first, the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) in the actual operation state is designed. A case will be described in which the design volume ratio (VC / VE) that is sometimes assumed is substantially equal.

In the refrigerant circuit A, the CO ₂ refrigerant is compressed by the compression mechanism 2 to a pressure exceeding the critical pressure (high pressure side pressure). The compressed refrigerant becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure state, and when it flows through the refrigerant flow path of the radiator 3, it dissipates heat to the water flowing through the fluid flow path of the radiator 3 and is cooled. Thereafter, the refrigerant is not flown through the second bypass flow path 31 but flows into the high pressure side flow path 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14 and flows through the low pressure side flow path 14b by the fully closed second bypass valve 32. The refrigerant is further cooled. In this case, the first bypass valve 13 is also in a fully closed state, the refrigerant does not flow through the first bypass flow path 12, and all the refrigerant flows into the expansion mechanism 5.

  Thereafter, the refrigerant is depressurized by the expansion mechanism 5 and becomes a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase state. At this time, the expansion mechanism 5 converts the pressure energy of the refrigerant into power, and the power is converted into electric power by the generator 4. Thus, the pressure energy at the time of expansion can be recovered as electric power to improve COP. The refrigerant decompressed by the expansion mechanism 5 is supplied to the evaporator 6. In the evaporator 6, the refrigerant is heated by the outside air sent by the blower 9, and enters a gas-liquid two-phase or gas state. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the evaporator 6 is heated in the low-pressure channel 14 b of the internal heat exchanger 14 and then sucked into the compression mechanism 2 again.

Next, the case where the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio in the actual operation state is different from the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design will be described. First, an operation when the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio in an actual operation state is larger than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design will be described. In this case, assuming that the rotation speed ratio is constant, the refrigeration cycle tries to balance in a state where the high-pressure side pressure is reduced so that the refrigerant density (DE) at the inlet of the expansion mechanism 5 becomes small. However, in a state where the high-pressure side pressure is lower than the desired pressure, the discharge temperature is lowered, the heating capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is lowered, and the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is lowered. For this reason, first, the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is manipulated in the decreasing direction to reduce the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotational speed ratio. As a result, the high pressure side pressure does not decrease and the optimum state can be maintained.

  However, the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is determined in advance from the viewpoint of the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5. That is, if the operation is performed below a predetermined minimum number of rotations for a long period of time, there is a risk that the sliding portion may be worn due to difficulty in supplying oil to the sliding portion of the expansion mechanism. There is. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, even when the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 reaches a predetermined minimum rotation speed, the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio in the actual operation state (DE / When (DC) × (Hze / Hzc) is larger than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design, the second bypass valve 31 is operated in the opening direction to cause the refrigerant to pass through the second bypass flow path 31. The refrigerant circulation amount flowing into the high-pressure channel 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14 is reduced. Thereby, the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14 is reduced, and the density (DE) of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 is reduced. Therefore, by falling below the minimum rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5, the refrigerant density (DE) can be reduced without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5, and the optimum state can be maintained without reducing the high-pressure side pressure.

  Thus, when the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 reaches the predetermined minimum rotation speed, the opening degree of the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the opening direction instead of decreasing the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5. By reducing the internal heat exchange amount, the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure, so that an efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5.

  Conversely, for the operation when the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotational speed ratio in the actual operating state is smaller than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design, The description is omitted because it is similar to the description in (Embodiment 1).

  Next, a control method will be described. As specific operating methods of the expansion mechanism 5, the first bypass valve 13, and the second bypass valve 32, the electronic control device 25, the expansion mechanism rotation speed control means 21, the first bypass valve opening control means 23, the second The control performed by the bypass valve opening degree control means 33 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  During operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus, a detection value (discharge temperature: Td) (300) from the discharge temperature detection means 20 is taken in. The target discharge temperature (target Td) stored in advance in the ROM or the like is compared with the discharge temperature (Td) taken in at (300) (310). When the discharge temperature (Td) is lower than the target discharge temperature (target Td), the high-pressure side pressure tends to be lower than the optimum pressure. Therefore, first, it is determined whether or not the first bypass valve 13 is fully closed. Determine (320). When the first bypass valve 13 is fully closed, it is determined whether the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined minimum rotation speed (minimum Hze) (330). When the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined minimum rotation speed (lowest Hze), the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the opening direction (340), and the internal heat exchanger 14 The refrigerant circulation amount flowing into the high-pressure side flow path 14a is reduced. By reducing the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14, the density of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 is reduced, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are increased.

  Alternatively, when the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has not reached the predetermined minimum rotation speed (minimum Hze), the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated in a decreasing direction (350), The refrigerant circulation amount flowing through the expansion mechanism 5 is decreased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are increased. In step 320, if the first bypass valve 13 is not fully closed, the first bypass valve 13 is operated in the closing direction (360), and the refrigerant flows into the first bypass flow path 12 that bypasses the expansion mechanism 5. Reduce the amount of circulation and increase the high-pressure side pressure and discharge temperature.

On the other hand, when the discharge temperature (Td) is higher than the target discharge temperature (target Td) in step 310, the high-pressure side pressure tends to be higher than the optimum pressure. It is determined whether or not (370). When the second bypass valve 32 is fully closed, it is determined whether or not the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined maximum rotation speed (maximum Hze) (380). When the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined maximum rotation speed (maximum Hze), the first bypass valve 13 is operated in the opening direction (390) to bypass the expansion mechanism 5 The refrigerant circulation amount flowing into the first bypass flow path 12 to be increased is increased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are decreased. When the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 does not reach a predetermined maximum rotation speed (maximum Hze), the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated in an increasing direction (400) to expand the expansion mechanism 5 The refrigerant circulation amount flowing through the mechanism 5 is increased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are decreased.

  Alternatively, if the second bypass valve 32 is not fully closed in step 370, the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the closing direction (410), and the refrigerant circulating into the high-pressure channel 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14 is circulated. Increase the amount. By increasing the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14, the density of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 is increased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are decreased. After the above steps, the process returns to step 300 and is repeated thereafter from steps 300 to 410, whereby the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 and the opening degrees of the first bypass valve 13 and the second bypass valve 32 are obtained as shown in FIG. Control that links with.

  As described above, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus having the configuration of the present embodiment, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus provided with the electric energy recovery type expansion mechanism, even if the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is reduced within the use range, the discharge is performed. When the temperature (Td) does not reach the target discharge temperature (target Td), the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the opening direction based on the discharge temperature, and a part of the refrigerant flows through the second bypass flow path 31. Thus, the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14 is reduced and the refrigerant is not cooled, so that the pressure is adjusted to a desired high pressure side without exceeding the use range of the expansion mechanism 5 and the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is performed. It can be operated without reducing efficiency and capacity.

  Conversely, if the discharge temperature (Td) exceeds the target discharge temperature (target Td) even if the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is increased within the use range, the first bypass valve 13 is opened based on the discharge temperature. The refrigerant circulation amount that flows into the expansion mechanism 5 is decreased by flowing a part of the refrigerant through the first bypass flow path 12 to a desired high pressure side pressure without exceeding the use range of the expansion mechanism 5. It can be adjusted and operated without reducing the operating efficiency and capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

(Embodiment 3)
A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described using a refrigeration cycle apparatus whose schematic configuration is shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 4 are given the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 4, and the description thereof is omitted. Regarding the operation during the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus, first, the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) in the actual operation state is the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design. ) Will be described.

In the refrigerant circuit A, the CO ₂ refrigerant is compressed by the compression mechanism 2 to a pressure exceeding the critical pressure (high pressure side pressure). The compressed refrigerant becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure state, and when it flows through the refrigerant flow path of the radiator 3, it dissipates heat to the water flowing through the fluid flow path of the radiator 3 and is cooled. Thereafter, the second bypass valve 32 in the fully opened state causes the refrigerant to flow into the second bypass channel 31 without flowing through the high-pressure side channel 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14, and expands through the pre-expansion valve 11 in the fully opened state. It flows into the mechanism 5. Thereafter, the refrigerant is depressurized by the expansion mechanism 5 and becomes a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase state. At this time, the expansion mechanism 5 converts the pressure energy of the refrigerant into power, and the power is converted into electric power by the generator 4.

Thus, the pressure energy at the time of expansion can be recovered as electric power to improve COP. The refrigerant decompressed by the expansion mechanism 5 is supplied to the evaporator 6. In the evaporator 6, the refrigerant is heated by the outside air sent by the blower 9, and enters a gas-liquid two-phase or gas state. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the evaporator 6 flows into the low-pressure side flow path 14b of the internal heat exchanger 14, but since the refrigerant hardly flows through the high-pressure side flow path 14a, the refrigerant does not substantially exchange heat and is compressed again. Inhaled by mechanism 2.

  Next, the case where the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio in the actual operation state is different from the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design will be described. First, regarding the operation when the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotational speed ratio in the actual operation state is larger than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design, Since it is the same as the description in Embodiment 1), the description is omitted.

  Conversely, the operation when the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) in the actual operation state is smaller than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design will be described. . In this case, assuming that the rotation speed ratio is constant, the refrigeration cycle tries to balance in a state where the high-pressure side pressure is increased so that the refrigerant density (DE) at the inlet of the expansion mechanism 5 is increased. However, when the high-pressure side pressure is higher than the desired pressure, the operating efficiency of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is reduced. For this reason, first, the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated in the increasing direction to increase the product of the density ratio and the rotational speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc). As a result, the high-pressure side pressure does not increase and the optimum state can be maintained.

  However, the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is determined in advance from the viewpoint of the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5. That is, if an operation exceeding a predetermined maximum rotational speed is performed for a long period of time, there is a possibility that problems such as wear of the bearing of the expansion mechanism and the sliding portion may occur. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, even when the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 reaches a predetermined maximum rotation speed, the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio (DE / When DC) × (Hze / Hzc) is smaller than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design, the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the closing direction to thereby increase the high pressure side of the internal heat exchanger 14. The refrigerant circulation amount flowing into the circuit 14a is increased. Thereby, the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14 is increased, and the density (DE) of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 is increased. Therefore, by exceeding the maximum rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5, the refrigerant density (DE) can be increased without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5, and the optimum state can be maintained without increasing the high-pressure side pressure.

  Thus, when the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 reaches a predetermined maximum rotation speed, instead of increasing the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5, the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the closing direction, and the internal heat By increasing the exchange amount, the high-pressure side pressure can be adjusted to a desired pressure, so that efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5.

  Next, a control method will be described. As specific operating methods of the expansion mechanism 5, the pre-expansion valve 11, and the second bypass valve 32, the electronic control device 25, the expansion mechanism rotation speed control means 21, the pre-expansion valve opening control means 22, and the second bypass valve are used. Control performed by the opening degree control means 33 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. During the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus, the detection value (discharge temperature: Td) (500) from the discharge temperature detecting means 20 is taken. The target discharge temperature (target Td) stored in advance in the ROM or the like is compared with the discharge temperature (Td) captured in (500) (510). When the discharge temperature (Td) is lower than the target discharge temperature (target Td), the high-pressure side pressure tends to be lower than the optimum pressure. Therefore, it is first determined whether or not the second bypass valve 32 is fully opened. (520). If the second bypass valve 32 is fully open, it is determined whether the rotational speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined minimum rotational speed (minimum Hze) (530). When the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined minimum rotation speed (lowest Hze), the pre-expansion valve 11 is operated in the closing direction (540), and the refrigerant flows into the expansion mechanism 5 Is reduced, the refrigerant density is decreased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are increased.

  Alternatively, when the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has not reached the predetermined minimum rotation speed (minimum Hze), the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated in a decreasing direction (550), The refrigerant circulation amount flowing through the expansion mechanism 5 is decreased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are increased. In step 520, if the second bypass valve 32 is not fully opened, the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the opening direction (560), and the refrigerant circulation amount flowing into the high-pressure side flow path 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14 is reached. Reduce. By reducing the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14, the density of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 is reduced, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are increased.

  On the other hand, when the discharge temperature (Td) is higher than the target discharge temperature (target Td) in step 510, the high-pressure side pressure tends to be higher than the optimum pressure, so that the pre-expansion valve 11 is first fully opened. (570). If the pre-expansion valve 11 is fully open, it is determined whether the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined maximum rotation speed (maximum Hze) (580). When the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 has reached a predetermined maximum rotation speed (maximum Hze), the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the closing direction (590) and flows into the expansion mechanism 5 The refrigerant to be cooled is cooled by the internal heat exchanger 14 to increase the refrigerant density, thereby reducing the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature. When the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 does not reach a predetermined maximum rotation speed (maximum Hze), the rotation speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated in an increasing direction (600) to expand the expansion mechanism 5 The refrigerant circulation amount flowing through the mechanism 5 is increased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are decreased.

  Alternatively, if the pre-expansion valve 11 is not fully opened in step 570, the pre-expansion valve 11 is operated in the opening direction (610) so that the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 is not decompressed, and the refrigerant density is not reduced. By doing so, the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are lowered. After the above steps, the process returns to step 500, and thereafter the steps 500 to 610 are repeated, so that the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5, the opening degree of the pre-expansion valve 11 and the second bypass valve 32, as shown in FIG. Controls that are linked.

  As described above, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus having the configuration of the present embodiment, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus provided with the electric energy recovery type expansion mechanism, even if the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is reduced within the use range, the discharge is performed. When the temperature (Td) does not reach the target discharge temperature (target Td), the operating range of the expansion mechanism 5 is exceeded by operating the pre-expansion valve 11 in the closing direction based on the discharge temperature to depressurize the refrigerant. Therefore, the pressure can be adjusted to a desired high-pressure side pressure, and the operation can be performed without reducing the operation efficiency and capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

  Conversely, if the discharge temperature (Td) exceeds the target discharge temperature (target Td) even if the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is increased within the use range, the second bypass valve 32 is closed based on the discharge temperature. By operating in the direction, increasing the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14, and cooling the refrigerant, the pressure is adjusted to a desired high pressure side pressure without exceeding the use range of the expansion mechanism 5, and the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus It can be operated without reducing efficiency and capacity.

(Embodiment 4)
A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described using a refrigeration cycle apparatus whose schematic configuration is shown in FIG. 10, components similar to those in FIG. 4 are given the same numbers as in FIG. 4, and descriptions thereof are omitted. Regarding the operation during the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus, first, the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) in the actual operation state is the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design. ) Will be described.

In the refrigerant circuit A, the CO ₂ refrigerant is compressed by the compression mechanism 2 to a pressure exceeding the critical pressure (high pressure side pressure). The compressed refrigerant becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure state, and when it flows through the refrigerant flow path of the radiator 3, it dissipates heat to the water flowing through the fluid flow path of the radiator 3 and is cooled. Thereafter, due to the second bypass valve 32 being in a half-open state, a part of the refrigerant flows through the second bypass flow path 31, and the other refrigerant flows into the high pressure side flow path 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14, and the low pressure side flow path. It is further cooled by the low-pressure and low-temperature refrigerant flowing through 14b. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows into the expansion mechanism 5 and is decompressed by the expansion mechanism 5 to be in a low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase state. At this time, the expansion mechanism 5 converts the pressure energy of the refrigerant into power, and the power is converted into electric power by the generator 4.

  Thus, the pressure energy at the time of expansion can be recovered as electric power to improve COP. The refrigerant decompressed by the expansion mechanism 5 is supplied to the evaporator 6. In the evaporator 6, the refrigerant is heated by the outside air sent by the blower 9, and enters a gas-liquid two-phase or gas state. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the evaporator 6 is heated in the low-pressure channel 14 b of the internal heat exchanger 14 and then sucked into the compression mechanism 2 again.

  Next, the case where the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio in the actual operation state is different from the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design will be described. First, an operation when the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio in an actual operation state is larger than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design will be described. In this case, assuming that the rotation speed ratio is constant, the refrigeration cycle tries to balance in a state where the high-pressure side pressure is reduced so that the refrigerant density (DE) at the inlet of the expansion mechanism 5 becomes small. However, in a state where the high-pressure side pressure is lower than the desired pressure, the discharge temperature is lowered, the heating capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is lowered, and the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is lowered.

  For this reason, first, by operating the second bypass valve 32 in the opening direction, the refrigerant circulation amount flowing in the second bypass flow path 31 is increased, and the refrigerant circulation flowing into the high-pressure side flow path 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14 is increased. Reduce the amount. As a result, the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14 is reduced, the density (DE) of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 can be reduced, and the high pressure side pressure is not lowered and the optimum state can be maintained. However, even when the second bypass valve 32 is fully opened, the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) in the actual operation state is still the design volume assumed at the time of design. If the ratio (VC / VE) is greater, the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is manipulated in the decreasing direction, and the product of the density ratio and the rotational speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) is decreased. Maintain optimal pressure.

  In this way, by first operating in the opening direction of the second bypass valve 32, the internal heat exchange amount in the internal heat exchanger 14 is reduced, the high-pressure side pressure is adjusted, and the second bypass valve 32 is fully opened. Even when the pressure cannot be adjusted to the optimum high-pressure side pressure, the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is decreased as the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5 is decreased by operating the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 in the decreasing direction. The frequency with which the condition occurs can be reduced. Therefore, efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5.

  Conversely, the operation when the product of the density ratio and the rotation speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) in the actual operation state is smaller than the design volume ratio (VC / VE) assumed at the time of design will be described. . In this case, assuming that the rotation speed ratio is constant, the refrigeration cycle tries to balance in a state where the high-pressure side pressure is increased so that the refrigerant density (DE) at the inlet of the expansion mechanism 5 is increased. However, when the high-pressure side pressure is higher than the desired pressure, the operating efficiency of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is reduced.

For this reason, first, by operating the second bypass valve 32 in the closing direction, the amount of refrigerant circulating in the second bypass passage 31 is reduced, and the refrigerant circulation flowing into the high-pressure side passage 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14 is reduced. Increase the amount. As a result, the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14 is increased, the density (DE) of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 can be increased, and the high-pressure side pressure is not increased and the optimum state can be maintained. However, even when the second bypass valve 32 is fully closed, the product (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) of the density ratio and the rotational speed ratio in the actual operation state is still assumed at the time of design. When it is smaller than the volume ratio (VC / VE), the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated in the increasing direction, and the product of the density ratio and the rotational speed ratio (DE / DC) × (Hze / Hzc) is increased. Maintain optimum side pressure.

  Thus, by first operating the second bypass valve 32 in the closing direction, the amount of internal heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14 is increased, the high-pressure side pressure is adjusted, and the second bypass valve 32 is fully closed. However, only when the pressure cannot be adjusted to the optimum high-pressure side pressure, the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is increased as the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5 is lowered by operating the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 in the increasing direction. The frequency with which the state to be generated occurs can be reduced. Therefore, efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5.

  Next, a control method will be described. As a specific operation method of the expansion mechanism 5 and the second bypass valve 32, the control performed by the electronic control unit 25, the expansion mechanism rotation speed control means 21, and the second bypass valve opening control means 33 is shown in FIG. This will be described based on a flowchart. During the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus, the detection value (discharge temperature: Td) (700) from the discharge temperature detection means 20 is taken in. The target discharge temperature (target Td) stored in advance in the ROM or the like is compared with the discharge temperature (Td) taken in at (700) (710). When the discharge temperature (Td) is lower than the target discharge temperature (target Td), the high-pressure side pressure tends to be lower than the optimum pressure. Therefore, it is first determined whether or not the second bypass valve 32 is fully opened. (720).

  When the second bypass valve 32 is fully open, the rotational speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated in a decreasing direction (730), the refrigerant circulation amount flowing through the expansion mechanism 5 is decreased, and the high pressure side pressure and discharge temperature are reduced. To raise. Alternatively, when the second bypass valve 32 is not fully opened, the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the opening direction (740), and the refrigerant circulation amount flowing into the high-pressure side flow path 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14 is reduced. By reducing the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14, the density of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 is reduced, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are increased.

  On the other hand, when the discharge temperature (Td) is higher than the target discharge temperature (target Td) in step 710, the high-pressure side pressure tends to be higher than the optimum pressure, so the second bypass valve 32 is first fully closed. It is determined whether or not (750). When the second bypass valve 32 is fully closed, the rotational speed (Hze) of the expansion mechanism 5 is manipulated in the increasing direction (760), the amount of refrigerant circulating through the expansion mechanism 5 is increased, and the high pressure side pressure and discharge are increased. Reduce temperature.

  Alternatively, if the second bypass valve 32 is not fully closed in step 750, the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the closing direction (770), and the refrigerant circulating into the high-pressure channel 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14 is circulated. Increase the amount. By increasing the amount of heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 14, the density of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism 5 is increased, and the high-pressure side pressure and the discharge temperature are decreased. After the above steps, the process returns to step 700 and thereafter is repeated from step 700 to step 770, thereby controlling the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 and the opening degree of the second bypass valve 32 as shown in FIG. I do.

As described above, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus having the configuration of the present embodiment, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus provided with the expansion mechanism of the electric energy recovery type, first, the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the opening direction to perform internal heat exchange. The amount of internal heat exchange in the vessel 14 is increased. Next, even when the second bypass valve 32 is fully opened, only when the discharge temperature (Td) does not reach the target discharge temperature (target Td), the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is operated in the decreasing direction based on the discharge temperature. By doing so, the frequency which the state which reduces the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 arises can be reduced, so that the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5 is reduced. Therefore, efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5.

  Alternatively, first, the second bypass valve 32 is operated in the closing direction to reduce the internal heat exchange amount in the internal heat exchanger 14. Next, even when the second bypass valve 32 is fully closed, only when the discharge temperature (Td) does not reach the target discharge temperature (target Td), the rotational speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is increased in the increasing direction based on the discharge temperature. By performing the operation, the frequency of occurrence of a state in which the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 is increased can be reduced as the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5 is decreased. Therefore, an efficient operation can be performed without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism 5.

  In the above embodiment, the determination that the pre-expansion valve 11, the first bypass valve 13, or the second bypass valve 32 is fully open or fully closed is that the valve is physically fully open or It may not be fully closed, and it may be determined that the valve is fully opened in advance in consideration of valve reliability or the like, or the maximum opening or the minimum opening close to full closing. Further, the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5 may be determined by the actual rotation speed, or may be determined by the set value of the expansion mechanism rotation speed control means 21. Further, in order to increase the stability of the state of the refrigeration cycle, control may be performed by adding or subtracting a minute value to the target discharge temperature (target Td) so that the discharge temperature falls within a certain temperature range.

  Further, in the control of the present embodiment, it has been described that the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism 5, the pre-expansion valve 11, the first bypass valve 13, and the opening degree of the second bypass valve 32 are controlled by the discharge temperature. The high pressure side pressure may be detected directly and controlled using that value, or the detected value or the detected value of the temperature on the refrigeration cycle apparatus correlated with the high pressure side pressure may be used. You may control using the calculated value. For example, the control may be performed using the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism 2 or the superheat degree of the outlet of the evaporator 3.

  Further, the internal heat exchanger 14 is configured such that the refrigerant from the refrigerant outlet of the radiator 3 flowing through the high-pressure side passage 14a to the inlet of the expansion mechanism 5 passes from the refrigerant outlet of the evaporator 6 flowing through the low-pressure side passage 14b to the compression mechanism 2. However, the refrigerant from the refrigerant outlet of the radiator 3 flowing through the high-pressure side passage 14a to the inlet of the expansion mechanism 5 passes through the low-pressure side passage 14b. Another low-pressure refrigerant that flows, for example, the refrigerant at the inlet of the expansion mechanism 5 may be partially branched and cooled by a refrigerant that has been decompressed to a low temperature and low pressure. Furthermore, although the second bypass flow path 31 has been described as a configuration that bypasses the high-pressure side flow path 14a of the internal heat exchanger 14, the same effect can be obtained by a configuration that bypasses the low-pressure side flow path 14b.

The refrigerant has been described as a carbon dioxide (CO _2), and other refrigerants, for example, the same effect can R410A, etc. is obtained.

  The refrigeration cycle apparatus and the control method for the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention include a refrigeration cycle apparatus having an expansion mechanism whose rotation speed can be changed independently of the rotation speed of the compression mechanism without reducing the reliability of the expansion mechanism. Since the circulation amount flowing into the expansion mechanism can be adjusted in a wider range and the refrigeration cycle apparatus can be operated with high efficiency, it can be applied to uses such as a water heater and an air conditioner equipped with the expansion mechanism.

The block diagram which shows the refrigerating-cycle apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Flowchart of control of expansion mechanism in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The schematic diagram which shows the relationship of the control means of control in Embodiment 1 of this invention The block diagram which shows the refrigerating-cycle apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Flowchart of control of expansion mechanism in embodiment 2 of the present invention The schematic diagram which shows the relationship of the control means of control in Embodiment 2 of this invention The block diagram which shows the refrigerating-cycle apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. Flowchart of control of expansion mechanism in Embodiment 3 of the present invention The schematic diagram which shows the relationship of the control means of control in Embodiment 3 of this invention The block diagram which shows the refrigerating-cycle apparatus in Embodiment 4 of this invention. Flowchart of control of expansion mechanism in embodiment 4 of the present invention The schematic diagram which shows the relationship of the control means of control in Embodiment 4 of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric motor 2 Compression mechanism 3 Use side heat exchanger (heat radiator)
4 Generator 5 Expansion mechanism 6 Heat source side heat exchanger (evaporator)
7 Fluid transport means (water supply pump)
8 Hot water tank 9 Heat source fluid transfer means (blower)
11 Pre-reducer (pre-expansion valve)
12 First bypass flow path 13 First bypass valve 14 Internal heat exchanger 14a High pressure side flow path 14b Low pressure side flow path 20 Discharge temperature detection means 21 Expansion mechanism rotation speed control means 22 Pre-expansion valve opening degree control means 23 First bypass Valve opening control means 25 Electronic control means 31 Second bypass flow path 32 Second bypass valve 33 Second bypass valve opening control means A Refrigerant circuit B Fluid circuit

Claims (9)

At least the compression mechanism, the heat source side heat exchanger, the expansion mechanism for recovering power whose rotation speed can be changed independently of the rotation speed of the compression mechanism, the utilization side heat exchanger, and the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising a decompressor. At least a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism for recovering power whose rotation speed can be changed independently of the rotation speed of the compression mechanism, a use side heat exchanger, and a part of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising a bypass circuit for bypassing. In a refrigeration cycle apparatus including at least a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and a pre-depressurizer that depressurizes refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism, the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism is When any of the high-pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, and the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism does not reach a predetermined target value even though the predetermined minimum number of rotations has been reached The method for controlling the refrigeration cycle apparatus, wherein the pre-depressurizer decompresses the refrigerant. Rotation of an expansion mechanism in a refrigeration cycle apparatus including at least a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and a bypass circuit that bypasses a part of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism When the high pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, or the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism exceeds a predetermined target value even though the number has reached a predetermined maximum rotational speed Is a control method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus, wherein a part of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism is bypassed. At least a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism for recovering power whose rotation speed can be changed independently of the rotation speed of the compression mechanism, a use side heat exchanger, and an interior for cooling the refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising a heat exchanger. In a refrigeration cycle apparatus including at least a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism, the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism Is not reached the predetermined target value when the high pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, or the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism does not reach the predetermined minimum value even though Is a method for controlling a refrigeration cycle apparatus, wherein the internal heat exchanger is not substantially operated. In a refrigeration cycle apparatus including at least a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism, the rotation speed of the expansion mechanism In the case where any of the high pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, and the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism exceeds a predetermined target value despite the fact that has reached a predetermined maximum rotational speed A control method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus, wherein the internal heat exchanger is substantially operated. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising at least a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism, the internal heat exchanger In the case where any one of the high pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, and the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism does not reach a predetermined target value despite the fact that A control method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus, wherein the rotational speed of an expansion mechanism is reduced. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising at least a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism that performs power recovery, a use side heat exchanger, and an internal heat exchanger that cools refrigerant flowing into the expansion mechanism, the internal heat exchanger If any one of the high-pressure side pressure, the discharge temperature of the compression mechanism, and the suction superheat degree of the compression mechanism exceeds a predetermined target value, the expansion is performed. A control method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus, wherein the number of rotations of the mechanism is increased.

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