# US 12,111,082 B2 · Air conditioning apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,111,082 B2 - Document ID: US12111082B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/792,489 - Filed: 2020-11-18 - Published: 2023-02-16 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-28 - Assignees: LG Electronics Inc. - Applicants: LG Electronics Inc. - Inventors: Jaehwa Jung; Yongcheol Sa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111082B2 ## CPC - F24F 1/0003: characterised by a split arrangement, wherein parts of the air-conditioning system, e.g. evaporator and condenser, are in separately located units - F25B 13/00: Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle (defrosting cycles F25B47/02) - F24D 3/18: using heat pumps - F24F 5/001: {Compression cycle type} - F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring - F24F 11/83: by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers - F25B 25/005: {using primary and secondary systems} - F25B 29/003: {of the compression type system} - F24D 2220/0235: Three-way-valves - F24D 2220/06: Heat exchangers - F24F 3/065: {with a plurality of evaporators or condensers} - F24F 11/84: using valves - F24F 11/85: using variable-flow pumps - F24F 2221/54: Heating and cooling, simultaneously or alternatively - F25B 2313/003: Indoor unit with water as a heat sink or heat source - F25B 2313/007: three pipes connecting the outdoor side to the indoor side with multiple indoor units - F25B 2313/0233: in parallel arrangements - F25B 2313/02732: using two three-way valves - Y02B 30/12: Hot water central heating systems using heat pumps - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - F24D: DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR (using steam or condensate extracted or exhausted from steam engine plants for heating purposes F01K17/02) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract Provided is an air conditioning apparatus. The air conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit through which a refrigerant circulates, a plurality of indoor units through which water circulates, the plurality of indoor units comprising a first indoor heat exchanger and a second indoor heat exchanger, and a heat-exchange device configured to connect the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, the heat exchange device including a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, in which the refrigerant and water are heat exchanged with each other. The heat exchange device includes a first inflow tube extending from the first indoor heat exchanger toward the first heat exchanger to guide a flow of the water, a second inflow tube extending from the second indoor heat exchanger toward the second heat exchanger to guide the flow of the water, a first pump provided in the first inflow tube and a second pump provided in the second inflow tube. When a portion of the indoor unit performs a heating operation, and the other portion of the indoor unit performs a cooling operation, when a total capacity required for the indoor unit is equal to or less than a set capacity, the first pump or the second pump operates, and when the total capacity required for the indoor unit exceeds the set capacity, the first pump and the second pump operate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air conditioning apparatus, comprising: an outdoor unit through which a refrigerant circulates; a plurality of indoor units through which water circulates, the plurality of indoor units comprising a first indoor heat exchanger and a second indoor heat exchanger; and a heat-exchange device configured to connect the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, the heat exchange device comprising a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, in which the refrigerant and water are heat exchanged with each other, wherein the heat exchange device comprises: a first inflow tube that extends from the first indoor heat exchanger toward the first heat exchanger to guide a flow of the water; a second inflow tube that extends from the second indoor heat exchanger toward the second heat exchanger to guide the flow of the water; a first pump provided in the first inflow tube; and a second pump provided in the second inflow tube, wherein when a first portion of the plurality of indoor units performs a heating operation and a second portion of the plurality of indoor units performs a cooling operation, when a total capacity required for the plurality of indoor units is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity, the first pump or the second pump operates, and when the total capacity required for the plurality of indoor units exceeds the predetermined capacity, the first pump and the second pump operate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined capacity is less than a capacity of one of the first and second pumps. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first inlet tube that extends from the first indoor heat exchanger toward the first pump to guide the flow of the water; a second inlet tube that extends from the second indoor heat exchanger toward the second pump to guide the flow of the water; an inflow valve provided in each of the first inlet tube and the second inlet tube; a tube connected to a first port of the inflow valve to extend to the first inflow tube; and a connection tube connected to a second port of the inflow valve to extend to the second inflow tube, wherein the water flows to the tube or the connection tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are plate type heat exchangers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first inlet tube that extends from the first indoor heat exchanger toward the first pump to guide the flow of the water; a first inflow valve provided in the first inlet tube; a second inlet tube that extends from the second indoor heat exchanger toward the second pump to guide the flow of the water; and a second inflow valve provided in the second inlet tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the first inflow valve and the second inflow valve comprises a three-way valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a first tube that is connected to a first port of the first inflow valve and extends to the first inflow tube; and a second tube that is connected to a first port of the second inflow valve and extends to the second inflow tube, wherein when the total capacity required for the plurality of indoor units exceeds the predetermined capacity, the water flows through the first tube and the second tube. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a first connection tube that is connected to a second port of the first inflow valve and extends to the second inflow tube; and a second connection tube that is connected to a second port of the second inflow valve and extends to the second inflow tube, wherein when the total capacity required for the plurality of indoor units is equal to or less than the predetermined capacity, the water flows through the first connection tube or the second connection tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first tube and the second connection tube are connected to each other at a first combination portion provided in the first inflow tube, and the second tube and the first connection tube are connected to each other at a second combination portion provided in the second inflow tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first discharge tube that extends from the first heat exchanger toward the first indoor heat exchanger to guide the flow of the water; and a second discharge tube that extends from the second heat exchanger toward the second indoor heat exchanger to guide the flow of the water. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a first discharge valve is provided in the first discharge tube, and a second discharge valve is provided in the second discharge tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a branch tube configured to connect the first inflow tube to the second inflow tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the branch tube extends from an outlet tube of the first pump toward an outlet tube of the second pump. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a flow control valve is provided in the branch tube. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 14, wherein when the total capacity required for the plurality of indoor units exceeds the predetermined capacity, the flow control valve is closed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 14, wherein when the total capacity required for the plurality of indoor units is equal to or less than the predetermined capacity, the water flows from a branch portion, which is disposed on the inflow tube provided with the operating pump among the first pump and the second pump, to the branch tube. ### Claim 17 An air conditioning apparatus, comprising: an outdoor unit through which a refrigerant circulates; a plurality of indoor units through which water circulates, the plurality of indoor units comprising a first indoor heat exchanger and a second indoor heat exchanger; and a heat-exchange device configured to connect the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, the heat exchange device comprising a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, in which the refrigerant and water are heat exchanged with each other, wherein the heat exchange device comprises: a first inflow tube that extends from the first indoor heat exchanger toward the first heat exchanger to guide a flow of the water; a second inflow tube that extends from the second indoor heat exchanger toward the second heat exchanger to guide the flow of the water; a first pump provided in the first inflow tube; a second pump provided in the second inflow tube; and a branch tube configured to connect the first inflow tube to the second inflow tube, wherein when a first portion of the plurality of indoor units performs a heating operation and a second portion of the plurality of indoor units performs a cooling operation, when a total capacity required for the plurality of indoor units is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity, the first pump or the second pump operates and the water flows through the branch tube, and when the total capacity required for the plurality of indoor units exceeds the predetermined capacity, the first pump and the second pump operate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the branch tube extends from an outlet tube of the first pump toward an outlet tube of the second pump. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a flow control valve is provided in the branch tube. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 19, wherein when the total capacity required for the plurality of indoor units exceeds the predetermined capacity, the flow control valve is closed, and wherein when the total capacity required for the plurality of indoor units is equal to or less than the predetermined capacity, the water flows from a branch portion, which is disposed on the inflow tube provided with the operating pump among the first pump and the second pump, to the branch tube.