JP2008249264A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner, operating an indoor unit without receiving power from a commercial power supply by supplying power to the indoor unit within a power generation capability of a power generator. <P>SOLUTION: An outdoor unit 1 drives a compressor 11 and the power generator 12 by a prime mover 10 using gas fuel or liquid fuel. A plurality of indoor units 2 constitute a heat pump with the compressor 11 and individually the operating conditions are set. The power generator 12 supplies the power required for operating the indoor units 2. The indoor units 2 have a function of informing the operating conditions to the outdoor unit 1. A control device 3 for the outdoor unit 1 limits the number of operated indoor units 2 so that the total power consumed by the indoor units 2 is made smaller than the supplied power according to the operating conditions of the indoor units 2. The control device 3 monitors a difference between the preset temperature and the intake temperature of each indoor unit 2 at intervals of regulated time, and selects the indoor unit 2 permitted to operate according to the priority determined depending on the difference between the preset temperature and the intake temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat pump type air conditioner that drives a compressor using a prime mover and also drives a generator that generates electric power required to operate an indoor unit together with the prime mover.

Conventionally, in a heat pump type air conditioner, a prime mover using gaseous fuel or liquid fuel is provided in an outdoor unit, and a compressor is driven by the prime mover and a generator is driven. It is considered to supply a large amount of power from a generator (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2001-272057 A JP 2004-201379 A

  By the way, in the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the power generated by the generator is supplied to the internal device of the outdoor unit such as an outdoor fan motor, and the power of the generator is used in combination with the commercial power source. is doing. That is, Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not consider using the electric power generated by the generator for the indoor unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and its purpose is based on the premise that the generator is also driven by a prime mover that drives the compressor in the outdoor unit, and the indoor unit is generated within the power generation capacity of the generator. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can operate an indoor unit without being supplied with electric power from a commercial power source by making it possible to supply electric power.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an outdoor unit including a compressor and a generator driven by a prime mover that uses gaseous fuel or liquid fuel, and a plurality of indoor units that constitute a heat pump together with the compressor and in which operating conditions are individually set. An air conditioner that supplies electric power required for the operation of the outdoor unit from a generator and supplies electric power required for the operation of the indoor unit from a power supply means including the generator. The total power consumed by the indoor unit is smaller than the output power of the power supply unit based on the communication unit having the function of notifying and the operating condition of the indoor unit provided in the outdoor unit and monitored via the communication unit Control means for limiting the number of indoor units to be operated, and the control means selects the indoor units that are permitted to operate via the communication means in accordance with a predetermined priority order based on the operating conditions. It is characterized in.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the control means increases the priority as the difference between the set temperature of the indoor unit and the suction temperature increases, and monitors the setting at a specified time. The priority is changed when the difference between the temperature and the suction temperature changes.

  In the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 1 or claim 2, there are a plurality of the outdoor units, and the communication means has a function of communicating between the outdoor units, and the power of each outdoor unit An interconnection switch is connected between the supply means, and the control means is configured such that the total power consumed by the indoor unit exceeds the output power of the power supply means built in the outdoor unit in operation, and the power supply When there is an outdoor unit with a sufficient supply capacity of the means, the switch between the outdoor unit and the outdoor unit is turned on, and the outdoor unit is requested to be connected to the power supply unit.

  In the invention of claim 4, in the invention of claim 3, in the outdoor unit, a clutch is provided between the prime mover and the compressor to be connected and disconnected by the control means. When the total power consumption of the indoor unit exceeds the total output power of the operating outdoor unit and there is a stopped outdoor unit, the stopped outdoor unit is instructed to operate via the communication means, The control means in the stopped outdoor unit selects the separation by the clutch when the connection of the power supply means from other outdoor units is required, and causes the power supply means to operate only the generator by the prime mover. It is characterized by.

  In the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 3 or claim 4, at least one of the outdoor units is provided with power storage means for supplying electric power that is charged by output power of the power supply means and starts the prime mover, The control means starts the outdoor unit having the power storage means first when starting each outdoor unit, and the power supply means of the outdoor unit that has been started first when starting the outdoor unit not having the power storage means. It is characterized in that it is activated by supplying output power.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the number of operating indoor units is limited so that the total power consumed by the indoor units is smaller than the output power of the power supply means. Electric power can be supplied to the indoor unit. As a result, it is not necessary to supply the power for operating the indoor unit from the commercial power supply, and the air conditioner can be operated even when the commercial power supply is interrupted by covering the power of the outdoor unit with the power of the generator. become. In addition, since the indoor units that are allowed to be operated are selected according to the priority order based on the operating conditions, it is possible to preferentially operate the indoor units with a high degree of demand according to the operating conditions of the indoor units, which may impair comfort. Absent.

  Furthermore, by limiting the number of indoor units to be operated so that the total power consumed by the indoor units is smaller than the output power of the power supply means, a large number of units such as indoor units are arranged for each room in the building. Even if the total power consumed by the indoor unit that requires operation is larger than the output power of the power supply means including the generator, all the indoor units that require operation If they are not activated at the same time, the indoor unit can be operated with the electric power generated by the generator, and the request to install the indoor unit in multiple rooms can be satisfied although the frequency of use is low.

  According to the configuration of the invention of claim 2, the set temperature and the suction temperature of each indoor unit are monitored every specified time, and the priority is set so that the higher the priority is, the larger the difference between the set temperature and the suction temperature is. Therefore, even if the total power consumed by the indoor unit is larger than the output power of the power supply means including the generator, the heat in each indoor unit can be changed by operating each indoor unit in turn. Can meet the demand. That is, it is possible to satisfy the electric power demand of the indoor unit with a small generator and to satisfy the demand for the indoor temperature.

  According to the configuration of the invention of claim 3, when an air conditioner having a large heat load is installed in a building such as a building and the heat demand required from the indoor unit is distributed to a plurality of outdoor units The power supply means can be connected to each other, and the power generation capacity of each outdoor unit in operation has sufficient power generation capacity when the power required by the indoor unit that meets the heat demand of the outdoor unit is insufficient. Since the power supply means of other outdoor units are linked, the shortage of power required by the indoor units can be compensated for by a plurality of outdoor units. However, if the power supply is insufficient even if the power supply means of multiple outdoor units are connected, the total power consumed by the indoor unit will exceed the output power of the power supply means. In this case, the number of indoor units that are allowed to operate is limited according to the priority order.

  According to the configuration of the invention of claim 4, a clutch is provided between the prime mover and the compressor so that the compressor is separated from the prime mover to enable independent operation of the generator by the prime mover, and there is a margin in power generation capacity. When an outdoor unit that is stopped is selected as the outdoor unit, the outdoor unit is operated only to make up for the shortage of power required by the indoor unit by operating the generator alone without wasting the compressor. You can drive.

  According to the configuration of the invention of claim 5, at least one of the plurality of outdoor units is provided with power storage means and charged by the output of the power supply means, and in this outdoor unit, the power of the power storage means is used. Start the prime mover. For outdoor units that are not equipped with power storage means and have not been started up, the power generator is started using the power generated by the generator of the outdoor unit that has been started up earlier. By providing, a plurality of outdoor units can be activated.

  The control means described above may be provided in any one of the outdoor units. When the outdoor unit is provided with power storage means as in claim 5, it is desirable to provide the control means in the outdoor unit. Further, the control means can be provided independently of the outdoor unit.

  The communication path in the communication means may be either wired or wireless. However, wireless communication can be used for communication between the outdoor units, but the communication path for communication between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is preferably wired from the viewpoint of communication reliability. Moreover, it is possible to superimpose a high-frequency communication signal on the communication path between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, also using a line for supplying power from the power supply means to the indoor unit. When performing wired communication between a plurality of outdoor units, it is necessary to provide a communication line that is different from the path connecting the power supply means.

  The switch for interconnection can be provided separately from the outdoor unit, but if each outdoor unit has a built-in switch, and the switch is connected to the connection terminal provided in the outdoor unit, Wiring work when using a plurality of outdoor units is facilitated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment is an air conditioner that associates a plurality of indoor units 2 with an outdoor unit 1, and includes a prime mover 10 that drives a compressor 11 provided in the outdoor unit 1. A gas engine is used. The indoor unit 2 can individually set operating conditions (cooling / heating mode, air volume, target temperature), and includes a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the intake air intake temperature.

  As the prime mover 10, it is possible to use a prime mover that uses liquid fuel in addition to a prime mover that uses gaseous fuel as in a gas engine. In the illustrated example, power is supplied from the commercial power supply AC, but it is not essential to connect to the commercial power supply AC.

  The prime mover 10 drives the compressor 11 and the generator 12 by the rotational output. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the prime mover 10 includes clutches 13 a and 13 b between the compressor 11 and the generator 12. The clutches 13a and 13b can select connection and disconnection of the compressor 11 and the generator 12 with respect to the prime mover 10, and the coupling and separation by the clutches 13a and 13b are controlled by the control device (control means) 3. The In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, when the rotational force of the output shaft of the prime mover 10 is transmitted to the compressor 11, the pulley 14 a and 14 b and the belt 14 c are transmitted to the transmission 15 to rotate the transmission 15. The output is transmitted to the clutch 13 a coupled to the compressor 11. Moreover, although the rotational force of the output shaft of the prime mover 10 is transmitted to the generator 12 via the clutch 13b, the clutch 13b is not essential.

  The compressor 11 constitutes a heat pump together with the indoor unit 2, and the indoor unit 2 can be used for air conditioning by controlling the flow of refrigerant between the compressor 11 and the indoor unit 2. In addition, as described above, since the operation conditions are individually set in each indoor unit 2, the flow of the refrigerant is controlled according to the operation conditions of each indoor unit 2. However, the control of air conditioning is not described in detail because it is not the gist of the present invention.

  The generator 12 is an AC generator, and the AC power generated by the generator 12 is input to the converter 21 and rectified and converted into DC power using a switching power source or the like. Furthermore, the output of converter 21 is converted into AC power by inverter 22, and AC power is supplied from inverter 22 to each indoor unit 2 through power line L <b> 1. That is, the generator 12, the converter 21, and the inverter 22 constitute power supply means 20 that supplies power to the indoor unit 2. In the present embodiment, as described above, since the transmission 15 is provided between the prime mover 10 and the compressor 11, the generator 1 is not affected by the heat load of the indoor unit 2 within the adjustment range of the transmission 15. It can be used with maximum power generation capacity.

  In the indoor unit 2, a blower fan or the like is driven using the power supplied through the power line L1. The power consumption of the normal indoor unit 2 is 50 to 150 W per unit. On the other hand, the generator 12 has a maximum output power of about 1 kW, for example. It is desirable that about 7 to 8 indoor units 2 are associated with one outdoor unit 1. However, the total power consumed by the indoor unit 2 may not be covered even if the output power of the generator 12 is maximum. Therefore, if all the indoor units 2 are operated simultaneously, the power generation capacity of the generator 12 The power supplied to the machine 2 may be insufficient.

  Therefore, communication is enabled between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2, and in the control device 3 provided in the outdoor unit 1, according to the operation condition of each indoor unit 2 obtained from the indoor unit 2 by communication, The indoor unit 2 that is allowed to operate is selected. In selecting the indoor units 2 to be operated, the number of operating indoor units 2 is limited so that the total power consumed by the indoor units 2 is smaller than the output power supplied from the power supply means 20 to the indoor units 2, and The indoor unit 2 is selected according to a prescribed priority order based on the operating conditions.

  For communication between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2, a communication line L2 different from the power line L1 is provided as in the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, or a high-frequency communication signal is superimposed using the power line L1 as a communication line. Then transmit. The control device 3 of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are each provided with a communication circuit (not shown) and communicate through the communication line L2 or the power line L1. In addition, as will be described later, in the illustrated example, a plurality of outdoor units 1 are provided, and between the outdoor units 1, a communication circuit (not shown) provided in the control device 3 is connected via another communication line L3. Communication is possible. The illustrated example is an example, and any configuration may be adopted as long as it is a communication unit that enables communication between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 and between the plurality of outdoor units 1.

  By the way, a part of the electric power generated by the generator 12 and input to the converter 21 is also used for charging the power storage device (power storage means) 23 provided in the outdoor unit 1. The power storage device 23 is provided to supply power to the starter 10 a that starts the prime mover 10. As the power storage device 23, various secondary batteries (lead storage battery, lithium ion battery, NAS battery, etc.) can be used. The power storage device 23 is charged during the operation of the outdoor unit 1 to prepare for the next activation of the outdoor unit 1.

  In the outdoor unit 1, the output path of the inverter 22 is branched into three branches, and one branched path supplies power to the indoor unit 2 as described above, but one of the other two paths is for interconnection. The switch reaches the interconnection terminal T1 via the switch (for example, an electromagnetic contactor) 24, and the other reaches the interconnection terminal T2. When a plurality of outdoor units 1 are used, one interconnection terminal T1 of each of the two outdoor units 1 is connected to the other interconnection terminal T2 via the interconnection line L4. It is desirable to limit the connection terminal T1 of one outdoor unit 1 to be connected to the other one connection terminal T2.

  In this connection relationship, when the switch 24 is turned on, the inverters 22 of the adjacent outdoor units 1 are connected in parallel. Therefore, when the power supplied to the indoor unit 2 is insufficient in one outdoor unit 1, the other outdoor unit 1 If there is a surplus in the power supply in the machine 1, it can be supplied to the outdoor unit 1 using the surplus.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Now, for example, an address for identifying each indoor unit 2 is set at the time of trial operation, and a model (model) for each indoor unit 2 is read using the address in the control device 3 of the outdoor unit 1. As a method for setting an address, the switch for address setting is manually operated for each indoor unit 2, or the serial number possessed by the indoor unit 2 only by notification of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 is used. The identification information may be read and the address may be associated with the identification information.

  On the other hand, the control device 3 holds typical power consumption data for each operation condition for each type of the indoor unit 2. For example, as shown in Table 1, for each indoor unit 2, the power consumption is associated with each set to the set of the cooling / heating mode and the wind speed as the operating condition. Table 1 shows that if the wind speed is “strong” during cooling, the power consumption is 100 W.

いま、室内機２において運転を要求すると（リモコン装置などを用いて操作する）、室内機２は室外機１に対して通信により運転要求を行う。このとき、室内機２のアドレスと運転条件（冷暖モード、風速）とを通知する。室内機２のアドレスと運転条件とは運転条件が変更されるたびに室外機１に通知される。

Now, when an operation is requested in the indoor unit 2 (operating using a remote control device or the like), the indoor unit 2 makes an operation request to the outdoor unit 1 by communication. At this time, the address of the indoor unit 2 and the operating condition (cooling / heating mode, wind speed) are notified. The address of the indoor unit 2 and the operating condition are notified to the outdoor unit 1 every time the operating condition is changed.

  Since the control device 3 has data as shown in Table 1, the operation condition is collated with the data corresponding to the type of the indoor unit corresponding to the address of the indoor unit 2, and the power consumption corresponding to the operation condition is calculated. Ask. Furthermore, the power that can be supplied by the power supply means 20 is obtained from the operating state of the outdoor unit 1, and the magnitude is compared with the power consumption obtained for the indoor unit 2. That is, by subtracting the power already used in the indoor unit 2 from the power that can be supplied from the power supply means 20 to the indoor unit 2 when the power generation capacity of the generator 12 is maximized, Find the power that can be supplied according to the operating conditions. Here, when the power that can be supplied is larger than the calculated power consumption, it is determined that there is a sufficient supply capacity, and the operation of the indoor unit 2 is permitted.

  On the other hand, when the power that can be supplied from the power supply means 20 to the indoor unit 2 is smaller than the power consumption requested from the indoor unit 2, the indoor unit 2 having a higher priority according to the specified priority based on the operating conditions. Priority is given to driving. For example, in the indoor unit 2 in which the difference between the set temperature and the suction temperature is small, the room temperature approaches a temperature comfortable for the user, so that the comfort is impaired even if the operation of the indoor unit 2 is stopped for a while. There is nothing. In such a case, the operation of the indoor unit 2 having a large difference between the set temperature and the suction temperature is preferentially permitted.

  By the way, in the above-described operation, if the indoor unit 2 that has been stopped is left unattended, the room temperature will deviate from the set temperature. Therefore, it is desirable to change the priority order dynamically. That is, the indoor unit 2 detects the suction temperature of the indoor unit 2 (the room temperature is set as the suction temperature even when the indoor unit 2 is not in operation) every predetermined time (a certain time is desirable), and is being operated or requested to operate. For 2, the higher the priority, the higher the difference between the set temperature and the suction temperature. By this operation, the priority order can be dynamically changed every specified time, and the operation time of each indoor unit 2 can be shifted when a plurality of indoor units 2 are operated. As a result, even when operating the indoor unit 2 whose total power consumption exceeds the power supply capability of the outdoor unit 1 when operated simultaneously, it is possible to operate within the range of the power supply capability of the outdoor unit 1. Moreover, the room temperature can be maintained at a temperature close to the set temperature, and comfort is not impaired.

  The priority order is given to all indoor units 2 corresponding to the outdoor unit 1, and the stopped indoor unit 2 has a higher priority than the operating indoor unit 2 regardless of the difference between the set temperature and the suction temperature. Also set the priority to low. An example of this is shown in Table 2.

上述した動作例では、室外機１が１台でも実現することができるが、本実施形態は図１に示すように複数台（図では２台）の室外機１を備え、しかも異なる室外機１の電力供給手段２０が連系用の開閉器２４を介して接続された構成を有している。したがって、開閉器２４をオンにすれば、２台の室外機１から電力を供給することが可能になる。また、すべての室外機１を運転しなくとも室内機２の要求する熱負荷を賄うことができる場合には、積算運転時間が短いほど優先的に運転させる。この判断は制御装置３が行い、運転時間の偏りを防止して耐久性を向上させている。

In the operation example described above, even a single outdoor unit 1 can be realized, but this embodiment includes a plurality of (two in the figure) outdoor units 1 as shown in FIG. The power supply means 20 is connected via an interconnection switch 24. Therefore, if the switch 24 is turned on, power can be supplied from the two outdoor units 1. Further, when the heat load required by the indoor unit 2 can be covered without operating all the outdoor units 1, the operation is preferentially performed as the integrated operation time is shorter. This determination is performed by the control device 3 to improve the durability by preventing the deviation of the operation time.

  By the way, it is assumed that the total power consumed by the indoor unit 2 is larger than the power that can be supplied by the outdoor unit 1 during the operation of any one of the outdoor units 1. Here, when there is a margin in the power generation capacity of the other outdoor unit 1 (including not only when the other outdoor unit 1 is operating, but also when the other outdoor unit 1 is stopped), the switch 24 Is connected to the outdoor unit 1 having sufficient power generation capacity. At this time, the inverter 22 is operated synchronously by communication. This operation makes it possible to supplement the electric power between the outdoor units 1.

  Furthermore, when the other outdoor unit 1 is stopped, the indoor unit 2 corresponding to the outdoor unit 1 is not in operation, so that it is not necessary to operate the compressor 11. Therefore, when surplus power is supplied from the stopped outdoor unit 1, the controller 3 gives an instruction to the clutch 13a between the prime mover 10 and the compressor 11 in the stopped outdoor unit 1 for compression. The machine 11 is separated. That is, in this outdoor unit 1, only the generator 12 can be operated independently, and relatively large electric power can be supplied.

  Actually, when only the generator 12 is operated alone, there is a time delay from the start until the required voltage is obtained, so that the outdoor unit 1 with insufficient power can be replaced with another outdoor unit 1. When the generator 12 is requested to operate independently, the prime mover 10 is first activated to drive the generator 12, and when the required voltage is obtained, the generator 12 is operated independently. The outdoor unit 1 notifies the outdoor unit 1 that is insufficient in power that output is possible, and the switch 24 is turned on. This operation can prevent the voltage from becoming unstable when the switch 24 is turned on.

  As described above, supplementing the electric power supplied to the indoor unit 2 using the plurality of outdoor units 1 can reduce the possibility that the electric power supplied to the indoor unit 2 will be insufficient. If the number of 2 further increases, the indoor unit 2 cannot be operated simultaneously. In such a case, as described above, the priority order is defined for the indoor unit 2, and control is performed so as to shift the operation time of the indoor unit 2, so that it is generated by the outdoor unit 1 while maintaining comfort. The indoor unit 2 can be operated only by electric power. That is, the air conditioner can be operated without receiving power from the commercial power supply AC.

  The above-described operations are collectively shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, assuming that two outdoor units 1 are provided, the outdoor unit 1 that has been operated first is the outdoor unit A, and the stopped outdoor unit 1 is the outdoor unit B. Now, when an operation request is made from the indoor unit 2 (S1), the power that can be generated by the indoor unit A is compared with the total power consumption of the indoor unit 2 (S2). The operation is continued (S3). On the other hand, when the power that can be generated is smaller, the presence or absence of the outdoor unit B that is stopped is searched by communication (S4). If there is no outdoor unit B that is stopped, the indoor unit 2 is operated with priority specified (S5). When there is a stopped outdoor unit B, the outdoor unit B having the minimum accumulated operation time is selected from the stopped outdoor units B (S6).

  The outdoor unit A requests connection to the selected outdoor unit B (S7), and when the outdoor unit B drives the generator 12 and output is possible, it notifies that output is possible (S8). Here, the outdoor unit A turns on the switch 24 and starts interconnection (S9). Compare the electric power that can be generated by the outdoor unit A and the outdoor unit B after the interconnection with the total power consumption of the indoor unit 2 (S10). If the power is not insufficient, the operation proceeds to step S3 and the operation is continued. If the power is insufficient, the process proceeds to step S5 so that the indoor unit 2 is not operated simultaneously. The operation state of step S3 and step S5 continues until there is a next request from the indoor unit 2.

  The above operation is an example in the case where the number of indoor units 2 to be operated increases. However, when the number of indoor units 2 to be operated decreases, after the determination in step S10, the outdoor unit B is stopped. It is determined whether or not it is possible, and if it can be stopped, it is stopped. When the priority order is specified for the indoor unit 2 and simultaneous operation is not performed, when the number of indoor units 2 to be operated is decreased, the total power consumption of the indoor unit 2 is the power that can be generated by the outdoor unit 1. If it falls within the range, the priority order is canceled and the operation shifts to continuous operation.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the power storage device 23 is provided in the outdoor unit 1, and the power storage device 23 is charged with a part of the electric power when the generator 12 is operated, and when the prime mover 10 is started up, the power storage device 23 is switched to the starter 10 a. Power is being supplied. Here, when there are a plurality of outdoor units 1, the power storage device 23 can be omitted in some of the outdoor units 1.

  That is, in the outdoor unit 1 including the power storage device 23, the control device 3 activates the prime mover 10, and supplies the electric power generated by the outdoor unit 1 to the starter 10 a of the other outdoor unit 1. The prime mover 10 is activated. In order to enable this operation, in the outdoor unit 1 that does not include the power storage device 23, it is necessary to provide an electric circuit for supplying power from the converter 21 of the other outdoor unit 1 to the starter 10a. Employing this configuration leads to a reduction in cost compared to the case where the power storage devices 23 are provided in all the outdoor units 1.

It is a block diagram which shows embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the motor | power_engine in the outdoor unit used for the same as the above, a compressor, and a generator. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outdoor unit 2 Indoor unit 3 Control apparatus (control means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Motor | power_engine 11 Compressor 12 Generator 13a, 13b Clutch 20 Electric power supply means 21 Converter 22 Inverter 23 Electric storage means 24 Switch L1 Power line L2 Communication line L3 Communication line L4 Interconnection line

Claims (5)

  An outdoor unit including a compressor and a generator driven by a prime mover using gaseous fuel or liquid fuel, and a plurality of indoor units that configure a heat pump together with the compressor and individually set operating conditions. Communication that has the function of notifying the outdoor unit of the operating conditions of the indoor unit in an air conditioner that supplies the electric power required for operation from the generator and also supplies the electric power required for operation of the indoor unit from the power supply means including the generator And the number of indoor units operated so that the total power consumed by the indoor units is less than the output power of the power supply means based on the operating conditions of the indoor units provided in the outdoor units and monitored via the communication means Control means for restricting the operation, and the control means selects an indoor unit that permits operation through the communication means in accordance with a predetermined priority order based on operating conditions. Air-conditioning apparatus.   The control means increases the priority as the difference between the set temperature and the suction temperature of the indoor unit increases, and changes the priority when the difference between the set temperature and the suction temperature monitored every specified time changes. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein   The outdoor unit includes a plurality of units, and the communication unit has a function of communicating between the outdoor units, and an interconnection switch is connected between the power supply units of each outdoor unit, and the control Means when the total power consumed by the indoor unit exceeds the output power of the power supply means built in the outdoor unit in operation and there is an outdoor unit with a sufficient supply capacity of the power supply means. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air conditioner is turned on, and the outdoor unit is requested to be connected to the power supply means.   In the outdoor unit, a clutch is provided between the prime mover and the compressor to be connected or disconnected by the control unit, and the control unit is configured to control the total power consumption of the indoor unit. When there is a stopped outdoor unit that exceeds the total output power, the stopped outdoor unit is instructed to operate via the communication unit, and the control unit in the stopped outdoor unit is another outdoor unit. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein when the connection of the power supply means is required, separation by a clutch is selected, and only the generator is operated alone by the prime mover.   At least one of the outdoor units is provided with power storage means that is charged by the output power of the power supply means and supplies power for starting the prime mover, and the control means is provided with an electric storage means when starting each outdoor unit. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the outdoor unit that is activated first is started and the outdoor unit that does not include the power storage unit is activated, the output power of the power supply unit of the outdoor unit that is activated first is supplied and activated. Item 5. The air conditioner according to Item 4.

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