Refrigerator

A refrigeration system, comprising:

• an outdoor unit (1) including a compressor (4), a flow path switching mechanism (5) for switching a circulation direction of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor (4), an outdoor heat exchanger (6), and an expansion valve (7) capable of being fully closed;
• an indoor unit (2) including an indoor heat exchanger (8);
• and
• a communication pipe (3) for connecting the outdoor unit (1) and the indoor unit (2) to each other, wherein:
• the outdoor unit (1) includes:
• a receiver (10) provided upstream of the expansion valve (7);
• a gas vent passageway (12) for connecting the receiver (10) and a downstream side pipe (24) of the expansion valve (7) to each other;
• gas vent opening/closing means (13) provided along the gas vent passageway (12);
• and
• a bridge circuit (11), wherein during a cooling operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger (6), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the indoor heat exchanger (8), and during a heating operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the indoor heat exchanger (8), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the outdoor heat exchanger (6);
• auxiliary opening/closing means (36) which is always opened during a normal operation is provided on an outdoor side of a gas side pipe (26) extending from the indoor unit (2) to the flow path switching mechanism (5);
• and
• the refrigeration system further comprises control means (35) for, before shutting down the compressor (4) in a cooling operation, opening the gas vent opening/closing means (13) and closing the expansion valve (7) while the compressor (4) is left operating, and for closing the gas vent opening/closing means (13) and the auxiliary opening/closing means (36) upon subsequent shut down of the compressor (4).

A refrigeration system, comprising:

• an outdoor unit (1) including a compressor (4), a flow path switching mechanism (5) for switching a circulation direction of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor (4), an outdoor heat exchanger (6), and an expansion valve (7) capable of being fully closed;
• an indoor unit (2) including an indoor heat exchanger (8);
• and
• a communication pipe (3) for connecting the outdoor unit (1) and the indoor unit (2) to each other, wherein:
• the outdoor unit (1) includes:
• a receiver (10) provided upstream of the expansion valve (7);
• a gas vent passageway (12) for connecting the receiver (10) and a downstream side pipe (24) of the expansion valve (7) to each other;
• gas vent opening/closing means (13) provided along the gas vent passageway (12);
• and
• a bridge circuit (11), wherein during a cooling operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger (6), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the indoor heat exchanger (8), and during a heating operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the indoor heat exchanger (8), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the outdoor heat exchanger (6);
• auxiliary opening/closing means (36) which is always opened during a normal operation is provided on an outdoor side of a gas side pipe (26) extending from the indoor unit (2) to the flow path switching mechanism (5);
• the refrigeration system further comprises temperature difference detection means (37, 38) for detecting a temperature difference between an indoor side and an outdoor side;
• and
• the refrigeration system further comprises control means (35) for, before shutting down the compressor (4) in a heating operation, opening the gas vent opening/closing means (13) and closing the expansion valve (7) while the compressor (4) is left operating, and for closing the gas vent opening/closing means (13) and the auxiliary opening/closing means (36) when an outdoor temperature becomes equal to or greater than an indoor temperature after subsequent shut down of the compressor (4).

A refrigeration system, comprising a compressor (4), a flow path switching mechanism (5) for switching a circulation direction of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor (4), an outdoor heat exchanger (6), an expansion valve (7) capable of being fully closed, and an indoor heat exchanger (8), which are connected to one another by a refrigerant pipe, the refrigeration system further comprising:

• a receiver (10) provided upstream of the expansion valve (7);
• a gas vent passageway (12) for connecting the receiver (10) and a downstream side pipe (24) of the expansion valve (7) to each other;
• gas vent opening/closing means (13) provided along the gas vent passageway (12);
• and
• a bridge circuit (11), wherein during a cooling operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger (6), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the indoor heat exchanger (8), and during a heating operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the indoor heat exchanger (8), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the outdoor heat exchanger (6), wherein:
• at least the following elements are provided on an outdoor side:
• the receiver (10);
• a path (23) extending from the receiver (10) to the expansion valve (7);
• a path (K1) extending from a circuit section in the bridge circuit (11) to the receiver (10), the circuit section only allowing a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger (6), to the receiver (10) during a cooling operation;
• a path (K2) extending from a circuit section in the bridge circuit (11) to the receiver (10), the circuit section only allowing a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the indoor heat exchanger (8), to the receiver (10) during a heating operation;
• and a path (K3) along the gas vent passageway (12) extending from the receiver (10) to the gas vent opening/closing means (13);
• and
• the refrigeration system further comprises control means (35) for, before shutting down the compressor (4), opening the gas vent opening/closing means (13) and closing the expansion valve (7) while the compressor (4) is left operating, and for closing the gas vent opening/closing means (13) upon subsequent shut down of the compressor (4).

A refrigeration system, comprising a compressor (4), a flow path switching mechanism (5) for switching a circulation direction of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor (4), an outdoor heat exchanger (6), an expansion valve (7) capable of being fully closed, and an indoor heat exchanger (8), which are connected to one another by a refrigerant pipe, the refrigeration system further comprising:

• a receiver (10) provided upstream of the expansion valve (7);
• a gas vent passageway (12) for connecting the receiver (10) and a downstream side pipe (24) of the expansion valve (7) to each other;
• gas vent opening/closing means (13) provided along the gas vent passageway (12);
• a bridge circuit (11), wherein during a cooling operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger (6), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the indoor heat exchanger (8), and during a heating operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the indoor heat exchanger (8), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the outdoor heat exchanger (6);
• and
• auxiliary opening/closing means (36) provided on an outdoor side of a gas side pipe (26) extending from indoor heat exchanger (8) to the flow path switching mechanism (5), the auxiliary opening/closing means (36) being always opened during a normal operation, wherein:
• at least the following elements are provided on an outdoor side:
• the receiver (10);
• a path (23) extending from the receiver (10) to the expansion valve (7);
• a path (K1) extending from a circuit section in the bridge circuit (11) to the receiver (10), the circuit section only allowing a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger (6), to the receiver (10) during a cooling operation;
• a path (K2) extending from a circuit section in the bridge circuit (11) to the receiver (10), the circuit section only allowing a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the indoor heat exchanger (8), to the receiver (10) during a heating operation;
• a path (K3) along the gas vent passageway (12) extending from the receiver (10) to the gas vent opening/closing means (13);
• and a path (k4) extending from the outdoor heat exchanger (6) to the auxiliary opening/closing means (36);
• and
• the refrigeration system further comprises control means (35) for, before shutting down the compressor (4), opening the gas vent opening/closing means (13) and closing the expansion valve (7) while the compressor (4) is left operating, and for closing the gas vent opening/closing means (13) and the auxiliary opening/closing means (36) upon subsequent shut down of the compressor (4).

A refrigeration system, comprising a compressor (4), a flow path switching mechanism (5) for switching a circulation direction of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor (4), an outdoor heat exchanger (6), an expansion valve (7) capable of being fully closed, and an indoor heat exchanger (8), which are connected to one another by a refrigerant pipe, the refrigeration system further comprising:

• a receiver (10) provided upstream of the expansion valve (7);
• a gas vent passageway (12) for connecting the receiver (10) and a downstream side pipe (24) of the expansion valve (7) to each other;
• gas vent opening/closing means (13) provided along the gas vent passageway (12);
• a bridge circuit (11), wherein during a cooling operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger (6), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the indoor heat exchanger (8), and during a heating operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the indoor heat exchanger (8), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the outdoor heat exchanger (6);
• auxiliary opening/closing means (36) provided on an outdoor side of a gas side pipe (26) extending from indoor heat exchanger (8) to the flow path switching mechanism (5), the auxiliary opening/closing means (36) being always opened during a normal operation;
• and
• temperature difference detection means (37, 38) for detecting a temperature difference between an indoor side and an outdoor side, wherein:
• at least the following elements are provided on an outdoor side:
• the receiver (10);
• a path (23) extending from the receiver (10) to the expansion valve (7);
• a path (K1) extending from a circuit section in the bridge circuit (11) to the receiver (10), the circuit section only allowing a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger (6), to the receiver (10) during a cooling operation;
• a path (K2) extending from a circuit section in the bridge circuit (11) to the receiver (10), the circuit section only allowing a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the indoor heat exchanger (8), to the receiver (10) during a heating operation;
• a path (K3) along the gas vent passageway (12) extending from the receiver (10) to the gas vent opening/closing means (13);
• and a path (k4) extending from the outdoor heat exchanger (6) to the auxiliary opening/closing means (36);
• and
• the refrigeration system further comprises control means (35) for, before shutting down the compressor (4) in a heating operation, opening the gas vent opening/closing means (13) and closing the expansion valve (7) while the compressor (4) is left operating, and for closing the gas vent opening/closing means (13) and the auxiliary opening/closing means (36) when an outdoor temperature becomes equal to or greater than an indoor temperature after subsequent shut down of the compressor (4).

A refrigeration system, comprising a compressor (4), a flow path switching mechanism (5) for switching a circulation direction of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor (4), an outdoor heat exchanger (6), an expansion valve (7) capable of being fully closed, and an indoor heat exchanger (8), which are connected to one another by a refrigerant pipe, the refrigeration system further comprising:

• a receiver (10) provided upstream of the expansion valve (7);
• a gas vent passageway (12) for connecting the receiver (10) and a downstream side pipe (24) of the expansion valve (7) to each other;
• gas vent opening/closing means (13) provided along the gas vent passageway (12);
• a bridge circuit (11), wherein during a cooling operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger (6), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the indoor heat exchanger (8), and during a heating operation, the bridge circuit (11) only allows a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the indoor heat exchanger (8), to the receiver (10) and a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been depressurized through the expansion valve (7), to the outdoor heat exchanger (6);
• auxiliary opening/closing means (36) provided on an outdoor side of a gas side pipe (26) extending from indoor heat exchanger (8) to the flow path switching mechanism (5), the auxiliary opening/closing means (36) being always opened during a normal operation;
• and
• an outdoor fan (9) for supplying an air to the outdoor heat exchanger (6), wherein:
• at least the following elements are provided on an outdoor side:
• the receiver (10);
• a path (23) extending from the receiver (10) to the expansion valve (7);
• a path (K1) extending from a circuit section in the bridge circuit (11) to the receiver (10), the circuit section only allowing a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger (6), to the receiver (10) during a cooling operation;
• a path (K2) extending from a circuit section in the bridge circuit (11) to the receiver (10), the circuit section only allowing a refrigerant flow in such a direction as to lead the refrigerant, which has been condensed through the indoor heat exchanger (8), to the receiver (10) during a heating operation;
• a path (K3) along the gas vent passageway (12) extending from the receiver (10) to the gas vent opening/closing means (13);
• and a path (k4) extending from the outdoor heat exchanger (6) to the auxiliary opening/closing means (36);
• and
• the refrigeration system further comprises control means (35) for, before shutting down the compressor (4) in a heating operation, opening the gas vent opening/closing means (13) and closing the expansion valve (7) while the compressor (4) is left operating, for closing the auxiliary opening/closing means (36) upon subsequent shut down of the compressor (4), and for closing the gas vent opening/closing means (13) upon shut down of the outdoor fan (9).