Patent Application
20240426530
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2023-0081987, filed in Korea on Jun. 26, 2023, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.
A heat pump and method for operating a heat pump are disclosed herein.
Generally, a heat pump refers to a device that cools or heats a room through processes of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of a refrigerant. When an outdoor heat exchanger of the heat pump functions as a condenser and an indoor heat exchanger function as an evaporator, the room may be cooled. When the indoor heat exchanger of the heat pump functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the room may be heated.
For example, the heat pump may be an Air-to-Water Heat Pump (AWHP) using, a fluid, such as water, as a medium for heat exchange with the refrigerant. In this case, using water heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant, a temperature of water stored in a water tank may increase such that hot water may be supplied to a room. Alternatively, as water heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant flows through a water pipe installed in an indoor space, the indoor space may be heated.
In a multi-heat pump in which multiple indoor units are connected to a single outdoor unit, a required amount of refrigerant varies depending on a number of operating indoor units. Even in the AWHP used for heating water, a cooling operation requires a large amount of refrigerant using a large outdoor heat exchanger, having a large internal volume, as a condenser, and a heating operation requires a small amount of refrigerant using a plate-shaped heat exchanger, having a small internal volume, as a condenser. If the amount of refrigerant is charged according to any one condition, performance is reduced in other conditions.
Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0033633 (hereinafter, the “related art”), which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a structure that stores a refrigerant by connecting a buffer tank to a rear end of a condenser of a heat pump and that heats or cools the buffer tank. As the structure disclosed in the related art is provided for adjusting a temperature of the buffer tank in a short time, it is difficult to selectively control a stored amount of refrigerant as desired.
Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is understood that the embodiments are not limited to these embodiments and may be modified in various forms.
In the drawings, in order to clearly and briefly describe embodiments, illustration of parts or components irrelevant to the description has been omitted, and the same or like reference numerals are used for the same or extremely similar parts throughout the specification.
The suffixes, such as “module” and “unit,” for elements used in the following description are given simply in view of the ease of the description, and do not have a distinguishing meaning or role. Accordingly, the terms “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.
It will be understood that although the terms, “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.
The heat pump 1 according to an embodiment utilizes air and a fluid, such as water, as a heat source. In the heat pump 1 according to an embodiment, a refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 50, and exchanges heat with a fluid, such as water, in the indoor heat exchanger 40. Various types of refrigerants, including R290, may be used as the refrigerant.
The indoor heat exchanger 40 may be a fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and a fluid, such as water. A direction of heat transfer between the refrigerant and fluid in the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 may vary depending on cooling and heating operating modes of the heat pump 1. After the fluid exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40, the fluid may be introduced into a room to cool or heat the room or to provide cold or hot fluid to the room.
The fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 may be a plate heat exchanger, for example. The plate heat exchanger may include a plurality of heat transfer plates stacked on top of each other, and the refrigerant and the fluid introduced into the plate heat exchanger may flow along a flow path formed between the plurality of heat transfer plates, and may exchange heat with each other in a non-contact manner.
As described above, the heat pump 1 according to this embodiment may be an air-to-water heat exchanger type heat pump, and may be referred to as an air-to-water heat pump (AWHP).
Referring to
The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 20 may pass through the 4-way valve 30 to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 or the indoor heat exchanger 40 according to a cooling or heating operation mode of the heat pump 1. The outdoor heat exchanger 50 may exchange heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air. A direction of heat transfer between the refrigerant and the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 50 may vary according to a cooling or heating operation mode of the heat pump 1.
An outdoor fan 50a may be disposed on or at one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 50 to control an amount of air supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 50. The outdoor fan 50a may be driven by an outdoor fan motor (not shown).
The expansion valve 10 may receive condensed refrigerant from any one of the outdoor heat exchanger 50 or the indoor heat exchanger 40 according to a cooling or heating operation mode of the heat pump 1. The expansion valve 10 may expand the condensed refrigerant. The refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 10 may flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 or the indoor heat exchanger 40 according to the cooling or heating operation mode of the heat pump 1. The expansion valve 10 may be an Electronic Expansion Valve (EEV), for example.
The 4-way valve 30 may guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 20, to selectively flow into either the outdoor heat exchanger 50 or the indoor heat exchanger 40 according to the cooling or heating operation mode of the heat pump 1. A controller 1310, which will be described hereinafter, may adjust the 4-way valve 30 to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 20, to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger when cooling a room, and may adjust the 4-way valve 30 to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 20, to flow into the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 when heating a room.
The controller 1310 may be electrically connected to respective components of the heat pump 1. The controller 1310 may control the respective components of the heat pump according to an operation mode of the heat pump. As described above, the heat pump 1 may supply a cold or hot fluid, such as water, to a room according to an operation mode, and cold water or hot water may be supplied to a kitchen, restroom, or bathroom, for example, and may be provided to cool or heat a room.
The heat exchanger in the AWHP generally includes a fin and tube heat exchanger for heat exchange between air and refrigerant, and a plate heat exchanger for heat exchange between refrigerant and a fluid, such as water. During a heating operation, a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor passes through the plate heat exchanger to heat the fluid, and the refrigerant is condensed and transformed into a liquid refrigerant, and then is expanded by the expansion device to change to a low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant, to be evaporated by an evaporator (fin and tube heat exchanger) to enter the compressor.
The plate heat exchanger used as a condenser during a heating operation has a smaller internal volume than the fin and tube heat exchanger, such that an optimal refrigerant amount is smaller compared to a cooling operation, and if an amount of refrigerant is excessive, high pressure rises excessively and efficiency is reduced. The fin and tube heat exchanger used as a condenser during a cooling operation has a large internal volume and is filled with a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, such that a large optimal refrigerant amount is required. If an amount of refrigerant is small, sufficient subcooling may not be obtained due to the lack of refrigerant in the condenser (fin and tube heat exchanger), and a sufficient amount of refrigerant may not flow through the expansion device, thereby causing insufficient cooling capacity. Accordingly, in the AWHP, it is required to charge an optimal amount of refrigerant by finding an appropriate value between cooling and heating operations, and no refrigerant amount is optimal for both the cooling and heating operations.
Referring to
The receiver 70 may store refrigerant exceeding a refrigerant amount required for the heat exchangers 40 and 60. For example, if a refrigerant load or a heating load is reduced, a required amount of refrigerant decreases, and as the required amount of refrigerant decreases, a portion of the refrigerant may be stored in the receiver 70. If a refrigerant load or a heating load increases, a required amount of refrigerant increases, and as the required amount of refrigerant increases, the refrigerant stored in the receiver 70 may be discharged.
The heat pump 1 may actively adjust an amount of refrigerant according to a required amount of refrigerant by storing refrigerant in the receiver 70, which is a refrigerant storage device, or by discharging the refrigerant stored in the receiver 70, such that a sufficient amount of refrigerant may be charged into the heat pump 1, and the heat pump 1 may operate in an optimal refrigerant condition. That is, according to embodiments, refrigerant is charged in an amount corresponding to a case in which a maximum amount of refrigerant is required, and the refrigerant amount is adjusted according to an operating state, thereby improving capability and efficiency. More particularly, the heat pump may operate at maximum capability and efficiency while ensuring there is no shortage of refrigerant even during a cooling operation.
In addition, using the receiver 70 capable of storing the refrigerant according to a required amount of refrigerant, the heat pump 1 may operate in an optimal refrigerant condition in response to each operating mode and operating condition, regardless of changes in operating modes, such as cooling, and heating, for example, and operating conditions, such as indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, compressor frequency, for example.
The receiver 70 may be mounted at an outlet of the condenser based on heating. During a heating operation, the refrigerant passes through the receiver immediately after passing through the condenser (plate heat exchanger), such that the refrigerant, which is present in an amount more than an amount needed, may be stored as liquid in the receiver during the heating operation. During a cooling operation, after the refrigerant passes through the condenser and the expansion device, the refrigerant passes through the receiver in a low-pressure two-phase state, such that an amount of liquid refrigerant filled in the receiver is not large, and the refrigerant required for the cooling operation may be obtained.
However, by merely mounting the receiver 70 at an outlet of the condenser based on heating, it is not possible to precisely respond to a required amount of refrigerant under various operating conditions, such as indoor temperature (inflow temperature in the case of AWHP), outdoor temperature, and compressor frequency, for example. More particularly, in a multi-heat pump including a plurality of indoor units, an optimal amount of refrigerant varies according to the number of indoor units in operation, such that an optimal operation cannot be provided using only the receiver 70.
Accordingly, the heat pump 1 according to embodiments further includes a refrigerant amount control valve 1320 (see
The refrigerant amount control valve 1320 may include a first valve V1 disposed between the indoor heat exchanger 40, that is, the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40, and the receiver 70, a second valve V2 disposed between the compressor 20 and the receiver 70, and a third valve V3 disposed between the receiver 70 and the accumulator 60. The refrigerant amount control valve 1320 may further include a fourth valve V4 disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger 50 and the receiver 70.
Referring to
The controller 1310 may control a refrigerant flow direction according to a cooling or heating operation. According to a cooling or heating operation, the controller 1310 may control the 4-way valve 30 to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 20, to flow into the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 or the outdoor heat exchanger 50.
The controller 1310 may adjust the amount of refrigerant according to an operating state by controlling the refrigerant amount control valve 1320 to store the refrigerant in the receiver 70 or to discharge the refrigerant from the receiver 70. Accordingly, the refrigerant may be charged into the heat pump 1 in a sufficient amount that satisfies a case in which a maximum amount of refrigerant is required. Accordingly, the heat pump 1 may operate at maximum capability and efficiency while ensuring there is no shortage of refrigerant even during a cooling operation.
During a heating operation, the controller 1310 may control the 4-way valve 40 to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 20, to flow into the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40. Referring to
A low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flowing from the accumulator 60 into the compressor 20 may be discharged in a high-temperature and high-pressure state from the compressor 20. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 20 flows into the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 through the 4-way valve 30, to exchange heat with the fluid. In this case, as heat energy is transferred from the refrigerant to fluid, a temperature of the fluid rises, and the refrigerant is condensed, such that the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 during the heating operation may be understood as a condenser. In this case, the fluid with increased temperature is supplied to a room, thereby heating the indoor space. Alternatively, hot fluid, such as hot water, may be supplied to the room.
The refrigerant, having passed through the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40, may be expanded into a low-temperature and low-pressure state while passing through the expansion valve 10. The refrigerant, having passed through the expansion valve 10, flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 to exchange heat with outdoor air. In this case, as heat energy of the outdoor air is transferred to the refrigerant, the outdoor air temperature decreases, and the refrigerant is evaporated, such that the outdoor heat exchanger 50 during the heating operation may be understood as an evaporator.
The refrigerant, having passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 50, flows into the accumulator 60 through the 4-way valve 30. The accumulator 60 may supply gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 20, thereby completing a heating cycle of the heat pump 1.
Referring to
The third valve V3 allows the refrigerant to smoothly enter the receiver 70 through the first valve V1. In addition, a capillary tube 90 may be disposed at a rear end or downstream of the third valve V3. The capillary tube 90 may be disposed between the third valve V3 and the accumulator 60. The capillary tube 90 may limit an amount and rate of refrigerant flowing into or discharged from the receiver 70. By providing the capillary tube 90 at the rear end of the third valve V3, it is possible to prevent liquid refrigerant from directly entering the accumulator 60 when the third valve V3 is open.
Upon determining that a refrigerant amount is appropriate for heating, the controller 1310 may close the first valve V1 and the third valve V3. If the refrigerant is charged based on a cooling operation, there is basically an excessive amount of refrigerant in many cases. However, even during the heating operation, an optimal amount of refrigerant may vary depending on an outdoor temperature, an inflow temperature in the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40, or a compressor frequency, for example, such that there may be cases of an insufficient amount of refrigerant.
Upon determining that the refrigerant amount is insufficient during the heating operation, the controller 1310 may open the second valve V2 and the third valve V3. Referring to
The controller 1310 may open the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 to guide the refrigerant in the receiver 70 to flow into the accumulator 60, thereby increasing an amount of circulating refrigerant. When the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 are opened, high-pressure gas at an outlet of the compressor 20 pushes the liquid refrigerant so that the refrigerant in the receiver 70 is discharged through the third valve V3, and the receiver 70 is filled with gas such that an amount of refrigerant flowing in the heat pump increases.
The controller 1310 may control opening and closing of the first valve V1, the second valve V2, and the third valve V3 based on a current refrigerant amount and a refrigerant amount required for heating load response during a heating operation. Upon determining that the current refrigerant amount is greater than the required refrigerant amount, the controller 1310 may open the first valve V1 and the third valve V3 to store a remaining amount of refrigerant in the receiver 70.
In addition, upon determining that the current refrigerant amount is smaller than the required refrigerant amount, the controller 1310 may open the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 to discharge the refrigerant stored in the receiver 70, thereby increasing an amount of circulating refrigerant.
Various methods of determining the amount of refrigerant may be used to determine whether an amount of refrigerant is excessive or insufficient. For example, an excessive or insufficient amount of refrigerant may be determined based on a degree of subcooling. By setting an upper-limit reference value and a lower-limit reference value of a subcooling degree, and if a subcooling degree is higher than the upper-limit reference value, it may be determined that there is a large amount of refrigerant, and if a subcooling degree is lower than the lower-limit reference value, it may be determined that there is a small amount of refrigerant. The upper-limit and lower-limit reference values of the subcooling degree may be set within an appropriate range of subcooling degrees for responding to a heating load or a cooling load.
A large or small amount of refrigerant may be checked based on the subcooling degree of the product during a cooling or heating operation. The controller 1310 may determine the subcooling degree based on data measured by sensors of a sensor unit 1330 (see
For example, the controller 1310 may determine a subcooling degree of the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40. The controller 1310 may measure a subcooling degree of the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 based on an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40, which may be detected by a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the controller 1310 may measure a subcooling degree of the outdoor heat exchanger 50 based on an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 50, which may be detected by the temperature sensor. In addition, in a case in which the heat pump 1 further includes a supercooling apparatus, a temperature of a pipe connected to the supercooling apparatus may also be used to determine the subcooling degree. Further, the controller 1310 may determine a subcooling degree by comparing a condensing temperature with a pipe temperature or an outlet temperature of the indoor unit, depending on whether a cooling operation or a heating operation is performed.
If a subcooling degree is higher than an upper-limit reference value, the controller 1310 may control the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 to be opened. If the subcooling degree is lower than a lower-limit reference value, the controller 1310 may control the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 to be opened.
During the heating operation, the controller 1310 may control opening and closing of the first valve V1, the second valve V2, the third valve V3, and the fourth third valve V4 based on a current refrigerant amount and an amount of refrigerant required for responding to a heating load. For example, if a subcooling degree is higher than an upper-limit reference value during the heating operation, the controller 1310 may control the first valve V1 and the third valve V3 to be opened and the second valve V2 and the fourth valve V4 to be closed. In addition, if the subcooling degree is lower than a lower-limit reference value during the heating operation, the controller 1310 may control the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 to be opened and the first valve V1 and the fourth valve V4 to be closed.
During a cooling operation, the controller 1310 may control the 4-way valve 30 to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 20, to flow into the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40. In addition, during the cooling operation, the controller 1310 may control the 4-way valve 30 to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 20, to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 50.
Referring to
The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 20 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 through the 4-way valve 30, to exchange heat with outdoor air. In this case, as heat energy is transferred from the refrigerant to the outdoor air, an outdoor air temperature rises, and the refrigerant is condensed, such that the outdoor heat exchanger 50 during the cooling operation may be understood as a condenser.
The refrigerant, having passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 50, may be expanded into a low-temperature and low-pressure state while passing through the expansion valve 10. The refrigerant, having passed through the expansion valve 10, flows into the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40, to exchange heat with the fluid. In this case, as heat energy of circulating fluid is transferred to the refrigerant, the temperature of the fluid decreases, and the refrigerant is evaporated, such that the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 during the cooling operation may be understood as an evaporator. In this case, the fluid with lowered temperature is supplied to a room, thereby cooling the indoor space. Alternatively, cold fluid, such as cold water, may be supplied to the room.
The refrigerant, having passed through the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40, flows into the accumulator 60 through the 4-way valve 30. The accumulator 60 may supply gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 20, thereby completing a cooling cycle of the heat pump 1.
The controller 1310 may control opening and closing of the first valve V1, the second valve V2, the third valve V3, and the fourth valve V4 based on a current refrigerant amount and a refrigerant amount required for responding to a cooling load during a cooling operation. If a subcooling degree is higher than an upper-limit reference value during the cooling operation, the controller 1310 controls the fourth valve V4 and the third valve V3 to be opened and the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 to be closed.
Referring to
If a subcooling degree is lower than a lower-limit reference value during the cooling operation, the controller 1310 may control the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 to be opened and the first valve V1 and the fourth valve V4 to be closed. Referring to
If a cooling operation is performed while the refrigerant is stored in the receiver 70, an actual refrigerant amount is lower than an optimal refrigerant amount required for the cooling operation. In this case, the controller 1310 may open the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 to guide the refrigerant, stored in the receiver 70, to flow into the accumulator 60. When the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 are opened, high-pressure gas at the outlet of the compressor 20 pushes the liquid refrigerant so that the refrigerant in the receiver 70 is discharged through the third valve V3, and the receiver 70 is filled with the gas such that an amount of refrigerant flowing in the product increases. Even in this case, if liquid refrigerant is expanded through the capillary tube 90 at a rear end of the third valve V3, the refrigerant gradually flows into the accumulator 60, thereby preventing the risk that the liquid refrigerant directly enters the compressor 20.
Even during the cooling operation, an optimal refrigerant amount may vary depending on outdoor temperature, inflow temperature, and compressor frequency, for example. Upon determining that there is an excessive amount of refrigerant during the cooling operation, the controller 1310 may open the fourth valve V4 and the third valve V3 to store the liquid refrigerant in the receiver 70. During the cooling operation, high-pressure liquid refrigerant is present at an outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 5, such that by opening the fourth valve V4, the liquid refrigerant may be stored in the receiver 70.
During the operation of the heat pump, the accumulator 60 is in a low-pressure state with low temperature. Thus, the heat pump may serve to maintain the receiver 70 at a low temperature.
Referring to
A third pipe a3 may be disposed between the compressor 20 an the 4-way valve 30 to form a refrigerant flow path extending from the compressor 20 to the 4-way valve 30. The flow path may be switched according to an operation mode of the heat pump, and the refrigerant introduced through the third pipe a3 may be guided selectively to the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 or the outdoor heat exchanger 50.
A fourth pipe a4 may be branched from the third pipe a3 to be connected to the receiver 70. In addition, the second valve V2 may be located in the fourth pipe a4. Accordingly, when the second valve V2 is opened, the high-pressure gas at the outlet of the compressor 20 may push the liquid refrigerant in the receiver 70.
A fifth pipe a5 may be disposed between the 4-way valve 30 and the accumulator 60 to form a refrigerant flow path extending from the 4-way valve 30 to the accumulator 60. The accumulator 60 may provide gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 20 through a sixth pipe a6.
The outdoor heat exchanger 50 and the expansion valve 10 may be connected by a seventh pipe a7. A twelfth pipe a12 may be branched from the seventh pipe a7 to be connected to the receiver 70. A portion of the refrigerant exiting the outdoor heat exchanger 50 may flow into the receiver 70 through the seventh pipe a7 and the twelfth pipe a12. The fourth valve V4 may be located in the twelfth pipe a12 to allow the refrigerant to flow into the receiver 70 or to prevent the refrigerant from flowing through the twelfth pipe a12.
The second pipe a2 and the fourth pipe a4 may be combined into a tenth pipe a10 to be connected to the receiver 70. Alternatively, the second pipe a2 and the fourth pipe a4 each may be directly connected to the receiver 70.
The twelfth pipe a12 may also be combined into the second pipe a2 or the tenth pipe a10. Alternatively, the twelfth pipe a12 may be directly connected to the receiver 70.
By combining flow paths, through which the refrigerant flows into the receiver 70, into one tenth pipe a10, it is effective in that the receiver 70 requires only one refrigerant inlet port.
The receiver 70 and the accumulator 60 may be connected to an eleventh pipe a11. The third valve V3 may be located in the eleventh pipe a11. In addition, the capillary tube 90 may be further disposed in the eleventh pipe a11.
A pump 80 and the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 may be connected by a fluid pipe b. In addition, the pump 80 and the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 may be connected to a fluid tank (not shown), and a fluid source, for example, by the fluid pipe b. A fluid, such as water, may be introduced into the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 through a fluid inlet pipe b1, and fluid heat-exchanged in the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40 may be discharged to the fluid tank, or an indoor space, for example, through a fluid outlet pipe b2.
The controller 1310 may determine whether a cooling operation or a heating operation is performed (S820), and may determine whether a refrigerant amount is excessive or insufficient based on a reference value set for each operation (S825, S835, S850, and S860). While
If a subcooling degree exceeds an upper-limit reference value (for example, 20° C.) (S825), the controller 1310 may determine that an amount of refrigerant is excessive and perform an operation of storing the liquid refrigerant in receiver 70 (S830). In this case, the controller 1310 may open the first valve V1 and the third valve V3 and close the second valve V2 and the fourth valve V4.
If a subcooling degree is lower than a lower-limit reference value (e.g., 5° C.) (S835), the controller 1310 may determine that an amount of refrigerant is insufficient and perform an operation of discharging a liquid refrigerant from the receiver 70 (S845). In this case, the controller 1310 may open the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 and close the first valve V1 and the fourth valve V4.
If a subcooling degree during a heating operation is within a range of upper-limit and lower-limit reference values (for example, within a range of from 5° C. to 20° C.), the controller 1310 may determine that an amount of refrigerant is appropriate, and control the first to fourth valves V1, V2, V3, and V4 to be closed (S840).
If a subcooling degree during a cooling operation exceeds an upper-limit reference value (for example, 20° C.) (S850), the controller 1310 may determine that an amount of refrigerant is excessive and perform an operation of storing the liquid refrigerant in the receiver 70 (S855). In this case, the controller 1310 may open the third valve V3 and the fourth valve V4 and close the first valve V1 and the second valve V2.
If a subcooling degree during a cooling operation is lower than a lower-limit reference value (for example, 5° C.) (S860), the controller 1310 may determine that an amount of refrigerant is insufficient and perform an operation of discharging the liquid refrigerant from the receiver 70 (S870). In this case, the controller 1310 may open the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 and close the first valve V1 and the fourth valve V4.
If a subcooling degree during a cooling operation is within a range of upper-limit and lower-limit reference values (for example, within a range of from 5° C. to 20° C.), the controller 1310 may determine that an amount of refrigerant is appropriate, and control the first to fourth valves V1, V2, V3, and V4 to be closed (S865).
According to embodiments, operations of adjusting a refrigerant amount by storing or discharging liquid refrigerant according to a subcooling degree may be performed repeatedly in such a manner that after controlling the refrigerant amount control valve 1320 for 10 seconds, a system operates for five minutes while closing all the refrigerant amount control valves 1320 to check the subcooling degree, followed by controlling the refrigerant amount control valve 1320 again for 10 seconds. The refrigerant amount control valve 1320 for adjusting a subcooling degree may be turned on for 10 seconds, and then is closed. Thereafter, the system may operate for five minutes to check a subcooling degree, followed by controlling on or off of the refrigerant amount control valve 1320. Accordingly, the refrigerant amount may be adjusted through monitoring, while controlling the refrigerant amount control valve 1320 for 10 seconds and operating the system for five minutes.
In heat pump 1 according to this embodiment, two expansion devices may be used due to use of a subcooler and an injection module during cooling and heating operations. For example, the injection module may inject a portion of a flowing refrigerant into the compressor 20. The term “injection” may refer to an operation of injecting refrigerant into a compression chamber of the compressor 20, the refrigerant having an intermediate pressure between a pressure of refrigerant flowing from the accumulator 60 into the compressor 20 and a pressure of refrigerant discharged from the compressor 20. The injection module may include an expansion valve that expands a portion of the refrigerant.
Referring to
The first valve V1 may be disposed between the first expansion valve 10a and the second expansion valve 10b and deliver refrigerant, introduced in any one direction, to the receiver 70. The first valve V1 may be located in a thirteenth pipe a13 connected between the first expansion valve 10a and the second expansion valve 10b. The first expansion valve 10a and the second expansion valve 10b may be connected by a fourteenth pipe a14. The thirteenth pipe a13 may be branched from the fourteenth pipe a14 to be connected to the receiver 70. The first valve V1 may be located in the thirteenth pipe a13 to allow the refrigerant to flow into the receiver 70 or to prevent the inflow of refrigerant.
Components, other than the first expansion valve 10a, the second expansion valve 10b, the thirteenth pipe a13, and the fourteenth pipe a14, may be the same as those in the embodiments of
During the heating operation, the controller 1310 may control the 4-way valve 30 to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 20, to flow into the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40. Referring to
The first expansion valve 10a and the second expansion valve 10b may be, for example, Electronic Expansion Valves (EEVs) having an adjustable opening. An opening degree of the first expansion valve 10a and the second expansion valve 10b may be adjusted according to cooling and heating operation modes.
During the heating operation, the first expansion valve 10a may be fully opened and the second expansion valve 10b partially opened, such that the refrigerant, having passed through the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40, may pass through the first expansion valve 10a without state change, and then be expanded while passing through the second expansion valve 10b, to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 50. If a refrigerant amount is within a reference range, the controller 1310 may maintain the first to third valves V1, V2, and V3 in a closed state.
Upon determining that a refrigerant amount is greater than a required amount, the controller 1310 may open the first valve V1 and the third valve V3 and store a portion of the refrigerant in the receiver 70. If the refrigerant amount decreases to an amount that satisfies a reference range, the controller 1310 may close the first valve V1 and the third valve V3.
Upon determining that a refrigerant amount is smaller than a required amount, the controller 1310 may open the second valve V2 and the third valve V3, to deliver the refrigerant stored in the receiver 70 to the accumulator 60. If the refrigerant amount increases to an amount that satisfies the reference range, the controller 1310 may close the second valve V2 and the third valve V3.
During the cooling operation, the controller 1310 may control the 4-way valve 30 to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 20, to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 50. Referring to
During the cooling operation, the second expansion valve 10b may be fully opened and the first expansion valve 10a partially opened, such that the refrigerant, having passed through the fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40, may pass through the second expansion valve 10b without state change, and then be expanded while passing through the first expansion valve 10a, to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 50. Even during the cooling operation, upon determining that a refrigerant amount is greater than a required amount, the controller 1310 may open the first valve V1 and the third valve V3 and store a portion of the refrigerant in the receiver 70. If the refrigerant amount decreases to an amount that satisfies a reference range, the controller 1310 may close the first valve V1 and the third valve V3.
Even during the cooling operation, upon determining that a refrigerant amount is smaller than a required amount, the controller 1310 may open the second valve V2 and the third valve V3, and deliver the refrigerant stored in the receiver 70 to the accumulator 60. If the refrigerant amount increases to an amount that satisfies the reference range, the controller 1310 may close the second valve V2 and the third valve V3.
Referring to
The first pipe a1 may be connected to each of the indoor units 11 and 12. The first pipe a1 may be connected to first indoor unit 11 through a 1-1 indoor unit pipe a21, and may be connected to a second indoor unit 12 through a 2-1 indoor unit pipe a22.
A first indoor expansion valve E1 may be located in the 1-1 indoor unit pipe a21, and a second indoor expansion valve E2 may be located in the 2-1 indoor unit pipe a22. The indoor units 11 and 12 may include an indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between indoor air and refrigerant, an indoor fan (not shown) configured to generate an air flow, and indoor expansion valves E1 and E2 configured to expand the refrigerant. The indoor expansion valves E1 and E2 may be EEVs, for example. The refrigerant may be expanded by outdoor expansion valve 10 or the indoor expansion valves E1 and E2.
In addition, ninth pipe a9 may be connected to each of the indoor units 11 and 12. The ninth pipe a9 may be connected to the first indoor unit 11 through a 1-2 indoor unit pipe a23 and may be connected to the second indoor unit 12 through a 2-2 indoor unit pipe a24.
Components, other than the indoor units 11 and 12, may be the same as those in the embodiments of
During the heating operation, the controller 1310 may control the 4-way valve 30 to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 20, to flow into the indoor units 11 and 12 operating in a heating mode. During the cooling operation, the controller 1310 may control the 4-way valve 30 to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor 20, to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 50.
During the heating operation, the refrigerant may pass through the compressor 20, the 4-way valve 30, the indoor units 11 and 12, the first expansion valve 10a, the second expansion valve 10b, the outdoor heat exchanger 50, the 4-way valve 30, and the accumulator 60, to enter the compressor 20 again. During the cooling operation, the refrigerant may pass through the compressor 20, the 4-way valve 30, the outdoor heat exchanger 50, the expansion valve 10, the indoor units 11 and 12, the 4-way valve 30, and the accumulator 60, to enter the compressor 20 again.
During the heating operation, the expansion valve 10 may expand the refrigerant, and the expansion valves E1 and E2 located on a side of the indoor units 11 and 12 may be opened to a maximum opening degree. During the cooling operation, the expansion valve 10 may be opened to a maximum opening degree, and the expansion valves E1 and E2 located on the side of the indoor units 11 and 12 may expand the refrigerant.
The expansion valve 10 and the indoor expansion valves E1 and E2 may be EEVs, for example, having an adjustable opening. An opening degree of the expansion valve 10 and the indoor expansion valves E1 and E2 may be adjusted according to the cooling and heating operation modes.
During the heating operation, the indoor expansion valves E1 and E2 may be fully opened and the expansion valve 10 partially opened, such that the refrigerant, having passed through the heat exchanger on the side of the indoor units 11 and 12, may pass through the indoor expansion valves E1 and E2 without state change, and then may be expanded while passing through the expansion valve 10, to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 50. During the cooling operation, the expansion valve 10 may be fully opened and the indoor expansion valves E1 and E2 partially opened, such that the refrigerant, having passed through the heat exchanger on the side of the indoor units 11 and 12, may pass through the expansion valve 10 without state change, and then may be expanded while passing through the indoor expansion valves E1 and E2, to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 50. If a refrigerant amount is within a reference range, the controller 1310 may maintain the first to third valves V1, V2, and V3 in a closed state.
Upon determining that a refrigerant amount is greater than a required amount, the controller 1310 may open the first valve V1 and the third valve V3 and store a portion of the refrigerant in the receiver 70. If the refrigerant amount decreases to an amount that satisfies a reference range, the controller 1310 may close the first valve V1 and the third valve V3.
Upon determining that a refrigerant amount is smaller than a required amount, the controller 1310 may open the second valve V2 and the third valve V3, and deliver the refrigerant stored in the receiver 70 to the accumulator 60. If the refrigerant amount increases to an amount that satisfies the reference range, the controller 1310 may close the second valve V2 and the third valve V3.
According to embodiments, the heat pump may operate in an optimal refrigerant condition according to an operating state, using receiver 70 capable of storing refrigerant for products, such as a multi-heat pump or AWHP, in which an optimal refrigerant amount varies greatly depending on the number of operating indoor units or a cooling or heating operation mode.
Referring to
In addition, the heat pump 1 may include refrigerant amount control valve 1320 that adjusts an amount of circulating refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant amount control valve 1320 may include first to fourth valves V1, V2, V3, and V4, described above with reference to
The heat pump 1 may further include controller 1310 configure to control an overall operation thereof. The controller 1310 may adjust a refrigerant flow direction by controlling the 4-way valve 30 according to the cooling or heating operation mode.
Further, the controller 1310 may adjust an opening degree of the expansion valve 10. The expansion valve 10 may be an Electronic Expansion Valve (EEV), for example.
Moreover, the controller 1310 may control opening and closing of the refrigerant amount control valve 1320 to store the refrigerant in the receiver 70 or to circulate the refrigerant stored in the receiver 70. In addition, the controller 1310 may receive data measured by sensors of a sensor unit 1330, and may control the heat pump 1 based on the received data.
The sensor unit 1330 includes a plurality of sensors. For example, the sensor unit 1330 may include an outdoor temperature sensor, an outdoor humidity sensor, an indoor temperature sensor, and an indoor humidity sensor, for example, and may obtain indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity data.
For example, in order to measure a degree of compressor discharge superheat, the sensor unit 1330 may include a compressor outlet temperature sensor and an indoor heat exchanger pressure sensor. The degree of compressor discharge superheat may be measured based on a compressor discharge temperature, measured by the compressor outlet temperature sensor installed at an outlet side of the compressor 20, and based on a saturation temperature of refrigerant condensed in indoor heat exchanger 40, which may be obtained by converting a saturation pressure of a refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 40, the saturation pressure measured by the indoor heat exchanger pressure sensor installed at the indoor heat exchanger 40. Alternatively, the sensor unit 1330 may directly measure the saturation temperature of the refrigerant, condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 40, by installing an indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor at the indoor heat exchanger 40.
If the compressor discharge temperature is greater than or equal to a reference discharge temperature, the controller 1310 may reduce the compressor discharge temperature by increasing a refrigerant amount. For example, in order to measure a degree of suction superheat, the sensor unit 1330 may include a compressor inlet temperature sensor and an outdoor heat exchanger pressure sensor. The sensor unit 1330 may measure the degree of suction superheat based on a compressor suction temperature, measured by the compressor inlet temperature sensor installed at an inlet side of the compressor 20, and based on the saturation temperature of refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 50, which is obtained by converting the saturation pressure of the refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 50, and the saturation pressure measured by the outdoor heat exchanger/pressure sensor installed at the outdoor heat exchanger 50. Alternatively, the sensor unit 1330 may directly measure the saturation temperature of the refrigerant, evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 50, by installing an outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor at the outdoor heat exchanger 50 in some embodiments. If the degree of suction superheat exceeds a reference temperature value, the controller 1310 may reduce the degree of suction superheat by increasing an amount of refrigerant that passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 50.
The heat pump 1 may include the compressor 20, the expansion valve 10, the 4-way valve 30, the outdoor heat exchanger 50, one or more heat exchangers 40 that supply heat, the accumulator 60, and the receiver 70.
According to an embodiment, the heat pump 1 may include the second valve V2 connected from the outlet of the compressor 20 to the receiver 70, the fourth valve V4 connected from the outlet of the condenser based on the cooling operation (outdoor heat exchanger 50) to the receiver 70, the first valve V1 connected from the outlet of the condenser based on the heating operation (indoor heat exchanger or fluid-refrigerant heat exchanger 40) to the receiver 70, and the third valve V3 connected between the receiver 70 and the accumulator 60. In addition, the heat pump 1 may further include the capillary tube 90 between the third valve V3 and the accumulator 60.
The controller 1310 may check a subcooling degree of a heat pump system, and if a subcooling degree is greater than or equal to a reference value (for example, 20° C.), the controller 1310 may determine that an amount of refrigerant is excessive, and may perform an operation of storing the refrigerant in the receiver 70. In addition, if a subcooling degree is lower than a reference value (for example, 5° C.), the controller 1310 may determine that an amount of refrigerant is insufficient, and may perform an operation of discharging the liquid refrigerant in the receiver 70 to the accumulator 60.
As in the embodiments of
In some embodiments, the accumulator 60 and the receiver 70 may be adjacent to each other to be formed as one body. Alternatively, the accumulator 60 and the receiver 70 may be formed as separate bodies.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may actively adjust a refrigerant amount according to a required amount of refrigerant by storing a refrigerant in a refrigerant storage device or by discharging the refrigerant therefrom, such that the heat pump may operate in an optimal refrigerant condition.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may operate in an optimal refrigerant condition regardless of operating conditions, such as indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, and compressor frequency, for example, and operating modes, such as cooling, and heating, by using a device for storing a refrigerant according to a required amount of refrigerant.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may operate with improved capability and efficiency by charging a refrigerant in an amount corresponding to a case in which a maximum amount of refrigerant is required, and by adjusting the refrigerant amount according to an operating state. More particularly, the heat pump may operate at maximum capability and efficiency while ensuring there is no shortage of refrigerant even during a cooling operation.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may operate in an optimal refrigerant condition according to an operating state, even in a multi-heat pump or AWHP in which an optimal refrigerant amount varies greatly depending on the number of operating indoor units or a cooling or heating operation mode by actively adjusting an amount of circulating refrigerant.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump capable of operating in an optimal refrigerant condition by adjusting a refrigerant amount according to an operating state.
Embodiments disclosed herein further provide a heat pump capable of actively adjusting an amount of a circulating refrigerant according to a required amount of refrigerant.
Embodiments disclosed herein furthermore provide a heat pump with improved capability and efficiency.
Embodiments disclosed herein also provide a heat pump capable of operating at maximum capability and efficiency while ensuring there is no shortage of refrigerant even during a cooling operation.
Advantages of are not limited to the aforementioned advantages and other advantages not described herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may actively adjust a refrigerant amount according to a required amount of refrigerant by storing a refrigerant in a refrigerant storage device (receiver) or by discharging the refrigerant therefrom, thereby operating in an optimal refrigerant condition.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may operate in an optimal refrigerant condition regardless of operating conditions, such as indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, and compressor frequency, for example, and operating modes, such as cooling, and heating, for example, using a device for storing a refrigerant according to a required amount of refrigerant.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may operate with improved capability and efficiency by charging a refrigerant in an amount corresponding to a case in which a maximum amount of refrigerant is required, and by adjusting the refrigerant amount according to an operating state. More particularly, the heat pump may operate at a maximum capability and efficiency while ensuring there is no shortage of refrigerant even during a cooling operation.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may include a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; an accumulator configured to supply the refrigerant to the compressor; a receiver connected to the accumulator; a water-refrigerant heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between water and the refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant; a 4-way valve configured to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor, to flow into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger; an expansion valve disposed between the water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger; a first valve disposed between the water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the receiver; a second valve disposed between the compressor and the receiver; and a third valve disposed between the receiver and the accumulator. During a heating operation, in response to the first valve and the third valve being opened, a portion of a refrigerant having passed through the water-refrigerant heat exchanger may flow to the receiver, and in response to the second valve and the third valve being opened, a refrigerant stored in the receiver may flow to the accumulator.
The heat pump may further include a controller configured to control opening and closing of the first to third valves based on a refrigerant amount during operation. During the heating operation, in response to a subcooling degree being higher than an upper-limit reference value, the controller may be configured to control the first valve and the third valve to be opened, and during the heating operation, in response to the subcooling degree being lower than a lower-limit reference value, the controller may be configured to control the second valve and the third valve to be opened. During the heating operation, the controller may be configured to control the 4-way valve to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor, to flow into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger.
The heat pump may further include a capillary tube disposed between the third valve and the accumulator. The heat pump may further include a fourth valve disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the receiver.
During a cooling operation, in response to the fourth valve and the third valve being opened, a portion of a refrigerant having passed through the outdoor heat exchanger may flow to the receiver. In response to the second valve and the third valve being opened, a refrigerant stored in the receiver may flow to the accumulator.
The heat pump may further include a controller configured to control opening and closing of the first to fourth valves based on a refrigerant amount during operation. During the heating operation, in response to a subcooling degree being higher than an upper-limit reference value, the controller may be configured to control the first valve and the third valve to be opened and the second valve and the fourth valve to be closed, and during the heating operation, in response to the subcooling degree being lower than a lower-limit reference value, the controller may be configured to control the second valve and the third valve to be opened and the first valve and the fourth valve to be closed.
During the cooling operation, in response to a subcooling degree being higher than an upper-limit reference value, the controller may be configured to control the fourth valve and the third valve to be opened and the first valve and the second valve to be closed, and during the cooling operation, in response to the subcooling degree being lower than a lower-limit reference value, the controller may be configured to control the second valve and the third valve to be opened and the first valve and the fourth valve to be closed. During the cooling operation, the controller may be configured to control the 4-way valve to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor, to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger, and during the heating operation, the controller may be configured to control the 4-way valve to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor, to flow into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger.
The controller may be configured to control the first to fourth valves to be closed during a set initial stabilization period.
The heat pump may further include a first pipe that connects the water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the expansion valve, and a second pipe that is branched from the first pipe to be connected to the receiver. The first valve may be located in the second pipe.
The expansion valve may include a first expansion valve disposed between the water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the first valve, and a second expansion valve disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the second valve. During the heating operation, the first expansion valve may be opened to a maximum opening degree, and the second expansion valve may expand the refrigerant, and during the cooling operation, the first expansion valve may expand the refrigerant, and the second expansion valve may be opened to a maximum opening degree.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may include a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; an accumulator configured to supply the refrigerant to the compressor; a receiver connected to the accumulator; a water-refrigerant heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between water and the refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant; a 4-way valve configured to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor, to flow into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger; a first expansion valve and a second expansion valve disposed between the water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger; a first valve disposed between the water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the receiver; a second valve disposed between the compressor and the receiver; and a third valve disposed between the receiver and the accumulator. The first valve may be connected between the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may include a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; an accumulator configured to supply the refrigerant to the compressor; a receiver connected to the accumulator; at least one two-way indoor unit for both cooling and heating, each indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger; an outdoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant; a 4-way valve configured to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor, to flow into the indoor unit or the outdoor heat exchanger; an expansion valve disposed between the indoor unit and the outdoor heat exchanger; a first valve disposed between the indoor unit and the receiver; a second valve disposed between the compressor and the receiver; and a third valve disposed between the receiver and the accumulator. During the heating operation, the expansion valve may expand the refrigerant, and an expansion valve on an indoor unit side may be opened to a maximum opening degree. During the cooling operation, the expansion valve may be opened to a maximum opening degree, and the expansion valve on the indoor unit side may expand the refrigerant.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may include a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; an accumulator configured to supply the refrigerant to the compressor; a receiver connected to the accumulator; an indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between water or indoor air and the refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant; a 4-way valve configured to guide the refrigerant, discharged from the compressor, to flow into the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger; an expansion valve disposed between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger; a first valve disposed between the indoor heat exchanger and the receiver; a second valve disposed between the compressor and the receiver; and a third valve disposed between the receiver and the accumulator; and a fourth valve disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the receiver.
According to at least one of the embodiments, a heat pump may operate in an optimal refrigerant condition by adjusting a refrigerant amount according to an operating state.
According to at least one of the embodiments, an amount of a circulating refrigerant may be actively adjusted according to a required amount of refrigerant.
According to at least one of the embodiments, a heat pump with improved capability and efficiency may be provided.
According to at least one of the embodiments, a heat pump may operate at maximum capability and efficiency while ensuring there is no shortage of refrigerant even during a cooling operation.
Various other advantages are directly or implicitly described in the description of embodiments.
While embodiments have been particularly shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments are not limited to those embodiments and various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit as defined by the appended claims, and such modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or prospect of the present disclosure.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0081987 | Jun 2023 | KR | national |
