US 2023/0074034 A1 · AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit in which a refrigerant circulates; an indoor unit in which water circulates; a heat exchange device including a heat exchanger that connects the outdoor unit to the indoor unit and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water; a first outdoor unit connection pipe configured to connect the outdoor unit and the heat exchange device, a high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing in the first outdoor unit connection pipe; a second outdoor unit connection pipe configured to connect the outdoor unit and the heat exchange device, a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing in the second outdoor unit connection pipe; a third outdoor unit connection pipe configured to connect the outdoor unit and the heat exchange device, a liquid refrigerant lowing in the third outdoor unit connection pipe; a bypass pipe configured to communicate the third outdoor unit connection pipe and the second outdoor unit connection pipe; and a bypass valve provided in the bypass pipe.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An air conditioner comprising:

an outdoor unit in which a refrigerant circulates;
an indoor unit in which water circulates;
a heat exchange device including a heat exchanger that is fluidly connected to the outdoor unit and to the indoor unit and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water;
a first outdoor unit connection pipe configured to connect the outdoor unit and the heat exchange device, the refrigerant flowing in a high-pressure gaseous state in the first outdoor unit connection pipe;
a second outdoor unit connection pipe configured to connect the outdoor unit and the heat exchange device, the refrigerant flowing in a low-pressure gaseous state in the second outdoor unit connection pipe;
a third outdoor unit connection pipe configured to connect the outdoor unit and the heat exchange device, the refrigerant flowing in a liquid state in the third outdoor unit connection pipe;
a bypass pipe configured to communicate with the third outdoor unit connection pipe and the second outdoor unit connection pipe;
and
a bypass valve provided in the bypass pipe.

6 more elements

A method for controlling an air conditioner including an outdoor unit circulating a refrigerant;

an indoor unit circulating water;
a heat exchange device including a heat exchanger that is fluidly connected to the outdoor unit and to the indoor unit and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water;
a first outdoor unit connection pipe configured to connect the outdoor unit and the heat exchange device, the refrigerant flowing in a high-pressure gaseous state in the first outdoor unit connection pipe;
a second outdoor unit connection pipe configured to connect the outdoor unit and the heat exchange device, the refrigerant flowing in a low-pressure gaseous state in the second outdoor unit connection pipe;
a third outdoor unit connection pipe configured to connect the outdoor unit and the heat exchange device, the refrigerant flowing in a liquid state in the third outdoor unit connection pipe;
a bypass pipe configured to communicate with the third outdoor unit connection pipe and the second outdoor unit connection pipe;
and a bypass valve provided in the bypass pipe, the method comprising:
determining a temperature of the heat exchanger;
and
opening the bypass valve when the temperature is lower than or equal to a reference temperature.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Air conditioner

Life of this patent

Air conditioner

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20