Abstract: A cooling/heating system is disclosed which includes a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger which are connected in series via a refrigerant line, wherein a refrigerant, which flows through the refrigerant line, heat-exchanges with supply water. A method for controlling the cooling/heating system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to air conditioning systems, and more particularly, to an air conditioning system which can control a refrigerant flow rate to a heat exchanger exchanging heat with room air to be optimum; and a method for controlling the same. The air conditioning system includes an outdoor heat exchange part including a compressor for compressing refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger for making the refrigerant to heat exchange with outdoor air, and an expansion device for expanding the refrigerant, an indoor heat exchange part including a pump for making refrigerant in a flow path independent from the outdoor heat exchange part to flow, at least one indoor heat exchanger for making the refrigerant heat exchange with room air, and a flow rate control device for controlling a flow rate of the refrigerant, and a hybrid heat exchange part for making the outdoor heat exchange part and the indoor heat exchange part, which are independent from each other, to heat exchange with each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method for a multiple heat pump. In the control method, when one of multiple indoor units operates in the heating mode and the other indoor units shut down, electronic expansion valves of the shutdown indoor units are controlled to have an opening degree higher than a standard opening degree if an outlet temperature of compressors is higher than a preset temperature, so as to permit a liquid refrigerant, remaining in the shutdown indoor units, to be more readily recovered to the compressors. This eliminates a refrigerant shortage phenomenon of the compressors and prevents deterioration of heating performance as well as reduction of life-span of the compressors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an engine-operated or electrically-operated air conditioner and a control method for the same. The air conditioner is configured so that a compressor thereof is driven by selectively using a driving force transmitted from an electric motor or a driving force transmitted from an engine according to an operational frequency of the compressor, thereby reducing fuel costs as well as ensuring high operational efficiency of the compressor and good cooling/heating performance of the air conditioner, as a result of integrating advantages of electrically-operated and engine-operated compressors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method for four-way valves of a multiple heat pump. In the control method, if even at least one of four-way valves of respective outdoor units is not switched to a desired mode upon switching of all of the four-way valves to the desired mode, the other four-way valves, switched to the desired mode, is switched to an opposite direction of the desired mode, and then all of the four-way valves are switched again to the desired mode, thereby simply and rapidly correcting switching error of the four-way valves, resulting in normal operation of the multiple heat pump.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger including: a plurality of tubes through which refrigerants flow, the tubes being spaced away from one another; and a fin through which the tubes are perpendicularly inserted, and having a fin collar for supporting the inserted tube, a seat for supporting an outer circumference of a lower end of the fin collar, and three or more peak portions and three or more valley portions that are alternately disposed at an area defined between the tubes to cause air flow to vary at an area defined between the fin collar, heights of at least two peak portions or depths of at least two valley portions being different from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger including a plurality of tubes through which refrigerants flow, the tubes being spaced away from each other, and a plurality of fins spaced away from each other at a predetermined distance. Each of the fins has fin collars through which the tubes are perpendicularly inserted, seat portions each concentrically formed around outer circumferences of the fin collars and provided with laterally-opened front and rear portions, more than two peak portions, and more than two valley portions, the peak and valley portions being alternately disposed to provide airflow variation.