US20120216554A1

US20120216554A1 - Intelligent energy-saving air conditioner

Info

Publication number: US20120216554A1
Application number: US13/395,120
Authority: US
Inventors: Mingguo Liu
Original assignee: Suzhou Qutu Refrigeration Co Ltd
Current assignee: Suzhou Qutu Refrigeration Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-07-13
Filing date: 2009-09-30
Publication date: 2012-08-30
Also published as: CN101603709A; WO2011006314A1

Abstract

An intelligent energy-saving air conditioner includes a control device (1), a heat-exchange circulation system (2), a refrigerating system (3), and an inner air blower (41) and outer air blower (42) both are shared by the heat-exchange circulation system (2) and the refrigerating system (3). The control device (1) includes a temperature collecting and comparing unit and a control unit. The heat-exchange circulation system (2) includes a first heat exchanger (21) and a second heat exchanger (22) separately arranged from each other, and heat-exchange circulation pipes (24) connecting the first and second heat exchangers (21), (22). The refrigerating system (3) includes an evaporator (31), a condenser (32), a compressor (33) and refrigerating circulation pipes (34) connecting the evaporator (31), the condenser (32) and the compressor (33). The first heat exchanger (21) and the evaporator (31) are arranged close to each other and share the inner air blower (41), and the second heat exchanger (22) and the condenser (32) are arranged close to each other and share the outer air blower (42).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air conditioner, more particularly to an intelligent energy-saving air conditioner.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, because of rapid industry development in telecom, energy, traffic, power etc, requirements for data transmission speed and cover density become higher and higher. The data process equipments arranged in large-scale machine rooms are moved to outdoor equipment cabinets or basic stations progressively to be located in the positions near to end users or terminals. Usually, the outdoor equipment cabinets or basic stations use cases with heat-insulation structure to reduce heat transfer from outside, thus reducing the load of air conditioners equipped therein for refrigeration. This because that, on one hand, the process speed of the modern data process equipments are improved generally which costs more power and released in the form of heat energy; on the other hand, the outdoor equipment cabinets or basic stations are in bare conditions and heated by sun light directly which generates a lot of heat. However, when the environment temperature is lower than the inner temperature of the equipment cabinets or the basic stations, the heat in the equipment cabinets or the basic stations cannot be transferred to the environment because of the heat-insulation cases. So, even in low temperature situation, the air conditioners still need to keep running for refrigeration, thus a lot of electric power is consumed and the use life of the air conditioners is shortened. At the same time, the proposal of single air conditioner for refrigeration will cause temperature in the equipment cabinets or the basic stations to be increased rapidly once the air conditioner is broken down, and then causes the equipments to be broken down.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent energy-saving air conditioner, which is compact in structure and of simple working principle to solve the problems of high power consumption, and lack of redundant system etc.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a control device comprises a temperature collecting and comparing unit and a control unit, a heat-exchange circulation system, a refrigerating system, an inner air blower and an outer air blower. The heat-exchange circulation system comprises a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger separately arranged from each other, and heat-exchange circulation pipes connecting the first heat exchangers and the second heat exchangers. The refrigerating system comprises an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor and refrigerating circulation pipes connecting the evaporator, the condenser and the compressor. The inner air blower and an outer air blower shared by the heat-exchange circulation system and the refrigerating system. The first heat exchanger of the heat-exchange circulation system and the evaporator of the refrigerating system are arranged close to each other and share the inner air blower, and the second heat exchanger of the heat-exchange circulation system and the condenser of the refrigerating system are arranged close to each other and share the outer air blower.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter, which form the subject of the claims of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an assembled, perspective view of an intelligent energy-saving air conditioner in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but viewed from a different aspect;

FIG. 3 is a partially assembled view of the first embodiment to illustrate inner structures thereof;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but viewed from a different aspect;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a system theory schematic view of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating how the airflow flows of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an assembled, perspective view of the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partially assembled view of the second embodiment to illustrate inner structures;

FIG. 10 is an assembled, perspective view of the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is an assembled, perspective view of the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits have been shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. For the most part, details concerning timing considerations and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention and are within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
Reference will be made to the drawing figures to describe the present invention in detail, wherein depicted elements are not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by same or similar reference numeral through the several views and same or similar terminology.
Please refer to FIGS. 1-7, an intelligent energy-saving air conditioner in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a control device 1, a heat-exchange circulation system 2 and a refrigerating system 3 both are controlled by the control device 1. The control device 1 comprises a temperature collecting and comparing unit, an alarm unit, and a control unit. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner also comprises a first (inner) air blower 41 and a second (outer) air blower 42 shared by the heat-exchange circulation system 2 and the refrigerating system 3.
The heat-exchange circulation system 2 is a gas-liquid heat-exchange system and comprises a first (inner) heat exchanger 21, a second (outer) heat exchanger 22 and heat-exchange circulation pipes 24 connecting the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 22. The heat-exchange circulation system 2 also comprises a fluid actuating device 23 and a liquid storage constant-pressure device 25 both connecting with the heat-exchange circulation pipes 24. The refrigerating system 3 comprises an evaporator 31, a condenser 32, a compressor 33, a liquid storage device 35, a dry device 36, and a throttle device 37, and refrigerating circulation pipes 34 connecting the elements mentioned above. The first heat exchanger 21 and the evaporator 31 share the inner air blower 41, while, the second heat exchanger 22 and the condenser 32 share the outer air blower 42.
The heat-exchange circulation system 2 is an air-liquid heat-exchange system. Please refer to FIGS. 6-7, the flow direction of the refrigerant medium in the heat-exchange circulation system 2 is in sequence as: from the fluid actuating device 23 to the second heat exchanger 22, then to the first heat exchanger 21, to the liquid storage constant-pressure device 25, then back to the fluid actuating device 23. The airflow flows in the way of: the outer air blower 42 driving cold air from the outer environment to flow through the second heat exchanger 22 for heat exchange then back to the outer environment; while the inner air blower 41 driving the air in the equipment cabinet or the basic station into the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner then to flow through the first heat exchanger 21 for heat exchange then back to the equipment cabinet or the basic station.
The principle of the heat-exchange circulation system 2 is as follows: the second heat exchanger 22 in the outer air circulation flow-path and the first heat exchanger 21 in the inner air circulation flow-path are full of flowing refrigerant medium of good heat conductivity. Since there is a temperature difference between the inner circulation air and the outer circulation air, driven by the fluid actuating device 23, the refrigerant medium flows in the second heat exchanger 22, and the heat thereof is transferred to the outer cold air then is cooled. The cooled refrigerant medium flows into the first heat exchanger 21 and is heated by the inner circulation air since the temperature difference between the inner circulation air and the refrigerant medium. Then the heated refrigerant medium is driven to flow into the second heat exchanger 22 by the fluid actuating device 23 for being cooled. The recycle is formed. The heat in the inner circulation air is transferred to the outer circulation air by the flowing refrigerant medium to realize the temperature transfer in the situation of complete isolation of the inner and outer air by the equipment cabinet or the basic station.
Please refer to FIGS. 6-7, the flow direction of the refrigerant medium in the refrigerating system 3 is in sequence as: the compressor 33, the condenser 32, the liquid storage device 35, the dry device 36, the throttle device 37, and the evaporator 31, then back to the compressor 33. The outer air blower 42 drives the air to flow through the condenser 32, and the inner air blower 41 drives the air to flow through the evaporator 31.
The principle of the refrigerating system 3 is as follows: the compressor 33 absorbs the gas-state refrigerant medium from the evaporator 31, and compresses it into high-temperature, high-pressure state then discharges the refrigerant medium into the condenser 32. The refrigerant medium releases heat in the condenser 32 and is cooled into high-pressure liquid state, then is throttled by the throttle device 37 to become low-temperature, low-pressure state, then enters into the evaporator 31. Then, the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant medium absorbs heat in the evaporator 31 to become gas state again, then, is absorbed by the compressor 33 again. Thus, the recycle is formed.
Please refer to FIGS. 1-5, the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is an integrated air conditioner. The fluid actuating device 23 and the compressor 33 are arranged in the bottom of a shell (not labeled) of the air conditioner. The outer air blower 42 is located at the outer side of the shell of the air conditioner facing to the outer environment, while the second heat exchanger 22 and the condenser 32 are located above the outer air blower 42. The inner air blower 41 is located at an opposite inner side of the shell of the air conditioner facing to the equipment cabinet or the basic station, while the first heat exchanger 21 and the evaporator 31 are located below the inner air blower 41. In addition, the first heat exchanger 21 and the evaporator 31 are arranged to be parallel to each other and obliquely arranged in the shell of the air conditioner. The second heat exchanger 22 and the condenser 32 are arranged to be parallel to each other and obliquely arrange in the shell of the air conditioner.
For the integrated air conditioner of the present invention, it also can be full-embedded mounting type as shown in FIG. 10 (the third embodiment of the present invention) or half-embedded mounting type as shown in FIG. 11 (the fourth embodiment of the present invention).
Please refer to FIGS. 8-9, the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated which is of split-style and comprises an outdoor unit (not labeled) and an indoor unit (not labeled). The outer air blower 42, the second heat exchanger 22, the condenser 32 and the compressor 33 are located in the outdoor unit of the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner. The second heat exchanger 22 and the condenser 32 are located at the air-out side of the outer air blower 42. The inner air blower 41, the first heat exchanger 21, the evaporator 31 and the fluid actuating device 23 are located in the indoor unit of the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner. The first heat exchanger 21 and the evaporator 31 are located below the inner air blower 41. The heat-exchange circulation pipes 24 and the refrigerating circulation pipes 34 connect the indoor unit and the outdoor unit of the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner.
The two systems 2, 3 are controlled by the control device 1. When the inner temperature in the equipment cabinet or the basic station is higher than the outer temperature in the outer environment and reaches the set start temperature of the heat-exchange circulation system 2, the heat-exchange circulation system 2 is started, and the fluid actuating device 23, and the inner and outer air blowers 41, 42 starts running. At present, the refrigerating system 3 is in stop state. After the heat-exchange circulating system 2 is started, and the inner temperature in the equipment cabinet or the basic station is higher than the set start temperature of the refrigerating system 3, the refrigerating system 3 is started. At present, if it is still satisfied the term that the outer temperature in outside environment is lower than the inner temperature in the equipment cabinet or the basic station, the heat-exchange circulation system 2 still keeps running, and the two systems 2, 3 are running at the same time. When the outer temperature in the outer environment is higher than the inner temperature in the equipment cabinet or the basic station, and the inner temperature is higher than the set start temperature of the refrigerating system 3, the refrigerating system 3 keeps running, and the heat-exchange circulation system 2 is in stop state. In case of one of the heat-exchange circulation system 2 or the refrigerating system 3 is broken down, the alarm unit could send an alarm to the control unit or to the user, then the other system could be started under the control of the control device 1. Also, the cooperation and the switch between the heat-exchange circulation system 2 and the refrigerating system 3 are finished automatically by the control device 1 according to set modes.
The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner is compact in structure, of simple working principle, and can solve problems of high power consumption, lack of redundant equipment etc.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the tongue portion is extended in its length or is arranged on a reverse side thereof opposite to the supporting side with other contacts but still holding the contacts with an arrangement indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1-5. (canceled)

6. An intelligent energy-saving air conditioner, comprising:

a control device comprising a temperature collecting and comparing unit and a control unit;

a heat-exchange circulation system comprising a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger separately arranged from each other, and heat-exchange circulation pipes connecting the first heat exchangers and the second heat exchangers;

a refrigerating system comprising an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor and refrigerating circulation pipes connecting the evaporator, the condenser and the compressor;

an inner air blower and an outer air blower shared by the heat-exchange circulation system and the refrigerating system; wherein

the first heat exchanger of the heat-exchange circulation system and the evaporator of the refrigerating system are arranged close to each other and share the inner air blower, and the second heat exchanger of the heat-exchange circulation system and the condenser of the refrigerating system are arranged close to each other and share the outer air blower.

7. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first heat exchanger and the evaporator are arranged to be parallel to each other, and the second heat exchanger and the evaporator are arranged to be parallel to each other.

8. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first heat exchanger and the evaporator are obliquely arranged and are parallel to each other, and the second heat-exchanger and the condenser are obliquely arranged and are parallel to each other.

9. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the heat-exchange circulation system is a gas-liquid heat-exchange system.

10. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner is an integrated air conditioner and comprises a shell containing the control device, the heat-exchange circulation system and the refrigerating system, and wherein the second heat exchanger and the condenser are located at the outer side of the shell of the air conditioner facing to the outer environment, and the first heat exchanger and the evaporator are located at the opposite inner side of the shell of the air conditioner.

11. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first heat exchanger and the evaporator are located below the inner air blower, and wherein the second heat exchanger and the condenser are located above the outer air blower.

12. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 10, wherein the heat-exchange circulation system further comprises a fluid actuating device which connects the first and second heat exchangers, via the heat-exchange circulation pipes, and wherein the compressor and the fluid actuating device are located in the bottom of the shell of the air conditioner.

13. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 10, wherein the integrated air conditioner is mounted in one of the full-embedded type and half-embedded type.

14. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner is of split-type and comprises an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and wherein the first heat exchanger, the evaporator and the inner air blower are located in the indoor unit, and the second heat exchanger, the condenser and the outer air blower are located in the outdoor unit, the heat-exchange circulation pipes and the refrigerating circulation pipes connect the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

15. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heat-exchange circulation system further comprises a fluid actuating device which connects the first and second heat exchangers, via the heat-exchange circulation pipes, and wherein the fluid actuating device is located in the indoor unit, and the compressor is located in the outdoor unit.

16. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first heat exchanger and the evaporator are arranged to be parallel to each other, and wherein the second heat exchanger and the condenser are arranged to be parallel to each other.

17. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first heat exchanger and the evaporator are obliquely arranged and parallel to each other, and wherein the second heat exchanger and the condenser are obliquely arranged and parallel to each other.

18. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first heat exchanger and the evaporator are located below the inner air blower, and the second heat exchanger and the condenser are located at the air-out side of the outer air blower.

19. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the heat-exchange circulation system further comprises a fluid actuating device and a liquid-storage constant-pressure device, the refrigerant medium in the heat-exchange circulation system is actuated by the fluid actuating device to in sequence pass through the second heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger, the liquid-storage constant-pressure device, then back to the fluid actuating device for recycle.

20. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the refrigerating system further comprises a liquid storage device, a dry device and a throttle device, and wherein the refrigerant medium in the refrigerating system is compressed by the compressor and in sequence passes through the condenser, the liquid storage device, the dry device, the throttle device, the evaporator and back to the compressor for recycle.

21. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control device further comprises an alarm unit for providing alarm in case of the heat-exchange circulation system and/or the refrigerating system being broken down.

22. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the temperature collecting and comparing unit of the control device collects and compares the inner temperature and outer temperature of the intelligent energy-saving air conditioner, if the inner temperature is higher than the outer temperature and reaches the set start temperature of the heat-exchange circulation system, the heat-exchange circulation system is started, and inner and outer air blower, starts running, while the refrigerating system is in stop state.

23. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 22, wherein if the inner temperature is still higher than the set start temperature of the refrigerating system after the start of the heat-exchange circulation system, the refrigerating system is started, and the two systems, both keep running.

24. The intelligent energy-saving air conditioner as claimed in claim 23, wherein if the outer temperature is higher than the inner temperature and the inner temperature is still higher than the set start temperature of the refrigerating system, the refrigerating system keeps running and the heat-exchange circulation system is in stop state.