Refrigerant circuit for a refrigeration device with a thermal store and method for controlling a refrigerant circuit

By using a combination of carbon dioxide and phase change materials in the refrigerant circuit, the problem of low performance of carbon dioxide air conditioning systems in warm climates has been solved, enabling flexible storage and release of thermal energy, improving cooling efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.

CN116507860BActive Publication Date: 2026-07-14DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD +1
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
Filing Date
2021-11-04
Publication Date
2026-07-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing air conditioning systems that use carbon dioxide as a refrigerant perform poorly in warmer climates, and these systems cannot effectively store heat to prevent reduced cooling efficiency, especially at night when outside temperatures are low.

Method used

It employs a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor, a heat exchanger on the heat source side, an expansion device, and a heat storage tank. It uses carbon dioxide as the refrigerant and achieves the storage and release of thermal energy through fluid connecting pipes and switching mechanisms. Combined with phase change materials, it can utilize the stored thermal energy during peak temperatures, ensuring high cooling capacity and flexibility.

Benefits of technology

Storing thermal energy when the external temperature is low prevents a decrease in cooling efficiency, and using the stored thermal energy during peak temperatures improves cooling capacity, reduces CO2 emissions, and adapts to the availability of excess renewable electricity.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant circuit for cooling and / or heating purposes. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a refrigerant circuit (1) for a refrigeration device with a thermal storage, said refrigerant circuit using CO2 as refrigerant, comprising at least one compressor (10), a heat source side heat exchanger (11), an expansion device (12) and a thermal storage (20), said thermal storage comprising a thermal storage material (21), said thermal storage material preferably being a phase change material (PCM) from the group of organic PCMs such as bio-based, paraffin, carbohydrate or lipid derivatives, or water, wherein said refrigerant circuit (1) further comprises a first fluid communication pipe (30) communicating between a fluid side of said heat source side heat exchanger (11) and one side of said thermal storage (20) and a second fluid communication pipe (40) communicating between the expansion device (12) and the other side of the thermal storage (20).
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