HEAT SUPPLY APPARATUS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2023-0093543 filed in Korea on Jul. 19, 2023, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND
1. Field

A heat supply apparatus having a gas-liquid separator in which an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe are combined into a single unit is disclosed herein.

2. Background

A heating system including a boiler may burn a carbon-based fuel to heat water or other liquid and may circulate the heated liquid to supply the heat from the boiler to a load, such as radiators, underfloor heating, or a hot water tank, through pipes connecting the boiler to the load. The pipes connecting the boiler and the load may be disposed within a building. However, many regions, such as certain European countries, are replacing boilers with heat supply apparatuses that utilize a heat exchange between water and a refrigerant to reduce carbon emissions and to minimize the use of the refrigerant.

A gas-liquid separator may be used in a certain heat supply apparatus to separate a mixed-state refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant and to supply them to an operation cycle or to supply the gaseous refrigerant to a compressor to improve the efficiency of the system. An example of a gas-liquid separator, also known as an ‘accumulator’, is disclosed in the Korean patent laid-open publication No. 10-2018-0118397. This accumulator comprises a case; an inlet pipe connected to one side of the case; a connection pipe connected to the other side of the case and the inlet side of a compressor; a screen member located inside the case and allowing gaseous refrigerant to pass and filtering liquid refrigerant from mixed refrigerant drawn through the inlet pipe; an anti-vibration plate fixing pipes disposed inside the case; and a liquid refrigerant inflow prevention plate that causes liquid refrigerant to accumulate. The above reference is incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.

However, this and other conventional accumulators include a separate anti-vibration plate to reduce vibration occurring between the pipe and the case and the noise resulting from the vibration. Also, the conventional accumulator may have an increased size because a screen member for separating gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, an anti-vibration plate, and a liquid refrigerant inflow prevention plate for storing the liquid refrigerant are disposed inside the case. Also, in the conventional accumulator, a flow of the refrigerant may be impeded and pressure loss may occur since a number of components such as a screen member, an anti-vibration plate, and a liquid refrigerant inflow prevention plate are disposed inside the case through which the refrigerant flows and may impede the flow of the refrigerant. Also, the conventional accumulator may cause pressure loss occurs due to a rapid increase in the flow path volume when mixed refrigerant is drawn into an inlet port formed at one end of an inlet pipe and a rapid decrease in the flow path volume when gaseous refrigerant is discharged through a discharge port formed at one end of a connection pipe. These drawbacks of the conventional accumulator may lead to decreased operating efficiency of the heat supply apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cycle of the outdoor unit side of a heat supply apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a gas-liquid separator according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a penetration pipe according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a portion of a penetration pipe according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a portion of a penetration pipe according to another embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows another portion of a penetration pipe according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows another portion of a penetration pipe according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a gas-liquid separator according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In what follows, embodiments disclosed in this document will be described in detail with reference to appended drawings. The same or similar constituting elements are given the same reference number irrespective of their drawing symbols, and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes “module” and “unit” for the constituting elements used in the following descriptions are assigned or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing the present document and do not have separate meanings or roles distinguished from each other.

Also, in describing an embodiment disclosed in the present document, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related art incorporated herein unnecessarily obscures the gist of the embodiment, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, it should be understood that the appended drawings are intended only to help understand embodiments disclosed in the present document and do not limit the technical principles and scope; rather, it should be understood that the appended drawings include all of the modifications, equivalents, or substitutes belonging to the technical principles and scope.

Also, terms including an ordinal number such as first or second may be used to describe various constituting elements, but the constituting elements should not be limited by these terms. Those terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one constituting element from the others.

If a constituting element is said to be “connected” or “attached” to other constituting element, the former may be connected or attached directly to the other constituting element, but there may be a case in which another constituting element is present between the two constituting elements. On the other hand, if a constituting element is said to be “directly connected” or “directly attached” to other constituting element, it should be understood that there is no other constituting element between the two constituting elements.

A singular expression should be understood to indicate a plural expression unless otherwise explicitly stated. In the present disclosure, the term “include” or “have” is used to indicate existence of an embodied feature, number, step, operation, constituting element, component, or a combination thereof; and should not be understood to preclude the existence or possibility of adding one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, constituting elements, components, or a combination thereof.

The direction indications of up (U), down (D), left (Le), right (Ri), front (F), and rear (R) shown in the accompanying drawings are introduced only for the convenience of description, and it should be understood that the technical principles disclosed in the present disclosure are not limited by the indications.

Referring to FIG. 1, a heat supply apparatus 1 may comprise a compressor 10 compressing a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger 30 exchanging heat between the refrigerant and water flowing into the first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger 60 exchanging heat between refrigerant and outdoor air, and an expansion device 40 disposed between the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 60.

The heat supply apparatus 1 may be an Air to Water Heat Pump (AWHP) that exchanges heat between water and refrigerant. The AWHP may use the heat energy from the outdoor air to warm the refrigerant, and this warmed refrigerant may warm up water circulating into the indoor space. Through this process of warming the circulated water using heat from the outdoor air, the AWHP may be used for heating the indoor space and for supplying hot water. Conversely, the AWHP may transfer the heat energy in the indoor space to the refrigerant circulating through the outdoor unit through water circulating in the indoor space, and the refrigerant from the indoor space may discharge the heat energy transferred from the indoor space to the outdoor space. Through the above process of cooling the circulated water by transferring indoor heat to the outdoor air, AWHP may also cool down indoor spaces or may supply cold water.

The compressor 10, the first heat exchanger 30, the second heat exchanger 60, and the expansion device 40 may be included in an outdoor unit. The water pipe 90 through which water circulating in the indoor space flows may be connected to the first heat exchanger 30. The water pipe 90 may include an inlet pipe 92 through which water flows into the first heat exchanger 30 and an outlet pipe 94 through which water is discharged from the first heat exchanger 30. Both the water inlet pipe 92 and the water outlet pipe 94 may be connected to the first heat exchanger 30. A pump 93 that introduces water into the first heat exchanger 30 may be disposed in the water inlet pipe 92. The water circulating in the water pipe 90 may exchange heat with the refrigerant circulating through a refrigerant pipe 80 in the first heat exchanger 30. Through the above process, the heat supply apparatus 1 may warm up or cool down the indoor space.

The heat supply apparatus 1 may include the refrigerant pipe 80 connecting, for example, the compressor 10, the first heat exchanger 30, and the second heat exchanger 60. The refrigerant pipe 80 may form a closed circuit such that refrigerant does not enter or leave the refrigerant pipe 80. The compressed refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 may circulate through the refrigerant pipe 80.

The refrigerant pipe 80 may include a first refrigerant pipe 81 connected to the first heat exchanger 30, a second refrigerant pipe 82 connecting the first heat exchanger 30 and the expansion device 40, a third refrigerant pipe 83 connecting the expansion device 40 and the second heat exchanger 60, and a fourth refrigerant pipe 84 connected to the second heat exchanger 60. In certain examples, the first refrigerant pipe 81 may be located between the compressor 10 and the first heat exchanger 30. In certain examples, the fourth refrigerant pipe 84 may be located between the compressor 10 and the second heat exchanger 60.

The heat supply apparatus 1 may include a four-way valve 20 located between the compressor 10 and the first heat exchanger 30. In certain examples, the four-way valve 20 may be located between the compressor 10 and the second heat exchanger 60. The four-way valve 20 may switch a flow of refrigerant through a section of the refrigerant pipe 80 depending on the operation mode. For example, the four-way valve 20 may connect the compressor 10 and the first heat exchanger 30 during the heating operation (e.g., such that compressed refrigerant from the compressor 10 flows toward the first heat exchanger 30) and may connect the compressor 10 and the second heat exchanger 60 during the cooling operation (e.g., such that compressed refrigerant from the compressor 10 flows toward the second heat exchanger 60). For example, during the heating operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 may flow to the first heat exchanger 30 through the four-way valve 20, and during the cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 may flow to the second heat exchanger 60 through the four-way valve 20.

The first refrigerant pipe 81 may fluidly connect the first heat exchanger 30 and the four-way valve 20. The fourth refrigerant pipe 84 may fluidly connect the second heat exchanger 60 and the four-way valve 20.

The refrigerant pipe 80 may include an inlet pipe 85 through which the refrigerant flows into the compressor 10. The inlet pipe 85 may be connected to an inlet side of the compressor 10. The inlet pipe 85 may connect the compressor 10 and the four-way valve 20.

The compressor 10 may be connected to the four-way valve 20. The refrigerant pipe 80 may include an outlet pipe 86 through which the refrigerant is discharged out from the compressor 10 (e.g., compressed refrigerant). The outlet pipe 86 may be connected to an outlet side of the compressor 10. The outlet pipe 86 may connect the compressor 10 and the four-way valve 20.

The heat supply apparatus 1 may include a gas-liquid separator 70 located between the four-way valve 20 and the compressor 10. The gas-liquid separator 70 may be located in the inlet pipe 85. The gas-liquid separator 70 may be located upstream of the compressor 10 in the refrigerant flow path and may process the refrigerant to be compressed by the compressor 10. For example, the gas-liquid separator 70 may separate refrigerant flowing into the compressor 10. For example, during the cooling operation, the gas-liquid separator 70 may separate the mixed refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 30 into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. Conversely, during the heating operation, the gas-liquid separator 70 may separate the mixed refrigerant discharged from the second heat exchanger 60 into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant.

FIG. 1 shows the gas-liquid separator 70 located at the front of the compressor 10. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this specific example, and it should be appreciated that the gas-liquid separator 70 may be located to separate the mixed refrigerant at any point in the refrigerant circulation cycle.

During the heating operation, the outlet pipe 86 may be connected to the first refrigerant pipe 81 through the four-way valve 20, and the inlet pipe 85 may be connected to the fourth refrigerant pipe 84 through the four-way valve 20. Through the above configuration, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 may flow to the first heat exchanger 30 during the heating operation due to the four-way valve 20. During the cooling operation, the outlet pipe 86 may be connected to the fourth refrigerant pipe 84 through the four-way valve 20, and the inlet pipe 85 may be connected to the first refrigerant pipe 81 through the four-way valve 20. Through the above configuration, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 may flow to the second heat exchanger 60 due to the four-way valve 20.

The first heat exchanger 30 may be a water-refrigerant heat exchanger 30 that exchanges heat between water in water pipe 90 and refrigerant in refrigerant pipe 80. For example, the first heat exchanger 30 may be a plate-type heat exchanger through which water and refrigerant flow separately. Water circulating in the indoor space may pass through the first heat exchanger 30. The refrigerant circulating in the outdoor unit may pass through the first heat exchanger 30. The refrigerant may circulate in the outdoor unit and exchange heat with outdoor air in the second heat exchanger 60 and exchange heat with water in the first heat exchanger 30. Through the above process, the water circulating in the indoor space may be heated or cooled from exchange heat with the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 30. During the heating operation, the heat supply apparatus 1 may supply relatively hot refrigerant to the first heat exchanger 30 to heat water passing through the first heat exchanger 30 to warm up the indoor space or supply hot water. During the cooling operation, the heat supply apparatus 1 may supply relatively cool refrigerant to the first heat exchanger 30 to cool the water passing through the first heat exchanger 30 to cool down the indoor space or supply cold water. In certain implementations, water and refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 30 may flow in opposite directions to improve a heat exchange between the water and refrigerant. In other words, water and refrigerant may form countercurrents, such that one of the water or refrigerant flows in a first direction (e.g., left-to-right) through the first heat exchanger 30, and another one of the water or refrigerant flows in a second direction (e.g., right-to-left) through the first heat exchanger 30.

During the heating operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 may be directed to the first heat exchanger 30. At this time, the first heat exchanger 30 may function as a condenser. The refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger 30 and is cooled from the heat exchange with the water may sequentially flow through the expansion device 40 and the second heat exchanger 60.

During the cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the second heat exchanger 60 may be directed to the first heat exchanger 30 and is warmed from the heat exchange with the water. At this time, the first heat exchanger 30 may function as an evaporator.

The second heat exchanger 60 may be an air-refrigerant heat exchanger 60 that exchanges heat between air and the refrigerant. For example, the second heat exchanger 60 may be a fin-tube heat exchanger including tubes and fins through which the refrigerant flows. The first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 60 may be included in an outdoor unit, and the second heat exchanger 60 may exchange heat between outdoor air and refrigerant.

During the heating operation, the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 30 after being cooled by a heat exchange with the water may be directed to the second heat exchanger 60. At this time, the second heat exchanger 60 may function as an evaporator.

During the cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 may be directed to the second heat exchanger 60. At this time, the second heat exchanger 60 may function as a condenser.

The expansion device 40 may be located between the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 60. During the heating operation, the refrigerant may pass through the expansion device 40 from the first heat exchanger 30 and may flow from the expansion device 40 to the second heat exchanger 60. During the cooling operation, the refrigerant may pass through the expansion device 40 from the second heat exchanger 60 and may flow from the expansion device 40 to the first heat exchanger 30. The expansion device 40 may be located between the second refrigerant pipe 82 connected to the first heat exchanger 30 and the third refrigerant pipe 83 connected to the second heat exchanger 60. Both the second refrigerant pipe 82 and the third refrigerant pipe 83 may be fluidly connected to the expansion device 40. For example, during the heating operation, the refrigerant may sequentially pass through the second refrigerant pipe 82, the expansion device 40, and the third refrigerant pipe 83, and during cooling operation, the refrigerant may sequentially pass through the third refrigerant pipe 83, the expansion device 40, and the second refrigerant pipe 82.

Referring to FIG. 2, the gas-liquid separator 70 may include a housing 71 and a penetration pipe 72 penetrating the housing 71. The housing 71 may form the external shape of the gas-liquid separator 70. The housing 71 may include a separation space 710 where mixed refrigerant is separated into a first in a gas state and the second portion in a liquid state. The separation space 710 may be an internal space of the housing 71. For example, the housing 71 may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a hollow interior. The mixed refrigerant may be separated inside the housing 71.

The penetration pipe 72 may penetrate one side and another side of the housing 71. The penetration pipe 72 may be a single pipe penetrating the housing 71. For example, the penetrating pipe 72 may be a single pipe that penetrates the center of the housing 71 in the vertical direction. A single penetration pipe 72 may simultaneously perform the functions of an inlet pipe through which refrigerant flows into the gas-liquid separator 70 and an outlet pipe through which refrigerant flows out of the gas-liquid separator 70. In other words, the single penetration pipe 72 may be formed by combining an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe into a single unit. By providing the single penetration pipe 72 in which the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are combined into a single unit, the productivity of the gas-liquid separator 70 may be improved, and production costs may be reduced, as described in greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the penetration pipe 72 may be connected to the refrigerant pipe 80. For example, one end of the penetration pipe 72 may be connected to the fourth refrigerant pipe 84, and another end of the penetration pipe 72 may be connected to the inlet pipe 85. The penetration pipe 72 may be coupled to or form a part of the refrigerant pipe 80.

The housing 71 may be fixed to the penetration pipe 72. The penetration pipe 72 may penetrate the housing 71, and the penetration pipe 72 and the housing 71 may be in close contact with each other. Through the structure above, the penetration pipe 72 and the housing 71 may move together as a single body. Since the housing 71 is fixed to the single penetration pipe 72, friction noise generated due to vibration of the penetration pipe 72 against the housing 71 may be reduced. Also, since the housing 71 and the single penetrating tube 72 may be fixed to each other, the housing 71 may reduce vibration of the penetrating tube 72. Due to the fixed coupling structure of the housing 71 and the penetration pipe 72, no additional configuration may be required to reduce vibration and noise, allowing the gas-liquid separator 70 to be miniaturized.

An inflow flow path 721 through which refrigerant flows into the gas-liquid separator 70, and an outlet flow path 725 through which refrigerant flows out of the gas-liquid separator 70 may be formed in the penetration pipe 72. For example, mixed refrigerant may flow into the penetration pipe 72 through the inlet flow path 721, and gaseous refrigerant may flow out from the penetration pipe 72 through the outflow flow path 725. The inlet flow path 721 may be formed on the upstream side of the penetration pipe 72, and the outlet flow path 725 may be formed on the downstream side of the penetration pipe 72. For example, the inlet flow path 721 may be formed in the upper part of the penetration pipe 72, and the outlet flow path 725 may be formed in the lower part of the penetration pipe 72.

The penetration pipe 72 may include a first connecting hole 722 formed on a surface of the penetration pipe 72. The first connecting hole 722 may be formed on one side of the penetration pipe 72. The first connecting hole 722 may connect the inlet flow path 721 and the interior of the housing 71. For example, the first connecting hole 722 may connect the inlet flow path 721 and the separation space 710 of the housing 71, and mixed refrigerant introduced into the inlet flow path 721 may flow into the separation space 710 through the first connecting hole 722.

The penetration pipe 72 may include a second connecting hole 724 formed on a surface of the penetration pipe 72. The second connecting hole 724 may be formed on another side of the penetration pipe 72. For example, the second connecting hole 724 may be formed on another side of the penetration pipe 72 facing the side of the penetration pipe 72 on which the first connecting hole 722 is formed. The second connecting hole 724 may connect the outlet flow path 725 and the interior of the housing 71. For example, the second connecting hole 724 may connect the outlet flow path 725 and the separation space 710 of the housing 71, and gaseous refrigerant in the separation space 710 may flow into the outlet flow path 725 through the second connecting hole 724.

The first connecting hole 722 may be located upstream of the second connecting hole 724 in the refrigerant flow path. For example, the first connecting hole 722 may be located above the second connecting hole 724. The mixed refrigerant flowing in through the inlet flow path 721 in the upper part of the penetration pipe 72 may first flow into the inside of the housing 71 through the first connecting hole 722, and gaseous refrigerant separated from the inside of the housing 71 may flow into the outlet flow path 725 through the second connecting hole 724 located below the first connecting hole 722. The first connecting hole 722 connected to the inlet flow path 721 and the second connecting hole 724 connected to the outlet flow path 725 may be formed in a single penetration pipe 72, achieving effective refrigerant separation without involving an additional refrigerant separation structure.

The penetration pipe 72 may include a separation plate 723 that partitions the inlet flow path 721 and the outlet flow path 725. The separation plate 723 may be located between the first connecting hole 722 and the second connecting hole 724. The separation plate 723 may block the flow in penetration pipe 72 and prevent mixed refrigerant flowing into the inlet flow path 721 from flowing directly into the outlet flow path 725. The mixed refrigerant flowing into the inlet flow path 721 through the separation plate 723 may be separated into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant while passing through the inside of the housing 71 through the first connecting hole 722, and the gaseous refrigerant may flow out of the separation space 710 through the second connecting hole 724. By partitioning the single penetration pipe 72 into the inlet flow path 721 and the outlet flow path 725 through the separation plate 723, the mixed refrigerant may be separated while flowing along a bypass path. The separated liquid refrigerant may accumulate inside the housing 71 or may be discharged to the outside.

The separation plate 723 may be inclined. The separation plate 723 may be inclined in a direction from the second connecting hole 724 to the first connecting hole 722. The separation plate 723 may be tilted around the vertical direction. The separation plate 723 may be inclined downward. The separation plate 723 may extend in a direction from the inlet flow path 721 to the outlet flow path 725 as the separation plate 723 goes from the second connecting hole 724 to the first connecting hole 722. For example, the separation plate 723 may be inclined downward from the other side of the penetration pipe 72 where the second connecting hole 724 is formed toward the side of the penetration pipe 72 where the first connecting hole 722 is formed.

The penetration pipe 72 may include an oil hole 726 formed downstream of the second connecting hole 724 in the refrigerant flow path. The oil hole 726 may be located inside the housing 71. For example, the oil hole 726 may be located in the lower part of the separation space 710 of the housing 71. Oil may flow into the outlet flow path 725 through the oil hole 726 and join the gaseous refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant and oil may merge and flow into the compressor 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first connecting hole 722 may be formed on one side of the penetration pipe 72, and the second connecting hole 724 may be formed on the other side of the penetration pipe 72. The one side of the penetration pipe 72 on which the first connecting hole 722 is formed, and the other side of the penetration pipe 72 on which the second connecting hole 724 is formed may form a predetermined angle. For example, the first straight line cl1 passing through the center of the first connecting hole 722 and the second straight line cl2 passing through the center of the second connecting hole 724 may form a predetermined angle theta 1 (θ1). At this time, the first straight line cl1 and the second straight line cl2 may be located on a same horizontal plane. One side of the penetration pipe 72 on which the first connecting hole 722 is formed and the other side of the penetration pipe 72 on which the second connecting hole 724 may face each other. For example, the predetermined angle theta 1 (θ1) between one side of the penetration pipe 72 on which the first connecting hole 722 is formed and the other side of the penetration pipe 72 on which the second connecting hole 724 is formed may be approximately 180 degrees (e.g., the first connecting hole 722 and the second connecting hole 724 may be formed in sections of the penetration pipe 72 in radially opposite directions. One side of the penetration pipe 72 on which the first connecting hole 722 is formed and the other side of the penetration pipe 72 on which the second connecting hole 724 is formed may be separated from each other in a circumferential direction, which causes the flow path of the refrigerant to become more complex and lengthens the flow path. In other words, since the inflow and outflow directions of refrigerant are different, the refrigerant separation efficiency of the gas-liquid separator 70 may be improved.

With reference to FIG. 4, the first connecting hole 722 formed on the surface of one side of the penetration pipe 72 in certain implementations of gas-liquid separator 70 will be described. The separation plate 723 may be formed as a part of the penetration pipe 72, such as to define the first connecting hole 722. For example, the separation plate 723 may be formed by cutting a portion of the surface of the penetration pipe 72 and bending the cut portion inward. For example, the separation plate 723 may be formed by bending the surface of the penetration pipe 72 into an arch shape pointing upward and bending toward the inside of the penetration pipe 72. One side of the separation plate 723 may be connected to the surface of the penetration pipe 72. The separation plate 723 may be bent from the surface of the penetration pipe 72 at a predetermined angle.

The shape of the separation plate 723 may correspond to the shape of the first connecting hole 722. For example, the first connecting hole 722 may be formed in an arch shape, and the separation plate 723 may be a plate with a shape corresponding to the arch shape of the first connecting hole. The separation plate 723 may be formed with a flat surface. The separation plate 723 may guide the mixed refrigerant in the inlet flow path 721 to the first connecting hole 722. The separation plate 723 and the first connecting hole 722 may form a predetermined angle. The first connecting hole 722 may be formed using a punching process in which a section of the separation plate 723 is separated from the penetration pipe 72 and then further pushed inward to block the inlet flow path 721.

The separation plate 723 may be in close contact with the inner surface of the penetration pipe 72. In certain implementations, the separation plate 723 may be brazed to the inner surface of the penetration pipe 72. The mixed refrigerant in the inlet flow path 721 may not flow through a gap between the separation plate 723 and the inner surface of the penetration pipe 72. The separation plate 723 may separate the inlet flow path 721 and the outlet flow path 725. The separation plate 723 partitions and separates the inlet flow path 721 and the outlet flow path 725, so that the mixed refrigerant in the inlet flow path 721 flows into the interior of the housing through the first connecting hole 722, and the separated gaseous refrigerant may flow into the outlet flow path through the second connecting hole 724.

The area of the first connecting hole 722 may be larger than the area of a horizontal cross section of the penetration pipe 72. The area of the first connecting hole 722 may be larger than the area of the inlet flow path 721. By forming the first connecting hole 722 on the surface of the penetration pipe 72, the size of the inlet hole through which mixed refrigerant flows into the interior of the housing 71 may be freely adjusted. Through the structure above, the area of the first connecting hole 722 may be made larger than the area of the horizontal cross section of the penetration pipe 72, thereby reducing pressure loss caused as mixed refrigerant flows into the interior of the housing 71. Also, the cooling and heating efficiency of the heat supply apparatus 1 may be improved.

In particular, when low-pressure refrigerant is used in the heat supply apparatus 1, pressure loss may increase due to a high flow rate. Also, the pressure of the refrigerant may further decrease in cold weather. A drop in the refrigerant pressure may lead to a failure of the compressor 10. By having a large-area first connecting hole 722 on the surface of the penetration pipe 72, the pressure loss that occurs when the refrigerant flows in and out of the first connecting hole 722 may be reduced, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the heat supply apparatus 1.

Referring to FIG. 5, the penetration pipe 72 may include a plurality of first connecting holes 722. For example, a plurality of first connecting holes 722 may be arranged to be separated from each other in a vertical direction (e.g., in an extension direction of the penetration pipe 72). The plurality of first connecting holes 722 may be located in the upper part of the penetration pipe 72. The plurality of first connecting holes 722 may be located on one common side of the surface of the penetration pipe 72. For example, the plurality of first connecting holes 722 may be arranged in the vertical direction on one side of the surface of the penetration pipe 72. In another example, two or more of the first connecting holes 722 may be arranged on different sides of the surface of the penetration pipe 72. In this example, the two first connecting holes 722 may be arranged in a horizontal direction to be provided at a same height of the penetration pipe 72.

By forming a plurality of first connecting holes 722 on the surface of the penetration pipe 72, the total area of the first connecting holes 722 may be increased. By increasing the total area of the first connecting holes 722, the pressure loss of the refrigerant flowing into the housing 71 may be reduced, and the operating efficiency of the heat supply apparatus may be improved.

The separation plate 723 may be located in the first connecting hole 722 located at the lowermost side among the plurality of first connecting holes 722. For example, the first connecting hole 722 located at the lowermost side among the plurality of first connecting holes 722 may be formed by cutting a portion of the penetration pipe 72, and the separation plate 723 may be formed by bending a cut portion of the penetration pipe 72 toward the inside of the penetration pipe. The other first connecting holes 722 provided above the separation plate 723 may be formed in a punching process in which a portion of the penetration pipe 72 is removed to form the first connecting hole 722.

With reference to FIG. 6, the second connecting hole 724 formed on the surface of the other side of the penetration pipe 72 will be described. The second connecting hole 724 may be a penetration hole formed in the penetration pipe 72 at a different location from the first connecting hole 722.

In certain implementations, the area of the second connecting hole 724 may be larger than the area of a horizontal cross section of the penetration pipe 72. For example, the area of the second connecting hole 724 may be larger than the area of the horizontal cross section of the penetration pipe 72. The area of the second connecting hole 724 may be larger than the area of the outlet flow path 725. By forming the second connecting hole 724 on the surface of the penetration pipe 72, the size of the outlet hole through which gaseous refrigerant flows into the interior of the penetration pipe 72 may be freely adjusted. Through the structure above, the area of the second connecting hole 724 may be made larger than the area of the horizontal cross section of the penetration pipe 72, thereby reducing pressure loss caused as gaseous refrigerant flows into the interior of the penetration pipe 72 to flow out via the outlet flow path 725. Also, the cooling and heating efficiency of the heat supply apparatus may be improved.

In particular, when low-pressure refrigerant is used in the heat supply apparatus 1, a pressure loss may increase due to a high flow rate. Also, the pressure of the refrigerant may further decrease in cold weather. A drop in the refrigerant pressure may lead to a failure of the compressor 10. By having a relatively larger-area second connecting hole 724 on the surface of the penetration pipe 72, the pressure loss that occurs when the refrigerant flows in and out of the second connecting hole 724 may be reduced, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the heat supply apparatus 1.

Referring to FIG. 7, the penetration pipe 72 may include a plurality of second connecting holes 724. A plurality of second connecting holes 724 may be arranged in the vertical direction. The plurality of second connecting holes 724 may be located in the lower part of the penetration pipe 72. The plurality of second connecting holes 724 may be located on the other side of the surface of the penetration pipe 72. For example, the plurality of second connecting holes 724 may be arranged in the vertical direction on the other side of the surface of the penetration pipe 72 opposite to the first connecting hole(s) 722. In another example, a plurality of second connecting holes 724 may be arranged in a horizontal direction and on different sides of the penetration pipe 72.

By forming a plurality of second connecting holes 722 on the surface of the penetration pipe 72, the total area of the second connecting holes 724 may be increased. By increasing the total area of the second connecting holes 724, the pressure loss of the gaseous refrigerant flowing out through the second connecting hole 724 from the interior of the housing 71 may be reduced, and the operating efficiency of the heat supply apparatus may be improved. By providing multiple second connecting holes 724 instead of a single relatively larger second connecting hole 724, a structure strength of the penetration pipe 72 may be improved, and the flow of the gaseous refrigerant in the outlet flow path 725 can be better controlled.

With reference to FIG. 8, a drain pipe 712 through which liquid refrigerant may be discharged from gas-liquid separator 70 will be described. For example, the gas-liquid separator 70 may be located not only at the front of the compressor 10 but also at other point in the refrigerant circulation cycle, and the gas-liquid separator 70 may discharge the separated liquid refrigerant from the separation space 710.

For example, the housing 71 may include a drain pipe 712 through which liquid refrigerant may be discharged from the separation space 710. One end of the drain pipe 712 may be connected to the housing 71. For example, the drain pipe 712 may be connected to the bottom surface of the housing 71. The drain pipe 712 may be connected to the separation space 710 of the housing 71. The drain pipe 712 may be formed in a lower part of the housing 71. The drain pipe 712 may be connected to a lower part of the housing 71, allowing liquid refrigerant separated into the lower part of the separation space 710 to flow out from the housing 71 through the drain pipe 712 due to gravity and due to pressure from new refrigerant being introduced into the separation space 710 through at least one first connecting hole 722.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, a heat supply apparatus according to one aspect may comprise a compressor compressing refrigerant; a first heat exchanger being connected to the compressor through a refrigerant pipe and exchanging heat between refrigerant and water; a second heat exchanger being connected to the compressor through a refrigerant pipe and exchanging heat between refrigerant and air; and a gas-liquid separator located upstream of the compressor in a refrigerant flow path and separating introduced refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, wherein the gas-liquid separator may include a housing; and a penetration pipe passing through one side and the other side of the housing and including an inlet flow path through which mixed refrigerant flows in and an outlet flow path through which gaseous refrigerant flows out, wherein the penetration pipe may include a first connecting hole formed on a surface and connecting the inlet flow path and the inside of the housing; a second connecting hole formed on a surface and connecting the outlet flow path and the inside of the housing; and a separation plate partitioning the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path.

According to another one aspect, the penetration pipe may be a single pipe penetrating the housing in one direction. According to another one aspect, the first connecting hole may be formed on one side of the penetration pipe, and the second connecting hole may be formed on the other side of the penetration pipe opposite to one side of the penetration pipe on which the first connecting hole is formed.

According to another one aspect, the separation plate may be inclined downward from the other side of the penetration pipe on which the second connecting hole is formed toward one side of the penetration pipe on which the first connecting hole is formed. According to another one aspect, the separation plate may be a part of the penetration pipe, formed by cutting the surface of the penetration pipe and bending the cut portion toward the inside of the penetration pipe.

According to another one aspect, the shape of the first connecting hole may be formed to correspond to the shape of the separation plate. According to another one aspect, the separation plate may be a part of the penetration tube, formed by cutting the surface of the penetration pipe in an arch shape pointing upward and bending the cut portion toward the inside of the penetration pipe.

According to another one aspect, the separation plate may be in close contact with the inner surface of the penetration pipe and separate the inlet flow path from the outlet flow path. According to another one aspect, the area of the first connecting hole may be larger than the area of the horizontal cross section of the penetration pipe.

According to another one aspect, the area of the second connecting hole may be larger than the area of the horizontal cross section of the penetration pipe. According to another one aspect, the first connecting hole may be a plurality of first connecting holes formed on the surface of the penetration pipe. According to another one aspect, the second connecting hole may be a plurality of second connecting holes formed on the surface of the penetration pipe.

According to another one aspect, the penetration pipe may be located downstream of the second connecting hole in a refrigerant flow path and include an oil hole located inside the housing. According to another one aspect, the housing may be fixed to the penetration pipe. According to another one aspect, the first connecting hole may be located on an upstream side of the second connecting hole in a refrigerant flow path.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, according to one aspect, the gas-liquid separator may comprise: a housing; and a penetration pipe passing through the housing and including an inlet flow path through which mixed refrigerant flows in and an outlet flow path through which gaseous refrigerant flows out, wherein the penetration pipe may include a first connecting hole formed on a surface and connecting the inlet flow path and the inside of the housing; a second connecting hole formed on a surface and connecting the outlet flow path and the inside of the housing; and a separation plate partitioning the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path. According to another one aspect, the housing may include a drain pipe at its lower part through which liquid refrigerant is discharged.

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a gas-liquid separator with improved separation efficiency. Another aspect is to provide a gas-liquid separator with reduced vibration and noise. Yet another aspect is to provide a heat supply apparatus with improved cooling and heating operation efficiency. Still another aspect is to provide a miniaturized gas-liquid separator. Another aspect is to provide a gas-liquid separator with a simplified structure. Yet still another aspect is to provide a gas-liquid separator with reduced pressure loss. Yet another aspect is to provide a gas-liquid separator with a simplified manufacturing process and reduced manufacturing costs.

The technical effects are not limited to the technical effects described above, and other technical effects not mentioned herein may be understood to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

According to one aspect to achieve the object above, a heat supply apparatus may comprise a compressor compressing refrigerant; a first heat exchanger being connected to the compressor through a refrigerant pipe and exchanging heat between refrigerant and water; a second heat exchanger being connected to the compressor through a refrigerant pipe and exchanging heat between refrigerant and air; and a gas-liquid separator for receiving refrigerant flowing from the compressor, the separator separates the received refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, wherein the gas-liquid separator may include a housing; and a penetration pipe passing through one side and the other side of the housing and including an inlet flow path through which refrigerant flows in and an outlet flow path through which refrigerant flows out, wherein the penetration pipe may include a first connecting hole formed on a circumferential surface of the penetration pipe and connecting the inlet flow path and the inside of the housing; a second connecting hole formed on a circumferential surface of the penetration pipe and connecting the outlet flow path and the inside of the housing; and a separation plate partitioning the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path, in which an inlet pipe through which mixed refrigerant flows in and an outlet pipe through which gaseous refrigerant flows out are combined into a single unit.

The penetration pipe may be a single pipe penetrating the housing in one direction. The penetration pipe is fixed to the housing. The housing is fixed to the penetration pipe.

The first connecting hole is formed on one side of circumferential surface of the penetration pipe, and the second connecting hole is formed on the other side of circumferential surface of the penetration pipe, the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole are formed in different directions, causing the inflow and outflow paths of refrigerant to be formed in different directions.

The separation plate is inclined downward from the other side of the penetration pipe on which the second connecting hole is formed toward one side of the penetration pipe on which the first connecting hole is formed, guiding mixed refrigerant in the inlet flow path to the first connecting hole. The separation plate may be a part of the penetration pipe, formed by cutting the surface of the penetration pipe and bending the cut portion toward the inside of the penetration pipe. The shape of the first connecting hole may be formed to correspond to the shape of the separation plate.

The separation plate may be a part of the penetration tube, formed by cutting the surface of the penetration pipe in an arch shape pointing upward and bending the cut portion toward the inside of the penetration pipe. The separation plate may be in close contact with the inner surface of the penetration pipe and separate the inlet flow path from the outlet flow path to prevent mixed refrigerant in the inlet flow path from flowing directly into the outlet flow path.

The area of the first connecting hole may be larger than the area of the horizontal cross section of the penetration pipe, which may reduce the flow rate of refrigerant passing through the first connecting hole. The area of the second connecting hole may be larger than the area of the horizontal cross section of the penetration pipe, which may reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the second connecting hole.

The first connecting hole may be a plurality of first connecting holes formed on the circumferential surface of the penetration pipe, which may increase the total area of the first connecting hole. The second connecting hole may be a plurality of second connecting holes formed on the circumferential surface of the penetration pipe, which may increase the total area of the second connecting hole.

The penetration pipe may be located downstream of the second connecting hole in a refrigerant flow path and include an oil hole located inside the housing, by which oil inside the housing may flow into an outlet flow path. The housing may be fixed to the penetration pipe, which may reduce vibration. The first connecting hole may be located on an upstream side of the second connecting hole in a refrigerant flow path.

According to one aspect to achieve the object above, the gas-liquid separator may comprise: a housing; and a penetration pipe passing through the housing and including an inlet flow path through which refrigerant flows in and an outlet flow path through which refrigerant flows out, wherein the penetration pipe may include a first connecting hole formed on a circumferential surface of the penetration pipe and connecting the inlet flow path and the inside of the housing; a second connecting hole formed on a circumferential surface of the penetration pipe and connecting the outlet flow path and the inside of the housing; and a separation plate partitioning the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path, in which an inlet pipe through which mixed refrigerant flows in and an outlet pipe through which gaseous refrigerant flows out are combined into a single unit.

The housing may include a drain pipe at its lower part through which liquid refrigerant is discharged, allowing separated liquid refrigerant to be moved to another location without being stored in the housing. The housing may include a drain pipe refrigerant is discharged, the drain pipe is disposed discharges refrigerant collected in a lower part of the housing.

According to at least one of the embodiments, the structure of a gas-liquid separator may be simplified due to the penetration pipe in which an inlet pipe through which mixed refrigerant flows in and an outlet pipe through which gaseous refrigerant flows out are combined into a single unit. Also, since there is no need for additional configurations to separate mixed refrigerant and reduce vibration, the gas-liquid separator may be miniaturized.

According to at least one of the embodiments, since the housing is fixed to a single penetration pipe and moves together with it, vibration and noise generated between the housing and the penetration pipe may be reduced. According to at least one of the embodiments, since the first connecting hole through which mixed refrigerant passes and the second connecting hole through which gaseous refrigerant passes are located opposite to each other, the flow path of refrigerant becomes complex, and the path length is increased, thereby improving the separation efficiency of the refrigerant.

According to at least one of the embodiments, since an inclined separator guides the incoming mixed refrigerant, refrigerant circulation within the housing may become smooth, and pressure loss may be reduced. According to at least one of the embodiments, since the separation plate is formed by cutting a portion of the surface of the penetration pipe and bending the cut portion, the manufacturing process of the gas-liquid separator may be simplified, and manufacturing costs may be reduced. Also, the structure of the gas-liquid separator may be simplified.

According to at least one of the embodiments, since the first connecting hole, which is an inlet hole through which mixed refrigerant flows in, is formed on the surface of the penetration pipe, the area of the first connecting hole may be increased. As a result, pressure loss may be reduced in the process of introducing mixed refrigerant through the first connecting hole with a larger area. Also, the operating efficiency of the heat supply apparatus may be improved.

According to at least one of the embodiments, since the second connecting hole, which is an outlet hole through which gaseous refrigerant flows out, is formed on the surface of the penetration pipe, the area of the second connecting hole may be increased. As a result, pressure loss may be reduced in the process of introducing gaseous refrigerant through the second connecting hole with a larger area. Also, the operating efficiency of the heat supply apparatus may be improved.

According to at least one of the embodiments, the total area of the inlet hole through which mixed refrigerant flows in is increased due to a plurality of first connecting holes, pressure loss may be reduced, and the operating efficiency of the heat supply apparatus may be improved.

According to at least one of the embodiments, the total area of the outlet hole through which gaseous refrigerant flows out is increased due to a plurality of second connecting holes, pressure loss may be reduced, and the operating efficiency of the heat supply apparatus may be improved.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined with another or combined with each other in configuration or function.

For example, a configuration “A” described in one embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings and a configuration “B” described in another embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is impossible.

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 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.

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 of the invention. 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.

HEAT SUPPLY APPARATUS

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)