US6237356B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerating plant
Assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
•
Filing: 1999-01-29
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Granted: 2001-05-29
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Expires: 2019-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A compressor ( 2 ), a heat releasing element ( 3 A) of a heat exchanger ( 3 ) for heating, an electromotive expansion valve ( 4 ), and a heat absorbing element ( 5 A) of a heat exchanger ( 5 ) for cooling are connected to each other to constitute a primary refrigerant circuit. A pump ( 11 ), a heat absorbing element ( 3 B) of the heat exchanger ( 3 ) for heating, a first indoor heat exchanger ( 12 ), an electromotive expansion valve ( 13 ), a second indoor heat exchanger ( 14 ), and a heat releasing element ( 5 B) of the heat exchanger ( 5 ) for cooling are connected to each other to compose a secondary refrigerant circuit ( 10 ). A liquid refrigerant ejected from the pump ( 11 ) is evaporated in the heat absorbing element ( 3 B) of the heat exchanger ( 3 ) for heating, reduced in pressure by the electromotive expansion valve ( 13 ), and evaporated in the second indoor heat exchanger ( 14 ). Thereafter, the gas refrigerant is condensed in the heat releasing element ( 5 B) of the heat exchanger ( 5 ) for heating to be returned to the pump ( 11 ).
Inventors
- 👤 Yasushi Hori
- 👤 Shinri Sada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:21
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F5/00; F25; F25D; F25D17/00; F25D17/02; F25B; F25B25/00; F25B25/005; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/22; F25B29/00; F25B29/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
330 words
A refrigerating apparatus comprising: a heat-source-side unit (A); use-side units (B, C); and at least one of heat exchangers ( 12 , 14 ) contained in each of the use-side units (B, C), heat generated in the heat-source-side unit (A) being supplied to the use-side units (B, C), at least one ( 12 ) of the heat exchangers forming a heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) for performing heat releasing operation, the other ( 14 ) of the heat exchangers forming a heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) for performing heat absorbing operation, the heat-source-side unit (A) including a heating element ( 3 A), a cooling element ( 5 A), a heat absorbing element ( 3 B) for receiving warm heat from the heating element ( 3 A), and a heat releasing element (SB) for receiving cold heat from the cooling element ( 5 A), transfer means ( 11 ), the heat absorbing element ( 3 B), the heat releasing element ( 5 B), and the heat exchangers ( 12 , 14 ) being connected to each other by a liquid pipe (LL) and gas pipes (GH, GL) to constitute a use-side refrigerant circuit ( 10 ) through which a refrigerant circulates, wherein, in the use-side refrigerant circuit ( 10 ), the liquid refrigerant is evaporated in the heat absorbing element ( 3 B) with the warm heat from the heating element ( 3 A), the gas refrigerant flows to the use-side units (B, C) via the gas pipe (GH) and releases heat in the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) to be condensed, the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat in the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) to be evaporated, the gas refrigerant flows to the heat-source-side unit (A) via the gas pipe (GL) to be condensed in the heat releasing element ( 5 B) with the cold heat from the cooling element ( 5 A), and then the liquid refrigerant flows into the heat absorbing element ( 3 B).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
330 words
A refrigerating apparatus comprising: a heat-source-side unit (A); use-side units (B, C); and at least one of heat exchangers ( 12 , 14 ) contained in each of the use-side units (B, C), heat generated in the heat-source-side unit (A) being supplied to the use-side units (B, C), at least one ( 12 ) of the heat exchangers forming a heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) for performing heat releasing operation, the other ( 14 ) of the heat exchangers forming a heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) for performing heat absorbing operation, the heat-source-side unit (A) including a heating element ( 3 A), a cooling element ( 5 A), a heat absorbing element ( 3 B) for receiving warm heat from the heating element ( 3 A), and a heat releasing element (SB) for receiving cold heat from the cooling element ( 5 A), transfer means ( 11 ), the heat absorbing element ( 3 B), the heat releasing element ( 5 B), and the heat exchangers ( 12 , 14 ) being connected to each other by a liquid pipe (LL) and gas pipes (GH, GL) to constitute a use-side refrigerant circuit ( 10 ) through which a refrigerant circulates, wherein, in the use-side refrigerant circuit ( 10 ), the liquid refrigerant is evaporated in the heat absorbing element ( 3 B) with the warm heat from the heating element ( 3 A), the gas refrigerant flows to the use-side units (B, C) via the gas pipe (GH) and releases heat in the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) to be condensed, the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat in the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) to be evaporated, the gas refrigerant flows to the heat-source-side unit (A) via the gas pipe (GL) to be condensed in the heat releasing element ( 5 B) with the cold heat from the cooling element ( 5 A), and then the liquid refrigerant flows into the heat absorbing element ( 3 B).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a bypass path ( 20 ) is provided in the use-side refrigerant circuit ( 10 ) such that the condensed refrigerant in the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) bypasses the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) to flow into the heat releasing element ( 5 B).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein an adjusting mechanism ( 21 ) for adjusting a flow rate of the refrigerant bypassing the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) is provided in the bypass path ( 20 ).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the adjusting mechanism ( 21 ) is a flow rate adjusting valve ( 21 ) the opening rate of which is adjustable, said refrigerating apparatus further comprising opening rate adjusting means for increasing the opening rate of the flow rate adjusting valve ( 21 ) as a required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) is smaller than a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a bypass path ( 25 ) is provided in the use-side refrigerating circuit ( 10 ) such that the condensed refrigerant in the heat releasing element ( 5 B) bypasses the heat absorbing element ( 3 B) and flows into the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein an adjusting mechanism ( 26 ) for adjusting a flow rate of the refrigerant bypassing the heat absorbing element ( 3 B) is provided in the bypass path ( 25 ).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the adjusting mechanism ( 26 ) is a flow rate adjusting valve ( 26 ) the opening rate of which is adjustable, the apparatus further comprising opening rate adjusting means for increasing the opening rate of the flow rate adjusting valve ( 26 ) as a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) is smaller than a required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein liquid passage pipes ( 30 , 35 , 40 ) are connected between a first liquid pipe (LL) providing a connection between the heat releasing element ( 5 B) and the heat absorbing element ( 3 B) and a second liquid pipe (LL) providing a connection between the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) and the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ), the liquid passage pipes ( 30 , 35 , 40 ) allowing the refrigerant to flow between the first pipe (LL) and the second pipe (LL).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the transfer means ( 11 ) is provided in the first liquid pipe (LL) and the liquid passage pipe ( 30 ) has an upstream end connected to the second liquid pipe (LL) and a downstream end connected between the transfer means ( 11 ) and the heat releasing element ( 5 B) in the first liquid pipe (LL).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein a flow rate adjusting valve ( 31 ) the flow rate of which is adjustable is provided in the liquid passage pipe ( 30 ), the apparatus further comprising opening rate adjusting means for increasing an amount of refrigerant flowing through the liquid passage pipe ( 30 ) by increasing the opening rate of the flow rate adjusting valve ( 31 ) as a required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) is smaller than a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the transfer means ( 11 ) is provided in the first liquid pipe (LL) and the liquid passage pipe ( 35 ) has an upstream end connected between the transfer means ( 11 ) and the heat releasing element ( 5 B) in the first liquid pipe (LL) and a downstream end connected to the second liquid pipe (LL).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein a flow rate adjusting valve ( 36 ) the opening rate of which is adjustable is provided in the liquid passage pipe ( 35 ), the apparatus further comprising opening rate adjusting means for increasing an amount of refrigerant flowing through the liquid passage pipe ( 35 ) by increasing the opening rate of the flow rate adjusting valve ( 36 ) as a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) is smaller than a required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein two transfer means ( 11 a , 11 b ) are disposed in the first liquid pipe (LL) and a liquid passage pipe ( 40 ) is connected between the two transfer means ( 11 a , 11 b ) in the first liquid pipe (LL).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 13 , further comprising capability adjusting means for adjusting the transfer capability of the downstream transfer means ( 11 b ) to be higher than the transfer capability of the upstream transfer means ( 11 a ) as a required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) is smaller than a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ), while adjusting the transfer capability of the upstream transfer means ( 11 a ) to be higher than the transfer capability of the downstream transfer means ( 11 b ) as a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) is smaller than a required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
166 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the transfer means ( 11 ) is provided in the first liquid pipe (LL) and the portion of the liquid passage pipe ( 40 ) connected to the first liquid pipe (LL) is divided into a first branch pipe ( 40 a ) and a second branch pipe ( 40 b ), said first branch pipe ( 40 a ) being connected between the heat releasing element ( 5 B) and the transfer means ( 11 ) in the first liquid pipe (LL), said second branch pipe ( 40 b ) being connected between the transfer means ( 11 ) and the heat absorbing element ( 3 B) in the first liquid pipe (LL), a first flow rate control valve ( 41 a ) and a second flow rate control valve ( 40 b ) being provided in the first branch pipe ( 40 a ) and in the second branch pipe ( 40 b ), respectively.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
133 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising open/close control means for opening the first flow rate control valve ( 41 a ) and closing the second flow rate control valve ( 41 b ) when a required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) is smaller than a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ), while opening the second flow rate control valve ( 41 b ) and closing the first flow rate control valve ( 41 a ) when a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) is smaller than a required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
158 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the transfer means ( 11 ) is provided in the first liquid pipe (LL) and the portion of the liquid passage pipe ( 40 ) connected to the first liquid pipe (LL) is divided into a first branch pipe ( 40 a ) and a second branch pipe ( 40 b ), said first branch pipe ( 40 a ) being connected to the gas pipe (GL) upstream of the heat releasing element ( 5 B), said second branch pipe ( 40 b ) being connected between the transfer means ( 11 ) and the heat absorbing element ( 3 B) in the first liquid pipe (LL), a first flow rate control valve ( 42 a ) and a second flow rate control valve ( 42 b ) being provided in the first branch pipe ( 40 a ) and in the second branch pipe ( 40 b ).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
170 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 17 , further comprising opening rate adjusting means for adjusting respective opening rates of the flow rate control valves ( 42 a , 42 b ) such that the opening rate of the first flow rate control valve ( 42 a ) is higher than the opening rate of the second flow rate control valve ( 42 b ) as a required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) is smaller than a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) and that the opening rate of the second flow rate control valve ( 42 b ) is higher than the opening rate of the first flow rate control valve ( 42 a ) as a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) is smaller than a required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
103 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of heat-source-side units (A 1 , A 2 ), respective gas sides of the heat absorbing elements ( 3 B) of the individual heat-source-side units (A 1 , A 2 ) being connected to each other and to the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) via the gas pipe (GH), respective gas sides of the heat releasing elements ( 5 B) of the individual heat-source-side units (A 1 , A 2 ) being connected to each other and to the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) via the gas pipe (GL).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
120 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 13 , further comprising an auxiliary heat-source-side unit (A 2 ), the auxiliary heat-source-side unit (A 2 ) being switchable between a heat-release assisting action of supplying the gas refrigerant to the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) and recovering the liquid refrigerant flowing out of the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) without allowing the refrigerant to pass through the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) and a heat-absorption assisting action of supplying the liquid refrigerant to the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) without allowing the refrigerant to pass through the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) and recovering the gas refrigerant flowing out of the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
192 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the auxiliary heat-source-side unit (A 2 ) has transfer means ( 50 ), a heat exchanger ( 52 ), and flow-path switching means ( 51 ), the heat-release assisting action of the auxiliary heat-source-side unit (A 2 ) includes switching the flow-path switching means ( 51 ), supplying the gas refrigerant ejected from the transfer means ( 50 ) and evaporated in the heat exchanger ( 52 ) to the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ), and recovering, in the transfer means ( 50 ), the liquid refrigerant condensed in the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ), and the heat-absorption assisting action of the auxiliary heat-source-side unit (A 2 ) includes switching the flow-path switching means ( 51 ), supplying the liquid refrigerant ejected from the transfer means ( 50 ) to the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ), and condensing, in the heat exchanger ( 52 ), the gas refrigerant passing through the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) and circulating through the use-side refrigerant circuit ( 10 ) such that the refrigerant is recovered by the transfer means ( 50 ).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
110 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 21 , further comprising switch control means for switching the flow rate switching means ( 51 ) such that the heat-release assisting action is performed when a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ) is larger than a required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) and the heat-absorption assisting action is performed when the required amount of heat to be absorbed by the heat-absorption-side heat exchanger ( 14 ) is larger than a required amount of heat to be released from the heat-release-side heat exchanger ( 12 ).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein switching means (D 1 , D 2 ) for selectively switching the respective gas sides of the heat exchangers ( 12 , 14 ) between the heat absorbing element ( 3 B) and the heat releasing element ( 5 B) to provide connections between the respective gas sides and the selected ones of the elements are provided in the use-side refrigerant circuit ( 10 ).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
267 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein first switching valves ( 55 a , 55 c ) for switching the respective gas sides of the heat exchangers ( 12 , 14 ) and the heat absorbing element ( 3 B) between a communicating state and an interrupted state and second switching valves ( 55 b , 55 d ) for switching the respective gas sides of the heat exchangers ( 12 , 14 ) and the heat releasing element ( 5 B) between the communicating state and the interrupted state are provided in the switching means (D 1 , D 2 ), the refrigerating apparatus further comprising switch control means for controlling the switching means (D 1 , D 2 ) such that the heat exchangers ( 12 , 14 ) connected to the switching means (D 1 , D 2 ) being formed into heat-release-side heat exchangers ( 12 , 14 ) by opening the first switching valves ( 55 a , 55 c ) and closing the second switching valves ( 55 b , 55 d ) in one of the switching means (D 1 , D 2 ) and that the heat exchangers ( 12 , 14 ) connected to the other of the switching means (D 1 , D 2 ) being formed into heat-absorption-side heat exchangers ( 12 , 14 ) by closing the first switching valves ( 55 a , 55 c ) and opening the second switching valves ( 55 b , 55 d ) in the other of the switching means (D 1 , D 2 ).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer means ( 11 ) is a mechanical pump.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
91 words
The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer means ( 11 ) has at least one of pressure increasing means ( 71 ) for heating the liquid refrigerant and generating a high pressure and pressure reducing means ( 72 ) for cooling the gas refrigerant and generating a low pressure and generates a driving force for circulating the refrigerant in the use-side refrigerant circuit ( 10 ) with the pressure generated by the pressure increasing means ( 71 ) or by the pressure reducing means ( 72 ).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-11-27 | 2005-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-28 | 2008-11-27 | 2009-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-28 | 2012-11-27 | 2013-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |