INTEGRATED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, INDOOR AIR UNIT FOR SAME, OUTDOOR AIR UNIT FOR SAME, AND STACKED MEMBER

Abstract

An integrated air conditioning system, in which an indoor air unit and an outdoor air unit are connected to each other with a wall therebetween, has an integrated configuration having both a configuration as an indirect outdoor air cooler (liquid-gas heat exchangers, piping and the like), and a configuration as a general air conditioner (an evaporator, an expansion valve, a compressor, a condenser and the like).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an air conditioning system.

BACKGROUND ART

In the past, numerous servers and the like have been installed in the server rooms and the like of data centers and enterprises. In such server rooms and the like, the room temperature rises due to the heat generated by the numerous servers, and this rise in room temperature may possibly cause runaway or malfunction of servers. Hence air conditioning systems are adopted in server rooms which maintain the entire room at constant temperature. Such air conditioning systems are operated substantially constantly, and are operated even in wintertime.

In order to stabilize the room temperature in such a server room or the like, an air conditioning system of the prior art employs a circulation method in which servers are cooled by means of low-temperature air (cool air) blown out from the air conditioning apparatus and supplied in the server room, which flows and makes contact with the servers in a server rack. As a result, the air which is warmed by the heat of the servers (warm air) is returned from the server room to within the above-described air conditioning apparatus, is cooled by the air conditioning apparatus, again becomes the cool air, and is blown back into the server room to again supply cool air.

For example, the air conditioners of Patent References 1, 2 and 3 (identified further on), and similar ones are known.

The inventions disclosed in these Patent References 1, 2 and 3 all relate to air conditioners for high heat density equipment, which require cooling even when outdoor air temperatures are low, and relate to air conditioners which cool interiors using the outdoor air temperature.

The air conditioners of Patent References 1, 2 and 3 all have substantially the same configuration, and comprise a cooling circuit in which are connected, in order, a refrigerant pump, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. In this refrigerant circuit, a compression cycle in which the compressor is operated to cool the interior, and a refrigerant pumping cycle in which the refrigerant pump is operated without operating the compressor to cool the interior, can be realized. Normally, the compressor and the refrigerant pump are not operated simultaneously. In essence, when the outdoor air temperature is low the refrigerant pumping cycle is operated, and when the outdoor air temperature is high the compression cycle is operated.

The compression cycle is the general compression-refrigeration cycle (evaporation-condensation refrigeration cycle and the like) of “evaporator→compressor→condenser→expansion valve→evaporator”. In the refrigerant pumping cycle, refrigerant gas leaving the evaporator is sent as-is to the condenser, and in the condenser is cooled by low-temperature outdoor air and liquefied, and is then sent to the refrigerant pump. In the refrigerant pump, the liquid refrigerant is pressurized and guided to the evaporator. This cooling of refrigerant with outdoor air and using the cooled refrigerant to cool the interior is called indirect outdoor air cooling, and the like.

In the invention of Patent Reference 1, by for example comparing the outdoor air temperature with setting values T1, T2 and T3 (T3>T2>T1), switching between the above-described two cycles is performed. By this means, dual-cycle switching operation can be performed such that overall energy consumption is reduced.

Further, in the invention of Patent Reference 2, when the blowing airflow in the exterior fan is maximum, and moreover the interior temperature is equal to or above a prescribed value, operation is switched from a refrigerant pumping cycle to a compression cycle.

Further, in the invention of Patent Reference 3, control means is provided such that during operation in an indirect outdoor air cooling cycle, when the liquid refrigerant flow rate is equal to or below a constant value, at least one of the input quantity of refrigerant pneumatic transport means, the airflow of a interior fan, the airflow of a exterior fan, and the valve opening position of an expansion valve, is controlled. When the rotation rate at which the flow rate of the above-described liquid refrigerant becomes equal to or below the constant value exceeds a prescribed rotation rate within a prescribed time, the control means changes the cooling cycle from the indirect outdoor air cooling cycle to an evaporation-compression cooling cycle.

• Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent No. 3967033
• Patent Reference 2: Japanese Patent No. 3995825
• Patent Reference 3: Japanese Patent No. 4145632

FIG. 4 shows an example of an indirect outdoor air cooling system of the prior art.

In FIG. 4, the indirect outdoor air cooling system is a cooling system which cools an arbitrary interior space, and is used to cool outdoor air without causing inflow of outdoor air into the interior space. The interior space is for example a server room or the like, in which are installed numerous server racks 102 on which are mounted, for example, server devices (computer devices) or other heating elements 101. In such a interior space, a large amount of heat is generated by the numerous heating elements 101, and cooling is necessary even in wintertime.

The above-described interior space is, in this example, divided in FIG. 4 into the space of server setting, a under-floor space, and an above-ceiling space. Of these, the space of server setting is the space in which the server racks 102, in which are mounted the above-described heating elements 101, are installed. Above the space of server setting is a ceiling, and below is a floor; the space above the ceiling is the above-described above-ceiling space, and the space below the floor is the above-described under-floor space. Of course holes are opened in the floor and ceiling, and cool air and warm air flows into and out of the space of server setting via these holes.

The indirect outdoor air cooling system shown uses a general air conditioning device to cool the return air (warm air) from for example a server room or the like, but by using outdoor air in the former stage and lowering the temperature of the return air, power conservation is achieved.

Here, the air conditioner 110, comprising the refrigeration unit 111, air handling unit 112, expansion valve 113, and refrigerant piping 114 and the like shown, is a general preexisting air conditioner. That is, the air conditioner 110 is a general air conditioner which performs cooling using the general compression-refrigeration cycle (evaporation-condensation refrigeration cycle and the like) of “evaporator→compressor→condenser→expansion valve→evaporator”.

The refrigerant circuits, via the refrigerant piping 114, through the refrigeration unit 111, air handling unit 112, expansion valve 113 and the like. The refrigeration unit 111 has a compressor, condenser, fan, and the like. The air handling unit 112 has an evaporator, fan, and the like.

The air handling unit 112 transports cool air into the under-floor space in the above-described room, and supplies cool air to the space of server setting via the under-floor space. This cool air cools the above-described heating elements 101 and becomes warm air, and the warm air flows from the space of server setting into the above-ceiling space. In an ordinary cooling system, this warm air flows from the above-ceiling space into the air handling unit 112 via a duct or the like. The air handling unit 112 cools this inflowing warm air using the above-described evaporator to generate the above-described cool air.

Here, the air handling unit 112 cools the inflowing warm air such that the temperature of the cool air becomes a prescribed value (setting value); of course, the higher the temperature of the inflowing warm air, the greater the load required for cooling, and the greater is the power consumed. Hence with the object of conserving energy, an indirect outdoor air cooler 120 is provided in order to lower the temperature of the warm air flowing in to the above-described air handling unit 112.

The wall 1 shown is an arbitrary wall of the building, and is the boundary between the building interior and building exterior. In the building interior there are provided, in addition to the interior space in which the above-described servers and the like are installed, a space in which the above-described air handling unit 112 and the like is provided (in the example shown, this is a space adjacent to the interior space, and may for example be called a machine room or the like). The air of the building interior (indoor air) circulates within the building while repeatedly passing through the above-described cool air and warm air states. The temperature of the air in the building exterior (outdoor air) may be considered to be lower than the temperature of the indoor air in the warm air state in a season other than summertime, for example.

The indirect outdoor air cooler 120 has a heat exchanger 121, fan 122, fan 123, indoor air duct 124, outdoor air duct 125, and the like. One end of the indoor air duct 124 is provided on the side of the above-described above-ceiling space, and the other end is provided on the side of the above-described air handling unit 112, and midway is connected to the heat exchanger 121. Warm air on the side of the above-described above-ceiling space flows into the indoor air duct 124 due to the fan 122 and is exhausted to the side of the air handling unit 112, and midway passes through the heat exchanger 121.

First, holes are opened at two arbitrary places in the wall 1 (one is called the outdoor air inflow hole 126, the other is called the outdoor air exhaust hole 127), and one end of the above-described outdoor air duct 125 is connected to the outdoor air inflow hole 126, while the other end is connected to the outdoor air exhaust hole 127. Further, the outdoor air duct 125 is connected midway to the heat exchanger 121. Outdoor air is made to pass through the outdoor air duct 125 by the fan 123. That is, outdoor air is made to flow into the outdoor air inflow hole 126 and is exhausted from the outdoor air exhaust hole 127, but midway the outdoor air passes through the interior of the heat exchanger 121.

As explained above, by causing indoor air (warm air) and outdoor air to pass through the interior of the heat exchanger 121, heat is exchanged between the indoor air (warm air) and the outdoor air in the heat exchanger 121. By means of this heat exchanger 121, heat exchange is performed with the outdoor air separated from the indoor air, so that outdoor air humidity, dust and corrosive gas included in the outdoor air is not taken into the room, and the reliability of the servers and other electronic equipment is maintained. Such heat exchangers 121 are preexisting equipment, and no details in particular of the configuration thereof are described.

If the temperature of the indoor air falls due to heat exchange in the above-described heat exchanger 121, the temperature of the warm air flowing into the above-described air handling unit 112 falls, and so the power consumption of the air conditioner 110 is reduced (an energy conservation effect is obtained). The power consumption by the fan 122 and the fan 123 can be regarded as comparatively low.

In essence, only in a case in which “temperature of indoor (warm) air>temperature of outdoor air” is the indoor air cooled by outdoor air, so that the temperature of the indoor (warm) air falls. Hence under conditions in which the outdoor air temperature is low, such as in wintertime, the effect of cooling the indoor (warm) air by the heat exchanger 121 is large, and the energy conservation effect of the air conditioner 110 is large as a result. On the other hand, during summertime, the effect of indoor air cooling by the heat exchanger 121 is small, or there is no effect, or it is possible that the opposite effect may occur.

As explained above, in an indirect outdoor air cooling system of the prior art, an indirect outdoor air cooler 120 is newly added to a general preexisting air conditioner 110, and the installation space is increased by this amount. Further, although shown simplified, the ducts (indoor air duct 124 and outdoor air duct 125) in actuality require large installation spaces. Further, as explained above, although comparatively small, the power consumption by the fan 122 and the fan 123 is also added. And, trouble and costs are incurred in installation of the indirect outdoor air cooler 120 such as shown in FIG. 4.

SUMMARY

A principal object of this invention is to provide a compact integrated air conditioning system.

An integrated air conditioning system of this invention has the following configuration.

First, in summary, an integrated air conditioning system of this invention has an indoor air unit through which indoor air passes, and an outdoor air unit through which outdoor air passes.

The above-described indoor air unit has a first heat exchanger, an evaporator, and a first fan to cause the indoor air to pass through the first heat exchanger and the evaporator.

The outdoor air unit has a second heat exchanger, a condenser, and a second fan to cause the outdoor air to pass through the second heat exchanger and the condenser.

Then, an air conditioner based on a compression-refrigeration cycle is configured by providing a refrigerant piping connected to the evaporator, the condenser, an expansion valve provided in one of the outdoor air unit and the indoor air unit, and a compressor provided in one of the outdoor air unit and the indoor air unit, and by causing a refrigerant to circulate via the refrigerant piping through the evaporator, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the compressor.

Further, an indirect outdoor air cooler is configured by providing a liquid piping connected to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, by causing an arbitrary fluid to circulate via the liquid piping through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, by causing heat exchange to be performed between the fluid and the outdoor air in the second heat exchanger to thereby cool the fluid by the outdoor air, and by causing heat exchange to be performed between the cooled fluid and the indoor air in the first heat exchanger to thereby cool the indoor air by the fluid.

The integrated air conditioning system is configured, by means of the indoor air unit and the outdoor air unit, so as to comprise both an indirect outdoor air cooling function of lowering the indoor air temperature using outdoor air, and a general air conditioning function using a compression-refrigeration cycle.

In the integrated air conditioning system, for example in the indoor air unit, the first heat exchanger, the evaporator, and the first fan may be integrated to form an integrated first stacked member.

In the integrated air conditioning system, for example in the outdoor air unit, the second heat exchanger, the condenser, and the second fan may be stacked to form an integrated second stacked member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the air conditioning system (indirect outdoor air cooling system) of Practical Example 1;

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the air conditioning system (integrated air conditioning system) of Practical Example 2;

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged diagram of the configuration of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of an indirect outdoor air cooling system of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Below, embodiments of the invention are explained referring to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the air conditioning system (indirect outdoor air cooling system) of Practical Example 1.

In FIG. 1, the space for cooling by the indirect outdoor air cooling system is the same as the example of the prior art shown in FIG. 4. That is, the interior space for cooling is, for example, a server room or the like in which are installed numerous server racks 102, on which are mounted, server devices (computer devices) or other heat-generating members 101. In this example, the above-described interior space is divided, similarly to FIG. 4, into a space of server setting, under-floor space, and above-ceiling space, as shown. Of course, other examples are possible, but in the present explanation this example is used. In this example, the space to be cooled can be regarded, in a narrower sense, as the space of server setting.

Further, similarly to the example of FIG. 4, the wall 1 is a demarcation between the building interior and the building exterior, and air in the building interior (indoor air) is circulated while repeatedly passing through cool air and warm air states. In this explanation, the temperature of the building outdoor air (outdoor air) is essentially regarded as being lower than the temperature of the indoor air in the warm state.

Within the building there also exists, in addition to the above-described interior space, the above-described machine room and the like. As explained above, the machine room is a space which for example is adjacent to the above-described interior space, and is attached to the above-described under-floor space and above-ceiling space. In the machine room are installed an air handling unit 12 and indoor air unit 30, explained below, and the like.

In summary, a general air conditioner 10 or the like supplies cool air to the above-described interior space, and cools the returning air (warm air) from the interior space, again generating cool air. However, in this system, prior to this the temperature of the returning air (warm air) is lowered using outdoor air.

In the example shown, the general air conditioner 10 transports cool air to the under-floor space, supplies cool air to the space of server setting via the under-floor space, and by means of this cool air, cools each of the heat-generating members 101. As a result the cool air becomes warm air, and after flowing into the above-ceiling space, this warm air is returned to the air conditioner 10 as returning air; in this preceding stage, the temperature is lowered using outdoor air in the indirect outdoor air cooler 20. The air conditioner 10 may be the same as the above-described general air conditioner 110.

In the following explanation, it is assumed that the outdoor air temperature is low. The statement “the outdoor air temperature is low” does not mean that the temperature is equal to or less than a certain specific value, but depends on the indoor air (warm air) temperature and the like. This fact itself is the same as in the prior art. As one approach, because in indirect outdoor air cooling the outdoor air is used to lower the temperature of the indoor air (warm air), it can be said that the outdoor air temperature is low when, as a result, the temperature of the above-described returned air (warm air) can be lowered. As one example, a case in which, as described above, the outdoor air temperature is lower than the indoor air (warm air) temperature, can be regarded as a case in which “the outdoor air temperature is low”; but the invention is not limited to this example.

Here, the configuration to transport cool air to the above-described under-floor space is the general air conditioner 10 shown. This general air conditioner 10 comprises a refrigeration unit 11, air handling unit 12, expansion valve 13, refrigerant piping 14, and the like. The refrigeration unit 11, air handling unit 12, expansion valve 13 and refrigerant piping 14 may be the same as the refrigeration unit 111, air handling unit 112, expansion valve 113 and refrigerant piping 114 of the prior art, shown in FIG. 4 above.

That is, the general air conditioner 10 may be the same as the above-described air conditioner 110 of the prior art, or another general preexisting air conditioner. Hence details are not shown or explained in particular, but the air handling unit 12 has an evaporator 12a and fan 12b, as shown. Further, the refrigeration unit 11 has not only the fan 11a shown, but also a compressor and condenser, not shown.

In this way, the general air conditioner 10 has the above-described evaporator 12a, a compressor and condenser, not shown, the evaporation valve 13 and the like, in the configuration of a general air conditioner, and circulates refrigerant through this configuration via the refrigerant piping 14. That is, the refrigerant circulates in the general compression-refrigeration cycle (evaporation-compression type refrigeration cycle and the like) of “evaporator→compressor→condenser→evaporation valve→evaporator”. In the evaporator 12a, the refrigerant captures heat from the surroundings upon evaporation, and cools the surrounding air (inflowing warm air). The heat thus captured is dissipated to the outdoor air and the like in the condenser. Outdoor air is sent into the condenser, not shown, by the fan 11a, and as described above, the condenser, not shown, dissipates heat to the outdoor air. Of course, thereafter this outdoor air is exhausted to outside the refrigeration unit 11.

The wall 1 shown is an arbitrary wall of the building, and within the building there exist the above-described interior space, and a space (machine room) adjacent to this interior space. The above-described air handling unit 12 and an indoor air unit 30, described below, and the like are installed in the machine room, and the above-described refrigeration unit 11 and an outdoor air unit 40, described below, and the like are installed outside the building. Indoor air is circulated within the building (interior space and machine room) while repeatedly passing through cool air and warm air states, and outdoor air exists outside the building.

Only the above simple explanation is given for the general air conditioner 10, but similarly to the case of the above-described air conditioner 110 of the prior art, but it is desired that, by lowering the temperature of returning air (warm air) flowing into the air handling unit 12 of the general air conditioner 10, the power consumption of the general air conditioner 10 be reduced. However, of course such reduction of the power consumption of the general air conditioner 10 is meaningless if the overall power consumption increases. Hence it has been considered that outdoor air may be used to lower the temperature of indoor air (warm air), and in the prior art, an indirect outdoor air cooler 120 has been provided.

On the other hand, in this example an indirect outdoor air cooler 20, not shown, is provided.

Below, the indirect outdoor air cooler 20 is explained in detail.

The indirect outdoor air cooler 20 comprises an indoor air unit 30 and an outdoor air unit 40.

The indoor air unit 30 and outdoor air unit 40 are manufactured separately at a factory or the like, and then are installed so as to be in close contact with the wall 1 (interior wall and exterior wall respectively), as shown.

The building is divided into the building exterior and the building interior with the wall 1 as the boundary, and the outdoor air unit 40 is installed in the building exterior, while the indoor air unit 30 is installed in the building interior. That is, the outdoor air unit 40 is installed so as to be in close contact with the wall face on the building exterior side of the wall 1. The indoor air unit 30 is installed so as to be in close contact with the wall face on the building interior side of the wall 1.

The indoor air unit 30 has for example, shown in the figure, the liquid-gas heat exchanger 31, fan 32, piping 21 (only approximately half of which is shown), and the circulating pump 22.

The outdoor air unit 40 has for example, shown in the figure, the liquid-gas heat exchanger 41, fan 42, and piping 21 (only approximately half of which is shown).

At the time of manufacturing at the factory or the like, the indoor air unit 30 is provided with the liquid-gas heat exchanger 31 and fan 32 shown and the like within, for example, a box-type housing, one face of which is left open (uncovered, in a state with nothing present). Further, two holes, shown in the figure (the indoor air inlet 33 and indoor air outlet 34), are opened in the housing. The piping 21 shown (piping 21 with the circulating pump 22 connected midway) may already be connected to the liquid-gas heat exchanger 31 at the time of manufacture at the factory or the like, or may be connected to the liquid-gas heat exchanger 31 at the time of installation. Or, the piping 21 alone may be connected at the factory, and the circulating pump 22 may be connected to the piping 21 at the time of installation.

At the time of manufacture at the factory or the like, the outdoor air unit 40 is provided with the liquid-gas heat exchanger 41 and fan 42 shown and the like within, for example, a box-type housing, one face of which is left open (uncovered, in a state with nothing present).

The indoor air unit 30 and outdoor air unit 40 both are installed with the above-described open faces placed against wall faces of the wall 1.

Further, two holes, shown in the figure (the outdoor air inlet 43 and outdoor air outlet 44) are opened in the housing of the outdoor air unit 40. The piping 21 shown in the figure may already be connected to the liquid-gas heat exchanger 41 at the time of manufacture in the factory or the like, or may be connected to the liquid-gas heat exchanger 41 at the time of installation.

At the time of installation, it is necessary to open penetrating holes at two places in the wall 1 in order to pass through the above-described piping 21. Further, when piping 21 (only approximately half of which is shown) are already provided in the indoor air unit 30 and outdoor air unit 40 at the time of manufacture at the factory, the piping 21 may be welded together or the like (and at this time, the circulating pump 22 may be connected as well), to form the “piping 21 with the circulating pump 22 connected midway” of the figure.

By installing the indoor air unit 30 and outdoor air unit 40 as described above, the above-described indirect outdoor air cooler 20 is configured.

In the above-described indirect outdoor air cooler 20, similarly to the configuration of the prior art shown in FIG. 4, heat exchange is performed with the outdoor air and indoor air mutually separated, so that outdoor air humidity, dust, and corrosive gas included in the outdoor air is not taken into the room, and the reliability of the servers or other electronic equipment is maintained.

Further, as described above, holes must be opened in the wall 1 in order to pass through the piping 21, but compared with a case in which holes 126 and 127 are provided for inflow and exhaust of outdoor air as in the prior art, small holes are sufficient, and installation tasks are simple.

In the indoor air unit 30 after the above-described installation, the fan 32 creates a flow of air (indicated by the dot-dash arrows in the figure) causing warm air in the above-described above-ceiling space to flow in from the indoor air inlet 33, and after passing through the indoor air unit 30 (and in particular through the liquid-gas heat exchanger 31), to be exhausted from the indoor air outlet 34. In essence, the temperature of warm air exhausted from the indoor air outlet 34 is made lower than the temperature of warm air flowing in from the indoor air inlet 33.

The warm air exhausted from the indoor air outlet 34 flows into the air handling unit 12, is cooled by the evaporator 12a and the like within the air handling unit 12 to become cool air, and this cool air is transported to the under-floor space by the fan 12b. By lowering the warm air temperature as described above, compared with a case in which warm air in the above-ceiling space flows as-is into the air handling unit 12, power consumption of the general air conditioner 10 is reduced.

In the outdoor air unit 40 after the above-described installation, the fan 42 creates a flow of air causing outdoor air to flow in from the outdoor air inlet 43, and after passing through the outdoor air unit 40 (and in particular through the liquid-gas heat exchanger 41), to be exhausted from the outdoor air outlet 44 (indicated by the dotted-line arrows in the figure).

Here the above-described piping 21 is connected to the above-described circulating pump 22 at an arbitrary place, and a liquid (for example, water) is sealed within the piping. By this means, by operating the above-described circulating pump 22, the liquid (for example water) circulates and flows in the liquid-gas heat exchanger 31 and the liquid-gas heat exchanger 41 via the piping 21. The liquid-gas heat exchanger 31 and the liquid-gas heat exchanger 41 may be identical.

Here, the liquid-gas heat exchanges 31 and 41 have preexisting configurations, and are not explained in particular detail, but a simple explanation follows. In the above-described heat exchanger 121 of the prior art, two types of gas (both air; interior warm air, and outdoor air) are caused to pass through the interior, and by causing heat exchange between the two types of gas, when the outdoor air temperature is particularly low, the interior warm air is cooled by the outdoor air. In the liquid-gas heat exchangers 31 and 41, a liquid (for example water) and a gas (here, air) are caused to pass through the interior, and by causing heat exchange between the liquid and gas, the fluid at the higher temperature is cooled.

The above-described gases (air) are interior warm air for the liquid-gas heat exchanger 31, and outdoor air for the liquid-gas heat exchanger 41. Further, the above-described liquid is water or the like, which is caused to circulate by the above-described piping 21 and circulating pump 22.

When the outdoor air temperature is low, through heat exchange between the above-described liquid (water or the like) and outdoor air in the liquid-gas heat exchanger 41, the temperature of the liquid (water or the like) falls and the temperature of the outdoor air rises. As a result, the liquid (water or the like) at a comparatively low temperature flows via the piping 21 into the liquid-gas heat exchanger 31. Hence in the liquid-gas heat exchanger 31, heat exchange is performed between this comparatively low-temperature liquid (water or the like) and the interior warm air. As a result, the temperature of the interior warm air falls, and the temperature of the liquid (water or the like) rises. Consequently the liquid (water or the like) at a comparative high temperature flows via the piping 21 into the liquid-gas heat exchanger 41, and is again cooled by the exterior air as described above. Exterior air the temperature of which has risen as a result is exhausted from the exterior air exhaust opening 44.

The flow of air within the interior air unit 30 is caused to be downward in FIG. 1 (the direction from above to below) by the blower 32, but can be made upward (the direction from below to above) as well. Similarly, the flow of air within the exterior air unit 40 is caused to be upward in FIG. 1 by the blower 42, but can be made downward.

However, it is desirable that the flow of air within the indoor air unit 30 be made downward as shown in FIG. 1. When made downward, the warm air which has been warmed by the heat-generating members 101 is above, and air cooled in the liquid-gas heat exchanger 31 flows downward, so that the normal flow of air within the indoor air unit 30 is in accordance with natural phenomena and is not opposed to natural convection.

Here, manufacture of the above-described indirect outdoor air cooler 20 and installation tasks are explained.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, by making the housings of the outdoor air unit 40 and of the indoor air unit 30 substantially the same shape and size (so that the areas of mounting on the wall are also substantially the same), and arranging the housings so as to be substantially left-right symmetric with the wall 1 in the center in an integrated configuration, the above-described indirect outdoor air cooler 20 is formed. Here “left-right” refers to the figure.

At the time of installation of these units, for example, first a plurality of penetrating holes are opened in the wall 1. Next, the outdoor air unit 40 and indoor air unit 30 are each arranged at positions such that the frame works of the housings are left-right symmetric with the wall 1 in the center (that is, at substantially the same positions with the wall 1 therebetween, as shown in FIG. 1), and bolts and nuts or the like are used to fasten the outdoor air unit 40 and indoor air unit 30, via the above-described plurality of penetrating holes opened in the wall 1, at the positions of the plurality of penetrating holes. Further, the piping 21 is connected via a separate penetrating hole.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor air unit 40 and indoor air unit 30 are substantially identical with respect not only to housings, but to interior configuration as well (as shown in the figure, substantially left-right symmetric), with the difference of the presence or absence of the circulating pump 22 and the like. Hence at the factory, for example, units are manufactured in a configuration without a circulating pump 22, without discrimination between outdoor and indoor air units, and at the time of installation a unit can be used as either an outdoor air unit 40 or as an indoor air unit 30. However, when installing as an indoor air unit 30, a task to connect the circulating pump 22 is necessary. However, manufacturing efficiency at the factory is improved, and a cost reduction effect can be expected.

By means of the indirect outdoor air cooler 20 described above, the following advantageous results are exhibited.

In the indirect outdoor air cooler 20, a pair of liquid-gas heat exchangers 31 and 41, the internal fluids of which are liquids and the external fluids of which are gases, are arranged in the building interior and exterior with the wall 1 therebetween, outdoor air is caused to flow as the external fluid in one liquid-gas heat exchanger 41 and indoor air is caused to flow as the external fluid in the other liquid-gas heat exchanger 31, and an internal fluid (liquid) is caused to circulate in both the liquid-gas heat exchanges via the piping 21. By this means, heat exchange between the outdoor air and the indoor air is performed.

Through the above-described features, the above-described indirect outdoor air cooler 20 exhibits the following advantageous results.

(1) By arranging with left-right symmetry and integrating the outdoor air unit 40 having the liquid-gas heat exchanger 41 through which outdoor air passes, and the indoor air unit 30 having the liquid-gas heat exchanger 31 through which indoor air passes, with the wall 1 in the center, housings having substantially the same framework structure can be used in these units 30 and 40, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

(2) Further, when installing the indirect outdoor air cooler 20, the outdoor air unit 40 and indoor air unit 30 are fastened using bolts and nuts or the like via a plurality of penetrating holes opened in the wall 1, at the positions of the plurality of penetrating holes. Hence construction costs are low, and moreover installation tasks are simple.

(3) Compared with the system of the prior art in FIG. 4 and the like, duct portions can be reduced, and pressure losses due to duct resistance can be reduced.

Next, the air conditioning system (integrated air conditioning system) of Practical Example 2 is explained.

The air conditioning system of Practical Example 2 can also be said to be one type of indirect outdoor air cooling system, but is integrated, with a compact configuration.

In the indirect outdoor air cooling system of the above-described Practical Example 1, a configuration for the indirect outdoor air cooler 20 was proposed which is ductless and compact, and is easily installed; the general air conditioner 10 is substantially the same as in the prior art.

In Practical Example 2, an integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system is proposed in which the function of an indirect outdoor air cooler and the function of a general air conditioner are integrated.

By this means, the overall equipment configuration can be simplified, the equipment can be made more compact, costs can be reduced, and it can be expected that overall power consumption will be reduced.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the air conditioning system (integrated air conditioning system) of Practical Example 2.

Further, FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged diagram of the configuration of FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2, the space for cooling by the integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system is taken to be the same as in the examples shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. That is, the interior space for cooling is for example a server room in which are installed numerous server racks 102, on which are mounted server devices (computer devices) or other heating elements 101. Cool air is transported to the under-floor space, cool air is supplied to the space of server setting via the under-floor space, and each of the heating elements 101 is cooled by this cool air. As a result the cool air becomes warm air, and the warm air flows into the above-ceiling space.

Here, the configuration in which cool air is transported to the above-described under-floor space is the integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system 50 shown. The integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system 50 has a configuration which integrates the function of the indirect outdoor air cooler 20 and the function of the general air conditioner 10. In the integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system 50, warm air in the above-described above-ceiling space is caused to flow in, the temperature of the warm air is first lowered by the function of the indirect outdoor air cooler, and then, cool air at a prescribed temperature is generated by the function of the general air conditioner. Below, a detailed explanation is given referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

The integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system 50 comprises the indoor air unit 60 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and an outdoor air unit 70.

In functioning of the indirect outdoor air cooler of the above-described indirect outdoor air cooler 50, outdoor air and indoor air are mutually separated when performing heat exchange, similarly to the example of the prior art shown in FIG. 4 and the configuration shown in FIG. 1, so that outdoor air humidity, dust and corrosive gas included in the outdoor air is not taken into the interior, and the reliability of the servers or other electronic equipment is maintained.

After separate manufacture at a factory or the like, the indoor air unit 60 and outdoor air unit 70 are for example installed in close contact to the wall faces of the wall 1 as shown. At this time, by further installing the piping 51 and refrigerant piping 52 shown and the like (or, by connecting (welding or the like) two substantially half-portions fabricated in advance), the integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system 50 is configured. When installing the piping 51 and refrigerant piping 52, penetrating holes must be provided in the wall 1; as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the penetrating holes are formed in four places. Further, the manufacture and installation of the indoor air unit 60 and outdoor air unit 70 may be substantially the same as for the indoor air unit 30 and outdoor air unit 40 of the above-described Practical Example 1, and further details are not explained here.

The building is divided into the building exterior and the building interior with the wall 1 as the boundary, and the outdoor air unit 70 is installed in the building exterior, while the indoor air unit 60 is installed in the building interior. That is, the outdoor air unit 70 is installed so as to be in close contact with the wall face on the building exterior side of the wall 1. The indoor air unit 60 is installed so as to be in close contact with the wall face on the building interior side of the wall 1.

It is desirable that the outdoor air unit 70 and indoor air unit 60 be provided at corresponding positions with the wall 1 in the center. Corresponding positions with the wall 1 in the center are for example positions as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 or the like, and when for example seen from the side of the outdoor air unit 70, are positions such that the indoor air unit 60 exists on the inner side of the wall 1. Put another way, supposing that the housing of the outdoor air unit 70 and the housing of the indoor air unit 60 are substantially the same shape and size, as shown, then these two housings are arranged so as to be in a substantially symmetric relation (in the figure, substantial left-right symmetry) with respect to the wall 1, as shown. Of course configurations are not limited to this example, but in essence, it is desirable that installation be such that installation is easily performed and such that piping is short.

The indoor air unit 60 has a stacked member 61. The stacked member 61 has an evaporator 61a, liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b, fan 61c and the like; these are stacked to form an integrated member, as shown. Such a configuration which integrates an evaporator, liquid-gas heat exchanger and fan as a stacked member has some advantageous results, but the invention is not limited to this configuration example. However, a feature of Practical Example 2 is the use of an “integrated” unit, and it is necessary that an evaporator, liquid-gas heat exchanger, and fan be provided within the indoor air unit 60.

Further, the indoor air inlet 62 and indoor air outlet 63 shown and other holes are opened in the housing of the indoor air unit 60 (for example, having a box shape with one face open). The fan 61c creates an air flow (indicated by the dot-dash arrows in the figure) which causes warm air in the above-described above-ceiling space to flow from the indoor air inlet 62 into the unit 60, and after passing through the indoor air unit 60 (and in particular the stacked member 61), is exhausted from the indoor air outlet 63.

The above-described stacked member 61 is configured with the above-described liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b provided on the upstream side of this air flow, and with the above-described evaporator 61a provided on the downstream side.

Hence the configuration is not limited to the example shown, and any configuration may be used so long as this condition is satisfied.

Further, although not shown in particular, even when a stacked (integrated) member is not used, a configuration is necessary in which a liquid-gas heat exchanger is provided on the upstream side of the air flow and an evaporator is provided on the downstream side. That is, a configuration is necessary in which, after lowering the temperature of the indoor air (warm air) using the liquid-gas heat exchanger, adjustment is performed to a prescribed temperature (temperature setting) in the evaporator.

The above describes the relative positional relation between the liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b and the evaporator 61a; in the above-described stacked member 61, the position of the fan 61c (the order of arrangement relative to the flow of air) may be anywhere. That is, the fan 61c may be at the position on the farthest upstream side of the above-described air flow, or at the position on the farthest downstream side, or may be at an intermediate position (between the liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b and the evaporator 61a). This is true even when a stacked member is not used. This is also substantially true for the stacked member 71 described below.

The outdoor air unit 70 has a stacked member 71 or the like. The stacked member 71 has a condenser 71a, liquid-gas heat exchanger 71b, fan 71c, and the like, and is configured such that these are stacked and integrated as shown.

However, similarly to the indoor air unit 60, the invention is not limited to an example of a stacked member. However, similarly to the indoor air unit 60, it is necessary that a condenser, liquid-gas heat exchanger, and fan be provided within the outdoor air unit 70.

Further, the outdoor air inlet 72 and outdoor air outlet 73 shown and other holes are opened in the housing of the outdoor air unit 70 and the like. The fan 71c creates an air flow (indicated by the dot-dash arrows in the figure) which causes outdoor air to flow from the outdoor air inlet 72 into this unit 70, and after passing through the outdoor air unit 70 (and in particular the stacked member 71), to be exhausted from the outdoor air outlet 73.

The above-described stacked member 71 is configured with the above-described liquid-gas heat exchanger 71b provided on the upstream side of this air flow, and the above-described condenser 71a provided on the downstream side. As explained above, substantially similarly to the above-described stacked member 61, the position (the order of arrangement relative to the flow of air) of the fan 71c in the stacked member 71 may be anywhere (and therefore the invention is not limited to the example of the configuration shown, and any configuration may be used so long as the above-described condition is satisfied). The same is true when a stacked member is not used.

As explained above, the configurations shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 for the indoor air unit 60 and outdoor air unit 70 are one example, and the invention is not limited to this example.

Various configurations and methods of manufacture of the above-described stacked members 61 and 71 may be used, and a detailed explanation is not given here, but it is desirable that a configuration and method of manufacture are used which enable easy manufacture and/or make the members as compact as possible. For example, taking as an example the stacked member 61, all of the above-described evaporator 61a, liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b and fan 61c may be accommodated in arbitrary housings (forming units), and the size and shape of the housings may be made substantially the same. Further, as one example, the shape of the housings may be for example substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, and by stacking these three rectangular parallelepipeds, the shape of the stacked member 61 may be made substantially a rectangular parallelepiped.

Further, in this example the stacking and integration of the above-described evaporator 61a, liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b and fan 61c (formation of the stacked member 61) may, as one example, be performed by connecting together the above-described housings. Connection together of the housings may for example be performed by passing rods or bolts through holes provided in the corners of each of the housings and fastening with nuts, or by some other generally used method.

Of course numerous holes to enable the passage of indoor air, and holes to pass through various piping and the like, are provided in the above-described housings.

Here, the liquid-gas heat exchangers 61b and 71b are connected together via a piping 51 substantially similarly to the liquid-gas heat exchangers 31 and 41 in Practical Example 1, and a liquid (water or the like) in the piping 51 is made to circulate in the liquid-gas heat exchangers 61b and 71b and the piping 51 by the circulating pump 53. The liquid-gas heat exchangers 61b and 71b may be configured similarly to the above-described liquid-gas heat exchangers 31 and 41; a preexisting configuration is used, and so no details in particular are explained.

Through the liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b, the above-described liquid (water or the like) passes, and the above-described indoor air (warm air) passes. By this means, heat exchange is performed between the liquid (water or the like) and the warm air in the liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b, and in essence the warm air is cooled (heat in the warm air moves to the liquid) and the temperature of the warm air falls. However, this depends on the temperatures of the outdoor air and the warm air, and does not ensure that the temperature of the warm air will fall. But when the outdoor air temperature is high, the circulating pump 53 may be halted or other measures may be taken.

Further, the evaporator 61a and condenser 71a are provided with a refrigerant piping 52, expansion valve 54 and compressor 55. Each of these constituent members is substantially the same as a constituent member of the general air conditioner 10. That is, in the general air conditioner 10, the air handling unit 12 comprises the above-described evaporator 12a and fan 12b, and the evaporator 61a has a configuration corresponding to the evaporator 12a. Further, as explained above the refrigeration unit 11 comprises a compressor and condenser, not shown, and the configurations of the above-described compressor 55 and condenser 71a correspond to these. The expansion valve 54 has a configuration corresponding to the expansion valve 13.

As shown, the evaporator 61a, condenser 71a, expansion valve 54 and compressor 55 are connected to the refrigerant piping 52. Refrigerant circulates through the evaporator 61a, condenser 71a, expansion valve 54 and compressor 55 via the refrigerant piping 52. That is, the refrigerant circulates in the general compression-refrigeration cycle (evaporation-compression-refrigeration cycle and the like) of “evaporator 61a→compressor 55→condenser 71a→expansion valve 54→evaporator 61a”. In the evaporator 61a, refrigerant captures heat from the surroundings upon evaporation, and thus cools the surrounding air. The captured heat is dissipated to the outdoor air and the like in the condenser 71a. The functions of the expansion valve 54 and the compressor 55 are as in the prior art, and no explanation in particular is given.

As shown, the expansion valve 54 is provided within the indoor air unit 60, but may be provided within the outdoor air unit 70. The compressor 55 is provided within the outdoor air unit 70, but may be provided within the indoor air unit 60. That is, a configuration in which the expansion valve 54 is provided within the indoor air unit 60 and the compressor 55 is provided within the outdoor air unit 70, a configuration in which the expansion valve 54 is provided within the outdoor air unit 70 and the compressor 55 is provided within the indoor air unit 60, a configuration in which the expansion valve 54 and the compressor 55 are both provided within the indoor air unit 60, and a configuration in which the expansion valve 54 and the compressor 55 are both provided within the outdoor air unit 70, are possible.

Further, in the example shown the circulating pump 53 is provided in the indoor air unit 60, but may be provided in the outdoor air unit 70.

The above-described liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b and liquid-gas heat exchanger 71b perform heat exchange between a liquid and a gas, but other configurations are possible. In place of these liquid-gas heat exchangers, heat exchangers which perform heat exchange between a gas and a gas (hereafter called gas-gas heat exchangers) may be provided. Of course, in this case some gas is used in place of the liquid. If such liquids and gases are collectively called “fluids”, then the above-described liquid-gas heat exchangers and gas-gas heat exchangers may collectively be called fluid-gas heat exchangers or fluid-fluid heat exchangers. In this case, it can be said that some “fluid” flows in the piping 51. That is, it can be said that an arbitrary “fluid” is made to circulate, via the piping 51, between the two heat exchangers (in the example shown, these are the liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b and the liquid-gas heat exchanger 71b, but as stated above, other configurations are possible).

The above has been an explanation of different configurations of the integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system 50.

Below, operation of integrated indirect outdoor air cooling systems 50 using each of the above-described configurations is explained.

That is, when the indoor air (warm air) in the above-described above-ceiling space flows into the indoor air unit 60 via the indoor air inlet 62, the warm air first passes through the liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b, so that heat exchange is performed between the warm air and the liquid (water or the like), and the temperature of the warm air falls. The extent of this fall depends on the outdoor air temperature (the liquid temperature) and the temperature of the warm air.

The above-described warm air the temperature of which has fallen then passes through the evaporator 61a. By this means, the warm air the temperature of which has fallen is cooled by the evaporator 61a, and the temperature falls still further, to become cool air. This cool air is controlled so as to be at a prescribed temperature (temperature setting). To this end, of course a controller 80, not shown (shown nominally in FIG. 3), also exists. This controller 80 controls the entirety of the integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system 50, and also controls, for example, the rates of revolution of fans, controls the circulating pump 53, and performs various other control; however, no explanation in particular is given. The controller 80 has a CPU or other computation device and memory or another storage device, and controls the integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system by inputting as appropriate measurement values from various sensors, not shown.

Further, the controller 80 may be provided within the housing of the indoor air unit 60 or within the housing of the outdoor air unit 70, or may be provided outside these units (in proximity to the units or the like). In FIG. 3, various signal lines and the like relating to the controller 80 are not shown, but in actuality exist, and the controller 80 controls the above-described integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system 50 in various configurations via such signal lines. For example, in the vicinity of the outlet of the fan 61c is provided a temperature sensor, not shown, and the controller 80 acquires the temperature measured by this temperature sensor via a signal line, not shown. The controller 80 controls the configuration related to the above-described general compression-refrigeration cycle via a signal line, not shown, such that this measured temperature is equal to a temperature setting.

In this example as described above, the liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b is arranged on the upstream side of the flow of warm air, and the evaporator 61a is arranged on the downstream side.

Cool air generated by the above-described evaporator 61a is exhausted from the indoor air outlet 63 (after passing through the fan 61c). Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the indoor air outlet 63 is arranged so as be connected to the under-floor space. Consequently the integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system 50 differs from the above-described indirect outdoor air cooler 20 of FIG. 1, in being installed such that a portion extends below the floor, as shown in FIG. 2. By this means, cool air exhausted from the indoor air outlet 63 flows into the under-floor space, flows into the space of server setting via the under-floor space, and cools the heating elements 101. Cool air becomes warm air by cooling the heating elements 101, this warm air flows into the above-ceiling space, and again flows from the above-described indoor air inlet 62 into the indoor air unit 60.

On the other hand, regarding the outdoor air unit 70, outdoor air which has flowed into the outdoor air unit 70 via the outdoor air inlet 72 first passes through the liquid-gas heat exchanger 71b, so that heat exchange is performed between the outdoor air and a liquid (water or the like). The temperature of this liquid (water or the like) rises upon heat exchange with warm air in the above-described liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b. By performing heat exchange between the liquid (water or the like) the temperature of which has risen in this way and outdoor air, the temperature of the liquid (water or the like) falls. The liquid (water or the like) the temperature of which has fallen is again supplied to the side of the liquid-gas heat exchanger 61b by the circulating pump 53 and piping 51.

On the other hand, the temperature of outdoor air rises due to heat exchange with the above-described liquid (water or the like) upon passing through the liquid-gas heat exchanger 71b. This outdoor air the temperature of which has risen then passes through the condenser 71a, and because the condenser 71a is dissipating heat as describes above, the temperature rises further, and thereafter the outdoor air is exhausted from the outdoor air outlet 73.

In the above explanation, “building interior” may be called the “interior side”. Hence the “interior side” includes not only the “interior space for cooling”, but the machine room and the like. In other words, “interior side” can be said to be the space in which the above-described “indoor air” (air in the building interior) exists. Similarly, in the above explanation, “building exterior” may be called the “exterior side”. In other words, “exterior side” can be said to be the space in which the above-described “outdoor air” (air in the building exterior) exists. “Interior space” has a somewhat different meaning from the above-described “interior side”, and is taken to mean the above-described “space for cooling by the indirect outdoor air cooling system (interior space for cooling)”. Hence “interior space” does not include the machine room and the like.

By means of the above-described integrated indirect outdoor air cooling system 50, the following advantageous results are mainly obtained.

(a) Compactness

In the prior art and in Practical Example 1, two devices were present, the general air conditioner and the indirect outdoor air cooler; by integrating these two devices, compactness can be achieved, and the installations space can be reduced. Even when the machine room or the like is small, for example, installation is made easy (or, installation is possible even in spaces too small for installation of equipment of the prior art).

(b) Reduced Construction Costs Through Ductless Wall Mounting

This advantageous result is similar to that of the above-described Practical Example 1; there is no need to provide ducts as in the prior art. The indoor air unit and outdoor air unit are manufactured in advance, for example at a factory, and merely by mounting these units on the wall at the time of construction (although tasks to open walls for piping and the like are necessary), construction labor can be decreased, and so construction costs can be reduced.

(c) Improvement of Compactness and Manufacturing Properties Through Use of a Stacked Member

In the prior art, Practical Example 1 and the like, in relation to the configuration in the building interior for example, an evaporator, liquid-gas heat exchanger, fan, and the like existed separately (of course, manufacturing was also performed separately). On the other hand, in Practical Example 2 the evaporator, liquid-gas heat exchanger, and fan are stacked and integrated in a stacked member, and consequently compactness can be attained. Further, manufacturing is performed together rather than individually, so that manufacturing is made easier. In particular, by standardizing on a shape and size which are substantially the same as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it can be expected that manufacturing properties will be further improved. Further, the advantageous results of greater convenience in carrying and ease of installation can be expected.

(d) Reduction of Blowing Power (Electric Power) and Cost Reduction Through Common Fan Use

In the configuration of Practical Example 2, compared with the prior art and Practical Example 1, the number of fans can be reduced, and so the blowing power (electric power) can be reduced and costs can be lowered. For example, in the configuration of Practical Example 1 shown in FIG. 1, four fans, which are the fan 11a, the fan 12b, the fan 32 and the fan 42, are provided. On the other hand, in the configuration of Practical Example 2 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, only two fans, which are the fans 61c and 71c, are sufficient. That is, the number of fans can be reduced by half. Hence, for example, the cost incurred in purchasing fans can be reduced by half. Further, electric power is necessary to operate fans, but this electric power is reduced when two fans are used compared with when four fans are used.

By means of an integrated air conditioning system of this invention, what in the prior art are two devices, the general air conditioner and the indirect outdoor air cooler, are integrated, and consequently compactness can be attained. Further, in the prior art the evaporator, compressor, heat exchangers, fans and the like exist separately. By stacking and integrating these into a stacked member, further compactness can be attained, and manufacturing is made easier. And, the number of fans can be reduced, so that the blowing electrical power and cost can be reduced.

Claims

1. An integrated air conditioning system, comprising an indoor air unit through which indoor air passes, and an outdoor air unit through which outdoor air passes,

wherein the indoor air unit has a first heat exchanger, an evaporator, and a first fan to cause the indoor air to pass through the first heat exchanger and the evaporator;

the outdoor air unit has a second heat exchanger, a condenser, and a second fan to cause the outdoor air to pass through the second heat exchanger and the condenser;

an air conditioner based on a compression-refrigeration cycle is configured by providing a refrigerant piping connected to the evaporator, the condenser, an expansion valve provided in one of the outdoor air unit or the indoor air unit, and a compressor provided in one of the outdoor air unit or the indoor air unit, and by causing a refrigerant to circulate via the refrigerant piping through the evaporator, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the compressor; and

an indirect outdoor air cooler is configured by providing a piping connected to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, by causing an arbitrary fluid to circulate via the piping through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, by causing heat exchange to be performed between the fluid and the outdoor air in the second heat exchanger to thereby cool the fluid by the outdoor air, and by causing heat exchange to be performed between the cooled fluid and the indoor air in the first heat exchanger to thereby cool the indoor air by the fluid.

2. The integrated air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein in the indoor air unit, the first heat exchanger, the evaporator, and the first fan are stacked and integrated to form a first stacked member.

3. The integrated air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein in the outdoor air unit, the second heat exchanger, the condenser, and the second fan are stacked and integrated to form a second stacked member.

4. The integrated air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein in the indoor air unit, the first heat exchanger is provided on an upstream side of the flow of indoor air formed by the first fan, and the evaporator is provided on a downstream side.

5. The integrated air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein in the outdoor air unit, the second heat exchanger is provided on an upstream side of the flow of outdoor air formed by the second fan, and the condenser is provided on a downstream side.

6. An indoor air unit which is provided on an interior side and through which indoor air passes, the indoor air unit being provided corresponding to an outdoor air unit which is provided on an exterior side and through which outdoor air passes, and comprising:

a first heat exchanger, an evaporator, and a first fan to cause the indoor air to pass through the first heat exchanger and the evaporator,

wherein an air conditioner based on a compression-refrigeration cycle is configured by providing a portion of a refrigerant piping connected to the evaporator, a condenser in the outdoor air unit, an expansion valve provided in the outdoor air unit or the indoor air unit, and a compressor provided in the outdoor air unit or the indoor air unit, and by causing a refrigerant to circulate via the refrigerant piping through the evaporator, the condenser, the expansion valve and the compressor; and

an indirect outdoor air cooler is configured by providing a portion of a liquid piping connected to the first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger in the outdoor air unit, and by causing an arbitrary fluid to circulate via the liquid piping through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to thereby cause heat exchange between the fluid and the indoor air in the first heat exchanger, and cool the indoor air.

7. An outdoor air unit which is provided on an outdoor side and through which outdoor air passes, the outdoor air unit being provided corresponding to an indoor air unit which is provided on an interior side and through which indoor air passes, and comprising:

a second heat exchanger, a condenser, and a second fan to cause the outdoor air to pass through the second heat exchanger and the condenser,

wherein an air conditioner based on a compression-refrigeration cycle is configured by providing a portion of a refrigerant piping connected to the condenser, an evaporator in the indoor air unit, an expansion valve provided in the indoor air unit or the outdoor air unit, and a compressor provided in the indoor air unit or the outdoor air unit, and by causing a refrigerant to circulate via the refrigerant piping through the evaporator, the condenser, the expansion valve and the compressor; and

an indirect outdoor air cooler is configured by providing a portion of a liquid piping connected to the second heat exchanger and a first heat exchanger in the indoor air unit, and by causing an arbitrary fluid to circulate via the liquid piping through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to thereby cause heat exchange between the fluid and the outdoor air in the second heat exchanger, and cool the fluid.

8. A stacked member, configured to cool indoor air and provided within an indoor air unit which is provided on an interior side and through which the indoor air passes, the indoor air unit being provided corresponding to an outdoor air unit which is provided on an exterior side and through which outdoor air passes,

wherein the stacked member is formed by stacking and integrating:

a heat exchanger, which causes a fluid having undergone heat exchange with the outdoor air in the outdoor air unit and the indoor air to pass through the first heat exchanger, and causes heat exchange between the fluid and the indoor air;

an evaporator, which together with the outdoor air unit configures a compression-refrigeration cycle; and

a fan.

9. A stacked member, configured to move heat in indoor air to outdoor air and provided within an outdoor air unit which is provided on an exterior side and through which the outdoor air passes, the outdoor air unit being provided corresponding to an indoor air unit which is provided on an interior side and through which the indoor air passes,

wherein the stacked member is formed by stacking and integrating:

a heat exchanger, which causes a fluid having undergone heat exchange with the indoor air in the indoor air unit and the outdoor air to pass through the heat exchanger, and causes heat exchange between the fluid and the outdoor air;

a condenser, which together with the internal air unit configures a compression-refrigeration cycle; and

a fan.

10. The integrated air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein in the outdoor air unit, the second heat exchanger, the condenser, and the second fan are stacked and integrated to form a second stacked member.

11. The integrated air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein in the indoor air unit, the first heat exchanger is provided on an upstream side of the flow of indoor air formed by the first fan, and the evaporator is provided on a downstream side.

12. The integrated air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein in the indoor air unit, the first heat exchanger is provided on an upstream side of the flow of indoor air formed by the first fan, and the evaporator is provided on a downstream side.

13. The integrated air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein in the outdoor air unit, the second heat exchanger is provided on an upstream side of the flow of outdoor air formed by the second fan, and the condenser is provided on a downstream side.

14. The integrated air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein in the outdoor air unit, the second heat exchanger is provided on an upstream side of the flow of outdoor air formed by the second fan, and the condenser is provided on a downstream side.

15. The integrated air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein in the outdoor air unit, the second heat exchanger is provided on an upstream side of the flow of outdoor air formed by the second fan, and the condenser is provided on a downstream side.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

an indoor air treatment unit;

an outdoor air treatment unit;

wherein the indoor air treatment unit and the outdoor air treatment unit are configured to be connected to each other across an intervening wall of a structure so as to be substantially aligned with each other.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising piping configured to be connected between the indoor air treatment unit and the outdoor air treatment unit, to circulate a fluid between the indoor air treatment unit and the outdoor air treatment unit.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein

the indoor air treatment unit includes an indoor heat exchanger;

the outdoor air treatment unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger; and

the piping is configured to circulate the fluid between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a circulating pump configured to circulate the fluid through the piping.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising air conditioning equipment substantially aligned with at least one of the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger.