US20260036347A1 - Air conditioning apparatus - Google Patents

Air conditioning apparatus

Info

Publication number
US20260036347A1
US20260036347A1 US19/118,818 US202219118818A US2026036347A1 US 20260036347 A1 US20260036347 A1 US 20260036347A1 US 202219118818 A US202219118818 A US 202219118818A US 2026036347 A1 US2026036347 A1 US 2026036347A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
valve
heat exchanger
heat exchange
main pipe
outdoor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
US19/118,818
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Chitose TANAKA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Original Assignee
Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mitsubishi Electric Corp filed Critical Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Publication of US20260036347A1 publication Critical patent/US20260036347A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • F25B25/00—Machines, plants or systems, using a combination of modes of operation covered by two or more of the groups F25B1/00 - F25B23/00
    • F25B25/005—Machines, plants or systems, using a combination of modes of operation covered by two or more of the groups F25B1/00 - F25B23/00 using primary and secondary systems
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25B29/00—Combined heating and refrigeration systems, e.g. operating alternately or simultaneously
    • F25B29/003—Combined heating and refrigeration systems, e.g. operating alternately or simultaneously of the compression type system
    • 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
    • F24F1/26—Refrigerant piping
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
    • F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
    • F24F11/83—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
    • F24F11/84—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers using valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • 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
    • F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
    • F25B41/30—Expansion means; Dispositions thereof
    • 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
    • F25B5/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several evaporator circuits, e.g. for varying refrigerating capacity
    • 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
    • F25B2339/00—Details of evaporators; Details of condensers
    • F25B2339/04—Details of condensers
    • F25B2339/047—Water-cooled condensers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25B2500/31—Low ambient temperatures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/02—Compressor control
    • F25B2600/025—Compressor control by controlling speed
    • F25B2600/0251—Compressor control by controlling speed with on-off operation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
    • F25B49/022—Compressor control arrangements

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an air conditioning apparatus, and particularly, to an air conditioning apparatus including an outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units, and a branch unit.
  • a conventionally-known air conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units, and a branch unit, in which the outdoor unit is connected to the plurality of indoor units via the branch unit.
  • heat transfer is performed by circulating refrigerant through the first third extension pipe and the second extension pipe in the outdoor unit and the branch unit, and heat transfer is performed by circulating water or antifreeze through the third extension pipe and the fourth extension pipe in the branch unit and the indoor unit.
  • the intermediate heat exchanger included in the branch unit performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water or antifreeze to transfer heat from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit via the intermediate heat exchanger in the branch unit during a cooling operation and transfer heat from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit via the intermediate heat exchanger in the branch unit during a heating operation.
  • the amount of filled refrigerant in the air conditioning apparatus may increase when the first extension pipe and the second extension pipe between the outdoor unit and the branch unit are installed over a long distance (e.g., 110 meters).
  • the refrigerant has a global warming potential (GWP) higher than that of a heat medium such as water and antifreeze, and accordingly, the impact of the air conditioning apparatus on global warming increases as the amount of filled refrigerant increases.
  • GWP global warming potential
  • the refrigerant may be costly and have a high risk of combustion in the event of leakage compared to the heat medium such as water and the antifreeze. For these reasons, air conditioning apparatuses with a lower total amount of filled refrigerant are in demand in the market and society.
  • An air conditioning apparatus includes: an outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units, and a branch unit; a refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant circulates; and a heat medium circuit through which a heat medium having a global warming potential (GWP) lower than that of the refrigerant circulates.
  • the refrigerant circuit is disposed in the branch unit, has a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a second heat exchanger, and is provided such that the refrigerant circulates through the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the second heat exchanger in order.
  • the heat medium circuit has a first pump, a second pump, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, a first branch header, a second branch header, a first merge header, a second merge header, a plurality of first on-off valves, a plurality of second on-off valves, a plurality of third on-off valves, a plurality of fourth on-off valves, a fifth on-off valve, a sixth on-off valve, a seventh on-off valve, an eighth on-off valve, a ninth on-off valve, and a tenth on-off valve disposed in the branch unit, an outdoor heat exchanger disposed in the outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger disposed in each of the plurality of indoor units, a supply main pipe and a return main pipe connecting the branch unit to the outdoor unit, and a plurality of supply branch pipes and a plurality of return branch pipes connecting the branch unit to respective ones of the plurality of indoor units.
  • a second end of each of the plurality of return branch pipes is connected to a second end of the indoor heat exchanger of a corresponding one of the plurality of indoor units.
  • the first branch header is connected to the first merge header via the fifth on-off valve.
  • the second branch header is connected to the second merge header via the sixth on-off valve.
  • the first merge header, the first pump, the first heat exchanger, and the first branch header are connected in order.
  • the second merge header, the second pump, the second heat exchanger, and the second branch header are connected in order.
  • a first end of the supply main pipe is connected to the first merge header via the seventh on-off valve and is connected to the second merge header via the eighth on-off valve.
  • a second end of the supply main pipe is connected to a first end of the outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit.
  • a first end of the return main pipe is connected to the first pump via the ninth on-off valve and is connected to the second pump via the tenth on-off valve.
  • a second end of the return main pipe is connected to a second end of the outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit.
  • FIG. 2 shows a refrigerant circuit and a heat medium circuit when the air conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is during a cooling-only operation.
  • FIG. 4 shows the refrigerant circuit and the heat medium circuit when the air conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is during a heating-only operation.
  • FIG. 7 shows an air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 8 shows an air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3.
  • FIG. 9 shows an air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4.
  • an air conditioning apparatus 100 includes a branch unit 10 , an outdoor unit 40 , and a plurality of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c.
  • Air conditioning apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes three indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, but the number of indoor units may be any number of two or more.
  • Branch unit 10 includes a refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant circulates.
  • Branch unit 10 , outdoor unit 40 , and the plurality of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c include a heat medium circuit through which a heat medium having a global warming potential (GWP) lower than that of the refrigerant circulates.
  • the heat medium having a global warming potential (GWP) lower than that of the refrigerant is, for example, water or antifreeze.
  • the refrigerant circuit is included only in branch unit 10 .
  • the refrigerant circuit is not included in outdoor unit 40 or the plurality of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c.
  • the refrigerant circuit has a compressor 31 , a first heat exchanger 12 , an expansion valve, and a second heat exchanger 22 .
  • Compressor 31 , first heat exchanger 12 , the expansion valve, and second heat exchanger 22 are disposed in branch unit 10 .
  • the refrigerant circuit is provided such that the refrigerant circulates through compressor 31 , first heat exchanger 12 , the expansion valve, and second heat exchanger 22 in order.
  • the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circuit condenses by exchanging heat with the heat medium circulating through the heat medium circuit in first heat exchanger 12 , and evaporates by exchanging heat with the heat medium circulating through the heat medium circuit in second heat exchanger 22 .
  • the heat medium circuit has first pump 11 , first heat exchanger 12 , a first branch header 13 , a first merge header 16 , a second pump 21 , a second heat exchanger 22 , a second branch header 23 , a second merge header 26 , a plurality of first on-off valves 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, a plurality of second on-off valves 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, a plurality of third on-off valves 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, a plurality of fourth on-off valves 25 a, 25 b, 25 c, a fifth on-off valve 17 , a sixth on-off valve 27 , a seventh on-off valve 33 , an eighth on-off valve 34 , a ninth on-off valve 35 , and a tenth on-off valve 36 in branch unit 10 .
  • the heat medium circuit has an outdoor heat exchanger 43 in outdoor unit 40 .
  • the heat medium circuit has indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c in the plurality of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, respectively.
  • the heat medium circuit further has a supply main pipe 41 and a return main pipe 42 connecting branch unit 10 to outdoor unit 40 , and a plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and a plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c connecting branch unit 10 to the plurality of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, respectively.
  • first merge header 16 , first pump 11 , first heat exchanger 12 , and first branch header 13 are connected in series via a pipe in the stated order.
  • First merge header 16 , first pump 11 , first heat exchanger 12 , first branch header 13 , and the plurality of pipes connecting these in series constitute a first pipe route.
  • second merge header 26 In branch unit 10 , second merge header 26 , second pump 21 , second heat exchanger 22 , and second branch header 23 are connected in series via a pipe in the stated order. Second merge header 26 , second pump 21 , second heat exchanger 22 , second branch header 23 , and the plurality of pipes connecting these in series constitute a second pipe route.
  • Each of the first pipe route and the second pipe route is connected to outdoor heat exchanger 43 via supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 , and is connected to each of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c via a corresponding one of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and a corresponding one of the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c.
  • Outdoor heat exchanger 43 and each of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c are connected in parallel to each other with respect to the first pipe route, and are also connected in parallel to each other with respect to the second pipe route.
  • the heat medium circuit further has, in branch unit 10 , a plurality of third pipe routes respectively connecting first branch header 13 of the first pipe route to the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, a plurality of fourth pipe routes respectively connecting second branch header 23 of the second pipe route to the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, a plurality of fifth pipe routes respectively connecting first merge header 16 of the first pipe route to the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c, and a plurality of sixth pipe routes respectively connecting second merge header 26 of the second pipe route to the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c.
  • Each of the plurality of first on-off valves 14 a, 14 b, 14 c opens and closes the third pipe route.
  • Each of the plurality of second on-off valves 24 a, 24 b, 24 c opens and closes the fourth pipe route.
  • Each of the plurality of third on-off valves 15 a, 15 b, 15 c opens and closes the fifth pipe route.
  • Each of the plurality of fourth on-off valves 25 a, 25 b, 25 c opens and closes the sixth pipe route.
  • a first end of each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c is connected to first branch header 13 via a corresponding one of the plurality of first on-off valves 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, and is connected to second branch header 23 via a corresponding one of the plurality of second on-off valves 24 a, 24 b, 24 c.
  • a second end of each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c is connected to a first end of a corresponding one of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c of the plurality of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c.
  • each of the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c is connected to first merge header 16 via a corresponding one of the plurality of third on-off valves 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, and is connected to second merge header 26 via a corresponding one of the plurality of fourth on-off valves 25 a, 25 b, 25 c.
  • a second end of each of the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c is connected to a second end of a corresponding one of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c of the plurality of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c.
  • a pair of the third pipe route and the fourth pipe route connected to one supply branch pipe 51 have, for example, a common part and a non-common part branched off from the common part.
  • a pair of the fifth pipe route and the sixth pipe route connected to one return branch pipe 52 have, for example, a common part and a non-common part branched off from the common part.
  • each of the plurality of first on-off valves 14 a, 14 b, 14 c opens and closes the above-described non-common part of its corresponding third pipe route
  • each of the plurality of second on-off valves 24 a, 24 b, 24 c opens and closes the above-described non-common part of its corresponding fourth pipe route.
  • Each of the plurality of third on-off valves 15 a, 15 b, 15 c opens and closes the above-described non-common part of its corresponding fifth pipe route
  • each of the plurality of fourth on-off valves 25 a, 25 b, 25 c opens and closes the above-described non-common part of its corresponding sixth pipe route.
  • the heat medium circuit further has, in branch unit 10 , a first bypass route connecting first branch header 13 and first merge header 16 of the first pipe route to each other, and a second bypass route connecting second branch header 23 and second merge header 26 of the second pipe route to each other.
  • the first bypass route bypasses the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c, and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c, and connects first branch header 13 to first merge header 16 .
  • the second bypass route bypasses the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c, and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c, and connects second branch header 23 to second merge header 26 .
  • first branch header 13 is connected to first merge header 16 via fifth on-off valve 17 .
  • Second branch header 23 is connected to second merge header 26 via sixth on-off valve 27 .
  • the heat medium circuit further has, in branch unit 10 , a seventh pipe route connecting first merge header 16 of the first pipe route to supply main pipe 41 , an eighth pipe route connecting second merge header 26 of the second pipe route to supply main pipe 41 , a ninth pipe route connecting return main pipe 42 to first pump 11 of the first pipe route, and a tenth pipe route connecting return main pipe 42 to second pump 21 of the second pipe route.
  • Seventh on-off valve 33 opens and closes the seventh pipe route.
  • Eighth on-off valve 34 opens and closes the eighth pipe route.
  • Ninth on-off valve 35 opens and closes the ninth pipe route.
  • Tenth on-off valve 36 opens and closes the tenth pipe route.
  • the seventh pipe route is connected to the part in first merge header 16 which is located downstream of the point of connection between first merge header 16 and each of the plurality of fifth pipe routes, as viewed from first pump 11 .
  • the eighth pipe route is connected to the part in second merge header 26 which is located downstream of a point connection between second merge header 26 and each of the plurality of sixth pipe routes, as viewed from second pump 21 .
  • the seventh pipe route and the eighth pipe route have, for example, a common part and a non-common part branched off from the common part.
  • the ninth pipe route and the tenth pipe route have, for example, a common part and a non-common part branched off from the common part.
  • seventh on-off valve 33 opens and closes the above-described non-common part of the seventh pipe route
  • eighth on-off valve 34 opens and closes the above-described non-common part of the eighth pipe route.
  • Ninth on-off valve 35 opens and closes the above-described non-common part of the ninth pipe route
  • tenth on-off valve 36 opens and closes the above-described non-common part of the tenth pipe route.
  • a first end of supply main pipe 41 is connected to first merge header 16 of the first pipe route via seventh on-off valve 33 , and is connected to second merge header 26 of the second pipe route via the eighth on-off valve.
  • a second end of supply main pipe 41 is connected to a first end of outdoor heat exchanger 43 of outdoor unit 40 .
  • a first end of return main pipe 42 is connected to first pump 11 of the first pipe route via ninth on-off valve 35 , and is connected to second pump 21 of the second pipe route via tenth on-off valve 36 .
  • a second end of return main pipe 42 is connected to a second end of outdoor heat exchanger 43 of outdoor unit 40 .
  • the heat medium circuit further has, in branch unit 10 , a third bypass route connecting the seventh pipe route to the ninth pipe route, a fourth bypass route connecting the eighth pipe route to the tenth pipe route, an eleventh on-off valve 18 that opens and closes the third bypass route, and a twelfth on-off valve 28 that opens and closes the fourth bypass route.
  • the first pipe route has a pipe 19 connecting first merge header 16 to first pump 11 .
  • Each of the seventh pipe route connecting first merge header 16 to supply main pipe 41 and the ninth pipe route connecting return main pipe 42 to first pump 11 of the first pipe route is connected to pipe 19 .
  • a point of connection C between pipe 19 and the ninth pipe route is disposed downstream of a point of connection A between pipe 19 and the seventh pipe route, as viewed from first pump 11 .
  • Eleventh on-off valve 18 opens and closes pipe 19 .
  • the second pipe route has a pipe 29 connecting second merge header 26 to second pump 21 .
  • Each of the eighth pipe route connecting second merge header 26 to supply main pipe 41 and the tenth pipe route connecting return main pipe 42 to second pump 21 of the second pipe route is connected to pipe 29 .
  • a point of connection D between pipe 29 and the tenth pipe route is disposed downstream of a point of connection B between pipe 29 and the eighth pipe route, as viewed from second pump 21 .
  • Twelfth on-off valve 28 opens and closes pipe 29 .
  • Each on-off valve described above is, for example, a solenoid valve.
  • the magnitude relationship between the minimum value of the inner diameter of each of supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 and the maximum value of the inner diameter of each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c is not particularly limited.
  • the minimum value of the inner diameter of each of supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 may be equal to the maximum value of the inner diameter of each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c.
  • Air conditioning apparatus 100 performs a cooling-only operation shown in FIG. 2 , a cooling-led operation shown in FIG. 3 , a heating-only operation shown in FIG. 4 , a heating-led operation shown in FIG. 5 , or a low-outside-air cooling operation shown in FIG. 6 , depending on the operation mode of each of the plurality of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c and the temperature of outside air taken in by outdoor unit 40 .
  • the on-off valves painted in black indicate the on-off valves that are closed.
  • air conditioning apparatus 100 When all the indoor units in operation are in the cooling operation mode, air conditioning apparatus 100 performs the cooling-only operation. When all the indoor units in operation are in the heating operation mode, air conditioning apparatus 100 performs the heating-only operation. When some of the indoor units in operation are in the cooling operation mode and the other indoor units are in the heating operation mode, air conditioning apparatus 100 performs the cooling-led operation if the total air conditioning load of the indoor units in the cooling operation mode is greater than the total air conditioning load of the indoor units in the heating operation mode, and air conditioning apparatus 100 performs the heating-led operation if the total air conditioning load of the indoor units in the heating operation mode is greater than the total air conditioning load of the indoor units in the cooling operation mode. When all the indoor units in operation are in the cooling operation mode and the outside air temperature is sufficiently lower than the indoor temperature (e.g., the outside air temperature is 5° C. or lower), air conditioning apparatus 100 performs the low-outside-air cooling operation.
  • the outside air temperature is sufficiently lower than the indoor temperature (e.g., the outside air
  • the plurality of second on-off valves 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, the plurality of fourth on-off valves 25 a, 25 b, 25 c, fifth on-off valve 17 , twelfth on-off valve 28 , seventh on-off valve 33 , and ninth on-off valve 35 are opened, and first on-off valves 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, the plurality of third on-off valves 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, eleventh on-off valve 18 , sixth on-off valve 27 , eighth on-off valve 34 , and tenth on-off valve 36 are closed.
  • the heat medium that has flowed out of first pump 11 is heated by exchanging heat with the gas single-phase refrigerant in first heat exchanger 12 .
  • the heat medium heated in first heat exchanger 12 flows through first branch header 13 , fifth on-off valve 17 , first merge header 16 , seventh on-off valve 33 , and supply main pipe 41 into outdoor heat exchanger 43 in outdoor unit 40 .
  • an outdoor blower 44 is in operation, and the heat medium dissipates heat by exchanging heat with the outside air blown by outdoor blower 44 in outdoor heat exchanger 43 .
  • the heat medium that has flowed out of outdoor heat exchanger 43 flows through return main pipe 42 and ninth on-off valve 35 into first pump 11 , and circulates through the hot water circuit again.
  • each of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c a corresponding one of indoor blowers 54 a, 54 b, 54 c is in operation, and the heat medium cools the indoor air blown by each of indoor blowers 54 a, 54 b, 54 c in a corresponding one of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c.
  • the heat medium that has flowed out of each of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c flows through a corresponding one of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c and a corresponding one of fourth on-off valves 25 a, 25 b, 25 c into second merge header 26 to be merged in second merge header 26 .
  • the heat medium after merging in second merge header 26 flows through twelfth on-off valve 28 into second pump 21 and circulates through the cold water circuit again.
  • the heat medium that has flowed out of second pump 21 is cooled by exchanging heat with the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant in second heat exchanger 22 , and flows through second branch header 23 , each of second on-off valves 24 a, 24 b, and each of branch pipes 51 a, 51 b into a corresponding one of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, and cools the indoor air blown by each of indoor blowers 54 a, 54 b in a corresponding one of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b.
  • first on-off valves 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, the plurality of third on-off valves 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, eleventh on-off valve 18 , sixth on-off valve 27 , eighth on-off valve 34 , and tenth on-off valve 36 are opened, and the plurality of second on-off valves 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, the plurality of fourth on-off valves 25 a, 25 b, 25 c, fifth on-off valve 17 , twelfth on-off valve 28 , seventh on-off valve 33 , and ninth on-off valve 35 are closed.
  • first pump 11 , first heat exchanger 12 , first branch header 13 , each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, each of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c, each of the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c, and first merge header 16 are connected in series in the stated order.
  • second pump 21 , second heat exchanger 22 , second branch header 23 , second merge header 26 , supply main pipe 41 , outdoor heat exchanger 43 , and return main pipe 42 are connected in series in the stated order.
  • the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c are connected in parallel to one another with respect to each of second branch header 23 and second merge header 26 .
  • the heat medium that has flowed out of second pump 21 is cooled by exchanging heat with the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant in second heat exchanger 22 .
  • the heat medium cooled in second heat exchanger 22 flows through second branch header 23 , sixth on-off valve 27 , second merge header 26 , eighth on-off valve 34 , and supply main pipe 41 into outdoor heat exchanger 43 .
  • the heat medium absorbs heat from the outdoor air blown by outdoor blower 44 in outdoor heat exchanger 43 .
  • the heat medium that has flowed out of outdoor heat exchanger 43 flows through return main pipe 42 and tenth on-off valve 36 into second pump 21 , and circulates through the cold water circuit again.
  • the hot heat required by each of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c during the heating operation is generated in the refrigerant circuit.
  • This hot heat is transferred to the heat medium in the hot water circuit at first heat exchanger 12 and transported by the heat medium to each of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c to heat the indoor air in each of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c.
  • the cold waste heat generated in the refrigerant circuit is transferred to the heat medium in the cold water circuit at second heat exchanger 22 and transported to outdoor heat exchanger 43 by the heat medium and is released into the outside air at outdoor heat exchanger 43 .
  • indoor units 50 a, 50 b are in the heating operation mode, and indoor unit 50 c is in the cooling operation mode.
  • first on-off valves 14 a, 14 b, third on-off valves 15 a, 15 b, eleventh on-off valve 18 , second on-off valve 24 c, fourth on-off valve 25 c, sixth on-off valve 27 , eighth on-off valve 34 , and tenth on-off valve 36 are opened, and first on-off valve 14 c, third on-off valve 15 c, fifth on-off valve 17 , second on-off valves 24 a, 24 b, fourth on-off valves 25 a, 25 b, twelfth on-off valve 28 , seventh on-off valve 33 , and ninth on-off valve 35 are closed.
  • second pump 21 , second heat exchanger 22 , second branch header 23 , supply branch pipe 51 c, indoor heat exchanger 53 c, return branch pipe 52 c, and second merge header 26 are connected in series in the stated order, and simultaneously, second pump 21 , second heat exchanger 22 , second branch header 23 , second merge header 26 , supply main pipe 41 , outdoor heat exchanger 43 , and return main pipe 42 are connected in series in the stated order.
  • indoor heat exchanger 53 c and outdoor heat exchanger 43 are connected in series with each other via second merge header 26 while being connected in parallel to each other with respect to second branch header 23 .
  • Outdoor heat exchanger 43 is disposed downstream of indoor heat exchanger 53 c as viewed from second pump 21 .
  • the heat medium that has flowed out of first pump 11 is heated by exchanging heat with the gas single-phase refrigerant in first heat exchanger 12 , and flows through first branch header 13 , each of first on-off valves 14 a, 14 b, and each of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b into a corresponding one of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b to heat the indoor air blown by each of indoor blowers 54 a, 54 b in a corresponding one of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b.
  • the heat medium that has flowed out of each of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b flows through a corresponding one of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b and a corresponding one of third on-off valves 15 a, 15 b into first merge header 16 to be merged in first merge header 16 .
  • the heat medium after merging in first merge header 16 flows through eleventh on-off valve 18 into first pump 11 and circulates through the hot water circuit again.
  • the heat medium that has flowed out of second pump 21 is cooled by exchanging heat with the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant in second heat exchanger 22 .
  • a portion of the heat medium cooled in second heat exchanger 22 flows through second branch header 23 , second on-off valve 24 c, and supply branch pipe 51 c into indoor heat exchanger 53 c, and cools the indoor air blown by indoor blower 54 c in indoor heat exchanger 53 c.
  • the heat medium that has flowed out of indoor heat exchanger 53 c flows through return branch pipe 52 c and fourth on-off valve 25 c into second merge header 26 to be merged with the remaining portion of the heat medium cooled in second heat exchanger 22 at second merge header 26 .
  • the hot heat required by each of indoor units 50 a, 50 b during the heating operation is generated in the refrigerant circuit
  • the cold heat required by indoor unit 50 c during the cooling operation is generated in the refrigerant circuit.
  • the above-described hot heat is transferred to the heat medium in the hot water circuit at first heat exchanger 12 and transported to each of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b by the heat medium to heat the indoor air in each of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b.
  • the above-described cold heat is transferred to the heat medium in the cold water circuit at second heat exchanger 22 and transported to indoor heat exchanger 53 c by the heat medium to cool the indoor air at indoor heat exchanger 53 c.
  • the cold waste heat generated in each of the refrigerant circuit and the hot water circuit is transported to outdoor heat exchanger 43 by the heat medium in the cold water circuit and is released into the outside air at outdoor heat exchanger 43 .
  • sixth on-off valve 27 may be closed. If the amount of cold waste heat in outdoor heat exchanger 43 is large, sixth on-off valve 27 can be opened to reduce the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through indoor heat exchanger 53 c, thereby preventing the heat medium flowing through indoor heat exchanger 53 c from excessively cooling the indoor air.
  • the plurality of second on-off valves 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, the plurality of fourth on-off valves 25 a, 25 b, 25 c, eighth on-off valve 34 , and tenth on-off valve 36 are opened, and first on-off valves 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, the plurality of third on-off valves 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, fifth on-off valve 17 , sixth on-off valve 27 , eleventh on-off valve 18 , twelfth on-off valve 28 , seventh on-off valve 33 , and ninth on-off valve 35 are closed.
  • first heat exchanger 12 does not act as a hot heat source.
  • second heat exchanger 22 does not act as a cold heat source.
  • the cold water circuit includes second pump 21 , second heat exchanger 22 , second branch header 23 , each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, each of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c, each of the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c, second merge header 26 , eighth on-off valve 34 , supply main pipe 41 , outdoor heat exchanger 43 , return main pipe 42 , and tenth on-off valve 36 .
  • second pump 21 , second heat exchanger 22 , second branch header 23 , each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, each of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c, each of the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c, second merge header 26 , supply main pipe 41 , outdoor heat exchanger 43 , and return main pipe 42 are connected in series in the stated order.
  • the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c are connected in parallel to one another with respect to each of second branch header 23 and second merge header 26 .
  • Outdoor heat exchanger 43 is connected in series with each of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 53 a, 53 b, 53 c.
  • Outdoor heat exchanger 43 is disposed downstream of indoor heat exchanger 53 c as viewed from second pump 21 .
  • first pump 11 When the flow rate (circulating flow rate) of the heat medium circulating through the heat medium circuit during operation of second pump 21 is low, or when the power consumption during operation of second pump 21 is high, first pump 11 may be operated, seventh on-off valve 33 and ninth on-off valve 35 may be opened, and second on-off valve 24 and fourth on-off valve 25 corresponding to indoor unit 50 during the cooling operation may be stopped, and first on-off valve 14 and third on-off valve 15 corresponding to this indoor unit 50 may be opened. Consequently, a cold water circuit including second pump 21 and a cold water circuit including first pump 11 can be formed simultaneously in the heat medium circuit, thus maximizing the total value of the circulating flow rates of second pump 21 and first pump 11 or minimizing the total value of the power consumption of second pump 21 and first pump 11 .
  • air conditioning apparatus 100 only branch unit 10 has a refrigerant circuit, and heat transport between branch unit 10 and outdoor unit 40 and between branch unit 10 and each of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c is performed by a heat medium.
  • the amount of filled refrigerant in air conditioning apparatus 100 can be reduced compared to the above-described conventional air conditioning apparatus regardless of the length of each of supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 connecting branch unit 10 to outdoor unit 40 , and the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c connecting branch unit 10 to the respective indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c.
  • the impact on global warming is smaller than when the refrigerant leaks in a conventional air conditioning apparatus because the global warming potential (GWP) of the heat medium is lower than that of carbon dioxide.
  • GWP global warming potential
  • air conditioning apparatus 100 two pipes are used for connection between branch unit 10 and outdoor unit 40 and for connection between branch unit 10 and each indoor unit, and thus, installation can be performed more easily than when three pipes are used for connection between branch unit 10 and outdoor unit 40 and for connection between branch unit 10 and each indoor unit.
  • switch can be made between the cooling-only operation, the cooling-led operation, the heating-only operation, and the heating-led operation in accordance with the operation mode of each of the plurality of indoor units 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, using the hot heat and cold heat generated by the refrigeration cycle realized in the refrigerant circuit included in branch unit 10 .
  • the air conditioning facility of a large building when the operating state of the indoor unit installed in a general room is set to heating, the operating state of the indoor unit installed in a room having a large heat generation amount, such as a computer room or a kitchen, may be set to cooling.
  • Air conditioning apparatus 100 is suitable for such an air conditioning facility.
  • air conditioning apparatus 100 when the outside air temperature is sufficiently lower than the temperature of the room in which the indoor unit during the cooling operation is installed, the low-outside-air cooling operation is performed. During the low-outside-air cooling operation, compressor 31 of the refrigeration cycle is stopped, and low-temperature outdoor air is directly used as a cold heat source, leading to lower power consumption than during the cooling-only operation.
  • the hot waste heat can be supplied to outdoor unit 40 after supply of the hot heat, transferred to the heat medium in first heat exchanger 12 , to indoor unit 50 c during the heating operation.
  • This can suppress a temperature drop of the heat medium in indoor heat exchanger 53 c, and accordingly, the temperature difference between the heat medium in indoor heat exchanger 53 c and the indoor air can be maintained, thus preventing a decline in the heating capacity of indoor unit 50 during the heating operation in the cooling-led operation.
  • the cold waste heat can be supplied to outdoor unit 40 after supply of the cold heat, transferred to the heat medium in second heat exchanger 22 , to indoor unit 50 c during the cooling operation.
  • This can suppress a temperature rise of the heat medium in indoor heat exchanger 53 c, and accordingly, the temperature difference between the heat medium in indoor heat exchanger 53 c and the indoor air can be maintained, thus preventing a decline in the cooling capacity of indoor unit 50 during the cooling operation in the heating-led operation.
  • air conditioning apparatus 100 not only can the amount of filled refrigerant be reduced compared to the conventional refrigeration cycle apparatus described above, but also the difficulty of installation, cost, and risk of refrigerant leakage are low, power consumption is kept low in the low-outside-air cooling operation, a decline in the heating capacity of indoor unit 50 during the heating operation can be prevented in the cooling-led operation, and further, a decline in the cooling capacity of indoor unit 50 during the cooling operation can be prevented in the heating-led operation.
  • an air conditioning apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 2 has basically the same configuration and achieves the same effects as those of air conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1, but differs from air conditioning apparatus 100 in that the heat medium circuit does not include the third bypass route connecting the seventh pipe route to the ninth pipe route or eleventh on-off valve 18 .
  • the following will mainly describe the points in which air conditioning apparatus 101 differs from air conditioning apparatus 100 .
  • the heat medium circuit does not have, in branch unit 10 , the third bypass route connecting the seventh pipe route to the ninth pipe route or eleventh on-off valve 18 that opens and closes the third bypass route.
  • the first pipe route does not have pipe 19 connecting first merge header 16 to first pump 11 .
  • the heat medium circuit of air conditioning apparatus 101 is the same as the heat medium circuit of air conditioning apparatus 100 , except that the state in which the seventh pipe route is connected to the ninth pipe route via the third bypass route cannot be realized.
  • Air conditioning apparatus 101 can perform at least the cooling-only operation, the cooling-led operation, or the low-outside-air cooling operation.
  • Air conditioning apparatus 101 is suitable for an air conditioning facility in which the total air conditioning load of the indoor units in the cooling operation mode is always greater than the total air conditioning load of the indoor units in the heating operation mode.
  • an air conditioning apparatus 102 according to Embodiment 3 has basically the same configuration and achieves the same effects as those of air conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1, but differs from air conditioning apparatus 100 in that the minimum value of the flow path sectional area of each of supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 is greater than the maximum value of the flow path sectional area of each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c.
  • the following will mainly describe the points in which air conditioning apparatus 102 differs from air conditioning apparatus 100 .
  • FIG. 1 the minimum value of the flow path sectional area of each of supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 is greater than the maximum value of the flow path sectional area of each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c.
  • the flow paths of the heat medium formed inside supply main pipe 41 , return main pipe 42 , the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c are indicated by the broken lines.
  • the minimum value of the flow path sectional area of each of supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 is greater than the maximum value of the flow path sectional area of each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c.
  • Each of supply main pipe 41 , return main pipe 42 , the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c is, for example, a circular pipe.
  • the minimum value of the inner diameter of each of supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 is greater than the maximum value of the inner diameter of each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c.
  • the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through each of supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 becomes maximum in the cooling-only operation or the heating-only operation among the operations that air conditioning apparatus 102 can perform.
  • the minimum value of the flow path sectional area of each of supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 is greater than the maximum value of the flow path sectional area of each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c, and accordingly, the flow resistance inside each of supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 can be suppressed.
  • air conditioning apparatus 102 is not designed such that the internal volume of each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c becomes excessively large, the total amount of the heat medium filled in the heat medium circuit (the amount of filled heat medium) of air conditioning apparatus 102 can be reduced. Consequently, in air conditioning apparatus 102 , the time required for the air conditioning capacity to be demonstrated at the start of the cooling-only operation, cooling-led operation, heating-only operation, heating-led operation, or low-outside-air cooling operation can be reduced, improving the air conditioning capacity to follow the air conditioning load.
  • air conditioning apparatus 102 according to Embodiment 3 may have a configuration similar to that of air conditioning apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 2, except that the minimum value of the flow path sectional area of each of supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 is greater than the maximum value of the flow path sectional area of each of the plurality of supply branch pipes 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and the plurality of return branch pipes 52 a, 52 b, 52 c.
  • an air conditioning apparatus 103 according to Embodiment 4 has basically the same configuration and achieves the same effects as those of air conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1, but differs from air conditioning apparatus 100 in that outdoor heat exchanger 43 has a first heat exchange unit 43 a and a second heat exchange unit 43 b having a smaller internal volume than that of first heat exchange unit 43 a and that the area expansion ratio of second heat exchange unit 43 b is smaller than the area expansion ratio of first heat exchange unit 43 a.
  • the value obtained by dividing the area of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger that can come into contact with outdoor air by the area of the inner surface of the outdoor heat exchanger that can come into contact with the heat medium can be defined as an area expansion ratio. The following will mainly describe the points in which air conditioning apparatus 103 differs from air conditioning apparatus 100 .
  • First heat exchange unit 43 a and second heat exchange unit 43 b are connected in parallel to each other with respect to supply main pipe 41 and return main pipe 42 .
  • the heat medium circuit has an eleventh pipe route connecting the second end of supply main pipe 41 to a first end of first heat exchange unit 43 a, and a twelfth pipe route connecting the second end of supply main pipe 41 to a first end of second heat exchange unit 43 b.
  • the eleventh pipe route and the twelfth pipe route have, for example, a common part and a non-common part branched off from the common part.
  • the heat medium circuit further has, in outdoor unit 40 , a thirteenth on-off valve 45 a that opens and closes the non-common part of the eleventh pipe route and a fourteenth on-off valve 45 b that opens and closes the non-common part of the twelfth pipe route.
  • the heat medium circuit further has a thirteenth pipe route connecting a second end of first heat exchange unit 43 a to the second end of return main pipe 42 , and a fourteenth pipe route connecting a second end of second heat exchange unit 43 b to the second end of return main pipe 42 .
  • the thirteenth pipe route and the fourteenth pipe route have, for example, a common part and a non-common part branched off from the common part.
  • the relative positional relationship between the first end of first heat exchange unit 43 a, which is connected to the second end of supply main pipe 41 , and the second end of first heat exchange unit 43 a, which is connected to the above-described second end of return main pipe 42 is equivalent to the relative positional relationship between the first end of second heat exchange unit 43 b, which is connected to the second end of supply main pipe 41 , and the second end of second heat exchange unit 43 b, which is connected to the second end of return main pipe 42 .
  • first heat exchange unit 43 a and second heat exchange unit 43 b of outdoor heat exchanger 43 for example, one outdoor blower 44 is provided to blow the outdoor air.
  • first heat exchange unit 43 a and second heat exchange unit 43 b of outdoor heat exchanger 43 may be respectively provided with different outdoor blowers may be provided to blow the outdoor air.
  • outdoor heat exchanger 43 has first heat exchange unit 43 a and second heat exchange unit 43 b having a smaller internal volume than that of first heat exchange unit 43 a, and the area expansion ratio of second heat exchange unit 43 b is smaller than the area expansion ratio of first heat exchange unit 43 a.
  • Air conditioning apparatus 103 is particularly suitable for an air conditioning apparatus that uses antifreeze as the heat medium.
  • antifreeze has a higher viscosity and a higher flow resistance as its temperature decreases, if the temperature of the antifreeze decreases excessively in outdoor heat exchanger 43 , the power consumption of second pump 21 (or second pump 21 and first pump 11 when second pump 21 and first pump 11 are driven simultaneously during the low outside air cooling operation as described above) will increase.
  • air conditioning apparatus 103 even when the heat medium is the antifreeze, an excessive decrease in the temperature of the heating medium can be suppressed in outdoor heat exchanger 43 , and thus, an increase in the flow resistance of the antifreeze can be suppressed, thus suppressing an increase in the power consumption of second pump 21 .
  • thirteenth on-off valve 45 a is closed and fourteenth on-off valve 45 b is opened.
  • the heat medium flows only into second heat exchange unit 43 b, which has a relatively small internal volume, of outdoor heat exchanger 43 .
  • thirteenth on-off valve 45 a is closed and fourteenth on-off valve 45 b is open, and thus, an excessive decrease in the temperature of the antifreeze can be suppressed in first heat exchange unit 43 a, thus suppressing an increase in the power consumption of the pump.
  • air conditioning apparatus 103 according to Embodiment 4 may have the same configuration as that of air conditioning apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 2 or air conditioning apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 3, except that outdoor heat exchanger 43 has first heat exchange unit 43 a and second heat exchange unit 43 b having a smaller internal volume than that of first heat exchange unit 43 a and that the area expansion rate of second heat exchange unit 43 b is smaller than the area expansion rate of first heat exchange unit 43 a.

Landscapes

  • 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)
  • Other Air-Conditioning Systems (AREA)
US19/118,818 2022-10-26 2022-10-26 Air conditioning apparatus Pending US20260036347A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2022/039915 WO2024089797A1 (ja) 2022-10-26 2022-10-26 空気調和装置

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20260036347A1 true US20260036347A1 (en) 2026-02-05

Family

ID=90830345

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US19/118,818 Pending US20260036347A1 (en) 2022-10-26 2022-10-26 Air conditioning apparatus

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20260036347A1 (https=)
JP (1) JP7843854B2 (https=)
GB (1) GB2639354A (https=)
WO (1) WO2024089797A1 (https=)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20250052458A1 (en) * 2023-08-11 2025-02-13 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Air conditioner with cross-over refrigerant flow

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2495510B1 (en) * 2009-10-27 2017-08-16 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Heat pump
WO2014097438A1 (ja) * 2012-12-20 2014-06-26 三菱電機株式会社 空気調和装置

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20250052458A1 (en) * 2023-08-11 2025-02-13 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Air conditioner with cross-over refrigerant flow

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB202505484D0 (en) 2025-05-28
GB2639354A (en) 2025-09-24
JPWO2024089797A1 (https=) 2024-05-02
JP7843854B2 (ja) 2026-04-10
WO2024089797A1 (ja) 2024-05-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9593872B2 (en) Heat pump
AU2005258416B2 (en) Hot water supply system
CN102483273B (zh) 空气调节装置
CN102597657B (zh) 空气调节装置
CN103080668B (zh) 空气调节装置
WO2012070192A1 (ja) 空気調和装置
WO2014128970A1 (ja) 空気調和装置
CN105008823A (zh) 热泵热水器
CN103620325A (zh) 空气调节装置
CN102753916B (zh) 空气调节热水供给系统
CN112577213A (zh) 热管理系统
JPWO2016208042A1 (ja) 空気調和装置
JP6388559B2 (ja) 空気調和装置
JP5373959B2 (ja) 空気調和装置
JP2001099514A (ja) 蓄熱式空調冷凍装置
WO2011099067A1 (ja) 冷凍サイクル装置
WO2020174618A1 (ja) 空気調和装置
US20260036347A1 (en) Air conditioning apparatus
CN105066278A (zh) 热泵机组
KR100613502B1 (ko) 히트 펌프식 공기조화기
CN223985353U (zh) 空调系统
CN103968589B (zh) 冷冻循环装置
JPH04257661A (ja) 二段圧縮冷凍サイクル装置
WO2024241389A1 (ja) 空気調和装置
WO2025203425A1 (ja) 空気調和装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION