Air conditioner

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner having a plurality of heat source units.

BACKGROUND ART

In some conventional air conditioners having a plurality of heat source units, heat source side branch liquid lines and heat source side branch gas lines of the plurality of heat source units are connected to a separately provided line unit, and the heat source side branch liquid lines and the heat source side branch gas lines are merged together inside the line unit as a refrigerant liquid junction line and a refrigerant gas junction line and connected to user units.

This line unit not only functions to integrate the aforementioned heat source side branch liquid lines and the heat source side branch gas lines into a refrigerant liquid junction line and a refrigerant gas junction line, but when some of the plurality of heat source units stop operating in response to the operational burden of the user units, the line unit also functions to accumulate refrigerant inside the stopped heat source units to prevent a shortage in the refrigerant that flows between the user units and the operating heat source units.

With this type of air conditioner, the heat source side branch liquid lines and the heat source side branch gas lines of each heat source unit can be merged together into a refrigerant liquid junction line and a refrigerant gas junction line by simply connecting the heat source side branch liquid lines and the heat source side branch gas lines to the line unit, and thus the ability to construct the air conditioner at the location in which it is to be installed can be improved (see, for example, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. H06-249527).

However, from a manufacturing viewpoint, the line unit of the aforementioned conventional air conditioner must be manufactured and stored as inventory, and thus causes costs to increase. Thus, there is a need to eliminate the line unit when seen from the perspective of manufacturing these units.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the line unit in an air conditioner that includes a plurality of heat source units, and hold increases in onsite line construction to a minimum while making it possible to adjust the amount of refrigerant in the air conditioner.

An air conditioner disclosed in claim 1 includes a plurality of heat source units, a refrigerant liquid junction line and a refrigerant gas junction line, user units, and a refrigerant supply circuit. The heat source units each include a compression mechanism and a heat source side heat exchanger. The refrigerant liquid junction line and the refrigerant gas junction line parallel connect each heat source unit. The user units each include a user side heat exchanger, and are connected to the refrigerant liquid junction line and the refrigerant gas junction line. The refrigerant supply circuit is used in situations in which some of the heat source units have stopped operating in response to the operational burden of the user units, and includes a refrigerant removal line provided in each heat source unit that serves to remove to the exterior of the stopped heat source units the refrigerant that accumulates in the interior of the heat source units, and a communication line that connects the refrigerant removal lines and the intake side of the compression mechanisms of the operating heat source units.

In this air conditioner, equipment control is performed in which, for example, some of the plurality of the heat source units are stopped in response to the operational burden of the user units. Thus, during cooling operations, refrigerant gas discharged from the compression mechanisms in the operating heat source units is condensed by the heat source side heat exchangers into refrigerant liquid and merged into the refrigerant liquid junction line, the refrigerant liquid is evaporated into refrigerant gas by the user side heat exchangers of the user units, and the refrigerant gas is drawn into the compression mechanisms of the operating heat source units via the refrigerant gas junction line. In addition, during heating operations, refrigerant gas discharged from the compression mechanisms is merged together in the refrigerant gas junction line, the refrigerant gas is condensed by the user side heat exchangers of the user units into refrigerant liquid, the refrigerant liquid is sent to the operating heat source units via the refrigerant liquid junction line, the refrigerant liquid is evaporated into refrigerant gas by the heat source side heat exchangers, and the refrigerant gas is drawn into the compression mechanisms of the operating heat source units. On the other hand, the refrigerant supply circuit is employed to supply refrigerant accumulated inside the stopped heat source units to the intake sides of the compression mechanisms of the operating heat source units, so that there will be no shortage of refrigerant flowing between the user units and the operating heat source units.

Here, the refrigerant supply circuit includes the refrigerant removal lines that remove to the exterior of the heat source units refrigerant that accumulates in the interior of the heat source units, and a communication line that connects the refrigerant removal lines and the intake sides of the compression mechanisms of the operating heat source units. In other words, a function that adjusts the quantity of refrigerant so that there are no shortages thereof is achieved in this air conditioner by simply providing essential components that form the refrigerant supply circuit in the interior of the heat source units, and providing a communication line between the heat source units. This allows the line unit provided in the prior art to be eliminated, and allows increases in onsite line construction to be held to a minimum while preventing refrigerant shortages.

The air conditioner disclosed in claim 2 is the air conditioner of claim 1, in which the heat source side heat exchangers are connected to the discharge sides of the compression mechanisms. Each heat source unit further includes a heat source side branch liquid line that is connected to the liquid side of the heat source side heat exchanger and the refrigerant liquid junction line, a receiver that is provided on the heat source side branch liquid line, and a heat source side branch gas line that is connected to the intake side of the compression mechanism and the refrigerant gas junction line. Each refrigerant removal line is arranged such that it removes refrigerant from between the discharge side of the compression mechanism and the gas side of the heat source side heat exchanger.

During cooling operations with this air conditioner, because a refrigerant removal line is provided between the discharge sides of each compression mechanism and the gas sides of each heat source side heat exchanger, the portion of the accumulated refrigerant inside each stopped heat source unit that exists from the discharge side of the compression mechanism to the heat source side branch liquid line (including the receiver) will be supplied to the operating heat source units via the refrigerant removal line. At this point, the refrigerant liquid accumulated inside the receiver is evaporated by the heat source side heat exchanger, and then supplied to the operating heat source units via the refrigerant removal line.

The air conditioner disclosed in claim 3 is the air conditioner of claim 2, in which each heat source side branch liquid line includes a refrigerant open/close mechanism that closes so that refrigerant will not flow from the refrigerant liquid junction line to the interior of a stopped heat source unit when refrigerant accumulated inside the stopped heat source unit is to be removed to the exterior thereof via the refrigerant removal line.

In this air conditioner, refrigerant accumulated in a stopped heat source unit can be removed to the exterior of the heat source unit with good efficiency by means of the refrigerant open/close mechanism, because the refrigerant open/close mechanism can be closed so that refrigerant will not flow from the refrigerant line junction line to the interior of the stopped heat source unit.

The air conditioner disclosed in claim 4 is the air conditioner in claim 3, in which the refrigerant open/close mechanism can make refrigerant liquid that flows in the refrigerant liquid junction line flow into the interior of a stopped heat source unit when the quantity of refrigerant that flows between the user units and the operating heat source units reaches an excessive state.

In this air conditioner, when the quantity of refrigerant that flows between the user units and the operating heat source units reaches an excessive state, the quantity of refrigerant in the operating heat source units can be reduced by operating the refrigerant open/close mechanism to make refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant liquid junction line flow into a stopped heat source unit and accumulate in the receiver thereof. This allows the quantity of refrigerant in the air conditioner to be adjusted.

The air conditioner disclosed in claim 5 is the air conditioner of claim 1, in which the heat source side heat exchangers are connected to the intake sides of the compressor mechanisms. Each heat source unit further includes a heat source side branch liquid line that is connected to the liquid side of the heat source side heat exchanger and the refrigerant liquid junction line, a heat source side branch gas line that is connected to the discharge side of the compression mechanism and the refrigerant gas junction line, and a receiver that is provided on the heat source side branch liquid line. The refrigerant removal line is arranged such that it removes refrigerant from between the intake side of the compression mechanism and the gas side of the heat source side heat exchanger.

During heating operations with this air conditioner, because the refrigerant removal line is provided between the intake side of the compression mechanism and the gas side of the heat source side heat exchanger, the portion of the accumulated refrigerant inside a stopped heat source unit that exists from the intake side of the compression mechanism to the heat source side branch liquid line (including the receiver) will be supplied to the operating heat source units via the refrigerant removal line. At this point, the refrigerant liquid accumulated inside the receiver is evaporated by the heat source side heat exchanger, and then supplied to the operating heat source units via the refrigerant removal line.

The air conditioner disclosed in claim 6 is the air conditioner of claim 5, in which each heat source side branch liquid line includes a refrigerant open/close mechanism that closes so that refrigerant will not flow from the refrigerant liquid junction line to the interior of a stopped heat source unit when refrigerant accumulated inside the stopped heat source units is to be removed to the exterior of the heat source units via the refrigerant removal line.

In this air conditioner, because the refrigerant open/close mechanism can be closed so that refrigerant will not flow from the refrigerant liquid junction line to the interior of a stopped heat source unit, refrigerant accumulated in the stopped heat source unit can be removed to the exterior of the heat source unit with good efficiency by means of the refrigerant open/close mechanism.

The air conditioner disclosed in claim 7 is the air conditioner disclosed in claim 6, in which a stopped heat source unit further includes a receiver pressurization circuit that makes some of the refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant gas junction line flow into the receiver via the heat source side branch gas line.

In this air conditioner, the refrigerant liquid accumulated in the receiver can be discharged to the heat source side branch liquid line with the refrigerant open/close mechanism in the closed state because the receiver can be pressurized by means of the receiver pressurization circuit.

The air conditioner disclosed in claim 8 is the air conditioner in claim 6 or 7, in which the refrigerant open/close mechanism can make refrigerant liquid that flows in the refrigerant liquid junction line to flow into the interior of a stopped heat source unit when the quantity of refrigerant that flows between the user units and the operating heat source units reaches an excessive state.

In this air conditioner, when the quantity of refrigerant that flows between the user units and the operating heat source units reaches an excessive state, the quantity of refrigerant that flows between the user units and the operating heat source units can be reduced by operating a refrigerant open/close mechanism to make refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant liquid junction line flow into a stopped heat source unit and accumulate in the receiver thereof. This allows the quantity of refrigerant in the air conditioner to be adjusted.

The air conditioner disclosed in claim 9 is the air conditioner disclosed in any of claims 1 to 8, in which the communication line is an oil equalization line that equally distributes oil between the compression mechanisms of each heat source unit.

With this air conditioner, onsite line construction can be further reduced because the junction line also serves as an oil equalization line.

The air conditioner disclosed in claim 10 includes a plurality of heat source units, a refrigerant liquid junction line and a refrigerant gas junction line, user units, and receiver depressurization circuits. Each heat source unit includes a compression mechanism, a heat source side heat exchanger that is connected to the intake side of the compression mechanism, and a receiver that is connected to the liquid side of the heat source side heat exchanger. The refrigerant liquid junction line and the refrigerant gas junction line parallel connect each heat source unit. Each user unit includes a user side heat exchanger, and is connected to the refrigerant liquid junction line and the refrigerant gas junction line. The receiver depressurization circuits make refrigerant flow out from the receivers of the heat source units that have a shortage of refrigerant to the intake sides of the compression mechanisms.

In this air conditioner, refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor mechanisms is merged together in the refrigerant gas junction line, the refrigerant gas is condensed by the user side heat exchangers of the user units into refrigerant liquid, the refrigerant liquid is sent to the operating heat source units via the refrigerant liquid junction line, the refrigerant liquid is evaporated into refrigerant gas by the heat source side heat exchangers, and the refrigerant gas is drawn into the compressor mechanisms of the operating heat source units.

Here, refrigerant liquid will be unequally distributed to each heat source unit in situations in which all of the heat source units are operating and the refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant liquid junction line is in the gas-liquid phase. In this type of situation, the quantity of refrigerant liquid to be supplied to certain heat source units will be reduced, and a refrigerant shortage will be created.

However, in this air conditioner, because heat source unit includes the receiver depressurization circuits, the quantity of refrigerant that will flow from the refrigerant liquid junction line into the heat source units in which there is a refrigerant shortage can be increased by making refrigerant flow from the receivers of the heat source units in which there is a shortage of refrigerant to the intake sides of the compressor mechanisms thereof. This allows refrigerant shortages to be eliminated, and allows the quantity of refrigerant to be sent from the refrigerant liquid junction line to each heat source unit to be maintained at an appropriate flow rate balance. This allows the line unit provided in the prior art to be eliminated, and allows increases in onsite line construction to be held to a minimum while preventing refrigerant shortages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an outline of a refrigerant circuit of a heat source unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an outline of the refrigerant circuits of heat source units when all the heat source units are conducting cooling operations.

FIG. 4 is an outline of the refrigerant circuits of heat source units when only a portion of a plurality of heat source units are conducting cooling operations, and the other heat source units are stopped.

FIG. 5 is an outline of the refrigerant circuits of heat source units when only a portion of a plurality of heat source units are conducting cooling operations, and the other heat source units are stopped.

FIG. 6 is an outline of the refrigerant circuits of heat source units when all the heat source units are conducting heating operations.

FIG. 7 is an outline of the refrigerant circuits of heat source units when only a portion of a plurality of heat source units are conducting heating operations, and the other heat source units are stopped.

FIG. 8 is an outline of the refrigerant circuits of heat source units when only a portion of a plurality of heat source units are conducting heating operations, and the other heat source units are stopped.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional air conditioner.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An air conditioner according an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures.

(1) Overall Configuration of the Air Conditioner

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. An air conditioner 1 includes first, second, and third heat source units 102a-102c (three units in the present embodiment), a refrigerant liquid junction line 4 and a refrigerant gas junction line 5 that serve to serially connect the heat source units 102a-102c, and a plurality of user units 3a, 3b (2 units in this embodiment) that are parallel connected to the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 and the refrigerant gas junction line 5. More specifically, heat source side branch liquid lines 11a-11c of the heat source units 102a-102c are respectively connected to the refrigerant liquid junction line 4, and the heat source side branch gas lines 12a-12c of the heat source units 102a-102c are respectively connected to the refrigerant gas junction line 5.

In addition, the heat source units 102a-102c include compression mechanisms 13a-13c that include one or more compressors. An oil equalization line 6 is provided between these compression mechanisms 13a-13c, and allows oil to be exchanged between the heat source units 102a-102c.

This air conditioner can increase or decrease the number of heat source units 102a-102c in operation in response to the operational burden of the user units 3a, 3b.

(2) Configuration of the User Units

Next, the user units 3a, 3b will be described. Note that because the configurations of the user unit 3a and the user unit 3b are the same, only details regarding the user unit 3a will be disclosed, and a description of the user unit 3b will be omitted.

The user unit 3a primarily includes a user side expansion valve 61a, a user side heat exchanger 62a, and a line that that connects these. In the present embodiment, the user side expansion valve 61a is an electric expansion valve that is connected to the liquid side of the user side heat exchanger 62a, and serves to adjust the refrigerant flow rate and the like. In the present embodiment, the user side heat exchanger 62a is a cross fin tube type of heat exchanger, and serves to exchange heat with indoor air. In the present embodiment, the user unit 3a takes in indoor air into the interior thereof, includes an indoor fan for blowing (not shown in the figures), and is capable of exchanging heat between the indoor air and the refrigerant that flows in the user side heat exchanger 62a.

In addition, various sensors are provided in the user unit 3a. A liquid side temperature sensor 63a that detects the refrigerant liquid temperature is arranged on the liquid side of the user side heat exchanger 62a, and a gas side temperature sensor 64a that detects the refrigerant gas temperature is arranged on the gas side of the user side heat exchanger 62a. Furthermore, a room temperature sensor 65a that detects the temperature of indoor air is provided in the user unit 3a.

(3) Configuration of the Heat Source Units

Next, the first, second and third heat source units 102a-102c will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Here, FIG. 2 shows an outline of a refrigerant circuit of the first heat source unit 102a. Note that in the description below, only the details of the first heat source unit 102a will be disclosed, and a description of the second and third heat source units 102b, 102c will be omitted because the first heat source unit 102a has the same configuration as the second and third heat source units 102b, 102c.

The heat source unit 102a primarily includes a compression mechanism 13a, a four way switching valve 14a, a heat source side heat exchanger 15a, a bridge circuit 16a, a receiver 17a, a liquid side gate valve 18a, a gas side gate valve 19a, an oil removal line 20a, a refrigerant removal line 21a, a receiver pressurization circuit 22a, a receiver depressurization circuit 23a, and a line that connects these.

The compression mechanism 13a primarily includes a compressor 31a, an oil separator (not shown in the figures), and a check valve 32a that is provided on the discharge side of the compressor 31a. In the present embodiment, the compressor 31a is an electric motor driven scroll type compressor, and serves to compress refrigerant gas that has been drawn therein.

When switching between cooling operations and heating operations, the four way switching valve 14a serves to switch the direction of the refrigerant flow. During cooling operations, the four way switching valve 14a connects the discharge side of the compression mechanism 13a and the gas side of the heat source side heat exchanger 15a, and connects the intake side of the compression mechanism 13a and the heat source side branch gas line 12a (refer to the solid line of the four way switching valve 14a in FIG. 2). During heating operations, the four way switching valve 14a connects the discharge side of the compression mechanism 13a and the heat source side branch liquid line 11a, and connects the intake side of the compression mechanism 13a and the gas side of the heat source side heat exchanger 15a (refer to the broken line of the four way switching valve 14a in FIG. 2).

In the present embodiment, the heat source side heat exchanger 15a is a cross fin tube type of heat exchanger, and serves to exchange heat between air and refrigerant that acts as a heat source. In the present embodiment, the heat source unit 102a takes in outdoor air into the interior thereof, includes an outdoor fan for blowing (not shown in the figures), and is capable of exchanging heat between the outdoor air and the refrigerant that flows in the heat source side heat exchanger 15a.

The receiver 17a is a vessel that serves to temporarily accumulate refrigerant that flows between the heat source side heat exchanger 15a and the user side heat exchangers 62a, 62b of the user units 3a, 3b. The receiver 17a includes an intake port on the upper portion of the vessel, and a discharge port on the lower portion of the vessel. The intake port and the discharge port of the receiver 17a are respectively connected to the heat source side branch liquid line 11a via the bridge circuit 16a.

The bridge circuit 16a includes three check valves 33a-35a that are connected to the heat source side branch liquid line 11a, a heat source side expansion valve 36a, and a first open/close mechanism 37a. The bridge circuit 16a functions to make refrigerant flow from the intake port side of the receiver 17a into the receiver 17a, as well as return refrigerant liquid from the discharge port of the receiver 17a to the heat source side branch liquid line 11a, either when refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant circuit between the heat source side heat exchanger 15a and the user side heat exchangers 62a, 62b flows from the heat source side heat exchanger 15a to the receiver 17a, or when refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant circuit between the heat source side heat exchanger 15a and the user side heat exchangers 62a, 62b flows from the user side heat exchangers 62a, 62b to the receiver 17a. More specifically, the check valve 33a is connected such that refrigerant that flows in the direction from the user side heat exchangers 62a, 62b to the heat source side heat exchanger 15a is guided to the intake port of the receiver 17a. The check valve 34a is connected such that refrigerant that flows in the direction from the heat source side heat exchangers 15a to the user side heat exchangers 62a, 62b is guided to the intake port of the receiver 17a. The check valve 35a is connected such that refrigerant can flow from the discharge port of the receiver 17a to the user side heat exchangers 62a, 62b. The heat source side expansion valve 36a is connected such that refrigerant can flow from the discharge port of the receiver 17a to the heat source side heat exchanger 15a. In addition, in the present embodiment, the heat source side expansion valve 36a is an electric expansion valve that serves to adjust the refrigerant flow rate between the heat source side heat exchanger 15a and the user side heat exchangers 62a, 62b. The first open/close mechanism 37a is arranged so that it can allow or prevent the refrigerant to flow from the liquid side gate valve 18a toward the receiver 17a. In the present embodiment, the first open/close mechanism 37a is a solenoid valve that is arranged on the liquid side gate valve 18a side of the check valve 33a. In this way, the refrigerant that flows from the heat source side branch liquid line 11a into the receiver 17a will always flow therein from the intake port of the receiver 17a, and the refrigerant from the discharge port of the receiver 17a will always be returned to the heat source side branch liquid line 11a.

The oil removal line 20a is an oil line that serves to exchange oil between the compression mechanism 13a and the second heat source unit 102b and the third heat source unit 102c, and includes an oil discharge line 38a that discharges oil to the exterior of the compressor 31a when the quantity of oil in an oil accumulation portion of the compressor 31a exceeds a predetermined quantity, and an oil return line 39a that is branched from the oil discharge line 38a and which can return oil to the intake side of the compression mechanism 13a. The oil discharge line 38a is formed from a check valve 40a, a capillary 41a, an oil gate valve 42a, and an oil line that connects these. The oil return line 39a is formed from an oil return valve 43a that is a solenoid valve, a check valve 44a, and an oil line that connects these. Then, an oil equalization circuit that serves to exchange the oil of the compression mechanisms of each heat source unit 102a-102c is formed by the oil removal line 20a and the oil equalization line 6 that serves to connect the compression mechanisms of the heat source units 102a-102c.

The refrigerant removal line 21a is a refrigerant line that is arranged such that refrigerant from between the four way switching valve 14a and the heat source side heat exchanger 15a can be removed to the exterior of the heat source unit, and includes a second open/close mechanism 45a that is a solenoid valve, a check valve 46a, and a refrigerant line that connects these. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant removal line 21a is connected to the oil removal line 20a, and refrigerant is removed to the exterior of the heat source unit via the oil equalization line 6 that serves to connect the compression mechanisms of each heat source unit 102a-102c. In other words, a refrigerant supply circuit that serves to exchange refrigerant between each heat source unit 102a-102c is formed by the refrigerant removal line 21a, the oil removal line 20a, and the oil equalization line 6.

The receiver pressurization circuit 22a is a refrigerant line that is arranged such that refrigerant from between the discharge side of the compression mechanism 13a and the four way switching valve 14a can be sent directly to the intake port of the receiver 17a, and includes a third open/closed mechanism 47a that is a solenoid valve, a check valve 48a, a capillary 49a, and a refrigerant line that connects these.

The receiver depressurization circuit 23a is a refrigerant line that is arranged such that refrigerant from the upper portion of the receiver 17a can flow to the intake side of the compression mechanism 13a, and includes a fourth open/close valve 50a that is a solenoid valve, and a refrigerant line that connects these.

In addition, various sensors are provided in the heat source unit 102a. Specifically, a discharge temperature sensor 51a that detects the discharge refrigerant temperature of the compression mechanism 13a and a discharge pressure sensor 52a are provided on the discharge side of the compression mechanism 13a. An intake temperature sensor 53a that detects the intake refrigerant temperature of the compression mechanism 13a and an intake pressure sensor 54a are provided on the intake side of the compression mechanism 13a. A heat exchange temperature sensor 55a that detects refrigerant temperature is provided on the liquid side of the heat source side heat exchanger 15a. An outside air temperature sensor 56a that detects the temperature of the outside air is provided near the heat source side heat exchanger 15a. Then, the apertures of the user side expansion valves 61a, 61b and the heat source side expansion valve 36a (heat source side expansion valves 36b, 36c in the case of the heat source units 102b, 102c) and the capacity of the compression mechanism 13a (the compression mechanisms 13b, 13c in the case of the heat source units 102b, 102c) are controlled based upon the detection signals of the various sensors provided in the user units 3a, 3b.

Thus, with the air conditioner 1, although it will be necessary to directly connect the heat source side branch liquid lines 11a-11c and the heat source side branch gas lines 12a-12c to the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 and the refrigerant gas junction line 5, as well as connect a communication line (which also serves as the oil equalization line 6 in the present embodiment) in order to exchange refrigerant between the heat source units, compared to a conventional configuration shown in FIG. 9 in which heat source side branch liquid lines 211a-211c and heat source side branch gas lines 212a-212c of heat source units 202a-202c are connected to the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 and the refrigerant gas junction line 5 via a line unit 7, the merit that is obtained by the present invention is that the line unit 7 can be eliminated.

(4) Operation of the Air Conditioner

Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3-8. Here, FIG. 3 is an outline of the refrigeration circuits of the heat source units 102a-102c when all of the heat source units 102a-102c are performing cooling operations (the arrows in the figure show the direction of the refrigerant and oil flows). FIGS. 4 and 5 are outlines of the refrigeration circuits of the heat source units 102a-102c when the heat source units 102a, 102c are performing cooling operations and the heat source unit 102b is stopped (the arrows in the figure show the direction of the refrigerant and oil flows). FIG. 6 is an outline of the refrigeration circuits of the heat source units 102a-102c when all of the heat source units 102a-102c are performing heating operations (the arrows in the figure show the direction of the refrigerant and oil flows). FIGS. 7 and 8 are outlines of the refrigeration circuits of the heat source units 102a-102c when the heat source units 102a, 102c are performing heating operations and the heat source unit 102b is stopped (the arrows in the figure show the direction of the refrigerant and oil flows).

1. Cooling Operations (When All Heat Source Units are Operating)

During cooling operations, the four way switching valves 14a-14c of each heat source unit 102a-102c are in the state illustrated by the solid lines in FIG. 3, i.e., the state in which the discharge sides of the compression mechanisms 13a-13c are respectively connected to the gas sides of the heat source side heat exchangers 15a-15c, and the intake sides of the compression mechanisms 13a-13c are respectively connected to the heat source side branch gas lines 12a-12c. In addition, the liquid side gate valves 18a-18c, the gas side gate valve 19a-19c, the oil gate valves 42a-42c, and the first open/close mechanisms 37a-37c of each heat source unit are open. Furthermore, the oil return line 39a is placed into a state in which it can be used, and the refrigerant removal line 21a, the receiver pressurization circuit 22a, and the receiver depressurization circuit 23a are placed into a state in which they will not be used. In other words, the oil return valves 43a-43c are completely open, and the second open/close mechanisms 45a-45c, the third open/close mechanisms 47a-47c, and the fourth open/close mechanisms 50a-50c are closed. In addition, the apertures of the user side expansion valves 61a, 61b of the user units 3a, 3b shown in FIG. 1 are adjusted so that the refrigerant pressure is reduced. The heat source side expansion valve 36a-36c are in the closed state.

With the heat source unit refrigeration circuits in this state, the compression mechanisms 13a-13c of each heat source units 102a-102c begin operating. When this occurs, the high pressure refrigerant gas discharged from each compression mechanism 13a-13c is condensed by each heat source side heat exchanger 15a-15c and becomes refrigerant liquid, and this refrigerant liquid is merged into the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 via the bridge circuits 16a-16c (more specifically the check valves 34a-34c), the receivers 17a-17c, the bridge circuits 16a-16c (more specifically the check valves 35a-35c), and the heat source side branch liquid lines 11a-11c. After that, the pressure of the refrigerant liquid is reduced by the user side expansion valves 61a, 61b of the user unit 3a, 3b, and then the refrigerant liquid is evaporated by the user side heat exchangers 62a, 62b and becomes a low pressure refrigerant gas. This refrigerant gas is branched from the refrigerant gas junction line 5 to each heat source side branch gas line 12a-12c, returns to the compressor mechanisms 13a-13c of each heat source unit 102a-102c, and then repeats this circulation operation.

Note that the oil discharged from the oil accumulation portion of each compression mechanism 13a-13c to, each oil discharge line 38a-38c is returned to the intake side of the compression mechanisms 13a-13c by each oil return line 39a-39c, and is drawn into each compression mechanism 13a-13c together with the low pressure refrigerant.

2. Cooling Operations (When There is a Stopped Heat Source Unit Present)

When the cooling operational burden of the user units 3a, 3b decreases, equipment control will be performed in response to this that reduces the number of operational heat source units 102a-102c. A situation in which only the heat source unit 102b is stopped and the other two heat source units 102a, 102c are operating will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

First, the compression mechanism 13b of the heat source unit 102b is stopped, and the first open/close mechanism 37b and oil return valve 43b are closed. When this occurs, the refrigerant pressure from the discharge side of the compression mechanism 13b of the heat source unit 102b to the heat source side branch liquid line 11b will be reduced. At this point, because the first open/close mechanism 37b is closed, refrigerant liquid will not flow from the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 into the heat source unit 102b. In addition, the oil discharged from the accumulation portion of the compressor 31a of the compression mechanism 13b to the oil discharge line 38b passes through the oil equalization line 6 and the oil return lines 39a, 39c, and is sent to the intake side of the compression mechanisms 13a, 13c of the heat source units 102a, 102c.

If the operation of the heat source units 102a, 102c continues in this state, refrigerant will be accumulated inside the stopped heat source unit 102b, and the quantity of refrigerant that circulates between the user units 3a, 3b and the operating heat source units 102a, 102c will be reduced (a refrigerant shortage state). In the air conditioner 1, whether or not a refrigerant shortage state exists can be determined from the refrigerant temperature detected by the temperature sensors 63a, 64a, 63b, 64b of the user units 3a, 3b and the apertures of the user side expansion valves 61a, 61b. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, if it is determined that a refrigerant shortage state does exist, the refrigerant accumulated between the receiver 17b and the check valve 32b arranged on the discharge side of the compressor 31b of the heat source unit 102b passes through the refrigerant removal line 21a and the oil equalization line 6 and is supplied to the operating heat source units 102a, 102c by opening the second open/close mechanism 45b of the stopped heat source unit 102b for only a predetermined time period. Here, the refrigerant liquid accumulated in the receiver 17a of the heat source unit 102b is evaporated by the heat source side heat exchanger 15b, and then supplied to the intake side of the compression mechanisms 13a, 13c. Then, this refrigerant gas passes through the oil return lines 39a, 39c of the heat source units 102a, 102c and is supplied to the intake side of the compression mechanisms 13a, 13c. Note that the second open/close mechanism 45b will be closed after the expiration of the predetermined time period, but if it is determined after closing the second open/close mechanism 45b that the refrigerant shortage state has not been eliminated and that the refrigerant shortage state still exists, the second open/close mechanism 45b will be opened again for only the predetermined time period. In this way, the quantity of refrigerant that circulates between the user units 3a, 3b and the user heat source units 102a, 102c will be increased and the refrigerant shortage state will be eliminated.

Next, there will be times in which the refrigerant accumulated inside the heat source unit 102b will be supplied in excess to the operating heat source units 102a, 102c and an excessive refrigerant state will be created. As shown in FIG. 5, in this type of situation the second open/close mechanism 45b of the stopped heat source unit 102b will be closed, and refrigerant will not be discharged from the interior of the heat source unit 102b. After that, the refrigerant liquid will be made to flow into the receiver 17b from the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 via the heat source side branch line 11b by opening the first open/close mechanism 37b, and the excessive refrigerant state will be eliminated. Even in this situation, the first open/close mechanism 37b is opened for only a predetermined time period and then closed, and will be re-opened for only the predetermined period of time if there is an excessive refrigerant state.

Thus, even when some of the heat source units are stopped by means of equipment control, an appropriate refrigerant circulation quantity can be maintained by opening and closing the first and second open/close mechanisms 37b, 45b of the stopped heat source unit 102b.

3. Heating Operations (When All Heat Source Units are Operating)

During heating operations, the four way switching valves 14a-14c of each heat source unit 102a-102c are in the state illustrated by the broken lines in FIG. 6, i.e., the state in which the discharge sides of the compression mechanisms 13a-13c are respectively connected to the heat source side branch gas lines 12a-12c, and the intake sides of the compression mechanisms 13a-13c are respectively connected to the gas sides of the heat source side heat exchangers 15a-15c. In addition, the liquid side gate valves 18a-18c, the gas side gate valve 19a-19c, the oil gate valves 42a-42c, and the first open/close mechanisms 37a-37c of each heat source unit are open. Furthermore, the oil return line 39a is placed into a state in which it can be used, and the refrigerant removal line 21a, the receiver pressurization circuit 22a, and the receiver depressurization circuit 23a are placed into a state in which they will not be used. In other words, the oil return valves 43a-43c are completely open, and the second open/close mechanisms 45a-45c, the third open/close mechanisms 47a-47c, and the fourth open/close mechanisms 50a-50c are closed. In addition, the apertures of the user side expansion valves 61a, 61b of the user unit 3a, 3b are adjusted in response to the heating burden of the user units 3a, 3b. The apertures of the heat source side expansion valves 36a-36c are respectively adjusted based upon the degree of refrigerant gas superheating calculated from the refrigerant temperature and pressure detected by the temperature sensor 53a and the pressure sensor 54a.

With the heat source unit refrigeration circuits in this state, the compression mechanisms 13a-13c of each heat source units 102a-102c begin operating. When this occurs, high pressure refrigerant gas discharged from each compression mechanism 13a-13c is merged into the refrigerant gas junction line 5 via each heat source side branch gas line 12a-12c. After that, the refrigerant gas is condensed by the user side heat exchangers 62a, 62b of the user units 3a, 3b and becomes refrigerant liquid, and the pressure of the refrigerant liquid is reduced by the user side expansion valves 61a, 61b. This refrigerant liquid is branched from the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 to each heat source side branch liquid line 11a-11c, flows through the bridge circuits 16a-16c (more specifically the first open/close mechanisms 37a-37c and the check valves 33a-33c), the receivers 17a-17c, and the bridge circuits 16a-16c (more specifically the check valves 36a-36c), is evaporated by the heat source side heat exchangers 15a-15c of each heat source side unit 102a-102c, then returns to the compressor mechanisms 13a-13c, and then repeats this circulation operation.

Note that the oil discharged from the oil accumulation portion of each compression mechanism 13a-13c to each oil discharge line 38a-38c passes through the oil return lines 39a-39c, is returned to the intake side of the compression mechanisms 13a-13c, and is drawn into each compression mechanism 13a-13c together with the low pressure refrigerant gas.

However, during heating operations, when the refrigerant sent from the user side heat exchangers 62a, 62b of the user unit 3a, 3b to the heat source units 102a-102c via the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 is branched from the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 to the heat source side branch liquid lines 11a-11b of each heat source unit, an unequal flow will often be created because the refrigerant is in the gas-liquid phase. The air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment can operate to eliminate unequal flow when this state is created. The operation of the heat source unit 102b when the quantity of refrigerant sent from the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 to the heat source unit 102b is less than that sent to the other heat source units 102a, 102c will be described below.

During heating operations, as noted above, the aperture of the heat source side expansion valve 36b is adjusted based upon the degree of refrigerant gas superheating calculated from the refrigerant temperature and pressure detected by the temperature sensor 53b and the pressure sensor 54b. Because of this, the quantity of refrigerant supplied inside the unit will be reduced, the degree of refrigerant gas superheating will increase, and the aperture of the heat source side expansion valve 36b will increase. However, even if the heat source side expansion valve 36b is completely open, if the degree of refrigerant gas superheating increases, it will be determined that the quantity of refrigerant supplied inside the unit is insufficient, and the fourth open/close mechanism 50b will open for only a predetermined time period. When this occurs, the refrigerant inside the receiver 17b will be discharged to the intake side of the compression mechanism 13b via the receiver depressurization circuit 23b, and the pressure inside the receiver 17b will be reduced. In this way, the quantity of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 to the heat source unit 102b will increase. Then, if the time period that the fourth open/close mechanism 50b equals the predetermined time period, the degree of refrigerant gas superheating has been reduced, or the heat source side expansion valve 36b has begun to close, the fourth open/close mechanism 50b will close. By operating the fourth open/close mechanism 50b in this way, a refrigerant shortage in the heat source unit 102b will be eliminated. Even with the other heat source units 102a, 102c, the quantity of refrigerant sent from the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 to each heat source unit will be maintained at an appropriate flow rate balance.

4. Heating Operations (When There is a Stopped Heat Source Unit Present)

When the heating operational burden of the user units 3a, 3b decreases, equipment control will be performed in response to this that reduces the number of heat source units 102a-102c that operate. A situation in which only the heat source unit 102b is stopped and the other two heat source units 102a, 102c are operating will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

First, the compression mechanism 13b of the heat source unit 102 is stopped, and the first open/close mechanism 37b and oil return valve 43b are closed. At this point, because the first open/close mechanism 37b is closed, refrigerant liquid will not flow from the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 into the heat source unit 102b. In addition, the oil discharged from the accumulation portion of the compressor 31a of the compression mechanism 13b to the oil discharge line 38b passes through the oil equalization line 6, and is sent to the intake side of the compression mechanisms 13a, 13c of the heat source units 102a, 102c.

If the operation of the heat source units 102a, 102c continues in this state, refrigerant will accumulate inside the stopped heat source unit 102b, and the quantity of refrigerant that circulates in the refrigerant circuit will be reduced (a refrigerant shortage state). In the air conditioner 1, whether or not a refrigerant shortage state exists can be determined from the refrigerant temperature detected by the temperature sensors 63a, 64a, 63b, 64b of the user units 3a, 3b and the apertures of the user side expansion valves 61a, 61b. Then, if it is determined that a refrigerant shortage state exists, the refrigerant accumulated in the stopped heat source unit 102b will be supplied to the operating heat source units 102a, 102c.

Here, the speed with which refrigerant liquid accumulates in the receiver 17b may increase immediately after the heat source units conducting heating operations are stopped. If this occurs, like during cooling operations, a sufficient refrigerant discharge speed may not be obtained by simply opening the second open/close mechanism 45b. Because of this, as shown in FIG. 7, high pressure refrigerant gas from the refrigerant gas junction line 5 will be supplied to the receiver 17b via the heat source side branch gas line 12b, the four way switching valve 14b, and the receiver pressurization circuit 22b by opening the third open/close mechanism 47b. When this occurs, the refrigerant liquid inside the receiver 17b will be discharged to the exterior of the heat source unit via the heat source side branch liquid line 11b because the receiver 17b is pressurized and the pressure thereof is higher than the pressure of the refrigerant liquid junction line 4. Thus, the refrigerant shortage state will be eliminated.

Next, the refrigerant accumulated inside the heat source unit 102b may be supplied in excess to the operating heat source units 102a, 102c and thus an excessive refrigerant state will be created. As shown in FIG. 8, in this type of situation the third open/close mechanism 47b of the stopped heat source unit 102b will be closed, and refrigerant will not be discharged from the interior of the heat source unit 102b. After that, the refrigerant liquid will be made to flow into the receiver 17b from the refrigerant liquid junction line 4 via the heat source side branch line 11b by opening the first open/close mechanism 37b, and the excessive refrigerant state will be eliminated.

Thus, even when some of the heat source units are stopped by means of equipment control, an appropriate refrigerant circulation quantity can be maintained by opening and closing the first and third open/close mechanisms 37b, 47b of the stopped heat source unit 102b.

(5) OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Although an embodiment of the present invention was described above based upon the figures, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be modified within a range that does not depart from the essence of the invention.

1. Although the heat source units used in the air conditioner in the foregoing embodiment are the air cooling type which use outdoor air as a heat source, water cooling types or ice storage types of heat source units may also be used.

2. Although only one compressor is included in a compression mechanism in the foregoing embodiment, the compression mechanism may include a plurality of compressors.

3. Although in the foregoing embodiment an oil equalization circuit is used to form the refrigerant supply circuit, the oil equalization circuit having an oil removal line and an oil equalization line provided in order to equalize the oil between the compression mechanisms of each heat source unit, a configuration in which a separately provided communication line that communicates between the refrigerant removal line and the intake side of the compression mechanism of each heat source unit may be used in situations in which the oil equalization circuit is a separate circuit structure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

If the present invention is used, the line unit in an air conditioner that includes a plurality of heat source units can be eliminated, and increases in the onsite line construction can be held to a minimum while making it possible to adjust the amount of refrigerant in the air conditioner.

Air conditioner

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