U.S. patent application number 13/349594 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for refrigerant system and method for controlling the same.
Invention is credited to Jaeheuk CHOI, Doyong Ha, Taehee Kwak, Yoonho Yoo.
Application Number | 20120186284 13/349594 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45495793 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120186284 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHOI; Jaeheuk ; et
al. |
July 26, 2012 |
REFRIGERANT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME
Abstract
A refrigerant system, includes: an air conditioner configured to
condition air in a building by using a first refrigerant cycle; a
cooler configured to cool air in a storage compartment of the
building by using a second refrigerant cycle; and a refrigerant
heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant of
the air conditioner and a refrigerant of the cooler, wherein the
cooler includes a main compressor and an auxiliary compressor
configured to backup the main compressor.
Inventors: |
CHOI; Jaeheuk; (Seoul,
KR) ; Kwak; Taehee; (Seoul, KR) ; Yoo;
Yoonho; (Seoul, KR) ; Ha; Doyong; (Seoul,
KR) |
Family ID: |
45495793 |
Appl. No.: |
13/349594 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/115 ; 62/126;
62/228.1; 62/510 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 2400/0409 20130101;
F25B 5/02 20130101; F25B 7/00 20130101; F25B 2313/02741 20130101;
F25B 49/005 20130101; F25B 2313/0232 20130101; F25B 2700/151
20130101; F25B 2700/21152 20130101; F25B 2400/061 20130101; F25B
13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/115 ; 62/510;
62/228.1; 62/126 |
International
Class: |
F25B 1/10 20060101
F25B001/10; F25B 1/00 20060101 F25B001/00; F25B 49/02 20060101
F25B049/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 24, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0006686 |
Claims
1. A refrigerant system, comprising: an air conditioner configured
to condition air in a building by using a first refrigerant cycle;
a cooler configured to cool air in a storage compartment of the
building by using a second refrigerant cycle; and a refrigerant
heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant of
the air conditioner and a refrigerant of the cooler, wherein the
cooler includes a main compressor and an auxiliary compressor
configured to backup the main compressor.
2. The refrigerant system of claim 1, further comprising: a
breakdown sensor configured to sense a breakdown of the main
compressor; and a controller configured to control the auxiliary
compressor to replace the main compressor if the breakdown sensor
senses a breakdown of the main compressor.
3. The refrigerant system of claim 2, wherein the breakdown sensor
includes a current sensor configured to sense a current of the main
compressor.
4. The refrigerant system of claim 3, wherein the controller
controls the auxiliary compressor to replace the main compressor if
the current sensed by the current sensor is greater than a
reference current.
5. The refrigerant system of claim 3, wherein the controller
controls the auxiliary compressor to replace the main compressor if
the current sensed by the current sensor is less than a reference
current.
6. The refrigerant system of claim 2, wherein the breakdown sensor
includes a temperature sensor configured to sense a refrigerant
temperature at a discharge side of the main compressor.
7. The refrigerant system of claim 6, wherein the controller
controls the auxiliary compressor to replace the main compressor if
the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is greater than a
reference temperature.
8. The refrigerant system of claim 1, further comprising: a
breakdown sensor configured to sense a breakdown of the main
compressor; and a breakdown signaler configured to output a
breakdown signal if the breakdown sensor senses a breakdown of the
main compressor.
9. The refrigerant system of claim 1, further comprising: an
overload sensor configured to sense an overload of the main
compressor; a controller configured to control the auxiliary
compressor to supplement the main compressor if the overload sensor
senses an overload of the main compressor.
10. The refrigerant system of claim 9, wherein the overload sensor
includes a temperature sensor configured to sense an outdoor
temperature.
11. The refrigerant system of claim 10, wherein the controller
controls the auxiliary compressor to supplement the main compressor
if the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is greater than
a reference temperature.
12. A refrigerant system, comprising: an air conditioner,
including: a first heat exchanger configured to perform a heat
exchange between external air and a first refrigerant; a second
heat exchanger configured to perform a heat exchange between
internal air and the first refrigerant; a first compressor for
compressing the first refrigerant; a first refrigerant passageway
of a third heat exchanger; and a first expander configured to
expand the first refrigerant at an intake side of the first
refrigerant passageway; and a cooler, including: a fourth heat
exchanger configured to perform a heat exchange between external
air and a second refrigerant; a fifth heat exchanger configured to
perform a heat exchange between internal air and the second
refrigerant; a second compressor for compressing the second
refrigerant; and a second refrigerant passageway of the third heat
exchanger, wherein the second compressor includes a main compressor
and an auxiliary compressor.
13. The refrigerant system of claim 12, wherein the cooler further
includes: a third refrigerant passageway of a sixth heat exchanger;
and a second expander configured to expand the second refrigerant
at an intake side of the third passageway.
14. The refrigerant system of claim 13, wherein the cooler further
includes: a seventh heat exchanger configured to perform a heat
exchange between external air and a third refrigerant; a eighth
heat exchanger configured to perform a heat exchange between
internal air and the third refrigerant; a third compressor for
compressing the third refrigerant; and a fourth refrigerant
passageway of the sixth heat exchanger.
15. The refrigerant system of claim 12, further comprising: a
breakdown sensor configured to sense a breakdown of the main
compressor; and a controller configured to control the auxiliary
compressor to replace the main compressor if the breakdown sensor
senses a breakdown of the main compressor.
16. The refrigerant system of claim 12, further comprising: an
overload sensor configured to sense an overload of the main
compressor; a controller configured to control the auxiliary
compressor to supplement the main compressor if the overload sensor
senses an overload of the main compressor.
17. A method of controlling a refrigerant system, comprising:
conditioning air in a building by using a first refrigerant cycle;
cooling air in a storage compartment of the building by using a
second refrigerant cycle; exchanging heat between a refrigerant of
the first refrigerant cycle and a refrigerant of the second
refrigerant cycle; sensing a breakdown or overload of a main
compressor of the second refrigerant cycle; and controlling an
auxiliary compressor to start when the breakdown or overload of the
main compressor is sensed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2011-0006686, filed on Jan. 24, 2011 in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully
set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a
refrigerant system performing a refrigerant cycle, and a method of
controlling the refrigerant system.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A refrigerant system of the related art performs a
refrigerant cycle of compression, condensation, expansion, and
evaporation to heat/cool an indoor space or cool a food in a
storage.
[0006] Such a refrigerant system includes a compressor for
compressing refrigerant, an indoor heat exchanger where the
refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air, an expander expanding
the refrigerant, and an outdoor heat exchanger where the
refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air. Further, the
refrigerant system may include an accumulator for dividing the
refrigerant that is introduced to the compressor into liquid
refrigerant and vapor refrigerant, a four-way valve configured to
change a flow direction of the refrigerant for performing the
refrigerant cycle, a fan forcibly moving the indoor air or outdoor
air respectively to the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat
exchanger, and a motor for rotating the fan.
[0007] When an indoor space is cooled, the indoor heat exchanger
functions as an evaporating member, and the outdoor heat exchanger
functions as a condensing member. When the indoor space is heated,
the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condensing member, and the
outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporating member. A shift
between the heating and cooling of the indoor space is performed by
changing the flow direction of the refrigerant with the four-way
valve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a
refrigerant system and method of controlling the same that
substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and
disadvantages of the related art.
[0009] An advantage of the present invention is to continually cool
a food or other material, and prevent damage to the food or other
material due to a cooling stop.
[0010] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention
will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed
out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the
appended drawings.
[0011] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, a refrigerant system may include: an air conditioner
configured to condition air in a building by using a first
refrigerant cycle; a cooler configured to cool air in a storage
compartment of the building by using a second refrigerant cycle;
and a refrigerant heat exchanger configured to exchange heat
between a refrigerant of the air conditioner and a refrigerant of
the cooler, wherein the cooler includes a main compressor and an
auxiliary compressor configured to backup the main compressor.
[0012] The refrigerant system may include a breakdown sensor
configured to sense a breakdown of the main compressor and a
controller configured to control the auxiliary compressor to
replace the main compressor if the breakdown sensor senses a
breakdown of the main compressor.
[0013] The breakdown sensor may include a current sensor configured
to sense a current of the main compressor. The controller may
controls the auxiliary compressor to replace the main compressor if
the current sensed by the current sensor is greater than a
reference current. The controller may control the auxiliary
compressor to replace the main compressor if the current sensed by
the current sensor is less than a reference current.
[0014] The breakdown sensor may include a temperature sensor
configured to sense a refrigerant temperature at a discharge side
of the main compressor. The controller may control the auxiliary
compressor to replace the main compressor if the temperature sensed
by the temperature sensor is greater than a reference
temperature.
[0015] The refrigerant system may include a breakdown signaler
configured to output a breakdown signal if the breakdown sensor
senses a breakdown of the main compressor.
[0016] The refrigerant system may include an overload sensor
configured to sense an overload of the main compressor and a
controller configured to control the auxiliary compressor to
supplement the main compressor if the overload sensor senses an
overload of the main compressor.
[0017] The overload sensor may include a temperature sensor
configured to sense an outdoor temperature. The controller may
control the auxiliary compressor to supplement the main compressor
if the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is greater than
a reference temperature.
[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerant
system may include: an air conditioner and a cooler.
[0019] The air conditioner may include: a first heat exchanger
configured to perform a heat exchange between external air and a
first refrigerant; a second heat exchanger configured to perform a
heat exchange between internal air and the first refrigerant; a
first compressor for compressing the first refrigerant; a first
refrigerant passageway of a third heat exchanger; and a first
expander configured to expand the first refrigerant at an intake
side of the first refrigerant passageway.
[0020] The cooler may including: a fourth heat exchanger configured
to perform a heat exchange between external air and a second
refrigerant; a fifth heat exchanger configured to perform a heat
exchange between internal air and the second refrigerant; a second
compressor for compressing the second refrigerant; and a second
refrigerant passageway of the third heat exchanger.
[0021] The second compressor may include a main compressor and an
auxiliary compressor.
[0022] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0024] In the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a refrigerant
system.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a flow of
refrigerant in the refrigerant system of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control signal flow
of the refrigerant system of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another control
signal flow of the refrigerant system of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling
the refrigerant system according to the control signal flow of FIG.
4.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a flow of the
refrigerant when the refrigerant system operates under an overload
condition.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a flow of the
refrigerant when the main compressor of the refrigerant system is
broken.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating another control
signal flow of a refrigerant system of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling
the refrigerant system of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present invention, examples of which is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a refrigerant
system.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerant system may include an
air conditioner 1 performing a refrigerant cycle to condition
indoor air, and coolers 2 and 3 each performing a refrigerant cycle
for cooling a storage compartment. For example, the air conditioner
1 may condition air in a building and coolers 2 and 3 may each cool
a storage compartment of the building, such as a storage
compartment attached to the building or connected with the building
in some manner.
[0037] The coolers 2 and 3 may include a refrigerator (also denoted
by 2) for refrigerating, for example, a food, and a freezer (also
denoted by 3) for freezing, for example, a food. Refrigerant of the
air conditioner 1, refrigerant of the refrigerator 2, and
refrigerant of the freezer 3 may flow independently from one
another.
[0038] The air conditioner 1 may include: an air conditioner
compressor 11 for compressing the refrigerant flowing through the
air conditioner 1; an air conditioner outdoor heat exchanger 14
where the refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air; air
conditioner expanders 131, 132, and 133 for expanding the
refrigerant; and an indoor heat exchanger 12 where the refrigerant
exchanges heat with indoor air. The air conditioner 1 may include
an accumulator 16 for dividing the refrigerant introduced to the
air conditioner compressor 11 into vapor refrigerant and liquid
refrigerant, and a four-way valve 15 for changing a flow direction
of the refrigerant discharged from the air conditioner compressor
11.
[0039] The refrigerator 2 may include: refrigerator compressor 21
for compressing the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerator 2;
a refrigerator outdoor heat exchanger 24 where the refrigerant
exchanges heat with outdoor air; refrigerator expanders 231 and 232
for expanding the refrigerant; and a refrigerator heat exchanger 22
where the refrigerant exchanges heat with air adjacent to a food.
The outdoor air of the refrigerator 2 may be the same as the
outdoor air of the air conditioner 1 or may be the indoor air of
the air conditioner 1.
[0040] The freezer 3 may include: a freezer compressor 31 for
compressing the refrigerant flowing through the freezer 3; a
freezer outdoor heat exchanger 34 where the refrigerant exchanges
heat with outdoor air; a fan motor assembly 35 for forcibly moving
outdoor air to the freezer outdoor heat exchanger 34; a freezer
expander 33 for expanding the refrigerant; and a freezer heat
exchanger 32 where the refrigerant exchanges heat with air adjacent
to a food. The outdoor air of the freezer 3 may be the same as the
outdoor air of the air conditioner 1 or may be the indoor air of
the air conditioner 1.
[0041] In other words, each of the refrigerator 2 and the freezer 3
may include: a cooler compressor for compressing the refrigerant
flowing through the refrigerator 2 or the freezer 3; a cooler
outdoor heat exchanger where the refrigerant exchanges heat with
outdoor air; a cooler expander for expanding the refrigerant; and a
cooler heat exchanger where the refrigerant exchanges heat with air
adjacent to a food. The cooler compressors may include the
refrigerator compressor 21 and the freezer compressor 31. The
cooler outdoor heat exchangers may include the refrigerator outdoor
heat exchanger 24 and the freezer outdoor heat exchanger 34. The
cooler expanders may include the refrigerator expanders 231 and 232
and the freezer expander 33. The cooler heat exchangers may include
the refrigerator heat exchanger 22 and the freezer heat exchanger
32.
[0042] The air conditioner expanders 131, 132, and 133; the
refrigerator expanders 231 and 232; and the freezer expander 33 may
be any device such as an electronic valve that can discharge and
cut off a refrigerant flow, expand refrigerant, and control a flow
rate of refrigerant. The refrigerant system may include a fan motor
assembly 6 for forcibly moving outdoor air to the air conditioner
outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the refrigerator outdoor heat
exchanger 24. When the air conditioner outdoor heat exchanger 14 is
adjacent to the refrigerator outdoor heat exchanger 24, the single
fan motor assembly 6 may be provided to forcibly move outdoor air
to both the air conditioner outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the
refrigerator outdoor heat exchanger 24. However, two fan motor
assemblies may be provided to correspond respectively to the air
conditioner outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the refrigerator outdoor
heat exchanger 24, such as when the air conditioner outdoor heat
exchanger 14 is spaced a predetermined distance from the
refrigerator outdoor heat exchanger 24.
[0043] The refrigerant system may include refrigerant heat
exchangers 4 and 5 such that the air conditioner 1 exchanges heat
with the refrigerator 2 and the refrigerator 2 exchanges heat with
the freezer 3. The refrigerant heat exchangers 4 and 5 may include
a first refrigerant heat exchanger (also denoted by 4) where the
refrigerant of the air conditioner 1 exchanges heat with the
refrigerant of the refrigerator 2, and a second refrigerant heat
exchanger (also denoted by 5) where the refrigerant of the
refrigerator 2 exchanges heat with the refrigerant of the freezer
3.
[0044] Passages 41 and 42 may be disposed within the first
refrigerant heat exchanger 4 such that the refrigerant of the air
conditioner 1 and the refrigerant of the refrigerator 2
independently flow to exchange heat with each other. In addition,
passages 51 and 52 may be disposed within the second refrigerant
heat exchanger 5 such that the refrigerant of the refrigerator 2
and the refrigerant of the freezer 3 independently flow to exchange
heat with each other.
[0045] The first refrigerant heat exchanger 4 may be connected in
parallel to the indoor heat exchanger 12 of the air conditioner 1.
The air conditioner 1 may further include air conditioner
refrigerant pipes 101, 102, and 103 for guiding a flow of the
refrigerant of the air conditioner 1. The air conditioner
refrigerant pipes 101, 102, and 103 may include: a first
refrigerant pipe (also denoted by 101) connecting the air
conditioner compressor 11, the air conditioner outdoor heat
exchanger 14, and the first refrigerant heat exchanger 4 to one
another; a second refrigerant pipe (also denoted by 102) guiding
the refrigerant discharged from the air conditioner compressor 11
or the refrigerant discharged from the air conditioner outdoor heat
exchanger 14 to the indoor heat exchanger 12; and a bypass pipe
(also denoted by 103) connected in parallel to a third expansion
valve (also denoted by 131) to be described later. That is, a first
end of the second refrigerant pipe 102 may be connected to a first
point of the first refrigerant pipe 101 between the air conditioner
outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the indoor heat exchanger 12, and a
second end of the second refrigerant pipe 102 may be connected to a
second point of the first refrigerant pipe 101 between the indoor
heat exchanger 12 and the air conditioner compressor 11. A first
end of the bypass pipe 103 may be connected to the first
refrigerant pipe 101 between the air conditioner outdoor heat
exchanger 14 and the third expansion valve 131, and a second end of
the bypass pipe 103 may be connected to the first refrigerant pipe
101 between the third expansion valve 131 and the first refrigerant
heat exchanger 4.
[0046] The bypass pipe 103 may be provided with a flow limiter 17
that limits a flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the
bypass pipe 103 to a predetermined direction. The flow limiter 17
may prevent the refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger
12 to the air conditioner outdoor heat exchanger 14 from passing
through the bypass pipe 103. Thus, the refrigerant flowing from the
indoor heat exchanger 12 to the air conditioner outdoor heat
exchanger 14 may pass through the third expansion valve 131. The
flow limiter 17 may be any device, for example, such as a check
valve that can limit the flow direction of refrigerant to a
predetermined direction.
[0047] The air conditioner expanders 131, 132, and 133 may include
a first expander (also denoted by 132) installed on the second
refrigerant pipe 102 to correspond to an intake side of the indoor
heat exchanger 12, a second expander (also denoted by 133)
installed on the first refrigerant pipe 101 to correspond to an
intake side of the first refrigerant heat exchanger 4, a third
expander (also denoted by 131) installed on the first refrigerant
pipe 101 adjacent to the air conditioner outdoor heat exchanger 14.
The air conditioner expanders 131, 132, and 133 may adjust the
degree of opening of the first and second refrigerant pipes 101 and
102, and may selectively close the first and second refrigerant
pipes 101 and 102. The first expander 132 may adjust the amount of
the refrigerant introduced to the indoor heat exchanger 12 and
selectively cut off the flow of the refrigerant to the indoor heat
exchanger 12; and the second expander 133 may adjust the amount of
the refrigerant introduced to the first refrigerant heat exchanger
4, and selectively cut off the flow of the refrigerant to the first
refrigerant heat exchanger 4. The third expander 131 may expand the
refrigerant introduced to the air conditioner outdoor heat
exchanger 14 and close the first refrigerant pipe 101 such that the
refrigerant discharged from the air conditioner outdoor heat
exchanger 14 bypasses the third expander 131.
[0048] Since the first expander 132 may selectively cut off the
flow of the refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger 12, the first
expander 132 may be a flow cutoff part.
[0049] The second refrigerant heat exchanger 5 may be connected in
parallel to the refrigerator heat exchanger 22 on the refrigerator
2. The refrigerator 2 may further include refrigerator refrigerant
pipes 104 and 105 for guiding the refrigerant flowing through the
refrigerator 2. The refrigerator refrigerant pipes 104 and 105 may
include: a third refrigerant pipe (also denoted by 104) connecting
the refrigerator compressor 21, the refrigerator outdoor heat
exchanger 24, the first refrigerant heat exchanger 4, and the
second refrigerant heat exchanger 5 to one another; and a fourth
refrigerant pipe (also denoted by 105) guiding a portion of the
refrigerant that is introduced to the second refrigerant heat
exchanger 5 to the refrigerator heat exchanger 22. That is, a first
end of the fourth refrigerant pipe 105 may be connected to a first
point of the third refrigerant pipe 104 between the refrigerator
compressor 21 and the second refrigerant heat exchanger 5, and a
second end of the fourth refrigerant pipe 105 may be connected to a
second point of the third refrigerant pipe 104 between the first
refrigerant heat exchanger 4 and the second refrigerant heat
exchanger 5.
[0050] In addition, the second refrigerant heat exchanger 5 may be
connected in series to the freezer heat exchanger 32 on the freezer
3. The freezer 3 may further include a freezer refrigerant pipe 106
for guiding the refrigerant flowing through the freezer 3. The
freezer refrigerant pipe 106 may be sequentially connected to the
freezer compressor 31, the freezer outdoor heat exchanger 34, the
second refrigerant heat exchanger 5, the freezer expander 33, and
the freezer heat exchanger 32.
[0051] In other words, the refrigerator 2 and the freezer 3 may
include cooler refrigerant pipes (also denoted by 104, 105, and
106), which guide the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerator
2 and the freezer 3. The cooler refrigerant pipes 104, 105, and 106
may include the refrigerator refrigerant pipes 104 and 105, and the
freezer refrigerant pipe 106.
[0052] The refrigerator expanders 231 and 232 may include a fourth
expander (also denoted by 232) installed on the third refrigerant
pipe 104 to correspond to an intake side of the second refrigerant
heat exchanger 5, and a fifth expander (also denoted by 231)
installed on the fourth refrigerant pipe 105 to correspond to an
intake side of the refrigerator heat exchanger 22.
[0053] A receiver dryer 26 may be installed between the
refrigerator outdoor heat exchanger 24 and the first refrigerant
heat exchanger 4. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerator
refrigerant pipes 104 and 105 may be stored in a liquid state
within the receiver dryer 26.
[0054] The refrigerator compressor 21 may include a main compressor
211 and an auxiliary compressor 212 that backups the main
compressor 211. The main compressor 211 may be connected in
parallel to the auxiliary compressor 212 on the third refrigerant
pipe 104.
[0055] Intake sides of the main compressor 211 and the auxiliary
compressor 212 may be simultaneously connected to the refrigerator
heat exchanger 22 and the second refrigerant heat exchanger 5, and
discharged sides of the main compressor 211 and the auxiliary
compressor 212 may be simultaneously connected to the refrigerator
outdoor heat exchanger 24. Thus, the refrigerant within the third
refrigerant pipe 104 may selectively flow through at least one of
the main compressor 211 and the auxiliary compressor 212.
[0056] Hereinafter, a flow of refrigerant when a refrigerant system
cools an indoor space and storage compartment will be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0057] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary flow of
refrigerant in the refrigerant system of FIG. 1 when the
refrigerant system cools an indoor space.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 2, the refrigerant discharged from the air
conditioner compressor 11 to the air conditioner outdoor heat
exchanger 14 has a high temperature and a high pressure. At this
point, the four-way valve 15 disposed between the air conditioner
compressor 11 and the air conditioner outdoor heat exchanger 14
guides the refrigerant, discharged from the air conditioner
compressor 11, to the air conditioner outdoor heat exchanger
14.
[0059] While the refrigerant flows through the air conditioner
outdoor heat exchanger 14, the refrigerant is condensed and the
temperature of the refrigerant decreases by emitting heat to
outdoor air. The refrigerant discharged from the air conditioner
outdoor heat exchanger 14 passes through the first expander 132 of
the air conditioner expanders 131, 132, and 133, and thus, is
expanded to a low temperature/low pressure state. At this point,
the third expander 131 is maintained in a closed state, and the
refrigerant discharged from the air conditioner outdoor heat
exchanger 14 is introduced to the first expander 132 through the
bypass pipe 103.
[0060] The refrigerant discharged from the first expander 132 is
introduced to the indoor heat exchanger 12. While the refrigerant
flows through the indoor heat exchanger 12, the refrigerant absorbs
heat from indoor air, and thus, is evaporated and the temperature
of the refrigerant increases.
[0061] The refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 12
is introduced to the accumulator 16. At this point, the four-way
valve 15 disposed between the indoor heat exchanger 12 and the
accumulator 16 guides the refrigerant, discharged from the indoor
heat exchanger 12, to the accumulator 16.
[0062] While the refrigerant passes through the accumulator 16,
liquid refrigerant is separated from the refrigerant, and only
vapor refrigerant is introduced again to the air conditioner
compressor 11. While the refrigerant passes through the air
conditioner compressor 11, the refrigerant is compressed to a high
temperature/high pressure state.
[0063] As the refrigerant continually flows as described above, the
indoor space may be cooled.
[0064] Next, when refrigerant flows through the refrigerator 2, the
refrigerant is discharged in a high temperature/high pressure state
from the main compressor 211, and passes through the refrigerator
outdoor heat exchanger 24 and the first refrigerant heat exchanger
4.
[0065] While the refrigerant passes through the refrigerator
outdoor heat exchanger 24 and the first refrigerant heat exchanger
4, the refrigerant is condensed and the temperature of the
refrigerant decreases. While the refrigerant flows through the
refrigerator outdoor heat exchanger 24, the refrigerant emits heat
to outdoor air. In addition, while the refrigerant flows through
the first refrigerant heat exchanger 4, the refrigerant of the
refrigerator 2 emits heat to the refrigerant of the air conditioner
1. Thus, the refrigerant of the refrigerator 2 is condensed and the
temperature of the refrigerant further decreases.
[0066] The refrigerant is cooled when the refrigerant passes
through both the refrigerator outdoor heat exchanger 24 and the
first refrigerant heat exchanger 4, and thus, reaches a lower
temperature state than when passing through one of the refrigerator
outdoor heat exchanger 24 and the first refrigerant heat exchanger
4. Thus, the refrigerator 2 may have a higher coefficient of
performance (COP) when the refrigerant passes through both the
refrigerator outdoor heat exchanger 24 and the first refrigerant
heat exchanger 4 than when passing through only the refrigerator
outdoor heat exchanger 24.
[0067] The refrigerant discharged from the refrigerator outdoor
heat exchanger 24 and the first refrigerant heat exchanger 4 is
introduced to the refrigerator expanders 231 and 232. The
refrigerant discharged from the refrigerator outdoor heat exchanger
24 and the first refrigerant heat exchanger 4, is introduced to the
fourth and fifth expanders 232 and 231. While the refrigerant
passes through the refrigerator expanders 231 and 232, the
refrigerant is expanded to a low temperature/low pressure
state.
[0068] The refrigerant discharged from the fourth expander 232 is
introduced to the second refrigerant heat exchanger 5, and the
refrigerant discharged from the fifth expander 231 is introduced to
the refrigerator heat exchanger 22. That is, the refrigerant
discharged from the refrigerator expanders 231 and 232 is
introduced to the second refrigerant heat exchanger 5 and the
refrigerator heat exchanger 22.
[0069] While the refrigerant flows through the second refrigerant
heat exchanger 5, the refrigerant of the refrigerator 2 absorbs
heat from the refrigerant of the freezer 3, and thus, is evaporated
and the temperature of the refrigerant increases. While the
refrigerant flows through the refrigerator heat exchanger 22, the
refrigerant absorbs heat from air adjacent to the refrigerator heat
exchanger 22, and thus, is evaporated and the temperature of the
refrigerant increases.
[0070] Then, the refrigerant, discharged from the second
refrigerant heat exchanger 5 and the refrigerator heat exchanger
22, flows to the main compressor 211. While the refrigerant passes
through the refrigerator compressor 21, the refrigerant is
compressed to the high temperature/high pressure state.
[0071] When refrigerant flows through the freezer 3, the
refrigerant is discharged in a high temperature/high pressure state
from the freezer compressor 31, and is introduced to the freezer
outdoor heat exchanger 34. While the refrigerant flows through the
freezer outdoor heat exchanger 34, the refrigerant emits heat to
outdoor air, and is condensed and the temperature of the
refrigerant decreases.
[0072] The refrigerant discharged from the freezer outdoor heat
exchanger 34 is introduced to the second refrigerant heat exchanger
5. While the refrigerant flows through the second refrigerant heat
exchanger 5, the refrigerant of the freezer 3 emits heat to the
refrigerant of the refrigerator 2, and thus, is condensed and the
temperature of the refrigerant further decreases.
[0073] At this point, the refrigerant is cooled when the
refrigerant passes through both the freezer outdoor heat exchanger
34 and the second refrigerant heat exchanger 5, and thus, reaches a
lower temperature state than when passing through one of the
freezer outdoor heat exchanger 34 and the second refrigerant heat
exchanger 5. Thus, the freezer 3 may have a higher coefficient of
performance (COP) when the refrigerant passes through both the
freezer outdoor heat exchanger 34 and the second refrigerant heat
exchanger 5 than when passing through only the freezer outdoor heat
exchanger 34.
[0074] The refrigerant discharged from the second refrigerant heat
exchanger 5 is introduced to the freezer expander 33. While the
refrigerant passes through the freezer expander 33, the refrigerant
is expanded to a low temperature/low pressure state. The
refrigerant discharged from the freezer expander 33 is introduced
to the freezer heat exchanger 32. While the refrigerant flows
through the freezer heat exchanger 32, the refrigerant absorbs heat
from air adjacent to the freezer heat exchanger 32, and thus, is
evaporated and the temperature of the refrigerant increases.
[0075] Then, the refrigerant discharged from the freezer heat
exchanger 32 passes through the freezer compressor 31, and thus, is
compressed to the high temperature/high pressure state.
[0076] When the refrigerant system operates in a heating mode, a
flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the second
refrigerant pipe 102 of the air conditioner 1 is switched to be
opposite to the flow direction of the refrigerant in a cooling mode
as described above.
[0077] When the refrigerant system operates in a heating mode, the
refrigerant of the air conditioner 1 is discharged from the air
conditioner compressor 11, and then, is introduced to the indoor
heat exchanger 12. At this point, the four-way valve 15 guides the
refrigerant, discharged from the air conditioner compressor 11, to
the indoor heat exchanger 12.
[0078] While the refrigerant flows through the indoor heat
exchanger 12, the refrigerant emits heat to indoor air, and is
condensed to a low temperature/high pressure state. The refrigerant
discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 12 is introduced to the
third expander 131 of the air conditioner expanders 131, 132, and
133. At this point, since the flow limiter 17 prevents the
refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 12 from
passing through the bypass pipe 103, the refrigerant discharged
from the indoor heat exchanger 12 is introduced to the third
expander 131. The third expander 131 is maintained in a full open
state, and thus, the refrigerant expands substantially in the third
expander 131. That is, while the refrigerant passes through the
third expander 131, the refrigerant is expanded to a low
temperature/low pressure state.
[0079] The refrigerant discharged from the third expander 131 is
introduced to the air conditioner outdoor heat exchanger 14. While
the refrigerant flows through the air conditioner outdoor heat
exchanger 14, the refrigerant absorbs heat from outdoor air, and
thus, is evaporated to and the temperature of the refrigerant
increases.
[0080] The refrigerant from the air conditioner outdoor heat
exchanger 14 is introduced to the accumulator 16, and liquid
refrigerant and vapor refrigerant are separated from each other. At
this point, the four-way valve 15 guides the refrigerant,
discharged from the air conditioner outdoor heat exchanger 14, to
the accumulator 16. Then, only the vapor refrigerant separated at
the accumulator 16 is introduced to the air conditioner compressor
11, and is compressed again to the high temperature/high pressure
state.
[0081] As the refrigerant continually flows as described above, the
indoor space can be heated.
[0082] When the refrigerant system operates in the heating mode,
the flows of the refrigerant in the refrigerator 2 and the freezer
3 may be the same as those in the cooling mode of the refrigerant
system.
[0083] Hereinafter, a configuration and a method for controlling
the refrigerant system will be described in detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
[0084] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control signal flow
of the refrigerant system of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram
illustrating another control signal flow of the refrigerant system
of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of
controlling the refrigerant system according to the control signal
flow of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a flow of
the refrigerant when the refrigerant system operates under an
overload condition. FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a flow
of the refrigerant when the main compressor of the refrigerant
system is broken.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 3, in the control configuration of the
refrigerant system, the refrigerant system may further include: a
breakdown sensor 61 sensing a breakdown of the main compressor 211;
an overload sensor 62 sensing an overload of the main compressor
211; a breakdown signaler 69 outputting a breakdown signal when the
main compressor 211 is broken; and a controller 65 controlling the
main compressor 211, the auxiliary compressor 212, and the
breakdown signaler 69 based on signals received from the breakdown
sensor 61 and the overload sensor 62. The breakdown sensor 61, the
overload sensor 62, the main compressor 211, the auxiliary
compressor 212, the breakdown signaler 69, and the controller 65
may be electrically connected to one another to communicate with
each other through electrical signals.
[0086] When the breakdown sensor 61 senses a breakdown of the main
compressor 211, the controller 65 controls the auxiliary compressor
212 to replace the main compressor 211 and the breakdown signaler
69 outputs a breakdown signal indicating to the user that a
breakdown of the main compressor 211 has occurred.
[0087] When the overload sensor 62 senses an overload of the main
compressor 211, the controller 65 controls the auxiliary compressor
212 to supplement the main compressor 211.
[0088] Referring to FIG. 4, in the control configuration of the
refrigerant system, the refrigerant system may further include: a
current sensor 71 sensing a current of the main compressor 211; an
outdoor temperature sensor 72 sensing an outdoor temperature; a
breakdown signaler 79 outputting a breakdown signal when the main
compressor 211 is broken; and a controller 75 controlling the main
compressor 211, the auxiliary compressor 212, and the breakdown
signaler 79 based on the current of the main compressor 211 and the
outdoor temperature, which are sensed by the current sensor 71 and
the outdoor temperature sensor 72. The current sensor 71, the
outdoor temperature sensor 72, the main compressor 211, the
auxiliary compressor 212, the breakdown signaler 79, and the
controller 75 may be electrically connected to one another to
communicate with each other through electrical signals.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 5, in the method of controlling the
refrigerant system, the refrigerant system starts to operate and an
outdoor temperature is sensed in operation S11. The outdoor
temperature may be sensed by the outdoor temperature sensor 72.
[0090] When the outdoor temperature is equal to or greater than a
reference temperature in operation S12, the controller 75 controls
the main compressor 211 and the auxiliary compressor 212 to
simultaneously operate in operation S13. The reference temperature
may be the lower limit of the outdoor temperature at which a load
is too great for the main compressor 211 to withstand. That is,
when the outdoor temperature is equal to or greater than the
reference temperature, an overload condition that normal cooling of
a food only with the main compressor 211 is difficult is
recognized. Thus, to withstand the load that the main compressor
211 cannot withstand, the auxiliary compressor 212 operates to
support the main compressor 211.
[0091] A flow of the refrigerant when the main compressor 211 and
the auxiliary compressor 212 operate at the same time is
illustrated in FIG. 6. That is, the refrigerant discharged from the
refrigerator heat exchanger 22 and the second refrigerant heat
exchanger 5 simultaneously passes through the main compressor 211
and the auxiliary compressor 212, and then, is introduced to the
refrigerator outdoor heat exchanger 24.
[0092] However, when the outdoor temperature is smaller than the
reference temperature in operation S12, only the main compressor
211 operates in operation S14.
[0093] Next, a current of the main compressor 211 is sensed in
operation S15. The current of the main compressor 211 may be sensed
by the current sensor 71.
[0094] When the current of the main compressor 211 sensed by the
current sensor 71 is outside a reference range, i.e. greater than a
first reference current or less than a second reference current in
operation S16, the controller 75 controls the auxiliary compressor
212 to replace the main compressor 211 and operates to output the
breakdown signal in operation S17. The breakdown signal can be
output by the breakdown signaler 79. That is, when the sensed
current is outside the reference range, only the auxiliary
compressor 212 operates, and the breakdown signal is output.
[0095] The reference range may be a current range from the main
compressor 211 when the main compressor 211 normally operates. The
reference range may be a predetermined current range measured when
the main compressor 211 normally operates. Thus, when the current
of the main compressor 211 is greater than the first reference
current, that is, out of a normal current value, the refrigerator
heat exchanger 22 is considered to be abnormal. In addition, while
the main compressor 211 normally operates, the current from the
main compressor 211 has a predetermined value greater than zero.
Thus, when the current of the main compressor 211 is less than a
second reference range, such as being zero, the main compressor 211
is considered to be abnormal. For example, when an anomaly or a
short connection occurs in a motor of the main compressor 211, the
current of the main compressor 211 may be zero.
[0096] As a result, when the sensed current is greater than the
first reference current or less than a second reference current,
the main compressor 211 is considered to be broken, and thus, the
auxiliary compressor 212 operates to replace the main compressor
211, so that the refrigerator 2 can continually cool a food or
other material. Since the freshness of a food depends on a storage
temperature, when the cooling of the refrigerator 2 is stopped, the
quality of a food may be quickly deteriorated. However, since the
auxiliary compressor 212 can continually cool a food even when the
main compressor 211 is broken, a damage of a food due to a cooling
stop can be prevented.
[0097] A flow of the refrigerant when the auxiliary compressor 212
operates to replace the main compressor 211 is illustrated in FIG.
7. That is, the refrigerant discharged from the refrigerator heat
exchanger 22 and the second refrigerant heat exchanger 5 passes
through only the auxiliary compressor 212, and then, is introduced
to the refrigerator outdoor heat exchanger 24.
[0098] Since a breakdown of the main compressor 211 may be sensed
based on a current of the main compressor 211, the current sensor
71 may be called a breakdown sensor for sensing a breakdown of the
main compressor 211.
[0099] However, when the sensed current is not greater outside the
reference range in operation S16, the outdoor temperature is sensed
again. That is, when the sensed current is not greater than the
reference current or not equal to zero in operation S16, the
process that the main compressor 211 and the auxiliary compressor
212 are controlled according to the outdoor temperature, and the
process that a current of the main compressor 211 is sensed to
determine whether a breakdown occurs are repeated.
[0100] Thus, according to the embodiment, since the auxiliary
compressor 212 operates to replace the main compressor 211 when the
main compressor 211 is broken, the refrigerator 2 can continually
cool a food.
[0101] In addition, under an overload condition that the main
compressor 211 cannot withstand, the auxiliary compressor 212
operates together with the main compressor 211, and thus, a
refrigeration performance of the refrigerator 2 can be maintained
or improved.
[0102] Hereinafter, a configuration and a method for controlling a
refrigerant system according to another embodiment will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The embodiment is different in that a breakdown of a main
compressor is sensed using a refrigerant temperature at the
discharge side of the main compressor. Thus, a description of the
same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted
here.
[0103] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating another control
signal flow of a refrigerant system of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a
flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the refrigerant
system of FIG. 7.
[0104] Referring to FIG. 8, in the control configuration of the
refrigerant system, the refrigerant system may further include: a
refrigerant temperature sensor 81 sensing a discharge side
refrigerant temperature of the main compressor 211; an outdoor
temperature sensor 82 sensing an outdoor temperature; a breakdown
signaler 89 outputting a breakdown signal when the main compressor
211 is broken; and a controller 85 controlling the main compressor
211, the auxiliary compressor 212, and the breakdown signaler 89
based on the discharge side refrigerant temperature of the main
compressor 211 and the outdoor temperature, which are sensed by the
refrigerant temperature sensor 81 and the outdoor temperature
sensor 82. The refrigerant temperature sensor 81, the outdoor
temperature sensor 82, the main compressor 211, the auxiliary
compressor 212, the breakdown signaler 89, and the controller 85
may be electrically connected to one another to communicate with
each other through electrical signals.
[0105] Referring to FIG. 9, in the method of controlling the
refrigerant system, the refrigerant system starts to operate and an
outdoor temperature is sensed in operation S21. The outdoor
temperature may be sensed by the outdoor temperature sensor 82.
[0106] When the outdoor temperature is equal to or greater than a
reference temperature in operation S22, the controller 85 controls
the main compressor 211 and the auxiliary compressor 212 to
simultaneously operate in operation S23.
[0107] However, when the outdoor temperature is smaller than the
reference temperature in operation S22, only the main compressor
211 operates in operation S24.
[0108] Next, a discharge side refrigerant temperature of the main
compressor 211 is sensed in operation S25. The discharge side
refrigerant temperature of the main compressor 211 may be sensed by
the refrigerant temperature sensor 81.
[0109] When the discharge side refrigerant temperature of the main
compressor 211 sensed by the current sensor 81 is greater than the
reference temperature in operation S26, the controller 85 controls
the auxiliary compressor 212 to replace the main compressor 211 and
operates to output the breakdown signal in operation S27. The
breakdown signal can be output by the breakdown signaler 89. That
is, when the sensed refrigerant temperature is greater than the
reference temperature, only the auxiliary compressor 212 operates,
and the breakdown signal is output.
[0110] The reference temperature may be an upper limit of the
discharge side refrigerant temperature of the main compressor 211
when the main compressor 211 normally operates. The reference
temperature may be a predetermined range of the discharge side
refrigerant temperature, which can be measured when the main
compressor 211 normally operates. Thus, when the discharge side
refrigerant temperature of the main compressor 211 is greater than
the reference temperature, that is, out of a normal refrigerant
temperature, the main compressor 211 is considered to be abnormal.
For example, when inner frictional force of the main compressor 211
is increased by a foreign substance attached to the main compressor
211, or by mechanical wear of the main compressor 211, the
discharge side refrigerant temperature of the main compressor 211
may increase.
[0111] That is, when the sensed refrigerant temperature is greater
than the reference temperature, the main compressor 211 is
considered to be broken, and thus, the auxiliary compressor 212
operates to replace the main compressor 211, so that the
refrigerator 2 can continually cool a food.
[0112] Since a breakdown of the main compressor 211 may be sensed
based on the discharge side refrigerant temperature of the main
compressor 211, the refrigerant temperature sensor 81 may be called
a breakdown sensor for sensing a breakdown of the main compressor
211.
[0113] However, when the sensed refrigerant temperature is not
greater than the reference temperature in operation S26, the
outdoor temperature is sensed again. That is, when the sensed
refrigerant temperature is not greater than the reference
temperature, the process that the main compressor 211 and the
auxiliary compressor 212 are controlled according to the outdoor
temperature, and the process that the discharge side refrigerant
temperature of the main compressor 211 is sensed to determine
whether a breakdown occurs are repeated.
[0114] Thus, according to the embodiment, since the auxiliary
compressor 212 operates to replace the main compressor 211 when the
main compressor 211 is broken, the refrigerator 2 can continually
cool a food.
[0115] In addition, under an overload condition that the main
compressor 211 cannot withstand, the auxiliary compressor 212
operates together with the main compressor 211, and thus, a
refrigeration performance of the refrigerator 2 can be maintained
or improved.
[0116] Also, the method of sensing a breakdown of the main
compressor 211 based on the current of the main compressor 211, and
the method of sensing a breakdown of the main compressor 211 based
on the refrigerant temperature of the main compressor 211 may be
used together. For example, when the current of the main compressor
211 is outside the reference current range, and/or when the
discharge side refrigerant temperature of the main compressor 211
is greater than the reference temperature occurs, the main
compressor 211 may be considered to be broken.
[0117] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variation may be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *