ENGINE DRIVEN HEAT PUMP

Regarding an engine driven heat pump in which an engine, a compressor, a refrigerant circuit, and a generator are stored in a main body package, an engine actuation battery to actuate the engine, a battery charging circuit to charge the engine actuation battery, and an inverter to convert output power from the generator into a predetermined voltage and a predetermined frequency are stored in a separate body package, which is a separate body with respect to the main body package, and a front surface and a back surface of the separate body package is made up of an area in such a manner as to fit in a side surface of the main body package, and the separate body package is provided on a side surface near to the generator, out of side surfaces of the main body package and supported by the main body package.

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Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE REGARDING APPLICATION AND PRIORITY

This nonprovisional application claims priority under U.S.C. 119(a) on Patent Application No. 2013-193236 filed in Japan on Sep. 18, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an engine driven heat pump in which heat exchange is performed by use of a refrigerant, which is sucked and discharged by a compressor driven by an engine, thereby flowing through a refrigerant circuit.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, it has been known that a generator is mounted in the engine driven heat pump in which heat exchange is performed by use of a refrigerant, which is sucked and discharged by a compressor driven by the engine, thereby flowing through a refrigerant circuit (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 4682558).

Japanese Patent No. 4682558 discloses that the engine driven heat pump, in which the generator is mounted, is used as a power supply device at the time of power failure.

However, although Japanese Patent No. 4682558 discloses that the engine driven heat pump, in which the generator is mounted, is used as the power supply device at the time of power failure, Patent Document 1 fails to disclose any specific mounting constitution of members constituting a self-sustaining power supply device that includes an engine actuation battery, which is required for the actuation of the engine at the time of power failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an engine driven heat pump, in which a generator is mounted, the engine driven heat pump that is used as a power supply device at the time of power failure, which provides the specific mounting constitution of members constituting a self-sustaining power supply device that includes an engine actuation battery, which is required for the actuation of an engine.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an engine driven heat pump includes an engine, a compressor configured to be driven by the engine, a refrigerant circuit configured to flow a refrigerant sucked and discharged by the compressor, a generator configured to be driven by the engine, a main body package configured to store the engine, the compressor, the refrigerant circuit, and the generator, an engine actuation battery configured to actuate the engine, a battery charging circuit configured to charge the engine actuation battery, and an inverter configured to convert output power from the generator into a predetermined voltage and a predetermined frequency, a separate body package configured to store the engine actuation battery, the battery charging circuit, and the inverter, the separate body package being a separate body with respect to the main body package, wherein a front surface and a back surface of the separate body package is made up of an area in such a manner as to fit in a side surface of the main body package, and the separate body package is provided on a side surface near to the generator, out of side surfaces of the main body package and supported by the main body package.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a mode can be exemplified where the engine and the generator, and the refrigerant circuit are separated in such a manner as be arranged right and left viewed from a front surface of the main body package.

According to the aspects of the present invention, with respect to the engine driven heat pump in which a generator is mounted, the engine driven heat pump is used as a power supply device at the time of power failure and can provide the specific mounting constitution of members constituting a self-sustaining power supply device that includes an engine actuation battery, which is required for the actuation of an engine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one example of a heat exchange system including an engine driven heat pump according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view illustrating the schematic constitution of the engine driven heat pump illustrated in FIG. 1 in a state where the exterior cover of a separate body package is detached.

FIG. 2B is a front view illustrating the schematic constitution of the engine driven heat pump illustrated in FIG. 1 in the state where the exterior cover of the separate body package is detached.

FIG. 2C is a right side view illustrating the schematic constitution of the engine driven heat pump illustrated in FIG. 1 in the state where the exterior cover of the separate body package is detached.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the schematic constitution of the engine driven heat pump illustrated in FIG. 1 in a state where the exterior cover of a main body package and the exterior cover of the separate body package are detached.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the schematic constitution of the engine driven heat pump illustrated in FIG. 1 in the state where the exterior cover of the main body package and the exterior cover of the separate body package are detached.

 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one example of a heat exchange system 500 including an engine driven heat pump 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The heat exchange system 500 illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided in such a manner that a refrigerant is circulated through a refrigerant circulation path 300 while a state where the refrigerant is decompressed and brought down to a low temperature and a state where the refrigerant is pressurized and brought up to a high temperature are alternated by means of the engine driven heat pump 100.

The refrigerant circulation path 300 includes a first refrigerant circuit 310 (one example of a refrigerant circuit) provided in the engine driven heat pump 100 (an outdoor unit constituting an air conditioner in the example), a second refrigerant circuit 320 provided in a heat exchange unit 200 (an indoor unit constituting the air conditioner in the example), a third refrigerant circuit 330 with which the first refrigerant circuit 310 and the second refrigerant circuit 320 are communicated, a first heat exchanger 340 provided in the engine driven heat pump 100 and interposed in the first refrigerant circuit 310, a second heat exchanger 350 provided in the heat exchange unit 200 and interposed in the second refrigerant circuit 320, and an expansion valve 360 interposed in the refrigerant circuit (the first refrigerant circuit 310 in the example) provided between the first heat exchanger 340 and the second heat exchanger 350.

The first refrigerant circuit 310 of the engine driven heat pump 100 includes a discharge-side first refrigerant pipe 311 that is connected to a discharge side of a compressor 120 that is driven by an engine 110, thereby sucking and discharging the refrigerant, a one-side first refrigerant pipe 312 that is connected to one side of a third refrigerant pipe 331 on the one side of the third refrigerant circuit 330, an other-side first refrigerant pipe 313 that is connected to a third refrigerant pipe 332 on the other side of the third refrigerant circuit 330, an suction-side first refrigerant pipe 314 that is connected to the suction side of the compressor 120, and a four-way valve 315. The four-way valve 315 is connected to the discharge-side first refrigerant pipe 311, the one-side first refrigerant pipe 312, the other-side first refrigerant pipe 313, and the suction-side first refrigerant pipe 314, and the four-way valve 315 is switchable in such a manner that the refrigerant from the discharge-side first refrigerant pipe 311 is guided to the one-side first refrigerant pipe 312, and the refrigerant from the other-side first refrigerant pipe 313 is guided to the suction-side first refrigerant pipe 314, or in such a manner that the refrigerant from the discharge-side first refrigerant pipe 311 is guided to the other-side first refrigerant pipe 313, and the refrigerant from the one-side first refrigerant pipe 312 is guided to the suction-side first refrigerant pipe 314. The first heat exchanger 340 is provided in the other-side first refrigerant pipe 313, and the expansion valve 360 is provided between the first heat exchanger 340 and the third refrigerant pipe 332 on the other side of the third refrigerant circuit 330 with respect to the other-side first refrigerant pipe 313. The second refrigerant circuit 320 of the heat exchange unit 200 includes a second refrigerant pipe 321 connected to the third refrigerant pipe 331 on the one side of the third refrigerant circuit 330 and the third refrigerant pipe 332 on the other side of the third refrigerant circuit 330. The second heat exchanger 350 is provided in the second refrigerant pipe 321.

With the above-mentioned constitution, when the heat exchange system 500 is utilized for heating or hot-water supply (heating in the example), the four-way valve 315 is switched in such a manner that the refrigerant from the discharge-side first refrigerant pipe 311 is guided to the one-side first refrigerant pipe 312, and the refrigerant from the other-side first refrigerant pipe 313 is guided to the suction-side first refrigerant pipe 314, and the low-temperature refrigerant is brought into indirect contact with the open air or water via the first heat exchanger 340 so as to absorb heat, and further the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 120 and brought up to a high temperature, and air in a room or water for hot-water supply (air in a room in the example) is heated via the second heat exchanger 350. In contrast, when the heat exchange system 500 is utilized for air conditioning or cold storage (air conditioning in the example), the four-way valve 315 is switched in such a manner that the refrigerant from the discharge-side first refrigerant pipe 311 is guided to the other-side first refrigerant pipe 313, and the refrigerant from the one-side first refrigerant pipe 312 is guided to the suction-side first refrigerant pipe 314, and the high-temperature refrigerant is brought into indirect contact with the open air and the like via the first heat exchanger 340 so as to discharge heat, and further the refrigerant is decompressed through the expansion valve 360 and brought down to a low temperature, and the air in the room or a refrigerator (the room in the example) is cooled via the second heat exchanger 350.

Also, regarding the heat exchange system 500, the engine driven heat pump 100, in which a generator 130 driven by an engine 110 is mounted, is used as a power supply device at the time of power failure of a system E (specifically, commercial power supply), and the heat exchange system 500 further includes a self-sustaining switching device 400.

The self-sustaining switching device 400 includes a switching unit 410 that switches operations on whether the system E and wiring attachment connectors PL such as an attachment plug or a wall socket in a house are connected via wiring circuit breakers BK (breaker) or whether an independent output unit 101 of the engine driven heat pump 100 and the wiring attachment connectors PL in the house are connected via the wiring circuit breakers BK.

In the present embodiment, the switching unit 410 automatically switches from/to a system connection state where the system E and the wiring attachment connectors PL are connected when the system power is supplied from the system E to/from a power-failure connection state where the independent output unit 101 of the engine driven heat pump 100 and the wiring attachment connectors PL are connected when the power supply is cut off. It is noted that the switching unit 410 may switch the system connection state and the power-failure connection state in a manual manner.

Also, the self-sustaining switching device 400 further includes a transformer 420. The transformer 420 transforms 200V system voltage to 100V system voltage. The transformer 420 is provided on a connecting line between the wiring circuit breaker BK corresponding to the wiring attachment connector PL for the 200V system (connector connected to the heat exchange unit 200 in the example) and the wiring circuit breaker BK corresponding to the wiring attachment connector PL for the 100V system (in the example, a connector connected to a general load Lo such as an illuminator or a television set that is usually used).

In the present embodiment, regarding the engine driven heat pump 100, a main body package 150 stores the engine 110 (a gas engine in the example), the compressor 120 driven by the engine 110, the first refrigerant circuit 310 that flows the refrigerant sucked and discharged by the compressor 120, and the generator 130 driven by the engine 110. Specifically, a driving force from the engine 110 is transmitted to the compressor 120 via an electromagnetic clutch 121. The driving force from the engine 110 is transmitted to the generator 130 directly or indirectly via a driving transmission means not illustrated. It is noted that the engine 110 is provided as a gas engine, but not limited thereto. Engines except for the gas engine may be applied.

The engine driven heat pump 100 includes a self-sustaining power supply device 160 that includes an engine actuation battery 161 that supplies power to an engine starter 140 (specifically, a starter motor) for starting engine 110 and actuates the engine 110, a battery charger 162 (one example of a battery charging circuit) that charges the engine actuation battery 161, and an inverter 163 (specifically, a self-sustaining inverter) that converts the output power from the generator 130 into a predetermined voltage and a predetermined frequency. In the present embodiment, the self-sustaining power supply device 160 further includes a starter relay 164. The starter relay 164 is connected between the engine starter 140 and the engine actuation battery 161 and configured to supply battery power from the engine actuation battery 161 to the engine starter 140.

Next, mounting structure, in which a member constituting the self-sustaining power supply device 160 is mounted on the engine driven heat pump 100, will be described below referring to FIGS. 2A to 2C, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are schematic constitutional views of the engine driven heat pump 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 in a state where the exterior cover of a separate body package 170 is detached. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the engine driven heat pump 100, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the engine driven heat pump 100, and FIG. 2C is a right side view of the engine driven heat pump 100. Also, FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic constitutional views of the engine driven heat pump 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 in a state where the exterior cover of the main body package 150 and the exterior cover of the separate body package 170 are detached. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the engine driven heat pump 100 viewed from the front side, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the engine driven heat pump 100 viewed from the back surface side.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, regarding the main body package 150, its external shape is formed in a hexahedron. In the example, the main body package 150 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped of which all the surfaces are formed in a rectangular shape.

Regarding the main body package 150, the area of a front surface 151, which is a front side at the time of installation, and the area of a back surface 152, which is a back side at the time of installation, are larger than the area of a right-side surface 153, which is a side surface on the right side viewed from the front surface 151, the area of a left-side surface 154, which is the side surface on the left side viewed from the front surface 151, the area of a flat surface 155, which is disposed on the upper side at the time of installation, and the area of a bottom surface 156, which is disposed on the lower side at the time of installation. Also, regarding the main body package 150, the area of the right-side surface 153 and the area of the left-side surface 154 are larger than the area of the flat surface 155 and the area of the bottom surface 156. Also, the front surface 151, the back surface 152, the right-side surface 153, and the left-side surface 154 of the main body package 150 are extended in the up-and-down direction, and the flat surface 155 and the bottom surface 156 of the main body package 150 are extended in the right-and-left direction. It is noted that, in the example, the main body package 150 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped of which all the surfaces are formed in a rectangular shape, but not limited thereto. A hexahedral shape, in which at least two surfaces are formed in a square, may be applied.

Then, regarding the engine driven heat pump 100, the engine actuation battery 161, the battery charger 162, the inverter 163, and the starter relay 164, as members constituting the self-sustaining power supply device 160, are stored in the separate body package 170 that is separate from the main body package 150. The areas are constituted in such a manner that a front surface 171 (side surface on one side viewed from the front surface of the main body package 150) and a back surface 172 (side surface on the other side viewed from the main body package 150) of the separate body package 170 are fitted into the right-side surface 153 or the left-side surface 154 (the right-side surface 153 in the example) of the main body package 150. It is noted that a battery unit 180 is constituted by the self-sustaining power supply device 160 and the separate body package 170.

Also, regarding the engine driven heat pump 100, the separate body package 170 is provided on the side surface (the right-side surface 153 in the example) near to the generator 130, out of the right-side surface 153 and the left-side surface 154 of the main body package 150 and configured to be supported by the main body package 150.

In the present embodiment, regarding the separate body package 170, its external shape is formed in a hexahedron. In the example, the separate body package 170 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped of which all the surfaces are formed in a rectangular shape.

Specifically, regarding the separate body package 170, the back surface 172 is contiguous with the right-side surface 153 of the main body package 150, and a distance L1 (see FIGS. 2A and 2C) in the right-and-left direction (front-and-back direction viewed from the front surface 151 of the main body package 150) of the front surface 171, the back surface 172, a flat surface 175 and a bottom surface 176 is equal to or smaller than (in the example, approximately 20 percent smaller than) a distance L2 (see FIGS. 2A and 2C) of the front-and-back direction (right-and-left direction viewed from the front surface 171 of the separate body package 170) of the right-side surface 153, the left-side surface 154, the flat surface 155, and the bottom surface 156 of the main body package 150. Also, regarding the separate body package 170, a distance L3 (see FIGS. 2B and 2C) of the up-and-down direction of the front surface 171, the back surface 172, a right-side surface 173, and a left-side surface 174 is equal to or smaller than (in the example, approximately 20 percent smaller than) a half of a distance L4 in the up-and-down of the front surface 151, the back surface 152, the right-side surface 153, and the left-side surface 154 of the main body package 150. Regarding the separate body package 170, the area of the front surface 171 and the area of the back surface 172 are larger than the area of the right-side surface 173, the area of the left-side surface 174, the area of the flat surface 175, and the area of the bottom surface 176. Also, regarding the separate body package 170, the area of the right-side surface 173 and the area of the left-side surface 174 are larger than the area of the flat surface 175 and the area of the bottom surface 176. Also, the front surface 171, the back surface 172, the right-side surface 173, and the left-side surface 174 of the separate body package 170 are extended in the up-and-down direction, and the flat surface 175 and the bottom surface 176 of the separate body package 170 are extended in the right-and-left direction (front-and-back direction viewed from the front surface 151 of the main body package 150). It is noted that, in the example, the separate body package 170 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped of which all the surfaces are formed in a rectangular shape, but not limited thereto. A hexahedral shape, in which at least two surfaces are formed in a square, may be applied.

Specifically, the separate body package 170 is disposed in the central portion in the front-and-back direction viewed from the front surface 151 of the main body package 150 (right-and-left direction viewed from the front surface 171 of the separate body package 170). Regarding the separate body package 170, the back surface 172 is supported by the right-side surface 153 of the main body package 150 (see FIGS. 2B and 2C). Also, in the separate body package 170, the starter relay 164 is provided on one side (the left side in the example: the front side viewed from the front surface 151 of the main body package 150) in the right-and-left direction (front-and-back direction viewed from the front surface 151 of the main body package 150) of an upper portion, and the battery charger 162 is provided at the central portion (the central portion in the front-and-back direction viewed from the front surface 151 of the main body package 150) in the right-and-left direction of the upper portion, and the inverter 163 is provided on the other side (the right side in the example: the back side viewed from the front surface 151 of the main body package 150) in the right-and-left direction of the upper portion, and the engine actuation battery 161 is provided below these members.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the engine 110 and the generator 130, and the refrigerant circuit (the first refrigerant circuit 310 in the example) are separated in such a manner as to be arranged on the right and left of the engine driven heat pump 100.

In the engine driven heat pump 100, the engine 110 and the generator 130 are arranged on the right side or the left side in the right-and-left direction viewed from the front surface 151 (the right side in the example), and the first refrigerant circuit 310 is arranged on the left side or the right side in the right-and-left direction viewed from the front surface 151 (the left side in the example).

Specifically, in the engine driven heat pump 100, on the lower side and on the front surface 151 side (see FIG. 3), a first arrangement area 150a where the engine 110 and the engine starter 140 are arranged is provided on the right side or on the left side in the right-and-left direction viewed from the front surface (the right side in the example), and a second arrangement area 150b where the compressor 120 and the first refrigerant circuit 310 are arranged is provided at the central portion in the right-and-left direction, and a third arrangement area 150c where electrical components 10 such as a control unit and a power supply circuit are arranged is provided on the right side or on the left side in the right-and-left direction viewed from the front surface (the left side in the example). Also, in the engine driven heat pump 100, on the lower side and on the back surface 152 side (see FIG. 4), a fourth arrangement area 150d where the generator 130 is arranged is provided on the right side or on the left side in the right-and-left direction viewed from the front surface (the right side in the example), and a fifth arrangement area 150e where the first refrigerant circuit 310, a receiver 370, and a waste heat recovery device 380 are arranged is provided on the right side or on the left side in the right-and-left direction viewed from the front surface (the left side in the example). Also, on the upper portion of the main body package 150, a plurality of outdoor fans 211 (cooling fans) (two fans in the example) are arranged side by side in the right-and-left direction, and the first heat exchanger 340 is provided between the outdoor fans 211 and the central portion in the up-and-down direction.

Incidentally, it is conceivable that the main body package 150 and the separate body package 170 are independently provided in a separate manner, and if so, installation work is required when the engine driven heat pump 100 is installed, and wiring work is required for the generator 130 and the engine starter 140 that starts the engine 110, which deteriorates the operability of installation work. Also, when the separate body package 170 is provided on the side surface far from the generator 130, out of the right-side surface 153 and the left-side surface 154 of the main body package 150, it is likely that a wiring distance from the generator 130 and the engine starter 140 to the self-sustaining power supply device 160 becomes longer.

In this regard, according to the engine driven heat pump 100 of the present embodiment, the separate body package 170, which stores the engine actuation battery 161 that actuates the engine 110, the battery charger 162 that acts as a battery charging circuit for charging the engine actuation battery 161, and the inverter 163 (a member constituting the self-sustaining power supply device 160) that converts the output power from the generator 130 into a predetermined voltage and a predetermined frequency, is supported by the main body package 150, so that the separate body package 170 can integrally be formed with the main body package 150, and accordingly, the installation work for the separate body package 170 at the time of installation of the engine driven heat pump 100 can be omitted, and the wiring work for the generator 130 and the engine starter 140 can be omitted, which makes it possible to improve the operability of the installation work as much. Also, the separate body package 170 is provided on the side surface near to the generator 130, out of the right-side surface 153 and the left-side surface 154 of the main body package 150, a wiring distance between the self-sustaining power supply device 160 and the generator 130 or between the self-sustaining power supply device 160 and the engine starter 140 can be shortened as much as possible.

Incidentally, when lines from the separate body package 170 to the generator 130 and the engine starter 140 are passed through the arrangement space of the first refrigerant circuit 310, there is an apprehension that the dew condensation water of the first refrigerant circuit 310 is attached to the lines.

In this regard, regarding the constitution in which the separate body package 170 is provided on the side surface near to the generator 130, out of the right-side surface 153 and the left-side surface 154 of the main body package 150, the engine 110 and the generator 130, and the first refrigerant circuit 310 that acts as a refrigerant circuit are separately arranged right and left, so that the separate body package 170 can be wired to engine starter 140 and the generator 130 while avoiding the arrangement space of the first refrigerant circuit 310, which makes it possible to prevent the dew condensation water of the first refrigerant circuit 310 from being attached to the lines.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be executed in various forms. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed above are mere exemplification in all the aspects, but shall not be regarded as the basis of limitative interpretation. The scope of the present invention shall be defined based on Claims, not restricted by the main paragraph of Description. Furthermore, all the modifications and changes, which are included within the scope of the equivalents to Claims, are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An engine driven heat pump, comprising:

an engine;
a compressor configured to be driven by the engine;
a refrigerant circuit configured to flow a refrigerant sucked and discharged by the compressor;
a generator configured to be driven by the engine;
a main body package configured to store the engine, the compressor, the refrigerant circuit, and the generator;
an engine actuation battery configured to actuate the engine;
a battery charging circuit configured to charge the engine actuation battery; and
an inverter configured to convert output power from the generator into a predetermined voltage and a predetermined frequency,
a separate body package configured to store the engine actuation battery, the battery charging circuit, and the inverter, the separate body package being a separate body with respect to the main body package,
wherein a front surface and a back surface of the separate body package is made up of an area in such a manner as to fit in a side surface of the main body package, and the separate body package is provided on a side surface near to the generator, out of side surfaces of the main body package and supported by the main body package.

2. The engine driven heat pump according to claim 1,

wherein the engine and the generator, and the refrigerant circuit are separated in such a manner as be arranged right and left viewed from a front surface of the main body package.
Patent History
Publication number: 20150075206
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 18, 2014
Publication Date: Mar 19, 2015
Inventors: Shohei Amakawa (Osaka-shi), Hideshi Okada (Osaka-shi), Keisuke Taharabaru (Osaka-shi)
Application Number: 14/489,666
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With Flow Control Or Compressor Details (62/324.6); Combined (62/331)
International Classification: F25B 30/02 (20060101);