Patent Application
20110146942
The invention lies in the field of ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning installations for motor vehicles. The subject thereof is a distribution unit suitable for managing the circulation of a refrigerating fluid within an air conditioning loop. Another subject is such an air conditioning loop comprising said distribution unit.
A motor vehicle is usually equipped with an air conditioning system for modifying the aerothermal parameters of the air contained inside the vehicle cabin. Such a modification is obtained from the delivery of an internal air flow in the cabin. The air conditioning system comprises a ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning installation that channels the circulation of the internal air flow prior to the delivery thereof in the cabin. The installation consists of a housing produced from plastics material and housed under a dashboard of the vehicle.
To modify a temperature of the internal air flow prior to the discharge thereof out of the housing to the cabin, the air conditioning system comprises an air conditioning loop within which a refrigerating fluid circulates, such as carbon dioxide known as R744. The air conditioning loop comprises a plurality of elements such as a compressor for raising the refrigerating fluid to a high pressure and an accumulator for preventing an admission of refrigerating fluid in the liquid state within the compressor. The air conditioning loop also comprises refrigerating fluid/internal air heat exchangers for successive heat transfers between the refrigerating fluid and the internal air flow. The internal air/refrigerating fluid heat exchangers are placed inside the installation so as to have the internal air flow pass through them prior to the discharge of the latter out of the housing to the cabin. The air conditioning loop also comprises a pressure reduction member interposed between the refrigerating fluid/internal air heat exchangers, the pressure reduction member being designed to reduce the pressure of refrigerating fluid within the air conditioning loop. The latter also comprises a refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger to allow a transfer of heat between the refrigerating fluid and a flow of ambient air. The refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger is for example placed at the front of the vehicle in order to facilitate heat transfer between the refrigerating fluid and the ambient air flow, such as an air flow external to the vehicle. The air conditioning loop finally comprises a distribution unit for managing the circulation of refrigerating fluid between the various aforementioned elements. Reference can for example be made to the document JP6239131 (Nippon Denso Co), which describes such an air conditioning system.
The distribution unit is able to make the air conditioning loop function in heating mode or in air conditioning mode. In heating mode, the air conditioning loop affords heating of the internal air while in air conditioning mode the air conditioning loop is able to cool it. The change in functioning of the air conditioning loop between these two modes is obtained from a modification of the circulation of the refrigerating fluid inside the distribution unit between various ports that the latter has. The ports are either refrigerating fluid inlets to the inside of the distribution unit, or refrigerating unit outlets out of the distribution unit.
More particularly, the distribution unit comprises a port A connected to an output of the compressor and a port B connected to an input of the accumulator. The distribution unit also comprises a port C connected to an input/output of the refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger and a port D connected to another input/output of the refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger. Finally, the distribution unit also comprises a port E connected to an input/output of the first refrigerating fluid/internal air heat exchanger and a port F connected to an input/output of the second refrigerating fluid/internal air heat exchanger.
In heating mode, the refrigerating fluid flows from port A to port F through a first channel in the distribution unit, and then circulates inside the second refrigerating fluid/internal air heat exchanger, then inside the pressure reduction member, then inside the first refrigerating fluid/internal air heat exchanger, then follows a second channel in the distribution unit that extends between port E and port D, then inside the refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger, then follows a third channel in the distribution unit that extends between port C and port B, and then circulates inside the accumulator in order to return to the compressor.
In air conditioning mode, the refrigerating fluid flows from port A to port C by means of a fourth channel in the distribution unit, then circulates inside the refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger, then follows a fifth channel in the distribution unit that extends between port D and port F, then circulates inside the second refrigerating fluid/internal air heat exchanger, then inside the pressure reduction member, then inside the first refrigerating fluid/internal air heat exchanger, then follows a sixth channel in the distribution unit that extends between port E and port B, and then inside the accumulator in order to return to the compressor.
The first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth channels are obtained from the rotation of a cylinder provided with three passages inside a sleeve equipped with said ports.
One problem posed by the use of the distribution unit according to JP6239131 lies in the fact that it is not able to manage the circulation of the refrigerating fluid between the various elements of the air conditioning loop simply and effectively. More particularly, the fact that some ports in the distribution unit are alternately refrigerating fluid inlets and outlets is a source of malfunctioning. More particularly again, such a distribution unit is liable to present risks of leakage of refrigerating fluid, which it is preferable to avoid. Finally, such a distribution unit is not arranged to allow functioning of the air conditioning loop in an internal air flow dehumidification mode.
The aim of the present invention is to propose a distribution unit that is able to simply manage the circulation of a refrigerating fluid FR within an air conditioning loop, the latter consisting of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, the distribution unit being in a position to effectively determine the routing of the refrigerating fluid FR between various elements making up the air conditioning loop, while minimising the risks of leakage of the refrigerating fluid FR out of the air conditioning loop. Another aim of the present invention is to propose such a distribution unit that enables the air conditioning system to function in various modes, heating mode, air conditioning mode and dehumidification mode in particular, and is in a position to make changes from one mode to another mode in a simple and reliable manner.
A distribution unit of the present invention is a distribution unit able to manage the circulation of a refrigerating fluid FR within an air conditioning loop. The distribution unit comprises a plurality of inlets E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9 for refrigerating fluid FR to the inside of the distribution unit and a plurality of outlets S1, S2, S3, S4 for refrigerating fluid FR out of the distribution unit. Each outlet S4, S2, S3, S4 is in fluid connection with at least two inlets E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9.
The distribution unit preferentially comprises nine inlets E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9 and four outlets S1, S2, S3, S4.
A first outlet S1 is advantageously in fluid connection with the first inlet E1 and a second inlet E2.
The first outlet S1 is advantageously in fluid connection with the first inlet E1 by means of a first channel C1, which is provided with a first pressure reduction member D1.
The first pressure reduction member D1 is preferentially an electronically controlled pressure reduction device.
The first channel C1 is for example equipped with a first valve V′1.
The first output S1 is advantageously in fluid connection with the second inlet E2 by means of a second channel C2, which is provided with a first shutter V1.
Preferably, the first outlet S1, the first inlet E1, the second inlet E2, the first channel C1, the second channel C2, the first shutter V1, the first valve V′1 and the first pressure reduction member D1 constitute a first subassembly SE1.
A second output S2 is advantageously in fluid connection with a third input E3 and a fourth input E4.
The second output S2 is advantageously in fluid connection with the third inlet E3 by means of a third channel C3, which is provided with a second pressure reduction member D2.
The second pressure reduction member D2 is preferentially an electronically controlled pressure reduction device.
The third channel C3 is for example equipped with a second valve V′2.
The second outlet S2 is advantageously in fluid connection with the fourth inlet E4 by means of a fourth channel C4, which is provided with a second shutter V2.
Preferably, the second outlet S2, the third inlet E3, the fourth inlet E4, the third channel C3, the fourth channel C4, the second valve V′2, the second shutter V2 and the second pressure reduction member D2 constitute a second subassembly SE2.
A third outlet S3 is advantageously in fluid connection with a fifth inlet E5, a sixth inlet E6 and a seventh inlet E7.
The third outlet S3 is advantageously in fluid connection with the fifth inlet E5 by means of a fifth channel C5, which is provided with a third shutter V3.
The third outlet S3 is advantageously in fluid connection with the sixth inlet E6 by means of a sixth channel C6, which is provided with a fourth shutter V4.
The third outlet S3 is advantageously in fluid connection with the seventh inlet E7 by means of a seventh channel C7, which is provided with a fifth shutter V5.
Preferably, the third outlet S3, the fifth inlet E5, the sixth inlet E6, the seventh inlet E7, the fifth channel C5, the sixth channel C6, the seventh channel C7, the third shutter V3, the fourth shutter V4 and the fifth shutter V5 constitute a third subassembly SE2.
A fourth outlet S4 is advantageously in fluid connection with an eighth inlet E8 and a ninth inlet E9.
The fourth outlet S4 is advantageously in fluid connection with the eighth inlet E8 by means of an eighth channel C9, which is provided with a sixth shutter V6.
The fourth outlet S4 is advantageously in fluid connection with the ninth inlet E9 by means of a ninth channel C9, which is provided with a third pressure reduction member D3.
The third pressure reduction member D3 is for example an electronically controlled pressure reduction device.
The ninth channel C9 is preferentially equipped with a third valve V′3.
A seventh shutter V7 is advantageously disposed in parallel to the third pressure reduction member D3 and the third valve V′3.
Preferably, the fourth outlet S4, the eighth inlet E8, the ninth inlet E9, the eighth channel C8, the ninth channel C9, the sixth shutter V6, the seventh shutter V7, the third valve V′3 and the third pressure reduction member D3 constitute a fourth subassembly SE4.
Such a distribution unit is advantageously used for managing the circulation of the refrigerating fluid FR within the air conditioning loop.
An air conditioning loop of the present invention is mainly recognisable in that the air conditioning loop comprises such a distribution unit.
The air conditioning loop advantageously comprises a refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger, a refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger, a refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger, an internal heat exchanger and a compressor associated with an accumulator.
The refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger advantageously comprises a discharge orifice for refrigerating fluid FR that is in fluid connection with the seventh inlet E7 and the eighth inlet E8.
The refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger advantageously comprises an admission orifice for refrigerating fluid FR that is in fluid connection with the first outlet S1.
The refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger advantageously comprises an outlet orifice for refrigerating fluid FR that is in fluid connection with the sixth inlet E6 and the ninth inlet E9.
The refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger advantageously comprises an inlet orifice for refrigerating fluid FR that is in fluid connection with the second outlet S2.
The internal heat exchanger advantageously comprises a high-pressure outlet that is in fluid connection with the first inlet E1 and the third inlet E3.
The internal heat exchanger advantageously comprises a high-pressure inlet that is in fluid connection with the third outlet S3.
The internal heat exchanger advantageously comprises a low-pressure outlet that is in fluid connection with an inlet for refrigerating fluid FR to the inside of the compressor.
The internal heat exchanger advantageously comprises a low-pressure inlet that is in fluid connection with an outlet for refrigerating fluid FR out of the accumulator.
The accumulator advantageously comprises an orifice for the arrival of refrigerating fluid FR that is in fluid connection with the outlet S4.
The refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger advantageously comprises an opening for receiving the refrigerating fluid FR that is in fluid connection with the compressor.
The refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger advantageously comprises an opening for discharging the refrigerating fluid FR to the second inlet E2, the fourth inlet E4 and the fifth inlet E5.
The air conditioning loop preferentially comprises at least any one of five three-way valves, including:
The present invention will be better understood from a reading of the description that will be made of example embodiments, in relation to the figures in the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the figures, a motor vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning system 1 for modifying the aerothermal parameters of the air contained inside the cabin. Such a modification is obtained from the delivery of an internal air flow 2 inside the cabin.
For this purpose, the air conditioning system 1 comprises:
The ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning installation 3 consists mainly of a housing 7 produced from plastics material and generally housed under the dashboard of the vehicle. Said installation 3 houses an impeller 8 for making the internal air flow 2 circulate from at least one air admission orifice 9 to at least one air discharge orifice 10 that the housing 7 has. The air discharge orifice 10 enables the internal air flow 2 to be delivered out of the housing 7 to the vehicle cabin.
To enable the temperature of the internal air flow 2 to be modified prior to the delivery thereof in the cabin, said installation 3 houses a first heat transfer fluid/internal air flow heat exchanger 11 to allow heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid FC and the internal air flow 2, and a second heat transfer liquid/internal air flow heat exchanger 12 to allow a heat transfer between the heat transfer liquid LC and the internal air flow 2.
The first heat transfer fluid/internal air flow heat exchanger 11 consists of the first secondary loop 5. The latter also comprises a refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13 to allow a heat transfer between the refrigerating fluid FR and the heat transfer fluid FC. Finally, the first secondary loop 5 comprises a first pump P1 for causing the heat transfer fluid FC to circulate between the first heat transfer fluid/internal air flow heat exchanger 11 and the refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13.
The second heat transfer liquid/internal air flow heat exchanger 12 consists of the second secondary loop 6. The latter also comprises a refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 14 to allow a heat exchange between the refrigerating fluid FR and the heat transfer liquid LC. Finally, the second secondary loop 6 comprises a second pump P2 for causing the heat transfer fluid LC to circulate between the second heat transfer liquid/internal air flow heat exchanger 12 and the refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 14.
The refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13 and the refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 14 also constitute the air conditioning loop 4 to allow a heat transfer between the refrigerating fluid FR and respectively the heat transfer fluid FC and the heat transfer liquid LC.
The air conditioning loop 4 also comprises a compressor 15 for raising the refrigerating fluid FR to high pressure. The compressor 15 is preferentially associated with an accumulator 16 to prevent an admission of refrigerating fluid FR in the liquid state inside the compressor 15. The air conditioning loop 4 also comprises a refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger 17 to allow a heat transfer between the refrigerating fluid FR and an ambient air flow 18 that passes through it. The latter is in particular a flow of air external to the vehicle. The refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger 17 is preferentially placed at the front of the vehicle to facilitate heat transfer between the refrigerating fluid FR and the ambient air flow 18. The air conditioning loop 4 also comprises a plurality of pressure reduction members D1, D2, D3 to allow a reduction in pressure of the refrigerating fluid FR from high pressure to low pressure. The pressure reduction members D1, D2, D3 are in particular electronically controlled pressure reduction devices. Thus the air conditioning loop 4 comprises a plurality of high-pressure lines HP', HP2, HP3 provided between the compressor 15 and at least one of the pressure reduction members D1, D2, D3 as well as a plurality of low-pressure lines BP1, BP2, BP3, provided between at least one of the pressure reduction members D1, D2, D3 and the compressor. Finally, the air conditioning loop 4 comprises an internal heat exchanger 19 that comprises a high-pressure channel 20 and a low-pressure channel 21 to allow heat transfer between the refrigerating fluid FR circulating inside the high-pressure channel 20 and the refrigerating fluid FR circulating within the low-pressure channel 21. According to various operating modes of the air conditioning loop 4, the high-pressure channel 20 constitutes one of the high-pressure lines HP1, HP2, HP3 while the low-pressure channel 21 constitutes one of the low-pressure lines BP1, BP2, BP3.
The air conditioning loop 4 is able to function in heating mode in which the internal air flow 2 is heated by the first heat transfer fluid/internal air flow heat exchanger 11 and the second heat transfer liquid/internal air flow heat exchanger 12. The air conditioning loop 4 is also able to function in air conditioning mode in which the internal air flow 2 is cooled by the second heat transfer liquid/internal air flow heat exchanger 12, the first heat transfer fluid/internal air flow heat exchanger 11 being inoperative. Finally, the air conditioning loop is able to function in dehumidification mode in which the internal air flow 2 is first of all cooled by the second heat transfer liquid/air flow heat exchanger 12 and then heated by the first heat transfer fluid/internal air flow heat exchanger 11.
To allow simple and effective management of the circulation of the refrigerating fluid FR within the air conditioning loop 4, whatever the operating mode of the latter, while minimising the risks of leakage of refrigerating fluid FR, the present invention proposes to equip the air conditioning loop 4 with a distribution unit 22 comprising nine inlets E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9 for admitting refrigerating fluid FR to said unit and four outlets S1, S2, S3, S4 for discharging refrigerating fluid FR out of said unit 22. The latter is a unitary element that can be handled in a single piece. Nevertheless, the distribution unit 22 consists of four distinct subassemblies SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4 connected to one another by bolting, interlocking or any other similar fixing means. Two of these subassemblies SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, namely the first subassembly SE1 and the second subassembly SE2, are similar, which reduces the manufacturing and maintenance costs.
The first sub-assembly SE1 comprises a first inlet E1 and a second inlet E2 for refrigerating fluid FR within said unit 22 and a first outlet S1 for refrigerating fluid FR out of said unit 22. The first outlet S1 is in fluid communication with the first inlet E1 and the second inlet E2. More particularly, a first channel C1 is provided between the first inlet E1 and the first outlet S1 to allow a flow of refrigerating fluid FR from the first inlet E1 to the second outlet S1. More particularly again, a second channel C2 is provided between the second inlet E2 and the first outlet S1 to allow a flow of refrigerating fluid FR from the first inlet E2 to the first outlet S1. The first channel C1 is provided with a first pressure reduction member D1 while the second channel C2 is equipped with a first shutter V1 able to allow or prevent passage of the refrigerating fluid FR within the second channel C2.
The second sub-assembly SE2 comprises a third inlet E3 and a fourth inlet E4 for refrigerating fluid FR within said unit 22 and a second outlet S2 for refrigerating fluid FR out of the unit 22. The second outlet S2 is in fluid communication with the third inlet E3 and the fourth inlet E4. More particularly, a third channel C3 is provided between the third inlet E3 and the second outlet S2 to allow a flow of refrigerating fluid FR from the third inlet E3 to the second outlet S2. More particularly again, a fourth channel C4 is provided between the fourth inlet E4 and the second outlet S2 to allow a flow of refrigerating fluid FR from the fourth inlet E4 to the second outlet S2. The third channel C3 is provided with the second pressure reduction member D2 while the fourth channel C4 is equipped with a second shutter V2 able to allow or prevent passage of refrigerating fluid FR within the fourth channel C4.
The third sub-assembly SE3 comprises a fifth inlet E5, a sixth inlet E6 and a seventh inlet E7 for refrigerating fluid FR within said unit 22 and a third outlet S3 for refrigerating fluid FR out of said unit 22. The third outlet S3 is in fluid communication with the fifth inlet E5, the sixth inlet E6 and the seventh inlet E7. More particularly, a fifth channel C5 is provided between the fifth inlet E5 and the third outlet S3 to allow a flow of refrigerating fluid FR from the fifth inlet E5 to the third outlet S3. More particularly, a sixth channel C6 is provided between the sixth inlet E6 and the third outlet S3 to allow a flow of refrigerating fluid FR from the sixth inlet E6 to the third outlet S3. More particularly finally, a seventh channel C7 is provided between the seventh inlet E7 and the third outlet S3 to allow a flow of refrigerating fluid FR from the seventh inlet E7 to the third outlet S3. The fifth channel C5 is provided with a third shutter V3 able to allow or prevent passage of refrigerating fluid FR within the fifth channel C5. The sixth channel C6 is provided with a fourth shutter V4 able to allow or prevent passage of the refrigerating fluid FR within the sixth channel C6. The seventh channel C7 is provided with a fifth shutter V5 able to allow or prevent a passage of refrigerating fluid FR within the seventh channel C7.
The fourth sub-assembly SE4 comprises an eighth inlet E8 and a ninth inlet E9 for refrigerating fluid FR within said unit 22 and a fourth outlet S4 for refrigerating fluid FR out of said unit 22. The fourth outlet S4 is in fluid communication with the eighth inlet E8 and the ninth inlet E9. More particularly, an eighth channel C8 is provided between the eighth inlet E8 and the fourth outlet S4 to allow a flow of refrigerating fluid FR from the eighth inlet E8 to the fourth outlet S4. More particularly again, a ninth channel C9 is provided between the ninth inlet E9 and the fourth outlet S4 to allow a flow of refrigerating fluid FR from the ninth inlet E9 to the fourth outlet S4. The eighth channel C8 is provided with a third shutter V3 able to allow or prevent passage of the refrigerating fluid FR within the eighth channel C8. The ninth channel C9 is equipped with the third pressure reduction member D3. A fourth shutter V4 is placed in parallel to the third pressure-reduction member D3 to allow a circulation of the refrigerating fluid FR between the ninth inlet E9 and the fourth outlet S4 by means of a bypassing of the third pressure reduction member D3.
The refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger 17 comprises an orifice 23 for discharging refrigerating fluid FR that is in fluid connection with the seventh inlet E7 and the eighth inlet E8. The refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger 17 also comprises an inlet orifice 24 for refrigerating fluid FR that is in fluid connection with the first outlet S1.
The refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 14 comprises an outlet orifice 25 for refrigerating fluid FR that is in fluid connection with the sixth inlet E6 and the ninth inlet E9. The refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 14 also comprises an inlet orifice 26 for refrigerating fluid FR that is in fluid connection with the second outlet S2.
The internal heat exchanger 19 comprises a high-pressure outlet 27 that is in fluid connection with the first inlet E1 and the third inlet E3. The internal heat exchanger 19 also comprises a high-pressure inlet 28 that is in fluid connection with the third outlet S3. The high-pressure outlet 27 and the high-pressure inlet 28 are connected to each other fluid-wise by means of the high-pressure channel 20. At the same time, the internal heat exchanger 19 comprises a low-pressure output 29 that is in fluid connection with a refrigerating fluid inlet of the compressor 15. The internal heat exchanger 19 also comprises a low-pressure inlet 30 that is in fluid connection with an outlet for the refrigerating fluid FR out of the accumulator 16. The low-pressure outlet 29 and the low-pressure inlet 30 are connected to each other fluid-wise by means of the low-pressure channel 21. The high-pressure channel 20 and the low-pressure channel 21 are arranged with respect to each other so as to allow heat transfer between the refrigerating fluid FR circulating inside one of the channels 20, 21 and the refrigerating fluid FR circulating inside the other one of the channels 21, 20.
The accumulator 16 also comprises an inlet orifice 31 for the refrigerating fluid FR coming from the outlet S4.
The refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13 receives the refrigerating fluid FR coming from the compressor 15 in order to discharge it to the second inlet E2 or the fourth inlet E4 or the fifth inlet E5 with which the refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13 is in fluid connection.
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Thus, in heating mode, the compressor 15 receives the refrigerating fluid FR in the gaseous state in order to compress it at high pressure, in particular supercritical, and directs it to the refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13. The latter is arranged to allow transfer of heat at relatively constant pressure from the refrigerating fluid FR to the heat transfer fluid FC, which transmits this heat to the internal air flow 2 by means of said first heat exchanger 11. Then the refrigerating fluid FR enters inside the distribution unit 22 by means of the fourth inlet E4, in order to flow inside the fourth channel C4 and the second shutter V2 as far as the second outlet S2. Then the refrigerating fluid FR flows through the refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 14, yielding up heat to the heat transfer liquid LC, which transmits this heat to the internal air flow 2 by means of said second heat exchanger 12. The temperature of the heat transfer liquid LC is lower than the temperature of the heat transfer fluid FC. Thus the second heat exchanger 12 is placed upstream of the first heat exchanger 11 in a direction of flow 32 of the internal air flow 2 inside the housing 7, so that the heat transfer between the heat transfer liquid LC and the internal air flow 2 constitutes a preheating of the latter prior to heating thereof by means of the first heat exchanger 11. The refrigerating fluid FR then enters inside the distribution unit 22 by means of the sixth inlet E6 in order to flow inside the sixth channel C6 and the fourth shutter V4 as far as the third outlet S3. Then the refrigerating fluid FR flows inside the high-pressure channel 20 of the internal heat exchanger 19 so as to yield up heat to the refrigerating fluid FR flowing inside the low-pressure channel 21. Then the refrigerating fluid FR returns to the distribution unit 22 by means of the first inlet E1 in order to flow inside the first channel C1 as far as the first pressure reduction member D1. The refrigerating fluid FR undergoes a pressure reduction from high pressure to low pressure. The refrigerating fluid FR is discharged out of the distribution unit 22 by means of the first outlet S1 until it enters inside the refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger 17 inside which the refrigerating fluid receives heat yielded up by the ambient air flow 18. The refrigerating fluid FR next rejoins the distribution unit 22 by means of the eighth inlet E8 in order to flow inside the eighth channel C8 and the sixth shutter V6 as far as the fourth outlet S4. The refrigerating fluid FR then enters inside the accumulator 16 inside which the refrigerating fluid FR in the liquid state is stored while the refrigerating fluid FR in the gaseous state is discharged to the low-pressure channel 21 of the internal heat exchanger 19, before returning to the compressor 15.
These arrangements are such that, in heating mode, the first low-pressure line BP1 comprises in this order the first outlet S1, the refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger 17, the eighth inlet E8, the eighth channel C8 provided with the sixth shutter V6, the fourth outlet S4, the accumulator 16 and a low-pressure channel 21 of the internal heat exchanger 19 in order to end up at the compressor 15. The first high-pressure line HP1 comprises in this order the first refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13, the fourth inlet E4, the fourth channel C4 provided with the second shutter V2, the second outlet S2, the refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 14, the sixth inlet E6, the sixth channel C6 provided with the fourth shutter V4, the third outlet S3, the high-pressure channel 20 of the internal heat exchanger 19, the first inlet E1 and the first channel C1 as far as the pressure reduction member D1.
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Thus, in air conditioning mode, the compressor 15 receives the refrigerating fluid FR in the gaseous state in order to compress it at high pressure, in particular supercritical, and direct it to the refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13. The pump P1 being stopped, the heat transfer inside the refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13 enters the refrigerating fluid FR and the heat transfer fluid FC is minimised, or even zero. Then the refrigerating fluid FR enters inside the distribution unit 22 by means of the second inlet E2 in order to flow inside the second channel C2 and the first shutter V1 as far as the first outlet S1. Then the refrigerating fluid FR flows inside the refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger 17 inside which the refrigerating fluid FR yields up heat to the ambient air flow 18 at a relatively constant pressure. The refrigerating fluid FR then enters inside the distribution unit 22 by means of the seventh inlet E7 in order to flow inside the seventh channel C7 and the fifth shutter V5 as far as the third outlet S3. Then the refrigerating fluid FR flows inside the high-pressure channel 20 of the internal heat exchanger 19 so as to yield up heat to the refrigerating fluid FR flowing inside the low-pressure channel 21. The refrigerating fluid FR next enters inside the distribution unit 22 by means of the third inlet E3 in order to flow inside the third channel C3 and the second pressure reduction member D2. The refrigerating fluid FR undergoes pressure reduction from high pressure to low pressure. Then the refrigerating fluid FR flows inside the refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 14, capturing heat from the heat transfer liquid LC, which cools. The heat transfer liquid LC is then able to cool the internal air flow 2 by means of said second heat exchanger 12. The refrigerating fluid FR then enters inside the distribution unit 22 by means of the ninth inlet E9 in order to flow inside the ninth channel C9 and the seventh shutter V7 as far as the fourth outlet S4. The refrigerating fluid FR then enters inside the accumulator 16 inside which the refrigerating fluid FR in the liquid state is stored while the refrigerating fluid FR in the gaseous state is discharged to the low-pressure channel 21 of the internal heat exchanger 19, before returning to the compressor 15.
These arrangements are such that, in air conditioning mode, the second low-pressure line BP2 comprises in this order the second outlet S2, the second refrigerating fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 14, the ninth inlet E9, the seventh shutter V7, the fourth outlet S4, the accumulator 16 and the low-pressure channel 21 of the internal heat exchanger 19 in order to end up at the compressor 15. The second high-pressure line HP2 comprises the first refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13, the second inlet E2, the first shutter V1, the first outlet S1, the refrigerating fluid/ambient air heat exchanger 17, the seventh inlet E7, the seventh channel C7 provided with the fifth shutter V5, the high-pressure channel 20 of the internal heat exchanger 19, the third inlet E3 and the third channel C3 as far as the second pressure reduction member D2.
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Thus, in dehumidification mode, the compressor 15 receives the refrigerating fluid FR in the gaseous state in order to compress it at high pressure, in particular supercritical, and direct it to the refrigerating fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13. The latter is arranged to allow transfer of heat at relatively constant pressure from the refrigerating fluid FR to the heat transfer fluid FC, which transmits this heat to the internal air flow 2 by means of said first heat exchanger 11. Then the refrigerating fluid FR enters inside the distribution unit 22 by means of the fifth inlet E5 in order to flow inside the fifth channel C5 and the third shutter V3 as far as the third outlet S3. Then the refrigerating fluid FR flows inside the high-pressure channel 20 of the internal heat exchanger 19 so as to yield up heat to the refrigerating fluid FR flowing inside the low-pressure channel 21. The refrigeration fluid FR is then divided into two portions FR1 and FR2.
A first portion FR1 returns to the distribution unit 22 by means of the first inlet E1 in order to flow inside the first channel C1 as far as the first pressure reduction member D1. The first portion FR1 then undergoes pressure reduction from high pressure to low pressure. Then the first portion FR1 is discharged out of the distribution unit 22 by means of the first outlet S1 in order to rejoin the refrigeration fluid/ambient air heat exchanger 17 inside which the first portion FR1 picks up heat from the ambient air flow 18. Then the first portion FR1 returns to the distribution unit 22 by means of the eighth inlet E8. The first portion FR1 then flows inside the eighth channel C8 and the sixth shutter V6 in order to reach the fourth outlet S4.
A second portion FR2 returns to the distribution unit 22 by means of the third inlet E3 in order to flow inside the third channel C3 as far as the second pressure reduction member D2. The second portion FR2 then undergoes pressure reduction from high pressure to an intermediate pressure. Then the second portion FR2 is discharged out of the distribution unit 22 by means of the second outlet S2 in order to rejoin the refrigeration fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 14 inside which the second portion FR2 captures heat from the heat transfer liquid LC, which cools. The heat transfer liquid LC is then able to cool the internal air flow 2 by means of said second heat exchanger 12. The latter is placed upstream of said first heat exchanger 11 in the direction of flow 32 of the internal air flow 2 inside the housing 7, the internal air flow 2 is first of all cooled by the second heat exchanger 12 and then reheated by the first heat exchanger 11. These arrangements enable the internal air flow 2 to be dehumidified. The second portion FR2 then returns to the inside of the distribution unit 22 by means of the ninth inlet E9 in order to flow inside the ninth channel C9 and the third pressure reduction member D3. The second portion FR2 then undergoes pressure reduction from intermediate pressure to low pressure. The second portion FR2 then flows as far as the fourth outlet S4.
At the second outlet S4, the first portion FR1 and the second portion FR2 join in order then to flow to the accumulator 16. The refrigerating fluid FR then enters inside the accumulator 16 inside which the refrigerating fluid FR in the liquid state is stored while the refrigerating fluid FR in the gaseous state is discharged to the low-pressure channel 21 of the internal heat exchanger 19, before returning to the compressor 15.
These arrangements are such that, in dehumidification mode, the third high-pressure line HP3 comprises in this order the first refrigeration fluid/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 13, the fifth inlet E5, the fifth channel C5 provided with the third shutter V3, the third outlet S3, the high-pressure channel 20 of the internal heat exchanger 19, and then firstly the first inlet E1 and the first channel C1 as far as the first pressure reduction member D1 and secondly the third inlet E3 and the third channel C3 as far as the second pressure-reduction member D2. The third low-pressure line BP3 comprises firstly the first outlet S1, the refrigeration fluid/ambient air heat exchanger 17, the eighth inlet E8, the eighth channel C8 provided with the sixth shutter V6 and the fourth outlet S4, and secondly the second outlet S2, the refrigeration fluid/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 14, the ninth inlet E9, the third pressure reduction member D3 and the fourth outlet S4, and then the accumulator 16 and the low-pressure channel 21 of the internal heat exchanger 19 in order to end up at the compressor 15.
The first pressure reduction member D1, the second pressure reduction member D2 and the third pressure reduction member D3 form an integral part of the distribution unit according to the invention and are installed inside the latter.
The first valve V′1, the first shutter V1, the second valve V′2, the second shutter V2, the third shutter V3, the fourth shutter V4, the fifth shutter V5, the sixth shutter V6, the third valve V′3 and the seventh shutter V7 form an integral part of the distribution unit according to the invention and are installed inside the latter.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR09/06130 | Dec 2009 | FR | national |
