US20060101845A1 - Compressor oil recovering apparatus and multi-unit air conditioner equiped with the same - Google Patents

Compressor oil recovering apparatus and multi-unit air conditioner equiped with the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060101845A1
US20060101845A1 US11/280,348 US28034805A US2006101845A1 US 20060101845 A1 US20060101845 A1 US 20060101845A1 US 28034805 A US28034805 A US 28034805A US 2006101845 A1 US2006101845 A1 US 2006101845A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
oil
compressor
compressors
air conditioner
supplied
Prior art date
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Abandoned
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US11/280,348
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English (en)
Inventor
Ho Jeong
Do Ha
Ki Kim
Ki Kwon
Sung Choi
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LG Electronics Inc
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LG Electronics Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
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Assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC. reassignment LG ELECTRONICS INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHOI, SUNG OH, HA, DO YONG, JEONG, HO JONG, KIM, KI BUM, KWON, KI BAIK
Publication of US20060101845A1 publication Critical patent/US20060101845A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B31/00—Compressor arrangements
    • F25B31/002—Lubrication
    • F25B31/004—Lubrication oil recirculating arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/006—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for two pipes connecting the outdoor side to the indoor side with multiple indoor units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
    • F25B2313/0233—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units in parallel arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/07—Details of compressors or related parts
    • F25B2400/075—Details of compressors or related parts with parallel compressors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/03—Oil level

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to a compressor oil recovering apparatus for a multi-unit air conditioner.
  • air conditioners perform procedures of compressing, condensing, expanding and evaporating a refrigerant to cool and/or heat a confined space.
  • Such air conditioners are classified into a cooling type wherein a refrigerant flows only in one direction through a refrigerant cycle, to supply cold air to a confined space, and a cooling and heating type wherein a refrigerant flows bi-directionally in a selective manner through a refrigerant cycle, to selectively supply cold air or hot air to a confined space.
  • air conditioners are classified into a general type wherein one indoor unit is connected to one outdoor unit, and a multi-unit type wherein a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit.
  • an air conditioner may be implemented which includes at least one outdoor unit.
  • the outdoor unit of such a multi-unit air conditioner includes at least one compressor corresponding to the load of the indoor units, and an oil separator connected to a refrigerant discharge line of the compressor, and adapted to separate oil from a refrigerant discharged from the compressor.
  • the compressor sucks low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant gas, compresses the sucked refrigerant gas into high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas, and discharges the resulting refrigerant gas.
  • high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas is discharged from the compressor, oil present in the compressor is also discharged together with the refrigerant.
  • the oil contained in the discharged refrigerant is again fed to the compressor after being separated from the refrigerant in the oil separator.
  • the oil separated by the oil separator may be re-discharged together with the refrigerant discharged from the compressor via the refrigerant discharge line, without being returned to the compressor via the refrigerant suction line.
  • shortage of oil may occur in the compressor.
  • Such oil shortage may cause abrasion and performance degradation of the compressor. As a result, the compressor exhibits a degradation in reliability.
  • the performance degradation of the compressor results in a degradation in the efficiency of the multi-unit air conditioner using the compressor, thereby causing a degradation in cooling/heating performance.
  • the present invention is directed to a compressor oil recovering apparatus and a multi-unit air conditioner equipped with the same that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-unit air conditioner which includes a compressor oil recovering apparatus capable of effectively recovering oil, using a simple configuration.
  • a compressor oil recovering apparatus comprises: a plurality of oil separators respectively connected to a plurality of compressors, each of the oil separators separating oil from a refrigerant discharged from an associated one of the compressors; an oil storage for storing the oil separated from each of the oil separators; and a plurality of oil supplying tubes each having one end connected to the oil storage, and the other end connected to an associated one of the compressors, each of the oil supplying tubes supplying the oil stored in the oil storage to the associated compressor.
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus may further comprise adjusters each arranged at an associated one of the oil supplying tubes, and adapted to adjust an amount of oil supplied from the oil storage to an associated one of the compressors in accordance with an oil storage state of the associated compressor.
  • Each of the adjusters may comprise a float arranged in an associated one of the compressors, and adapted to sense a level of oil stored in the associated compressor, and a float valve for controlling supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to the associated compressor, and an amount of the supplied oil, based on the sensed oil level.
  • the float valve may be arranged at a position where an associated one of the oil supplying tubes is connected to the associated compressor.
  • Each of the adjusters may comprise an oil sensor adapted to sense an amount of oil stored in an associated one of the compressors, and a solenoid valve adapted to control supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to the associated compressor, and an amount of the supplied oil, based on the sensed oil amount.
  • the oil sensor may be arranged in the associated compressor.
  • the solenoid valve may be arranged at a position where an associated one of the oil supplying tubes is connected with the associated compressor.
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus may further comprise strainers respectively arranged at the oil supplying tubes, and adapted to filter the oil supplied to the compressors to remove foreign matter contained in the oil.
  • the oil storage may be connected with the oil separators by a plurality of oil recovering tubes, respectively.
  • At least one of the compressors may comprise a variable-capacity compressor.
  • a multi-unit air conditioner comprises: an outdoor unit comprising a plurality of compressors, and an outdoor heat exchanger; a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, each of the indoor units comprising an indoor heat exchanger; a plurality of oil separators respectively connected to the compressors, each of the oil separators separating oil from a refrigerant discharged from an associated one of the compressors; an oil storage for storing the oil separated from each of the oil separators; and a plurality of oil supplying tubes each having one end connected to the oil storage, and the other end connected to an associated one of the compressors, each of the oil supplying tubes supplying the oil stored in the oil storage to the associated compressor.
  • the indoor units may be connected to the outdoor unit by a refrigerant line.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner may further comprise indoor fans each arranged in an associated one of the indoor units, and adapted to suck air from a confined space into the associated indoor unit, and then to discharge the air from the associated indoor unit to the confined space.
  • the multi-unit conditioner may further comprise an outdoor fan arranged in the outdoor unit, and adapted to suck outdoor air into the outdoor unit, and then to discharge the air from the outdoor unit to the atmosphere.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner may further comprise adjusters each arranged at an associated one of the oil supplying tubes, and adapted to adjust an amount of oil supplied from the oil storage to an associated one of the compressors in accordance with an oil storage state of the associated compressor.
  • Each of the adjusters may comprise a float arranged in an associated one of the compressors, and adapted to sense a level of oil stored in the associated compressor, and a float valve for controlling supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to the associated compressor, and an amount of the supplied oil, based on the sensed oil level.
  • the float valve may be arranged at a position where an associated one of the oil supplying tubes is connected with the associated compressor.
  • Each of the adjusters may comprise an oil sensor adapted to sense an amount of oil stored in an associated one of the compressors, and a solenoid valve adapted to control supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to the associated compressor, and an amount of the supplied oil, based on the sensed oil amount.
  • the oil sensor may be arranged in the associated compressor.
  • the solenoid valve may be arranged at a position where an associated one of the oil supplying tubes is connected with the associated compressor.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner may further comprise strainers respectively arranged at the oil supplying tubes, and adapted to filter the oil supplied to the compressors to remove foreign matter contained in the oil.
  • the oil storage may be connected with the oil separators by a plurality of oil recovering tubes, respectively.
  • the oil storage may comprise a storing container in which a single storing chamber is defined.
  • At least one of the compressors may comprise a variable-capacity compressor.
  • a multi-unit air conditioner comprises: an outdoor unit comprising at least two compressors; a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit; a plurality of oil separators respectively connected to the compressors, each of the oil separators separating oil from a refrigerant discharged from an associated one of the compressors; an oil storage for storing the oil separated from each of the oil separators; a plurality of oil supplying tubes each having one end connected to the oil storage, and the other end connected to an associated one of the compressors, each of the oil supplying tubes supplying the oil stored in the oil storage to the associated compressor; and adjusters each arranged at an associated one of the oil supplying tubes, and adapted to adjust an amount of oil supplied from the oil storage to an associated one of the compressors in accordance with an oil storage state of the associated compressor.
  • FIG. 1 is a partially-broken perspective view illustrating a multi-unit air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a refrigerant cycle established during a cooling operation of the multi-unit air conditioner shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a compressor oil recovering apparatus shown in FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a compressor oil recovering apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a multi-unit air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This multi-unit air conditioner will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .
  • FIG. 1 is a partially-broken perspective view illustrating the multi-unit air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a refrigerant cycle established during a cooling operation of the multi-unit air conditioner shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a compressor oil recovering apparatus shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the multi-unit air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit 80 , and a plurality of indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 .
  • the multi-unit air conditioner also includes a refrigerant line 100 for connecting the indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 to the outdoor unit 80 .
  • the refrigerant line 100 includes a first refrigerant line 110 connected to a receiver 87 c included in the outdoor unit 80 at one end of the first refrigerant line 110 , and branched into a plurality of branch lines 111 , 112 , 113 , and 114 at the other end of the refrigerant line 110 such that the refrigerant line 110 is connected to one end of each of the indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 via an associated one of the branch lines 111 , 112 , 113 , and 114 .
  • the refrigerant line 100 also includes a second refrigerant line 120 connected to an accumulator 87 a included in the outdoor unit 80 at one end of the second refrigerant line 120 , and branched into a plurality of branch lines 121 , 122 , 123 , and 124 at the other end of the refrigerant line 120 such that the refrigerant line 120 is connected to the other end of each of the indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 via an associated one of the branch lines 121 , 122 , 123 , and 124 .
  • a refrigerant is introduced into the indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 through the first refrigerant line 110 .
  • Flows of the refrigerant respectively emerging from the indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 are joined through the second refrigerant line 120 which, in turn, supplies the refrigerant to the outdoor unit 80 .
  • Each of the indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 includes an indoor fan 74 adapted to force indoor air in a confined space to be sucked into the associated indoor unit 51 , 52 , 53 , or 54 , and then to be discharged into the confined space.
  • Each indoor unit 51 , 52 , 53 , or 54 also includes an indoor heat exchanger 72 adapted to cause the indoor air sucked into the associated indoor unit 51 , 52 , 53 , or 54 to heat-exchange with the refrigerant such that the indoor air is cooled or heated.
  • the outdoor unit 80 includes an outdoor fan 81 adapted to force outdoor air to be sucked into the outdoor unit 80 , and then to be discharged into the atmosphere, and an outdoor heat exchanger 82 adapted to cause the outdoor air sucked into the outdoor unit 80 by the outdoor fan 81 to heat-exchange with the refrigerant.
  • the outdoor unit 80 also includes a plurality of compressors 83 and 84 , each adapted to compress the refrigerant, and a plurality of oil separators 85 and 86 connected to refrigerant discharge lines 83 a and 84 a extending from the compressors 83 and 84 , and adapted to separate oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 83 and 84 , respectively.
  • each of the compressors 83 and 84 includes a compressing section having a compressing chamber, in which the refrigerant is compressed, a motor section for reducing the volume of the compressing chamber for the compression of the refrigerant, and an oil pump for pumping oil for lubrication of the motor section or compressing section.
  • At least one of the compressors 83 and 84 is of a variable capacity type, and the remaining one or ones of the compressors 83 and 84 are of a constant-speed type.
  • the compressor 83 is of the variable capacity type
  • the compressor 84 is of the constant-speed type.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes a common accumulator 87 a arranged in the outdoor unit 80 while being connected to respective refrigerant suction line 83 b and 84 b of the variable-capacity compressor 83 and constant-speed compressor 84 .
  • the common accumulator 87 a accumulates refrigerant liquid so that only refrigerant gas is introduced into the variable-capacity compressor 83 and constant-speed compressor 84 .
  • the multi-unit air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes a 4-way valve 87 b arranged in the outdoor unit 80 to change the path of the refrigerant such that the refrigerant emerging from the oil separators 85 and 86 is selectively introduced into the indoor heat exchangers 72 or into the outdoor heat exchanger 82 , thereby enabling the indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 to be used as coolers or heaters.
  • the receiver 87 c arranged in the outdoor unit 80 is also included in the multi-unit air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the receiver 87 c not only stores a surplus of refrigerant, but also causes only refrigerant liquid to be circulated through the indoor units during the cooling operation.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes an orifice or electronic expansion valve 88 a arranged at the refrigerant line 100 between the outdoor heat exchanger 82 and each of the indoor heat exchangers 72 , and adapted to expand the refrigerant emerging from the outdoor heat exchanger 82 and the associated indoor heat exchanger 72 into a low-temperature and low-pressure state.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner also includes an electronic expansion valve 88 b arranged in the outdoor unit 80 , and adapted to control the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating through the outdoor unit 80 , and thus, the refrigerant cycle.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes check valves 89 respectively arranged in the refrigerant discharge lines 83 a and 84 a of the variable-capacity compressor 83 and constant-speed compressor 84 .
  • the multi-unit air conditioner further includes a compressor oil recovering apparatus.
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus includes an oil storage 151 for receiving and storing oil separated from the oil separators 85 and 86 , and a plurality of oil supplying tubes 153 and 154 each connected between the oil storage 151 and an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84 to supply the oil stored in the oil storage 151 to the associated compressor 83 or 84 .
  • the oil storage 151 may be a storing container defined with a single storing chamber therein.
  • the oil storage 151 is connected to the plural separators 85 and 86 via a plurality of oil recovering tubes 156 and 157 , respectively.
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus further includes adjusters each arranged for adjusting the amount of oil supplied from the oil storage 151 to an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84 in accordance with the oil storage state of the associated compressor 83 or 84 .
  • each adjuster includes a float 159 a adapted to sense the level of the surface of oil stored in the associated compressor 83 or 84 .
  • Each adjuster also includes a float valve 159 for controlling the supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to the associated compressor 83 or 84 , and the amount of the supplied oil in accordance with the oil surface level sensed by the float 159 a.
  • the float valve 159 be arranged at an end of an associated one of the oil supply tubes 153 and 154 arranged adjacent to the associated compressor 83 or 84 .
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus further includes strainers 153 a and 154 a respectively arranged at the oil supplying tubes 153 and 154 , and adapted to filter the oil supplied to the compressors 83 and 84 to remove foreign matter contained in the oil.
  • a cooling cycle is established to cause the indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 to operate in cooling mode.
  • a heating cycle is established to operate the indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 in heating mode.
  • the multi-unit air conditioner operates such that a part of the indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 , for example, one or two of the indoor units 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 , operates in cooling mode
  • the variable-capacity compressor 83 of the outdoor unit 80 operates. In this case, the constant-speed compressor 83 of the outdoor unit 80 does not operate.
  • variable-capacity compressor 83 compresses the refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure state, and then discharges the compressed refrigerant through the refrigerant discharge line 83 a together with oil. A large part of the oil discharged together with the refrigerant is separated from the refrigerant while passing through the oil separator 85 . The remaining oil is circulated through the refrigerant cycle, together with the refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant emerging from the oil separator 85 is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger or indoor heat exchangers 72 of the indoor unit or indoor units, which operate in cooling mode, after passing through the 4-way valve 87 b , outdoor heat exchanger 82 , and expansion device or expansion devices 88 a , in this order.
  • the refrigerant is then evaporated while cooling air present around the indoor heat exchanger or indoor heat exchangers 72 , thereby causing the indoor unit or indoor units to function as a cooler or coolers.
  • the refrigerant is subsequently returned to the variable-capacity compressor 83 .
  • the oil separated from the refrigerant in the oil separator 85 is fed to the oil storage 151 through the oil recovering tube 156 , and is stored in the oil storage 151 . Subsequently, the stored oil is directly re-supplied to the variable-capacity compressor 83 through the oil supplying tube 153 .
  • the supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to the variable-capacity compressor 83 and the flow rate of the supplied oil are controlled by the float valve 159 arranged at the oil supplying tube 153 in accordance with the oil storage state of the variable-capacity compressor 83 .
  • the oil separated from the refrigerant by the oil separator 85 is directly supplied to the variable-capacity compressor 83 through the oil storage 151 and oil supplying tube 153 , contrary to the conventional case in which the separated oil is supplied to the variable-capacity compressor 83 through the refrigerant suction line 83 b . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent shortage of oil from occurring in the variable-capacity compressor 83 .
  • variable-capacity compressor 83 when the variable-capacity compressor 83 operates for a prolonged period of time, the oil present in the cooling cycle is concentrated in the variable-capacity compressor 83 . As a result, non-uniform oil distribution occurs between the compressors 83 and 84 .
  • such non-uniform oil distribution is prevented by the oil storage 151 connected with the oil separators 85 and 86 , the oil supplying tubes 153 and 154 , which supply the oil stored in the oil storage 151 to the compressors 83 and 84 , and the float valve 159 , which controls the oil supplied to the compressors 83 and 84 via the oil supplying tubes 153 and 154 .
  • the float valve 159 senses the surface level of oil corresponding to the minimum oil amount of each of the compressors 83 and 84 . Based on the sensed oil surface level, the oil stored in the oil storage 151 is supplied to the compressor 83 or 84 , in which shortage of oil has occurred. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent non-uniform oil distribution between the compressors 83 and 84 .
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a compressor oil recovering apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus which is included in a multi-unit air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention, includes oil sensors 259 a each arranged in an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84 , and adapted to sense the amount of oil stored in the associated compressor 83 or 84 .
  • the compressor oil recovering apparatus also includes solenoid valves 259 each adapted to control the supply or cut-off of the oil supplied to an associated one of the compressor 83 and 84 , and the amount of the supplied oil in accordance with the oil amount sensed by an associated one of the oil sensors 259 a.
  • the oil sensors 259 a substitute for the floats 159 described in the first embodiment
  • the solenoid valves 259 substitute for the float valves 159 of the first embodiment.
  • the oil sensors 259 a and solenoid valves 259 perform functions similar to those of the first embodiment.
  • Each solenoid valve 259 may be arranged at a position where an associated one of the oil supplying tubes 153 and 154 is connected with an associated one of the compressors 83 and 84 .
  • the multi-unit air conditioner also includes strainers 153 a and 154 a respectively arranged at the oil supplying tubes 153 and 154 , and adapted to filter the oil supplied to the compressors 83 and 84 to remove foreign matter contained in the oil.
  • each solenoid valve 259 is controlled, based on the amount of oil sensed by the float valve 159 arranged in the associated compressor 83 or 84 . Based on the sensed oil amount, an amount of oil required in the associated compressor 83 or 84 is supplied to the associated compressor 83 or 84 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent oil shortage and non-uniform oil distribution from occurring during the operation of the compressors 83 and 84 .
  • the multi-unit air conditioner according to the present invention which has been described, has various effects.
  • the oil which is separated from the refrigerant in the oil separators, is smoothly supplied to the oil storing section of each compressor. Accordingly, there are advantages of preventing abrasion and noise from being generated in the compressors, increasing the life of the compressors, and enhancing the system efficiency of the air conditioner.
  • the oil discharged from each compressor together with the refrigerant is recovered to the compressor via a single oil path defined by the oil separator, oil recovering tube, oil storage, and oil supplying tube. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that it is possible to efficiently recover compressor oil.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
  • Compression-Type Refrigeration Machines With Reversible Cycles (AREA)
US11/280,348 2004-11-18 2005-11-17 Compressor oil recovering apparatus and multi-unit air conditioner equiped with the same Abandoned US20060101845A1 (en)

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KR1020040094623A KR20060055154A (ko) 2004-11-18 2004-11-18 멀티형 공기조화기의 압축기 오일 회수장치
KRP2004-0094623 2004-11-18

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EP (1) EP1659350A1 (fr)
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CN (1) CN1776227A (fr)

Cited By (8)

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US20080087028A1 (en) * 2006-10-17 2008-04-17 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioner
US20090107169A1 (en) * 2007-10-25 2009-04-30 Pil Hyun Yoon Air conditioner
WO2010031250A1 (fr) * 2008-09-19 2010-03-25 江森自控科技公司 Dispositif de compensation d'huile, groupe compresseur et procédé de compensation d'huile
US20100326125A1 (en) * 2008-03-12 2010-12-30 Satoru Sakae Refrigeration system
US20150184910A1 (en) * 2013-12-26 2015-07-02 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioner
US20190078795A1 (en) * 2015-10-23 2019-03-14 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Air-conditioning system
WO2020098322A1 (fr) * 2018-11-16 2020-05-22 青岛海尔空调电子有限公司 Procédé et système de commande pour la réfrigération, le retour d'huile et la réduction de bruit d'un climatiseur multi-split
US11713760B2 (en) 2017-12-28 2023-08-01 Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Intake pipe used for compressor system and compressor system

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008101688A1 (fr) * 2007-02-20 2008-08-28 Konvekta Ag Système de climatisation à retour d'huile
JP5169295B2 (ja) * 2007-03-27 2013-03-27 ダイキン工業株式会社 冷凍装置
CN100516693C (zh) * 2007-08-15 2009-07-22 阿尔西制冷工程技术（北京）有限公司 一种风冷分体式空气调节机连接系统
CN101988717B (zh) * 2009-08-07 2012-11-28 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 模块化多联机组及其冷冻机油均衡控制方法
ITPD20100081A1 (it) * 2010-03-16 2011-09-17 Uniflair S P A Sistema di controllo del livello dell'olio per una pluralita' di compressori in parallelo
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CN102853585A (zh) * 2011-06-28 2013-01-02 青岛海信日立空调系统有限公司 多联式空调系统供油机构
FR2983257B1 (fr) * 2011-11-30 2018-04-13 Danfoss Commercial Compressors Dispositif de compression, et systeme thermodynamique comprenant un tel dispositif de compression
CN103574957A (zh) * 2012-08-02 2014-02-12 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 多联机模块化系统
CN105649991A (zh) * 2015-12-31 2016-06-08 深圳市共济科技有限公司 一种变频空调器及其压缩机回油系统
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KR102232269B1 (ko) 2019-07-03 2021-03-24 엘지전자 주식회사 전동식 압축기
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