JPH09310894A - Ice heat accumulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the dissolution of overcooling within a heat conductive pipe by reforming the heat exchange condition between a refrigerant ant water, to an ice heat accumulator which produces ice by producing overcooled water by a full liquid shell and tube heat exchanger. SOLUTION: To a device which is equipped with a refrigerant circulating circuit and a water circulating circuit and cools water with a heat accumulator and exchange 42 into overcooled condition and mixes ice nuclei produced with an ice nuclei generator 42 into this water and dissolves overcooled condition so as to manufacture ice, the heat accumulator ant exchanged 42 is constituted of a full liquid type of shell ant tube type where a plurality of heat conductive pipes 49, 49,... are arranged within a container 48, and water, inside the heat conductive pipe 49, and a refrigerant, in the refrigerant circulation space 48c outside the heat conductive pipe 49, are let flow. Water is let flow from upper side to down side to the heat conductive pipe 49. The refrigerant is let flow from down side to upper side into the refrigerant circulation space 48c.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention cools a heat storage medium such as water or an aqueous solution to a supercooled state by heat exchange with a refrigerant, and then eliminates the supercooled state to produce ice in a slurry state. Related to the ice heat storage device that stores the
In particular, it relates to improvement of the heat exchange state between the heat storage medium and the refrigerant in the supercooling heat exchanger for generating the heat storage medium in the supercooled state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an ice heat storage device provided in an ice storage type air conditioner or the like, in view of reducing power demand during peak cooling load and expanding power demand during off-peak time. In addition, there is known an apparatus in which slurry-like ice to be used as cooling heat at the time of a cooling load peak is generated at the time of a cooling load off-peak and stored in a heat storage tank.

As an example of this type of ice heat storage device, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-251177, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism and a refrigerant heat exchange section of a supercooling heat exchanger are used. A refrigerant circulation circuit sequentially connected by refrigerant pipes, a heat storage tank, a heat storage medium heat exchange section and a supercool elimination section of a supercooling heat exchanger capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant heat exchange section are sequentially connected by a water pipe. There is known a device provided with a water circulation circuit formed by connection.

As an ice making operation of this type of ice heat storage device, the water (heat storage medium) taken out from the heat storage tank to the water pipe is exchanged with the refrigerant in the refrigerant heat exchange portion in the heat storage medium heat exchange portion to cause excess heat. After cooling to a cooling state, the supercooling elimination section eliminates the supercooled state to generate slurry ice. Then, the ice is supplied to and stored in the heat storage tank.

[0005] A supercooling heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat storage medium heat exchanging section and the refrigerant heat exchanging section.
As a type, there is a liquid-filled shell-and-tube heat exchanger. This type of heat exchanger is provided with a cylindrical container having an axis in the vertical direction, a plurality of heat transfer tubes extending in the vertical direction are provided in the container, and each heat transfer tube is connected to a water pipe. While connecting to allow water to flow from the lower end toward the upper end, a refrigerant circulation space for circulating the refrigerant in a substantially full state is formed around the heat transfer tube, and a refrigerant introduction pipe is provided at the bottom of the container. , The refrigerant outlet pipes are respectively connected to the upper portions, and the respective pipes are communicated with the refrigerant circulation space. As a result, in the container, heat is exchanged between the water flowing in the heat transfer tube from its lower part to its upper part and the refrigerant flowing in its surrounding refrigerant flow space from its lower part to its upper part, thereby evaporating. The water is supercooled by the refrigerant. That is, in the upper end portion inside the heat transfer tube, water that is in a supercooled state due to heat exchange with the refrigerant flows, and this water is led out from the heat transfer tube and flows toward the supercooling elimination portion.

[0006]

By the way, in the supercooling heat exchanger configured as described above, the refrigerant introduced from the refrigerant introduction pipe into the refrigerant distribution space flows through the refrigerant distribution space toward the refrigerant discharge pipe. At this time, since pressure loss occurs, the temperature in the upper portion (outlet side portion) of the refrigerant flow space lowers than the temperature in the lower portion (inlet side portion) of the refrigerant flow space. That is, in the upper part of the refrigerant circulation space, the evaporation temperature decreases as the pressure of the refrigerant decreases.

As described above, since water in the supercooled state flows in the upper end portion inside the heat transfer tube, the region in which the water in the subcooled state flows and the region where the temperature of the refrigerant are particularly low. And will match. In other words, in the upper end portion of the heat transfer tube, water in a supercooled state flows inside and a refrigerant having a particularly low temperature flows outside, and heat exchange is performed between the two. Therefore, the water in the supercooled state is further cooled by the refrigerant, and the degree of supercooling may become too large, and the supercooled state may disappear at the upper end portion inside the heat transfer tube. In such a case, the ice generated due to the elimination of this supercooling adheres to the inner surface of the heat transfer tube, which significantly increases the flow resistance of water in the heat transfer tube and reduces the amount of water circulation to reduce the ice making efficiency. It will cause a decline.

On the other hand, the refrigerant is in a boiling state near the gas-liquid interface of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation space, and along with this, the droplet-shaped refrigerant is evaporated to the upper end portion of the heat transfer tube along the flow of the gas refrigerant. It scatters toward and adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the heat transfer tube. The attached refrigerant exchanges heat with the water flowing inside the heat transfer tube and evaporates. In other words, even with this refrigerant, the supercooled water flowing in the upper end portion inside the heat transfer tube is further cooled, and similarly to the above, the degree of supercooling becomes too large, and this subcooled state inside the heat transfer tube It will disappear and become ice, which will increase the flow resistance of water in the heat transfer tube.

As described above, the conventional structure of the supercooling heat exchanger is apt to cause a situation in which the supercooling water flowing in the downstream end portion of the heat transfer tube is unnecessarily cooled. It could not be said that the reliability of the ice making operation was sufficiently secured.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to improve the heat exchange state between the refrigerant and water in a heat exchanger of this type so as to improve the heat transfer inside the heat transfer tube. It is to prevent the elimination of cooling.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the flow of water (heat storage medium) and the refrigerant in the inside of the supercooling heat exchanger are opposite to each other. The refrigerant in which the water in the cooled state exchanges heat is the refrigerant on the higher temperature side of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant heat exchange section.

Specifically, the compressor (1), the heat source side heat exchanger (3), the expansion mechanism (52a), and the refrigerant heat exchange section (42a) of the subcooling heat exchanger (42) are A refrigerant circulation circuit (A) in which the refrigerant can be circulated through a refrigerant pipe (8), a heat storage tank (T) for storing the heat storage medium, a circulation means (P) for pumping the heat storage medium, and the above Heat storage medium heat exchange part (42b) of the subcooling heat exchanger (42) capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant heat exchange part (42a)
And a heat storage circulation circuit (B) in which a heat storage medium can be circulated through a circulation pipe (45), the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant heat exchange section (42a) and the heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b). ) Is exchanged with the heat storage medium in the liquid phase, the heat storage medium is cooled to a supercooled state by the evaporating refrigerant, and the heat storage medium is led out from the supercooled heat exchanger (42), and then the supercooled state. It is premised on an ice heat storage device that solves the above problem to generate ice and collects the ice in the heat storage tank (T). And
The refrigerant flow direction in the refrigerant heat exchange section (42a) and the heat storage medium flow direction in the heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b) are opposite to each other.

With this configuration, the operation during ice making is as follows.
The heat storage medium taken out from the heat storage tank (T) is cooled to a supercooled state by exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant heat exchange section (42a) in the heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b), and the heat storage medium is cooled. After being discharged from the medium heat exchange section (42b), the supercooled state is canceled and the phase changes to ice. Then, this ice is collected in the heat storage tank (T) and stored as cold storage heat. During such an ice making operation, the refrigerant flow direction in the refrigerant heat exchange part (42a) and the heat storage medium flow direction in the heat storage medium heat exchange part (42b) are opposite to each other. For this reason, even in the situation where the evaporation temperature at the outlet side is particularly low due to the pressure loss when the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant heat exchange section (42a), the heat storage medium that exchanges heat with this refrigerant is Since it is on the upstream side of the heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b), that is, on the high temperature side, even if this heat storage medium exchanges heat with the low temperature side refrigerant, it does not freeze.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ice heat storage device according to the first aspect, the subcooling heat exchanger (42) is provided with a container (48).
And a refrigerant introduction pipe (52) connected to the low pressure side of the expansion mechanism (52a) in the lower part of the container (48) and a refrigerant discharge pipe (51) connected to the suction side of the compressor (1) in the upper part. A heat transfer tube (49) that connects to the inside and communicates with the circulation piping (45) and extends vertically.
Is accommodated. The heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b) is constituted by the internal passage of the heat transfer tube (49), while the refrigerant heat exchange section (4
2a), which is formed around the heat transfer tube (49) in the container (48) and communicates with the refrigerant introduction pipe (52) and the refrigerant discharge pipe (51) to make the refrigerant flow in a substantially full state. Distribution space (48
It consists of c). Further, a heat storage medium flowing from the upper end to the lower end of the internal passage of the heat transfer tube (49) and the refrigerant introduction tube.
The refrigerant flowing from the (52) into the refrigerant circulation space (48c) is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant evaporated in the refrigerant circulation space (48c) to flow out from the refrigerant outlet pipe (51).

In such a structure, in particular, a part of the refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the heat storage medium flows out from the refrigerant outlet pipe (51), so that the refrigerant flowing out is mixed with droplets. In some cases, this refrigerant scatters toward the upper end of the heat transfer tube (49) along the flow of the evaporated gas refrigerant, and the heat transfer tube (4
9) adheres to the outer peripheral surface, evaporates and cools the heat storage medium flowing in the upper end portion inside the heat transfer tube, but as in the present invention, the refrigerant flow direction in the refrigerant heat exchange section (42a), When the heat storage medium flow directions in the heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b) are opposite to each other, the heat storage medium that exchanges heat with the droplet-like refrigerant is the high temperature side of the heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b). Therefore, even in this case, even if the heat storage medium exchanges heat with the low temperature side refrigerant, it does not freeze.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ice heat storage device according to the second aspect, the subcooling heat exchanger (42) has a container (4
In the inside of 8), a pair of upper and lower tube plates (36, 37) are formed to partition the heat storage medium introduction space (48a) above the refrigerant circulation space (48c) and the heat storage medium discharge space (48b) below. The heat transfer tubes (49) through the tube plates (36, 37), the upper end of the heat transfer medium introducing space (48a) and the lower end of the heat storage medium introducing space.
Open each at (48b). Also, the heat storage medium heat exchange section
(42b) is configured by the internal passage of the heat transfer tube (49).

As a result, the structure of the supercooling heat exchanger to which the present invention is applied can be specifically obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ice heat storage device according to the first aspect, the heat storage medium heat exchange section (4) is provided downstream of the heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b) in the heat storage circulation circuit (B).
An ice nucleation means (46) for supplying fine particles of ice to the heat storage medium derived from 2b) is provided to eliminate the supercooling of the heat storage medium around the ice supplied from the ice nucleation means (46). It is configured to generate ice for heat storage.

With this configuration, the supercooled state of the heat storage medium derived from the subcooling heat exchanger (42) can be reliably eliminated.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the entire structure of a refrigerant circulation circuit (A) provided in an ice heat storage type air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a water circulation circuit (B) as a heat storage circulation circuit. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit (X) and a plurality of indoor units (Y, Y,
Y) and Y) are connected by liquid-side and gas-side connecting pipes (RL, RG) forming a part of the refrigerant circulation circuit (A), so-called indoor multi-type. Below, refrigerant circulation circuit (A)
The water circulation circuit (B) will be explained.

-Description of Refrigerant Circulation Circuit- First, the main circuit configuration of the refrigerant circulation circuit (A) will be described.

This refrigerant circuit (A) is an outdoor unit
(X), an outdoor heat exchanger (3) as a heat source side heat exchanger in which a four-way switching valve (2), an outdoor fan (F) is disposed in close proximity, and a receiver (4) And first outdoor electric expansion valve
(5), a plurality of indoor electric expansion valves (6, 6, 6) provided in the indoor unit (Y), and an indoor heat exchanger (7, 7, 7) as a use-side heat exchanger are connected with refrigerant pipes. (8) A main refrigerant circuit (A-1) sequentially connected by (8).

A detailed description will be given of the connection state of each device by the refrigerant pipe (8). A gas side pipe (10) is provided at one end of the outdoor heat exchanger (3) on the gas side, and a gas side pipe (10) is provided at the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger (3). Are connected to liquid side pipes (11), respectively. Gas side piping
(10) is connected to the discharge side and the suction side of the compression mechanism (1) by a four-way switching valve (2) so as to be switchable. That is, the gas side pipe (10) is connected between the discharge side of the compression mechanism (1) and the four-way switching valve.
(2), a second discharge gas line (10b) connecting the four-way switching valve (2) and the outdoor heat exchanger (3), a four-way switching valve (2). ) And a suction gas line (10c) connecting the suction side of the compression mechanism (1). Also,
The intake gas line (10c) is provided with an accumulator (12).

On the other hand, the liquid side pipe (11) is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger (3).
A first liquid line (11a) connecting the receiver and the receiver (4), a second liquid line (11b) connecting the receiver (4) and the first outdoor electric expansion valve (5), and an outdoor electric expansion valve (5) And a third liquid line (11c) for connecting the liquid side communication pipe (RL) with the third liquid line (11c). The first liquid line (11a) has a receiver from the outdoor heat exchanger (3).
Check valve (CV1) that allows only refrigerant flow to (4)
However, in the third liquid line (11c), two check valves (CV2, CV3) each permitting only the flow of the refrigerant from the outdoor electric expansion valve (5) to the liquid side communication pipe (RL) are provided. Have been.

A check valve in the first liquid line (11a)
The fourth liquid line (11d) is connected between (CV1) and the receiver (4) and the downstream side of the check valve (CV3) in the third liquid line (11c). The fourth liquid line (11d) is provided with a check valve (CV4) that allows only the flow of the refrigerant from the third liquid line (11c) to the first liquid line (11a).

The liquid side communication pipe (RL) is connected to the liquid side of each indoor heat exchanger (7, 7, 7) via a plurality of indoor liquid pipes (7a, 7a, 7a). . Each of the indoor liquid pipes (7a, 7a, 7a) is provided with the indoor electric expansion valve (6, 6, 6).

On the other hand, the gas side communication pipe (RG) is connected to each indoor heat exchanger (7, 7, 7) via a plurality of indoor gas pipes (7b, 7b, 7b).
Is connected to the gas side. In addition, this gas side communication pipe (R
G) is connected to a four-way switching valve (2) via a gas pipe (15), and the connection state between the discharge side and the suction side of the compression mechanism (1) is switched by the four-way switching valve (2). It is possible.

The compression mechanism (1) has a variable capacity type upstream compressor (COMP-1) whose capacity is controlled in a number of stages by inverter control, and a switching control in three stages of full load, unload and stop. A so-called twin type in which a downstream compressor (COMP-2) with an unloader mechanism is connected in parallel.

The refrigerant circuit (A) is provided with an oil return mechanism (20) for returning lubricating oil to the compression mechanism (1). The oil return mechanism (20) includes an oil separator (21, 22) and an oil return pipe (23, 24). The above oil separator (21,22)
Are the discharge pipes (1) of the upstream compressor (COMP-1) and the downstream compressor (COMP-2) which are part of the first discharge gas line (10a).
0a-1, 10a-2). The oil return pipes (23, 24) each include a capillary tube (CP), and have a lower end of an oil separator (21, 22) and an upstream compressor (part of the suction gas line (10c)). The lubricating oil stored in the oil separators (21, 22) is returned to the upstream compressor (COMP-1) by being connected to the suction pipe (10c-1) of the COMP-1). Also,
Downstream of the oil separator (21, 22) in each discharge pipe (10a-1, 10a-2), a four-way switching valve (2) from each compressor (COMP-1, COMP-2)
Check valves (CV5, CV6) each permitting only the flow of the refrigerant toward the outlet are provided.

The suction pipe (10c-2) of the downstream compressor (COMP-2), which is a part of the suction gas line (10c), is connected to the suction pipe (10c) of the upstream compressor (COMP-1). -1) The pressure loss is set to be greater than that of the compressor, and an oil equalizing pipe (25) having a capillary tube (CP) is connected between both compressors (COMP-1 and COMP-2). As a result, the high-pressure side upstream compressor (COMP-1)
The lubricating oil collected at the downstream compressor (CO
The lubricating oil is supplied to the compressors (COMP-1) and the compressors (COMP-1, COMP-2).

An auxiliary heat exchanger (30) is provided adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger (3).
The gas side of (0) is connected to the downstream side of the check valves (CV5, CV6) in the first discharge gas line (10a) by the auxiliary gas line (31). On the other hand, the liquid side of the auxiliary heat exchanger (30) is connected to the downstream side of the check valve (CV1) in the first liquid line (11a) by the auxiliary liquid line (32). The auxiliary liquid line (32) has a capillary tube (CP) and a first solenoid valve.
(SV1) is provided.

Further, a check valve in the third liquid line (11c)
Check valve (C) in the upstream side of (CV2) and the first liquid line (11a).
The heating liquid line (33) is connected to the upstream side of V1). This heating liquid line (33) has a third liquid line (11c)
A check valve (CV7) is provided to allow only the flow of the refrigerant from the outside to the outdoor heat exchanger (3).

The second liquid line (11b) and the downstream side of the check valve (CV2) in the third liquid line (11c) are connected by a bypass line (34). This bypass line (3
4) is provided with a second solenoid valve (SV2) and a check valve (CV8) that allows only the refrigerant to flow from the second liquid line (11b) to the third liquid line (11c). The main circuit configuration of the refrigerant circuit (A) has been described above.

-Description of Water Circulation Circuit- Next, the configuration of the water circulation circuit (B) will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water circulation circuit (B) includes a heat storage tank (T), a pump (P) as a circulation means, a preheater (40) consisting of a heat exchanger having a double pipe structure, and a mixing unit. (41), a heat storage heat exchanger (42) as a supercooling heat exchanger consisting of a vertical shell-and-tube heat exchanger, and a subcooling canceller (4
3) are sequentially connected by a water pipe (45) so that water circulation (see the arrow in FIG. 2) is possible. The water pipe (45a) connecting the heat storage heat exchanger (42) and the supercooling canceller (43) is provided with an ice nucleus generator (46) and an ice growth preventer (47). The preheater (40) and the heat storage heat exchanger (42) exchange heat between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit (A) and water.

Hereinafter, the preheater (40) and the heat storage heat exchanger (4)
The configuration of the refrigerant circuit (A) for supplying a refrigerant that exchanges heat with water in 2) will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the preheater (40) is provided in the middle of the third liquid line (11c), and the space on the center side of the double pipe preheater (40) is filled with water. The refrigerant in the third liquid line (11c) flows through the outer space to exchange heat between the two (see FIG. 2). Also, the third
The thawing bypass line (50) connects the liquid line (11c) between the preheater (40) and the connection position of the bypass gas line (34) and the upstream side of the accumulator (12).
The defrost bypass line (50) is provided with a third solenoid valve (SV3).

Next, the structure of the heat storage heat exchanger (42) as a member characteristic of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the heat storage heat exchanger (42) includes a closed cylindrical container (48) having a vertically extending axial core. At the upper and lower ends of this container (48), there are water distribution spaces (48a, 48b) defined by the tube sheet (36, 37) on the inlet side and outlet side as the inlet and outlet spaces for the heat storage medium. Along with
Inlet water distribution space (48a) and outlet water distribution space (48b)
And a plurality of heat transfer tubes (49, 4
9,…) are provided. Specifically, the tube plate (36) on the introduction side located on the upper side is arranged over the entire inner surface of the container (48) at a lower position with a predetermined distance from the upper surface of the container (48), Introductory water distribution space that is the space above it
The space (48a) and the refrigerant circulation space (48c) that is the lower space are partitioned from each other. On the other hand, the tube plate (37) on the outlet side located on the lower side
Is disposed over the entire inner surface of the container (48) at an upper position with a predetermined distance from the lower surface of the container (48), and the outlet side water distribution space (48b) which is the space below it. It forms a partition with the refrigerant circulation space (48c). Then, in the water circulation space (48a) on the introduction side, a water pipe (45) extending from the mixer (41) is provided.
c) is the subcooling elimination device (43) in the water distribution space (48b) on the outlet side.
Water pipes (45a) leading to are connected respectively. Further, each heat transfer tube (49, 49, ...) Is a straight tube having radiating fins (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface, and is arranged in parallel with each other at equal intervals, and the upper end thereof is an inlet side tube plate. It penetrates through (36) and opens to the water circulation space (48a) on the introduction side, and the lower end is the tube plate (3
It penetrates through 7) and opens to the water circulation space (48b) on the outlet side.
In other words, each heat transfer tube (49,49, ...)
Water can be circulated from 8a) to the water circulation space on the outlet side (48b).

The lower part of the refrigerant flow space (48c) is connected to the lower connecting pipe (52) and the upper part thereof is connected to the upper connecting pipe (51). This upper connecting pipe (51) and lower connecting pipe
(52) is a heat storage heat exchanger (42) at the time of cold heat storage operation, thawing operation, cold heat storage / cooling simultaneous operation, and heating operation using hot heat storage, which will be described later.
It functions as a refrigerant introducing pipe for introducing the refrigerant into the refrigerant circulating space (48c) and a refrigerant outlet pipe for discharging the refrigerant from the refrigerant circulating space (48c). With such a configuration, the water storage spaces (48a, 48b) and the internal passages of the heat transfer tubes (49) constitute the heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b), and the refrigerant circulation space (48c) forms the refrigerant heat exchange section ( 42a) is configured.
Then, in the refrigerant circulation space (48c), the upper connecting pipe (5
1) and the introduction or derivation of the refrigerant from the lower connecting pipe (52) allow the refrigerant to flow in the refrigerant circulation space (48c) in a substantially full state with a gas-liquid interface (G). That is,
Heat storage heat exchanger (42), the refrigerant introduced through the upper connection pipe (51) and the lower connection pipe (52) in the refrigerant circulation space (48c), the refrigerant is distributed around each heat transfer pipe (49), It is configured to exchange heat between this refrigerant and the water flowing through each heat transfer tube (49).

Due to such a constitution, in the heat storage heat exchanger (42) of the present embodiment, the refrigerant introduced from the lower connecting pipe (52) into the refrigerant distribution space (48c) is generated during the supercooling water generating operation. After flowing through the refrigerant circulation space (48c) from its lower part to its upper part, it is led out from the upper connecting pipe (51), while it is introduced from the upper water pipe (45c) to the introduction side water distribution space ( The water introduced into the heat transfer tube (49) through the heat transfer tube (49) flows through the heat transfer tube (49) from its upper part to its lower part, and then the water distribution space (4)
It is designed to be led out from the lower water pipe (45d) via 8b). That is, inside the heat storage heat exchanger (42), heat exchange is performed while the refrigerant and water flow in opposite directions. The above is the main configuration of the heat storage heat exchanger (42).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, one end of the upper connecting pipe (51) is connected to the suction gas line (10c) on the upstream side of the connecting position of the defrosting bypass line (50). on the other hand,
One end of the lower connecting pipe (52) is connected between the preheater (40) and the check valve (CV3) in the third liquid line (11c). The upper connecting pipe (51) is provided with a fourth solenoid valve (SV4), and the lower connecting pipe (52) is provided with the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a).

A heat storage utilization bypass pipe (53) is provided between the upper end of the receiver (4) and the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a) in the lower connection pipe (52) and the heat storage heat exchanger (42). Connected by. The heat storage bypass pipe (53) is provided with a capillary tube (CP) and a fifth solenoid valve (SV5).

Further, between the connection position of the auxiliary gas line (31) in the first discharge gas line (10a) and the check valve (CV5, CV6), and the heat storage bypass pipe (53) in the lower connection pipe (52). )
And the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a) are connected by a hot gas supply pipe (54). The hot gas supply pipe (54) is provided with a sixth solenoid valve (SV6).

Further, the downstream side of the sixth solenoid valve (SV6) in the hot gas supply pipe (54) and the upper side surface of the heat storage heat exchanger (42) are connected by a heat storage utilization supply pipe (55). There is.
The heat storage utilization supply pipe (55) is provided with a seventh solenoid valve (SV7).

By connecting the refrigerant pipes to the preheater (40) and the heat storage heat exchanger (42) in this way, when the refrigerant is supplied to each device (40, 42) from each refrigerant pipe, Heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and water to cool or heat the water. Specifically, for example, the water is cooled so as to generate supercooled water for ice making in the heat storage heat exchanger (42), or the ice is melted when the ice circulates through the water pipe (45). The water is heated by the preheater (40).

Next, the ice nucleus generator (46) and the ice growth preventer (47) will be described. The ice nucleator (46) has a water pipe (4
5a) A part of the water flowing through the refrigerant circulation circuit (A) is cooled and iced by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circulation circuit (A), and the ice is used as ice nuclei to remove the supercooling
Is to be supplied to The ice nucleus generator (46) has an ice nucleation refrigerant introduction pipe (58) and an ice nucleation refrigerant extraction pipe (59).
Is connected. The ice nucleation refrigerant introduction pipe (58) has one end between the connection position of the hot gas supply pipe (54) in the lower connecting pipe (52) and the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a), and the other end Each is connected to a generator (46). Further, the ice nucleation refrigerant introduction pipe (58) includes a capillary tube (CP).
One end of the ice nucleation refrigerant outlet pipe (59) has one end of the downstream compressor (C
The other end is connected to the suction pipe (10c-2) of the OMP-2) and the ice nucleus generator (46). As a result, the ice nucleation refrigerant introduction pipe (5
Refrigerant and water pipe (45a) introduced from 8) to ice nucleus generator (46)
Cools the water by exchanging heat with the water flowing through the water, and a part of this water adheres to the inner wall surface of the water pipe (45a) as an ice block to generate supercooled water in the water pipe (45a). A part is brought into contact with this ice block to eliminate supercooling to generate ice nuclei, which is then made to flow toward the supercooling eliminating section (43).

The ice growth preventer (47) is arranged upstream of the ice nucleus generator (46) in the water flow direction, and extends from the ice nucleus generator (46) to the water pipe (45a). It prevents the development of ice along the pipe wall. And this ice progress prevention device (47)
The anti-progression refrigerant inlet pipe (60) and the anti-progression refrigerant outlet pipe (6
1) is connected. One end of the propagation preventing refrigerant introduction pipe (60) is connected to the auxiliary gas line (31), and the other end is connected to the ice growth preventing device (47). The expansion prevention refrigerant outlet pipe (61) has one end of the capillary tube (CP) in the auxiliary liquid line (32).
The other end is connected between the first solenoid valve (SV1) and the other end of the ice prevention device (47).
Connected to each. Also, this progress prevention refrigerant outlet pipe
(61) has a capillary tube (CP). As a result, the ice nucleus generator (4) is heated by heating the wall of the water pipe (45a) with the refrigerant introduced from the propagation prevention refrigerant introduction pipe (60).
6) to stop ice from developing.

Further, the mixer (41) and the supercooling elimination device (4
3) is composed of a hollow cylindrical container, and water is introduced from the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface by a water pipe (45), and the water introduced into the container is swirled. This allows the mixer
In (41), as described later, the ice discharged from the heat storage tank (T) and the water heated by the preheater (40) are mixed and stirred to promote the melting of the ice, while the supercooling is performed. Elimination device (43)
In the above, the ice nuclei generated by the ice nucleus generator (46) and the supercooled water generated by the heat storage heat exchanger (42) are mixed and stirred to promote the elimination of the supercooling.

Further, (62) in FIG. 2 is a filter for removing ice and impurities contained in water introduced into the preheater (40).

The four-way switching valve (2), the solenoid valves (SV1 to SV7) and the electric expansion valves (5, 6, 52a) described above are controlled by the controller (70) to open and close. ing.

-Structure of Sensors- Various sensors are provided in the refrigerant circulation circuit (A) and the water circulation circuit (B). First, in the refrigerant circuit (A), an outdoor air temperature sensor (Th-1) for detecting the outdoor air temperature is provided near the outdoor heat exchanger (3). An outdoor liquid temperature sensor (Th-2) for detecting the liquid refrigerant temperature of the compression mechanism (1) is provided on the branch pipe side, and discharge gas temperature sensors (Th-31, Th-32) for detecting the discharge gas refrigerant temperature of the compression mechanism (1). The discharge pipes (10a-1, 10a-2) of each compressor (COMP-1, COMP-2)
A suction gas temperature sensor (Th-4) for detecting a suction gas refrigerant temperature of the compression mechanism (1) is provided in each of the suction gas lines (10c) of the compression mechanism (1). Further, a high pressure sensor (SEN-H) for detecting the refrigerant pressure discharged from the compression mechanism (1) is provided to the first discharge gas line (10a), and a low pressure pressure sensor (SEN-H) for detecting the suction refrigerant pressure of the compression mechanism (1). -L) is provided in each of the upper connection pipes (51) connected to the suction gas line (10c),
The high pressure protection switches (HPS, HPS) that operate when the discharge refrigerant pressure of each compressor (COMP-1, COMP-2) reaches a predetermined high pressure are connected to the discharge pipe (10a) of each compressor (COMP-1, COMP-2). -1,10a-2).

On the other hand, in the water circulation circuit (B), an inlet water temperature sensor (Th-W1) is provided at the water inlet of the lower end of the preheater (40), and a mixer is provided.
Near the water outlet at the lower end of (41), an outlet water temperature sensor (Th-W
2) is a supercooled water temperature sensor (Th-W3) on the water outlet side of the heat storage heat exchanger (42), and an ice formation detection sensor (T
h-W4) is provided for detecting the water temperature at each part. Further, the water inlet pipe (45b) connected to the lower end of the preheater (40) detects the flow velocity of the water in the water inlet pipe (45b), and turns on when the flow velocity falls below a predetermined value. -F) is provided.

-Control Configuration-The air conditioner of the present invention is configured so that each sensor (Th-1 to SEN-L, Th
-W1 to Th-W4), switch (HPS), and switch (SW-F) detection signals are input to the controller (70), and based on these detection signals, open / close switching of each solenoid valve (SV1 to SV7) is performed. Each electric expansion valve
(5, 6, 52a) and the capacity of the compression mechanism (1) are controlled.

-Operational Operation- Next, the operational operation of the air conditioner configured as described above will be described. The operation modes of the air conditioner include a normal cooling operation, a normal heating operation, an ice nucleation operation, a cold storage operation, a thawing operation, a simultaneous cold storage / cooling operation, a cooling operation using cold storage, a hot storage operation, and a hot storage operation. There are simultaneous heating operation and heating operation using thermal storage.

The refrigerant circulation operation in each operation mode will be described below.

-Normal cooling operation-In this operation mode, the four-way switching valve (2) is switched to the solid line side in the figure by the controller (70), and the indoor electric expansion valve is operated.
(6) is adjusted to a predetermined opening (superheat control), and the other electric expansion valves are closed. On the other hand, the second solenoid valve (SV2) is opened, and the other solenoid valves are closed.

When the compression mechanism (1) is driven in this state, the refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism (1) passes through the four-way switching valve (2) and the outdoor heat exchanger ( Introduced into 3), the outdoor heat exchanger (3) exchanges heat with the outside air to condense. Thereafter, the refrigerant is introduced into the indoor unit (Y, Y, Y) via the liquid side pipe (11) and the bypass line (34), and is depressurized by the indoor electric expansion valve (6, 6, 6). The heat exchanger (7, 7, 7) exchanges heat with room air to evaporate and cool the room air. This gas refrigerant is supplied to the gas pipe (15), the four-way switching valve (2), and the suction gas line (10
Through c), it is returned to the suction side of the compression mechanism (1). By performing such a circulation operation of the refrigerant, indoor cooling is performed.

-Normal heating operation-In this operation mode, the four-way switching valve (2) is switched to the broken line side by the controller (70), and the first outdoor electric expansion valve
While (5) is adjusted to a predetermined opening, the indoor electric expansion valve (6)
Is fully opened. Also, the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a)
And each solenoid valve is closed together.

When the compression mechanism (1) is driven in this state, the refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism (1) flows through the four-way switching valve (2) and the gas pipe (15) as shown by the arrow in FIG. After that, it is introduced into the indoor unit (Y, Y, Y), and heat is exchanged with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger (7, 7, 7) to condense and heat the indoor air. Thereafter, the refrigerant reaches the receiver (4) via the third liquid line (11c) and the fourth liquid line (11d), flows from the receiver (4) through the second liquid line (11b), and flows into the first outdoor electric line. After the pressure is reduced by the expansion valve (5), the heat is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger (3) from the heating liquid line (33), and the outdoor heat exchanger (3) exchanges heat with the outside air to evaporate. . After that, the compression mechanism (1) passes through the four-way switching valve (2) and the suction gas line (10c).
Is returned to the suction side. The indoor heating is performed by performing such a circulation operation of the refrigerant.

-Ice Nucleus Generating Operation-This operation mode is for generating ice nuclei for eliminating the supercooled state of the supercooled water in the cold heat storage operation described later. In this operation mode, a water cooling operation for cooling water in the water circulation circuit (B) to a predetermined temperature (for example, 2 ° C.) is performed before the start of the ice nucleation operation. Explaining the circulation operation of water and refrigerant in the water cooling operation, the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a) is adjusted to a predetermined opening, and the first and second electromagnetic valves (SV1, SV2) are opened. Other electric expansion valves and solenoid valves are closed. Further, the four-way switching valve (2) is switched to the solid line side. In this state, the pump (P) is driven to circulate water in the water circulation circuit (B), and the compression mechanism (1) is driven. The refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism (1)
After condensation in the outdoor heat exchanger (3), the refrigerant in the heat storage heat exchanger (42) is depressurized by the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a) through the liquid side pipe (11) and the lower connecting pipe (52). It is introduced into the distribution space (48c), where heat is exchanged with water flowing through each heat transfer tube (49), and the water is cooled and evaporated. Then, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation space (48c) is returned to the suction side of the compression mechanism (1) by the upper connecting pipe (51) and the suction gas line (10c). At this time, the upper connection pipe (51), the refrigerant circulation space (48c)
It functions as a refrigerant outlet pipe for leading out the internal refrigerant.

When such a water cooling operation is performed for a predetermined time and the water temperature of the water circulation circuit (B) reaches a predetermined temperature,
Move to the following ice nucleation operation.

In this ice nucleation operation, the controller (70)
Accordingly, the four-way switching valve (2) is set to the solid line side, the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a) is adjusted to a predetermined opening degree, and the other electric expansion valves are closed. In addition, the first and second solenoid valves (SV1, SV1
2) is opened while other solenoid valves are closed.

In this state, in the water circulation circuit (B),
The pump (P) is driven to circulate the water cooled by the water cooling operation in the water circulation circuit (B). on the other hand,
In the refrigerant circuit (A), only the upstream compressor (COMP-1) of the compression mechanism (1) is driven. And this compressor (COM
The refrigerant discharged from P-1) is, as indicated by the arrow in FIG.
Part of the heat is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger (3) through the four-way switching valve (2), and heat exchanges with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger (3) to condense. After that, this refrigerant is
(11), the bypass line (34), the lower connection pipe (52), the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a), and the ice nucleus generating refrigerant (46). Another part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (COMP-1) is introduced into the auxiliary heat exchanger (30) through the auxiliary gas line (31), and the auxiliary outdoor heat exchanger (30)
Also in the above, heat exchange is performed with the outside air to condense. Thereafter, the refrigerant joins the liquid side pipe (11). The refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (3) and the auxiliary outdoor heat exchanger (30) is decompressed by the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a).
Inside the ice nucleus generator (46), the water flowing through the water pipe (45a) is cooled to generate ice nuclei and evaporate, and then the ice nucleation refrigerant outlet pipe (59) and suction pipe (10c-1) ) Via the upstream compressor (C
It is returned to the suction side of OMP-1).

On the other hand, a part of the refrigerant flowing through the auxiliary gas line (31) is connected to the ice-prevention preventer through the anti-progress refrigerant introducing pipe (60).
Heat is supplied to the pipe (47) to heat the pipe wall of the water pipe (45a), thereby preventing ice from developing along the pipe wall from the ice nucleus generator (46). Then, the refrigerant is joined to the auxiliary liquid line (32) from the expansion prevention refrigerant outlet pipe (61). For this reason,
Even in a situation where ice grows along the wall surface upstream (toward the heat storage heat exchanger (42)), so-called ice progresses, this growing ice reaches the growth preventer (47). This progress is made possible by the heat storage heat exchanger
It does not reach (42). After such an ice nucleation operation is continuously performed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes), the process proceeds to a cold heat storage operation described later.

-Cold heat storage operation-In this operation mode, the supercooled water is brought into contact with the ice nuclei produced by the ice nucleation operation described above,
The supercooled state is eliminated around the ice nuclei to generate ice for heat storage.

In this operation mode, the four-way switching valve (2) is set to the solid line side by the controller (70) and the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a) is adjusted to a predetermined opening, while the other electric expansion valves are adjusted. The valve is closed. Also, the first, second, and fourth solenoid valves (SV1, S
V2, SV4) are opened, while the other solenoid valves are closed.

In this state, in the water circulation circuit (B),
The pump (P) is driven to circulate water in the water circulation circuit (B). On the other hand, in the refrigerant circuit (A), the compression mechanism
(1) is driven, and a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism (1) is turned into a four-way switching valve as shown by an arrow in FIG.
It is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger (3) via (2), and heat exchanges with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger (3) to condense.
Thereafter, the refrigerant is supplied to the liquid side pipe (11) and the bypass line.
(34), it is introduced into the heat storage heat exchanger (42) through the lower connecting pipe (52). Further, another part of the refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism (1) is introduced into the auxiliary heat exchanger (30) through the auxiliary gas line (31), and is connected to the outside air in the auxiliary outdoor heat exchanger (30). It exchanges heat between it and condenses. Thereafter, the refrigerant joins the liquid side pipe (11) via the auxiliary liquid line (32). Each heat exchanger (3,3
The refrigerant condensed in step (0) is reduced in pressure by the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a). The refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant circulation space (48c) of the heat storage heat exchanger (42) passes through the heat transfer tubes (49) in the refrigerant circulation space (48c) of the heat storage heat exchanger (42). Heat exchange with the flowing water and evaporate, and the water is cooled to a supercooled state (for example, -2 ° C). Then the upper connecting pipe
It is returned to the suction side of the compression mechanism (1) via (51) and the suction gas line (10c). Also at this time, the upper connection pipe (51) functions as a refrigerant outlet pipe for leading the refrigerant out of the refrigerant circulation space (48c).

Further, even in the main operation, the above-mentioned ice nucleation operation is performed at the same time. That is, the lower connecting pipe (52)
A part of the refrigerant flowing through the ice nucleus generator (46) is introduced into the ice nucleus generator (46) through the ice nucleation refrigerant introduction pipe (58). Thereby, continuous ice making can be performed. And this ice nucleus generator (46)
In the same manner as in the ice nucleation operation described above, the refrigerant that has cooled the water to generate ice nuclei passes through the ice nucleation refrigerant outlet pipe (59) and the suction gas line (10c) to the suction side of the compression mechanism (1). Will be returned.

At the same time, the auxiliary gas line (31)
A part of the refrigerant flowing through is supplied to the ice growth preventive device (47) to prevent the ice from developing in the same manner as above. As a result, the progress of the ice reaches the heat storage heat exchanger (42), in which the supercooled state of the supercooled water is eliminated, and the heat storage heat exchanger (4) is released.
2) is prevented from freezing.

The supercooled water generated in the heat storage heat exchanger (42) by performing such a circulation operation of water and refrigerant is
The ice nuclei from the ice nuclei generator (46) are mixed in the vicinity of the ice nuclei generator (46) and are introduced into the supercooling elimination device (43) in this state. Then, in the supercooling canceller (43), the supercooled water is released from the supercooled state around the ice nucleus with the swirling flow, thereby producing slurry-like ice for heat storage. This ice is collected in the heat storage tank (T) and stored in the heat storage tank (T).

At this time, whether or not the subcooling elimination operation is being performed in the subcooling elimination device (43) is confirmed by the above-mentioned supercooling water temperature sensor (Th-W3) and ice generation detection sensor (Th-W4). It is performed by the water temperature detected respectively. In other words, when a good ice making operation is being performed, the supercooled water temperature sensor (Th-
In W3), the supercooled water temperature (for example, -2 ° C) is detected, and in the ice formation detection sensor (Th-W4), the supercooling is eliminated and the water temperature in which ice and water are mixed (for example, 0 ° C) is detected. Then, it can be confirmed that the supercooling elimination operation is being performed by detecting these water temperatures by the respective sensors (Th-W3, Th-W4).

Further, the compression mechanism in this cold heat storage operation
The capacity control of (1) is performed so that the water temperature detected by the supercooling water temperature sensor (Th-W3) is maintained at a predetermined temperature (for example, −2 ° C. described above). In addition, during the main operation, relatively high-temperature refrigerant flows into the preheater (40), so that ice temporarily flows out of the heat storage tank (T) into the water pipe (45), and this flows out of the preheater (40). ), The preheater (4
The ice and the water heated in (0) are stirred in the mixer (41) to melt the ice, and to prevent the ice from being mixed into the heat storage heat exchanger (42) while preventing the ice from being mixed. The operation of generating the supercooled water in (42) is performed favorably, and the supercooled water is not released from the supercooled state until it reaches the supercooled canceller (43). In other words, the heat storage heat exchanger (42)
Freezing due to elimination of supercooling will be avoided.

-Thawing Operation- During the cold heat storage operation as described above, when the supercooling of water in the heat storage heat exchanger (42) is eliminated and the heat storage heat exchanger (42) is frozen, this cold storage operation is performed. Temporarily suspend the heat storage operation and switch to the thawing operation. In this thawing operation, the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a), the third, fourth, and sixth solenoid valves (SV3, SV4, SV6)
Is opened, and the other electric expansion valves and solenoid valves are closed. In this state, the compression mechanism (1) is driven to supply the hot gas refrigerant from the compression mechanism (1) to the lower connecting pipe (52) by the hot gas supply pipe (54) as shown by the arrow in FIG. Then, through the lower connecting pipe (52), a part is introduced into the refrigerant circulation space (48c) of the heat storage heat exchanger (42), and the other is introduced into the preheater (40). And the refrigerant (hot gas) introduced into the heat storage heat exchanger (42)
Melts the ice in the heat storage heat exchanger (42) by the heat. At this time, if the pump (P) of the water circulation circuit (B) is driven, the ice is slightly melted, and the ice is stored in the heat storage heat exchanger (42) by the water pressure from the pump (P). The water is easily separated from the wall surface of the water path and is washed away toward the supercooling canceller (43). Then, this refrigerant passes through the upper connection pipe (51) and the suction gas line (10c), and the compression mechanism (1)
Is returned to the suction side. On the other hand, the refrigerant introduced into the preheater (40) is supplied to the thawing bypass line (50) and the suction gas line (10
Through c), it is returned to the suction side of the compression mechanism (1). Also at this time, the upper connection pipe (51) functions as a refrigerant outlet pipe that leads out the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow space (48c) of the heat storage heat exchanger (42).

In the cold storage operation, the heat storage heat exchanger (4
The operation to detect that 2) has frozen is as follows: When the water temperature detected by the supercooled water temperature sensor (Th-W3) rises rapidly from -2 ° C to 0 ° C, this supercooled water temperature sensor (T
It is determined that ice has been generated by performing the supercooling elimination operation on the upstream side of h-W3), and the thawing operation described above is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes). In addition, as an operation for starting the thawing operation, when the flow rate of the water detected by the flow switch (SW-F) becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value,
It is determined that ice blocks part of the water circulation circuit (B), and in this case also, the thawing operation is performed to melt the ice. When the thawing operation is completed, the cold storage operation is started again.

-Cooling heat storage / cooling simultaneous operation-This operation mode is for the heat storage tank while cooling the room.
The operation of storing ice in (T) is performed in a state where the cooling load is relatively small.

In this operation mode, the indoor electric expansion valves (6, 6, 6) are opened in the cold heat storage operation described above. That is, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 9, a part of the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (3) and the auxiliary heat exchanger (30) is supplied to the indoor unit (Y, Y, Y), and Expansion valve
After the pressure is reduced at (6,6,6), it is evaporated by the indoor heat exchanger (7,7,7). And this gas refrigerant is gas pipe
(15), is returned to the suction side of the compression mechanism (1) via the four-way switching valve (2) and the suction gas line (10c). The other water and refrigerant circulation operations are the same as in the cold storage operation described above.

-Cooling operation using cold heat storage-This operation mode is for cooling the room while utilizing the cold heat of the ice stored in the heat storage tank (T) in the cold heat storage operation described above.

In this operation mode, the four-way switching valve (2) is switched to the solid line side by the controller (70), the indoor electric expansion valve (6, 6, 6) is adjusted to a predetermined opening degree, and the second outdoor The electric expansion valve (52a) is fully opened, while the first outdoor electric expansion valve (5) is closed. In addition, the fifth, sixth, and seventh solenoid valves (S
V5, SV6, SV7) are opened, and the other solenoid valves are closed.

In this state, in the water circulation circuit (B),
The pump (P) is driven to circulate water in the water circulation circuit (B). As a result, the heat storage tank is located in the water circulation circuit (B).
The cold water cooled by the ice in (T) circulates. On the other hand, in the refrigerant circuit (A), the compression mechanism (1)
As a result, the refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism (1) partially becomes a four-way switching valve (2) as shown by an arrow in FIG.
Is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger (3) through the outdoor heat exchanger (3).
In the above, heat exchange is performed with the outside air to condense. Thereafter, the refrigerant is supplied to the first liquid line (11a), the receiver (4),
It flows toward the indoor unit (Y, Y, Y) via the heat storage bypass pipe (53), the lower connecting pipe (52), and the third liquid line (11c). In addition, some other refrigerant flows through the hot gas supply pipe (54) and the heat storage supply pipe (55), bypassing the four-way switching valve (2) and the outdoor heat exchanger (3), and performing heat storage heat exchange. The heat is exchanged with the cold water circulating in the water circulation circuit (B) to condense the water, and is introduced into the lower connecting pipe (52). The refrigerant introduced into the lower connecting pipe (52) joins the third liquid line (11c) and flows toward the indoor unit (Y, Y, Y). The refrigerant that has reached the indoor unit (Y, Y, Y) is depressurized by the indoor electric expansion valves (6, 6, 6), and then evaporated by the indoor heat exchanger (7, 7, 7). The gas is returned to the suction side of the compression mechanism (1) through the gas pipe (15) and the suction gas line (10c). In this manner, the indoor cooling operation using the cold heat of the ice stored in the heat storage tank (T) is performed.

In the cooling operation utilizing the cold heat storage, when the water temperature detected by the supercooling water temperature sensor (Th-W3) reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, 5 ° C.), the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a), fifth, sixth and seventh solenoid valves (SV5, S
V6 and SV7) are closed, and the second solenoid valve (SV2) is opened to terminate the cold storage utilizing cooling operation and switch to normal cooling operation. In other words, after the supercooled water temperature sensor (Th-W3) detects that most of the cold heat in the heat storage tank (T) has been used, the operation is switched to the normal cooling operation.

-Hot Heat Storage Operation-This operation mode is for storing hot water in the heat storage tank (T) as the heat used during the heating operation.

In this operation mode, the controller (70) switches the four-way selector valve (2) to the broken line side, the first outdoor electric expansion valve (5) is adjusted to a predetermined opening, and the second outdoor electric expansion valve is opened. The valve (52a) and the seventh solenoid valve (SV7) are opened, while the other electrically driven expansion valves and solenoid valves are closed.

In this state, in the water circulation circuit (B),
The pump (P) is driven to circulate water in the water circulation circuit (B). On the other hand, in the refrigerant circuit (A), the compression mechanism
(1) is driven, and the refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism (1) is supplied to the hot gas supply pipe (54) as shown by an arrow in FIG.
Then, the heat is supplied to the heat storage heat exchanger (42) through the heat storage supply pipe (55), where the heat is exchanged with water in the water circulation circuit (B) to heat and condense the water. The refrigerant is supplied to the lower connecting pipe (52), the third liquid line (11c), and the fourth liquid line (11d).
Through the second liquid line (11b) and the heating liquid line (33),
After the pressure is reduced by the first outdoor electric expansion valve (5), the outdoor heat exchanger
Introduced in (3). After this heat is exchanged with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger (3) to evaporate, it passes through the four-way switching valve (2) and the suction gas line (10c) to the suction side of the compression mechanism (1). Will be returned. By performing such circulation operation of water and refrigerant, the water flowing through the water circulation circuit (B) receives heat from the refrigerant in the heat storage heat exchanger (42) and becomes hot water in the heat storage tank (T). Will be stored.

When the water temperature detected by the inlet water temperature sensor (Th-W1) reaches a predetermined high temperature (for example, 35 ° C.) during such a heat storage operation, the heat storage tank
Judging that sufficient heat has been stored in (T), the operation is terminated.

-Simultaneous operation of heat storage / heating-In this operation mode, the heat storage tank is operated while heating the room.
(T) is an operation for storing hot water, which is performed in a state where the heating load is relatively small.

In this operation mode, the indoor electric expansion valve (6, 6, 6) is opened in the above-described heat storage operation. That is, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 12, a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism (1) is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger (7, 7, 7) through the gas pipe (15), and this indoor heat exchange is performed. The heat is exchanged with the room air in the chambers (7, 7, 7) to heat and condense the room air, and then join the refrigerant in the third liquid line (11c). The other water and refrigerant circulation operations are the same as in the above-described warm heat storage operation.

-Heat Storage Utilizing Heating Operation-This operation mode is for heating the room while utilizing the warm heat of the hot water stored in the heat storage tank (T) in the above-mentioned heat storage operation.

In this operation mode, the controller (70) switches the four-way switching valve (2) to the broken line side, and the first outdoor electric expansion valve (5) is adjusted to a predetermined opening, while the indoor electric expansion valve is adjusted. The valves (6, 6, 6) and the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a) are fully opened. Further, the fourth solenoid valve (SV4) is opened and the other solenoid valves are closed.

When the compression mechanism (1) is driven in this state, the refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism (1) flows through the four-way switching valve (2) and the gas pipe (15) as shown by the arrow in FIG. After that, it is introduced into the indoor unit (Y, Y, Y), and heat is exchanged with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger (7, 7, 7) to condense and heat the indoor air. Thereafter, the refrigerant is supplied to the third liquid line (11c).
Then, the pressure reaches the receiver (4) via the fourth liquid line (11d), and is reduced from the receiver (4) via the second liquid line (11b) by the first outdoor electric expansion valve (5). Then, a part of this refrigerant is introduced into the refrigerant circulation space (48c) of the heat storage heat exchanger (42) through the second liquid line (11b) and the lower connecting pipe (52), where it is exchanged with hot water. After heat exchange and evaporation, the upper connecting pipe
It is collected on the suction side of the compression mechanism (1) via (51) and the suction gas line (10c). Also at this time, the upper connecting pipe (51) functions as a refrigerant outlet pipe for leading the refrigerant out of the refrigerant inflow portion (48c) of the heat storage heat exchanger (42).

Then, another part of the refrigerant decompressed by the first outdoor electric expansion valve (5) is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger (3) through the heating liquid line (33), and this outdoor heat exchanger (3 In 3), after heat exchange with the outdoor air and evaporation, the four-way switching valve
(2) and is returned to the suction side of the compression mechanism (1) through the suction gas line (10c). In this way, the indoor heating operation using the heat of the hot water stored in the heat storage tank (T) is performed.

Also in the heating operation using warm heat storage, when the water temperature detected by the inlet water temperature sensor (Th-W1) reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, 20 ° C.) as in the heating operation using cold heat storage described above. The second outdoor electric expansion valve (52
a) and the fourth solenoid valve (SV4) are closed to end the heating operation using the heat storage, and the operation shifts to the normal heating operation. That is,
The heat storage tank is detected by detecting the water temperature of the inlet water temperature sensor (Th-W1).
After it is determined that most of the heat in (T) has been used, the operation is switched to the normal heating operation. The air conditioning in the room is performed by each operation as described above.

The operation characteristic of this embodiment is the circulation operation of the refrigerant and water inside the heat storage heat exchanger (42) during the cold heat storage operation and the simultaneous cold heat storage / cooling operation. That is, in such an operating state, as described above, the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant circulation space (48c) from the lower side to the upper side, and the water flows inside the heat transfer tube (49) from the upper side to the lower side. There is. Then, the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circulation space (48c) causes a pressure loss in the space (48c), and accordingly, the temperature is higher than the temperature in the lower portion (introduction side portion) of the space (48c). The temperature at (outlet side) is low. That is, the upper end portion of the heat transfer tube (49) is exposed to particularly low temperature refrigerant. However, in the case of the present embodiment, the upper end portion of the heat transfer tube (49) that is the portion exposed to the low-temperature refrigerant is the upstream end portion of the water flow path, and the water (mixture with a relatively high temperature is mixed). Since the water having substantially the same water temperature as the outlet side of the vessel (41) is flowing, even if this water exchanges heat with a refrigerant having a particularly low temperature, it does not freeze. Absent. In other words, the configuration of the present embodiment is not a configuration in which water in a supercooled state exchanges heat with the refrigerant having a particularly low temperature as in the conventional case, so the degree of subcooling of the supercooled water is required. It is possible to avoid the situation where supercooling is eliminated in the heat transfer tube (49) and ice adheres to the inner surface of the heat transfer tube (49) to significantly increase the flow resistance of water. It will be.

Further, the refrigerant is in a boiling state in the vicinity of the gas-liquid interface (G) of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation space (48c), and along with this, the droplet-like refrigerant is evaporated along the flow of the gas refrigerant. Although it will scatter toward the upper end portion of the heat transfer tube (49) and evaporate after adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the heat transfer tube (49) to locally cool the upper end portion of the heat transfer tube (49), Since water having a relatively high temperature (above the freezing point) flows in this portion as described above, the water cooled by the vaporized droplet refrigerant may also be frozen in the heat transfer tube (49). Absent.

As described above, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the supercooling water flowing inside the heat transfer tube (49) is cooled more than necessary, and the supercooling elimination operation is performed inside the heat transfer tube (49). It can be avoided that the operation is performed and the reliability of the ice making operation can be sufficiently ensured.

In the lower part of the heat transfer tube (49), the supercooled water is
It will be cooled by the liquid refrigerant flowing at the bottom of the refrigerant circulation space (48c), but the temperature of the refrigerant in this part is relatively easy to control, and for example, the opening degree of the second outdoor electric expansion valve (52a) can be adjusted. Then, by adjusting the temperature (pressure reduction degree) of the liquid refrigerant to such an extent that the supercooled water is not cooled more than necessary, it is possible to generate supercooled water having an optimum temperature for ice making, A stable ice making operation can be performed.

-Experimental Example- Next, the result of an experiment conducted to confirm the effect of the present embodiment will be described. The present experiment was conducted in the case where the circulation directions of the refrigerant and water were opposite to each other as in the above-described embodiment, and in the case where the circulation directions of the both were set to be the same as in the conventional case, the refrigerant and the water in each part. This was done by measuring the temperature respectively.

The results are shown in FIG. As can be seen from this figure, in the refrigerant heat exchange section (42a), the temperature slightly decreases from the refrigerant inlet side toward the refrigerant outlet side. This is due to the pressure loss in the refrigerant heat exchange section (42a) as described above. When the refrigerant and the water are circulated in the same direction (parallel flow) as in the conventional case, the water outlet side (the right end in FIG. 14) exchanges heat with the refrigerant outlet side. The temperature difference between the two is large (the temperature difference is indicated by Δt1). That is, it can be seen that the amount of heat exchange is large in this portion, and the water in the supercooled state is further cooled. On the other hand, when the circulation directions of the refrigerant and water are opposite to each other (counterflow) as in the present embodiment, the outlet side of the water (left end in FIG. 14) exchanges heat with the inlet side of the refrigerant. Therefore, the temperature difference (Δt
2) is smaller than the case of the parallel flow. That is, it can be seen that the amount of heat exchange is small in this portion, and the supercooled water is not in a state of being greatly cooled. Therefore, in the case of the conventional configuration, the supercooled state is eliminated in the heat transfer tube, and the tube is likely to be blocked, whereas in the case of the present embodiment, such a situation is less likely to occur. I understand.

Although water is used as the heat storage medium for heat storage in the present embodiment, other brine solution or the like may be used. Also, the case where the present invention is applied to an ice heat storage device for an air conditioner has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to other devices utilizing cold storage heat.

[0100]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects are exhibited. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant in the refrigerant heat exchange section is provided for the ice heat storage device in which the heat storage medium is supercooled by the supercooling heat exchanger and the supercooled state is eliminated to generate ice. Since the flow direction and the heat storage medium flow direction in the heat storage medium heat exchange section are opposite to each other, the evaporation temperature in the outlet side portion decreases due to the pressure loss when the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant heat exchange section. In this situation, the heat storage medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant having a particularly low temperature is on the upstream side of the heat storage medium heat exchange section, that is, on the high temperature side. A situation in which the medium exchanges heat with the refrigerant having a particularly low temperature is avoided, and the generation of ice accompanying the supercooling elimination operation in the heat storage medium heat exchange section can be suppressed. Therefore, the reliability of the ice making operation can be sufficiently ensured, and the ice making efficiency can be constantly maintained at a high level.

In the configuration of the invention described in claim 2, for example,
When the refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the heat storage medium flows out as a mixture of droplets, this refrigerant scatters toward the upper end portion of the heat transfer tube along the flow of the evaporated gas refrigerant, Although the heat storage medium is to be cooled, the heat storage medium that exchanges heat with the droplet-shaped refrigerant is the one on the higher temperature side of those flowing through the heat storage medium heat exchange section. Even if it exchanges heat with the refrigerant on the side, it does not become iced, and the reliability of ice making operation can be sufficiently ensured.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the structure of the supercooling heat exchanger to which the present invention is applied can be specifically obtained, and the practicality of the device can be improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the supercooling of the heat storage medium is eliminated by the ice from the ice nucleus generating means provided on the downstream side of the heat storage medium heat exchange section to generate ice for heat storage. Therefore, the supercooled state of the heat storage medium can be reliably eliminated,
The reliability of ice making operation can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a refrigerant circulation circuit provided in an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a water circulation circuit.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the heat storage heat exchanger.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circulation operation in a normal cooling operation.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circulation operation in a normal heating operation.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circulation operation of the ice nucleus generation operation.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circulation operation of the cold storage operation.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circulation operation of a thawing operation.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circulation operation of the cold storage / cooling simultaneous operation.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circulation operation in a cooling operation utilizing cold storage heat.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circulation operation of the heat storage operation.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circulation operation of the simultaneous heat storage / heating operation.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circulation operation of the heating operation using the heat storage.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the results of an experiment conducted to confirm the effect of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Compressor (3) Outdoor heat exchanger (heat source side heat exchanger) (8) Refrigerant piping (36) Inlet side tube plate (37) Outlet side tube plate (42) Heat storage heat exchanger (supercooling heat exchanger) (42a) Refrigerant heat exchange section (42b) Heat storage medium heat exchange section (45) Circulation piping (46) Ice nucleator (ice nucleation means) (48) Container (48a) Introduction side water distribution space (heat storage medium) (Introduction space) (48b) Outlet side water distribution space (heat storage medium outflow space) (48c) Refrigerant distribution space (49) Heat transfer pipe (51) Upper connection pipe (refrigerant outflow pipe) (52) Lower connection pipe (refrigerant introduction pipe) (52a) Second outdoor electric expansion valve (expansion mechanism) (A) Refrigerant circulation circuit (B) Water circulation circuit (heat storage circulation circuit) (P) Pump (circulation means) (T) Heat storage tank

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A compressor (1), a heat source side heat exchanger (3),
Expansion mechanism (52a) and refrigerant heat exchange part of subcooling heat exchanger (42)
(42a) is equipped with a refrigerant circulation circuit (A) in which the refrigerant can be circulated through the refrigerant pipe (8), and the heat storage tank (T) for storing the heat storage medium and the heat storage medium are pressure-fed. The heat storage medium heat exchange part (4) of the subcooling heat exchanger (42) capable of heat exchange between the circulation means (P) and the refrigerant heat exchange part (42a).
2b) and a heat storage circulation circuit (B) in which the heat storage medium is circulated through a circulation pipe (45), and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant heat exchange section (42a) and the heat storage medium heat exchange section The heat storage medium in the liquid phase flowing through (42b) is heat-exchanged, the heat storage medium is cooled to a supercooled state by the evaporating refrigerant, and the heat storage medium is discharged from the supercooling heat exchanger (42) and then In the ice heat storage device that eliminates the cooling state to generate ice and collects the ice in the heat storage tank (T), the refrigerant circulation direction in the refrigerant heat exchange section (42a) and the heat storage medium heat exchange section ( An ice heat storage device characterized in that the flow directions of the heat storage medium in 42b) are opposite to each other. 2. The subcooling heat exchanger (42) comprises a container (48),
In the container (48), a refrigerant introduction pipe (52) connected to the low pressure side of the expansion mechanism (52a) is connected to the lower portion, and a refrigerant discharge pipe (51) connected to the suction side of the compressor (1) is connected to the upper portion. Along with this, a heat transfer tube (49) that communicates with the circulation pipe (45) and extends in the vertical direction is housed, and the heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b) is configured by an internal passage of the heat transfer tube (49). On the other hand, the refrigerant heat exchange section (42a) is a container (48).
Is formed around the heat transfer tube (49) and communicates with the refrigerant introduction tube (52) and the refrigerant outlet tube (51), and is constituted by a refrigerant circulation space (48c) for circulating the refrigerant in a substantially full state. The heat storage medium flowing from the upper end to the lower end of the internal passage of the heat transfer tube (49) and the refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant introduction tube (52) into the refrigerant distribution space (48c) exchange heat, and this refrigerant distribution The ice heat storage device according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant evaporated in the space (48c) flows out from the refrigerant outlet pipe (51). 3. The subcooling heat exchanger (42) has a heat storage medium introduction space above the refrigerant circulation space (48c) inside the container (48).
(48a) is provided with a pair of upper and lower tube plates (36, 37) for partitioning and forming the heat storage medium outlet space (48b) on the lower side, and the heat transfer tube (49) is
The upper end passes through each tube sheet (36, 37) and the heat storage medium introduction space (4
8a), the lower end portions are opened to the heat storage medium outlet space (48b), and the heat storage medium heat exchange portion (42b) is constituted by the internal passage of the heat transfer tube (49). Item 2. The ice heat storage device according to item 2. 4. An ice nucleus for supplying fine particles of ice to the heat storage medium derived from the heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b), on the downstream side of the heat storage medium heat exchange section (42b) in the heat storage circulation circuit (B). A generation means (46) is provided to eliminate supercooling of the heat storage medium around the ice supplied from the ice nucleus generation means (46) to generate ice for heat storage. The ice heat storage device according to 2 or 3.